This is shocking!! It may well also damage the good-will that Aussie birders normally show to overseas visitors (including to this person), and vice versa. I hope the Regional Council and survey teams might still find a way through to the owners, once tempers have cooled down. Great effort Greg!! Regards, Peter Madvig —– Original Message —– From: “Greg Roberts” <ninderry@westnet.com.au> To: “birding-aus” <birding-aus@birding-aus.org> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 5:32 PM Subject: [Birding-Aus] Dutch Birder Throws Spanner in Conservation CampaignWorks > > > 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 >
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