Careless news costs Avian Lives

Birding is a victim of its own success, in Europe at least. There are far more people interested in wildlife throughout the world than when I grew up, and hopefully a gradual decline in those wishing to trophy-hunt or collect specimens or eggs. Overall the fact that I can't park at certain reserves on a holiday weekend is a fair price to pay, as I wouldn't want to anyway. The fact that many of the visitors actually know little or learn about the birds they are watching, is up to them, I am all for people doing what they want in life.

However, a few things recently have got me thinking. I was watching, I think it was Countryfile, a black grouse lek in Wales when I suddenly realised that it was probably possible to work out its location. I know a lek in Scotland where locals are very reluctant to reveal its whereabouts because there is a footpath from the main road which leads closer, and whilst it is easily viewed from a main road, there are those, often photographers, who have to get closer. Eventually this will lead to the lek being abandoned. There are places where Capercaillies may still be seen, and it is one of the few UK species I haven't photographed, but I will not try to find the location unless the overall population increases. I remember walking miles to a "rogue" Caper site back in the 1990's and the bird was "off-duty" that day. A friend showed me his jacket which had a large tear in the sleeve thanks to this particular bird, but I never managed to see him. If I really want to photograph one I'll go to Sweden.

I went to an RSPB reserve recently where a few years ago I had seen a Grasshopper Warbler at the side of a path away from the main reserve. I asked one of the volunteers what he would do if the bird was there now and he didn't even seem to understand why I would be asking. He would "put it on the board". The fact is that had that location been revealed to lots of people it would have probably resulted in a nest being abandoned. I know it's a lot harder in many areas to see a Grasshopper Warbler nowadays, but if you want to you need to find your own, which is far more satisfying anyway. If that involves word of mouth that is even better, since one of the things about birding has always been the camaraderie and willingness to help others. Just don't broadcast what you know and put it on social media or information services. I am not against twitching, that would be a little hypocritical to say the least, but most vagrants have a limited future anyway, sadly, and if several hundred people turn up to see them no significant harm will be done. It's birds like wintering owls and potential breeders on migration that are a problem. Migrants in spring are often tired and hungry and don't want to waste valuable recovery time being constantly flushed by birders eager to see them. 

I just think it would be beneficial all round if people and information services gave a little more thought to what "news" is put out. I know much of it is a desire to see the first swallow, or cuckoo, and tell everyone, but the location doesn't have to be revealed. I grew up determined to see all the regular species in Britain before doing any twitching. (In retrospect I sometimes wish I hadn't as it took me years to catch up with Cream-coloured Courser and Long-toed Stint). But apart from Lady Amherst's Pheasant and Long-eared Owl I did just that, and every one was self-found. Obviously I had help as to where to look, but information services didn't exist then, so it was all word of mouth, plus I got to know a lot of people who have remained friends ever since. So much more enjoyable.

I met a birder the other day and we had a chat. He told me there were some early arriving Sedge Warblers nearby, and we discussed the fact that he had never seen a Cetti's Warbler. There was about fifty years difference in our ages, but we got on well, and I gave him a few tips on seeing a Cetti's as opposed to just hearing one. I saw a couple, albeit very briefly, before leaving the reserve. About a week later I also saw a couple at the "Grasshopper Warbler" reserve, where the same volunteer was busy telling everyone where the Cetti's were, but that they would only hear them. Thankfully that had the effect of keeping people away, as when I saw them I was alone. 

So, if you're a person that doesn't want to chat to others, or among the many that enjoy their lives without social media , how do you find out where to see particular species? There's nothing wrong with wanting to be alone, I thoroughly enjoy birding alone, not because I don't like people but I like finding my own birds and can employ birding skills, one of which is silence, to get better views. The best answer I know is to get yourself a local Bird Report, which will give you a wealth of information as to what birds can be seen where. No sensitive site information will be revealed, and although the information is "out of date", most birds return to or migrate through the same area every year. We have a pair of Whitethroats that nest near our garden, and we see them every year, although the garden isn't their normal habitat. Yesterday they turned up again, but where I think they used to breed has been "tidied up", so they will either move on or find a new nest site. But

if you read in a bird report that a particular species bred at a particular site last year, you have a viable starting point. You may need to spend some time looking, but you'll see plenty of other birds. Obviously a little knowledge is useful, the easiest time is when birds are singing, many species are impossible to find once they've stopped, and in the case of early migrants there may be less foliage to hide in.

Of course, none of this helps regular wintering sites, and disturbance is really becoming a problem at some. The issue is not releasing news, but sadly behaviour. The owl site at Eldernell (if you don't know it I'm not giving anything away), has gone in a few years from a place occasionally visited to a place where there are always people from dawn to dusk in winter. Thankfully the nature of the area is such that it is easy to view the birds from a safe distance, SO WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE DO SO!. It may be necessary to move a few feet down the bank to get a clearer view, but there's always someone that has to go right up to the fence. I don't think witholding information now will have any effect, but at least if it wasn't put on social media when the birds are there it might stop some of the selfish brigade going. Perish the thought they might have to find the birds themselves, it's not easy if you do (except one owl which is always in the same tree stump).