Birder Vandalism at the Crest House

[Fran Lusso & Dave Weaver]

We went up to the Crest today to check on things.  The road was in good condition with only a few icy spots in shaded corners.  It was snowing heavily when we left about 11:00am but they do not expect much accumulation today.


There was a disturbing event about which we wanted people to be aware.   Some visitor, when the staff were not around, forced open one of the dining area windows, tore open the screen, and cast handfuls of Nyger seed out onto the deck.  There are a couple of things to note about this incident:

   First, the windows should not be opened during the winter and the staff had posted signs everywhere that the people should have noticed;

   Second, this vandalism will require repairing the ruined screen and will involve some expense for the Crest House.  Clearly it does not help with birders' relations with the staff and management;

   Finally, Nyger seed never should be used as it is not allowed under the agreement with the Forest Service.  Only hull-less seed is allowed and should not be spread by visitors in any case.  If someone wants to donate seed, they should leave the intact bags with the Crest House staff or put in in the Forest Service desk area.
   Also, the banding crew has asked that seed not be spread on the deck as it makes the banding operation much more difficult.

[Rosyfinch]

Several birders have contacted me off-line and offered to pay for the damage to the window screen at Crest House. The management have been very birder-friendly and have minimized the incident as an isolated event. We really appreciate everyone's expressions of concern, and are so grateful for the hospitality that Sandia Crest House has extended to birders and researchers.
 
Since the Crest House will repair the damage and cannot accept money, we ask that birders please be sure to patronize the Gift Shop and Restaurant during their visit. They are also welcome, as always, to bring in closed bags of hull-less seed for the Rosy-Finches. (Please deposit sealed bags at the Information desk-- do not leave seed donations outside because weather and wild creatures may scatter and waste it). Please do not bring Nyger seed, and never broadcast any bird seed on the deck or anywhere around Sandia Crest. Some un-hulled bird seed may also germinate and compete with delicate resident flora.
 
The heating bill for the Crest House runs over $800.00 per month, so it is easy to understand why Crest house management does not want windows and doors opened.

On another note, some birders have brought their own food and consumed it at the Crest House. This is not only discourteous, but should give the staff good reason to ask the offender to move outside the establishment.