Please don't trample the flowers....Bird Watcher's Etiquette

I am no Emily Post but, oddly enough, she did have something to say about the etiquette of bird watching.  There really is a lot to be said about this topic, and I am going to share some of my observations over the last year.

As bird watching is a spectator sport and there is often more than one spectator present, there is a need for a keen awareness and sensitivity to the surroundings and to others.

When I first started going out to look at birds, I began seeing others doing the same thing. I could tell by their binoculars and cameras that they had been at this much longer than I had. It was then that I began to try to learn by observation. Some of the things that I noticed can easily form the basis for a set of "best practices."

1) Demeanor: Speak softly and move slowly when around birds and nesting grounds. The reasons are manifold: a) It is best not to disturb the bird that has such a keen sense of hearing. b) Be sensitive to other bird watchers who just want to soak in the moment and may not want to talk or listen to anything but the sounds of the birds. c) Try not to disturb others who live in the area or who may use an area for other recreational uses. As hard as it is to accept, walking trails were really put there for walking. Bird watching, unfortunately, does not take precedence.

2) Access to property: This is an important consideration. Is a bird on public property, private property or business property? The answers to these questions set up the need to obtain permission prior to entering a privately-owned property. A rare bird does not trump a "no trespassing" sign.

3) Communication: When talking to property owners, each bird watcher has the opportunity to serve as an ambassador for all bird watchers. People will generalize their experience with one birder to apply to all birders. Sometimes property owners become very attached to their special visitor and may become very protective of the bird. This is a normal instinct as it is often due to the caretaking provided that a bird survives. Each situation is different and the key to a successful experience for all is to apply a dash of kindness, a cup of ethics, a cup of common sense and a sprinkle of appreciation. When the bird is known to draw many spectators, double up on the recipe and always be careful to not trample the flowers both literally and figuratively.

4) Sharing: When many birders are viewing birds in a small space or through limited scopes, take a fair share of time to look and then allow others to experience the same enjoyment. It is not uncommon for there to be as many as six birders or more in the same place at the same time. Any bird is going to bolt when it sees that kind of "front" moving toward it.

5)Bird watching first; photography second: All birders should have an opportunity to view a bird in peace prior to the onslaught of shutter snaping. Keeping a distance that is in the best interest of the bird and ensuring the least amount of stress is very important.

6) Cruising: A vast amount of bird watching takes place from the car. Miles upon kilometers are clicking in on the odometers. Every bird watcher knows that it's impossible to see a bird when driving the speed limit. That prompts very slow cruising around the side roads and rural thoroughfares. This likely doesn't sit well with other drivers on the road. One of the most considerate things that a bird watcher can do is to watch for a safe place to pull over and allow the accumulated traffic tailing behind to pass. Bruce McTavish wrote a hilarious list of traffic rules that apply to bird watchers (posted on the Google Discussion Group last year.) Oh, if only those were true. The fact is the rules of the road apply to bird watchers just as they do to all.

7) Spreading the word:  If a bird is on private property, it is best to try to obtain the permission of the property owner before spreading the whereabouts of a bird. Some people are very open to the idea and others are not.

8) Identifying a bird:  It is important that the identification of a bird be accurate. We all make mistakes in IDing a bird and it is not easy, even for long-time birders, sometimes. If in doubt, try to get a picture and ask for help from other birders who may be familiar with the species. The correct identification is particularly important when posting a sighting.

9) Bird lists: A bird list is only as prized as its accuracy. On Sunday, a bird flew in front of my on Portugal Cove Road. I was 80% sure that it was a Rusty Blackbird. I turned around and tried to find the bird again but was out of luck. Unfortunately, 80% doesn't warrant a place on my bird list.

10) Building the community: Bird watchers share a love of birds, nature and the outdoors. These common bonds make for the potential of a growing and productive bird watching community. The help that is freely offered grows the depth and breadth of the bird watching community. Offer help when able and accept the help when needed.

11) Baiting a Bird: There have been instances where food has been placed at a site for the purpose of luring a bird to photograph. This is an interesting scenario. Our feeders in the yards are actually baiting the birds. Yet, it is common knowledge that feeders provide help to the small birds to survive the harsh winter. What is the difference?  A chicken thrown on QV Lake to lure in a Bald Eagle is baiting the bird. Yet, the Bald Eagle that eats that chicken doesn't eat a gull. When is it unethical to bait a bird? I guess that would likely be situational and would beg the question: Is the baiting harming the bird in any way or placing it in harms way? This is an ethical questions that can only be answered one situation at a time.

As bird watchers we are often in the right place and time to offer the bird a safe haven to go on about their natural lives....just as if we weren't there. This is where we can work to limit our own footprint in a place that was not meant to be traversed.

Great Egret - 2011

Three Great Egrets on the Avalon in six months! How can this be? Well, anyone who visits here will never forget the force of our winds. On a wing and a prayer and a great big "blow" ... that's how we get so many amazing birds. This one looks out of place and so at home all at the same time.

 After a late arrival on Thursday, this Great Egret has moved to Long Pond which is an ideal place for it to move around freely, eat its heart content and build its strength for whatever trek it plans in the future.

For the many bird watchers and photographers, Long Pond is also a great place for viewing. In fact, it is possible to sit in the bird blind and watch the spectacular show unfold. It has been overflowing with visitors this week. Better take a chair if you plan to stay.

How do you photograph an egret?  There is so much of it and the eye is so tiny compared to the rest. The white reflective, billowy flow of its feathers also present a challenge. However, none of this stopped many of us who lined off on the shoreline to get a glimpse and a shot.

