Reader Response to "Tunnel Vision"
On September 9, I posted Tunnel Vision: Conservation biologists focusing on their specialties need to see the big picture and collaborate, not undercut one another. Jim Cubie, consultant at the Center for Ornithology at Muhlenberg College, was concerned that I’d unfairly misrepresented his views. Because he’s not a paid subscriber, he couldn’t comment on the post itself, so I told him I’d be happy to post his response myself. Because the original post was from over seven weeks ago, it’s doubtful many readers would notice it, so I’m also putting his comment here:
In a recent post Ms. Erickson stated that I had made a “ridiculous statement” that “every window must have crash prevention before the first native plant is installed.” I have never made such a statement.
Second, she stated that I had “denigrated” others working for birds by my statement that “ (A)ll the other “good things for birds” cannot make up for 1.25 billion bird deaths caused by cats and home windows.” (2-6 per home annually.)” https://ornithologycenter.com/cancer-window-collsions-and-cats/ Every major peer reviewed study has found that “cats and windows” are the chief causes or bird deaths – by far.
Saving a bird’s life – whether from cats or window collisions -- is qualitatively different than the other good things we do for birds. All the “good things we can do for birds” cannot help a dead bird.
My point is “start with a safe yard.” It is the same point that she made in her excellent post entitled” “What to Do Before Improving Your Backyard Habitat - Windows.” ( I included both windows and cats.)
Both Ms. Erickson and I were right.