In general I do not think it is a good idea to disclose the location of raptors in our posts, especially during nesting season. It is perfectly legal in every state for these birds to be captured by falconers looking for new birds to train. These birds can also be bought and sold legally. This includes raptors that you might think are rare or unique to your area. I have nothing against falconers or the sport, I just don't want to be the one that tells them where the nest is or where the young birds are. Young birds are pretty easily caught. Our local birding website prohibits the posting of any raptor location for just this reason. You might want to read up on your local laws regarding capture of raptors for this growing sport.
Posted by Richard Ditch on June 18, 2012 at 11:44 AM
I'll second Charlie's post. It has been the practice among birders to keep such information out of the general public for at least the 40+ years I've been birding. Not only are these birds at risk from those wanting to own one they are also at risk from being shot by people who see them as evil threats to poultry etc.
Posted by Nick Baldwin on June 18, 2012 at 12:50 PM
I "third" that. Although the only raptors that I actually have been priviledged to see the nests for are Osprey and Bald Eagle and no one is likely to bother them.........since of course they are both protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712. And the Osprey are also protected under Chapter 68A of the Fl. Admin. Code.
Oh, and one GH Owl. almost forgot that one.
But I do share your concern that disclosing the exact location might lead to some-other than our fellow members-whose only interest is self-interest.
Good Point, spread the word.
Actually, you might think that they are protected, but they can still be captured by a falconer with a permit. Permits are not difficult to get. You take a course and pay a fee. I believe this is true for every state. That's why I thought to point it out. Here is some info for your state as an example http://floridafalconry.com/ Read the part under Falconry Regulations. One excerpt from this section: "(9) Capturing raptors; restrictions:
(a) Up to two young birds not yet capable of flight (eyasses) may only be taken by a general or master falconer during the periods of March 17 through April 30 and May 17 through June 30."
(d) Only great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) may be taken when over one year old, except that any raptor (other than endangered or threatened raptors taken under depredation or other special permits) may be used for falconry by general and master falconers.
Here in California it seems that this sport is growing quickly. I know a few falconers that always ask me about where I find the birds I photograph. Remember that as wildlife photographers we spend a great amount of time in the field looking for birds. Most people do not have this knowledge of bird locations and some would like to know for reasons other than photography. Keep that knowledge "close to your heart" is all I'm suggesting.
I suggest googling "Falconry" and the name of your state to see what applies locally. You might be surprised at how popular this sport is and what is allowed legally.
By the way, birds typically used in falconry suchas Peregrines and Cooper's Hawks are used mainly to hunt other birds. That is their natural prey.
Charlie,
Thank you for the heads up. It is very disturbing to think that our sharing with one another could endanger the birds we so love to shoot. Another NPNer told me about a southern CA site where Kites were nesting. A well known southern CA aggressive photographer waltzed up to the site without any thought about disturbing the birds and even positioned himself to look into the nest. The Kites abandoned their nest and have not been seen since.
I thoroughly agree with you Charlie about keeping raptor nest sites private and I will extend that to other rarities, for instance rare ducks during hunting season. We had an incident here where we had three (1 m 2 f) Harlequin Ducks that might have over wintered on the Great Salt Lake and the hunters knew about the birds because they read about it on a bird list serv and blogs. They had been there for weeks and when the young male was just about in his adult plumage all three ducks disappeared at the same time from an area just along the causeway to Antelope Island. So, during hunting I will not share publically the sighting of any rare duck. The word was that a hunter(s) killed all three of the harlies.
Patrick, that is a shame about the aggressive CA photographer disturbing the kites, I wonder how much they would like it if we all disturbed his home.
In my experience the worst offenders are nature photographers themselves. There are a number of greedy, selfish photographers who will do anything to get photos of the nesting birds and young. They don't care how much they disturb the birds. They approach too closely and send the parent birds into a protective frenzy when these birds should be conserving their energy, incubating eggs, and feeding young. We had an incident at our local Bolsa Chica wetlands where a photographer was using frozen pet store mice to lure kites next to the very busy Pacific Coast Highway. This may have been the same offender that Patrick describes. It is up to us to inform these types that what they are doing is flat out wrong. The reality is that they are harming the birds and photo opportunities for everyone. If a gentle talk doesn't change their behavior, photo-document their offenses, their vehicle and license plate, and give the evidence to the local wildlife officials--or post it online. To paraphrase Edmund Burke, evil triumphs if good people do nothing.
Discussion
9 repliesRay
Oh, and one GH Owl. almost forgot that one.
But I do share your concern that disclosing the exact location might lead to some-other than our fellow members-whose only interest is self-interest.
Good Point, spread the word.
(a) Up to two young birds not yet capable of flight (eyasses) may only be taken by a general or master falconer during the periods of March 17 through April 30 and May 17 through June 30."
(d) Only great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) may be taken when over one year old, except that any raptor (other than endangered or threatened raptors taken under depredation or other special permits) may be used for falconry by general and master falconers.
Here in California it seems that this sport is growing quickly. I know a few falconers that always ask me about where I find the birds I photograph. Remember that as wildlife photographers we spend a great amount of time in the field looking for birds. Most people do not have this knowledge of bird locations and some would like to know for reasons other than photography. Keep that knowledge "close to your heart" is all I'm suggesting.
http://wakayamatakagari.blogspot.com/2009/03/help-florida-falconers.html
I suggest googling "Falconry" and the name of your state to see what applies locally. You might be surprised at how popular this sport is and what is allowed legally.
By the way, birds typically used in falconry suchas Peregrines and Cooper's Hawks are used mainly to hunt other birds. That is their natural prey.
Personally I think birds have enough problems.
Thank you for the heads up. It is very disturbing to think that our sharing with one another could endanger the birds we so love to shoot. Another NPNer told me about a southern CA site where Kites were nesting. A well known southern CA aggressive photographer waltzed up to the site without any thought about disturbing the birds and even positioned himself to look into the nest. The Kites abandoned their nest and have not been seen since.
Patrick, that is a shame about the aggressive CA photographer disturbing the kites, I wonder how much they would like it if we all disturbed his home.