Not content with burning down the boardwalk in the Wetlands area of
Coombabah Reserve, the arsonists decided to set another section of the
reserve alight yesterday.
Even before I wrote yesterday's posting, they were at it again. Apparently,
the fire brigade has been called out to fight fires in the reserve eighteen
times in the last two weeks.
For those who are unaware, this area is at the northern end of the Gold
Coast coastal strip and adjoins the Coombabah Lakes and creek. It is
maintained by the Gold Coast City Council with full time rangers and
kilometres of walking tracks. It covers a wide range of habitats and is a
birders' paradise. It is adjacent to the Treatment Works and combining the
two can produce well over a hundred species on many occasions. Two of us
counted 43 species in just over an hour and a half, yesterday morning, at
the treatment plant.
The police are now patrolling with dogs to try and find the culprits but it
would be advisable if those planning a visit waited until the arsonists are
caught or give up their stupid little game. The twin dangers of fire and
police dogs would seem to make birding in the reserve a non-event at
present.
Terry Pacey
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
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