图
8
Tuesday, October 28, 1975
University Daily Kansan
Bird watchers squawk about hobby misconceptions
By JOHN FULLER
Staff Writer
The hobby of bird watching has been much maligned in the past by bad jokes and the image of little old ladies tramping around in the park with bird whistles.
Richard Johnston, professor of systematics and ecology, dislikes these misconceptions and said yesterday that bird watching was a fast growing hobby.
"It's fun to learn about the environment," he said, "and you're more likely to see young ladies in tennis shoes out to bird watching."
Lawrence is a good area to observe different species of birds, Johnston said. A representative census of birds that inhabit the area and pass through during migration would contain all species, he said, but should include 100 different species up to 180 different species can be spotted.
Johnston recommended the KU woodland reserves north of Lawrence and the Breidental tract near Baldwin as good places to see woodland birds. The gravel pit ponds near I-70 and the Kaw Valley are two places where waterfowl can be seen.
Bird watching can be done all year around. Johnston said the only equipment really needed was a pair of binoculars and a phone to call home when morning was the best time to watch birds.
Jeff Cox. Wichita state and president of the University of Oklahoma Society, explained the man's way of "keeping up with the
"During the winter we go out in the woods with a tape recorder and play screech owl
calls. All the other birds just come flocking
around, and watch it, we said.
"Well ground and watch."
Every year around Christmas the National Audubon Society sponsors a one-day, midnight-to-midnight bird sighting committee. Visitors can join in by country stake out a circle with an 15-mile diameter in which to sight birds. Competitors must stay inside the circle and use the same circle every year. The tour will most likely host bird species in the time allotted wipes.
Cox said this year's competition, called the Christmas Bird Count, will be Dec. 20. Members of the Jayhawk Audubon Society will participate in the count and search in a circle that has a seven-and-a-half mile extension from the National Guard Armory.
One of the rewards of bird watching is spotting a rarely seen or exotic species. Cox said the most exotic bird he had seen was the bald eagles.
Johnston said he always got an extra charge when seeing tropical species such as lizards and snakes.
Two classes in ornithology are currently being taught at the University in the department of biology. One is an introductory Outreach course and the other is a more professional orientation of the subject for seniors and graduate students.
The department of ornithology in the Museum of Natural History at Dyce Hall houses approximately 50,000 bird skins and
20,000 bird skeletons, Johnston said. He described this as a medium-sized collection. Bird skins are stuffed but not mounted, and are classified in drawers.
Bird watching and hunting would seem to be antibatical pastimes, but Cox said he and many other bird watchers weren't opposed to hunting if it was done properly. License fees and contributions from hunters have helped create and preserve many wetlands and woodlands for bird sanctuaries Cox said.
Johnston recalled one instance in which his bird watching led to a run in with the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). He was doing an population study of birds in California that involved the trapping of birds with its expensive traps that be made himself.
People passing through the woods began stealing or destroying the traps to the extent that Johnston couldn't continue the study. Finally he hit up the idea of putting signs on the traps saying, "Radioactive! Do Not touch!"
His traps untouched for some time, but one day on his way to check them he met a man from the AEC with a gierer counter who said he had received complaints from the local populace and the county sherrif.
"I was reuked pretty soundly for my lack of regard for the public relations effect of my hoax," Johnston said, "and I had to remove the signs."
Eyes to the sky
Members of the Jayhawk Audubon Society are watching out for their feathered friends. Jeff Cox (left), president of the Society,
Staff Photo by DAVID CRENSHAW and Kerry Altenbernd, publicity chairman, took time out from studies yesterday to spy on those that fly in the vicinity of Potter Lake.
Travel and Recreation
October 28, 29, 30 Kansas Union Ballroom
The fair affords the University and Lawrence Community the opportunity to visit with representatives from various travel and recreation services, pick up free literature, view free films and recreation demonstrations and attend an information session on foreign travel and study abroad.
Today's Activities
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free Travel Films in the Council Room.
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Ballroom Parlors open to the General Public. Displays, Travel Brochures, Representatives from airlines, Local Travel Agencies, AmTrak, Cycle shops,
Hang Glider School, Recreation Associations and organizations.
Free Travel Films in the Council Room at the Union. Films shown cover such topics as skiing in the Swiss Alps, travel in New Zealand and touring Japan.
Discount of $0.50 off SUA's Breckenridge Ski Trip, January 3-9, offered by SUA Travel.
An Escape Weekend for two at the Marriott Hotel in Kansas City, offered by Ports Unlimited Travel Agency. Includes one night's accommodations, dinner and breakfast and round trip limousine transportation.
Register For These Exciting Prizes!
Free Trip to Germany, offered by Maupintour Travel Agency. Includes round trip air transportation, accommodations and car rental.
Wednesday Night Program
Presentations given by the Language Institute, SUA and Maupintour on foreign travel and study abroad. Anyone interested in foreign travel or study should come to investigate the travel options open to them through the University and local agencies.In the Jayhawk Room at the Kansas Union, 7-9 p.m., October 29.
Thursday Night Program
Outdoor recreation demonstrations on a variety of subjects: hang gliding, scuba diving, rappelling. In the Ballroom at the Kansas Union, 7-9 p.m., October 30.
Sponsored by SUA Outdoor Recreation & Travel