I recently saw an entry for a local area (Woolston Eyes) in the Sightings pages of Bird Watching magazine that read "There was an influx of Reed Buntings (15 ringed) and Great Tits (8 ringed)" . When I asked the question "why are these birds being ringed?" the reply I got was that this particular site is a BTO Constant Effort Site and here's the justification I was given for this activity:"The Scheme provides valuable trend information on abundance of adults and juveniles, productivity and also adult survival rates for 25 species of common songbird."What a load of utter whitewash. There is no way you could get that information for those particular species from ringing. I'm sorry but this is just a pseudo-scientific smokescreen. The ringers are only too glad to be given a reason to do more ringing because they enjoy it, and the BTO are eager to shore up their own existence with yet more studies and more data. What I'd like to see is a much more measured use of this privilege rather than the 'let's trap it because we can' approach. You see I'm a simple guy with a simple outlook. You watch wildlife - you enjoy wildlife - but the only time you trap and handle any wild animal is when it's absolutely essential. And this isn't.Ringing needs more regulation from outside the BTO. And I'm not just referring to the ringers licensing scheme. I would have expected the RSPB, the royal society for the Protection of birds, to be voicing their disapproval. Being caught in a net, handled and then ringed is a pretty traumatic experience, and when performed inappropriately, amounts to cruelty in my opinion.
I agree with deadpolecat, this forum should be open to ALL opinions. There is nothing more dangerous to free expression than a majority trying to suppress the minority view.
Claire
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake
Ok, I may have made my point quite strongly but I tried to choose my words carefully. For example "too much bird ringing" does not mean I'm against ringing per se. I admit that it's a useful research tool when used appropriately. But it's what ringing represents and the scale to which it is deployed that really bothers me. We behave like self-appointed custodians of all species on this earth and in this God-like role we seem to assume the right to interfere with any animal at will. In my opinion any intrusive methods should only be used as a last resort. I'm afraid I find the BTO tee-shirts emblazoned with "100 Years of Bird Ringing" to be rather offensive. You may consider the activity a necessary evil, and some of the results it has yielded worthy of celebration, but surely it should never be brazenly advertised to the world as a good thing in itself. But aside from the animal welfare angle, I have to admit that part of my objection to the 'constant effort' ringing is selfish. When I go out into the countryside I want to connect with wild creatures that allow me a temporary escape from my superficial human world. For me a ringed bird is no longer truly wild. It has been branded as 'property of the human race'. When I see such a bird I feel resentful. My cleansing experience has been spoiled.
Hi
Voltaire got it right when he said " "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it."
This forum does allow lively debate and freedom to express different views as long as what is said adheres to the forum’s Terms and Conditions.
Pipit
I'd agree with you to a point. The place where we would part company is, Victor did argue his point back, rather posting more inflammatory statements, which a true troll would do.
Ant
"IT IS SAID THAT LIFE FLASHES BEFORE YOUR EYES BEFORE YOU DIE. THAT IS TRUE, IT'S CALLED LIVING."Death - Terry Pratchett (The Last Continent).
I suppose we shouldn't be discussing this. VM is entitled to a view. As is Buzzard.
Cheers
Like your quote from Voltaire, Pipit. How very true it is.
Everyone has a right to express an opinion on here - we all have very different ideas about how we view wildlife, the same as a lot of other issues in life.
My tuppenceworth on this subject is, that as far as I can see, ringing is a necessary thing to help us to find about what goes on in a birds' life - there is no alternative apart from tracking, which is far more intrusive. We can only help the birds if we know their habits and so I for one am happy that as long as its done in a humane way, there is nothing wrong with it.
Unknown said: I'd agree with you to a point. The place where we would part company is, Victor did argue his point back, rather posting more inflammatory statements, which a true troll would do. Ant
Come on folks, we are all adults here. It would be a poor world if we all held the same opinion on every subject. We can all learn from listening to the opinions of others, whether we agree with them or not, and we all have the right to voice our opinions. Providing there is no personal abuse, debate is good and to be encouraged.
Cheers, Linda.
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Susan H said: Come on folks, we are all adults here.
Come on folks, we are all adults here.
Yes we are Sparrow. And we are exercising our adult right to express our views here.
As long as debate is for genuine reasons and not to cause disruption then I can't see anything wrong with it.
Hi All,
I have been a member of this forum for some time and have enjoyed the many posts and discussions before eventually publishing a post. The information shared between members has been helpful, enjoyable and interesting. However, I do feel uncomfortable when a controversial view is published - not because of the opinion - but because of the reaction.
I am not involved professionally or academically with ornithology or ecology but I take an interest. If some person believes there is too much ringing, I am willing to listen. For me, peer review is not the "gold standard" - look at history! As for philosophy, many quotes may be made to suit the situation.
ClaireM
Isn't that the whole point, ClaireM?
An opinion needs a reaction or it isn't a debate. There will be some for and some against, as seen in this thread.
I don't understand the point you are making in your last sentence.