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Posted by Rafael Galvez on 17:21:00 10/23/08
In Reply to: FWC...Harvest Falcons from Conservation Areas posted by Laura Reynolds
If you read the TAS Bird-board, then this IS your issue! You have no excuse - we MUST get involved. This is OUR DUTY. And it is quite simple, send your email to FWC right away!
I have worked extensively with raptor conservation and the negative effects falconry trapping can have on raptor migration, and I have strong opinions in this matter.
I'll be damned if the information compiled from years of OUR volunteering at various FL bird counts will result in FWC granting falconers the right to trap in our conservation lands.
Are you aware that this year the record of Peregrines migrating over Grassy Key surpassed previous tallies at over 600 birds? Who gathers this information?- People like you and I, invested in the plight of bird life, not falconers - not FWC. Did you know that our hawkwatch almost did not happen this year due to a lack of funds and support? The folks at the hawkwatch are desperate for visitors - they can use our presence to leverage support. When was the last time you visited the Peregrine Falcon capital of the world -IN OUR BACKYARD? Visit Curry Hammock now!
We run the risk of visiting Grassy Key next year and not finding hawkwatchers celebrating around a tally of 640 peregrines, but of finding instead the nets of falconers along the beach hoping to score first year Peregrines - who will manage them; what will they do with undesirable captures; who will fund them - why is there not more support from FWC, our parks and our officials to route our taxpayer money and human resources towards conservation? Maybe it is because birders aren't voicing their concerns towards conservation enough.
You are a birder, you are part of this community? Get involved, BIRDWATCHING IS CONSERVATION, put as much effort into the issues that matter as you do in chasing your latest tick!
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