Ethical Birding (1 Viewer)

JasonSprengard

Well-known member

• Mar 1, 2010

• #1

I am a newbie as some of you all know. I think that my field craft is probably pretty good as I have been herping for years. I still have yet to flush anything, and if I see a bird that I think is stressing out by my presence I get some good shots in a couple of minutes then I leave it be.

So I am curious, what would YOU all as birders consider ethical birding AND what makes for good field craft in the art and science of birding?

 

A

Apodemus

Well-known member

• Mar 1, 2010

• #2

JasonSprengard said:

....if I see a bird that I think is stressing out by my presence I get some good shots in a couple of minutes then I leave it be.

Click to expand...

Hmm. If you think the bird is stressed by your presence wouldn't the most ethical response be to leave immediately rather than spending a couple of minutes photographing it?

 

JasonSprengard

Well-known member

• Mar 1, 2010

• #3

Thats not what I meant, I meant more keeping a watchful eye on me. If a bird is blatantly stressed I will leave immediately. But then again how does one tell other than it flushing right away?

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Mar 1, 2010

• #4

Jason,

FYI: Here is a link to the Am. Birding Assoc. statement of birding ethics: http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html

Best,
Jim

 

Last edited: Mar 1, 2010

JasonSprengard

Well-known member

• Mar 1, 2010

• #5

I know that I have read it. I am asking all of you what you all think is right and wrong beyond that code of ethics. Like if you see people harming the wildlife do you think you have a responsibility to stand up for them. Or do you think that disturbing the nest sites of alien species is a right or wrong thing to do? That kind of a thing.

 

Farnboro John

Well-known member

• Mar 2, 2010

• #6

You might also consider that if you ever get into (for instance) year-listing or doing a Big Year as I understand the American terminology is, you should tick recognisable calls so as not to feel any need to disturb shy skulking species. (It saves effort too.)

In a British context this provides an ethical approach to e.g. Corncrake, always assuming you don't start using tape lures of course!

John