birding-aus

Threatened species and the OBP

To: 'Dominic Funnell' <>, 'Simon Mustoe' <>, "" <>, "" <>
Subject: Threatened species and the OBP
From: Peter Shute <>
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2012 12:13:12 +1100
The problem with OBPs is that any given time, no one knows where any of them 
are. Not when they're on the mainland in winter, anyway. 

I suppose you could aim a camera at a favourite branch, and there would be a 
reasonable chance they might turn up there within a few days.

Peter Shute

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dominic Funnell  
> Sent: Tuesday, 4 December 2012 11:39 AM
> To: Peter Shute; 'Simon Mustoe'; 
> ; 
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Threatened species and the OBP
> 
> Without knowing the details of OBP and the area they occur in 
> in Melbourne its hard to comment but when I was working for 
> the RSPB in the UK was involved in setting up viewing 
> projects for a wide range of species in all sorts of 
> settings. The RPSB have done "Aren't Birds Brilliant" events 
> everywhere from the centre of London to look at breeding 
> Peregrines and House Sparrows through to halfway up a 
> mountain side for breeding eagles and cliff edges for vast 
> seabird colonies. They work very well  and are a great way to 
> attract interest and support from the wider public. What has 
> been done as well is if the target species is not really 
> suitable for this type of event is to either set up a live 
> camera feed into a centre or use another readily seen species 
> as the "in" to encourage people along and then when staff 
> talk to the public they can raise awareness of the target 
> species. When dpne well they are a superb tool for getting 
> wider popular support.
> Dom
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: Peter Shute <>
> To: 'Simon Mustoe' <>; 
> "" 
> <>; "" 
> <>
> Sent: Tuesday, 4 December 2012, 10:26
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Threatened species and the OBP
> 
> 
> Simon, you may be right - it's always the least visible 
> species that are the hardest to make the public care about - 
> but what sort of infrastructure could be set up now to view 
> wild OBPs near Melbourne? I think if you could set up a hide 
> and charge entry fees for a guaranteed look at a free flying 
> OBP, you'd have a long queue at the door.
> 
> It's easy with seals and penguins, but perhaps this species 
> just isn't suitable for this kind of thing.
> 
> Peter Shute
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From:  
> >  On Behalf Of 
> > Simon Mustoe
> > Sent: Tuesday, 4 December 2012 10:17 AM
> > To: ; 
> > Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Threatened species and the OBP
> > 
> > 
> > Debbie,
> > I disagree with Flannery and others. Australia does care. 
> > Conservation bodies, scientists, national parks and others 
> > have had control of wildlife for too long. We have made it 
> > more and more difficult for anyone to engage with, learn 
> > about or understand nature. Orange-bellied Parrot is a case 
> > example. For years, areas near Melbourne where these birds 
> > occur have been fenced off to public - even when they were 
> > more numerous. In other parts of the world there would have 
> > been visitor infrastructure and hides put up and a concerted 
> > effort by the conservation groups to show people the birds. 
> > Just recently, BirdLife has been concerned about the number 
> > of people being able to access the WTP (when only just over 
> > 300 people have keys). Meanwhile, critically endangered birds 
> > exist in places where tens of thousands of visitors go at 
> > places like Mai Po in Hong Kong or Titchwell in the UK.  
> > Before Australians attempt to engage or connect people we 
> > hastily impose regulations to 'protect' wildlife by fencing 
> > it off (physically or regulatory). Here's another brutal 
> > example - DSE is currently chasing teenagers for climbing on 
> > the back of a dead Humpback Whale on the Great Ocean Road. 
> > Natural curiosity drives kids to do that sort of thing and 
> > whist a slap on the wrist might be called for,  the parents 
> > can do that. Instead however, DSE has ensured these teenagers 
> > and all their friends will hate conservationists for the rest 
> > of their lives. Plus, a strong and clear message has been 
> > sent to every Victorian - if you pass within 300m of a whale 
> > carcass you can be prosecuted. In much of the state my kids 
> > can't even collect shells on beaches any more. 
> > What is the world coming to?
> > As conservationists, we have to take a long hard look at 
> > ourselves and wonder if we are to blame for the lack of 
> > 'care'. If we cared more, would we encourage people to engage 
> > with wildlife rather than loving animals to death, meanwhile 
> > ensuring that only us and our closest friends get to enjoy 
> > the experience?
> > Regards,
> > Simon.
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > 
> > Simon Mustoe
> > Tel: +61 (0) 405220830 | Skype simonmustoe | Email 
> > 
> > 
> > Visit BIRD-O at http://www.bird-o.com <http://www.bird-o.com/> 
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> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > > From: 
> > > To: 
> > > Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2012 21:05:59 +1100
> > > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Threatened species and the OBP
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > 
> http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-30/fears-for-the-orange-bellied-par
> > > rot/4401966 The ABC's 7.30 Tasmania screened this 8-minute 
> > segment on 
> > > Friday night, which neatly dovetails Tim Flannery's 
> > concerns about a looming extinction crisis (detailed in the 
> > current Quarterly Essay), with the plight of the 
> > Orange-bellied Parrot.
> > > Covers several important issues and features Mark 
> > Holdsworth, the Tasmanian coordinator of the OBP Recovery Program.
> > > This should have aired nation-wide. I agree with Flannery 
> > that we as a nation don't care nearly enough; nobody is 
> > accountable for dropping the ball on threatened species.     
> >                     
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