tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45022246355186721172024-02-20T16:34:59.598+11:00Paul's Birding BlogA collection of mostly birding-related experiences from around Australia and the world.Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-27737213033145600782009-08-02T23:10:00.008+10:002009-08-02T23:35:31.888+10:00A Mild Winter's Day at the WTP<div><div><div>Today we had an early start and visited the WTP – our first visit since the induction in May. Winter is usually quiet at “the farm” unless Orange-bellied Parrots (OBPs) have been sighted. There are few waders there at this time of year and the number of species seen in a visit is typically 20-30 less than would be seen in summer. Unfortunately no OBPs have been seen at the WTP this year (I did hear that a small group had been seen in late April, but there are no records of this sighting anywhere).<br /><br /><div><div><div>Just after leaving the freeway at Point Wilson road we saw three Blue-winged Parrots – a wonderful sighting – and with that I thought that today may be a good day’s birding! Further along the road we reached a particularly “tweety” patch - lots of birds calling. At this spot we heard a Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo calling – the first of the season for us. In the same spot was a small group, about two or three, Tree Sparrows – we’ve seen them on Point Wilson Road previously, but not for a long time.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXr_mfnH3EJhCLwfUBoJer4TrnB5eRPZTYYXmnmy8ufanI_mZCjHfFZT-vjHpgr6GZrqssSTGj8BimfP3Tbd2BDYox-pGjXBjw6ZZDdgFaDpiMgpyou44u2dj1_MwTsyKGuqYvoWxtuM/s1600-h/IMG_1567.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365354261510728194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXr_mfnH3EJhCLwfUBoJer4TrnB5eRPZTYYXmnmy8ufanI_mZCjHfFZT-vjHpgr6GZrqssSTGj8BimfP3Tbd2BDYox-pGjXBjw6ZZDdgFaDpiMgpyou44u2dj1_MwTsyKGuqYvoWxtuM/s320/IMG_1567.jpg" /></a>A little further along Point Wilson Road at the Paradise Road intersection we came across the new signage that Melbourne Water have put up for bird watchers. Gates are now clearly identified with bird signs and roads are named and signposted! I was pleased to see these improvements, but part of me was a little disappointed – perhaps it was the Melbourne birder snobbishness in me, but it has always been a source of pride that I knew the WTP so well that I never need a map or signs to find my way around. I should point out that this was after getting hopelessly lost on the first two visits!</div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdu3TSRUxSLtUPzZAiiv_K9vft4HO92rE-bLZAPtqN94fitUiB4QWRoE9ps9xp_da2n13g8S7G-r8orpEGvVfKaWPLrFadphdlNMj_LXpLXwKx6mDgr__dQmHkU9Ej4pxQ9uL9GEVEgY/s1600-h/IMG_2172.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365358540125203394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdu3TSRUxSLtUPzZAiiv_K9vft4HO92rE-bLZAPtqN94fitUiB4QWRoE9ps9xp_da2n13g8S7G-r8orpEGvVfKaWPLrFadphdlNMj_LXpLXwKx6mDgr__dQmHkU9Ej4pxQ9uL9GEVEgY/s320/IMG_2172.jpg" /></a>We decided to follow our usual route around the farm and headed along Point Wilson Road/Twenty-nine Mile Road to the gate in the restricted area to look for Brolgas and robins. Unfortunately no Brolgas! And also, slightly surprisingly, no robins – especially since they had been reported consistently this winter. However we got great views of a Rufous Songlark – our first for the farm (thanks to Ruth Woodrow for the photo). Morning tea – Paul-made cheese, corn and chilli muffins!</p><p><br />From there to the T-Section Lagoons where we caught up with both Yellow-billed and Royal Spoonbills, but little else of note. Next stop was The Spit – often a location for Orange-bellied Parrots – none of those, but we found a mixed-flock of Red-browed Finches and Goldfinches. There is water in the ponds just inside the gate – there wasn’t when we were last there in May. In these ponds were Red-necked Stint, two or three Double-banded Plovers and a couple of Red-capped Plovers.</p><div>We took a drive along the Kirk Point track – it is getting worse – I’m sure it won’t be too long before it is unpassable by two-wheel drive cars! Nothing much was seen there – however as we were leaving, an egret flew past and alighted on the shore. Yellow bill and black legs and feet – could it be an Intermediate? Certainly in flight its neck, whilst folded, didn’t seem long enough to be a Great. We tried to approach to get photos, but unfortunately it flew off before we could get close enough – damn!