At Mossie, we're building a community of birders who learn through observation and respect for nature. To maintain a positive environment for everyone, we ask all users to adhere to these guidelines.
Respect for birds
Bird welfare always comes first.
- Keep your distance. Use binoculars and telescopes to observe birds from afar. Never touch, capture or handle wild birds.
- Never disturb nesting or breeding birds. Avoid photographing or observing birds during these sensitive periods.
- Minimise your impact. Your presence should not alter a bird's natural behaviour.
- Protect sensitive species to prevent disturbance from increased visitor traffic.
Respect for nature
- Stay on designated trails. Do not enter restricted areas or protected zones.
- If permitted to leave trails, do so sparingly to avoid damage to habitats and unnecessary disturbance to wildlife.
- Follow local regulations and respect private property.
Submission guidelines
Acceptable submissions
- Original photographs or sound recordings you have personally captured
- Clear images showing birds in their natural habitat
- Accurate location data (required for proper identification)
Prohibited content
- Dead birds
- Birds in hands or being handled
- People visible in submissions
- Non-bird content
- Offensive, inappropriate or disturbing content
Fair play
Mossie is about learning and genuine observation. The following behaviours are prohibited:
- Submitting the same photo multiple times
- Submitting photos or recordings from the internet or other sources
- Falsifying or manipulating GPS/location data
Consequences
- Rejected submissions will not count towards your observations
- Offensive content or cheating will result in immediate account termination
- Repeated violations of any guideline will result in a permanent ban
Our commitment
Every submission gets reviewed, using AI in the process (see How do we use AI). This process helps everyone learn and ensures Mossie remains a trusted resource for birders at all levels.