Maybe something that can be prearranged with the park in order to stay longer
for the owls. I bet something can be worked out on an individual or group
level. My first thought, when I read this new protocol - that it was similar
to when they stopped birders from accessing areas on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Tunnel without an escort, advance notice, and an extra fee. Maybe something can
be worked out here too..
Couldn’t hurt to ask :)
Rob
Rob Biller
Elizabethton, TN
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 1, 2019, at 7:45 PM, Randy Winstead <randywendy@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks for the update. Maybe when somebody goes now to look for the
Short-eared Owl, they also need to take someone along who is willing to have
an accident.
Randy Winstead
Maryville, Blount County
On Friday, February 1, 2019, 7:38:56 PM EST, Alexis DeCaprio
<coyoteprettyphotography@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
It is unfortunately protocol now for them to start closing right at sunset
unless all rangers are busy with rescues, accidents, crimes, etc.
Alexis DeCaprio
On Feb 1, 2019, at 7:34 PM, Randy Winstead <randywendy@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Michael Ryon and I observed a Short-eared Owl a few minutes after sunset at
its typical location on Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove. We saw it both in flight,
with wing patches clearly visible, and perched on a tree, at which point we
got good views through Michael's spotting scope. Note, however, that we
were ushered out by a park ranger about 15 minutes after sunset. I am used
to being ushered out on Sparks Lane, but this is the first time that I have
ever been escorted out on Hyatt Lane. Another birder mentioned that the
same thing happened to her earlier this year. I don't know if this is a new
protocol, or if this is simply a quicker and more efficient implementation
of an existing protocol. In either case, lengthy stays after sunset, even
of thirty minutes or so, might not always be available in the future.
Randy Winstead
Maryville, Blount County
