Is the cold making us...

[BoboBird]

Do the most ridiculous things.
Or have some people started going nuts?
Or are our brains really as addled as people say?

Which idiot decided to put all those huge tags on our birds ??

The birds are there for everyone to enjoy. They belong to everyone, not one select group of people.

Who conferred rights on these people to take away my enjoyment of a bird ??

[thouc]

I presume you refer to the Trumpeter Swans. They are part of a introduction/re-introduction (it is unclear if Trumpeter Swans ever have been native breeders in Southern Ontario) program and tagged to keep track of the individual birds to monitor their whereabouts. Without this program there wouldn't be any Trumpeter Swans here at all.

/Thomas

[BoboBird]

Thanks.

That is one.

Those horrendous green neck braces on the geese is another. We have billions of them so must be some other agenda?

It appears like any large bird they can get their hands (if they get their hands on) will/may get one.

There was this big herd of trumpeters at Bluffer's yesterday and they looked absolutely horrendous with the huge tags on both wings. At least bad enough to turn me off taking photographs.

[Trillian Flummox]

I was curious too about the reasons for using such large bands. Here is an informative website that you may find useful:

http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/aboutaux.cfm#tail

-kris

[lovemypt]

I was curious too about the reasons for using such large bands. Here is an informative website that you may find useful:

http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/aboutaux.cfm#tail

-kris

They use large tags so the birds can be id-ed during flight and from distances so the birds are not disturbed by humans more than they need, if they only used a leg band than the birds would have to be trapped and handled to read tag. Tag may look bad but best way to help track migration and bird range

[BoboBird]

Thanks Dave.

Funny thing is that they have leg bands as well.

The trumpeters that I have seen with those grotesque wing tags have an "L" and a "M" marker. How many does one need to tag? If just a few for study that is fine, but brood after brood?

I will stand by the earlier comment - grotesque and an abuse of privilege.



Even the swans look dejected!

[cloaca]

Just curious what information you used to determine that "just a few for study" is fine?   How do you know that "just a few" would accomplish the goals of the study?  

The fact is, if it weren't for the researchers studying these birds, they wouldn't even be there for you to enjoy.

[cosmo3667]

Lots of Trumpeter Swans today over 30 largest count to date. and several without tags and natural looking... but for how long

[BoboBird]

Just curious what information you used to determine that "just a few for study" is fine?   How do you know that "just a few" would accomplish the goals of the study?  

The fact is, if it weren't for the researchers studying these birds, they wouldn't even be there for you to enjoy.

That tone is not helpful.

HOW do YOU know that tagging in that particular manner will ensure anything?

Oh wait - birds disappear if they are not tagged....

[cloaca]

That tone is not helpful.

In no way do I want to continue this silly debate, but I have to point out that you started this thread by calling the biologists responsible for letting you enjoy Trumpeter Swans in southern Ontario "idiots."

[BoboBird]

Cosmos - did you see that big lady with the buckets of corn?

Something strange happened when I was there the other day.

There were a few swimming around when I arrived. A bit later I saw this lady pull up in her SUV and pull out those buckets. As if on cue, there was this loud overhead honking and a whole herd came flying in, circled twice and landed right in front of her.



Next time I see her will ask if she has a homing device on her that communicates with the tags.

The lady in red was doing this...

[BoboBird]

That tone is not helpful.

In no way do I want to continue this silly debate, but I have to point out that you started this thread by calling the biologists responsible for letting you enjoy Trumpeter Swans in southern Ontario "idiots."

What you do not agree with is "silly" ??

I have some choice words but will refrain.

[thouc]

The more important question to ask is if it is right to introduce Trumpeter Swans to Southern Ontario (and claiming it is a re-introduction) even if there is no evidence that they have been native breeders here. They did, however, breed in Northern Ontario. See this map for its historical range.

[cloaca]

Look.   I had three points, and you didn't address any of them.   No need to get snippy.

1.  Why do you assume that "just a few" birds would be enough to answer the questions they're studying?   I'm just asking.   You said that "just a few" is fine.

2.  Trumpeter Swans would not be here without the very biologists you call idiots.

3.  You are in no position to be critical of tone when you start a thread by calling biologists idiots.

That's all.   Keep up the good work.

[BoboBird]

Thanks thouc. Interesting comment and good info there in the url.