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Re: Heron colony disturbance
- To: GannetHB@aol.com, carolinabirds@duke.edu (CAROLINA BIRDS)
- Subject: Re: Heron colony disturbance
- From: BILL HILTON JR Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History<hilton@hiltonpond.org>
- Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 12:06:17 -0500
- In-reply-to: <c3.e105092.27c2a710@aol.com>
- References: <c3.e105092.27c2a710@aol.com>
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
>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.