Re: [cobirds] Purple Sandpiper viewing ethics

Interestingly, the best place to see this awesome bird when I was there was up high on the "trail" the first few observers had made right along Highway 9. When I tromped out through the post holes down low to get slightly closer, hoping for a better view, I found the bird was often blocked from view by the snow banks on the nearest shore. In order to get close enough to make that view work, I would have had to walk right up on the bird, and I wasn't about to risk spoiling this for other people who hadn't made it up yet. Especially considering how mega this rarity is (it could potentially draw birders from out-of-state), let's play it safe and give the bird its space. Chances are we all have high powered scopes and can see quite well from the highway, and even if you don't have a great scope, there will most likely be someone there who does when you go to look. And if you think this bird is undisturbed by our encroachments, it's not; it's probably just too focused on surviving another winter night at 9,000 feet at the moment. Bother it enough, though, and it will leave

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Cheers,

Dan Maynard
Denver, CO

On Tue, Dec 20, 2016 at 4:41 PM, Duane Nelson <dnelson1@centurytel.net> wrote:

Birders,

I hate to bring this up, but I know I'm not the only person thinking this. Every day, people seem to be edging closer and closer to the Purple Sandpiper at Lake Dillon. I think the welfare of this bird should come before the "money shot" photograph. We should all feel fortunate just to witness this special visitor. We, as birders, are under the scrutiny of a much larger audience, and I want us to surpass expectations for our exemplary behavior. I beg that people stand back, let the bird forage with a little space, and remain here as long as it chooses. If it's flushed, where else can it go?

I know a little about allowing people to observe rare birds from an appropriate distance and for an appropriate duration. I don't know what I can do about the Purple Sandpiper, but I'm thinking I'd better consider the implications of reporting mega rarities in my neck of the woods.

Respectfully,

Duane Nelson

Las Animas, Bent County, CO


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Cheers,

Dan Maynard
Denver, CO

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