I would like to follow up something in Jen Spry’s recent trip report. I would like to ask birders to talk to locals in country towns about what they are doing, and why they’re doing it in that area. (They seem to have cottoned on in Chiltern.) In wetland areas, wouldn’t it be great for newcomers to say ‘We’ve come to watch birds’, rather than ‘We’ve come to shoot birds’.
This is a vital message for rural towns, which don’t always see the benefits of birdwatching because we are – dare I say it – quieter, less identifiable and – maybe – we drink a little less beer.
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Obviously further explanation is required, and 1000 apologies to Andrew.
This was supposed to be a private reply to a moderators’s discussion about commercial content, which is against the list rules. All agreed it was not only minor, but a useful contribution to the discussion.
Regarding the “crap” birding, I’ll have to justify that off the cuff comment. I’ve done a lot of birding while staying in Goulburn but unable to travel far because of family restrictions. I got a lot of ticks within 10km of Goulburn when I started birding. But the options close in are limited because much of the land around the town is cleared, and a lot of what’s left is on or locked in by private property.
There are a lot of really great birding locations an hour’s drive or more away, but that has been impractical for me. The few areas that I found close to town are good for someone passing through, but I’ve done them to death.
That same description would apply to Altona where I live.
The “doesn’t sound like birder” comment was guesswork on the part of an overly suspicious moderator based on what I thought was a long drive to the recommended Rockwarbler location compared to much closer ones I know of. It was also based on a quick check on Google Maps to see where the location was, and I may be wrong about it.
Again, many apologies to Andrew, and I hope you don’t leave the list after this particularly savage introduction. As a regular visitor to Goulburn, I’m particularly interested in hearing reports from a local.
Sent from my iPad
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Sorry, sent that to the wrong address. Apology and explanation will be sent by private email.
Peter Shute
Sent from my iPhone
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You’re right, but I didn’t even notice. Too busy emailing him to see if he knows about any good spots close to Goulburn, and exactly where his Rockwarbler site is. Not very close, I think. I emailed him early this morning, no reply yet.
Goulburn is crap for birding, so not much danger of repeat advertising or complaints of unfair competition from others.
He subscribed about 2 weeks ago, so he didn’t do it just to make this posting, which is his first. Must therefore be a birder? Doesn’t really sound like one.
Maybe just keep an eye on him?
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BirdLife Brisbane South often conduct surveys around the northern end of the Gold Coast. After a hot and humid morning surveying, the local Jacobs Well bakery is a very good place to relax. As we sit with our coffee (binos in hand – last time 40 WTNT flew over very low), the owners will often bring out a complimentary sweet delight for all 7 birders…
The Americans have been aware of this for some time. Whenever I went out with a BirdingPal in the US, they would leave their card when buying fuel, food etc. See http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/It-s-in-the-cards-Watching-birds- touted-as-big-3547131.php
Maybe this is something BirdLife Australia could take up?
Judy
Hi Debbie, Sonja and all
I couldn’t agree more. We had a similar experience at Ouyen. We also used to be the (good natured) butt of many jokes at Bemm River for our non-fishing interest in the area. “You’ve come to see Possums and birds? they’d say “What for?” But they did look forward to us coming.
In Lara and Little River near the You Yangs and Serendip locals recently defeated a proposed development citing damage to wildlife and tourism. Small towns often need something to be proud of. We can help them just by telling them why we’re visiting.
Get vocal birders!
Janine JANINE DUFFY Director Marketing & Research ECHIDNA WALKABOUT PO Box 370 Port Melbourne 3207 AUSTRALIA Email: janine@echidnawalkabout.com.au Web: http://www.echidnawalkabout.com.au Tel: +61 (0)3 9646 8249 Fax: +61 (0)3 9681 9177 ABN: 72 716 985 505 Sent via Blackberry
Hi all,
Joy and I have been talking to shop keepers, petrol stations etc about bird watching for some years now and in some cases, as when we go in for an icecream after a hot morning’s birding at Goshen or Hattah, we carry our binos into the shop to help illicit comments.
I also try to mention any good shops, caravan parks, motels etc in my blog in the hope that other birders will go to the same places. For example, the owner of the Countryman Motel in Orbost now knows us and why we visit and tells us of any special birds she has heard of.
cheers
Jenny http://jenniferspryausbirding.blogspot.com.au/
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I nearly always ask about local birding or wildlife spots and mention that I am from Melbourne, just so the good folk know the reason I am in their area.
Dave, you are welcome to my share of beer, or wine, spirits for that matter, also
*Yours in all things* “*GREEN”* ** *John Harris* *Croydon, Vic* * Owner – Wildlife Experiences Ecologist/Zoologist* *Nature Photographer* *Wildlife Guide* *wildlifeexperiences@gmail.com* *0409090955* ** *President, Field Naturalists Club of Victoria* *(www.fncv.org.au)*
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I always try to make a point of asking for information about bird watching in the local area when I visit Tourist Information Centres for the same reason. If they don’t have any I suggest it would be a good idea to make some up, as there are a lot of birdwatchers travelling around. Some are definitely better than others – even suggesting the local sewage plants. Elizabeth Shaw Phillip Island Victoria
A good idea – I remember some time back when I was in (I think!) Noosa you could get little “business cards” that said you were there for the birding and you were encouraged to leave them at places you patronised.
I do my best to keep the beer drinking average up!
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Hi Debbie,
I agree that this is a good idea. A friend and I recently stayed overnight at Ouyen to see the Malleefowl. I mentioned it when we were checking in, and the manager knew about them and told us exactly where to go. It does help businesses in small country towns which struggle a bit otherwise to know why we are spending money there and may help any locals trying to promote conservation in the area.
Townspeople in Chiltern are certainly aware of the money birders bring to the area. The local supermarket even delivered an order to the caravan park when I hadn’t got back in time to pick it up when I ran a BirdLife Melbourne Photography group (then BOCA) weekend there a couple of years ago.
Sonja
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