Jerra Wetlands Parkcare Group

["Philip Veerman" <>]

Not only that ".... all the places in the ACT you have chosen the favourite location for persons seeking the elusive Spotted Crake” but where a large proportion of people have binoculars, cameras or other birding accoutrements. We need to not delude ourselves that these facilities are only about birds and bird watching. Neither should they be. People may just like to go and see a bit of nature, hopefully birds included, without being so involved as to be like us mob. One very nice lady friend (not interested in birds) tells me that the KS car park was her favourite cuddle spot, especially during the "sky fire" nights, because of the view of the event without the big crowds and as it lacked the problems driving out, compared with driving to the LBG shore among many thousands of other people. So I tried it too.

 

About suggesting changes - I wonder is there anywhere else in Australia with the luxury of 4 relatively well built hides to cover what is a fairly small area.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----From: martin butterfield [ Sent: Saturday, 17 March 2012 9:38 AM
To: Geoffrey Dabb      Cc: canberra birds     Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Jerra Wetlands Parkcare Group

Geoffrey

So how did they react to your large telephoto lens?

I have only
encountered such activities a couple of times but am frequently interested when
at the Swamp near lunchtime to observe the high proportion of well-dressed
couples who head off from the car park towards the hides with no binoculars,
cameras or other birding accoutrements.  ANU should do a
study.

Again it is interesting that the Nature Park people can find the
resources to modify the hides but seem unable to control the invasive
weeds.  My suspicion - based on coincidence of timing - is that the 
comments about 'being frightened to go in to a dark hide' would be some feedback
that the rangers got during the Family Fun Day.  

Martin

On Sat, Mar 17, 2012 at 9:26 AM, Geoffrey Dabb <> wrote:

I came across a similar tableau a few weeks ago, a couple on a rug in among the banksias near Crake Alley.  I thought I should say something to break the silence while they pulled a few clothes over themselves, so I said:  “” It will be small comfort to you to know that of all the places in the ACT you have chosen the favourite location for persons seeking the elusive Spotted Crake”, thus at one stroke being friendly, starting a conversation, and establishing my credentials as a non-voyeur (of the darker kind).     

 

From: Philip Veerman [ Sent: Friday, 16 March 2012 10:26 PM      To: 'canberra birds'      Subject: [canberrabirds] Jerra Wetlands Parkcare Group

Yes indeed curious. If some people don't like walking into a darkened hide, the easy answer is don't go in them. Then again there is the story told by a former COG President of finding a copulating pair of humans using one of these darkened hides as an interesting venue.

Philip

-----Original Message-----From: Ian Fraser [ Sent: Friday, 16 March 2012 9:03 PM
Cc: canberra birds     Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Jerra Wetlands Parkcare Group

I think that's an extraordinary propostion. The only 'open' hide I can think of is Abattoir Swamp at Julatten, notorious for its lack of birds and a joke locally. With respect I think that birders who are nervous of hides need not use them; should we move them away from the water for those who fear water?

Perhaps a direct approach needs to made to the generally sensible Board responsible. Chris?

Ian

On 16/03/2012 19:59, BirdlineACT wrote:

I was talking to the new ranger Michael earlier this week. One concern I have is that he is talking about taking the screening panels out of the hides, because some people don't like walking into a darkened hide. These panels play a very important role in ensuring birds aren't scared by the movement of people who have been silhouetted against the light from the back entrance. I would have assumed that was more important.

Regards

Alastair 

BIRDLINE ACT

 

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