I am in complete agreement with David and Alan on this issue.
As someone who recently began doing a bit of professional guiding here on
the Sunshine Coast, I have been amazed at abusive notes I've had from people
because I've failed to disclose to them sites I have found locally for
ground parrot, sooty owl, marbled frogmouth and grass owl.
If we shared this information with everyone, these sites might quickly be
birded out and that is hardly going to impress potential clients. Another
important consideration is the welfare of the birds.
Having said that, I'll happily share information with local birders or point
people to interesting birds at well-known sites.
Birding-Aus is in my view not simply a vehicle to show birders where birds
are, as some subscribers seem to think. It is also a forum to share
information about interesting sightings and an avenue to publish records of
significance to help expand our understanding of the status and distribution
of birds.
Greg Roberts
Subject: Golden Bowerbird RFI's & disappointment
I find this really really sad.
I for one have been amazed over the years at the level of generosity and
helpfulness of a number of PROFESSIONAL Bird guides on this list. People
whose livelihood revolves around it yet who still help out unpaying birders
time and time and time again. Alan Gillanders is surely at the top of that
list along with others who I won't mention at this time.
To abuse these people for not releasing locations on private property or
otherwise is incredibly ungrateful and rude - especially when they offer so
much knowledge so often and so freely. Not to mention the situation where
such professionals say enough is enough and don't answer everyone's
questions - why would they when they just cop abuse anyway? Then we are all
much poorer.
If that person is so keen to see a bower why not just do the right thing and
pay for a tour?? Why should you always get it for free from a professional?
I have never been disappointed when i have paid for a bird guide and always
been shown new birds with new insights.
Having been birding with Alan both professionally and personally i can
attest to his skill, love of the total environment, and amazing knowledge
which he is so willing to share. If that sounds like an advertisement then
so be it because he and a bunch of others certainly deserve it.
This has made me quite cranky. (polite understatement)
David Stowe
On 15/12/2009, at 10:11 PM, Alan Gillanders wrote:
Greetings,
Please do not ask me for directions to bowers of this species as I only have
one active bower to which I can take my guests. I assure you I have looked
for publicly accessible bowers in the southern Atherton Tablelands and when
I find one I'll let you know. There are adult birds in the Mt
Hypipamee/Longlands gap area.
Today I handled requests for information from five people from this list,
three of them approached me directly. All three of those people asked after
the Golden Bowerbird as well as others. 3/5 sent grateful thankyous BUT one
sent further questions and ABUSE. I have not answered that email and will
not. I have blocked that person's email address so if you wish to apologise,
you'll have to write me a letter.
Regards,
Alan Gillanders
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