Surely that's the point of entertainment? it is something that we just
enjoy for whatever the reason. I'm sure birdwatching is irrational to
the majority of the population.
Personally i think we really do have to unblinker ourselves to see
what the rest of the world enjoys rather than being so negative to
every pursuit that isn't bird related. Perhaps then we will have a
greater impact rather than just being seen as killjoys all the time.
Why on earth shouldn't other people have fun enjoying what interests
them - especially if there weren't any potential threats to wildlife??
Everyone has different values in society - that's what makes us
different. Remember birders are the minority group.
David Stowe
On 08/08/2009, at 4:08 PM, John Leonard wrote:
It's a pity we don't have a scheme of values in society where such
events as this are in the category as 'irrational entertainments' (Dr
Johnson on opera) and no-one would consider holding one or attending
one, even if there no potential threats to wildlife and vegetation.
John Leonard
2009/8/8 Stephen Ambrose <>:
-----Original Message-----
From: L&L Knight
Sent: Saturday, 8 August 2009 12:45 PM
To: Stephen Ambrose
Cc: Birding Aus
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Eastern bristlebird in the news
Thanks Stephen,
Could you please expand on how the rally would threaten the frogs,
bristlebirds and BBBQ?
I can see how the Lyrebirds, Quolls and Potoroos etc might be hit by
cars traversing the route. I'm less clear on how the rally will
affect the other species. In particular, where would the rally be
passing through bristlebird habitat? Looking at the maps, it doesn't
seem to pass along the Lions Rd through the McPherson Range (The Mt
Gipps to Black Snake Ridge section of the Range is the only spot that
I know of bristlebird records) or through the Border Ranges NP.
Hi Laurie,
Re frogs: the rally cars travel through or over creeks that are
known to
contain populations of Giant Barred and Fleayed Barred Frogs, and pass
within a few metres of other creeks (especially in the Byrill and
Peacock
River stages of the rally). The concern is potential degradation of
these
creeks as a result of the settling of airborne dust & soil thrown up
by the
cars, sediment runoff into the creek from the sides of the tracks,
and the
runoff of pollutants (e.g. oils, fuels) into the creeks in the event
of one
or more of the rally cars being involved in an accident. There's
also the
issue of excessive tyre residues being washed into creeks from
gravel road
surfaces as a result of rally drivers "burning rubber". The rally
occurs at
the start of the breeding period for these species, when there could
be eggs
or early-stage tadpoles. Therefore, pollutant or sediment runoff
into known
breeding areas would be catastrophic.
The BBBQ is recorded regularly in the Mebbin and Byrill Creek Areas,
where
the Byrill Creek stage of the rally is to occur. Therefore, there is
a risk
of road kills. The rally will be at the start of the usual breeding
season
for this species (September to April). The usual home range of a
nesting
pair of Black-breasted Button-quails is c. 1.5 ha, therefore there
is a
significant risk of nest desertion in the event of significant local
disturbances.
Re Eastern Bristlebirds: there are no records of these species
occurring
near the rally circuit, as you quite rightly point out. However,
potential
habitat for this species occurs in Richmond Range NP, especially in
some of
the valleys near or through which the rally traverses, and I suspect
once
occurred there. Therefore, one cannot rule out the possibility that
either
species may disperse into these areas, either as isolated
individuals or in
small numbers. Under these circumstances, there is a risk
(admittedly a
remote one) of road kills.
Re Grey-headed Flying-fox (which you didn't mention): the rally
circuit
passes close to the GHFF maternity camp at Bray's Park near
Murwillumbah.
Given that mothers in the camp are likely to be suckling young pups
at that
time there is concern that noise from rally cars and helicopters could
result in some of the newborn being abandoned by their mothers.
Unfortunately, the ecological consultant only assessed the potential
impacts
of a one-off event, and didn't consider the cumulative impacts that
may
result from holding the event 5 times over a 10-year period.
Hope this information answers your questions.
Kind regards,
Stephen
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John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
"I rejoice that there are owls." Thoreau
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