Yes, I noticed that the main road location made it very easy for people to stop
there on a whim. I wonder how many of your estimated 30 non-traditional
birders per weekend are repeat visitors, because that's an enormous number to
be potentially assisting to become advocates for the hide, birds, and the
environment in general.
I wonder if there are any other locations around Melbourne with such potential.
Plenty, probably, but the volunteers are another matter.
Peter Shute
Ross Macfarlane wrote on Wednesday, 22 July 2009 7:26 PM:
> That sounds fairly standard in my experience Peter. I reckon we
> typically get 2-4 cars per hour stopping for a look around. The
> majority, I'd say 2 thirds, would be families or other passers-by who
> aren't traditional birders, and the rest regulars who are often
> members of FESWI already. It could be 50-odd people in the course of
> a weekend?
>
> The location on Edithvale Road makes all the difference (it's the
> extension of Springvale Road, one of the biggest north-south arteries
> in eastern Melbourne). I think many of the visits are opportunistic
> with people just out for a Sunday drive.
>
> I always try to work on the kids who drop in - helping them to spot a
> duck or swan or something in the spotting scope, and trying to
> "infect" them with the birding bug. There was one little girl who
> didn't need innoculation last year - she came in with her Dad, aged
> probably 6 or 7, and she was so excited it was great to see. And she
> could spot a bird a long way off - watch your backs Dooley et al...
> :-)
>
> Ross Macfarlane
>
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