</div><br /><div>The ponds directly inside from the Beach Road gate were all very full – the ducks were happy, but there was far too much water for waders, which is a pity as these ponds have been home to some remarkable birds over the last year. The drive to the bird hide was relatively uneventful, as was the bird hide itself – the tide was in and there were no waders, but more surprisingly, no terns. The bird hide is often a good spot for Little and Fairy Terns, as well as the more usual Crested Terns. Outside the hide we heard a Little Grassbird calling, and with a bit of scanning with the binoculars I caught a quick glimpse. I’m not sure if they migrate during winter – I don’t think so, but they are rarely seen or heard during winter – it seems to me that the call of the Little Grassbird is one of the harbingers of spring in Melbourne.</div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDi9VB_6AtBSsl-AhiZZwN5ZdP7EJ-6X4-YYN1uAeROmh-eThAlE-0pgzkttG6mTbe543595g0UFyG7XZQhvb9VI667K3oFZIFJ7tXzHd0yG8ic2jARsqZJabLtGiW1Tduc6MBgAujkI/s1600-h/D2C_3009.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 313px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365355560211605522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDi9VB_6AtBSsl-AhiZZwN5ZdP7EJ-6X4-YYN1uAeROmh-eThAlE-0pgzkttG6mTbe543595g0UFyG7XZQhvb9VI667K3oFZIFJ7tXzHd0yG8ic2jARsqZJabLtGiW1Tduc6MBgAujkI/s320/D2C_3009.jpg" /></a>A drive along Paradise Road alongside the lagoon didn’t yield anything in particular – certainly no Zebra Finches, even though they’d been reported there yesterday. We had seen Zebs there on a couple of occasions before, but no joy today. Back along Paradise Road, over the ford, past Walshes’ Lagoon and we saw an unusual raptor. I was convinced that it was a Spotted Harrier – an unusual visitor to the farm. The body was brown, the underwing patterns were very Spotted Harrier, but I just wasn’t certain. Luckily we managed to get some photos and later on I could see that it was an immature Swamp Harrier. Oh well!</p></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRnrw1Lxu92VCpApTLwBYTNhho9HjnqHM1oCsroxufw7h-8u_Fu3dLRtRcMiWLi2tF9Y72gavFjOLrn6IKznG6uZJTNVcFeag9OxUUtlmRLUg2W7Hc91fMHxDCPaCMFfOTw6SgTHXjSw/s1600-h/Banded+Stilt.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365357149253148530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRnrw1Lxu92VCpApTLwBYTNhho9HjnqHM1oCsroxufw7h-8u_Fu3dLRtRcMiWLi2tF9Y72gavFjOLrn6IKznG6uZJTNVcFeag9OxUUtlmRLUg2W7Hc91fMHxDCPaCMFfOTw6SgTHXjSw/s320/Banded+Stilt.jpg" /></a>At the Borrow Pits we came across previously reported Banded Stilts in the company of Red-necked Avocets and Black-winged Stilts. The water was quite deep at this location compared to previous visits – certainly too deep for the usual Red-kneed Dotterels that are often seen there. Lunch of roast chicken sandwiches and ginger beer sitting inside the car was pleasant – especially as the wind had picked up and it was too cold and blustery outside! As we were eating lunch a Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo flew in to a nearby tree and called. Spring really has arrived!</div><div><div> </div><div>A pleasant day at the farm with a tally of 74 species. The full list can be seen at:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=44817">http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=44817</a><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-71801080028762655722009-05-24T15:03:00.006+10:002009-05-24T23:56:23.538+10:00Powerful Owl at Flagstaff Gardens<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN52GFRAVJVveliTLVN6Wv3NrJl9-bP3wxTtY062D_GLefHdgHVIo2MudUB4yVGNPUIYBvhItGnlxU-3p41NA3gApIJbpPWlKnXNKJ_xhKX6XVpS9396U1Ay-qGPlwCRdetHzgvhg9_Q/s1600-h/Powerful+Owl.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339252887053866530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN52GFRAVJVveliTLVN6Wv3NrJl9-bP3wxTtY062D_GLefHdgHVIo2MudUB4yVGNPUIYBvhItGnlxU-3p41NA3gApIJbpPWlKnXNKJ_xhKX6XVpS9396U1Ay-qGPlwCRdetHzgvhg9_Q/s320/Powerful+Owl.jpg" /></a> <div>We took a quick visit to Flagstaff Gardens in the city to take a look for the Powerful Owl reported by a number of people. The owl was precisely where it had been described - in an oak tree on the William St boundary of the gardens, almost directly opposite A'Beckett St. Powerful Owls are really amazing birds - often you see them with half a possum in their talons - not this time though. I wonder if this is the same bird as "Olivia" that we saw 18 months ago in the same gardens? Impossible to be really sure, I think.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_ary7cT-8yPccbDbUNz8VzNkAO3TzGt5kOJ-iP2aV6Do8Tz5LhSwxIL64f1ulc1YAncvJYzPTozmDFIAGJtsjwIASzfjpcU021pmy6Jiw8Q7ubxzAKy3u0FKu5V5zUDPErlRHaNkiEY/s1600-h/Bassian+Thrush.