Linda Phillips, observing an Anna's nest, asked, "Do any of you know rules of nest watching etiquette? How close can I safely view the nest? How often can I check on it? Can I take pictures of the babies?" Luckily, I just picked up a copy of "Miss Manners's Bird-watcher's Etiquette," which answers these and other questions. First, you will want to have really teeny weeny calling cards made. Upon finding a nest of a hummingbird you would like to visit, carefully lay your calling card about one meter from the nest, ideally on a small patch of lichen, and then retreat. A well-brought-up female will examine the card, and if she wishes to admit you to her nesting site, she will bow toward you several times and emit a high-pitched warble. You may then approach her nest, to a distance of about a meter, and of course you will compliment her on the excellence of her construction--her choice of spider web, little touches such as inclusion of bits of lichen, fungus, or wildflower. It is appropriate to observe the nest no more than once in three days until the eggs hatch; you will then want to repay your hostess for her courtesy by leaving small gifts such as insects and insect eggs. It would also be a courtesy to guard the nestlings for short times while your hostess goes off to hunt food for herself and her offspring, or simply to rest from her duties. Of course, you will also want to make appropriate comments in praise of the nestlings. The question of taking photos, however, is a tricky one. The hummingbird union has a long-term contract with the National Geographic Society, which controls all photo rights and has never granted permission to anyone but Art Wolfe. This arrangement has been severely criticized by the unions of other bird species as being highly elitist, but until the contract comes up for renewal in 2010, I believe, there is nothing we can do about it. I hope this information helps.

Burt Guttman
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA 98505 guttmanb at evergreen.edu
Home: 7334 Holmes Island Road S. E., Olympia, 98503