[StevieEvans]

Does, or Has a Birdwatchers Code ever existed, and what does is it consist of....?

[Hanno]

Most countries have a birdwatcher's code, check with your local organization. Many field guides also have them in print somewhere. There is also a twitcher's code (that's an oqymoron if ever there was one), at least in the UK.

[Charles Harper]

ABA has one, you can find it somewhere at their website.

[Malvolio]

There is one in Britain - sorry don't know of a link to it off the top of my head. the most important element is that the welfare of the bird must come first, which is reasonable enough.

MV

[Rob in Japan]

I've also seen a couple on various sites. The easiest one to find seems to be at http://www.americanbirding.org/abaethics.htm
. This one's fairly short but thorough on what it does cover. Hope this helps...:-)

Rob

[Rob in Japan]

Charles,
Sorry, I just now noticed who you referenced in your note. Ooops!!

[robinm]

Go to the Kent OS site http://www.kentos.org.uk/ and click on the link "Guidelines, Birds & the Law". The page covers various things including a "Birdwatchers Code of Conduct" and "Country Code".

[Cindy M]

happy to see that this has been incorporated into the website and also happy to see Mike moderating the subject, as he is a birder that definitely walks his talk. Looking forward to more thoughts on birding ethics soon.

[Hanno]

I just wish more birders would adhere to the code (and use their common sense). Seen to many instances of self-professed "real" birders getting to close, or walking right through, nesting sites, using recordings for too long and too often, flushing birds, etc. to get this elusive tick. Never been to the UK, but I hear it is worse there, what with hundreds of twitchers at every rarity. Is this true?

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Hanno,

It can be bad at times, but mostly it isn't too bad. I get the impression that at least some behave worse when on trips abroad - they feel that they're not being watched, and/or that laws that apply at home don't apply abroad.

Even so, most birders do behave well everywhere - it is only a minority of individuals that cause problems.

Michael

[phyllosc]

Of course, the classic case it the photographer. How often have you seen someone with a long lens closer to the bird than everyone else?

Dave

[jay1964]

I was in a hide near the Lake District when a group of walkers, from Liverpool, came in sat down and had lunch. There was alot of loud banter going on. Finally when lunch was over they left - one began to sing at the top of his voice, which he continued to do along the path.
Is this ignorance? of just selfishness.

[Charles Harper]

It can be absolutely nuts, even at an official level. Last time I was out at Ukishima Marsh (Ibaraki, Japan), the gummint -- I can only presume permission was given-- loaned out the hide as a bicycle road race station!! (The hide backs onto a country road.) You could not get into the hide because there was a long table full of towels, bottled water, plastic ribbon and clipboards, and eight attendants in 'Race Official' T-shirts, smoking, laughing and lounging. And of course a 'Race' van pulled up onto the grass next to the place. I'm not effective in expressing ire in a foreign tongue, so I just turned around and left before I popped a temporal vein.

[StevieEvans]

Apparently, some birders threw bricks into reeds last year to try to see a vagrant Purple Heron...........

Maybe, being twitcher types,.......THEY NEEDED IT FOR THEIR :-

" BiRDS i'VE SCARED LiST " !!

Idiots !

S

[MikeMules]

Here's a version of the code from the Bird Observer's Club of Australia:

http://www.birdobservers.org.au/ethics.htm

[Charles Harper]

Thanks for the introduction to BOCA, Mike, and what is 'roping'?

[MikeMules]

Hi Charles, roping is used specifically for Plains Wanderer and Quail. Two people drag a long rope between them across a stubble field or paddock, to scare up any ground-dwelling birds. It's a more destructive version of beating.

[Charles Harper]

Your quail are as secretive as anywhere else, Mike-- I only got Painted Button-quail in Queensland, and that by luck not skill-- the dumb thing was wandering around out in the open and I damn near tripped over it. Lucky I didn't know about roping. Now I'll have to try to forget it.

[Cindy M]

to mirror Kevin's words, here's a direct 'lift' from the American Birding Association website:

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) Practise 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

[Andrew]

I have only one code when birding and that is to be sensible. Can't say fairer than that?

[Michael Frankis]

I'm intrigued by this one -

American Birding Association's
PRINCIPLES OF BIRDING ETHICS

3(b) Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.

Sounds absurd to me. How do you maintain and clean say, an American Robin's nest? Or a hawk nest up at the top of a tree?

Michael

[Cindy M]

I'm pretty sure they're referring to artificial nest structures Michael :) which really is quite a valid point, because if nestboxes aren't monitored, they can cause more harm to birds than good.