Posted by Marie on March 11, 2003 at 23:50:18:
In Reply to: Important message to birders... posted by Raul Urgelles on March 10, 2003 at 17:01:00:
: This past Saturday I showed up at a spot I usually bird before heading to the Krome RR tracks. It's the first right after the RR tracks intersect Krome Ave, well before the familiar spot some of us have birded. On arrival there were two men walking the area who at first I thought were birders since one of them carried binocs. As I drove past them to park further ahead, they started in my direction and met me as I was getting out of my car. This area is next to a cornfield and pretty desolate, which makes me wary of anyone else who's there. It turns out these guys were trapping birds, "finches" as they called them, and pointed to a trap-cage which I unknowingly had parked next to. The cage contained a bird (possibly an immature or female painted bunting) and I guess they were afraid I was interested in taking it, which would explain why they approached me in the first place. One of the men told me how he breeds the birds and by the sound of it has been doing it for awhile.
: The men were friendly and had some limited knowledge of birds. This made communication easier and so I told them they could get in trouble for trapping the birds. At the same time I wanted to avoid being insulting or offensive, or in any way insinuate that I would be the one getting them in trouble. The men said they would be leaving the area and I myself decided to leave also. I don't know if they released the caged bird and I don't know if these guys will be back to do it again.
: I'm posting this message for two reasons: the first is to ask birders to be aware of anyone doing this kind of activity, possibly in areas that we normally bird. I am NOT, and I repeat NOT, by any means encouraging birders to confront anyone trapping birds. The second reason I posted this is to ask if any of you have advice on how to better handle this matter in the future. Should I have contacted Fish and Wildlife? I believe that people who do this just need to be better educated and I for one will try my best to do just that...something I didn't do this time around.
: Needless to say I was upset but I'd like to think I was wise enough not to create a tense situation(surprising for my temperament...then again I don't want to get shot). If any of you feel like I should've pounded these guys for what they were doing or just think this letter is a waste of space, please let me know. Apologies for the lengthy message.
: Raul.
Raul,
I guess I'm naive. I didn't know this was going on. You handled the situation perfectly-I grew up in an inner city in the Northeast and had a knife drawn on me, a gun, and was threatened with bodily harm. On each occasion I was able to talk my way out of the situation by emphasizing the trouble the perpetrator might get into, not acting afraid, and seeming to emphathize with the hoods.
However, the trappers need to stop-reporting them to the authorities with a good description of them and their license plate number will help. I wouldn't go back there anytime soon, though Raul.
You did the right thing in not beating them up. I'm glad you weren't hurt.
We, as human beings, commit many injustices against birds and against animals (and against each other). One vegan's opinion.