Gentle reminder: Clubsnap members are requested to adhere to the ABA Principles of Birding Ethics, as follows;
Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others.
In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first.
CODE OF BIRDING ETHICS
1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.
1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat.
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 can be 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.
3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial
bird environments are safe.
3(a) Keep dispensers, water, and food clean and free of decay or
disease. It is important to feed birds continually during
harsh weather.
3(b) Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.
3(c) If you are attracting birds to an area, ensure the birds are
not exposed to predation from cats and other domestic
animals, or dangers posed by artificial hazards.
4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu,
requires special care.
Each individual in the group, in addition to the obligations
spelled out in Items #1 and #2, has responsibilities as a
Group Member.
4(a) Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders, as
well as those of people participating in other legitimate
outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and
experience, except where code 1(c) applies. Be especially
helpful to beginning birders.
4(b) If you witness unethical birding behavior, assess the
situation and intervene if you think it prudent. When
interceding, inform the person(s) of the inappropriate
action and attempt, within reason, to have it stopped. If
the behavior continues, document it and notify appropriate
individuals or organizations.
Group Leader Responsibilities [amateur and professional
trips and tours].
4(c) Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach
through word and example.
4(d) Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the
environment and does not interfere with others using the
same area.
4(e) Ensure everyone in the group knows of and practices this
code.
4(f) Learn and inform the group of any special circumstances
applicable to the areas being visited (e.g., no tape
recorders allowed).
4(g) Acknowledge that professional tour companies bear a
special responsibility to place the welfare of birds and the
benefits of public knowledge ahead of the company’s
commercial interests. Ideally, leaders should keep track of
tour sightings, document unusual occurrences, and submit
records to appropriate organizations.
Maybe the cows decided to take another walk...well. I feel that each contributor here has their valid points one way or another. Bottom line is we are here in this debate because "ALL" have a heart for nature because we are concern. The originator of this thread may have articulated the matter using a wrong approach such as sharing the location to the public but I feel that his original intention is a good one to begin with. I am not sure about you but I do share locations with my close friends. At times I also share the general park location in my postings too but those are not the exact locations. I believe so long as sharing of exact location is not disclosed to the public, it should be fine to certain extend of course with the trust of your friends too.
