| If you're not a professional bird watcher or tour guide | | | | have done so before you; you don't have to follow |
| then there are a few things that you need to know | | | | their bad example. |
| before venturing out to start your new hobby. Believe | | | | Care for the Birds |
| it or not, you can't just do what you like, where you like | | | | Never do anything which can have an adverse effect |
| and there is a strict code of ethics, even for amateur | | | | on the birds themselves. They didn't ask for you to be |
| bird watchers. | | | | watching them and they have the right to carry on |
| Right to Roam | | | | their lives undisturbed, so always check with yourself |
| In Britain nowadays, it would seem that the rights of | | | | whether anything you're doing could be upsetting the |
| many landowners have been eroded and that | | | | birds. |
| ramblers can go wherever they please. However, this | | | | Photographing Birds |
| isn't always the case and it is, in any case, a common | | | | Don't get too close to the birds when you're |
| courtesy to seek the approval of the owner before | | | | photographing them, particularly if you're using a flash |
| you go trampling all over this property. If the landowner | | | | as this could be very frightening for the birds and may |
| requests that you do not go through certain areas, | | | | interrupt their normal routines. Use a camera with a |
| then do observe his wishes and likewise if he asks | | | | zoom lens with a decent magnification and if it's very |
| that you keep to the edge of fields, etc. then do so. If, | | | | large, you'll need a tripod too to prevent camera shake. |
| while bird watching on private property, your target bird | | | | Parking Your Car |
| moves off into forbidden territory, you'll just have to let | | | | When you go bird watching, remember that you may |
| him go. Don't think that because you've seen a rare | | | | be gone for some time so be thoughtful about where |
| bird, the landowners wishes can be ignored. | | | | you park your vehicle. Never block gates or paths or |
| In addition, just treat the landowner's property as you | | | | indeed, any form of entrance. |
| would wish your own to be treated; don't drop litter, | | | | Your Mobile Phone |
| don't be noisy and | | | | It's essential to take your mobile with you, in case of |
| Use your common sense to guide you when bird | | | | accidents or incidents while out bird watching. In |
| watching on private property: don't litter, don't make | | | | addition, the owner of the land you're using may need |
| any noise and don't do any damage. | | | | to get hold of you but do make sure that the 'phone is |
| Care for the Environment | | | | set to silent mode with the vibrate feature on. |
| When you pack your rucksack to go out bird | | | | All the above just involve using a bit of common sense |
| watching, be sure to include a plastic bag or two so | | | | and consideration for others as well as for the birds, |
| that you can bring your rubbish home with you. Never, | | | | so remember this ethical code and enjoy your bird |
| never drop litter out in the countryside (or anywhere | | | | watching. |
| else for that matter) irrespective of whether others | | | | |