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339252892320207714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_ary7cT-8yPccbDbUNz8VzNkAO3TzGt5kOJ-iP2aV6Do8Tz5LhSwxIL64f1ulc1YAncvJYzPTozmDFIAGJtsjwIASzfjpcU021pmy6Jiw8Q7ubxzAKy3u0FKu5V5zUDPErlRHaNkiEY/s320/Bassian+Thrush.jpg" /></a>While we were there we thought we'd do a lap of the gardens to look for the Bassian Thrush reported by Sean Dooley the other day. We pretty much covered all the garden beds with no joy (all up this took less than 10 minutes because the gardens are quite small). On the way back to the car we thought we'd just check the first garden bed again (the one nearest the Powerful Owl's tree) - and sure enough, there was the Bassian Thrush - totally oblivious to us and the other passers-by!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Photos by Ruth Woodrow. </div><br /><div>Full list: <a href="http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=41963">http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=41963</a></div><br /><div></div>Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-87031009201280314982009-05-23T14:00:00.003+10:002009-05-24T12:35:05.753+10:00Westgate Park - In search of the Diamond DoveWe visited Westgate Park near Port Melbourne to look for the wayward Diamond Dove and Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters that had been reported there recently. Apparently three more Diamond Doves have been reported at Werribee Open Range Zoo recently, so that may indicate that the Westgate Park bird was not an escapee, but a genuine wild bird from northern Victoria.<br /><br />On arriving at the park, we noticed that the salt water pond was low - however we did see a pair of Black-fronted Dotterel working one of the mudflats. White-plumed Honeyeaters were plentiful, as were House Sparrows and Superb Fairy-wrens. A couple of Red Wattlebirds were present in the carpark (surprisingly we saw very few of these). Also near the carpark were a pair of Little Wattlebirds - normally seen at the back of the park.<br /><br />We took our normal route around the park - between the salt water pond and the fresh water pond, heading west. The fresh water pond was almost empty - to the point that some of the pools left were coloured bright pink from algal blooms. Very few waterbirds were seen - another pair of dotterel, a pair of Black Ducks, a few Chestnut Teal, Purple Swamphens and the like. At the windmill what stood out was the large number of Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters - a bird we normally see in ones or twos at the most. The Spinys were easily the second most common honeyeater after the White-plumed.<br /><br />We followed the path to the south of the windmall, heading under the bridge towards the river. The Diamond Dove had been seen in open spaces, so we reasoned that this path could be productive. Besides, Ruth wanted to see the pedestrian and bicycle punt that operates across the river. As we crossed under the bridge, we saw a male Collared Sparrowhawk flying to the north east - a first for this park for us. We saw several Spotted Doves and Crested Pigeons, but unfortunately no Diamond Dove. On heading back from the river, we saw a larger Sparrowhawk, presumably the female, flying off to the south.<br /><br />Back at the windmill, we had a good look for the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater but no luck. We found a pleasant spot with a bench that we sat at for about half an hour, watching the birds bathe in one of the pools. Plenty more White-plumed Honeyeaters, several European Goldfinch and just one Greenfinch.<br /><br />Full list: <a href="http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=41955">http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=41955</a>Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-21564077732589335122009-05-16T19:00:00.003+10:002009-05-24T12:35:27.237+10:00WTP Induction DayToday was the day that Melbourne Water conducted induction sessions for bird watchers to the Western Treatment Plant. Ruth and I were booked into the 11am session along with Peter Shute and Russell Woodford. Ruth and I arrived early and immediately bumped into Joy Tansey and friends - I thought that this day was likely to be a real who's who of Victorian birding! Sure enough, once inside we met Tom Fletcher and Gordon McCarthy. Looking around there were quite a few other well-known birders too.