Well said Nicci
I wasn't there on Friday but I was on Saturday morning from dawn until
8.30am or thereabouts. I hadn't read Ms Gallienne's 'instruction' at
that time, but it was a topic of discussion on site. I later met a
birder offsite who had not gone to North Lakes because of her
'directions'!
My post of Saturday on Eremaea which described the group of birders on
site that morning has been removed. I have requested an explanation for
that.
All in all the birders and photographers who were present on Saturday
morning were, as I said in my 'sighting' report "quiet and respectful'
and the bird/s completely undisturbed - and, I understand from someone
who was present on Friday, a similar situation was experienced that
morning too - as the numerous reports since have also described.
I, too, want to know how Ms Gallienne feels she has the authority to
instruct birders on their behaviour and, or, whether they should visit a
site?
The claims of damaged vegetation, disturbed birds and bad behaviour by
photographers are causing unnecessary grief and recrimination and
driving a split in the birding community in SE Qld - even drawing
comments from people interstate, for God's sake, who aren't here and
don't know the individuals concerned!
If this is really happening - provide proof. Otherwise stop throwing it
around and move on. Life is too short.
Colin
On Sun, Jul 13, 2014, at 04:23 PM, Nicolette Thompson wrote:
> I was one of the birders at North Lakes on Friday. I saw the email from
> Sandra Gallienne when I arrived home last night and immediately let her
> know that her account of the day was not based on fact. I did this in
> the
> hope that she would retract her statement and thus avoid the usual
> acrimonious emails. She has neither done this nor responded to me.
>
> On Friday morning the Yellow Bittern was not at the lake where Paul had
> seen it. When I and a friend arrived we met two birders who had been
> there
> since early morning and who had not seen the bird. It was not FLUSHED by
> birders or photographers. It simply was not there. I did speak to a few
> folk who had left the footpaths contrary to Paul's request. Some moved
> back
> immediately and only a couple remained where they were. There are always
> a
> couple of people in any group to whom any considerations don't apply,
> aren't there? Anyway they didn't flush or chase the bird as it wasn't
> there. The waterfowl were foraging or loafing in and around the lake and
> were in no way perturbed by the dozen or so watchers plus various bikers,
> walkers and dog walkers who I guess are regulars in the area.
>
> Late morning a gentleman came back to the lake to let us know that the YB
> was across the road at the Golf Club. There was no great rush across. As
> the message spread folk walked across to the pond to watch or photograph
> the bird. Eventually officials from the Gold Club came to talk to us
> because the pond was in the line of fire from the golfers and it was a
> safety issue.
>
> They were very interested once they knew what we were doing. After a
> discussion about safety issues versus our interests they were going to
> work
> on some management strategies for the following day so that both could
> be
> satisfied. We left at midday, so I can't comment on anything that
> happened
> after that .
>
> Sadly, Sandra's email has caused a lot of angst and unnecessary
> back-biting
> on this forum.
>
> I would also like to know on what grounds Sandra has given herself the
> authority to tell us that 'birders are now asked to refrain from visiting
> this site'
>
> Nicci Thompson
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--
Colin Reid
So many birds, so little time......
--
http://www.fastmail.fm - Same, same, but different...
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