EMILY
POST ON BIRD WATCHING
Armed with knowledge and enthusiasm, you are now ready to head
into the field and fill your notebook
with dozens of new species. But don’t let your eagerness get
in the way of basic birding etiquette.
Keep in mind that in order to find most birds
you will be encroaching on their territory,
so tread lightly and respect boundaries.
Remember that silence is golden. The keen senses of birds alert
them to your presence, often long before you have a chance to see
them. Whether alone or in a group, walk as quietly as possible and
whisper. Take cues from the leader who might signal for quiet as
the group approaches a bird. Quiet walks will also help when listening
for bird calls.
Take extra care when in a potential or active nesting area. It is
hard enough for birds to compete with each other for mates and space;
human interference causes additional stress.
Make sure you are not trespassing on private property. Some bird
sanctuaries are located on someone’s land, whose owners may
not enjoy strangers with binoculars trekking around their backyard.
Make sure you have the permission to bird beforehand.
Don’t be a peeping Tom! Avoid pointing your binoculars at
other people or their homes.
While some birders prefer solitude, others bird in groups and enjoy
sharing their findings. If you are new to birding, don’t be
shy; there is sure to be a more knowledgeable birder in the group
willing to pass on tips and sightings to you.
Most importantly, enjoy yourself! Don’t be too concerned about
finding that rare bird, or spotting more species than last month.
Birding is meant to be informative, but also fun.
We feel it’s important here to quote the American Birding
Associations “Principles of Birding Ethics”:
American Birding Association's
PRINCIPLES OF BIRDING ETHICS
Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife,
its environment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest
between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment
comes first.
CODE OF BIRDING ETHICS
1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.
1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat.
1(b) To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise
restraint and caution during observation, photography, sound recording,
or filming.
Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds,
and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting
any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern,
or is rare in your local area;
Keep well back from nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display
areas, and important feeding sites. In such sensitive areas, if
there is a need for extended observation, photography, filming,
or recording, try to use a blind or hide, and take advantage of
natural cover.
Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially
for close-ups.
1(c) Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the
potential for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other
people in the area, and proceed only if access can be controlled,
disturbance minimized, and permission has been obtained from private
land-owners. The sites of rare nesting birds should be divulged
only to the proper conservation authorities.
1(d) Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise
keep habitat disturbance to a minimum.
2. Respect the law, and the rights of others.
2(a) Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit
permission.
2(b) Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads
and public areas, both at home and abroad.
2(c) Practice common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your
exemplary behavior will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders
alike.
3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird
environments are safe.
3(a) Keep dispensers, water, and food clean, and free of decay or
disease. It is important to feed birds continually during harsh
weather.
3(b) Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.
3(c) If you are attracting birds to an area, ensure the birds are
not exposed to predation from cats and other domestic animals, or
dangers posed by artificial hazards.
4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special
care.
Each individual in the group, in addition to the obligations spelled
out in Items #1 and #2, has responsibilities as a Group Member.
4(a) Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders,
as well as people participating in other legitimate outdoor activities.
Freely share your knowledge and experience, except where code 1(c)
applies. Be especially helpful to beginning birders.
4(b) If you witness unethical birding behavior, assess the situation,
and intervene if you think it prudent. When interceding, inform
the person(s) of the inappropriate action, and attempt, within reason,
to have it stopped. If the behavior continues, document it, and
notify appropriate individuals or organizations.
Group Leader Responsibilities [amateur and professional trips and
tours].
4(c) Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach through
word and example.
4(d) Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment,
and does not interfere with others using the same area.
4(e) Ensure everyone in the group knows of and practises this code.
4(f) Learn and inform the group of any special circumstances applicable
to the areas being visited (e.g. no tape recorders allowed).
4(g) Acknowledge that professional tour companies bear a special
responsibility to place the welfare of birds and the benefits of
public knowledge ahead of the company's commercial interests. Ideally,
leaders should keep track of tour sightings, document unusual occurrences,
and submit records to appropriate organizations.
PLEASE FOLLOW THIS CODE AND DISTRIBUTE AND TEACH IT TO OTHERS
While it may seem repetitive, it bears repeating just for the simple
courtesy of fellow bird
watchers as well as those we are watching!
You’ve got the equipment and know what you should and shouldn’t
do. Now let’s go find some birds!
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