[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Heron colony disturbance



>The USFWS Habitat Index model for Great Blue Herons (Short and Cooper 1985. 
>USFWS Biol Rep 82) recommends a "disturbance-free zone of 250 meters". 
>Obviously there are many herons to don't require such a large area, but the
>recommendation is intended as a guideline - whether the birds will abandon
>the colony will probably depend upon their previous exposure to disturbance
>and a number of other variables.
>
>Roy S. Slack
>234 Besaw Road
Phoenix, NY  13135

************

One factor the 250-meter zone doesn't seem to take into account is 
the QUALITY of disturbance. Birders on foot making quiet observations 
are unlikely to cause as many problems as even periodic intrusions by 
riders on three- or four-wheelers, barrelling through the woods while 
gunning engines loudly.

The internal combustion engines on ATVs, snowmobiles, and jet skis 
cause more wildlife havoc than many of their riders seem to 
understand. These machines can have real practical value--except for 
jet skis, of course, which are purely recreational--but they are so 
often misused that their negatives outweigh the positives.

Not everyone likes hunting, but at least hunters are exposed to 
hunter safety courses and a code of ethics. Perhaps the same should 
be required of anyone who purchases the machines mentioned above. 
Until then, we will continue to worry--justifiably--about their 
impact on habitats such as those needed for heronries.


Always hopeful,

BILL

********
-- 

BILL HILTON JR., "The Piedmont Naturalist"
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA
hilton@hiltonpond.org, (803) 684-5852, eFax: (503) 218-0845

Please visit our web sites at http://www.hiltonpond.org and
http://www.rubythroat.org

"Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to
watch the sunset."					BHjr.