Thanks for these comments, Greg. You've put this far better than I
could have.
I've received quite a few comments lately on what Birding-Aus is or
isn't, should be or should not be. That last paragraph encapsulates
what I intended when I set the list up about 15 years ago:
to share information and help expand our understanding of birds.
I think we have been incredibly fortunate to have been able to share
and receive so much information over the years - thanks to all the
contributors, and also to Andrew Taylor who set up and maintains the
archive which is every bit as important as the mailing list itself.
I'd hate to see contributors become less willing to share information
just because some rude, selfish people think they have the right to
know everything, when they want it, under their own terms.
Thank you to everyone who, like Alan Gillanders, has made Birding-Aus
a richer forum for us all.
Russell Woodford
Birding-Aus List Owner
Geelong Victoria Australia
http://www.birding-aus.org
On 16/12/2009, at 12:35 PM, Greg Roberts wrote:
I am in complete agreement with David and Alan on this issue.
As someone who recently began doing a bit of professional guiding
here on
the Sunshine Coast, I have been amazed at abusive notes I've had
from people
because I've failed to disclose to them sites I have found locally for
ground parrot, sooty owl, marbled frogmouth and grass owl.
If we shared this information with everyone, these sites might
quickly be
birded out and that is hardly going to impress potential clients.
Another
important consideration is the welfare of the birds.
Having said that, I'll happily share information with local birders
or point
people to interesting birds at well-known sites.
Birding-Aus is in my view not simply a vehicle to show birders where
birds
are, as some subscribers seem to think. It is also a forum to share
information about interesting sightings and an avenue to publish
records of
significance to help expand our understanding of the status and
distribution
of birds.
Greg Roberts
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