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Hi Birders,
Tom Tarrant asked for information about bird hides
and I have a relative negative view about such buildings. Firstly they are often
proposed by non-birdwatchers for bird watchers and built without any
consultation. with the people who the builders think might use them. There is
one not far from where I live that is permanently locked unless you go to get
the key from some place, about 0.5 km away. Furthermore there is no covered
access to this hide so the birds can see you come and go, so you might as well
set up your telescope outside because you will see just as much from inside. If
the hides are built in public places, & are not locked off at night, then
they get easily and readily vandalised, or used for purposes for which they were
not constructed.
I considered bird hides are only worthwhile
if:
1. They are on a property where there is a resident
ranger or person who can lock the gate at night and cares for the building by
day!
2. That access to the hide is by a covered walkway
where the birds can neither see or hear you coming.
3.and finally they are placed where there is
something to see.
Generally speaking you can see as many birds from
outside of the hides built on public lands where access is not restricted,
than you can see from inside the hide because they are poorly sited and
constructed. In my opinion the hides in the ACT at the Jerramborrra
wetlands are well sited and operated, as are some in Kakadu NP but in NSW
they are pretty pathetic compared with what is provided in the UK and South
Africa. (I have no expereince of hides in other States except NT).
Alan Morris
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