🦅10.8 Raptor Station: Arguing with an Elderly “Wildlife Photographer” Who Played Playback Calls for Hours
Today at Longmenshan, an older man showed up during monitoring and insisted on using playback calls to lure a collared owlet. I objected. A heated argument followed. The situation at our raptor station became chaotic.
The man made a call downhill, reported my father's license plate, and threatened to block my exit. Said I wouldn’t make it past the gate.
Playback calls are not harmless. Birds—especially during breeding season—may mistake them for real communication. They waste energy, lose hunting time, and face increased mortality risks.
In China, one playback call triggers more. Others copy. Disturbance spreads fast. Exact impact data is limited, but the ecological cost is real. Silence remains the best conservation strategy. We never share owl or rare bird locations.
I debated the man for 30 minutes. He finally gave in. Twenty minutes later, the owlet showed up—no calls needed. Real fieldwork speaks for itself.
If video fails to play, access through this YT link: https://youtu.be/dmKDNqQ4O90