rare bird alert

[wild sam]

just tell us the uncommon bird you have seen recently and were so others can check it out

post images to

[Picidae]

Good idea in principle Sam but given the diversity of geographical locations and for the sake of brevity, people may find it easier to go to their local Ornithological Sightings board which will have all the latest sightings including rarities.

Thus: If you live in Kent for example:

Untitled Document

Or Sussex:
Sussex Ornithological Society

Or Derbyshire:
Bird News

and so on ....


Wabbers just need to google their County name and ''ornithological society'' then find the ''sightings'' link on that particular website.

For keen twitchers, subscribing to Birdguides or Rare Bird Alert will give all the national daily rarity news either by mobile text or online

BirdGuides Login

Or go to the Rare Bird Alert main page in google to register for a free trial

[heliart]

I'm really not in favour of this sort of thing - I fear it can lead to the persecution of the poor old subject bird, or am I being a little over sensitive?

[solus]

There is plenty of information elsewhere, as Picidae says - the advantage being that these websites are well-established and responsibly run so that news on rare breeding birds and their locations is witheld, as are details where birds are on private/sensitive land or where the landowner has expressly requested there be no visits. These Bird Information bodies also have considerable powers of organisation and negotiation and many sites have been opened up to birders when a major rarity has turned up which would otherwise be inaccessible. They also liaise closely with County Recorders who are in a good position to know the locality of sightings and if other more sensitive species may be present.

Sadly, something all birders have to be aware of, particulalry at this time of year, is that there are still unscrupulous people around who will try to get birders to divulge information which will subsequently be used to the detriment of the birds. (As in egg collecting, nest-robbing....)

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by solus

Sadly, something all birders have to be aware of, particularly at this time of year, is that there are still unscrupulous people around who will try to get birders to divulge information which will subsequently be used to the detriment of the birds. (As in egg collecting, nest-robbing....)

Excellent points made there solus, especially the above reminder not to post details of rare nesting birds nor spread a 'private word' to your mates! All the links mentioned will filter/censor info accordingly. A reminder that it is a criminal offense to knowingly disturb nesting birds and Sched 1 species of birds at any time of the year (eg. Owls, Nightjar, all birds of prey etc). Even being in close vicinity can constitute legal 'disturbance'.