Using Bird Song Apps to lure birds

I saw this on PetaPixel today. It never occurred to me that people would do this. I know hunters use bird calls. I also didn't realize the effect that it could have on the birds. Makes total sense though. It doesn't hurt to get reminders like this. Sometimes you can do things without thinking, but seemed good at the time. That's the legacy of 'human wisdom', we don't see the results until the damage is done.

It's true, many photographers and birders don't realize how using calls during nesting season causes stress to the birds, they're too focused on getting that picture! Thank you for the reminder!

Probably a good way to attract birds, but certainly very bad for them.

true,
But walking in the woods can also disturb them and therefore could be deemed illegal.
Going hunting and disturbing them could be illegal.
Putting out a bird feeder could attract them to areas they shouldnt be.

See where it all goes?
I understand not messing with breeding birds. However, as they say, everything in moderation.
This has been brought up before but its always a good reminder though.

jhayesvw wrote in post #16040926
true,
But walking in the woods can also disturb them and therefore could be deemed illegal.
Going hunting and disturbing them could be illegal.
Putting out a bird feeder could attract them to areas they shouldnt be.

See where it all goes?
I understand not messing with breeding birds. However, as they say, everything in moderation.
This has been brought up before but its always a good reminder though.

Good judgement never hurts. Well, almost never.

Yes, I thought it was a good reminder too. Even though I hadn't done it, it still helps you think about the creatures we love to take pictures of ( I can't bring myself to say "shoot" in this case).

I suppose the circumstances can vary a lot. The article quoted was particularly concerned about an endangered species. You might argue that its less critical with a species that is abundant (what is these days?), but I guess you would want to take into consideration, questions like: How many birds are affected by what I'm doing? How many other people are copying me? What's the long term effect of what I'm doing?

Very true, but also remember that "chasing" birds around with our cameras also disturbs them just as much and therefore maybe we shouldnt do that either.

Long lenses are nice for this but to pay $10k for a lens is too much.
So, as you said, I would also say it varies by species. Im sure some species deal with it just fine while others are bothered greatly.

We just need to limit our impact, while still trying to do what we like to do.

I have used Audubon's apps to call them in; however, I don't use it near any known nests; in fact, I have intentionally not used it during nesting season. Perhaps I should rethink using it nearly as often as I do...

I do have to wonder specifically what kind of impact they have, though. Typically, the male responds, to defend his territory. What other ramifications would that have, if the female is not bothered on her nest?

I'll definitely not use it as much; I really do care about the birds, to the extent that one of my dreams is to re-introduce the Northern Bobwhite to my state. Their numbers have fallen almost to extirpation. Whip-Poor-Wills rank very high on my list as well.

Look what happens when you just watch them. Just sayin'...

http://www.breitbart.c​om …Flies-Into-A-Turbine-Dies

D. Vance wrote in post #16081289
I have used Audubon's apps to call them in; however, I don't use it near any known nests; in fact, I have intentionally not used it during nesting season. Perhaps I should rethink using it nearly as often as I do...

I do have to wonder specifically what kind of impact they have, though. Typically, the male responds, to defend his territory. What other ramifications would that have, if the female is not bothered on her nest?

I'll definitely not use it as much; I really do care about the birds, to the extent that one of my dreams is to re-introduce the Northern Bobwhite to my state. Their numbers have fallen almost to extirpation. Whip-Poor-Wills rank very high on my list as well.

Provided the female has already laid then the impact would be less on the act of actual mating. Mating, nesting and fledging is a very busy time for birds. They're building, incubating, feeding, protecting and teaching. Extended distractions from the task at hand can have consequences in their attempt to help perpetuate the species. I struggle in part with calling because I pride myself in getting close by plan, patience, persistence and technique. For me a photograph gained in this way feels like a reward well-earned and holds more personal value. I'll never consider getting a photograph to be more important than the well being of my subjects.

Nighthound wrote in post #16081666
Provided the female has already laid then the impact would be less on the act of actual mating. Mating, nesting and fledging is a very busy time for birds. They're building, incubating, feeding, protecting and teaching. Extended distractions from the task at hand can have consequences in their attempt to help perpetuate the species. I struggle in part with calling because I pride myself in getting close by plan, patience, persistence and technique. For me a photograph gained in this way feels like a reward well-earned and holds more personal value. I'll never consider getting a photograph to be more important than the well being of my subjects.

I see. I told someone else, who is very fond of calling them, and he wondered how it was different from another bird calling, which I imagine happens fairly regularly... I thought maybe with an artificial call, they would spend a lot more time looking for the bird, versus chasing an intruder off. Thoughts?

D. Vance wrote in post #16081779
I see. I told someone else, who is very fond of calling them, and he wondered how it was different from another bird calling, which I imagine happens fairly regularly... I thought maybe with an artificial call, they would spend a lot more time looking for the bird, versus chasing an intruder off. Thoughts?

Yes there are almost always going to be other birds of the same species nearby. If a call is used only to draw the bird near, photos are taken and then the photographer moves on, that would be one thing. If the call is used repeatedly to keep the bird close then the stress level is elevated and the bird is diverted for an unnecessary amount of time from its normal duties/activities. If the bird is in feeding mode and the call changes that to defending-territory mode then behavior has been altered. Calling in the same area frequently at nesting time would be worst case. Timing is a huge factor, repeated calling in non-nesting seasons would likely cause minimal stress and wouldn't impact reproduction.

Nighthound wrote in post #16082382
Yes there are almost always going to be other birds of the same species nearby. If a call is used only to draw the bird near, photos are taken and then the photographer moves on, that would be one thing. If the call is used repeatedly to keep the bird close then the stress level is elevated and the bird is diverted for an unnecessary amount of time from its normal duties/activities. If the bird is in feeding mode and the call changes that to defending-territory mode then behavior has been altered. Calling in the same area frequently at nesting time would be worst case. Timing is a huge factor, repeated calling in non-nesting seasons would likely cause minimal stress and wouldn't impact reproduction.

See, that's a lot of good info to think about. That's why I posted the link...for the individual with a phone who's just getting started, this stuff might not occur to them to think of it. Thx.

Landcruiser wrote in post #16081502
Look what happens when you just watch them. Just sayin'...

http://www.breitbart.c​om …Flies-Into-A-Turbine-Dies

Reminds me of some avocets I was shooting near me. The city has a couple acres where storm drains empty and avocets like it in the spring. This one male kept flying in a figure-8 and strafing me. Every 5 minutes he'd come back again. There were 30-40 other males out there but he sure took exception to me being there.