-- Hi to all interested in the recent discussion regarding pelagic trips.
First let me acknowledge the tremendous efforts made by the organisers of all
the
pelagic boat trips currently being run around the country. Organising pelagic
trips
takes a great deal of time and effort not to mention inconvenience and
frustration.
Yet these hardy, resilient souls keep at it to ensure that the show goes on.
None of these organisers receive or seek financial reward for their efforts.
All they
ask is your support, after all is said and done these trips are organised for
you, the
general birding/whale watching public.
Please support your local pelagic organisers, for without them we all stand to
lose the
opportunity to experience first hand the amazing diversity of our seabirds and
cetaceans.
Pelagic trips are not for everyone, conditions at sea can vary from being very
pleasant
to most uncomfortable and seasickness is a real problem for some observers.
Your local
organiser can offer tips on how to be best prepared for your trip. However
there is no
substitute for experience.
Many seabirds can be very difficult to identify even for the most experienced
observers
and to the new chum, they can be positively bewildering as they come thick and
fast.
Once again it pays to do your homework, remember that most seabirds are
seasonal and
that your local organiser can supply a list of what is liable to occur at the
time of
your trip. This will hopefully minimise the number of species that you will
need to
swat up on.
Generally there are no leaders as such on these trips all participants are
paying
customers, however there are always some regulars on these trips and they will
be more
than willing to assist you with identification and answer any questions you may
have.
All you have to do is ASK if you don't ask then it is unlikely that they will
notice
that you need assistance, as they will be looking for more unusual birds or
mammals.
Tip: if someone is wearing a SOSSA cap they will most likely be an experienced
observer
and will welcome your interest.
If you are a new chum it is important to pick a common bird as a yardstick by
which to
compare all other birds. Remember that whilst you are trying to decide whether
it is a
Shearwater a Petrel or an Albatross the experienced observer is trying to
identify which
species of shearwater, petrel or albatross it is!
Please support these pelagic trips and their organisers, for without their
dedication
and interest many of us would not have the opportunity to experience our
amazing
seabirds and marine mammals.
Cheers
Lindsay E. Smith (Vice President SOSSA)
P.S. Real Birds eat Squid!
Cheers
Lindsay E.Smith
Vice President SOSSA
P.S. Real Birds eat Squid!
SOSSA "Wildlife Research" H.Q - Wollongong
Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association Inc
Lindsay E. Smith & Janice G. Jenkin-Smith.JP.,CMC.
P.O. Box 142, Unanderra NSW Australia 2526
Phone +61 (02) 4271 6004
Fax +61 (02) 4272 4626
Mobile 0418 603 007
Email:
To unsubscribe from this list, please send a message to
Include ONLY "unsubscribe birding-aus" in the message body (without the
quotes)
|