This bird is in its breeding plumage and has a flowing extension of fine feathers trailing behind. It is a rare treat to see. The Great Egret is also something of a contortionist and is very active feeding and flying the length of the pond. I watched today as it lifted off and flew the full length of the pond from West to East. It swooped down in front of a man fishing on the East end. I would have loved to have heard what he said when this large, ghostly bird invaded his space.

 At times the Great Egret looks small as it sets up to spear a small fish. He has to do this quite a lot because the fish are minnow size. He is quite apt at it and doesn't seem to miss once he sets his sights on the small stickleback.

 At other times it strikes a more classic pose that is majestic. The many spectators are shaking their heads in admiration and delight to have this visitor in our small, northern city. If anyone needs an excuse to go for a walk around the pond, this great bird is reason enough. It will certainly motivate me to get out for my daily walk. Let's hope it remains a part of the landscape for quite some time. The temps of the last two days have been around 7 to 10 degrees, but it is getting much colder at night.

 

 My hard drive is groaning with the load of pictures that I just dumped on it and something tells me that mine is not the only one.  I find myself deleting pictures that only a year ago I would have thought were wonderful. Culling the blurred, fuzzy shots is now a requirement that must be done regularly. I want to save plenty of space for the warblers that will be flying in over the next month or so.

The size of a photo to really show the detail of this bird has to be large. This is one of my favorite poses but in this small picture the eye does not sparkle. However, when it is enlarged, it shows nicely. I know that there are thousands of pictures of this bird popping up on various web sites and on Flicker. It is really interesting to see how other photographers have been able to capture this beauty.

Black-backed Woodpecker

Saturday was an "A" day for me on the birding front. I was drawn to the outdoors by the great sunshine, the Ruddy Duck at QV and the Great Egret.  When the day started the Great Egret was missing in action so I started my day at Quidi Vidi Lake. There, the Ruddy Duck was looking happy and quite at home.  The strong sunbeam flashing on the water was very harsh so I decided that it was useless for me to try any pictures.

I went on to check out a couple of feeders in town but there was nothing special around. It was around 10:30 when I returned home and was going to try to be productive.

 All that productivity went right out the window when I checked the discussion group and noted that someone had spotted the Great Egret at Long Pond. In one big swooping circle, I grabbed my coat and headed right back out. The walk at Long Pond was beautiful and the snow/ice mix was not quite so treacherous as my last trip.

I was sauntering down the trail, scanning the water's edge for the Great Egret and listening for small birds in the trees. I heard a Fox Sparrow in the distance and spotted several Juncos flitting about as well as a Blue Jay.

 Because of the trail conditions there are not many walkers taking on the risk of a slip and fall so the woods were quiet and the sounds resonated. As I neared the end of the North side of the trail, I heard knocking. I stopped and listened and then followed the sound further up the trail. It had to be a woodpecker. My senses heightened because I have been keen for over a year to see the local woodpeckers. I did see a Downy during the winter and of course, the ever-present Northern Flicker.

 Every time I heard someone say that they saw a ..... woodpecker, any kind, I winced. Now, could it be that I found my own woodpecker?  I followed the hollow sound until I was standing right under it, still on the trail.  I started scanning the trees high above me and I saw a flash of movement. Stepping just feet off the trail I got my first full view of a Black-backed Woodpecker, a male. Needless to say, I was pretty excited.

I followed the postings last year on the Discussion Group and frequently saw that a Black-backed Woodpecker was at Long Pond. I made more than a dozen trips in pursuit but had no luck. Now, for a few moments, I had this great bird all to myself.  It worked its way up the tree then moved to another and then another, never straying more than 10 feet away. It moved from the shadowy south side of the trail to the north side where it glistened in the sunlight.

I began shooting, images of course.  Here's the drill:  It would draw its head way back to set up for the next drill, it would then propel its strong head and bill forward until it made contact with the tree and in some instances, it would extract an insect. There were times when bark would fly off the tree after the jack-hammer-like assault. This action happens so quickly that it is hard to catch all of the movement with the naked eye. With the help of the camera it was possible to stop action for review later.

I stayed with this powerhouse for more than a half an hour and was later joined by other photographers who, too, had come to Long Pond in search of the Great Egret. Since I had already enjoyed my private viewing of the Black-backed Woodpecker, I moved on to once again try to see the Great Egret.

Ruddy Duck

 Well, here we go! The new birds are beginning to arrive and the familiar ones are returning. It has been an exciting couple of days for birding the Avalon.

Word went out that a Ruddy Duck had appeared at Quidi Vidi Lake (the miracle lake.) At first the Ruddy Duck was staying off shore and who knew how long it might extend its stay. So, despite the cold wind, I knew I would probably stay out in it hoping to get a good look and then some good pictures.

 The good look presented no problems as the Ruddy Duck was moving closer and closer to shore. It would doze off and drift in, then wake up and move out again. Now, getting the good pictures .... there's the rub!

 I find myself lined off with other photographers armed with 400 to 500 mm lenses and extenders to boot. There I am with my simple little camera with a 70 to 300 mm lens trying to do what the "big guns" are doing.

Nevertheless, I love the challenge and do not want to give up trying to get memorable shots to review and share. I shoot way too many pictures but that works for me because a lot of them turn out to be pure junk. Then, hidden among them are usually a few fair shots that I don't mind sharing. I do feel like I have to work harder and the truth is that I am still learning the many setting to try to counter balance the ever-changing cloud, sun, snow and whatever that constantly complicates the process.  It is pretty frustrating when you just get everything set for the bright sun and then a dark cloud rolls

over just when the bird is

doing something special.

The Ruddy Duck is a great looking bird with its rusty color and his distinct blue bill. It's tail feathers are often perked up making for a very interesting little duck. It seems to have settled in and may be around for a while.  Oh, I almost forgot to mention .... this is a new life bird for me.