Re: [cobirds] A situation (Boulder)

Hi Dave,

I live out in Lyons and thought I would comment. I don't live in that exact part of town but I go through there on occasion, sometimes (but not always) to bird and photograph. I have been through there at different times of day, in different weather conditions, and seen varying numbers of people. 

Usually it is only a few people I see with cameras and/or binoculars, and it's pretty easy to figure out who's there for the owl. The road is narrow but there are places along the shoulder where you can park without obstructing (even if you have to park a little ways up or down the road and walk a bit). 

I have not seen the numbers your friend described but it would not be surprising, especially with the recent warm weather. I went through there late this morning and it was as crowded as I've seen it. The bird was very close to the road and there were at least a half dozen people (many with large cameras) and several cars in close proximity to the bird. It was definitely more people than I was comfortable seeing that close to a bird. I was just passing through so I did not stop to interact with anyone.

I hope people heed your call for restraint and if they see people starting to congregate to just move on. I myself love to photograph birds but it's not worth stressing the birds or causing other issues.

Eric Hoyt

On Mar 3, 2022, at 11:42, DAVID A LEATHERMAN <daleatherman@msn.com> wrote:

It has come to my attention that photographers, some of whom may be birders, are causing a problem west of Lyons in their lust for a pygmy-owl.  At the risk of pissing some of you off, and causing even more people to seek this bird by publicizing it, I ask for restraint.  The person who called me is not a birder but a guy I used to work with who knows I am into birds.  He owns property bordering Route 7 w of town where he says 16 cars full of loud-talking people pointing big cameras, rutting the right-of-way that he maintains are back again today, the way they have been in numbers for days (weeks?).  He is upset and I don't blame him.  He says that whoever these people are, they don't really care about the bird, that they act very entitled, that this is all just about getting the photo and social.  In short these sorts of situations give birders a black eye and they are becoming more commonplace.  If anyone reading this knows about the situation first hand, has been there, has a comment or rebuttal I can pass on to my friend, I am all ears.  My friend hasn't called the sheriff yet but is about to and it makes me sad to think "we" might have caused a reasonable person with deep sentiments for conservation and the natural world to be so upset.

Dave Leatherman

Fort Collins

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