Photos of nesting birds

[colincurry]

I understand that there is a moritorium on posting pictures of nesting birds. Does this apply across the board, please? I understand and agree with the need not to disturb nesting birds; in particular the rarer ones. At the weekend, I saw a pair of great crested grebes close to what seemed to be a nest way out in the middle of a lake. Today, I found a fishermen's path that lead around that lake and also to others. On the edge of each lake were a number of fishermen's swims from where anglers fish. From one of these, I was able to get a much better view of the grebes and their nest. They were at least 50 yards away in the middle of the lake, and are presumably accustomed to anglers. There was no way that I could disturb the grebes from where I was. What would be view on pics of such a nest?

Colin

[Oscar2006]

Everybody will have differing views on this subject, but the welfare of the birds must always come first. Having said that, if anglers are going to fish there, then I can see no reason why you should not be able to take photographs. I look forward to seeing some.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by colincurry

I understand that there is a moritorium on posting pictures of nesting birds. Does this apply across the board, please? I understand and agree with the need not to disturb nesting birds; in particular the rarer ones. At the weekend, I saw a pair of great crested grebes close to what seemed to be a nest way out in the middle of a lake. Today, I found a fishermen's path that lead around that lake and also to others. On the edge of each lake were a number of fishermen's swims from where anglers fish. From one of these, I was able to get a much better view of the grebes and their nest. They were at least 50 yards away in the middle of the lake, and are presumably accustomed to anglers. There was no way that I could disturb the grebes from where I was. What would be view on pics of such a nest?

Colin

There was another thread about this last year, can't find it at the moment though about the same kind of subject. I seem to remember that the decision and consensus was just to continue with the monitorium because although yur specific nest may not be disturbed at all, someone perhaps less knowledgeable or considerate may think to themselves 'oooh that's a pretty picture, I'm going to have a go at that' or worse 'I've got a robin's nest in my garage and they look so cute I think I'll take a pic too' and sooner or later nesting will be disrupted and nests lost and not specifically to educate or inform but for the sake of a nice pic and that doesn't seem right.

and before you know it you've got this:
icNorthWales - Rare bird ‘obsession’ lands pair in court

Ok so that's a bit extreme ( ) but the whole messy problem is totally avioded if WAB just doesn't include active bird nests in it's gallery.

[nightshade]

We all know where we stand ;no pictures of birds nests occupied or otherwise
one rule for everybody

[Oscar2006]

Originally Posted by nightshade

We all know where we stand ;no pictures of birds nests occupied or otherwise
one rule for everybody

Sorry Nightshade I disagree with this "sweeping statement" for several reasons, but do not have time to fully elaborate.
There are many folks out there with licences to photograph rare and scarce breeding birds and they will be doing it professionally; that is making a living out of it, and will undoubtedly push their boundaries to get the picture to put bread on the table)
As I mentioned previously, the welfare of the bird (or anything else for that matter) must come first, (I assume we both agree whole heartedly on that one? ) but there are many opportunities for many people to record birds at the nest without disturbing them.

Hands up those who will not be watching "Springwatch" beacause they have cameras in the nestboxes?

The defence rests its case

[Gill Catton]

This has all been discussed before (can anyone else find the thread?). The decision reached by the mods was no nesting birds mainly for reasons highlighted above

[StuartDH]

Here's the original:

Bird Nest Photos

[Oscar2006]

Thanks for the link Stu.

I think I was at a mis-understanding about what WAB will accept in the gallery and the legal (and moral) position.

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Oscar2006

Sorry Nightshade I disagree with this "sweeping statement" for several reasons, but do not have time to fully elaborate.
There are many folks out there with licences to photograph rare and scarce breeding birds and they will be doing it professionally; that is making a living out of it, and will undoubtedly push their boundaries to get the picture to put bread on the table)
As I mentioned previously, the welfare of the bird (or anything else for that matter) must come first, (I assume we both agree whole heartedly on that one? ) but there are many opportunities for many people to record birds at the nest without disturbing them.

Hands up those who will not be watching "Springwatch" beacause they have cameras in the nestboxes?

The defence rests its case

I was referring to the sites policy,as you say there are licenced professionals etc. etc.

[colincurry]

I understand the reasoning behind not publishing pictures of nesting birds on this site - and certainly the same rule for all is easier to implement.

As I have already said, I am aware that one should not disturb nesting birds for the sake of a photo. I consider myself to be fairly sensible and sensitive in this regard, but will reserve my position according to the circumstances at any one time.

I note with interest the advert for nesting box cameras at the head of this thread.

Colin

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Oscar2006

Sorry Nightshade I disagree with this "sweeping statement" for several reasons, but do not have time to fully elaborate.
There are many folks out there with licences to photograph rare and scarce breeding birds and they will be doing it professionally; that is making a living out of it, and will undoubtedly push their boundaries to get the picture to put bread on the table)
As I mentioned previously, the welfare of the bird (or anything else for that matter) must come first, (I assume we both agree whole heartedly on that one? ) but there are many opportunities for many people to record birds at the nest without disturbing them.

Hands up those who will not be watching "Springwatch" beacause they have cameras in the nestboxes?

The defence rests its case

vis a vis proffesional and indeed responsible amateur photography you undoubtedly have a point oscar - although most pros dont generally push the envelope because licences are renewed yearly and irresponsible behaviour one year would lead to no licence the next which would more than outweigh any temporay gain in income

and there are as you rightly say many opportunities to photograph birds at the nest without disturbing them - however as far as wab goes it would be impossible for the mods and edds to tell how much disturance had been caused in getting any particular nest shot and thus i believe that stu has made the right decision that a blanket ban is the only practicably and ethically correct approach for the site to take

[Oscar2006]

Originally Posted by eeyore

vis a vis proffesional and indeed responsible amateur photography you undoubtedly have a point oscar - although most pros dont generally push the envelope because licences are renewed yearly and irresponsible behaviour one year would lead to no licence the next which would more than outweigh any temporay gain in income

and there are as you rightly say many opportunities to photograph birds at the nest without disturbing them - however as far as wab goes it would be impossible for the mods and edds to tell how much disturance had been caused in getting any particular nest shot and thus i believe that stu has made the right decision that a blanket ban is the only practicably and ethically correct approach for the site to take

And I have no arguement with that.

I did not know the WAB position on nest photography before this thread started and misinterpreted what was actually being asked. (now visualise big foot entering big gob! )
Apologies for the mistake.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Oscar2006

And I have no arguement with that.

I did not know the WAB position on nest photography before this thread started and misinterpreted what was actually being asked. (now visualise big foot entering big gob! )
Apologies for the mistake.

nice one oscar - I didnt read your second post before I posted

Originally Posted by colin curry

I note with interest the advert for nesting box cameras at the head of this thread.

WAB doesn't have much control over the google adds - which are suposedly artificailly intelligent in selecting what they put up , stu can ask for specific adds to be taken down but as they are the sites only income stream we cannot afford to be too precious and he tends to reserve objections for the really inappropriate ones such as adds for pest control and inviations to meet 1000s of red hot babes etc