At 18:46 18/03/98 +1100, you wrote:
>Well, sorry as a proud Skip I rather take offence at that (not seriously,
>just rather....). Most of the Oz naturalists of my acquaintance seem to be
>more interested in general natural history than birding as such, which is
>fair enough.
Sorry, no offence intended. I know there are plenty of great Australian
birders and naturalists around, and maybe Annabel Hoskins is correct in her
reply: It is just that the imports are more vocal!!!
Susan, I mentioned my experience in the early days in North Queensland, and
I dealt mainly with the general public. I couldn't even find a bird
watcher! Believe me, the only person I met, who was interested in Natural
History / birds was a former Dutch fellow (New Australian, like me). I was
quite shocked with the lack of knowledge or care of the Australian public
in these days.
I think the 'green movement / awareness started around 1985 with the
Franklin Dam issue.
>Also, are you trying to say that you have to come from a
>totally buggered up environment in order to appreciate a (sort of) healthy
>one? This makes sense to me...............
Susan, you should have seen my first letters to overseas, describing nature
and animals. Just to see Freshwater turtles in a creek was such a huge buzz.-
Of course the environment has suffered to different degrees in Europe, and
it's almost too late to save some areas. Maybe that's also why the imports,
and not just birdwatchers, care so much about Australia and don't take it
for granted, because they don't want to see nature in general suffering or
disappearing like in their former country.
But to get Europe in perspective: Take all living Australians and put them
into Tasmania. Then push this crowd to one half of Tasmania, and what do
you end up with? The population and land area of the Netherlands!
Wouldn't we then also have huge environmental problems and pressure on the
land?
Happy Birding, Klaus
Kirrama Wildlife Tours Klaus & Brenda Uhlenhut
PO Box 133 SILKWOOD QLD Australia
http://www.gspeak.com.au/kirrama
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