Th role of HKBWS is to raise awareness of birds and birdwatching and to do so in a way that does not harm the birds.
We also collect data about birds for scientific research as we have been doing for 50 years. It is this data that gives HKBWS its position as the leading authority on birds in Hong Kong - even though we have no legal power. This is why we request all photos include the date and place - they become part of the knowledge about birds that we can share with others.
It much less important to have the most popular website. Personally I welcme HKwildlife as providing a forum for many people who appreciate nature in some form but do not know about the deeper conservation concerns which are central to HKBWS.
With any new craze there will be those who seek fame and those who cut corners, and occasionally act with disrespect towards the things they target. The best we can to is for those who appreciate the higher values to demonstrate them and persuade the others by dialogue and example, remembering no-one is perfect or completely innocent.
I'm very happy that many people continue to share their news - this is the spirit of birding - allowing others the same enjoyment and thrill of seeing birds. Those who do not share harm themselves the most.
