Thanks Belinda.
I agree that we have to communicate not just with dog clubs but also with
councils - some are better than others at designating various types of dog
areas (off-lead, on-lead and banned) and some are better than others at
enforcing the rules. Our local council has in theory a fine selection of
on-lead and off-lead areas but in 4 years of living here (mostly with my
dogs on lead for various reasons) I have yet to see anyone enforce the
rules. Like it or not dog owners (most of them) pay license fees and so
probably have more clout with councils than birders!
And it is not just councils of course - National Parks are an area where I
often see illegal dogs and few rangers!
On 19/02/2008, Belinda Cassidy <> wrote:
>
> Hi Dave,
>
> One thing leaps out at me in my local area, which is rich with local
> birdlife, is the lack of signage around parks and council forests,
> indicating that they are not to be used as off-leash areas for dogs. The
> signs need not be alienating or rude; and could indicate the following:
>
> -The fines involved
> -That the area is policed by the local council.
> -That local bird-life and other native wild-life breed here and are
> vulnerable to death via dog attacks. (and may be endangered)
> -The nearest off-leash dog walking area
> -Thank the dog owner in advance for their care and concern for local
> wildlife.
>
> Those are just some thoughts. Most Dog owners who run their dogs off-leash
> are caring animal lovers, and that is why they give their dogs a run
> rather
> than keep them couped up in little yards.
>
> Keep up the good work Dave. Its wonderful to hear what you are doing for
> our
> wild-life.
>
> Cheers
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 18, 2008 8:51 PM, <> wrote:
>
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> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:45:17 +1100
> > From: "Dave Torr" <>
> > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] of companion animals and wildlife -
> > especiallyoftheendangered variety
> > To: "Peter Shute" <>
> > Cc: Birding-aus <>
> > Message-ID:
> > <>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> >
> > Wearing my "hat" as a director of BOCA (Bird Observation and
> Conservation
> > Australia - www.birdobservers.org.au) I am pleased to be able to report
> > that
> > we have decided to look in detail at what we - as a national
> organisation
> > -
> > can do. Some of our branches have already been working on local
> > initiatives
> > and I hope that we can develop a plan in consultation with the major dog
> > clubs that will help to improve the situation.
> >
> > If anyone has any detailed thoughts about the matter which might be of
> use
> > to us in developing our plans then I would love to hear from them.
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > On 18/02/2008, Dave Torr <> wrote:
> > >
> > > OK - I misunderstood your reference to "The survival of the very
> > > occasional
> > > locally rare bird that's common further north. The possible
> > > recolonisation (if that's a word) of the area by this and other
> unknown
> > > species.".
> > > It is very hard to justify a big campaign to protect a vagrant. It is
> > easy
> > > to justify one to protect rare endemics. And I think most suburban
> parks
> > are
> > > not the key areas - I'd rather protect areas with rare birds. I don't
> > think
> > > you'll ever get people to stop letting their dog off lead in the local
> > park
> > > (whatever the council rules!) as it is hard to justify that they might
> > > disturb Red Wattlebirds (for example). If there is such a a campaign
> it
> > > needs to focus on specific species and specific areas - if you say
> "you
> > > shouldn't let your dog off anywhere" you will fail. If you say "it is
> > > important that you don't let your dog off here at this time of year
> > because
> > > of Hooded Plovers but there is a good spot for your dog 2 km away) you
> > MIGHT
> > > influence a few people.
> > >
> > > On 18/02/2008, Peter Shute <> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Dave Torr wrote on Monday, 18 February 2008 10:43 AM:
> > > >
> > > > > I think there is a lot more at stake for us (and I speak as a dog
> > > > > owner!). Dogs threaten species like the Hooded Plover and the
> Fairy
> > > > > Tern on their nesting grounds - both are endangered endemics (I
> > > > > think??) and rely heavily on undisturbed coastal areas.
> > > >
> > > > Yes but to a non-birders these are the "unknown species" I referred
> > to.
> > > > They're either invisible or look like seagulls to
> non-birders. You'd
> > > > have to convince them not only that these species either already
> exist
> > > > in the area or might return to it, but that it's important that they
> > do.
> > > > I was also thinking more about suburban parks than that kind of
> > habitat.
> > > >
> > > > > I am not sure what sort of "Agreement" we could have - I think all
> > we
> > > > > can do is spread the message that dogs and birds do not mix well
> and
> > > > > whilst this may not matter too much in some areas in others it is
> > > > > critical to the species survival. I would point out that horses
> and
> > > > > 4WD on beaches are also large threats to these species!
> > > >
> > > > I was thinking initially that we'd need the agreement of whoever
> runs
> > > > these clubs in order to even start getting our views through to
> their
> > > > members via their newsletters, etc. I would imagine there might be
> a
> > > > bit of a seige mentality to get past.
> > > >
> > > > As a not entirely relevant example, here's a quote from the
> secretary
> > of
> > > > a motorcycle club from the article in yesterday's Age about the
> > proposed
> > > > outer ring road being discussed in another thread:
> > > > "We have already lost one track used by the club for 30 years
> because
> > an
> > > > environmental impact statement found the legless lizard and golden
> sun
> > > > moth there," said Ms Heaney.
> > > > "Now they want to build a freeway through it?"
> > > >
> > > > Peter Shute
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
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