ONTBIRDers: It was most upsetting to learn at 6PM today that not one of the many birders who have seen the Gray Flycatcher since the information was posted Sunday night have bothered to ask permission of the landowners involved. Had people done so they would have learned that there is a significant DANGER from QUICKSAND on the property. OFO and ONTBIRDS cannot condone trespassing under any circumstances.
The situation was discovered late this afternoon by a birder who has had permission to go on the site for other reasons but did not know about the flycatcher until today. On learning of the problems the landowners were contacted. Mark Cranford has asked that the following advisory be posted to the list: a) the field closest to the road, which people must cross, is owned by one person b) the land on which the bird is being found is owned by a second person c) the swampy area at the base of the hill, fed by runoff from adjacent farms and by an underground spring, never freezes. The terrain of the whole swampy area is considered by the landowner to be QUICKSAND and VERY DANGEROUS. Fortunately, the landowners understand the wish of birders to see a rarity and have given permission for people to continue to look for the bird, but only on the understanding that this is AT EACH BIRDER'S OWN RISK. Please look for this bird only well away from the edge of the swampy area and do not venture onto other parts of the properties away from the site. Finally, no birder should go alone onto the properties. Your cooperation is requested. Mike Mike Street Ancaster, Ontario, Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mike Street <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Visit http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm for information on leaving and joining the list. As well as general information and content guidelines.
