Birdwatcher’s Code | A Reminder

A Simplified

Birdwatcher’s Code of Conduct

• The welfare of birds must always come first.
• Do not damage habitat.
• Keep disturbance to a minimum.
• Never disturb birds at the nest.
• Keeps sites of rare breeding species confidential. If you feel protection is necessary, inform the SOS; we have close co-operation with the RSPB Regional Office.
• Do not harass rare migrants. Consider all the circumstances very carefully before making the sighting known. If necessary keep the sighting secret until the bird has moved on.
• Abide by the legal requirements of the Wildlife & Countryside Act and other legislation at all times.
• Respect the rights of landowners.
• Obey the Countryside Code.
• Respect the rights of other birdwatchers and other countryside users.
• Keep records of important sightings and make sure the SOC receives them through BirdTrack or the County Bird Recorder.
• When bird watching abroad, behave as you would expect to behave in Britain.

Wildlife photographers have a particular responsibility towards their subjects, particularly when working close to nests.  For more on this, see the following statement from the Nature Group of the Royal Photographic Society.