Bird Forum

I was wondering if we could possibly have a Bird forum. The subject of birds comes up in so many different forums it would be nice for it to be in one spot. I believe theres a lot of others that would appreciate this. Thank You!

I am in favor of one too!! Pretty Please again Dave?????

Speaking purely as a birdbrain, of *course* I'm all for a bird forum. ;-) ...as long as there are no discussions of intentionally harming or killing any species of birds. The idea for a bird forum has surfaced previously. If there were to be a bird forum, I would keep any bird ID questions in same.

I wouldn't want to be the one trying to pigeon hole all the topics... pun intended. :D Seems impossible to avoid overlap.

Backyard Birding? Birds in the Garden? The Birds Around Us?

Me too! I've been wanting one, just haven't asked before.

Marilyn

I would appreciate a category for birds also...thanks.

I'd be for it if I knew in advance that we wouldn't suddenly deal with a bunch of HOSP problems...

Dear Dave,
A forum and files just for wild birds are just what we need here at the DG Community!!! I personally think it would blow the doors off all the other bird forums on the web.... The set up here, the community you/we have already established is perfect for it. These birds and birders deserve a place set apart from plants and from insects. It is a vast catagory... I was considering buying subscriptions for a couple of my birding buddies, and it's opening would be right on time.
Also, wild birds are the truest gardeners, they plant a lot of seeds, and I believe the trees (their homes) and plants & insects (food) were created for them as much as humans.

Please take all this into serious consideration, I guarantee you will be glad you did.

Deb Magnes
Watauga TX

Dave, We were typing at the same time. Can you elaborate on the acronym "HOSP"?

This message was edited Dec 29, 2006 9:52 AM

What is HOSP?

Susan
=^..^=
I love my birds, so would be for a forum.

House Sparrows... a non-native invasive species in competition with native cavity nesting birds like bluebirds. There was cotroversy earlier this year when people were discussing ways of getting rid of them, and debate about whether the right forum was used to discuss it

This message was edited Dec 29, 2006 10:50 AM

OH, I understand. I 'accidentally' read a big anti sparrow thread and was horrified. Wouldn't want that on here for sure!

Susan
=^..^=

If you can all commit that you'll work with me to keep it clean of HOSP and related problems, then I'm willing to give it a go. If it failed, then I'd reserve the right to later pull the forum back down.

dave

Thanks Dave! I will do just that!

Susan
=^..^=

I will too!!

Commited to DG and my feathered friends o/.

Deb

Me too! Thanks Dave!

Marilyn

Might be good to appoint a team of members to watch out for the forum to be sure the HOSP thing doesn't happen.. and a particular line of dealing with it.. Just a thought.


:> Deb

I would also hate to see where birds are hunted and shot, such as pheasants and ducks.

Thank yoou Dave............I'd better go get some new pics!

Maybe call it the "Birdwatchers" forum instead of just "Birds"; that would (I hope ) rule out bird hunting, and the like.
Deb

I agree with DebinSC.

Marilyn

Count me in as someone who would like to see this forum started.

Yes, COUNT ME IN TOO!! I would LOVE to see a bird watcher's forum at Daves! In addition to great photos, sighting info. and ID help, it would be great to include what plantings are successful bird attractors and make good habitats. Here is a mocking bird guarding "his" winterberry tree.

Being called a Birdwatchers Forum sounds great! I agree 100% about the Hosp issue too.

A birdwatching forum would be great!! As one who vociferously took issue with the killing of house sparrows & starlings in the past, you *know* I won't put up with it... LOL

Loreen ( :>

I'm a birder, too! I'd love a birdwatchers forum. (I don't really like HOSP, or Starlings, but I'd never hurt them in any way...they didn't ASK to be here!)

I had thought I once read that some businessman thought that the USA should have all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare's plays, and he brought all the species over and released them. The only two species that made it were the HOSPs and the Starlings. Any one else heard this story? I'm not sure if it's an urban legend, or not...

Happy New Year!

Marsha.

This message was edited Dec 29, 2006 2:47 PM

It's true for the starling--but not the house sparrow.

Really? So where did the HOSPs come from? Were they stowaways of some kind?

Inquiring minds want to know... ;)

They were brought over by Europeans that missed their native species.

From http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/BNA/ (one can't access the info without a subscription)...

