[mou] tapes...

[Holly Peirson]

Here is something that may clear up some of this listserve's current
discussion of using tapes and other lures for birds. Read it, understand it,
follow it, teach it to others... It's available at 

http://www.americanbirding.org/abaethics.htm

Basically, if the bird will be stressed in any way by the playing of a tape:
by bringing in possible hunters, by taking it away from a nest or keeping
watch over its breeding territory, by bringing it out of cover at
inopportune times of day or night, by stressing it at migration time in
taking it away from feeding or resting up for the next night's flight, by
stressing it due to weather, etc. You need to be think about the number of
people (not only in the current group but who might come later) who are
looking for the bird; think about the total population of the bird in the
area and in the world, all of these things must be taken into account before
calling a bird out of its chosen habitat or its migration rest stop for a
fleeting sight of the bird; whether for your own pleasure, for a free day
field trip, or for the paying customer who has traveled hundreds of miles to
see rather than hear the bird. "Ethics" are open to your own interpretation,
but you must take the life of the bird into account at all times. You would
want the same for yourself in similar circumstances, would you not?! 



American Birding Association's PRINCIPLES OF BIRDING ETHICS

Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its
environment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest between
birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes
first.

CODE OF BIRDING ETHICS

1. Promote the welfare of birds and their environment. 
1(a) Support the protection of important bird habitat.

1(b) To avoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger, exercise restraint
and caution during observation, photography, sound recording, or filming.

Limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never
use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that
is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your local
area;

Keep well back from nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display areas, and
important feeding sites. In such sensitive areas, if there is a need for
extended observation, photography, filming, or recording, try to use a blind
or hide, and take advantage of natural cover.

Use artificial light sparingly for filming or photography, especially for
close-ups.

1(c) Before advertising the presence of a rare bird, evaluate the potential
for disturbance to the bird, its surroundings, and other people in the area,
and proceed only if access can be controlled, disturbance minimized, and
permission has been obtained from private land-owners. The sites of rare
nesting birds should be divulged only to the proper conservation
authorities.

1(d) Stay on roads, trails, and paths where they exist; otherwise keep
habitat disturbance to a minimum.

2. Respect the law, and the rights of others. 
2(a) Do not enter private property without the owner's explicit permission.

2(b) Follow all laws, rules, and regulations governing use of roads and
public areas, both at home and abroad.

2(c) Practise common courtesy in contacts with other people. Your exemplary
behavior will generate goodwill with birders and non-birders alike.

3. Ensure that feeders, nest structures, and other artificial bird
environments are safe. 
3(a) Keep dispensers, water, and food clean, and free of decay or disease.
It is important to feed birds continually during harsh weather.

3(b) Maintain and clean nest structures regularly.

3(c) If you are attracting birds to an area, ensure the birds are not
exposed to predation from cats and other domestic animals, or dangers posed
by artificial hazards.

4. Group birding, whether organized or impromptu, requires special care. 
Each individual in the group, in addition to the obligations spelled out in
Items #1 and #2, has responsibilities as a Group Member.

4(a) Respect the interests, rights, and skills of fellow birders, as well as
people participating in other legitimate outdoor activities. Freely share
your knowledge and experience, except where code 1(c) applies. Be especially
helpful to beginning birders.

4(b) If you witness unethical birding behavior, assess the situation, and
intervene if you think it prudent. When interceding, inform the person(s) of
the inappropriate action, and attempt, within reason, to have it stopped. If
the behavior continues, document it, and notify appropriate individuals or
organizations.

Group Leader Responsibilities [amateur and professional trips and tours].

4(c) Be an exemplary ethical role model for the group. Teach through word
and example.

4(d) Keep groups to a size that limits impact on the environment, and does
not interfere with others using the same area.

4(e) Ensure everyone in the group knows of and practises this code.

4(f) Learn and inform the group of any special circumstances applicable to
the areas being visited (e.g. no tape recorders allowed).

4(g) Acknowledge that professional tour companies bear a special
responsibility to place the welfare of birds and the benefits of public
knowledge ahead of the company's commercial interests. Ideally, leaders
should keep track of tour sightings, document unusual occurrences, and
submit records to appropriate organizations.