Mist Netting & Bird Banding; Right or Wrong?

[Arthur Morris]

ps: In that same thread, you wrote, "Wow looks like I missed a good debate after my comments. I dont really have much else to say except for I am glad a dialog has been started on the issue!" Yet here you ask, "Can't we all just get along! :) "

All that I intended to do here was start a dialogue on an important issue.

I realize that nature photographers and biologists need to be on the same team. And I hope that this thread develops so that that comes to pass.

[John Chardine]

ps: In that same thread, you wrote, "Wow looks like I missed a good debate after my comments. I dont really have much else to say except for I am glad a dialog has been started on the issue!" Yet here you ask, "Can't we all just get along! :) "

All that I intended to do here was start a dialogue on an important issue.

I realize that nature photographers and biologists need to be on the same team. And I hope that this thread develops so that that comes to pass.

I have resisted contributing because is appears that all people want to do is fight, which is hugely non-productive. Then I read the quote above from Artie (my red letters).

Problem is Artie that this will not happen if inflammatory and inaccurate things continue to be said. E.g.:

1. Biologists only do research to get their name on papers
2. "Biologists have been and are given a free pass".
3. All birds mist-netted are damaged by the nets
4. "I am reminded of hummingbird banders... the nets are set up the day before and these birds are entangled, struggling for hours, unable to feed before they are found in the nets, banded and released."

I can provide detailed reasons why the above points are fallacious but I won't, so don't bother asking.

Finally I think that Ed Erkes' and Roy Priest's posts on this subject hit the nail on the head.