Owl Woods - in DANGER of closing!!

!!!!!ATTENTION!!!!! Amherst Island Owl Woods

We were out to Owl Woods today and spoke with one of the volunteer patrol person's.

We've been informed that Owl Woods is in danger of being closed due to the stupidity and arrogance of some visitors. Owl Woods is an annual retreat for many species and hundreds of Owl's to over winter, what many people do not know is this wood is PRIVATELY OWNED as it is located across two parcels of land.

In recent months owners have found
- a couple using noise devices to "wake up" owl's to get pictures of with eye's open.

- a busload of people chasing a snowy owl from tree to tree for pictures, then throwing snowballs at it to get BIF pictures!!

- a variety of people ignoring the "closed for hunting" lockout for two weeks and trespassing on private property.

- a paid photographer running a "how too" weekend allowing students to do anything, including breaking tree limbs to get access or make new trails, invading owl hunting grounds by getting "up close" and flash photography - nocturnal birds have sensitive eyes HELLO!!

- leaving garbage

- people caught repeatedly blowing whistles to make birds fly

Please spread the word, we do not want to lose this privilege, volunteers are on regular patrol now, people caught violating rules (now posted everywhere) are banned and charged by the Ministry - it is considered harassment of wildlife and the fines are heavy.

If you happen to be at the wood and see a violator simply snap a pic of them and call the reporting number posted immediately, calling in and the photograph will lead to a ban and fine as well.

If the owners decide to close Owl Woods there's no recourse, closed is closed and that's that.

There are so many good people respecting the places they photograph, lets not allow a few bad eggs ruin it for the rest of us.

If a MOD could tack this to the top for a little while it would be appreciated.

I don't even walk past the patio doors at home if I see a bird on the feeders.

Why would you do that.

I've heard about some of this (and other unacceptable behaviour). I sincerely hope they catch and charge some of the offenders. This sux big time.

I should mention there is now a section roped off and no trespassing signs up in one part of the woods already - the volunteer showed us where - let's hope that's as far as this goes.

That's unfortunate. Some people have no respect for wildlife. They certainly wouldn't tolerate someone doing the same things in their home.

There has been some crazy happenings over there so the strict rules are needed for sure.

LordBrian wrote in post #9603530
I don't even walk past the patio doors at home if I see a bird on the feeders.....

Oh, it's not just me like that then

JTF wrote in post #9603927
There has been some crazy happenings over there so the strict rules are needed for sure.

Couldn't agree more, I was quite happy to see the patrol, they are not only a wealth of information as they are Islanders, know the woods intimately and walk the woods daily but they will stop the BS going on. The patrols are avid birders and photographers themselves.

call me a dingdong....but I respect carma...and can't look away when a show like..."when animals attack" comes on......I simply yell..."GET UM!!!!"

sounds like the Good People in that area that enjoy the birds need to form a group to help watch for the ( Jerks ) and call the authorities on them. You have to be pro/active instead of re/active. The jerks usually ruin it for all the people.

This is sad to hear. I went up to the Amherst last weekend looking for Snowies,but didn't spot any. I did see a lifer though,the Snow Bunting. Towards the end of the day,I went to the Owl Woods and there were quite a few vehicles there. The short time I was there,I didn't see any "bad behavior". Hopefully the bad apples are cored......

It's a shame patrols are needed but hopefully they will be effective in 're-educating' the minority who can ruin it for everyone else.

Bump

Sorry to hear that and hope the patrols are succesful. That's a place I'd like to visit some day.

This sort of behaviour is disgusting, but just how on earth can it be stopped?
I remember being on holiday and going out to listen to nightjars when a park ranger with a tour shone a torch right on one to point it out and disturbed the poor thing.