Richard

The Thick-billed Murre was a single bird, a non-breeder, and not in breeding 
habitat.  The Eurasian Collared Dove and Tropical Kingbird were observed way 
out of breeding dates and range.  The dove will eventually nest here, but 
that species is not as sensitive to human activity as the LEOW.  Those are a 
couple reasons why going to look at the LEOW might be a bad idea, and your 
comparisons are invalid.  Egg dates for LEOW are April 3 in Maryland.  There 
was a pair in adequate habitat, very close to historical egg dates.  Seeing 
the birds is not the issue.  Seeing them during a critical breeding cycle 
is.

When people continue to want "to see them because they may not be on the 
planet for much longer" it may hasten the demise of the species. at least 
this pairs chances of breeding success if they do or are trying to set up 
house in Maryland.   LEOWs have breed in Maryland within the last five 
years.  Check with Walter Ellison, the atlas coordinator.

Rick Sussman - it is no longer winter for breeding LEOWs.  Why is the pair 
still hear?

Maurice - hikers don't stare for an hour on end.  People walking by your 
house may not bother you, but if a group stops and stares, you would likely 
take notice.  Give them a chance.

All - please respect the birds rights to reproduce over our (your) desires 
to see them.  I am not accusing anyone of "impure" motives.  I think as we 
get closer to egg dates, the birders should be more respectful of the owls 
rights.

George

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RICHARD JILL WOOD" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 12:15 AM
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Long-eared owls


> Hi all,
>
> And not everyone goes to see birds with "impure" motives.  As I said, some 
> of us go to see them because they may not be on the planet for much 
> longer.
>
> I've seen LE Owls in 2005, 2006 and I want to see them again this year. 
> What is wrong with that?  And what is wrong if I go with a group?  It's no 
> more wrong than the MANY groups that trugged to Ocean City to see the 
> Murre, or those that went to see the ECD or the Tropical Kingbird.
>
> Richard
>
>
>>  Not everyone goes to see birds with pure motives.
>
>>
>>Georgia McDonald     Towson, Balt Co.
>
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