Select to expand quoteterminal said..
It might be worth checking if sailing gradually upwind at slower speed to the speed spot will result in the birds just flying upwind to the water upwind of the grass shore and settling there. It's a 20 second flight for them. They do seem to prefer to stay upwind of moving things they want to keep some space from. That might avoid actually sailing in between them. The moment you leave they will be back down to their preferred spot, which tends to indicate that the experience hasn't affected them much at all.
Yes I think sailing in slowly is the key, Swans have to take off upwind, we're coming in across the wind, so it's better if we're slightly downwind of them. If we're upwind of them they have to fly towards us to get above mast hight. The trouble is upwind of the speed bank there's no place for them to feed, they have to move downwind to get out of our way and have a place to eat.
As Elmo says, Craig is a mine of useful info.
Today's main one was about the Fairy Turns, (no relation to Fairy Bob). They are an endangered species, who've lost a lot of habitat over the last decade or so. A couple of years ago a high tide and big storm surge washed away half their nests at Nairns, then dogs came in and got the rest, Craig tried to save a few eggs that were just hatching, but I don't think he was very successful.
One of the big problems with Fairy Turns is once disturbed they don't come back to the nest. So it just takes someone to get a bit too close and that's another generation gone.
Last year there was a nesting group in the Creery lagoon, their season starts in September, so we shouldn't be going in there then.
Craig made a very interesting comment came when Alby suggested we post where and when a Fairy Turn nesting was, he said, "I don't like to publish where they are, because the less people know about them the better".
Seems I got the migratory bird thing wrong, they don't come here to breed they come to feed, and need shallow water because they are waders, have short necks and feed from the bottom. So they aren't so much of a concern for us.
Select to expand quoteka43 said..
A positive to this Mike, they dont have shotguns like at LG!!!!
All the best to you blokes for a successful outcome.
Cheers,
Larko.
Yeah I love LG ..A bird conservation area - let them breed so they can then shoot them!
Select to expand quoteWazzaYotty said..
Every day we're getting a little bit better
Especially if you can get to sail regularly..
Mike,
If the solution appears to be giving the birds time to fly out of the line of fire and more importantly not disturbing the Samphire grass, then the record of tracks on Google Earth overlay is good insurance against any false accusations in the future.
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..
ka43 said..
A positive to this Mike, they dont have shotguns like at LG!!!!
All the best to you blokes for a successful outcome.
Cheers,
Larko.
Yeah I love LG ..A bird conservation area - let them breed so they can then shoot them!
We don't just let them breed Sue! We actually build nest boxes for them and raise large sums of our own time and money to purchase and maintain vast tracts of wetlands back from farmers to give them somewhere to breed. Then, when there is a heathy, large overabundance of them, we can go and shoot them... and eat them. 
I must embarrassingly admit that I have got a bit slack about the shooting and eating part in the last few years. But I do like to go out and look at all those wetlands I have helped to fund. 
Select to expand quotelao shi said..
I think a Fairy Turn refers to Fangman's alphas?!
Don't you hate it when auto correct changes " absolutely mind blowing blistering speed welded into extreme G force awesomeness gybe " into 'Fairy Turn' ? A simple enough mistake I know and I promise I won't even think of sledging in return. As we have seen in this thread, taking the high moral ground is always the smart move. See, you can learn stuff from me Load of Shi. .
...and to be fair, my gybes are more like Fairy Turd at the moment!
Select to expand quotefangman said..
>>>See, you can learn stuff from me Load of Shi. .
You've got to be brave to take on Fangy, you never know what you'll get in return!
Select to expand quotesailquik said..sboardcrazy said..
ka43 said..
A positive to this Mike, they dont have shotguns like at LG!!!!
All the best to you blokes for a successful outcome.
Cheers,
Larko.
Yeah I love LG ..A bird conservation area - let them breed so they can then shoot them!
We don't just let them breed Sue! We actually build nest boxes for them and raise large sums of our own time and money to purchase and maintain vast tracts of wetlands back from farmers to give them somewhere to breed. Then, when there is a heathy, large overabundance of them, we can go and shoot them... and eat them.
I must embarrassingly admit that I have got a bit slack about the shooting and eating part in the last few years. But I do like to go out and look at all those wetlands I have helped to fund.
