Dr Conor Pharaoh-John is the Recreational Disturbance Programme Manager at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds( RSPB) and a keen BSAC diver. Here he discusses what disturbance is, why it matters, and what we can do to minimise our impact
UKDIVING
This article features photographs taken in non-intrusive scenarios, such as these razorbills and guillemots
PHOTO: RSPB / AIDAN MACCORMICK
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We’ re not just about birds” is something I find myself telling people a lot. Understandably, when you tell someone you work for the RSPB they immediately think that all other species and animals are off the table. But that couldn’ t be further from the truth.
Putting the name aside, the RSPB works to conserve species and habitats across the world, from snakes in Scotland to rainforests in Sumatra. The RSPB also champions access to nature. Connecting with nature is crucial not just for our
Are we disturbing you?
Dr Conor Pharaoh-John is the Recreational Disturbance Programme Manager at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds( RSPB) and a keen BSAC diver. Here he discusses what disturbance is, why it matters, and what we can do to minimise our impact
mental and physical health, but also for conservation. After all, how do we expect people to care about something they haven’ t experienced?
The COVID pandemic kickstarted this connection for many people, and many natural sites saw unprecedented numbers of visitors, which have remained high five years on. It also expanded how we access nature; seemingly overnight, stand-up paddleboards were available to buy from the middle aisle of Aldi, and e-bikes seemed to outnumber normal bikes on cycle paths. This has put increased pressure on some sensitive sites and species, with obvious issues such as littering and path erosion, combining with less obvious issues like invasive species spreading, or wildlife disturbance.
That’ s where my role comes in. Through an RSPB and National Trust partnership, I connect diverse groups from academics and recreational groups, like BSAC, to codevelop solutions and share best practice. My work focuses on bringing diverse groups together to share what works and tackle shared challenges.
In February 2026, we hosted the Recreation in Nature conference to showcase this collaborative spirit in action. From citizen science and on-site messaging to recreational communities‘ self-policing’ best practice, the event highlighted the incredible work already happening, and how much more we can achieve when we coordinate our efforts across the sector.
Razorbills, guillemots and shag sharing rocks
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PHOTO: RSPB / AIDAN MACCORMICK
Why is disturbance important?
Disturbance comes in a variety of forms. It can be obvious, such as‘ flushing’ where animals will fly, swim or move away from you. It can be subtle, behavioural shifts that you may not notice, a bird stopping feeding or a fish moving under cover. But it can also be invisible, like heart rate increases, stress hormones being released and heightened anxiety.