I know I'll incur the wrath of some of our icons, but I'm going to disagree with Mark, Patrick and others, to a point at least. First a point of agreement: I do NOT think we should interfere with nature with regard to an out of place bird so long as the bird appears healthy and seems to be doing well. And as far as I know that is currently the status of the FT Flycatcher. However, when either the bird's condition or impending weather makes it obvious that it will soon die without intervention I think that suggests that some action COULD be taken if someone is willing to take the responsibility. And especially with regard to birds such as the flycatcher or the Simsbury Calliope of a few years ago I personally feel that perhaps we "owe" them something for the pleasure they afforded so many. This is not to in any way suggest any individual was wrong in their actions, but I have always felt that it was wrong to let the Calliope die "alone in the cold" when something could have been done. And I will feel the same if a like situation arises with the flycatcher. Currently I am still hopeful that there will be another outcome, since I feel a flycatcher is far better equipped to endure, at least temporarily, very harsh conditions. And I believe it is also more likely able to actually escape to the south if somehow it determines that is what it should do. Unfortunately I think the Calliope may have been trapped by human kindness, encouraged to stay by abundant food until it was too late to escape. But I wonder what will happen if someone arrives one morning and finds the flycatcher weakly fluttering on the ground in the middle of the parking lot. Aside from this immediate situation, I believe that what most people on this list would do is try and gently capture the bird and take it to a rehabber post haste, even if it was a bird they had never seen or heard of previously. So why pre-ordain that if our famous flycatcher ultimately can't make it on its own it should die? Don Morgan Coventry

very well reasoned and stated! > From: Mntncougar@aol.com > Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2013 19:49:24 -0500 > To: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org > Subject: [CT Birds] A different point of view > > I know I'll incur the wrath of some of our icons, but I'm going to > disagree with Mark, Patrick and others, to a point at least. > First a point of agreement: I do NOT think we should interfere with nature > with regard to an out of place bird so long as the bird appears healthy and > seems to be doing well. And as far as I know that is currently the status > of the FT Flycatcher. However, when either the bird's condition or > impending weather makes it obvious that it will soon die without intervention I > think that suggests that some action COULD be taken if someone is willing to > take the responsibility. And especially with regard to birds such as the > flycatcher or the Simsbury Calliope of a few years ago I personally feel that > perhaps we "owe" them something for the pleasure they afforded so many. > This is not to in any way suggest any individual was wrong in their actions, > but I have always felt that it was wrong to let the Calliope die "alone in > the cold" when something could have been done. > And I will feel the same if a like situation arises with the flycatcher. > Currently I am still hopeful that there will be another outcome, since I > feel a flycatcher is far better equipped to endure, at least temporarily, very > harsh conditions. And I believe it is also more likely able to actually > escape to the south if somehow it determines that is what it should do. > Unfortunately I think the Calliope may have been trapped by human kindness, > encouraged to stay by abundant food until it was too late to escape. > But I wonder what will happen if someone arrives one morning and finds the > flycatcher weakly fluttering on the ground in the middle of the parking > lot. > Aside from this immediate situation, I believe that what most people on > this list would do is try and gently capture the bird and take it to a > rehabber post haste, even if it was a bird they had never seen or heard of > previously. So why pre-ordain that if our famous flycatcher ultimately can't make > it on its own it should die? > > Don Morgan > Coventry > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org