Hi Birders,
I for one, found Michael Norris's comments about keeping info about
threatened birds to one's self, patronising. The inference that birdos will
be trampling vegetation near nests or will steal their eggs, is an
exaggeration and I object to the inference that contributors to birding-aus
cannot be trusted.
It is far better to let it be widey known as possible that rare birds are
nesting in order to hightlight their plight; to organise the protection of
the next site (ie with a temporary fence for Hooded Plovers, Little Terns
etc) and to actively manage the visitors (if any) by using volunteer wardens
etc.
Keeping information to one self about nesting threatened birds is power! Too
often today, developers and private landowners, not to mention some of the
contracted environmental consultants refrain from letting authorities and
others know about nesting threatened species in order that their develppment
will have an easy passage through the assessment process. Some
landowners/developers have cut down the nest site trees so that
environmentalist and others could not oppose the development on the grounds
that the birds "don't breed here!". Believe me, rare nesting birds have more
to lose from such situations than the disturbance if any of an occasional
birdo checking out the nest!
Obviously there are certain circumstances where you could be justified in
saying nothing but that is the exception rather than the rule.
Alan Morris
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