Date: 6/3/26 11:32 am From: Chuck Otte <00001b0b31b1d152-dmarc-request...> Subject: It's the nesting season....
I was sitting on the patio this morning, eating breakfast, and as I listened to the somewhat subdued bird song around the farm yard, I thought to myself, "Yup it's June and it's the nesting season." Which for one things means it's time to plan an early morning rising and go run my breeding bird survey route. But it also means something else.
Modern technology has put some powerful tools in our hands, not the least of which is a smart phone with one, or several, bird apps on it. Which means that we can pull up almost any bird in a few seconds and play its song. Which, if we are doing it at low volume and for a limited time so we can remind ourselves what a Scarlet Tanger scold call is like, is fine. But for the next couple of months I would strongly encourage everyone to NOT use this tool for loud playback to elicit a response from some bird species. I'll admit that I have used playback to try to draw a bird out into the open, but that's been in the fall, winter or early spring. Once we hit the breeding/nesting season I simply won't do it for the potential damage it may do. There have been numerous studies showing potential harm to nesting species by excessive (perhaps any) playback in the nesting season. There are reports of birds abandoning breeding grounds, sometimes with young in the nest. There are other reports of areas where excessive playback has been used, in which males just stopping singing, which can lead to long term issues for those breeding species.
Item 1(b) in the American Birding Association (ABA) Code of Ethics specifically states, " Limit the use of recordings and other audio methods of attracting birds.." While many of you are not a member of the ABA, this code of ethics has been developed to protect birds, the environment and the rights of all birders. It's an excellent code of ethics to follow.
Using playback, especially at this time of year, is a selfish approach to birding, to be very blunt (in my opinion). It puts the desire to see the bird or get it on your list ahead of what is best for the bird. And often, all it takes is a little bit more patience and willingness to wait, and you'll see/hear the bird anyway.
PLEASE avoid the use of playback for the next couple of months. Birds are under enough challenges/threats as it is. Let's not add one more straw to that camel's back!
