Pratincole and photographers

Stuart Britton · **Posted:** Thu May 13, 2010 8:53 pm

I've heeded GPC's advice and I am putting my two pen'worth here. The Oriental Pratincole is a great find in the county and since it's discovery on Sunday, there have, to date, only been twelve other entries on the sightings section!! So far the Pratincole entry has been viewed by 2,356 whereas only 175 have viewed Hugh Dorrington's Spotted Flycatcher sighting posted at about the same time. This certainly adds some credence to my belief that the Forum is predominantly for twitchers.

Rick Bennett's comment re the "well known" photographer showed that nothing changes. In the 4 months or so that the White-throated Sparrow remained at Willingham Woods in the early '90's, of the 5,000 or so visitors the only two people who caused any problems were "well known" photographers. They considered they had a divine right to go wherever they wanted and ignore directions because they were "photographers". Despite the sophistication of digiscoping etc. there are still those who ignore the basic Birdwatchers Code and even the Law to get the shots they want.

Terence Whalin · **Posted:** Fri May 14, 2010 9:28 pm

stuart i have a well known photographer as a long time friend in derbyshire and no matter how close he gets it is always one more step, its like a drug. having said that i know a lot of photographers who are not the same and like everything in life bad names are created by the few who spoil things for the majority,

terry whalin

Linda Lowndes · **Joined:** Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:48 pm **Posts:** 6

I found these fascinating pictures when I was researching the distinguishing features between collared & oriental pratincole. See link below:-
http://www.alsirhan.com/Blog/?cat=19

Cheers,

Linda Lowndes

Stephen Routledge · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 7:50 pm

Great link Linda,nice images!.

Regards

Steve.

S and K Spavin · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 10:08 pm

As you may well be aware Stuart, I own several cameras which is my right as I live in a free country. I also have the right to point it at anything I like. One thing you have to remember is that pointing a camera at a bird only takes a picture and the bird is free to fly away if it so wishes unlike when guns are pointed at birds they usually take their lives. It has to be remembered that most of these rare migrants have flown through countries where a barrage of shotguns is aimed at everything. I am sure pratingcoles are on the hit list for most middle eastern and southern European marksmen. If we cared a little more about our migrants that return to the UK, especially in EU countries, the catastrophic decline in turtle doves might not have taken place.

Simon

Stephen Routledge · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 8:36 pm

One also wonders how many rare migrants have died after being ringed,is there any point in ringing rare migrants that are obviously exhausted and trying to find food,the outrageous ringing of the Sora at Gib springs to mind,in the name of science,i don't think so!,more like a ringers tick.

Steve.

Kev Wilson · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 8:47 pm

Results of stable isotope analysis on the Sora due shortly from the EGI for those with a scientific interest or those with a fascination for migration in general.

The sora was not exhausted when it was ringed, it had been present for several days and was taking food put out for it and water rails.

Please remember this thread when the next first for Lincs is suppressed at Gib.

Dean Eades · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:07 pm

Suppressed at Gib What is new ? That is not good coming from the warden at gib for the LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST MEMBERS ?

Stuart Britton · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:46 pm

This will get edited very quickly so read it while you can. Thank you Kevin for your sensible response re the Sora Rail - it is the totally unneccessary repetition of ill-informed anti-ringing comments from the likes of Mr Routledge and the usual beligerence from Mr Eades that has severely reduced my and several others' contributions to the Forum.

Stephen Routledge · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 10:20 pm

Interesting reply's,iam possibly ill informed with regards to ringing of rare migrants,but i was purely going on past experiences after seeing the way some ringers have acted in the past.One occasion springs to mind at Flamborough when a Paddyfield Warbler was found in a very tired state,sheltering in a hedge,from which several of us had watched it,when the bird was driven by ringers in to a net and then was kept for processing for well over an hour,when released this bird hardly had the energy left to hop off the the ringers hand and was subsequently never seen again,i was just putting two and two together with regards to the Sora not being seen after it had been ringed.I have nothing against ringing i was simply stating my opinion ill informed or not.

Dean Eades · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 10:23 pm

Mr Britton the correct spelling for Belligerence is like this.

Your reduced contribution to the Forum ? lets hope if you do comment on the Forum again Mr Britton, it is positive instead of the usual belligerence or negative ones.

Nick Clayton · **Posted:** Thu May 27, 2010 11:26 pm

Stuart Britton wrote:

I've heeded GPC's advice and I am putting my two pen'worth here. The Oriental Pratincole is a great find in the county and since it's discovery on Sunday, there have, to date, only been twelve other entries on the sightings section!! So far the Pratincole entry has been viewed by 2,356 whereas only 175 have viewed Hugh Dorrington's Spotted Flycatcher sighting posted at about the same time. This certainly adds some credence to my belief that the Forum is predominantly for twitchers.

Rick Bennett's comment re the "well known" photographer showed that nothing changes. In the 4 months or so that the White-throated Sparrow remained at Willingham Woods in the early '90's, of the 5,000 or so visitors the only two people who caused any problems were "well known" photographers. They considered they had a divine right to go wherever they wanted and ignore directions because they were "photographers". Despite the sophistication of digiscoping etc. there are still those who ignore the basic Birdwatchers Code and even the Law to get the shots they want.

"For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged."

Kev Wilson · **Posted:** Fri May 28, 2010 9:03 am

Steve - thanks for your response

Dean - you clearly remember the northern waterthrush ? ....and I think few LWT members would be 'sorabout' missing the opportunity to see a Semi P sand or an Eastern OLivaceaous Warbler - I am sure they would be more upset by nest trampling of birds of conservation concern.

The friction between photographers, birders and ringers is getting repetitive and probably only serves to give the Angling Times another opportunity to have another good go at the lot of us !

John Clarkson · **Posted:** Fri May 28, 2010 10:16 am

Kev's right about the friction and there's no need for it. Especially when the comments become personal and retributive. There is no doubt that trapping and handling birds causes some stress BUT without the contribution made by ringers our understanding of moult, bird biology, migration and so on would be in its infancy. Some photographers also cause stress to birds BUT photography, more than any other discipline has brought the beauty of birds to the attention of the world and has consequently been a major factor in developing field identification and protection. We all have this in common - our love of birds - and we all want to protect their future so drop the recriminations and work together.

John

Terence Whalin · **Posted:** Fri May 28, 2010 1:10 pm

well said john, you put your finger on exactly the right point bearing in mind my comments about the few renegades of twichers, photographers and ringers who give the majority of genuine people a bad name. throwing stones at each other achieves nothing only continued bad feeling and the only thing to suffer is conservation if we ALL cannot get on. having said that there seem to be a very small number who seem to delight in this continued friction and if the cap fits etc, a very dismayed terry whalin

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