19 / 87
April 2018
19
boatingonthehudson.com
This year Snowy Owls have been spotted in several
places in the metropolitan area including the Hudson
Valley. Their sightings have not been without scrutiny that
may occur around any rare bird sighting. Do we tell or do
we not tell? Has become the question.
When a Gyrfalcon, another uncommon visitor from the
Arctic, was spotted in the Palisades Interstate Park last
winter, word went out in a nano-second and crowds
descended on the lookout. With easily a million dollars of
optics, cameras, scopes and binoculars, two questions
could be heard over coffee in flourishing café, “Did you
see it?”, from the birders and “Did you get it?” from the
photographers.
The bird’s rarity like the owl’s creates instant fame
and, in the case of the Gyrfalcon, which was a pretty
far distance in a tree, a call went up of “foul!” accusing
several photographers of flushing the bird when they got
too close. The Snowy’s habit of just sitting adds to the
potential flushing problem. Stories of “leap-frogging” a
Snowy in the New Jersey Meadowlands two years ago
stated that the bird had to keep flying off, expending
energy and interrupting hunting, to keep a distance from
the encroaching crowd.
With the advancement of iphones, long lenses, digital
imagery, and social media, the objectifying of nature is
entertainment and big business. While the “experience
of seeing” a Snowy Owl is important to one, “capturing an
image/s” of the bird is important to another. With two not so
distinct positions one might say that everyone should have
the chance to enjoy nature and all her bounties. So, what
happens when a few spoil it for the masses? While there are
those who say there are limits to that enjoyment. So, who
sets those limits ?
The creation of protected areas in parks and on public lands
can help set specific rules and guidelines for bird watching.
There are good reasons to
stay on trails and avoid sensitive areas. However, formal
parks can also stifle important connections especially in
children. There is something to be said for catching frogs
and turning over rocks. Creating an appreciation of nature as
well as developing ethical interactions between humans and
animals is the key
By its habit of just sitting it may not be as entertaining as
other birds of prey. Amongst all the rare species sightings
which can be a fleeting and frustrating hunt for the dedicated,
the spotting of a Snowy Owl presents a possible once in a
lifetime opportunity.
photo:
PJ Singh.