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I realise this is a slight aside. But-
Of Canberras Biodiversity I would say birds are the best
known. I suspect that the average Canberran could name between 15-20 species of
birds, if pushed (shown photos). I know people who are afraid of birds, and
quite a few afraid of touching birds. But I think most people at least respect
birds. Very few people hate birds, even those who get swooped by
magpies.
This contrasts the rest of biodiversity, of which few
canberrans could name any animal or plant species, except perhaps for
snakes and spiders. Even though Canberra is termed the 'Bush capital' and John
Stanhope is at least sympathetic to nature.
I was very disappointed by a workshop organised by Env ACT
and others held last night on Landscaping Canberra Gardens, which had no
speakers on native plants, that I could tell. Few Indigenous plants are included
on Env ACTs list of recommended plant species for Canberra
gardens.
Some members of FOG, ANPS, Field Nats have been discussing
an idea of asking the chronicle whether we can produce a weekly article in
Chronicle on 'nature in Canberra'. This could include articles on Birds and
Bird-scaping gardens. Perhaps this is one possibility of raising
profile.
Benj Whitworth
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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