Hello, I am quite new to the listserve, and saw a fascinating piece on
screech owls some time last week, including flash photos of the birds at
night going into their nest. The photos were really stunning. I have
wondered, though, about possible impacts on the birds that were pictured due
to flash photography. They certainly were not scared off by the flashes, but
is it possible that there was some impact not immediately observable? I
would like to know if there have been studies done about the possible impact
of flash photography on birds.
One reason this is on my mind is that some years ago I was in Australia, and
at a resort I was visiting there were night tours offered by boat. The
person who did the tours had a very powerful search light and with it he
could show the birds roosting. One of the birds, after the man shone the
light on it several times, was clearly awakened, and finally flew off, quite
awkwardly, I thought. It was not a bird that is normally active at night.
I'd welcome responses to my concerns.
Thanks so much.
Ruth Douglas
