Thanks for your post, Paul. Glad you brought this up as I was going to post something on MBB about what I learned from Roman and another staff member there today. (Roman is the manager or director.)
Apparently some of the folks who work in the garden are getting the impression that birders are "unfriendly". They feel ignored and "unseen" apparently. We know that we aren't intentionally unfriendly, that we don't mean to ignore others, and that we are just totally focused on searching for birds. But I was asked to let birders know that it would be nice if we acknowledge the workers whenever we are near them, and not forget that most people there aren't guests but are actually at work. There was also an incident today when a number of us were happily watching the Prairie Warbler in the cypress behind the porta potties. Roman asked us to please change our positions because gardeners were feeling odd about going into the porta potties with so many people staring in their direction. I think we were all oblivious to any problems with our location until Roman brought it to our attention. I know I was.
In addition, I was asked if I'd be willing to speak to the gardeners when they gathered at 12:30 today for the afternoon's assignments, explain why we were there, what we wee seeing, how valuable a habitat that garden is, how grateful we all are that we're welcome there etc, plus explain to the group that birders tend to be single-minded and intent when birding and don't mean to be unfriendly. I declined because I knew I couldn't stay until 12:30 but will happily do that if another opportunity arises. Any other birder would be welcome to do the same if you have the opportunity.
All of this seems to indicate that we need to be more aware when we're there to be good guests, more conscious of others around us. We definitely want to continue to be welcome and maybe we need to be better ambassadors for our sport. I know we'd all be heartbroken if our access became restricted.
And yes, definitely share your photos through Paul. Plus let's share looks through scopes and bins with the gardeners there whenever possible.
What a wonderful experience it was in the garden today, with so many migrants and so many friends to share it with. May there be many more such bird bonanzas to come!
