The Bell's Vireo(s) by the Excel High Bridge Plant was (were) still present and singing yesterday afternoon. Another birding friend was able to hear and see them earlier in the day. I brought my husband down there in the late afternoon, and despite his hearing loss, he was able to hear the songs also. That raises a point of discussion, one that has surfaced before. These birds are often hard to view, and I know many people might use recordings to coax them into view. As recent discussions suggest, it may be best for the birds to do this as little as possible, if at all, with species like this during breeding season, that have enough strikes against them in terms of habitat infringement. I'm hoping anyone who goes to this site will consider that. As much as I ache to get a good look, I'll be content to hear that unmistakable song---and just keep watching for a glimpse from the sidelines. (Mu Fuse has no speakers; I use earphones only, to check my song ID.) Even, and especially, to find a nest or other evidence for the BBA, I will not chase into the greenbelt. If the birds are pressed enough to use this marginal area, it would be counter-productive to stress them out with encroachment, no matter how well-intentioned. Another consideration: while my presence these last couple of years has never been challenged, it may be that entering the greenbelt with optical equipment would cause power-plant personnel some consternation. It would be helpful to be able to continue visiting this site without interference. Please don't take this message as a negative response to any particular person's habits or choices; I'm just concerned about the well-being of these particular birds and their potential vulnerability. Linda Whyte ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html