Rare or Vulnerable Species Policy
We are currently working on a general FAQ page on our website. This page will eventually form part of that FAQ, but in the meantime, we are publishing this policy in response to a couple of comments we have received over the years.
When BritHikesOntario first launched in its current format, we had just a couple of hundred subscribers. Today, we have a growing audience of thousands, with several hundred viewers regularly watching our content. We are aware that many of our viewers are birders who explore the same regions we do.
Human activity has a significant impact on the natural world. Almost everything we do affects the environment and the wildlife we share it with – including birds. As our viewership has grown, so has our responsibility to minimise our impact on the species we showcase.
Our Philosophy
We firmly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. Unfortunately, we occasionally encounter people who believe that only locals should have access to certain birding experiences, often due to an anti-“big city” or “outsider” bias. Others feel that only “experienced” birders should be privy to certain species. We strongly oppose this kind of gatekeeping – nature should be accessible to all.
At the same time, we recognise our responsibility to protect wildlife. A single rare or vulnerable bird can easily attract a large number of birders, and we must consider the potential impact of drawing too much attention to a species that is already struggling to survive.
Our Approach to Sharing Locations
In general, we share the dates and locations of our birding trips to help others learn about these areas and the species found there. However, when it comes to rare or vulnerable species, we apply the following principles:
- If a species is extremely rare, endangered, or particularly vulnerable, we may do one or more of the following:
a) Omit the specific location, mentioning only the general region.
b) If we visit multiple locations in a single video, separate the rare species footage so that it is not tied to a specific site.
c) Delay release of the video until the bird has left. - If a species is not necessarily rare but could attract significant public attention (e.g., a Barred Owl in a popular location), we will assess the situation on a case-by-case basis. This may involve hiding the location, delaying video release and/or giving a reminder that visitors must act responsibly and respect wildlife.
How We Define “Rare”
Our definition of “rare” is informed by multiple sources, including:
- eBird data
- Ontario’s Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC) rare species list
- Our own experience and judgement
A Note to Our Viewers
If you are reading this because we linked to it in response to a comment on our YouTube channel – welcome! We respect that opinions on this topic may vary, and you are entitled to your own perspective. However, our policy has been carefully considered. If we have chosen to feature a rare species in a video, we can assure you that we have already weighed the risks and decided on the appropriate level of detail to disclose in the video.
This page outlines our stance, we stand by it, and have nothing further to add that isn’t already said here. Thank you for understanding and for joining us in promoting ethical and responsible birding.