Code of coduct

The birds’ welfare must ALWAYS come first

For our activity to be respectful towards nature it must be consistent with it and its inhabitants, so our presence should not be an inconvenience for the birds and, should it put them at risk, or disturb them in any way, we must withdraw.

The birds’ “home” (habitat) must be protected

It is vital for their existence, and as respectful as our behaviour must be with the birds, it must also be respectful of their habitat. Therefore:

• Leave no kind of waste or litter.

• Do not damage the flora or other natural features of the environment, neither collecting, nor moving or removing anything from the place.

• Be careful where you walk, remain on paths and tracks straying as little as possible from them.

• Avoid making loud noises and speak quietly so as not to disturb wildlife or other watchers.

Do not influence or alter the behaviour of the birds

There are times when birds are particularly sensitive; when they are nesting, when they are migrating, when they are resting, when they are weak. Therefore, we must keep a prudent distance. If we keep still and do not interfere, the birds will most likely surprise us. Remember:

• When they are nesting, we should not approach them, if we find a nest or chick which has escaped from the nest, we should not pick it up or even touch it.

• If lures are used to attract birds during the mating season, we are insistently and repeatedly exposing them to danger.

• When birds are migrating, they come to our sites to feed and rest, to continue their journey. Therefore, respecting these moments is also fundamental for the birds’ well-being.

• Bird roosts must be considered as important as resting or nesting sites.

• When a bird is weak, any effort to flee from our presence could be fatal because it uses up its last energy, so we must keep our distance. If an injured bird is spotted, call 112 (emergency services), and they will take care of it.

When an endangered species is sighted, it is necessary to be cautious with the dissemination of the information

As with sensitive species, we should be extremely cautious with how we handle information about them. We suggest that you allow us to have your data to be able to protect the bird in question, and to be cautious when disseminating it, as excessive attendance or concentration of birders could be detrimental to its wellbeing.

Respect the regulations on the protection of birds.

Respect the rights of private landowners.

Our activity does not give us the right to take precedence over the owners of the properties. If we have any doubts, the best thing to do is to ask. The public routes designed for this purpose must be used.

Respect the rights of people in the observation areas.

Others have the same rights as us, mutual respect allows us to better enjoy nature, and birdlife in particular.

Share your information with other local birders.

There is strength in numbers, and much of today’s knowledge about birds comes from many observations. Contributing to that knowledge is contributing to protection. By sharing with us through the observation channel, we get it to where it will be useful.

Behave as you would like others to behave in your own area

Good behaviour and following these simple rules will enable birders to become ambassadors for the conservation of birds and their habitats.