WHO ARE THE BIRDS FRIENDS?

Forest and Bird, Issue 55, 1 February 1940, Page 5

WHO ARE THE BIRDS FRIENDS?

By Anonymous, in “The Countryman.”

Photographers, like other people, vary, and unless they take extreme care in building their hides and in trimming, if necessary, they may cause the birds to forsake. Most of us have had tragedies of this kind, but the true bird lover and observer has few after he has gained experience—and even before—provided he takes extreme care from the outset by watching the birds’ reactions. The anti-photographers say that if a nest is opened up it may cause the birds’ enemies to find and destroy it. This may be true in some instances, but if there is any risk of it, the nest should be covered again each time it is worked. I do as little ‘gardening’ as possible, and often a hide may be a deterrent to such birds as jays and others; but I feel that most of the enemies from which bird life suffers are such good nesters that even the most secluded sites are not immune from them. I have found that mice, etc., are responsible for many tragedies.

Many over-keen bird-watchers (especially when they go about in parties) do more to cause the birds to forsake than any number of photographers. After all, it is the one thing we want to avoid if we are to get results. The remark I once heard that the true friend of birds is the person who does not know anything about them and takes no interest in them probably hits the nail on the head.