It has been wonderful having a cetti's warbler in front of ness hide and many people have had a chance to see a species that is normally very difficult to see. However, there has been a trend during these last couple of weeks to help increase the chance of a sighting by ipod luring, or the like. This is the method of playing the cetti's call or song through your ipod or phone etc which can cause the actual bird to respond to and change it's behaviour to come and see what this "other" bird is doing. When the bird leaves it's present occupation of surviving in terrible weather conditions it maybe shows itself for the watcher to marvel at but also it has wasted time and emotion during very short, cold days.

I fully understand the techniques and temptations of ipod luring but we have a situation now that has meant every day someone is carying out this method. I feel that the bird is being put under unecessary stress over a prolonged period of time and call for those people, interested in seeing this naturally reclusive bird, to consider their actions if ipod luring.

We could see the bird either move away from a great place to see it or, worse, struggle to survive through disturbance.

I consider the motivations on each side of the ipod luring, the bird is natiurally intrigued about another call/song and will investigate out of competetiveness so is driven by instinct as raw as wildness itself.

The observer has a fridge full of food and maybe a wife and children at home to return to. The sighting of a cetti's is a achievement of fieldcraft and a wonderful memory to take away. But if they are cold they can turn on the heating and if they're hungry they open the fridge even if it is dark.

At Far Ings we have only just recorded this species breeding on site, something to cherish and something to allow the visitor to see on a visit (maybe). It is a schedule one breeding species that affords legal protection. I would hate for the few birds around to be harrassed off site without us even taking a moment to consider our actions. Let us look at this and make decisions about our own actions before we have a problem and not afterwards.

All the best and most important decisions come from inside yourself and not from orders, thank you in advance.

I agree with what you say about disturbance in harsh weather conditions, birds really shouldn't be disturbed just for good shots/views.
Interestingly the male Cetti's that was present near the hide at Boultham Mere before Xmas never once responded to tape luring despite several attempts.

Regards

Dean

Thanks for your thoughts Dean. I understand that many people are using this technique in a wide range of activities and I am not dismissing it's advantages at all. I am also not policing this situation either as people have the right to make their own decisions.

I have had a chat with someone who has tried to lure the Far Ings cetti with a recording and he echoes what you have said in that he didn't think it actually responded.

BWP states that this species is territorial and they also breed fairly early in the calendar year so I guess late winter is a delicate time for them, especially if it's been as cold as the this winter.

I believe that we still have one, possbily two, around at the moment so things are good.

Andy