I spoke to someone from the Garden on Monday. As others have noted he
wanted to make it clear that birders were welcome. Since it was Monday, a
day they are closed, he wanted to be especially clear that we could still
come onto the property. There were no workers on site and only 4-5 birders
there at that time, so the social issues didn’t come up.
But he asked about what we were looking for and then about whether there
were a lot of rare birds and interest from the birding community. When I
explained that there had been quite a few rarities spotted there over the
years, he asked whether Audubon might be able to provide money to help them
out. I said I didn’t know whether Audubon did that sort of thing but I had
seen properties designated as bird-friendly and perhaps that could be a
first step. Given that it’s an organic farm and garden and open to the
public and a documented birding hotspot, that might be a good way to
establish a closer connection between the Farm and birds.
But the issue about funding got me thinking about ways we can show our
appreciation and ensure we (and birds) are welcomed in the future. I
second the suggestion that we purchase things from the farm stand when
possible. Also, you may have items, such as art work, you can donate for
sale in their store downtown. Items featuring bird photos from the Garden
would be especially appropriate. In the past (pre-Covid) I participated in
art and craft sales in Abbott Sq. where we were asked to donate unsold
items to the Homeless Garden store at the end of the show. And, of course,
we can always donate money via their website (
https://homelessgardenproject.networkforgood.com/)
-- Lee Jaffe
On Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM <plants...> wrote:
> 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!
>
>
>
> Sharon Hull
>
> Santa Cruz
>
>
>
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