Saturday, March 19, 2016

Birding Ethics

The singing Black-tailed Gnatcatcher
How far would you go to get "that" shot?  Apparently for some, they'll do anything including endangering a bird's life to get that branch-free, close-up picture of their subject.  When birding in large groups (or around others), you can pick out the various degrees of birder or photographer.


The Gilded Flicker at sunset
As most of us already know, birds, in general, are tricky to capture on camera.  So finding them posing perfectly out in the open can be a wonderful opportunity. Take for example this Gilded Flicker.  At Saguaro National Park, it tends to be skittish.  When I do find the birds here, they cling closely to the Ocotillo like in the pic above.  Sometimes, they can be very accommodating like the one we found in Scottsdale below. The bird just flew in and sat on the wall staring back at us. 


Naturally we chase birds.  Sometimes playback is used a couple times.  Sometimes we pish and hope for the best. On this evening, I pished and had a curious Black-throated Sparrow come and visit me. 


Black-throated Sparrow
So here's where my story begins.  Another birder was searching for the very tricky Long-eared Owl in Arizona. To cut the time and make use of our bird schedule, we had to join this walk. I was with a lister(a person who tries to add as many species of birds as they can onto a list.  In this case, his Arizona list.) I knew of several Long-eared Owls that were being seen in a location that required a bird walk. The only drawback?  Crowds of birders! 

Female Northern Shoveler
PS.  Arizona is amazing.  If you've never been here, you've got to come and bird.  You're going to love it!  Anyhow, everyone came to the Audubon lead Arivaca-Cienaga Boardwalk on a Saturday morning to see the Long-eared Owl.  As I had anticipated, there were nearly 30 people from all over the country on this trek.  All hoping to find the owl(s).  An internal groan happened on both our parts as large groups are not our thing. But sometimes you have to do them.  However, I will say that the group was a great bunch. Sometimes they can be very talkative!  If you're talking, you're not listening or watching for the birds:)

Snowbirds enjoy the varied landscapes of Arizona
I came once before to find these owls. This time, I wanted to see if I had looked in the right area.  And I had! So that little information made me happy and confirmed my investigative powers are increasing! BUT these owls are super tricky to find because they camouflage so well into the hackberry trees/bushes along the trail.  Because we were on a tight schedule, we couldn't stay for the entire walk and had to leave early.  This is something I should have told our guide before we got on the trails.  

This is the owl that everyone got to see during our walk.  Lots of branches!  But they aren't always inside the branches. 
The word "owl" makes people go crazy.  You don't even have to be a birder to love them.  Anyhow, our guide was excellent and a very nice person.  I didn't know him nor the visiting out-of-state birders.  But we understood our guide when he told us that he didn't want to disturb the owls roosting.  We all agreed to the rules and got our quick glances and quickly moved on.  It's what I would have asked my group if I had been leading a tour.  It's what I always do when I have several visitors coming into town to find owls. 

Sometimes they perch at your campsite in the evening!
Once we saw the owl, we did some more birding with the group. However, we had to take off soon afterwards because there were several other birds we had to find for the day. Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to see everything before sundown.  While our guide was chatting with the group, we took off to stay on schedule.  I didn't want to interrupt the talk.  I had intended to email him that night and thank him for the wonderful job, etc.  

Peña Blanca Lake for the Rufous-capped Warbler

So we left to search for the Rufous-capped Warbler. Yet I felt an uneasiness in my stomach.  Not a good sign.  Then the unthinkable happened. I got word that rumors were spreading throughout the birding community that we had gone back to disturb the owls and get better photos.  My new lens has been getting a lot of attention which I hate.  They thought we were going to try for better photos.  And so did the guide!  If they knew me, they would have known better.  I am one of the most responsible birders out there. That night I sent emails out. More work for my carelessness! 




The next day I went out with my friend Cynthia to go birding. The ill rumors had still lingered and made me upset. Thankfully the guide wrote me back and we were able to clear up the misunderstandings.  So what did I learn? When in a group, I need tell the guide what our plan is before starting the trek.  From the guide's part, he apologized for assuming the worst. But honestly, I would have done the same thing. And thanks to my reputation, he discovered quickly that I was one of the "good" birders.  Your reputation is everything in the birding world.  The honor code is an unwritten book of rules that are known by all birders. Break a rule and you will quickly feel their wrath! Birders can be as ruthless as a Great Blue Heron filling up on a newly hatched nest of Red-winged Blackbirds!

And sometimes, when you least expect it, the bird will pose for you just like the Gilded Flicker did.  That's what's fun about birding.  Just be patient and it will happen. 
Like most things in life, it all comes down to communication.  Lesson learned.  I'm so used to being an independent birder that I forget how the whole group mentality works:)  And how about you?  Any similar stories or mishaps while on the birding trail with others? Until next time.....

