That sounds fairly standard in my experience Peter. I reckon we typically
get 2-4 cars per hour stopping for a look around. The majority, I'd say 2
thirds, would be families or other passers-by who aren't traditional
birders, and the rest regulars who are often members of FESWI already. It
could be 50-odd people in the course of a weekend?
The location on Edithvale Road makes all the difference (it's the extension
of Springvale Road, one of the biggest north-south arteries in eastern
Melbourne). I think many of the visits are opportunistic with people just
out for a Sunday drive.
I always try to work on the kids who drop in - helping them to spot a duck
or swan or something in the spotting scope, and trying to "infect" them with
the birding bug. There was one little girl who didn't need innoculation last
year - she came in with her Dad, aged probably 6 or 7, and she was so
excited it was great to see. And she could spot a bird a long way off -
watch your backs Dooley et al... :-)
Ross Macfarlane
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