Sensitive species listings (1 Viewer)

[oldgiteggy]

Lots of talk and threads about not posting sightings during the breeding season for sensitive species; waders, raptors, wildfowl, etc. Some regional societies and county recorders must have lists of birds they want members not to report on. I was wondering if this needs to be adopted by all areas. A couple of us were thinking that a bit of guidance would be useful at this time of year?

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

Hi Steven,

Difficult call, birds being so variable - rare passage birds can stop to breed occasionally - who's to know, without studying them for a day or so? Herefordshire's Bee Eaters last year or Gwent's first breeding pair of Dartford Warblers some years ago are just two instances.

I'd say anything that has just a toehold in a County should be witheld, especially if they are a species that may attract unwanted attention for other reasons. If it's of national interest, sometimes viewing station can be implemented whilst still protecting the bird from innicent disturbance.

Each case should be taken on its' own merits though - how does the average birder weigh it up? How many of us possess a crystal ball?

Andy.

PS. The County recorders want all the reports they can get - but they want the rare ones in strictest confidence, ie. - let's ensure they're doing well before word is allowed to get out!

 

[Collster]

You should also ensure that when you pass on sensitive information to county recorders , that they treat it as confidential. This isn't always the case.

 

[marek_walford]

Breeding schedule one species is a good start.

See http://www.naturenet.net/law/sched1.html

 

[oldgiteggy]

Good advice, thanks, but I'm still concerned that there isn't a local information to guide birders on what sightings could and what sightings shouldn't be reported.

Each case should be taken on its' own merits though - how does the average birder weigh it up? How many of us possess a crystal ball?

This is part of my worry. A few of us are watching SEOs at the moment. Do we keep everything to ourselves. How does an inexperienced birder know that information may be relatively harmful in a particular region. Is there a general list for guidance?

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

Good advice, thanks, but I'm still concerned that there isn't a local information to guide birders on what sightings could and what sightings shouldn't be reported.

There should be some local advice in the pages of each GOS Report, if not, get to an indoor meeting and collar someone about it - or check the 'site and email someone for the Society stance.

Do we keep everything to ourselves. How does an inexperienced birder know that information may be relatively harmful in a particular region. Is there a general list for guidance?

That's difficult too - basically, you don't know what's ok and what isn't.

I don't know if there is any general list available, other than the Schedule 1.

 

[oldgiteggy]

There should be some local advice in the pages of each GOS Report, if not, get to an indoor meeting and collar someone about it - or check the 'site and email someone for the Society stance.

True, I'll have to email the county recorder. Also, more advice using the forthcoming updated Breeding Atlas would be a good start.

 

[John Dixon]

You could always do what a number of birders do in D*****, E*****, E*** K***, C******* etc do and keep everything quiet - sorry I'm sure I put the names in, someone must have s********d them

John

 

[Collster]

You could always do what a number of birders do in D*****, E*****, E*** K***, C******* etc do and keep everything quiet - sorry I'm sure I put the names in, someone must have s********d them

John

You know what that is sometimes the best policy. At least the birds get less disturbance when fewer people know for them

 

[oldgiteggy]

You know what that is sometimes the best policy. At least the birds get less disturbance when fewer people know for them

True.

 

[dendroica_john]

Good advice, thanks, but I'm still concerned that there isn't a local information to guide birders on what sightings could and what sightings shouldn't be reported.

I would say to use your own judgement. If you think a species is sensitive, then don't reveal the location. There are obvious ones like owl nests, and some raptor nests. Nesting sites for endangered species clearly should not be reported to the general public. But outside of nesting season, locations of rarities can be reported without worrying too much about disturbance, and even during nesting season it is probably okay to report if it is just a single individual.

 

[luke]

I would say to use your own judgement. If you think a species is sensitive, then don't reveal the location. There are obvious ones like owl nests, and some raptor nests. Nesting sites for endangered species clearly should not be reported to the general public. But outside of nesting season, locations of rarities can be reported without worrying too much about disturbance, and even during nesting season it is probably okay to report if it is just a single individual.

but the idea is to come up with a list for newbies to birding, just to know whats rare and whats not. When i first started, just by going through a bird book i don't really learn whats rare. e.g - a local reserve has plenty of cetti warbler, a bird book will tell you thats its a rare bird but it actually isn't for that particular site, so its ok to report. So its only when you actually get into the field and talk to other birders you start to realise whats rare and whats not. that would be the over all idea of the sensitive species list, to help new or un-experienced birders learn what to report and what not to report.