Introduction of house sparrow (formerly "English sparrow")...

Successful North American introduction involved 100 birds purchased by Mr. Nicolas Pike for $200 from England released in Brooklyn, NY, in fall 1851 and spring 1852 (Barrows 1889). Initial expansion in e. U.S. and Canada aided by transplants from populations already established in North America and from additional introductions from Europe. Releases more distant and isolated from those in e. U.S. included San Francisco (1871 - 1872) and Salt Lake City (1873 - 1874). Colonization of North America documented by Barrows (1889), Wing (1943), and Robbins (1973). See also Figure 2.

Introduction of starling...

A large number (12–15, Bent 1950, Lever 1987) of attempts were made to establish the European Starling in North America in the 1800s. All were ultimately unsuccessful. All North American starlings are derived from 80–100 founders released in 1890 and 1891 in Central Park, New York City. This was sponsored by an acclimatization society headed by Eugene Scheiffelin—an effort to introduce all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s writings (in Bent 1950, Lever 1987).

This message was edited Dec 29, 2006 2:01 PM

Thanks again for the info,everyone...I'm continually amazed by the combined knowledge out there on DG! (And the willingness to take time to share it!)

PS, sorry for the thread hijack.

This message was edited Dec 29, 2006 3:07 PM

I would also enjoy a forum like this!!!

I read in an article in our local paper that birding is the #1 hobby in America. I'm not so sure about that - I rather think sitting watching sports on TV is, at least for men... LOL... My Mother and I are the only birders in our circle of close friends. It's a shame. Most people I know can't ID 10 kinds of birds.

Dave, could you put a statement at the top of the page saying that the forum is for the ENJOYMENT of watching/feeding/ etc. wild birds? Perhaps that would keep people from posting negative things about hunting/exterminating?

Jules

You're welcome, Machikoneko :)

p.s. House sparrows were brought here to "control" canker worms. Bad idea!

daylily, There is already a hunting forum, as well as a 'garden foes' forum where those topics can be discussed. Bear in mind that those who advocate the killing of certain non-native species would maintain that doing so is ultimately for their enjoyment of watching and feeding certain native species.

There are many birders who thoroughly enjoy attracting songbirds and other birds to their gardens, but they take what they feel is a more disciplined approach to eliminating the birds that take over their nesting boxes designed for native birds.

That's not necessarily wrong either (IMHO), but it is a point of contention that is bound to come up in the context of birding and attracting birds to our backyards, especially when there are those who are adamantly opposed to that practice.

Some members on both sides of this debate are firmly entrenched in their beliefs, and have scads of information to support their position. It's how those folks will handle this inevitable topic that has us a little concerned about creating a forum that may soon turn into a battle ground.

I am totally against this idea if we cannot educate readers about how to protect our native birds from non-native species which kill our native birds. What are we supposed to say when someone asks if they can put up a Bluebird house? Just say no? If I am asked about how to provide housing for Bluebirds and other cavity nesting birds I always start with House Sparrow and Starling control. If the native birds will not be protected the housing should not go up.

Starting a birding forum that censors educating people about birds is stupidity at its finest.

Now see, I already take issue with your choice of the word "disciplined", Terry. There is no resolution to this debate. Dave made it clear during the previous battle that the 'Garden Foes' forum would be the place for any discussion of trapping, poisoning or otherwise harming/killing of birds. If such cannot be adhered to, I won't be a participant in a bird forum.

Stelco,

You and I are at opposing ends of the educational spectrum. If someone wants to provide housing for bluebirds, there are many websites that can be linked to--including those that do not encourage the killing of birds.

Oh Thank You!

I understand how you feel but are you suggesting that there should not be a Birdwatching Forum just because of this one issue? That would really be ashame.
If you feel that strongly theres always D Mail.

magpied,

Please provide me with a few links that advocate providing housing for Bluebirds and specifically do not advocate HOSP control. I am not aware of any.

pelletory, are you asking stelco or moi?
stelco, I don't want to engage in this. If there will be a bird/birding forum, better to address this issue here--as we are.

:D

I was asking Stelco- sorry, we both typed at the same time. I'm writing to a Bluebird expert about this right now to see what he suggest as an answer that is not violent.

This message was edited Dec 29, 2006 4:57 PM