next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects
font-size:10.0pt
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_05F0_01CDE9F9.9FE9F190
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Hi All, Jan 3, 2013
This is now ancient history but I did not have time earlier to =
comment. One can not quibble with the spirit of these guidelines but two =
passages (1(d) and 2(a), copied below) caught my eye because the wording =
is vague and there is one omission, perhaps because it was considered =
obviously wrong; littering.
Roads, trails and paths do not exist in the negative space between =
roads, trails or paths, so 1(d) seems to say 'go anywhere but avoid =
habitat disturbance'. This seems reasonable because much interesting =
habitat does not lend itself to travel ways but I am left wondering what =
the true intent of passage 1(d) is.=20
Passage 2(a) seems reasonable if private property means residential =
yards and farmland during the growing or harvest season. But there is no =
reason to ask for permission to enter woodland even if it is posted with =
No Trespassing signs. They are usually there to protect the owner from =
being sued, if someone trips on a rock or to keep out known vandals. =
Hikers (including birders) will eventually learn who owns the land and =
tend to report property destruction to the owner.
Farmers and woodland owners may experience problems that approach =
10, on a scale of 0 to 10, where birdwatchers would nearly always rate =
somewhere between -1 and 0; e.g. dumping, theft, damage to crops or =
equipment and, in general, the landowner just has to eat this; the =
police and courts usually being utterly useless.=20
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.
Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Hans Toom=20
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca=20
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2012 6:53 PM
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 T