Birds: why you shouldn't go near nests
Reducing as much as possible the impact of humans on nature is one of our priorities when we are in the field. The observation of wildlife in its natural environment is compatible with ethical behavior, responsible and respectful of the environment. All you need to do is follow a few basic rules when going out into the nature.
White Stork in Spain
Bird protection takes precedence over observation
In the mountains, by the sea, in the plains or in the forest, whatever the natural environment, it is imperative to keep in mind not to approach a nest or an area (name given to the nests of birds of prey) within less than several tens of meters (or even several hundred meters for some species). Observing a nesting site too closely can cause real disturbance to birds. This is why we should adapt our behavior to the tranquility of the place and systematically prefer the protection of individuals to the quality of photos, for example.
Preserve nesting and the environment
There are two aspects to staying away from nests. The first concerns reproduction (read the paragraph below). Any disturbance or disturbance that would occur around a nest during the nesting period is likely to cause the abandonment of the nest by its occupants and consequently the abandonment of a reproduction attempt.
The other aspect concerns the direct environment of the habitat. During observation periods, care must be taken not to leave traces of its passage - do not modify the vegetation, for example - so as not to lead predators to the nest, or that the nest is exposed to the elements. In practice, these precautions are difficult to respect in a completely natural environment, but in a natural environment "managed" by man, it is preferable to take the paths provided for this purpose.
A slow reproduction
In order to better understand why it is essential not to disturb birds, let us dwell for a moment on their reproduction process, and in particular that of Raptors. This process is particularly slow, with most species only giving birth to one individual per year. Added to this, is a late sexual maturity that only occurs at the age of 4 to 6 years for large Raptors. The disturbance can therefore be all the more important for "specialist" species (which can only thrive under certain environmental or feeding conditions), such as the Bearded Vulture. The latter, for example, does not reach sexual maturity until between 5 and 8 years old.
Leaving the nesting site
The observer should always pay attention to the behavior of the birds. If the subject is in an alert position (which can result in immobilization or hiding, read below) then it is time to freeze or gently retreat. It should be noted that even outside the breeding season, any disturbance can cause disturbances in the general behavior of the animal (in particular its way of eating) and that in the event of involuntary disturbance, the walker must completely leave the area and do not come back the same day.
White Stork in its nest in Spain
Alert distance and flight/escape distance
Certain benchmarks make it possible to establish the degree of disturbance that can be caused during a trip in the field. First, there is the alert distance which corresponds to the moment when the bird ceases its activity to observe the source of disturbance and / or it will itself give the alert to its congeners. Then, there is the flight and escape distance, which is the number of meters separating the disturbing element from the bird when it flees. Both vary depending on the species. The Golden eagle, for example, is particularly shy: its alert distance is around 400 meters and its escape distance is 225 meters. Conversely, Nightjar, whose general hue allows it to go unnoticed, has a reduced flight distance of around ten meters. Cited in a number of environmental studies, the work of M. Ruddock and D.P. Whitfield (published in 2007) has identified alert and flight distances for 25 species of birds. Their study constitutes an international reference in the matter, used as well by the public authorities as by the keen observers.
The 5 rules to follow
The ideal is to find out beforehand about the most favorable observation periods according to the species studied or the site to which you are going. But whatever the subject, the place or the conditions, simple and inescapable rules must be respected while keeping as an absolute priority the preservation of birds and their natural environment. Here are the main ones:
First, as developed above, never disturb the bird in its activities and do not approach the nests.
In the event of involuntary proximity to a nest, remember to step back without looking at the animal, take some distance and not come back for several weeks to allow the individuals to finish nesting.
Adopt slow movements and be as discreet and silent as possible.
About equipment, opt for neutral-colored clothing, if possible cut from materials that avoid friction noises. Also, bring a good pair of binoculars to keep your distance, as well as a notebook or pencil to record your observations.
In the case of the observation of rare specimens, choose the interlocutor with whom you will share the information.
The best is still to rely on experienced guides who are familiar with the terrain and the actions to adopt depending on the species observed!
References:
observatoire-rapaces.lpo.fr
ornitho79.org
European science foundation (eurapmon.net)
bet-barussaud.fr (bureau d’étude environnemental)
linternaute.com