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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~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
Hi Kim & All, I can’t do the rescue but have donated to the Coalition Against Duck Shooting- that’s something we can all do 🙂
That is seriously lovely of you Fiona, thank you! Hopefully this really will be its final year…
Ah, the Blackies are such dignified ducks – they seem so delighted to be ducks! And that brilliant teal flash of the speculum, that is such a surprising contrast to the rather dowdy brown plumage – it always makes my heart sing. Thanks for spreading joy with your photos, Kim. Your ‘seeing eye’ at work again!
Our Premier denied that her husband, who has been pictured at several game and field events, influenced her decision to allow duck hunting. Make of that what you will. She also represents the electorate of Ballarat East, which has one of the highest number of registered shooters in Victoria. This decision seems to be all about the Premier saving her political neck – but not, sadly, the necks of our beautiful birds. An extremely disappointing decision from a woman and a mother – I had hoped she would have been repelled by the testosterone-fueled barbarism that is hunting, and brought a softer side to her political decisions.
“This decision seems to be all about the Premier saving her political neck – but not, sadly, the necks of our beautiful birds” – this would be brilliant to send to the newspapers Deirdre! I would be staggered if they didn’t print it. There was the union pressure too which may have been another factor. It’s all so horrifically sickening to know that it’s happening again. I photographed blackies again yesterday and have a close-up shot that I’ll share at some point, they are the quintessential duck I think.
I’m beyond furious that they didn’t ban it. Thank you for the beautiful pics x
‘Beyond furious’ sums it up pretty perfectly. Thanks for all you do for ducks and other critters, you’re awesome.
These are stunning photos of the blackies and they make me upset and angry when I think of JAs despicable decision.
Thanks Tess, and I understand exactly how you feel.
Hopefully next year will bring a ban. This is terrible news. The photos of blackies are great though. Nice view of the speculum.
On the bright side, it was a very quiet opening. Let’s hope this first weekend stays quiet too, with miserable weather and lots of wind.
Can we please have some wood duck photos?
Next week
Maybe not quite so soon after blackies, but who knows what the coming week will bring
Definitely at some point, I’ve shared quite a few in the past and took some more recently 🙂
This is not sport, it’s an annual bird slaughter. It’s barbaric, wasteful, unsustainable and unnecessary. For the few who would be attracted to this annual massacre, many more birdwatchers, animal lovers, ecologists, scientists and eco-tourists would stay away in droves. Wake up Victoria. End the annual bird slaughter now!
Yes, yes and a resounding yes! It beggars belief doesn’t it.
I have been fuming and mourning since I saw this dreadful, dreadful news. And will assuredly write to Jacinta.
How I hope that this is the last year that the obscenity plays out.
It’s almost unbelievable isn’t it. All part of the process I guess, thanks so much for caring.