I was dismayed recently when I received my copy of
Birdlife Australia’s 2018 calendar. The featured photograph for May 2018 is a nesting Square-tailed Kite with a chick !!!
Whatever the merits of the image, the taking of this photograph is clearly contrary to the ethical guidelines of Birdlife Photography which state that
Photographs that are NOT accepted for public viewing in any BirdLife Photography gallery, are those that depict any phase of nesting as defined below, including photos of nests with eggs or chicks, whether a parent bird is present or not.
There is no more ‘public viewing’ than publishing this photo on the 2018 Calendar.
The statement by Birdlife Australia is less prescriptive, saying only
Particular care is required when photographing nesting birds which may abandon the nest as a result of disturbance caused by the erection of hides and other
equipment, by too frequent visits to the nest site or by the sounds and flash of the camera.
The photographer concerned no doubt would assure us that the BL guidelines were adhered to in the taking of the picture. But that is not the point for three reasons.
1. Every bird photographer would like to have shots like this and their publication just encourages others to try for them. Others may not be scrupulous in their care not to disturb the birds or ‘garden’ around the nest.
2. Birdlife Australia should not be
promoting photography around nests by publishing such photos, especially in the calendar which it seeks to distribute widely both within and outside its membership.
3. By publishing this image Birdlife Australia is saying it’s OK to take photographs like this.
Shame, Birdlife, shame.