Yes Woody the Golf Course is welcoming, and is not the place with the
access restrictions. You did the right thing to phone up, otherwise just
check in with the Golf Club when you get there - and tell them afterwards
how many parrots you saw. They are proud of their parrots and appreciate
being kept up to date. I have been seeing 8 lately.
The area with restrictions is the Army area on the eastern side of Swan
Island, and the Sand Island where the Yacht Club is (and the waders) which
is actually joined to Swan Island. To go to Sand Island you need a permit
from Parks Victoria at Geelong or Queenscliff (it used to be the DNRE but I
believe it is now Parks Vic), and also to advise the Army Mark Osborne 5220
4499, mobile 0414 529 606, two working days before you hope to go. There
have been a number of changes to and fro in these arrangements, and some
officers on some days don't worry about them, whereas some are very
meticulous, this inconsistency is confusing. However if you deal with Mark
it will always be OK. We had a problem with the winter wader count when the
gate staff told me during the week before that permits were no longer
necessary, but on Sunday when the counters turned up a different shift
wouldn't let them on. Fortunately they called Mark Osborne and he fixed it
all up but if I had dealt with him direct beforehand this misunderstanding
would not have occurred.
Once on the Sand Island birdwatchers should not walk past the Keep Out
signs on to Army land. (Or invade the space of the Yacht Club - it is OK to
open the gate on the causeway, but close it too.)
It is a great area with plenty to see but you do need to plan ahead
Margaret
At 08:46 PM 25/08/98 +1000, Nandini Kuehn wrote:
>On Saturday, August 22, I saw 4 Orange-bellied Parrots at the Queenscliff
>Golf Course on Swan Island (Port Philip Bay, Victoria). Seeing them was
>fabulous, but the reason for this message is to relay my experiences in
>getting on to this site. I had heard lots of different reports about access.
>
>I called Queenscliff Golf Course (03-5258-1951) a few days before my visit.
>The man I spoke with (didn't get his name) couldn't have been more friendly
>and helpful.
>
>
>
>Woody Kuehn
>
>
Margaret Cameron Phone 03 5229 9792
4 Connor Street Fax 03 5229 1520
East Geelong
Victoria 3219 Editor, Australian Birding Magazine
Australia PO Box 2013, Geelong, Victoria 3220
Australia
|
