Hello All,
About this: It is clear from David Stowe that the unsubscribing from their email list does not unsubscribe from birding-aus. So please let go of that one. That is just something in the way they have named their list.
I am not in any way associated with Balanagara (other than having corresponded minimally about Lyrebird behaviour) but congratulate them on their intent to make a film of the Lyrebird. To me, this promotional message seems like a well targeted, nicely presented, generous and innovative marketing and promotions of what hopefully will be a nice production on a subject that I hope many of us would be interested in. It appears that obtaining email addresses via birding aus (if that is what has happened and I don’t know how) is of concern and not the right thing to do, but given its relevance to my interests, it is something I am more happy about than bothered about.
I for one am disappointed and rather embarrassed by the negativity this promotion has received. I expect the guidelines for birding-aus include that it is not for primarily commercial purposes – though this is borderline such a use. I do not see this as any worse (or even different) from people advertising the dates, arrangements and costs of the next pelagic bird trips or seeking sponsorship for bird twitching contest or telling us in an encouraging way about the latest Hoopoe or Grey-headed Lapwing, in a way that encourages us to spend vastly more money, if we wish to see it. And I don’t object to those messages either.
I am more concerned about what the film will say / show. If I ever get to see the film I would happily review it as wonderful if it is, or if it is crap or gives false information I would offer that opinion too. The message so far is simply bringing to notice a new project and product and ask likely people to maybe sponsor it. I would like to think that many of our community who can do so, will sponsor it. It should promote bird knowledge and maybe conservation, using a species that is by any standard a very special bird that can add a lot to public awareness of birds.
Philip
