Hi all,
This is an interesting string as three of us went to see the bronzwings last
weekend.
I agree entirely with Stuart's sentiments and when we were there three cars,
including mine, were parked on the road about 100 metres from where the birds
were coming into drink at one particular water filled scrape. Eight people were
present watching the birds.
When we were there cockatiels and finches were also coming into drink, as well
as the bronzewings. The birds did not appear overly concerned with our presence
and landed, drank and left after no more than one or two circuts of the water
scrape; and some came straight in if birds were already drinking. They appeared
to me to be taking no more than normal precautions against possible predators
at the water.
I would also mention in this case - and in this case only as like Stuart I
don't condone crowding any observed birds or animals at feeding or watering
points - the scrape we were at was one of a string of scrapes at approximately
300 metre intervals along some kilometres of road. Any bird so wishing had, on
that day, plenty of options if they felt uncomfortable using the scrape we were
at.
This water supply condition will change fairly quickly though as the scrapes
are drying up and soon only the larger ones will hold water; then there will be
problems if people crowd a particular pool.
There is also the matter of the tone of language used in comments. Sometimes a
person will give a flippant reply to what seems to be a silly question eg "how
close can I go to the bird?". If the person asking the question is
inexperienced, as some people where when we were there, then the person giving
the answer may need to be a little thoughtful about what they say in case
someone takes them literally eg "can I hand feed the crocodile?" "Of course you
can, they have to eat, don't they?".
But, our trip was wonderful and the sight of a hundred or so of these special
birds coming in to drink in the evening light was wonderful. And just about as
good was to have two Black-breasted Buzzards circling about 15 metres above our
car in a clear, bright-blue, Queensland sky as we headed south on Sunday.
All the best
Jen
---- Stuart Johnson <> wrote:
> birders behaving badly
>
> The advent of the net and the ability to communicate to a potentially
> unlimited audience in nanoseconds has allowed a welcome increase in the
> sharing of information on birds and their whereabouts. Finding birds
> particularly rare or unpredictable species has, really, never been easier.
> This in itself is a positive thing.
>
> There is a downside. With an increase in the numbers of birwatchers comes an
> inevitable increase in the bird/birdwatcher interaction. There comes a point
> at which our actions begin to influence the behaviour of the animals we're
> watching, almost inevitably to their detriment. This is particularly so if
> our information leads us to a limited resource, food, water, nesting
> location to which the birds have no choice but to attend.
>
> As intelligent and moral beings we have a responsibility to ensure that our
> actions do not place birds under any more stress than they already are.
> Birdwatching for us is something we do for enjoyment but the birds are
> involved in a very real struggle to survive.
>
> Last week I travelled to Cunnamulla to see (amongst other things) the Flock
> Bronzewings. On arriving at the waterhole which they were using I was
> appalled to find a string of cars parked on the roadside right next to the
> waterhole and a group of birdwatchers standing even closer. On the open plain
> they'd have been visible for kilometres.
>
> I get the feeling that Flock Bronzewings are edgy creatures at the best of
> times, especially given the number of raptors hanging around. But I can't
> imagine they'd be relaxed to see a whole pile of cars and people standing
> around waiting for them to come in.
>
> When asked about how close the observers should be to the water an answer
> came back (my paraphrasing) 'as close as you like...... they have to drink'.
> To me this is placing an indulgent desire to get a premium look at a rare and
> edgy bird before the wellbeing of the animals.
>
> I get no thrill out of looking at a bird that is obviously stressed by my
> presence, tick or no tick. Even in this age of unprecedented information
> there is still a great deal of satisfaction in having to wait for a really
> great sighting of a bird, and this is doubly so if, after such a wait, the
> sighting is of a bird relaxed and natural and either unaware or unconcerned
> by your presence.
>
> I ask that all birdwatchers place the wellbeing of the birds as their
> foremost consideration.
>
> stuart johnson
>
>
>
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