Since I chose to weigh in to this discussion I felt I should perhaps follow
up with a personal observation now that we have more information.
We now have both sides of the story (although neither are necessarily the
complete story of course) and I feel I can now form a tentative opinion
based on what I have read.
My sense is that Greg (and Ken) have a legitimate, reasonable and
appropriate grievance - one which is tempered but understandably not
assuaged by Pieter's apology for his disappointing, inappropriate and
seemingly improper actions.
An interesting, important and in some ways distressing dialogue on
Birding-Aus. But one which is better aired than not.
Richard
-----Original Message-----
From: Birding-Aus On Behalf Of
Ken Cross
Sent: Wednesday, 10 December 2014 7:41 AM
To: 'Greg Roberts'; 'birding-aus'
Cc: 'tom tarrant'
Subject: Reply Pieter de Groot Boersma regarding Yandina
Wetlands
Hi all,
Not that Greg needs my help in expression I'd like to add my support to his
comments.
It is easy to accept an apology when you are miles and miles away from the
trespass that occurred. It is easy to accept an apology when you cannot
clearly understand the importance of the land in our local context. It is
easy to accept an apology if this was an innocent error - it was not.
It is not a good message when you 'knowingly' ignore local advice, break a
law and then believe that mouthing 'sorry' will bring you national support
and forgiveness.
I'm sorry this happened. I'm sorry Greg has lost some standing with the land
owners. I'm sorry that we can now not take part in a survey. I'm sorry that
the land may never be purchased by the Council for conservation. I'm sorry
that Peter can leave and put it all behind him and continue to wonder what
all the fuss was about.
I'm sorry - I'm angry!
Love and Seasons greetings to all,
Ken Cross
-----Original Message-----
From: Birding-Aus [ <>
On Behalf Of Greg Roberts
Sent: Wednesday, 10 December 2014 6:12 AM
To: birding-aus
Cc: tom tarrant
Subject: Reply Pieter de Groot Boersma regarding Yandina
Wetlands
Let's get some perspective indeed Tom.
You are very good at lecturing people about environmental awareness (as you
evidently are about the sins of ticking House Crows) but some of us are out
there on the frontline working to save important areas. When those efforts
are undermined by the irresponsible behaviour of visiting birders, that is
no small thing.
I welcome Pieter's apology, but those who are quick to forgive and forget
are overlooking the fact that Pieter was told on at least three occasions -
by me and others - that he should not go onto the property. He ignored us,
and then exacerbated the problem when he was caught trespassing by falsely
telling the land owners effectively that the person leading the campaign to
protect wetlands on their property
(me) was commercially exploiting them by leading bird tours there. I think
it's a bit of a worry when people like you, who should know better, dismiss
this sort of stuff as trivia. Greg Roberts
"Recently a lot of fuss was made regarding the trespass on private-land by a
visiting birder and while I agree that it was the wrong thing to do the
person in question has since apologized for his actions. I wonder if birders
were aware of this headline and plan to do something about it: *Queensland
Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney has intervened to force the removal of all
references to climate change-derived sea level rises from the regional plan
of Moreton Bay Regional Council.* Apathy will probably result in Yandina
Wetlands becoming part of the sea-bed in the foreseeable-future*. *I would
remind you as a fellow-birder that the right-wing governments that currently
'run' this country regard you as a "Greeny", and therefore.......the enemy.
Let's get some perspective, Tom"
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