Reporting ethics.

[Ron Luft]

I recently had a wonderful experience as a birder, of finding (by accident) a nesting sight of an 'uncommon' bird in an unexpected location. I am investigating reporting the 'find' with responsible ornithologists in that area before reporting it (IF!) for public consumption in consideration of habitat preservation. An exciting report could send several hundred people trampling a confined area and that alone would destroy habitat and probably dirupt nesting and feeding habits. The politics of birding aside I'm primarily concerned with the continued development of habitats and successful nesting sights. If an area of park, green space or sewage lagoon were closed to aid the success of a nesting sight and that means I don't get to see it and 'tick' my species count, then so be it. Just thought it needed to be said and hopefully considered by the birding community as valid.

[Kin Lau]

In the upper left corner, see the "Birding Ethics" link.

I think points B & C are most relevant here.

Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.
a) Support the protection of important bird habitat.
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 Concerns, 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.
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.
d) Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep habitat disturbance to a minimum.

Also from the OFO link above, click on the http://www.ofo.ca/whoweare.htm "Who Are We" link, which pretty well repeats the same thing, but also with links to the Rare Birds list, and the Ontario Records Committee.