 

[Mynydd Merlin]

Local Rarity Listings Required?

but the idea is to come up with a list for newbies to birding, just to know whats rare and whats not. When i first started, just by going through a bird book i don't really learn whats rare. e.g - a local reserve has plenty of cetti warbler, a bird book will tell you thats its a rare bird but it actually isn't for that particular site, so its ok to report. So its only when you actually get into the field and talk to other birders you start to realise whats rare and whats not. that would be the over all idea of the sensitive species list, to help new or un-experienced birders learn what to report and what not to report.

Nice point Luke, except we're back to what's acceptable for paticular sites or locations. As you state, some reserves are rich in one species (not a rarity there then) but could be in other location. Therefore, unless you are familiar with the species and it's locations do you know to report or not? This is going to be even more difficult for the less experieced birder!

 

[luke]

Nice point Luke, except we're back to what's acceptable for paticular sites or locations. As you state, some reserves are rich in one species (not a rarity there then) but could be in other location. Therefore, unless you are familiar with the species and it's locations do you know to report or not? This is going to be even more difficult for the less experieced birder!

exaclty, thats why this list for individual county bird groups would be a great benifit to birders and most importantly the birds

 

[John Dixon]

Subscribe to British Birds magazine and you will find out what the rarities are (Annual Report on Rare Birds In Britain, usually about November), and what the rare breeding species are (Report of the Rare Breeding Birds Panel) but for breeders your first port of call should always be Schedule 1.

John

 

[marek_walford]

Subscribe to British Birds magazine and you will find out what the rarities are (Annual Report on Rare Birds In Britain, usually about November), and what the rare breeding species are (Report of the Rare Breeding Birds Panel) but for breeders your first port of call should always be Schedule 1.

John

They have a website too:

http://www.rbbp.org.uk

 

[oldgiteggy]

I'm getting confused now, because "sensitive species" in our area (Gwent) doesn't mean peregrin, little ringed plover, whimbrel, Cetti's warbler and purple sandpiper, despite being on schedule 1...(http://www.bto.org/ringing/ringinfo/resources/schedule1-specieslist.pdf) The current advice is not to report on any breeding bird in case they are disturbed. Makes you wonder why we have bird reports.

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

I personally reckon that as a rule of thumb you shouldn't publicise details of ANY bird whilst it's breeding.

(my bold)

It's about locations and details, Steven - give me a location and a species breeding in Gwent and I'll pinpoint the likely site(s) on a map without getting off my butt - it's not difficult. I'd also be able to plot a route to a viewpoint (probably), that would allow me a view without disturbing the birds.

How many newbies could or would do that? Not many, I think.

Would they disturb them whilst looking? Probably.

That's only taking into consideration the birders, not the ne'er do wells ...

 

[oldgiteggy]

Exactly. I agree wholeheartedly. As a newbie, I suppose I need to get some more advice from experienced birders like yourself, hence my original post. I suppose that the knowledge that a species regularly breeds in a certain location is exactly what the newbie lacks. Knowing that peregrin and whimbrel are not sensitive species in a certain area could make the newbie relaxed towards reporting sightings. Finding out this information is why I joined GOS. Which is why I think that the rules governing reporting are misleading, to a new birder. Schedule 1 is being cited as a guide, but, on the other hand, species on it are not being regarded as sensitive in certain areas. As you quoted, its best not to publicise anything.

I agree that the truly careless could certainly destroy a nest, just by wandering aimlessly across a moorland, for example. Saying that, I spent many hours fishing on the weekend, without realising that I was 3 rod lengths from a nesting dabchick. I only got too close once. It covered the eggs with weed and dived for cover. Once I knew that, I was more careful. Experience counts.

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

I don't think the rules are misleading if you equate them with breeding species - a lot of the Schedule 1 species don't breed anywhere near Gwent, they are passage migrants or vagrants here.

To use your two examples:- Whimbrel do not and are not likely to breed near Gwent. Peregrine do breed in various places in Gwent, are not particularly rare but are a very sensitive species because they are targetted by certain groups - their nesting sites need guarding not publicising.

It's not just a case of physically destroying nests; many species, common and otherwise, are very sensitive to disturbance during certain stages of the breeding cycle - even a misplaced half-hour picnic could cause some species to desert. That's not so bad, if it's a small species that has developed to raise two or three broods a year but can be very costly for a bird that only lays a single clutch.



I think the bottom line is - think before posting any breeding location details in the public arena - then don't bother! Phone your local recorder as soon as you can, if it's a rare or Schedule 1 species, if he's any good, he'll know who to send in to verify and decide whether any precautions need to be taken.