How to be a Good BirdWatcher

Some points to bear in mind.

1.   Welfare of birds must come first.  Whether your particular interest is photography, ringing, sound recording, scientific study or just birdwatching, remember that the welfare of the bird must always come first.

2.   Habitat protection.  Its habitat is vital to a bird and therefore we must ensure that our activities do not cause damage.

3.   Keep disturbance to a minimum. Birds' tolerance of disturbance varies between species and seasons.  Therefore, it is safer to keep all disturbance to a minimum, particularly in the breeding season.  No birds should be disturbed from the nest in case opportunities for predators to take eggs or young are increased.  In very cold weather disturbance to birds may cause them to use vital energy at a time when food is difficult to find.  

4.   Rare breeding birds. If you discover a rare bird breeding and feel that protection is necessary, inform the local wildlife crime officer, PC Frazer Mitchell, telephone 01770 302574 .  Otherwise it is best in almost all circumstances to keep the record strictly secret in order to avoid disturbance by other birdwatchers and attacks by egg-collectors.  Never visit known sites of rare breeding birds unless they are adequately protected.  Even presence may give away the site to others and cause so many other visitors that the birds may fail to breed successfully.   In terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 disturbance at or near the nests of birds is a criminal offence.

5.   Rare migrants.  Rare migrants or vagrants must not be harassed.  If you discover one, consider the circumstances carefully before telling anyone.  Will an influx of birdwatchers disturb the bird or others in the area?  Will the habitat be damaged? Will problems be caused with the landowner?

6.   The Law.  The bird protection laws, as embodied in Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, are the result of hard campaigning by previous generations of birdwatchers.  As birdwatchers, we must abide by them at all times and not allow them to fall into disrepute.

7.   Respect the rights of landowners.  The wishes of landowners and occupiers of land must be respected.  Always follow the Scottish Access Code.

8.   Respect the rights of other people.  Have proper consideration for other birdwatchers.  Try not to disrupt their activities or scare the birds they are watching. There are many other people who also use the countryside.  Do not interfere with their activities and, if it seems that what they are doing is causing unnecessary disturbance to birds, do try to take a balanced view.  While flushing gulls when walking a dog on a beach in winter may do little harm, in the breeding season, the same dog would be a serious disturbance to nesting shore birds or a nesting gull colony.  When pointing this out to a non-birdwatcher, be courteous, but firm.  The non-birdwatchers' goodwill towards birds must not be destroyed by the attitudes of birdwatchers.

9.   Keeping records.  Much of today's knowledge about birds is the result of meticulous record keeping by our predecessors.  Make sure you help to add to tomorrow's knowledge by sending records to the local recorder.  The Arran recorder is Jim Cassels at Kilpatrick Kennels, Kilpatrick, Blackwaterfoot, KA27 8EY, or telephone 01770 860316, or email james.cassels@virgin.net.