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Thanks for sharing, Hans. Excellent idea to remind us of these principles.
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]
On Behalf Of Hans Toom
Sent: December-04-12 6:53 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: [NatureNS] Principles of Birding Ethics
Hi all,
I hope this is not offensive to anyone but from time to time I think we all
need to be reminded of the Principles of Birding Ethics. The following set
of principles is from the American Birding Association but most birding
groups have similar guidelines.
I have witnessed entire colonies of nesting birds put to wing and young and
flightless birds photographed in hand. I have also experienced binoculars
staring about in my back yard as I rise from my bed on a Sunday morning,
without notice or warning. On some of our lists I've even been given lessons
on how to trespass and bypass security.
This is unacceptable in my opinion and clearly a violation of the following
Principles of Birding Ethics.
Hans
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 practices 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
The American Birding Association's Code of Birding Ethics may be freely
reproduced for distribution/dissemination. Please acknowledge the role of
ABA in developing and promoting this code with a link to the ABA website
using the url http://www.aba.org/about/ethics.html. Thank you.
Hans
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________
Hans Toom
Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
http://www.hanstoom.com/
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