Re: [canberrabirds] Night Parrot calls – Leading Night Parrot Conservation

[David Rees <>]

Got no problems with the BLA approach, esp. as it applies to localized birds in high visitation locations. Also with birds where it is plain dangerous - e.g. owls.   What does it truly matter if you happen to stop 50 km from 'woop woop'  and try a few calls by the side of the road. When is the next time that someone will bother those exact birds, relative to other hazards they face?  We have all seen what happens when you park your car in a flame robin/ magpie lark/ fairy wren territory, as Philip mentioned.

With regard to Night Parrots, there is an urgent need to undertake surveys to determine how widespread this bird is - right now we have no idea other than its presence at several locations in SW Qld.  I would not be surprised it it has been hidden in 'plain sight' in other locations, for want of understanding its ecology and a means to find it, which are now being accumulated and shared.  For a bird that is 'out and about' in the dark sound will play a critical part in finding them.  I think the risk is outweighed here by the need to know.  Mind you, bright torches and banging off stutter slapping cameras with flash guns at night to get a picture may probably scare the birds more.  Maybe, video technology which is silent in operation, using infra red illumination, which neither we or birds can see, would be a more ethical approach of seeing and visual recording night parrots in new locations at night.  

Playing sound is not something I like to do when filming birds, though like many I may use a bird app on a phone in the field to work out what I'm hearing if I don't know the call, sometimes birds will respond to that, so how long do I wait before I can film??.  Personally, I dislike the 'Precautionary Principle' is it is often a 'fig leaf'  for 'no/not' doing good science.

David

On Sat, Jan 28, 2017 at 9:56 AM, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

All that has some merit on precautions and I can say that I have not ever used bird call playback for bird photography but then I don’t have a habit of having a camera with me when out doing bird observing. I have not used it for general observing either. But I have used it for research (in particular testing or trying to) test reactions of Wattlebirds to Regent Honeyeater mimicry of their calls. Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to do the reverse (test reactions of Regent Honeyeater to playback of Wattlebird calls - which is much harder to do). For something like the Night Parrot I see a lot of value in having a facility whereby people can learn the sound to help possibly finding new ones. But using it just to attract the bird to obtain photos would be not ethical. It makes sense to set a standard for a group in which people may compare their efforts (something like drugs in sport).

 

But I have a small concern: If we all use the ‘Precautionary Principle’ until more evidence becomes available then how do we get more evidence?

Some birds could be equally distracted by mirrors on cars or reflective windows on houses as they are to call playback. Sure I know that is not used in a targeted way to disturb birds.

 

Philip

 

From: Con Boekel [
Sent: Saturday, 28 January, 2017 7:13 AM
To: m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");" target="_blank">org.au
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Night Parrot calls – Leading Night Parrot Conservation

 

Hi David

Birdlife Photography goes a step further: no use AT ALL of bird call playback for bird photography. (I have had to change my behaviour to conform).

regards

Con

 

'BIRD CALL PLAYBACK

Summary: Photographers submitting photos to the digital image library must confirm that bird call playback has NOT been used to attract birds for observation or photographic purposes.

Definition of ‘bird call playback’

The technique of bird call playback involves the use of any device, either analog or digital, that plays a part or full repertoire of bird song, which has been obtained either as a commercial product or recorded to a device for private use.

The evidence and issues for prohibiting this technique for attracting birds

The issues underlying the impacts of using bird call playback for observing and photographing birds are diverse and continue to be researched and debated. Call playback is an emotive topic, hence the arguments often raised to support the pro-case for this technique are based more upon anecdotal observations and ‘emotions’ rather than the available scientific evidence. Nonetheless, there are data showing that call playback has an impact on bird behaviour and therefore has the potential to affect the well-being of birds.

Why has BirdLife Photography prohibited the use of bird call playback?

• relevant scientific evidence;
• agreement with the ethical principles of other national and international ornithological/environmental organisations that have prohibited the use of bird call playback;
• adoption of the ‘Precautionary Principle’ until more evidence becomes available.

In summary, the current scientific evidence shows that:

• vocalisations, aggressive behaviours and territorial disputes increase in many species, even after short durations (minutes) of call playback;
• call playback affects mate choice by females in certain species and female nesting behaviour in other species;
• in species that do eventually habituate to call playback, this can be greater than 12 days even with constant call playback exposure, during which time birds expend energy and time not devoted to nesting, caring for their young, foraging, seeking mates and/or adequately defending their territory.

Therefore, BirdLife Photography members must NOT:

• use bird call playback for attracting birds for observation or photography;
• engage in photographing birds that have been attracted by a third party using call playback; and/or
• encourage third parties to use call playback to attract birds on your behalf.

(A detailed document discussing several of the major studies involving call playback, the pro and con arguments and the implications of call playback on bird behaviours is currently being prepared; when completed, it will be available through our this website.)

BirdLife Photography will continue to monitor publications and recommendations in this field of research to ensure that our policies remain updated and in the best interests of birds.'

 

 

 

On 1/27/2017 9:44 PM, David McDonald (personal) wrote:

Sorry to hear that you dipped in that sp, Martin, tho perhaps tomorrow's survey will be more productive ;-) There were none at my place today, either.

Did you follow the call playback protocol recommended as part of the BLA Ethical Birding Guidelines  http://birdlife.org.au/documents/POL-Ethical-Birding-Guidelines.pdf :

Call playback
The use of call playback can distress some species and may disrupt feeding and/or breeding activity. As a general rule, BirdLife Australia does not support the use of call playback for the purposes of bird observation. However, if artificial bird calls are to be used they should be used for limited periods and be played at a volume lower than that of the target bird. It should not be used during the target bird’s breeding season.

The use of such devices should always be kept to a minimum, particularly in areas of high visitation by birders where call playback by other birders may well have occurred in the recent past. Responsible use of call playback can be valuable in locating cryptic birds without causing serious harm; however, it is a skilled activity and should not be taken lightly. If in doubt, avoid using call playback, particularly during nesting season when birds may be called off incubation duties, or even abandon the nest altogether.

Cheers - David

On 27/01/2017 7:21 PM, Martin Butterfield wrote:

Just tried them in a fairly dry paddock but got no response.

 

Martin Butterfield

http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/

 

On 27 January 2017 at 18:22, David McDonald (personal) <> wrote:

Hi, in case you want to do some twitching ...
https://nightparrot.com.au/index.php/resources/night-parrot-calls/
David

--
David McDonald
1004 Norton Road
Wamboin NSW 2620
Australia
T: (02) 6238 3706
M: 0416 231 890
F: (02) 9475 4274
E: