As the current chair of the OBP National Recovery Team I have followed with interest the thread about whether it was appropriate to post details of OBP sightings on birding-aus.
Twelve months ago we received evidence of worrying levels of disturbance of OBPs at the Western Treatment Plant by bird watchers and bird photographers. In response, the recovery team asked the land manager, Melbourne Water, to place signs asking that birders refrain from approaching the shoreline or roosting shrubs so that the OBPs could feed and loaf in peace. We also sought the closure of a short length of track to vehicles and foot traffic. At the same time we asked Eremaea Birds to not publicise the localities of OBP sightings. Unfortunately, we did not make the same request of birding-aus, an oversight on my behalf. Of course, these were requests for voluntary cooperation and relied on the good faith of birders.
When 4 birds turned up again this year the same restrictions were enacted, with the full support of Melb Water, Birdlife Australia and Eremaea Birds. I now ask birding-aus members to desist from publicising precise localities of OBP sightings.
Whether or not these restrictions are actually helpful to the parrots is unknown, however, they were put in place as a risk management exercise that seemed to us to have little cost and high potential for benefit. They are supported by all appropriate authorities (DEPI, Melb Water, Birdlife Australia and the recovery team) and I simply ask that all birders support them. They do not prevent birders from viewing OBPs from an appropriate distance. Just remember that you may be looking at almost 10% of the world population!
By the way, the habitat they are using is man-made and is carefully and intensively managed by Melbourne Water – we are currently drawing down the water level a little to create more edge and expose more samphire feeding habitat.
Birders are very privileged to be allowed to visit this site and I ask that everybody please take care not to disturb the OBPs.
Peter Menkhorst
Email:
http://petermenkhorst.jalbum.net/ http://petermenkhorst.jalbum.net
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