hi all
please excuse my breach of forum etiquette - i must have joined after the last
edict on pseudonyms. it's ruffled quite a few feathers out there,
unintentionally so.
the reasons i chose to remain anonymous were: this is the first online forum i
have joined and i have had serious computer security issues in the past. both
made me justifiably wary about disclosing my details straight up.
i am a paid-up member of birds aust and in my one-to-one contacts with pleasant
and accommodating bird-aussers, i have been quite happy to reveal my full ID
and contact details.
i enjoy being part of this online community and try to make a positive
contribution where possible.
the postings here vary widely from the highbrow to the frivolous and no one is
compelled to read them all. that's freedom of speech for you.
but a great deal of useful info is exchanged and, as someone planning an around
australia birding safari next year (and to atlas and volunteer in as many BA
projects as possible), i am very grateful for it.
proprietorial "trolls" turned me off birding as a young and enthusiastic lad
over 20 years ago. thankfully i never lost my love of birds (nor all the
books), which has spread to my wife.
in light of the recent debate about birder numbers, i say the more the merrier.
we should try to be inclusive and encourage as many people as possible to take
an interest in our precious and fragile wildlife and environment. raising
awareness about issues such as the plight of our wetlands and the victorian
toxic dump can only help.
birding is not an exact science but reliant on a certain code of honour which
the great majority observe. beginners - even lapsed twitchers - need support
and encouragement, not to be dismissed as nuisances or hoaxers.
yours, for the record
shane brady
to be known hereon as shane b, if that's ok ;)
vaucluse
there, i've done it
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