Do they taste any good?
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..sailquik said..sboardcrazy said.. ka43 said..
A positive to this Mike, they dont have shotguns like at LG!!!!
All the best to you blokes for a successful outcome.
Cheers,
Larko.
Yeah I love LG ..A bird conservation area - let them breed so they can then shoot them!
We don't just let them breed Sue! We actually build nest boxes for them and raise large sums of our own time and money to purchase and maintain vast tracts of wetlands back from farmers to give them somewhere to breed. Then, when there is a heathy, large overabundance of them, we can go and shoot them... and eat them.
I must embarrassingly admit that I have got a bit slack about the shooting and eating part in the last few years. But I do like to go out and look at all those wetlands I have helped to fund.
Do they taste any good?
Hmmm.... Hard to say. I like them. A bit gamey and strong flavour. Not really much like domestic duck. Darker meat. But, than I can't taste anything in Crayfish and Prawns. Waste of money to me. Do they taste good to you?
Now Kangaroo is pretty good. The best cuts compare well with beef and Mutton.
Select to expand quotesailquik said..sboardcrazy said..sailquik said..sboardcrazy said.. ka43 said..
A positive to this Mike, they dont have shotguns like at LG!!!!
All the best to you blokes for a successful outcome.
Cheers,
Larko.
Yeah I love LG ..A bird conservation area - let them breed so they can then shoot them!
We don't just let them breed Sue! We actually build nest boxes for them and raise large sums of our own time and money to purchase and maintain vast tracts of wetlands back from farmers to give them somewhere to breed. Then, when there is a heathy, large overabundance of them, we can go and shoot them... and eat them.
I must embarrassingly admit that I have got a bit slack about the shooting and eating part in the last few years. But I do like to go out and look at all those wetlands I have helped to fund.
Do they taste any good?
Hmmm.... Hard to say. I like them. A bit gamey and strong flavour. Not really much like domestic duck. Darker meat. But, than I can't taste anything in Crayfish and Prawns. Waste of money to me. Do they taste good to you?
Now Kangaroo is pretty good. The best cuts compare well with beef and Mutton.
Often think we could export roos the amount of them we have on the place..
^^^
Please - this thread is about sailing on the Estuary - not a banal discussion about which animals are good to eat 
Yes it is nice when threads stay roughly on topic, but we shouldn't be too regimented about it.
The last thing we need is the topic police.
More progress, just had phone call from Mandurah council's environmental services coordinator, he's organised a meeting on Tues morning, I can invite who ever I think appropriate. Who's interested?
Select to expand quotedecrepit said..
More progress, just had phone call from Mandurah council's environmental services coordinator, he's organised a meeting on Tues morning, I can invite who ever I think appropriate. Who's interested?
I am interested. What time?
Ahead of Tuesday's meeting I was just doing some research and thought I would post this map from DoT. I am a little confused as to whom this set of regulations applies. Can I assume it applies to all vessels? In that case what is the definition of a vessel and does it apply to windsurfing boards? IF windsurfers are classed as vessels then it would appear as though vast chunks of Novara, Alpha Land, Fangy's and all of Boombas are closed to windsurfing ( except when Captain Calm is about and we chug along at 5 knots)
Conversely, the Lagoon appears to have no speed restrictions and is only closed to motorised vessels!
Good one Fangy, nothing like doing homework first! It also applies to Boombas and all the other places we sail close to shore.
It only applies to motorised craft, we've been through this with Dept of transport when they introduced the new rules.
I forget who now, (maybe Yoyo?) but someone went to the public meeting and I phoned them.
We were both reassured that windsurfing speeds are unrestricted.
Select to expand quotedecrepit said..
Good one Fangy, nothing like doing homework first! It also applies to Boombas and all the other places we sail close to shore.
It only applies to motorised craft, we've been through this with Dept of transport when they introduced the new rules.
I forget who now, (maybe Yoyo?) but someone went to the public meeting and I phoned them.
We were both reassured that windsurfing speeds are unrestricted.
