Acceptable Use Policy

Last Updated: 15th June 2026.

Birds & The Belles is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful and supportive community where people can connect through birding, wildlife, photography and nature conservation.

This Acceptable Use Policy explains the standards expected from anyone using Birds & The Belles platforms, including:

• our website;
• online communities;
• social media channels;
• discussion groups;
• competitions;
• galleries;
• events and activities;
• retreats and partner experiences;
• any other digital or community spaces operated, managed or supported by Birds & The Belles.

Our community exists to encourage connection, confidence, learning and enjoyment of the natural world. We ask all members, contributors, attendees and visitors to help maintain an environment that is inclusive, safe and positive.

By accessing or participating in any Birds & The Belles platform or activity, you agree to follow this Acceptable Use Policy, our Terms of Service, our Events Policy, our Privacy Policy, and any additional rules or guidance that may apply.

Birds & The Belles is built on respect, encouragement and shared passion for wildlife.

We expect all members and participants to:

• treat others with kindness, respect and consideration;
• welcome people of all experience levels and backgrounds;
• encourage learning, sharing and constructive conversations;
• celebrate different approaches to birding, photography and conservation;
• respect the safety, privacy and wellbeing of others;
• contribute positively to the Birds & The Belles community.

We recognise that people may have different opinions and experiences. Respectful discussion and healthy debate are encouraged, but disagreements must remain constructive.

When using Birds & The Belles platforms, you must not:

• bully, intimidate, threaten, harass or repeatedly target another person;
• make personal attacks or deliberately attempt to harm another person’s reputation;
• use abusive, discriminatory, hateful or offensive language;
• discriminate against others based on protected characteristics or personal circumstances;
• impersonate another person, organisation or Birds & The Belles representative;
• deliberately spread false, misleading or harmful information;
• disrupt discussions, events, groups or community activities.

Birds & The Belles reserves the right to take action where behaviour negatively affects the safety, enjoyment or wellbeing of our community.

Any content shared through Birds & The Belles platforms, including photographs, videos, comments, articles, reviews, competition entries or other submissions, must:

• be lawful;
• be respectful and appropriate for our community;
• comply with applicable copyright and intellectual property laws;
• respect the privacy and rights of others;
• represent information honestly and accurately where applicable.

You must not upload, share or promote content that:

• is abusive, threatening, discriminatory or hateful;
• contains explicit, violent or inappropriate material;
• encourages illegal activity;
• promotes unsafe behaviour;
• infringes another person’s copyright, privacy or other rights;
• contains spam, scams or unauthorised advertising;
• is intended to mislead, manipulate or harm others.

Birds & The Belles promotes responsible wildlife observation and ethical photography.

Members and participants must respect wildlife and natural habitats.

You must not share, encourage or promote behaviour that may cause harm, including:

• disturbing nesting birds or breeding wildlife;
• approaching wildlife in a way that causes unnecessary stress;
• damaging habitats;
• entering restricted areas without permission;
• encouraging unsafe wildlife interactions;
• prioritising photographs over the welfare of animals.

When sharing wildlife images or information, members should consider whether location details could place vulnerable species or habitats at risk.

Birds & The Belles supports photography that celebrates nature while protecting the subjects being photographed.

Birds & The Belles values and respects the work of photographers, artists, writers and creators.

You must not:

• copy, download, reproduce or distribute another person’s work without permission;
• remove copyright information, watermarks or credits;
• claim ownership of another person’s images or creative work;
• use another person’s content commercially without appropriate permission.

When submitting content to Birds & The Belles, you confirm that:

• you own the content or have permission from the copyright owner to share it;
• the content does not infringe another person’s rights;
• you have authority to grant Birds & The Belles permission to use the content as described in our Terms of Service.

Copyright remains with the original creator unless ownership has been separately transferred by agreement.

Members may contribute photographs, written content, comments, reviews, competition entries and other materials.

By submitting content, you remain responsible for ensuring that:

• the content is your own or you have permission to share it;
• it complies with this policy;
• it does not contain confidential or private information belonging to another person.

Birds & The Belles may use submitted content for community purposes, including:

• website features;
• galleries;
• exhibitions;
• newsletters;
• educational materials;
• social media;
• promotional activities;
• future Birds & The Belles projects.

Where reasonably possible, photographers and creators will be credited.

Birds & The Belles may provide or promote events, retreats, workshops and experiences delivered by independent third-party organisers.

These activities are offered to strengthen relationships within the Birds & The Belles network and support female-led organisations involved in nature conservation, wildlife experiences and photography.

When participating in events or activities:

• attendees must follow this Acceptable Use Policy, the Birds & The Belles Events Policy and any terms provided by third-party organisers or venues;
• attendees must behave respectfully towards organisers, hosts, volunteers, venues and other participants;
• attendees must follow reasonable safety instructions and event guidance;
• concerns relating to third-party events or retreats should be reported to Birds & The Belles within 28 days of the event taking place.

Where an event is delivered by an independent third party, that organiser remains responsible for the services they provide and their own terms and conditions.

Everyone using Birds & The Belles platforms must respect the privacy of others.

You must not:

• share another person’s personal information without consent;
• publish private messages or conversations without permission;
• share photographs, videos or information about another person in a way that may compromise their privacy or safety.

Personal information provided to Birds & The Belles will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable UK data protection legislation.

Birds & The Belles may operate communities and pages on third-party platforms.

Users must comply with:

• this Acceptable Use Policy;
• Birds & The Belles community standards;
• the rules and policies of the relevant third-party platform.

Birds & The Belles is not responsible for the policies, decisions or actions of external platforms.

We may remove content, restrict access or report activity where behaviour breaches this policy or threatens community safety.

Birds & The Belles exists as a community network and not as a platform for unauthorised advertising.

You must not:

• advertise products, services or businesses without permission;
• repeatedly promote personal projects, fundraising or commercial activities;
• use Birds & The Belles platforms to collect customer information or generate sales without approval.

Partnerships, collaborations and promotional opportunities must be agreed with Birds & The Belles in advance.

You must not:

• introduce viruses, malware or harmful code;
• attempt to gain unauthorised access to our website, accounts, systems or databases;
• interfere with the operation or security of our platforms;
• misuse another person’s account or login details.

Any serious misuse may result in access being removed and may be reported to relevant authorities.

Birds & The Belles reserves the right to monitor activity and take appropriate action where this policy is breached.

Actions may include:

• removing content;
• requesting changes to submissions;
• issuing warnings;
• restricting access to groups, events or activities;
• suspending or removing accounts or memberships;
• reporting serious concerns to relevant authorities or platform providers.

We aim to apply moderation fairly, consistently and proportionately while protecting the wellbeing of our community.

If you believe that content, behaviour or activity breaches this Acceptable Use Policy, please contact us.

Where possible, please provide:

• details of the concern;
• relevant links, screenshots or evidence;
• any information that may assist our review.

Email: hello@birdsandthebelles.co.uk

Birds & The Belles may update this Acceptable Use Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our community, activities, platforms or legal requirements.

The latest version will be published on our website.

This Acceptable Use Policy is governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes relating to this policy will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.