Monday, December 2, 2013

More Snowy Owl ethics;my inquiry to the NYS DEC and their reply

From Jef Gordon,president of ABA.

his letter to birders and alike

http://birdingdude.blogspot.com/2013/12/enjoy-those-snowy-owls-but-dont-forget.html



My inquiry sent to the NYS Dept of Environmenatl Conservation Endangered Species Unit

From: "Glenn Hewitt" <gmhewitt@gw.dec.state.ny.us>
Date: Dec 2, 2013 12:43 PM
Subject: Re: Snowy Owls
To: "Peter Dorosh" <prosbird@XXXXX, "Information FW" <fwinfo@gw.dec.state.ny.us>
Cc: 

Mr Dorosh,
Thank you for contacting us about this issue. The snowy owl is not a NYS listed species and thus has no protection specifically under NY law. You are correct though that is does have protections under the MBTA. If you see someone harassing the birds, my suggestion would be to contact your local DEC Law Enforcement office or your local Fish and Wildlife Service office and let them know of the situation.

DEC Long Island Law Enforcement
US FWS Field Office: 631-286-0485
Hope that helps.
Thank you,
Glenn




Glenn Hewitt
Fish and Wildlife Technician
NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
518-402-8850
gmhewitt@gw.dec.state.ny.us>>> Peter Dorosh <prosbird@xxxxxxx> 12/1/2013 8:35 PM >>>
Hi, I have been hearing about the irruption of this species right now and been reading as well as hearing numerous reports of people /mainly photographers chasing and flushing Snowy Owls in the Long Island region.From accounts and friends posting on Facebook and the NYS birding listserve, peoples behavior have gotten out of hand and very unethical.
This morning at Jones Beach, I saw some people get really close and even heard from a third party of a guy chasing numerous times a bird with a point and shoot no zoom camera.
My question is : are these birds endangered and protected under NY state law and why isn't there any enforcement? Particularly with the Migratory Birds Treaty Act that protects these stressed out birds ?
Much obliged,
Peter Dorosh
Brooklyn, NY
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