Birding Ethics

by Mike Stiles

The American Birding Association (ABA) has a code of ethics for birders and birding. Number one on the list is "promote the welfare of birds and their environment." You can read the entire document here. A few events recently in the birding world have caused me to write this article.

In Solano County in Northern California, a Marsh Sandpiper was discovered in some marshy fields there. This was the 10th record for North America, the second record away from Alaska, and the first time the bird has been recorded in the spring. A very rare bird indeed, and the first "chase-able" one in the lower 48 states.

Many birders dropped what they were doing to fly or drive to the area to catch a glimpse or photograph of the bird, in order to add it to their life list. In some of the rare bird listservs, there was talk of groups of birders and photographers who, in order to get the bird "in good light," would flush the bird to unknown parts of the marsh. Subsequent birders who dropped what they were doing to fly or drive to Northern California were frustrated that they were unable to see the bird because of that.

It seems that photographers are particularly guilty of overzealous actions. Don’t get me wrong, some of my best friends are photographers, but there is certainly an element of full frame envy that drives some photographers to extreme actions.

In full disclosure, I have chased plenty of birds and will continue to do so, but I and many birders wonder about the effect of the countless gallons of fossil fuels burned, and the carbon footprint of our actions, and how that "promotes the welfare of…the environment."

Another problem that is very pervasive these days is the use of recorded bird calls to draw a rare bird into the open for a better look. Nearly everyone has some form of hand-held device and will readily use it.  The ABA’s code states: "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."

As a young birder in my college years, I was talking among classmates of using tapes to call in a Spotted Owl, and was lucky enough to obtain very good looks at it. I was heartily chastised by my ornithology professor for causing the owl to leave its protected perch, making it vulnerable to attack by Great-horned Owls.

I am not opposed to using taped calls very sparingly (and asking fellow birders first if they wouldn’t mind), but I’ve seen birders using taped songs continuously for extended periods of time. I think it’s particularly offensive during breeding season where a nesting bird might leave a nest of eggs or fledglings to investigate.

I know that a few crass souls can undermine the intent of a large group of birders, but it’s up to all of us to consider the ethics of birding as we pursue our sport.