Teesmouth Bird Club

Just to clarify on Friday night the bird was not in the garden of number 15, it was in the Memorial Gardens.
2 of the people following it around the gardens had cameras with long lenses, but others present, and doing likewise, did not. However one chap with photography equipment did seem to be getting ridiculously close to the bird, and this appeared to be causing distress as the bird kept flying away from him.
3 older men with long lens cameras did not pursue the bird at all, and also seemed concerned by the actions of those pursuing the bird.
If you read my earlier post on this thread I do not state that all of those pursuing the bird were photographers, simply that the chap who seemed to be leading the chase was a photographer. He was the one who initially caused the bird to fly off ( is it possible that as he was observing the bird through his lens he didn't realise how close he was to it ? ) and he was the one who seemed to be leading the pursuit of the bird. He was also one of two people peering into bushes at close range to try and relocate the bird.
I have nothing whatsoever against photographers, as I stated on the sightings page, Ian Forrest is a chap I have watched taking photos of birds many times who I have massive admiration for, and who is capable of remaining motionless for long periods while allowing birds to get within a few feet of him.
In this instance it seemed to me that one guy was determined to get close to the bird and get it out of the undergrowth .Judging by the amount of equipment he had I assumed ( perhaps wrongly ) that he was experienced. Others who perhaps had lesser experience were happy to follow him presumably thinking he knew what he was doing, while others were not.
In all walks of life you get people who are inherently selfish and will seek to get what they want without consideration for others. Unfortunately there are a small minority of people of this ilk who watch and take photos of birds. I'm not sure what can be done about people like these.
I think there are also people who lack understanding and who maybe see somebody they believe is more experienced than them doing something and follow suit. And this is where we can step in and have a quiet word.
As I have said I had the dog with me at the time, so did not want to enter the Gardens, nor did I want to shout at people over walls. Had I been without the dog I would certainly have pointed out the importance of leaving the bird to feed in peace so close to nightfall. To be honest I think that is as much as any of us can do.

Some very responsible reactions on this thread, nice to see, it did need bringing up though.

Having just returned to birdwatching after a lengthy hiatus I was totally unaware that there appears to be friction between "birdwatchers" and "photographers". I often, now, carry a camera in addition to binoculars for a couple of reasons. As previously stated by others, having a record of observations is another facet to add enjoyment to a day out walking and in addition it allows advice on identification to be sought without having to resort to poorly written field notes based on dodgy eyesight and fleeting glimpses. A picture being worth a thousand words etc and it should be noted that modern cameras can often record song. I wouldn't claim to be a photographer, as witnessed by the quality of some of the shots I have submitted for help, and have been staggered by the quality of some of the images submitted to this site. I suspect it comes down to there being a minority of thoughtless people in all walks of life and our chosen activity is no exception. On reading this forum I did consider abandoning taking a camera with me rather than risk being associated with the ne'er do wells but to do so would lessen my enjoyment and am content that my behaviour would not attract criticism and hope that instant judgement will not be made of those such as me.

On this very subject, the Club's Conservation Sub-Committee has just prepared the final draft of a 'Voluntary Guide for Wildlife Photographers' in association with RSPB and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.  This was circulated to some of our leading photogrpahers for comment and their comments have been taken on board.  The Guide will appear on the website soon and is intended to be helpful and informative to new photographers.

Ted Parker

Although not directly related to the foregoing remarks from all contributors, I am presently wading through the planning process for the Observatory at the Headland and the club is receiving a lot a flak from the good residents of the Memorial Gardens by way of written objections to the planning committee. None of these people are in anyway impacted by the proposed obs itself, but that does not stop them having a good old beef about the matter and I have to wonder if there is not another agenda present. Could it be about the recent behaviour of birders and photographers at the recent Blue Throat sighting - I have to ask. so it may not be the bird that requires good sense and behaviour directed towards it. Regular birders at |Hartlepool generally have a good relationship with the locals and the club would hate to see this spoilt.

I think the problem is that one of the residents next to the Memorial Gardesn does not like people present near his house with cameras and binoculars.