Birders of twitter - bit of dispute going round regarding bird hides not being opened etc etc.

We are in a global health crisis and viral pandemic so let's have a bit of perspective and understanding for the hard work conservationists and organisations are doing
inspite of these circumstances - often with far fewer staff/money than is needed.
Let's also try and remember that these birding experiences are often only available and accessible because of the dedication of these orgs and ppl to the conservation of birds & other wildlife
Obvs I understand how important immersive experiences in nature are for mental health and how hard wired patch based birding routines are but I think it's on all of us to play our part right now, together, rather than using energy and emotions getting angry or fighting about
The consequences of something that is essentially completely out of any of our control.
Its tough not being able to fully see some reserves, rarities and or not get as close as normal - but now isn't normal.
For those annoyed birders that don't have direct experience within conservation it's worth remembering it's about more than just opening a hide or providing additional viewing.
There are firm gov guidelines, legal obligations and respectful social considerations for all users
Both human and avian. And at the end of the day its all about the birds right? If these orgs cease to operate the birds suffer first. We are long lived enough to live to bird another season and to have memories of previous seasons experiences.
I'm 34 and have been birding *nearly 30yrs and been within conservation for well over 15 of those.
I've seen how birders can enhance the conservation value of a place or degrade it depending on their attitude towards the site, staff and visitors
I mean this to be empowering rather than a snide remark.
We are priviliged to be experts in our fields so let's bring it in a constructive way. However conservation isn't a single issue sector - it's a balancing act of limited resources, strong obligations & conflicting pressures
Where conservation success is measured not by how many people see a rare bird, but by how many birds (and other wildlife etc) are present and how they behave. With the benefits to the human experience coming in second place by virtue of it depending entirely of conservation
success for these great human experiences to be present, available and accessible.

I'm not pointing the finger at any site, person or event - there's enough examples of this going round nationally for this thread to be widely applicable.
We all want to see birds and we all want to stay alive.
Let's gets these priorities in order and try not to fall in to the tired 'us and them' dogma that is held good conservation work and birding experiences back so much in the past.
We're all better than this so let's show it
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