Birders
The Ontario Field Ornithologists, sponsors of Ontbirds, have a Code of
Ethics with respect to field birding and reporting
http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/aboutus.ethics The first and key point
of the Code of Ethics is the welfare of birds come first. That principle
must guide any and all reporting to Ontbirds. If a report of a sighting
might interfere or threaten the safety and welfare of birds then that
report should not be submitted to Ontbirds. In the case of Owls
reported to Ontbirds all posts with the owl in the subject heading are
held for review before release to the list. Both posts yesterday were
reviewed.
In the case of the first post I relied on the account itself, my
personal experience and use of satellite imagery on Google maps to make
a call that a report to Ontbirds would not harm the bird. A bird that
was obviously known to private networks that I lack access to. A mix of
birders and photographers is far more preferable to exclusive access by
semi-professional photographers.
In the case of the other post about the consequences of reporting
locations of owls, I accept and agree with everything the writer said
about the potential danger that reporting owls may present. However I
don't believe that a blanket prohibition of sensitive species is the
answer. As coordinator for Ontbirds I recognize that reporting of
sensitive species especially during periodic irruptions of northern owls
is a concern to many. Ebird and implicitly its Canadian partner (Bird
Studies Canada) has a policy of not disclosing checklists or records of
designated sensitive species
https://support.ebird.org/en/support/solutions/articles/48000803210-sensitive-species-in-ebird
As Ontbirds coordinator I plan to continue to trap and review owl
reports and will only release reports to Ontbirds that meet safety and
welfare concerns based on our Code of Ethics.
Mark Cranford
Ontbirds Coordinator
Toronto, ON
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