This is a heart-wrenching post to write as Victorian wetlands are yet again turning into wildlife war zones that will leave hundreds of thousands of native birds dead and dying. I had hoped that I’d never again have to photograph the sickening aftermath, or hear the horrendous sounds of shotguns destroying the tranquility of our wetlands. I’ve been trying to start this post at various times during the busy-ness of the day but couldn’t even find the words for the title, but there’s an important To Do List to share, and some beaut photographs, so I must get writing.
When I took this photograph I hoped that our native birds were looking towards a brighter future. Last year’s Parliamentary Inquiry received over 10,000 submissions, by far the most of any inquiry in the state’s history, and they were overwhelmingly against the recreational shooting of our native birds. I did an informal for/against tally myself. I called the premier’s office for an official breakdown of the numbers but was told to write, and haven’t yet had a response – not even the courtesy of a basic ‘we have received your email’. The submissions are available online at Parliamentary Inquiry into Native Bird Shooting and please call the Premier on (03) 9651 5000 to let her know how you feel about her decision to ignore the Inquiry’s recommendation to permanently ban recreational native bird shooting in Victoria.
Thirty-two wetlands have already been closed to shooters, and another two will be closed from tomorrow (Saturday), due to birders notifying authorities about protected species. So if you are birding at any Victorian wetlands please look for the species above and notify the Game Management Authority on 13 61 86, and Birdlife Australia on (03) 9347 0757, if you see numbers of concern.
This little duckling rose up out of the water to waggle its minuscule wing buds. It was so funny to watch. Let’s hope that this little one is able to live its life in a kinder world.
Ridiculously short notice but protestors will be gathering 10-11.30am Saturday 13th April at the following locations and it would be fantastic if you could join us:
– The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP, Minister for Environment, Oakleigh District, 3 Chester Street, Oakleigh
– Kat Theophanous MP, Northcote District, 4/404 High Street, Northcote
– Chris Couzens MP, Geelong District, Shop 9, Pakington Strand Shopping Centre, 95-103 Pakington Street, Geelong West
– Katie Hall MP, Footscray District, 204 Nicholson Street, Footscray
– Nathan Lambert MP, Preston District, 352 Bell Street, Preston
– Alison Marchant MP, Bellarine District, Shop G066, Gateway Plaza, 641-659 Bellarine Highway, Leopold
Please support the Coalition Against Duck Shooting, and Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting. Writing letters to the papers is also brilliant, even if yours isn’t printed the number of letters received helps editors gauge public opinion and print representative letters.
Even helping with just one of the items on the To Do List would be wonderful… maybe give Jacinta a buzz?
Happy birding, Kim
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