Donal Hickey: Photographers putting birds at risk

A lot of people don't realise that it's illegal to disturb or photograph nesting birds without a licence

A recent study found that gannets nesting on the edge of the main colony on the Great Saltee were disturbed the most. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

Spending summer in the outdoors is the current mantra and some people will have headed to wild areas this bank holiday weekend to get close to birds. Nature photography is booming, but there’s been a growing problem in recent summers with pictures being taken of birds at, or near, their nests. Seabird colonies seem to be the big attraction, but Birdwatch Ireland also has reports of other sensitive species such as corncrakes, curlews and birds of prey being disturbed by photographers.

Looking at, or photographing, a nest at close quarters risks the chicks prematurely leaving, with the nest being exposed to predators and parents abandoning their brood.