next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects
Please Follow this Code and Distribute and T
This is a multipart message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_0025_01CDEA60.7CAFFA00
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hi All,
Dave's posting motivated me to check something I've been meaning to do.
Having recently moved to northern Colchester County, I've been dismayed by
the great number of no trespassing signs in potential birding areas. I was
hoping that Dave was correct in his assessment of No Trespassing signs.
However, having now checked Nova Scotia's Act to Protect Property, I found
in Section 3(1) that it an offense subject 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 establish 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
From: 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
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.
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.
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 -----
From: Hans Toom <mailto:htoom@hfx.eastlink.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
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, infor