Fanatical twitchers in Australia are unlikely to be problem - so far. However,
I hear things are not so rosy in the UK where there are 1,000s/10,000s ?? of
fanatical twitchers prepared to fly from one end of the country to the other at
the drop of a new vagrant. The Scilly Isles landowners seem to have a grouch
and there have been reports of areas closed from twitchers.
What do the 'fanatical Twitchers' do? I reckon this is mostly just sensationalised hearsay. I see so much prattle about the terrible harm they do, but I have yet to see a properly substantiated report of something which has had any serious effect on wildlife and I've been on many, many 'fanatical twitches' in my time.
There are a few people who go a bit too far in their pursuit, but most
'fanatical twitchers' are also fanatical conservationists and also want future
generations to share their joy of seeing wonderful places and wonderful
wildlife.
I just wish people would get things in proportion. This kind of statement tars
us all with the same brush and just gets us all a bad name.
NB I'm not arguing about the need to be judicious with information.
Cheers
Tim
From:
To: ;
Subject: Re: [SPAM] [Birding-Aus] Australian Painted Snipe in Dubbo
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:28:29 +1100
CC: ;
Hi Peter, my main concern was the Painted Snipe, and yes I do believe that
there are people who would take a Painted Snipe for their collection. Its no
different than collecting feathers a subject that as been discussed recently
on this forum. Collecting feathers appears to be a harmless pastime on the
surface but you can imagine someone who as all the feathers of all the
parrot species except for the Night Parrot. I could easily see such a person
trying to find out where to find one and going out and shooting it to get
the feather.You only have to see what some of the fanatical Twitchers get up
to at times to understand the need to be alert to whom you give information
to. Thankfully it is only a small minority that are involved in such
behaviour.
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