Dorset Wildlife Trust is concerned about the us of birdsongs apps on smartphones to lure birds for photographs as this disturbs their routine and might prove harmful in the long run.
Dorset Wildlife Trust warned birdwatchers and photographers who use smartphone apps that mimic bird sounds to get a glimpse of feathered creatures. Dorset asks people to avoid using such apps as they distract birds from much important duties such as feeding their young ones, building nests or foraging. The trust has also initiated an online campaign to bring awareness among people to stop practicing the use of such apps after reported incidents in the Brownsea Island, in Poole harbor, emerged. Visitors reportedly used these apps to bring the nightjars in front of the lens.
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, disturbing any nesting bird intentionally is an offense. Nightjars are rare nesting birds found around the world. These long-pointed winged birds are nearing to extinction with only 10,000 or so remaining in existence.
Public affairs officer for the RSPB in the South West, Tony Whitehead, strongly opposed the use of such applications that disturb the birds from doing their regular activities for self greed. "It is selfish and shows no respect to the bird. People should never use playback to attract a species during its breeding season," he said in a press release.
Birdsong apps are helpful for educational purposes but the misuse of these apps leads to the birds' harm. One such app is "Chirp!" which is developed by iSpiny, UK's leading app maker for birds and birds sounds. Hilary Wilson, from developer iSpiny told BBC news that these apps were designed to help in learning and identifying birds songs rather using them for bird luring.
"We urge great caution - birdsong is simply a pleasant sound to human ears, but to birds it is a powerful means of communication... the issue with recordings is simple - out of consideration for both the birds and fellow birdwatchers, just keep the volume low," Wilson said.
Chris Thain, Reserve Manager on Brownsea Island said in a press release that people are unaware of the damage these apps do and if the word is spread to all then the possibility of misusing these apps will slowly diminish.
