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Do remember to pack toilet roll

Don't forget the cell phone

Above is an example of the Do's and Don'ts - what are yours?

Do take binocs with whenever and where ever you travel

Don't ever put your binocs (or wallet) on the roof of your car

Always have your camera (film or still) ready!

Always shoot at least 1 quick shot, after that bother with composition etc. That one quick shot may be all you might get.

Don't ID first, get a shot!

Don't shout or litter.

Why pack the cell phone


And take with you a water bottle and something to eat

A bit of foam to sit on

That pesky cell phone makes life so much easier when misfortune befalls you (getting stuck in the mud...) or when you are running later than expected, you can soften that dough pin blow...

Do keep secrect from the wife/girlfriend how much you just paid for that new scope

Don't leave that special twitch until next weekend, hoping it will still be there.

Do remember to check the telephone poles as you drive in the country for raptors

Don't forget to watch the car in front of you

Here's another set:

Don't be afraid to ask questions - we all started at the beginning...
Do check the answer(s) against as many references as possible for yourself when you can

Dont be in a rush. Let the birds/bush come to you!

Don't take ordinary things for granted i.e Crested Barbet's, Grey Lourie's etc (So many times i've heard "I've got soooo many of those in my garden at home....!!!!)

And Don't let them find out about each other either.

WTM, since when does "/" = "AND"?



I have to agree - if you are in such a situation then this would be good advice too Otherwise you may just find all kinds of doors closing to you...
.....................

Do remain polite and friendly to passers-by even when they ask you really silly questions.

Don't be afraid to dispute/participate in debate about the identity of a bird, "experts" are not always right and the main difference between new birders and experienced birders is that experienced birders have made a lot more mistakes.

Do remember to switch your mobile off in a hide
Don't beat up the miserable git whose phone goes off there no matter how keen you are to chuck the offending item into the water below.

Do observe the bird for as long as possible
Don't give the bird one or two glimpses and then dive into your field guide.

Do obtain permission from land owners before entering their property - however remote it may seem.
Don't be rude towards locals in the birding vicinity. We need to maintain good relations with local residents of remote birding spots if we are to have any hope of using that spot for years to come.

Do let deefstes know if you have any reliable stakeouts for Racket-tailed Roller, Thick-billed Cuckoo and Three-banded Courser.
Don't let deefstes know if you've seen Racket-tailed Roller, Thick-billed Cuckoo and Three-banded Courser.

Do find another rarity soon.
Don't even mention Wilson's Phalarope.

Agree. One turns up within 50km from my house and I am 900km away in Addo!!

And/or newspaper

Do remember to take notepaper and pen to make notes
Don't forget to take lipice and suntan lotion...you may spend more hrs out there than you expected