Put your phone on silent or airplane mode, hold conversations in a low voice, and don’t shout or run around. Loud noises will not only scare away birds but also make it difficult for other birders nearby to hear songs and calls that may help them identify species.
If you’re bird watching on a footpath and need to stop to observe a bird, step slightly off the path so that walkers, runners, bikers, and other birders are not forced to go around you.
If you’re bird watching in a group, be prepared to share field guides, spotting scopes, and other equipment with the other members
Don’t walk in front of anyone using binoculars, telescope, or camera to find your own vantage point.
Be patient with new birders and help them learn more, and never disparage someone getting excited about a bird they find just because you’ve seen it before
When you see a bird, or even just a flutter of movement, or flash of colour, share your observations with other members of the group
Most bird watching field trips are organised by one of two guides who will be familiar with the local area and its birds. Paying close attention to these guides is a respectful way of acknowledging their expertise and the best way to learn more about the birds you see.
Many organised bird watching field trips have limited participation numbers for good reason; the more people there are in the group, the more likely it is that birds will be disturbed and therefore difficult to see.
Take only photos, leave only footprints