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Not just the Canberra Times. I have seen an
Australian gardening book in which the only reference to birds was in the
context of coping with or controlling the pest element of birds. Nothing about
that birds might be nice in the garden. In part this is understandable, although
it isn't my viewpoint. (Although I have noticed most other books are far more
positive). e.g. Someone on this line refers to S-c Cockatoos as "flying
secateurs", although I think that is intended as amusing rather than derogatory.
How much do average public know or notice about birds? I show lots of
people (not just those interested in birds) my GBS report and apart from being
unanimously impressed with the extent of work by many people over a long time
involved in collecting these data and then putting it together, most people are
amazed to see that there are so many species of birds about and that there is so
much to tell about them.
I don't know about "What can we do to get the
Canberra Times to take the need for bird-friendly gardens seriously". I think
they are aware, but write to them, they are responsive. In their
defence, when "Birds of Canberra Gardens" was launched, they made it their
centre front page story, with a clever picture. The Canberra Chronicle also
had an article, with photo of Paul Fennel and myself with the book. That was
pretty good coverage. Since then the Canberra Chronicle has done a (badly
edited) write up of my GBS report.
Philip
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