Blimey Nicky – …“frightened by the onslaught (dramatic)”…..”chaos”…..”my, did I get two barrels”
– forgive me for saying so Nicky but don’t you think you might be being a little over-sensitive here
In the light of your reaction and as you seem to be making me out to be the bad guy here, I’ve just re-read my earlier posts (and those of ghough12) and I really can’t see what’s caused you such offence or distress. My own comments were, I believe, a measured and perfectly polite response to the facts of the situation as you outlined them.
As indicated in the first line of my first post, my main concern was your comment that “loads of people are trying to photograph them” and I certainly said nothing to suggest that you might knowingly harm the birds so please don’t take my comments so personally.
Having said all that, given that both Eeyore and Coasty (hardly two of WAB’s most sensitive souls – no offence guys
) seem to think that some of my comments may have been “a little harsh” or “OTT” perhaps I might be allowed to say something in mitigation.
Over the last 8 or 9 months I have seen here on WAB or have directly received approximately 15 requests for advice on locating, attracting, getting close to and photographing/filming two Schedule 1 protected species – Kingfishers and Barn Owls. Several of these requests have been by pm directly to me, some have been face to face enquiries (eg. by local camera club members) and some via the WAB forums.
It is, of course, quite well known amongst many WAB members that I hold Schedule 1 Licences for both these species and that I have for some time now been taking a special interest in these birds. Consequently, I have had several of these requests for help referred on to me by other WAB members.
I have, in every case, offered such help and advice as I considered appropriate. However and in the face of an increasing number of such requests, some time ago I decided to take advice from Natural England (NE), the RSPB and the BTO in how best to respond to these requests. I did this by way of informal discussions with a member of NE’s Licensing Dept, a member of the RSPB’s Investigations Team and a BTO Officer.
Their combined advice may be summarised as follows:-
1. Make sure the applicant is fully aware of the specially protected status of these birds and refer them to the legislation concerned. Indeed and in view of the fact that the existence of this legislation is so poorly known/publicised (with even experienced photographers often not being aware of it), it was suggested that I should take every opportunity to bring it to people’s attention.
2. Point out the need for a Licence to be obtained from NE in order to take photographs of these birds during the course of nest building; whilst the birds are “in, on, at or near” the nest and whilst they have dependent young - generally best done by providing a link to the Licensing section of NE’s website.
3. Unless there is a conservation purpose AND the person concerned clearly has the necessary photographic/fieldcraft skills, knowledge of the species and commitment to their conservation, offer no assistance or advice what so ever. Indeed the RSPB’s Investigations Officer took the view that those with a casual interest in the birds or who perhaps regarded them merely as an attractive photographic subject should be discouraged and deterred from going anywhere near them.
Incidentally and from my point of view, photographing these birds is very much of secondary interest – my primary interest being the birds themselves. Many of those who consider themselves as photographers are often more interested in the art/medium of photography itself rather than the actual subject matter whereas, as far I’m concerned, photography is merely a tool to be used in assisting in their conservation.
As many WAB members know, Kingfishers in particular are extremely sensitive to the presence of humans and are easily disturbed – forgive me for stating the obvious but that’s why the only view most people get is the blue flash as they fly away.
The reason they are on the Schedule 1 list of specially protected species (along with the likes of Golden and White-Tailed Eagles, Marsh and Hen Harriers, Ospreys, Red Kites, etc) is that they are under threat – they are currently amber listed - largely due to the lack of suitable nest sites (they have very specific requirements of course) but also because of increasing levels of disturbance at many of their remaining sites.
The RSPB estimates their current nos. at between 4,800 to 8,000 pairs throughout the UK but some observers consider there could be as few as only 3,500 pairs or less. Certainly they are in decline here in Cambridgeshire with confirmed breeding pair numbers having fallen from 47 in 2003 to only 15 in 2007 throughout the county
.
I therefore make no apology for putting the sensitivities of these beautiful but endangered birds ahead of those of WAB members (new or old) or indeed anyone else. Consider this - if we’re not much more careful in protecting our endangered species then perhaps all we’ll end up with will be photographs and memories of them.
In conclusion, I’m sorry that you didn’t like the advice I gave you Nicky but I certainly have no intention of doing anything that might amount to aiding and abetting anyone commit a criminal offence and whether they do so knowingly or not.
Finally and as Nicky has chosen to go public with her pm to me, here’s what I said in response –
"Hi Nicky
I've just seen your forum thread and have posted a reply on that.
I'm sorry to disappoint you Nicky but you're in serious danger of committing a criminal offence by seeking to photograph a nesting pair without the necessary licence from Natural England.
Please see my reply on the forum and read up on the matter, preferably by checking out the licensing laws on Natural England's website.
Please do get back to me if I can be of any further help but the licensing issue (and a fairly comprehensive description of the habits of these birds) is already well covered on my own 'Kingfisher Diary (with photos)' forum thread which I presume you've seen.
Regards Jeff"
.......“frightened by the onslaught” indeed
Jeff
. I understand peoples concern and it has raised some good points. It is a grey area what with long lenses and digiscoping as to what constitutes disturbance.
Linear Mode
