I've just been looking at the programme on iPlayer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b02xcbst/Springwatch_2013_Episode_10/
The relevant portion begins at 38 minutes.
The commentary indicates that the BTO has a new code of conduct on "nesting" (looking for nests). They say they're trying to dispel the myth that birds desert a nest easily - they say that the female will only desert if she's actually in fear of being predated.
The programme shows a nest being searched for by listening for the contact call of a chiffchaff.
The commentator is very excited on finding the nest and seeing the eggs inside.
The skill of "tapping up" is then detailed. This involves mimicking the passing of a large animal (like a deer) by tapping the undergrowth with a stick. Gentle tapping is shown as being the correct method, expecting that the bird will move a few inches away from the nest for a brief period.
The commentator is seen tapping a few bushes and he says "this is proper fieldcraft, this". A dunnock then flies off from the gorse he was tapping to reveal the nest. The commentator puts his hand into the nest to see if the eggs are warm.
As a result, I have written to the BTO asking the following:
have you considered how people (especially children) might become egg collectors as a result of becoming "nesters" especially seeing how excited the commentator became;
have you considered how people (especially children) might not easily differentiate between tapping and bashing, ending up with nests being destroyed;
have you considered how people (especially children) might not know how quickly a bird will desert a nest where the eggs have been handled.
the programme seemed to be openly encouraging the general public to look for and to look inside nests. Are you happy with this outcome?
May I suggest BF members write to the BTO and/or the BBC if alarmed by the messages given by the programme?
Peter