23 comments:

  1. Oh dear that's awful Chris. No similar experiences but then again I'm more of a street photographer and although I've been lucky and caught some OK bird shots I could never call myself a birder. I have to say though I think it's very wrong that they jumped to the worst conclusion without any proof! Btw excellent shots here :)

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    1. Any time there are people, there's always room for random things to happen:) Thank the bird gods that I work with people in large groups to understand this:)

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  2. Birding ethics can be hard. I always wince when I see people putting nest shots on FB and such like. It makes me wonder how they got them. I was at a Black Noddy nest site last year and I made good and sure that I had the right advice about how to approach the site and how close to get. Not everyone puts the birds first.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. That is a great idea. I appreciate the tip for future finds. People need to put the birds first:) That's the difference between photographers and birders. Although, it happens in both groups, I have found photographers to use things like bait etc to lure birds into a pic. But it's the nesting photos! that's the worst:(

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  3. Oh Chris - you must have been totally horrified to hear of the rumours. I am so glad you were able to put the record straight. Anyone who knows you or reads your blog will know how you put the welfare of birds and wildlife first. It just goes to show how careful you have to be. I've not had problems when birding with others but I rarely go out in a group. To be honest I hate attending "twitches" when there are dozens of birders around who all seem to know each other. Although I have on occasion attended them locally to see a rare bird. I think most birders put the welfare of birds first - I know I do and am careful at nesting times not to give out info on locations of the rarer species.

    Glad you got to see the Long-Eared Owls. I've only ever seen them once - there were a few overwintering and roosting at one of the bird reserves we visit many years ago.

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    1. Oh the twitchers are a terrible lot:) I don't twitch anymore, but I do try my hand for birds in some areas. That part is fun. I think birding in masses with all the personalities can be a challenge:)

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  4. Chris, I am so surprised at me would assume you would harrass a bird and so glad you were able to quickly clear things up. You must have been shocked when you heard the rumors. I'm glad it all worked out. Your new lens is wonderful, BTW!

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    1. I'm loving the new lens, but I am finding that the extra weight makes hiking rocky trails tricky. I almost fell last weekend because I wasn't used to the extra weight on my should. My balance was off:)

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  5. This etiquette is good not just for birders. Any time I lead a group I let them know they are free to leave any time yet to let me know so I don't wonder about a changing head count. Lesson learned. You, are a GREAT birder!

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    1. Gaelyn, that is good to know. That is something I will ask my groups before I start up down the road. I never thought about that before. Thanks, as always, for the advice.

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  6. What a horrible thing to happen to you but glad you were able to quickly clar it up. Not thankfuly nothing like this has happened to me and I hope it never will. Rules MUST be obeyed to protect 'NATURE'

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  7. I respect the territory of birds and especially nesting birds. I get a little bit crazy with groups of birders when they act like they own the land we are visiting~

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  8. That crowd on the boardwalk - my greatest nightmare. As you explain Chris, groups just make noise and birds have eyes and ears better than our own. Lucky is the gang of birders who can see a bird better than a lonesome birder who has fieldcraft, experience and common sense.

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  9. I love to see all owls. I only saw a barred owl on my Florida walks. But it was still a thrill. I'm glad your stellar rep is in the clear. And you were rewarded with a great photo!

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  10. It's sad that we assume the worst about others, and yet we all do it! It's good to think about the issues it raises though - an on-going one as new birders and photographers join all the time. I'm another that doesn't really enjoy crowded birding either, but it can be useful too.

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  11. That was certainly a very uncomfortable experience you had Chris and I'm glad you got it sorted out. I have never gotten the quality of photographs that I have seen on your blog, and many others. I have always wished I could get closer but have never tried because a) I am not as spry as I used to be and b) I would never put another living thing at risk no matter how small it was. I have also never been with a group, my loss I guess, but I am far happier with the company of my husband when we are out and about looking for wildlife. I know of no one in my family or among my friends who enjoy doing what we do. Thanks for visiting and telling me that maybe the lady wood duck may have been in the box. This is how I learn and I thank you for that too.

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    1. Groups are great. I've met so many wonderful people along the way by birding in groups, but after awhile, you find yourself alone with a few of those dear friends. This group was friendly and had a bunch of great birders. But some of the most rewarding birding is the kind you do alone. The learning often happens alone but because of blogs I have learned so much. As for close ups of the birds....it's the all about the lens. But you don't need a good lens to enjoy nature. You've got great pics on your blog. I especially love the drake sitting on top of the nest box:) Hope they are successful!

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    2. Thank you for the encouragement, and for the kind words. I ought to take the plunge and join one of the birding groups at one of my favorite parks. I pass by such a group occasionally and try to eavesdrop ;) Enjoy the rest of your week and happy birding :)

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  12. The last photo is stunning! I haven't been with a birding group as of yet but I appreciate the tips mentioned here.

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  13. Hello Chris!
    Your new lens is making me jealous!:))Magnificent images that show every detail of these lovely birds.

    I feel sorry that the unpleasant incident occured Chris, I know how you must have felt being such a responsible birder, but we live and learn! Happy birding, and have a great Easter.

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  14. I am so sorry the group thought the worst! If they followed your blog they'd know you are one of the most responsible birders out there! I hope the misunderstanding is cleared up with everyone by now. I hate it when someone thinks ill of me!

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  15. great post. I fell in love with the first and last images :)

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