Peter raises a matter central to the whole bird observing / bird photographing spectrum of activity. However several issues need to be separated. I would divide these broadly into 2: (1) the relevant regime within the refuge area and buffer area within the Jerrabomberra Reserve; (2) the matter of disturbance to birds by human proximity, particularly of photographers and observers.
As to (1), I believe the 2010 management plan is still current. Correct me if I am wrong, in fact please correct me if any of the below is incorrect. The regulations depend on division of the reserve into demarcated sections. In the below I have coloured the refuge pink (blue water areas to be included) and the buffer blackish.
Access to the refuge requires express permission of the manager, which may be given for ‘educational, scientific or ornithological’ purposes (which suggests a working concept of ‘non –scientific ornithology’ - well I suppose we can guess what they mean). In the buffer area birdwatching is allowed but boats of all kinds are excluded unless expressly permitted. On that, a restrictive policy is to be applied July-January ie now.
Well that is enough on what happens or should happen in the refuge. All those persons looking for the A Kingfisher on or near that island (yellow arrow) should have got permission.
I do have some thoughts on (2), but I am wondering if it would be helpful if I were to air them. This chatline does not have a good record on telling people what they should and should not do. There are different views on what ‘disturbs’ birds.
From: Robin Hide [
Sent: Monday, 13 October 2014 10:57 PM
To: milburns;
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Flushing Cormorants
My apologies- I was in a small 3.5 m boat (Mirror) oars/electric motor in the entrance to the creek about to head up towards the rowing club boathouse inside the creek when I saw the birds in the trees immediately opposite the apartments at the point/entrance to the “harbour”). I photographed them with a zoom lens from about the centre of the creek and had no intention of flushing them. I will certainly keep a wider distance in future. With the rowing club further up the creek, and I assume some marine traffic using the “harbour” entrance, this part of the creek entrance must be subject to a certain amount of marine disturbance. Perhaps some rules/advice/signage restricting or limiting waterborne movement upstream beyond the rowing club area into the refuge would be worthwhile?
Robin Hide
I hate to say this but the birds in the image posted are clearly not happy about being photographed. Surely the purpose of a wildlife refuge is to provide a space where wildlife is not disturbed. Jerrabomberra Wetlands has suffered massive disturbance in the the last 12 months. Huge amounts of devegetation and human traffic. If we love it any more we will ruin it.
Milburn
On 13/10/14 10:24 AM, Robin Hide wrote:
I saw this pair of Cormorants on Saturday 11th at the entrance to Jerrabomberra Creek (East Basin) and assumed at the time they were Little Pieds, but after downloading the shot and looking at the base of the bill wondered if they might be Pieds. ( I was trying to juggle keeping the boat on course in a wind gust while taking the photo so the shot is less than perfect).
Any suggestions welcome (I can send a larger, better definition jpeg if useful).
Thanks
Robin Hide
