Startling revelations this week as result of the discussion surrounding an unchasable GARGANEY in Linn Co. It seems that several rare species have gone unreported this spring because of access issues. I have expounded upon my own ambivalence about chasing in previous essays, so those who follow this blog know my heart is pure....
The Garganey was unchasable because it was found on a municipal sewage pond. The rules regarding access to sewage ponds vary from community to community and from manager to manager. The restrictions usually center around liability issues. This particular sewage pond is one for which access is near zero. The other three unreported rarities were on private property. In each of these cases the property owners were concerned about being overrun by twitchers. It is my view that in all four cases the restrictions were valid and quibbling does nothing but make birders look petulant and self-centered.
The other three unchasable species were a CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR which is now nearly annual on the Oregon Coast in the fall, so mostly a county rarity, an EASTERN PHOEBE which is rare, but increasing in frequency and a CRESTED CARACARA. The caracara is the major rarity and the bird worth focusing on. I suspect that caracaras are at the front edge of a range expansion and in 10 years no one will think much of seeing one in Oregon. Such has been the case with White-tailed Kites, Red-shouldered Hawks, Black Phoebes and Anna's Hummingbirds. But right now, this is only the second or third documented state record and it's a big deal to some.
The caracara was seen for several days feasting on sheep carcasses. The property owner was adamant about not allowing visitors. It was even suggested to him that he might charge $50 a peek, but he wouldn't have it. I personally don't blame him. I don't believe any birder has an inherent right to see birds. I don't believe birders are any more special, or responsible, or righteous than other folks. Getting the bird documented is sufficient and the property owner is capable of that.
So how come a select few beyond the property owner and a couple local birders got to see it?
Aye, there's the rub.
This is, I think, the number one reason why this whole inaccessible birds thread is so rancorous and I also think it's the real reason why some are shy about reporting unchasable rarities in real time. It's not about the property owners, most people get over that. It's about "how come you got to see it and I can't" issues. We have a few birders who believe it's their right to see every bird that comes into the state. Some of them have the influence to get to see a bird, usually under the banner of records documentation, even though adequate documentation has already been taken care of.
It's not really fair. Records documentation does not require a team of "experts" driving down from Portland. It's all about exploiting position to get special access. It probably does nothing positive for the images these self-selected individuals among other birders. And the resulting need for secrecy robs the rest of us of real-time information.
Had I known about the caracara, I would not have gone to chase it. I've seen them in Texas and Costa Rica It's only a matter of time before I see one in Oregon (unless I get hit by a bus or something). I have followed up on local rarity reports for individuals who did not want their locations revealed and have always reported them as such in a timely manner. I have also turned down invitations to come see birds, already documented by others, in places with restricted access. My reputation (such as it is) is all I have and I choose to err on the side of egalitarianism.
Posted by mbalame at May 18, 2005 6:11 PM