Notable Recent Sightings

01/10 Glossy Ibis 1, photo'd by Osprey camera at Cors Dyfi
17/09 Grey Phalarope 1 juv, Red Ridge Centre, Cefn Coch, photo'd
29/05 Pink-footed Goose 1, over Welshpool, photo'd on 09/06
01/05 Red-throated Diver 1, Llyn Clywedog
07/02 Whooper Swan 44, Lake Vyrnwy
31/01 Whooper Swan 51, Haimwood, Llandrinio
17/11 Firecrest 2, Castle Caereinion
07/11 Barnacle Goose 1 among Canada Geese, Llyn Coed-y-Dinas
07/11 Hawfinch a few, Lake Vyrnwy, also Bramblings
01/11 Short-eared Owl 1, Cefn Coch Wind-farm
01/11 Great Grey Shrike Gregynog
28/10 Great Grey Shrike Lake Vyrnwy, also 1 on 30th at Eunant
25/09 Gannet 1 juv grounded near Caersws
07/09 Nightjar 1, photographed near Pontrobert
17/07 Quail RSPB Lake Vyrnwy, also heard 20/06 and 08/07
24/04 Long-eared Owl 2, RSPB Lake Vyrnwy
16/04 Purple Heron 1, Cors Dyfi
05/03 Firecrest 1, Lake Vyrnwy
05/03 Short-eared Owl 1, Lake Vyrnwy
14/01 Pink-footed Goose 1, Dolydd Hafren
03/01 Waxwing 20, Meifod; also 5 Welshpool by canal on 01/01. Last: 6 Bwlch-y-Garreg 17/03
   
See Sightings Archive for older records

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Photographing Schedule 1 Birds

As we've had a few posts recently on Peregrines, it's worth reminding everyone that there are laws relating to photography of specially protected (schedule 1) birds at the nest site. If you're not sure what the law is then it is covered on many websites e.g. here

I'm not suggesting for one minute that any of our excellent county photographers have disturbed birds or broken any laws, but please be aware and careful.

Thanks
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2 comments:

  1. Mark W10 June 2014 at 23:56

    Thats a bit harsh Mike - the laws do not just relate to photographers as you well know and to point the finger like this again is frankly ridiculous. As to the Peregrine pictures that generated this (funny how Kingfisher pictures never raise comment yet they are also sched 1), mine were taken standing in a gate next to the public road from Montgomery to Caerhowel where anyone can stand so how does that constitute disturbance?

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  2. Edd Cottell11 June 2014 at 10:06

    All current and aspiring photographers should be aware and stick to these rules, but I have to echo what Mark has said. It is easy to single out photographers as the major source of human disturbance, as the pictures are the evidence that we have been there, but what about others who are intentionally there to see these birds and others who are not (farmers, walkers, climbers, etc). I'm not defending every photographer, there are those who go too far; there are stories or people climbing trees to get shots of a nest, Eric Hosking lost an eye to a Tawny Owl, etc. This is why we use long telephoto lenses, so we can get close to the action without getting physically too close.

    Regarding the Peregrines (also applies to those Kingifishers), it is a bit of a grey area, as they nest very close to a public place. As mentioned, those particular Peregrines are right next to the road, where hundreds of vehicles drive past each day, as well as runners and dog walkers, and they are perfectly at home with all the activity around them. In situations like these, it is up to us individuals to take the moral responsibility of knowing when to back off if the birds/animals become distressed due to our presence.

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