When reporting owl sightings
Subject: When reporting owl sightings
From: Bruce Beck
Date: Thu, Feb 9, 2012, 3:42 PM
We all want to see owls. However, occasionally overzealous or novice birders
have stressed or chased a bird, trespassed on private property, or damaged
roosting sites.
The Audubon Society of Missouri and the MOBirds Listserve support the Code
of Birding Ethics of the American Birding Society http://www.aba.org. The
relevant part of the code is printed below.
We recommend that when reporting an owl or other vulnerable bird, a
precaution be added to the message, such as:
. The bird appears nervous. Take care to avoid disturbing the bird.
. This bird is on private property. Always respect property rights.
In some cases it may be best not to report the exact location of the bird.
Instead, invite persons to contact you, the local conservation agent or the
landowner for directions.
Bruce Beck, President
Audubon Society of Missouri
Code of Birding Ethics
1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.
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.
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