Great thanks Decrep - the reason I was looking was that, when I was bailed up the other day by the unhappy bird watcher, I was advised, (very clearly indeed) that the speed limit is 5 knots and that applied to all water users. I suggested that the limit applied to motorised vessels only, but I was told I was incorrect and "5 knots is 5 knots regardless"
Select to expand quotedecrepit said..
Good one Fangy, nothing like doing homework first! It also applies to Boombas and all the other places we sail close to shore.
It only applies to motorised craft, we've been through this with Dept of transport when they introduced the new rules.
I forget who now, (maybe Yoyo?) but someone went to the public meeting and I phoned them.
We were both reassured that windsurfing speeds are unrestricted.
Thank god for that or you'd lose all your good speed spots!
I went to that meeting at the marina. I asked them many times because like the birdwatcher who collared Ross it seemed to me from the map they presented there was a 5 Knot restriction in all the areas we sail.
Not being content with the answer ( That the restrictions apply only to powered craft) from one official I collared all the staff there in turn and they all gave the same answer. I tried to point out the map was not clear. They felt it was , everyone there were boaties and it seemed obvious to them ... I guess they forgot some bird watchers would not get it.
Rod, windxtasy, Fin Fangy, Dot and myself attended the council meeting with the Brett, the environmental coordinator. Thanks guys for coming along.
He seemed convinced we weren't abominable hoons, and wants to put out a feel good media release about us working with council and environmental advisers.
Seems like a good idea to counter all the negative stuff the birdies have thrown at us, but Dot has some doubts.
She thinks there's a chance media exposure may bring more poo down on us, from concerned individuals Joanne hasn't reached.
But I have a feeling Joanne's facebook efforts have reached the big majority of local bird enthusiasts.
Brett's going to run the release by us for approval before it's published.
So any opinions, should we go ahead with this????
Select to expand quotedecrepit said..
Rod, windxtasy, Fin Fangy, Dot and myself attended the council meeting with the Brett, the environmental coordinator. Thanks guys for coming along.
He seemed convinced we weren't abominable hoons, and wants to put out a feel good media release about us working with council and environmental advisers.
Seems like a good idea to counter all the negative stuff the birdies have thrown at us, but Dot has some doubts.
She thinks there's a chance media exposure may bring more poo down on us, from concerned individuals Joanne hasn't reached.
But I have a feeling Joanne's facebook efforts have reached the big majority of local bird enthusiasts.
Brett's going to run the release by us for approval before it's published.
So any opinions, should we go ahead with this????
Let's see what they come up with.
It is tempting to leave this alone as for most the incident is lost and forgotten, and we don't want to bring it to public attention again, however it is likely some of us will want to sail Creery lagoon again, and it would be helpful if some of those watching are aware that we are not inconsiderate hoons, but that we have consulted with bird enthusiasts and the council and are trying to enjoy the location while keeping our environmental impact to a minimum.
Think I am with Dot on this.. No up side.
Unlikely to change view of Joanne and her friends or people who have yet to hear of the fuss but do think the same way. Any more media exposure will just bring more of them out of the woodwork. Some of whom may have a lot more influence...
Select to expand quoteWindxtasy said..
decrepit said..
Rod, windxtasy, Fin Fangy, Dot and myself attended the council meeting with the Brett, the environmental coordinator. Thanks guys for coming along.
He seemed convinced we weren't abominable hoons, and wants to put out a feel good media release about us working with council and environmental advisers.
Seems like a good idea to counter all the negative stuff the birdies have thrown at us, but Dot has some doubts.
She thinks there's a chance media exposure may bring more poo down on us, from concerned individuals Joanne hasn't reached.
But I have a feeling Joanne's facebook efforts have reached the big majority of local bird enthusiasts.
Brett's going to run the release by us for approval before it's published.
So any opinions, should we go ahead with this????
Let's see what they come up with.
+ 1 that, WindX.
Let's see as many cards as possible on the table.......then make a decision.
FWIW......
I think the "right and proper" thing for us to do is to publicise our concerns about the situation, to vocalise the fact that we have asked for, and received, permission from the relevant authorities at every turn, to show that we have not disregarded either wildlife or wetlands and to show that we are not abominations.
But I don't think anyone will be interested in our side of the story and more wetlanders may become involved.
I can't help thinking that the "sensible" thing to do might well be to keep shtum and to allow the fire to go out.
