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> 3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other arti ---517069186-2104217292-1357308014=:35702 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable JohnAlways ask before going on private property - sign or no sign.Those of = us who hunt have became used to that - birdwatcherswill to - may take them = a little longer but they'll learn.Have a good yearPaul --- On Fri, 1/4/13, John Kearney <john.kearney@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote: From: John Kearney <john.kearney@ns.sympatico.ca> Subject: RE: [NatureNS] Principles of Birding Ethics To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca Received: Friday, January 4, 2013, 5:47 AM Hi All,Dave=E2=80=99s posting motivated me to check something I=E2=80=99ve = been meaning to do. Having recently moved to northern Colchester County, I= =E2=80=99ve been dismayed by the great number of no trespassing signs in po= tential birding areas. I was hoping that Dave was correct in his assessment= of No Trespassing signs. However, having now checked Nova Scotia=E2=80=99s= Act to Protect Property, I found in Section 3(1) that it an offense subjec= t to a fine of not more than $500 dollars to enter premises where entry is = prohibited by notice. The violator can also held in custody in order to est= ablish identity or to prevent repetition of the offense. Perhaps we have a = lawyer in our group to confirm or clarify my interpretation of the law.John= Waughs River, Colchester County =C2=A0From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [= mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of David & Alison Webster Sent: January 3, 2013 21:31 To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Principles of Birding Ethics =C2=A0Hi All,=C2=A0=C2= =A0=C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 =C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 =C2=A0= =C2=A0=C2=A0 Jan 3, 2013=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 This is now ancient history but = I did not have time earlier to comment. One can not quibble with the spirit= of these guidelines=C2=A0but two passages (1(d) and 2(a), copied below) ca= ught my eye because the wording is=C2=A0vague and there is one omission, pe= rhaps because it was considered obviously wrong; littering.=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2= =A0=C2=A0 Roads, trails and paths do not exist in the negative space betwee= n roads, trails or paths, so 1(d) seems to say 'go anywhere but avoid habit= at disturbance'. This seems reasonable because much interesting habitat=C2= =A0does not lend itself to travel ways but I am left wondering what the tru= e intent of=C2=A0 passage 1(d)=C2=A0is.=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0Passag= e 2(a) seems reasonable if private property means residential yards and far= mland during the growing or harvest season. But there is no reason to ask f= or permission to enter woodland even if it is posted with No Trespassing signs. They are usually there to protect the owner fro= m being sued, if someone trips on a rock or=C2=A0to keep out known vandals.= Hikers (including birders) will eventually learn who owns the land and ten= d to report property destruction=C2=A0to the owner.=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0= Farmers and woodland owners may=C2=A0experience problems that approach 10,= on a scale of 0 to 10, where birdwatchers would nearly always rate somewhe= re between -1 and 0; e.g. dumping, theft,=C2=A0damage to crops or equipment= and, in general, the landowner just has to eat this; the police and courts= usually being utterly useless. =C2=A0=C2=A01(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.= Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville----- Original Message ----- From: Hans Toom To:= naturens@chebucto.ns.ca Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 6:53 PMSubject: [= NatureNS] Principles of Birding Ethics =C2=A0Hi all,=C2=A0I hope this is no= t offensive to anyone but from time to time I think we all need to be remin= ded of the Principles of Birding Ethics. The following set of principles is= from the American Birding Association but most birding groups have similar= guidelines.=C2=A0I have witnessed entire colonies of nesting birds put to = wing and young and flightless birds photographed in hand. I have also exper= ienced 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 b= een given lessons on how to trespass and bypass security.=C2=A0This is unac= ceptable in my opinion and clearly a violation of the following Principles = of Birding Ethics.=C2=A0Hans PRINCIPLES OF BIRDING ETHICS Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its env= ironment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest between bir= ds 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 restrain= t and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming. Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and neve= r use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species t= hat is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your lo= cal 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 ex= tended 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 c= lose-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 are= a, and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and= permission has been obtained from private land-owners. The sites of rare n= esting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation authorities= . 1(d) Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habi= tat 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 pub= lic 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 environm= ents 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 expos= ed to predation from cats and other domestic animals, or dangers posed by a= rtificial hazards. 4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care. Each individual in the gr