We are working on a shorebird conservation project where one group seems to be immune to our messages: birders/bird photographers. Anglers and walkers are responding well to the signage and high-tide 'resting beach' strategy for these migratory shorebirds, but photographers seem resistant to leave the birds rest. The birds are spectacular when flushed - large flocks flying in unison and flashing their white underbellies - which probably makes for a great picture. But it exhausts the birds, which risks a failed migration after this critical stopover (Bay of Fundy). As bird lovers, they know this. Any ideas about the psychology that underlies this behaviour?
Seems there may be parallels in many other conservation domains where those who think of themselves as 'green' resist messaging that they are not: self-identity conflict or similar. Other ideas? Thanks.
Hi Kate,
Let me preface this with it all being my opinion and not based in any research!
I suppose an angler or a walker can enjoy their day perfectly well with small adjustments to avoid disturbing these birds, whereas a birdwatcher or photographer still wants to approach them. We in the UK have had similar problems with photographers & dog walkers approaching hauled out nursing grey seals, where the solution has been to physically fence off the colonies.
I'm sure most birdwatchers wouldn't want to cause harm, but there's an element of psychological crossover with the more harmful activities like egg collecting and hunting. They have come to this place to add another species to their list, or get another photograph to post on a website and get likes. In that respect there's always an impulse to get just a little bit closer, I have done this myself and ended up disturbing an animal when I really didn't need to. These activities are built around quick gratification, whereas for anglers or walkers the reward comes from being out there for the whole day.
A potential solution is empowering rangers to issue on the spot fines, but that is of course expensive.
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