aplomado2u
Well-known member
Celebrity Red-tailed Hawks in Central Park......too much attention?
In recent months, years for that matter there has been alot of talk
about the Red-tailed Hawks in Central Park New York, even a book has
been written about it.
Here is a link to Rueters for some of the latest.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=7665941
I am a birder, conservation is important to me but I think that all the
flap and hype about the red-tailed hawks on fifth Avenue needs to stop.
Is Central Park supposed to be an ideal habitat for Red-tailed hawks? I
don't think so. When I read the book I recall people being concerned
about the fledgling hawks being injured on their first flights,
crashing down onto fifth avenue with its heavy traffic. Others were
upset when they put rat poison in the Park to control the rat
populations, the arguement being that the hawks could eat the poisoned
rats and die.(is the suggestion that rats should not be controlled in Central
Park?) The dangers for the Red-tailed hawks seemed to be everywhere.
Now the hawks have a new stainless steel cradle for their nest on Fifth
Avenue and all of the same dangers, not to mention all of the gawking
"hawk voyeurs" who set binoculars and spotting scopes to stare at the
nest on the ledge of the building.(personally, I think that birders peering at a building in which people live, just to see a bird, is a huge lack of respect) I can understand the residents of
the building not being thrilled by all of the attention.
Why focus all the attention on Red-tailed hawks being in what may be a "less than ideal" habitat, when there are thousands of "habitat loss" locations and situations that deserve attention and are being ignored?
Habitat loss and destruction is a real threat to some bird populations. I live in
Veracruz Mexico and habitat loss is a "reality" here with absolutely
nothing being done to remedy the situation. Perhaps we need to
"rethink" where we focus our attention when it comes to birding
conservation. This is just my opinion and I thought that I would share it.
David McCauley
Tlacotalpan Veracruz
In recent months, years for that matter there has been alot of talk
about the Red-tailed Hawks in Central Park New York, even a book has
been written about it.
Here is a link to Rueters for some of the latest.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=7665941
I am a birder, conservation is important to me but I think that all the
flap and hype about the red-tailed hawks on fifth Avenue needs to stop.
Is Central Park supposed to be an ideal habitat for Red-tailed hawks? I
don't think so. When I read the book I recall people being concerned
about the fledgling hawks being injured on their first flights,
crashing down onto fifth avenue with its heavy traffic. Others were
upset when they put rat poison in the Park to control the rat
populations, the arguement being that the hawks could eat the poisoned
rats and die.(is the suggestion that rats should not be controlled in Central
Park?) The dangers for the Red-tailed hawks seemed to be everywhere.
Now the hawks have a new stainless steel cradle for their nest on Fifth
Avenue and all of the same dangers, not to mention all of the gawking
"hawk voyeurs" who set binoculars and spotting scopes to stare at the
nest on the ledge of the building.(personally, I think that birders peering at a building in which people live, just to see a bird, is a huge lack of respect) I can understand the residents of
the building not being thrilled by all of the attention.
Why focus all the attention on Red-tailed hawks being in what may be a "less than ideal" habitat, when there are thousands of "habitat loss" locations and situations that deserve attention and are being ignored?
Habitat loss and destruction is a real threat to some bird populations. I live in
Veracruz Mexico and habitat loss is a "reality" here with absolutely
nothing being done to remedy the situation. Perhaps we need to
"rethink" where we focus our attention when it comes to birding
conservation. This is just my opinion and I thought that I would share it.
David McCauley
Tlacotalpan Veracruz
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