A Note: About Ethical Photography Practice
(Taken from - Birds Canada – that AMBE Winged Tours applauds)
Birds Canada encourages all birders and bird photographers to prioritize the well being of birds and their habitats while enjoying your pursuits in nature.Giving birds the space, they need to comfortably go about their natural behaviours is one way we can help them survive, thrive, and raise young, so that we can all continue to enjoy their presence in to the future.If you notice a bird reacting to your presence, back away until it resumes what it was doing before or leave the area and take your photo another day.
Remember – there is “always” another day, another moment.

 

CODE OF BIRDING ETHICS V.2.1, NOV. 2019

 

(Birds Canada fully endorses The American Birding Association’s Code of Birding Ethics and encourages our supporters to abide by this code).

Practice and promote respectful, enjoyable, and thoughtful birding as defined in this code 

1. RESPECT AND PROMOTE BIRDS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

a) Support the conservation of birds and their habitats. Engage in and promote bird-friendly practices whenever possible, such as keeping cats and other domestic animals indoors or controlled, acting to prevent window strikes, maintaining safe feeding stations, landscaping with native plants, drinking shade-grown coffee, and advocating for conservation policies. Be mindful of any negative environmental impacts of your activities, including contributing to climate change. Reduce or offset such impacts as much as you are able.

b) Avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger. Be particularly cautious around active nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display sites, and feeding sites. Limit the use of recordings and other audio methods of attracting birds, particularly in heavily birded areas, for species that are rare in the area, and for species that are threatened or endangered. Always exercise caution and restraint when photographing, recording, or otherwise approaching birds.

c) Always minimize habitat disturbance. Consider the benefits of staying on trails, preserving snags, and similar practices.

 

2. RESPECT AND PROMOTE THE BIRDING COMMUNITY AND ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.

a) Be an exemplary ethical role model by following this Code and leading by example. Always bird and report with honesty and integrity.

b) Respect the interests, rights, and skill levels of fellow birders, as well as people participating in other outdoor activities. Freely share your knowledge and experience and be especially helpful to beginning birders.

c) Share bird observations freely, provided such reporting would not violate other sections of this Code, as birders, ornithologists, and conservationists derive considerable benefit from publicly available bird sightings.

d) Approach instances of perceived unethical birding behavior with sensitivity and respect; try to resolve the matter in a positive manner, keeping in mind that perspectives vary. Use the situation as an opportunity to teach by example and to introduce more people to this Code.

e) In group birding situations, promote knowledge by everyone in the group of the practices in this Code and ensure that the group does not unduly interfere with others using the same area.

 

3. RESPECT AND PROMOTE THE LAW AND THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS.

a) Never enter private property without the landowner’s permission. Respect the interests of and interact positively with people living in the area where you are birding.

b) Familiarize yourself with and follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing activities at your birding location. In particular, be aware of regulations related to birds, such as disturbance of protected nesting areas or sensitive habitats, and the use of audio or food lures.

Birding should be fun and help build a better future for birds, for birders, and for all people.  Birds and birding opportunities are shared resources that should be open and accessible to all Birders should always give back more than they take

Please follow this Code and distribute and teach it to others.

 

More about the American Birding Association can be found at www.aba.org