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Dutch Birder Throws Spanner in Conservation Campaign Works

To: Greg Roberts <>
Subject: Dutch Birder Throws Spanner in Conservation Campaign Works
From: Carl Clifford <>
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2014 18:30:49 +1100
Oh,and it would be a good idea to post your message on the various Facebook 
birding pages, so other birders will get an idea of his character.

CC


> On 8 Dec 2014, at 5:32 pm, Greg Roberts <> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> The irresponsible behaviour of a visiting Dutch birder has seriously
> compromised efforts to protect a valuable wetland and waterbird
> habitat on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
> An impressive list of species that are rare in south-east Queensland
> for the Yandina Creek Wetlands includes Eastern Grass Owl, Red-backed
> Buttonquail, Large-tailed Nightjar, Australian Spotted Crake,
> Australian Painted Snipe, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Lewin's Rail, King
> Quail, Black-necked Stork, Australian Little Bittern and Black-tailed
> Native-hen. The extent and richness of the wetlands was unknown until
> recently, when I stumbled upon a large area of marshland while
> surveying the boundaries of two sugar cane farms that I have
> permission to bird on. I submitted an application to the Sunshine
> Coast Regional Council for the acquisition of three properties
> covering 200 hectares under its land conservation program. Various
> birding and environmental organisations supported the application and
> efforts were underway the identify the owners of the properties to
> seek their permission for a comprehensive survey of the area by a team
> of experts.
> I published some of the interesting bird records to draw attention to
> the site, and several people contacted me to seek information about
> visiting. I explained why there was no public access at this time. 
> This information was conveyed in no uncertain terms by me and other
> locals to a visiting Dutch birder, Pieter De Groot Boesma. However,
> Pieter decided to ignore that advice and enter the properties without
> permission. He was found by the owners and when questioned, he told
> them the site was being used for birding tours. This information was
> false but the owners, upset that people were trespassing and
> apparently using their land for commercial purposes without
> permission, have placed a ban on any birders entering the properties.
> Worse, the owners have refused permission for a team of experts to
> survey the area, and have indicated they are not interested in
> negotiating a sale to the council. Those interested in protecting the
> area were deprived of the opportunity of first contact to establish a
> good relationship with the property owners.
> Pieter has enjoyed the hospitality of several Australian birders
> through birding-pal. It is disappointing that he repays that kindness
> with behaviour of this kind. I notice today that Pieter posted
> photographs of mine from Saturday's Sunshine Coast pelagic on social
> media without acknowledgement, so the lad has form if nothing else.
> Greg Roberts 
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