John There was no possibility of a misunderstanding. This birder knew very well that he was not supposed to go onto those properties. Greg Roberts You may have explained it to him, but he obviously didn’t understand. In many European countries there is public access to all farm land, but this may have been the cause of the misunderstanding John Leonard On 8 December 2014 at 17:32, Greg Roberts < ninderry@westnet.com.au [1]> 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_ >_ _ >_ Birding-Aus mailing list_ >_ Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org [2]_ >_ To change settings or unsubscribe visit:_ >_ http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org [3]_ >_ _ >__ — John Leonard Canberra Australia www.jleonard.netbirding Links: —— [1] mailto:ninderry@westnet.com.au [2] mailto:Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org [3] http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
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