I think it should be banned in National Parks, at least.
Cheers,
Eric
On 05/01/2014, at 10:17 AM, Peter Shute <> wrote:
> I think this is a growing problem, and that there's no simple answer to i=
t.
>
> In the last few years, more and more people I know have demonstrated thei=
r ability to have a species call playing in seconds, usually to listen to, =
but occasionally to call in birds. Prior to that, I only met the occasional=
person prepared to lug around a set of tapes or CDs, and they had such dif=
ficulty locating the right track that they usually didn't bother. Now, not =
only are tracks quick to find on the phone that so many people carry, they'=
re a fraction of the price of the old CDs sets.
>
> I suspect that while it's likely that overuse can cause problems, it's ok=
in moderation, and that this is obvious enough to users of it that the sug=
gestions of bans will be met with derision.
>
> The problem as I see it is that no single person can determine what expos=
ure a bird has had to playback. It's not enough for me to know that I only =
visit a site once a year and only ever use playback for one minute. I need =
to know how many others are doing it, and I can't know that, I can only gue=
ss. I fear that some people will interpret the fact that they have never se=
en anyone else at a particular site as an indication that it's rarely visit=
ed.
>
> If we accept that complete bans will be ignored and unenforceable, is the=
only option to teach people how to use it intelligently and responsibly, a=
nd perhaps have local bans in some places? But will teaching people how to =
do it encourage so many more people to do it that it just makes the problem=
worse? And if usage is spreading from birders to hunters, is the concept o=
f responsible use valid any more?
>
> Peter Shute
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On 4 Jan 2014, at 3:04 am, "<>" <o=
<>> wrote:
>
>
>
> The Wall St Journal has an article describing the increasing use of birds=
ong playback to lure birds into view.
>
> http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304244904579276551350=
667062
>
> Smartphone apps that include recordings of birdsong are common and inexpe=
nsive. Guides to birdsong used to be expensive, and published in CD format.=
Few birders went to the effort to copy the recorded material to a more por=
table form. Today, birding field guides are offered for smartphones and tab=
lets. This makes birdsong playback in the field a simple matter.
>
> Some authorities say frequent playback of birdsong can be detrimental to =
the targeted bird species, particularly to rare species that occur in a lim=
ited area. Others say it's no problem. One professional birding guide I kno=
w says it's actually beneficial, since the male bird appears to vanquish th=
e mechanical intruder. But he works in remote areas in South America, where=
birds are rarely exposed to playback.
>
> Your thoughts?
>
>
>
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