New code for twitchers

Friday 22 August 2014

There’s new protection for the Island’s feathered friends – many of which are now on the verge of being wiped out both locally and globally.

Birds on the Edge – the group working to restore habitats for the Island’s birds and boost their numbers – have been working with the Société Jersiaise to produce a code of practice for twitchers and bird photographers.

The group say disturbing birds by watching and photographing them can cause a lot of harm and can even kill them if they feel unable to feed and breed safely.

The code gives advice on how to enjoy birds without upsetting them and warns that if one flies away or makes repeated alarm calls, then you are too close.

It suggests people stay on roads, footpaths and in bird hides and not to use flash photography that can daze them and make them more vulnerable to predators.

It also warns against using playback or birdsong recordings to lure birds out of their hiding place or to make them sing especially during the breeding season because it can make them stressed. They are also likely to waste energy they need to feed their mate or their young and again will make them more vulnerable to predators.

The code can be found on the group's website - www.birdsontheedge.org