feeder watching

[stuh]

Hi,
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Stuart. I recently started birding again and I live in Burnaby. I have been taking my nephews out birding with me and we were able to see the Ivory Gull with some help from a local birder on Nov 13th. I had never birded in the valley before but just loved it. My question is do people who have rarer birds coming to feeders allow visitors to view them? I may come out to Abby/Sumas prairie tomorrow and am wondering if I can get permission to see the white throated sparrow and Anna's hummingbird, Any input would help. Thanks very kindly.

[Dave]

Hi Stuart, and welcome to the birding forum! I am glad you got to see the IVORY GULL. We can't guarantee such birds every week, but the valley is an excellent place to bird. I am under the conviction that a lot of birds come through our area and go undetected, as we do not have enough people looking. Although I must say, there are many more eyes on the Fraser Valley now than a few years ago.

Regarding the feeders, I would suggest you send "Personal Messages" to those who have birds coming to their feeders and ask permission/directions to come to their place. Once you are logged on, just click their name and type a message. If they wish to invite others, they will post it on the public forum, otherwise you can make more private arrangements, and there is less pressure to invite people to your personal space.

If the Ivory Gull is in my yard anytime soon, I will invite you to come and have look #2!

Welcome again,

Dave

[Deleted]

Hi, Stuart.

Glad you've gotten back to birding. That has happened to a few of us at various stages. The Ivory Gull would be a good starter species!

I think most of the local birders would enjoy having others coming to view birds of interest at their feeders, provided the situation allows it. In my case, the White-throated Sparrow comes to feed in the back yard and is only visible from inside the home, and it only shows up briefly off and on through the day. Today we saw it three times, I think. So it could be a bit difficult. In such cases, one is torn between reporting it or saying nothing, since it is not feasible to share the bird with others.

On the other hand, when I got to see the Ivory Gull, I quickly contacted others and did what I could to share it. If this sparrow was frequenting a park or other public place I would gladly post detailed directions and probably be there to help others locate it.

It just occurs to me that we could try putting out feed in the front yard and see if the sparrow and juncos would show up there, where they'd be visible from the street. But the brush pile in the back yard gives them secure shelter, and they prefer that, I think. I'll discuss it with my wife in the morning and see what we might do.

I just heard from Brian this evening that the Anna's hummer pair have not shown up at his feeders for a couple of days. There must be other Anna's coming to feeders elsewhere, though, and someone may respond.

Good birding!

Stan

[fouram]

Welcome, Stuart--I would love to invite anyone over to see the "action" at the feeders, however it is so hit and miss, and I have nowhere near the variety, amount of birds in my new place that I had in my other apartment, which "sparked" the "Apartment Feeder" thread. Mind you, I must admit that the other place had more "green space" than here, but the feeder season is really just starting. I have had a surprise visit from Bushtits, as well as a short visit, once--from a couple of Pine Siskins. I still get an inordinate amount of House Sparrows at the feeders--which has almost prompted me to take the feeders down and discontinue, however--almost!--I will certainly report, and invite anyone to share the "view" if there is anything that does show up, as far as a "rarity", or an unusual bird--but that may encompass a rather large variety--this is only my second season feeding---Al

[stuh]

Thank you all for your kind comments. Didn't get out to the Valley because of the weather but did go birding for a short while at Maplewood Flats. Thank you for the advice and offers and re:the feeders, I will contact the members directly and ask for permission. Happy birding and hope to soon meet some of you in person.

[Gord]

Stu, keep an eye here as good birding walks have been organized in the past. No doubt another Cheam Ridge hike will be planned for next season. Usually a few people keen to see a White-tailed and even a Rock Ptarmigan!

But back to the topic of viewing birds on private property. Im glad Stuh brought this up as Ive considered this as a very real dilemma. I bird a couple places thanks to the understandings and blessing of the land owners. They are very accommodating of myself coming by on their land which I appreciate and certainly dont take for granted. However, Ive often thought what if I find something mega? Of course, Id love to share right away. But then I think about it.

Before I go further, no, Im not or have not been sitting on something huge like a Greater Black-backed Gull.

So back to my 'problem'. There is no way I could share this sighting far and wide as the land owners will not appreciate the attention. Even if people line the roadway hoping to view from a publicly owned vantage point, I know I can kiss my birding privileges goodbye as it wont be appreciated. A bad apple or two (there's always one) trying to sneak in during the early morning hours will just make matters worse.

I could just tell my friends, but how fair is that. All my friends have friends. Realistically, every birder out there has a birder friend. I could ask them to keep it quiet, but then again, that's not fair to expect especially when I want to encourage a sharing atmosphere. I sort of figure either share it completely or not at all.

What's more important. Keeping a good relationship with landowners so data can be collected, or terminating the relationship where any future birding wont happen so possibly a rare species can be seen by others.

The other land owner to consider is my wife!! She will certainly accommodate a few birders stopping in to view a Siberian Accentor at my feeders but a raft of visitors will not be tolerated.

I guess cross these bridges when and if I come to them, but interested to hear other's suggestions and thoughts.

[butterfly]

Has anyone read Stuart McLean's short story "The Bird" from the book "Home From the Vinyl Cafe" ? It is about a rare bird visiting Dave's feeder and the carnival like atmosphere that ensues when birders find out about it. After reading it with tears in our eyes from laughing so hard, we decided never we mean never to divulge the location of a rare bird on someone's private property. If you get a chance to read it please do and let us know what you think!