Surfbirds News

With nearly three million people watching birds in Britain, according to the latest market research [note], there’s no doubting that people are increasingly taking an interest in the birds around them.

To coincide with the rapidly rising interest in birds and with changes in access to the countryside, already under way across many parts of Britain, a partnership of bird organisations [note] has produced a new code of conduct for all those people interested in watching birds. At the code’s heart are five golden rules, respecting the needs of birds and people.

Julian Hughes, RSPB head of species conservation and author of the new code, said: “Whether people are enjoying looking at the birds in their garden or local park, or whether they are watching them in the wildest spots in the UK, or even abroad, the same good practice and common sense applies.”

The five golden rules at the heart of the code are:
· Avoid disturbing birds and their habitats – the birds’ interests should always come first;
· Be an ambassador for birdwatching;
· Know the law and the rules for visiting the countryside, and follow them;
· Send your sightings to the County Bird Recorder and www.birdtrack.net;
· Think about the interests of wildlife and local people before passing on news of a rare bird, especially during the breeding season.

The RSPB has identified a number of birds that are especially vulnerable to disturbance. These include: nightjars on heathland across the UK; black grouse in the uplands of England, Wales and Scotland; little tern colonies around the UK’s coastline, stone-curlews in the Brecklands and Wessex; and ground-nesting birds of prey and ring ouzels in upland areas.

To read the full code click here:

The birdwatcher's code