A tricky subject where it certainly has the potential to go too far,
but this point is difficult to specify. I think that birding-aus
people will let them know if they go too far, and I think that
Russell monitors this very well.
From a personal point of view, I have been happy to read about
forthcoming tours to Ashmore Reef, Torres Strait Islands, etc. These
tend to be either one off tours, or they are tours that while they
are commercial don't make the operator a profit (my understanding is
that George Swann basically gets a free trip to Ashmore). And I am
certainly happy to read the trip reports after the tours, while
people could argue that this is a back door way of advertising.
The pelagic trips are advertised, but I don't think anyone could
argue with that? Someone is making money on the trip, but generally
the trips are run at cost and are of interest to many members of birding-aus.
I think the guys in Alice Springs have shown suitable restraint by
reporting sightings they have seen. I wouldn't have known there were
commercial operators in Alice. I might not make use of them, but if
overseas people contact me then I am happy to let them know that
there is someone with excellent local knowledge who can show them around.
Similarly I have been happy in the past with reports by Denise
Goodfellow for the NT, or Kingfisher Park in Far North Queensland, or
tours to Cocos and Christmas Islands, etc.
I know that I would be interested if someone was organising a tour to
say Neale Junction in WA to look for Scarlet-chested Parrot, Striated
(Sandhill) Grasswren, etc. Or maybe a tour to NSW or Qld to look
for Striated (Rusty) Grasswren.
At BirdLife Western Australia we face some dilemmas with our
eNews. We include reports of a lake being full this year, which is
useful for people thinking of visiting that area, but it is clear
that this benefits the station as people will be paying to stay
there. Or reports of Ground Cuckoo-shrike will benefit the person
whose property they are on, as people will probably need to stay there.
_________________________________________________________________
Frank O'Connor Birding WA
http://birdingwa.iinet.net.au
Phone : (08) 9386 5694 Email :
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