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I would especially like to hear from those who frequently bird the Wastewater how much of an increase in birders you've seen lately (since the Snowies arrived or since the WOOD-TV bit) or any observations of what you'd consider bad bird-watcher behavior.
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I'd suggest commenting under this post (as opposed to the Dec. 12 post) or sending me an email at oakridge35@yahoo.com. If you email, please indicate if you want your comment to be posted; I will not post any email comments unless the sender specifically requests that I do.
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Also, unless you have a gmail account, I believe your comments posted on this site will identify you only as "Anonymous". Anonymous postings are okay, but if you want others to know who you are, please type your name at the end of your comment before submitting it. Thanks!
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- Ric Pedler
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* It has already archived. To find it, scroll to the bottom of this page and click "Older Posts". Thanks to those who have already commented here!
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9 comments:
As of late, I've only on average, seen 1 to 3 other vehicles out there while I'm there, with, usually at least 1 being a vehicle that I've never seen before. I think the "Snow storm" is pretty much past, and things are getting back to normal. Of the "regulars" seen at W.W., every single one, at least in my observation, go to great lengths to keep a comfortable distance, and even after observing/photographing, will remain there until the Bird flies off of it's own choosing before driving off. I would think, again in my own opinion, that if someone is going to send a shot to the media, it might be best to just say "Muskegon" rather than the W.W. for their location. I've sent in quite a few shots to WOOD/WZZM of a wide variety over the years, and never posted an "exact" location, and they've allways used them.
Mike VanderStelt
I would agree with Mike. I have seen several people out looking for the snowy owls that are not "regulars" but for the most part everyone has been respectful of the birds. I don't know that the extra attention has affected the birds much, if any. The seem to be eating regularly as I have found feather piles in the vicinity of the owls on several occasions and most of the photos I have taken, the birds have red stains on their faces and feathers at the talons. On the occasions that I have seen the birds get a little pressure, they have flown far out into a field away from the spectators. I believe they were getting the most pressure on the center dike but since they have barricaded that road, the pressure is off of them there. I continue to see a couple of birds on the center dike, through my scope, since they have closed that road.
I have talked with several of the non-regulars that came to see this awesome sight and they have all been respectful of the birds and as a whole pretty good people.
I also agree with Mike, it would seem that the novelty has worn off for most. I have met a couple of people though that are likely to become more regular visitors. They have found a pretty awesome birding location. One guy has driven over from Ypsilanti, 6 hour round trip, several times.
Rick Hamlin
Today, I saw a photographer casting (with a fishing pole) a stuffed animal of some type, trying to entice a snowy off the maintainance shed roof at the White Rd and Swanson Rd corner.(Was going to post picture but if he reads this he'll know) After chasing from that perch he proceded to chase it from the utility pole it landed on by getting to close. Baiting to get pictures is a issue in itself, trying to get a shot with fake food is just wrong. These birds work hard enough to find food don't tease them for your own selfish pleasure!!!
As far as numbers, during the week its seems to be mostly the regulars and respectful birders. I think weekend traffic is up and I seem to be meeting quite a few people from Holland, GR and beyond.
Ric, Mike and Rick,
First I want to thank you for this amazing blog. I've been reading the Nature Club bird reports and this blog for the past 6 or seven years, and compared to many other reports and blogs around the country.....yours is superior in every way!
With that in mind, we visit the Spring Lake area from the Dayton area of Ohio, about two or three times each year. Visiting the wastewater for some birding is part of each trip. Imagine how pleased we were at Thanksgiving to see the report of a possible Snowy Owl. It was the highlight of our visit, not only to view the owls (we were able to see two on one afternoon), but to share the experience with several family members who have started to catch the birding bug.
Even my students at school the next Monday were amazed to hear the story of our trip to see the owls. I showed them the photo's on this blog over and over until they had all their questions answered.
With all that said, I hope that you understand that you have a treasure in your backyard (the Wastewater) and those of us who get to visit occassionaly will do our best to respect the inhabitants, the environment and our fellow birders.
Karen
Karen,
Thanks so much for the kind words, though Rick and I will post shot here and there, ALL of the credit goes to Ric Pedler. He does 100% of this blog, from inserting all the Birding data, to correcting our grammer :) (He's a retired English Teacher)and, as you stated does an exellent job! It's so nice to hear that, through your Classroom, there may be more up-and-coming Birders to your credit. It's allways nice to see kids enjoying nature -- I.E. without an Ipod, or texting everyone on the Planet. ;) I'm glad you had a "lucky day" at our little piece of Heaven, and if you see anything good down there, send it along!
Mike VanderStelt
Mike, thanks for the compliments, but your 100% is way off. This blog would have little appeal if not for the beautiful pictures (pronounced "efforts") of our excellent photographers! Karen, comments like yours make any efforts worth it. Very glad you and your students enjoy this. BTW: I probably will have family moving to the Dayton area next year whom I'll be visiting occasionally. If you care to share any of the good birding areas down that way, please contact me sometime via email: oakridge35@yahoo.com. Thanks!
I have been to the WW 4 times and saw owls every time. The first day was the Friday after Thanksgiving and an owl was near the still-unbarricaded center dike. I was in the vicinity about 45 minutes, watching someone creeping up towards the owl when it then flew to the center dike where others were watching. I personally think human behavior that day did not allow the owl to maintain any one position and it flew as soon as a human got too close...back and forth from the center dike to the north edge of the east lagoon.
The second time, I saw owls south of Apple off Swanson on an irrigator, and a car was on the road which ran along the irrigator very close to the owl; I then saw a snowy north of Apple, east of the lagoons and there was also a car off in the fields approaching the owl; the third sighting that day had no one else around and while tempted to approach closer (and I could have), I didn't.
The third time there were also 2 cars and a human creeping toward an owl, this time in the fields west of the admin building.
The fourth time, a car blocked the access to an owl sunning on a concrete culvert in the fields just west of the admin building, perhaps preventing the other 2 vehicles in the vicinity from approaching too closely???
There are many photos available on the web; no one really needs to "stalk" these magnificent birds, especially as they can be seen quite easily from not too great distance.
Several birders encroaching as close as they possibly could to the lone Snowy Owl today at the WW. Everytime I drove by at a distance of about 100 yards it seemed as if the vehicles crept closer and closer, just trying to get that perfect shot.
Well, I knew when people started sending photos of the owls to Wood TV it would be the beginnig of the end. This year is the first time I have personally observed the owls at the WW in three years and hope it will not be spoiled by careless behavior.
Felix
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