<br /><br />It was nice to finally meet Margaret from Melbourne Water - the lady I usually speak to when registering a visit to the WTP. We signed-in, handed over our old key and then moved into the auditorium for the induction. A straightforward affair with a bit of a preamble followed by a video and then a questionaire. Perhaps the most interesting part of the presentation was finding out why the roads and ponds were named. When the farm was originally laid out, with Boundary Road at the northern edge, all measurements were in the old English unit of chains. So 160 South Road is 160 chains south of Boundary Road! East and west numbering is from Farm Road - so 95E Conservation Ponds are 95 chains to the east of Farm Road (or the imaginary extension of Farm Road).<br /><br />Once the induction was complete we picked up our new passes, duly stamped with "Attended Induction" and our new key, and we were ready to go! Peter headed off to attend the BOCA beginners walk - he's leading the next one, so wanted to get as much experience in as possible. Russell had a couple of hours, so we thought we'd head into the plant with him for some birding. We'd also arranged to catch up with David Clark later, once he'd completed his induction session at 1pm.<br /><div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6SxjlqDhkY0mcAe-dGTXvAzGARc6voLm5pafNdbpU4wvFGBRklStVmlVlCvPVczgQW8IR-cnR5cqVfdKMX-SsOjeFGZNiDcGQudMsQiVFHRMf29ELwit5lexI-6oeUPW_xaqAWetEfc/s1600-h/Whistling+Kite.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339209837704998034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6SxjlqDhkY0mcAe-dGTXvAzGARc6voLm5pafNdbpU4wvFGBRklStVmlVlCvPVczgQW8IR-cnR5cqVfdKMX-SsOjeFGZNiDcGQudMsQiVFHRMf29ELwit5lexI-6oeUPW_xaqAWetEfc/s320/Whistling+Kite.jpg" /></a>First stop was about 1km down Farm Road where we saw a number of Whistling Kites soaring. We also saw many House Sparrows and other common birds. Ruth noticed a Tree Sparrow - our first for this part of the farm (we have seen them on Point Wilson Road, and also on the track from Beach Road to Kirk Point). With Russell we came in through a gate off 160 South Road (thinking it was Murtcaim Road), and found ourselves in an unfamilar part of the farm. Looking at the map now, it was presumably Walsh's Road. By the time we'd looked around this area we'd already reached eight raptor species and a collection of others including both Black-fronted and Red-kneed Dotterels and a single Common Greenshank. It was time to take Russell back to his car so after a quick stop at Walsh's lagoon where we saw a single Cape Barren Goose, we headed off past Paradise Road Lagoon (where we saw very little), then out of the farm along Murtcaim Road. We met David Clark there and arranged to meet him again at the Borrow Pits in half-an-hour or so.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYcH_q2J9Pmv-o_35Yc3cEMxsYPCENf8vY6qrcpN9Q-EwrxKvrl9FsokItZshJGrMD6b1PmLvmuDkHCAjdoZDrecUfor6XjLOJCiA6F4yLifM7NcLT-cAomYO4ncG7br9QZ03JCCn11I/s1600-h/WWBT.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339209841697635234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYcH_q2J9Pmv-o_35Yc3cEMxsYPCENf8vY6qrcpN9Q-EwrxKvrl9FsokItZshJGrMD6b1PmLvmuDkHCAjdoZDrecUfor6XjLOJCiA6F4yLifM7NcLT-cAomYO4ncG7br9QZ03JCCn11I/s320/WWBT.jpg" /></a>Once we'd dropped Russell off we headed back along Farm Road and almost immediately saw a Black Falcon! Then on 160 South Road we saw a lovely Wedge-tailed Eagle - raptor species count now 10 for the day! This time we reentered the farm through Murtcaim Road and headed along Paradise Road. This time when we stopped at the Paradise Road Lagoon we saw plenty of birds, including two Brolga at the Chirnside Road end. I notice on the official Melbourne Water map that Paradise Road Lagoon isn't mentioned or marked - I wonder why that is?</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UBWAr5CmCqNTpA36Q9u246acN_gAsNpyf4yytORtISnHHr7twmCpBN1S0WUacRUOjojznuQahHM5qqJa9IJ9HUqu-lJM14roFjzcuMXFk3cb7Jkw1wVDUdXUAICP2nX8wY87yU5qgs0/s1600-h/Brolga.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339209845993242290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UBWAr5CmCqNTpA36Q9u246acN_gAsNpyf4yytORtISnHHr7twmCpBN1S0WUacRUOjojznuQahHM5qqJa9IJ9HUqu-lJM14roFjzcuMXFk3cb7Jkw1wVDUdXUAICP2nX8wY87yU5qgs0/s320/Brolga.jpg" /></a>Anyway, we crossed the ford and headed along to the north of Walsh's lagoon, past the Conservation Ponds to the Borrow Pit, where we expected to meet David - but no, he wasn't there. After a few phone calls we managed to hook up with him and led him back to the Borrow Pits. There's plenty of water in the pond at the Borrow Pits now, and loads of Red-kneed Dotterels but nothing else of note - certainly no Orange-bellied Parrots! From there we led David back past the Conservation Ponds and Walsh's Lagoon where we saw a spectacular pair of juvenile Sea Eagles. As we drove a long we flushed them from one side of the road, and they kept on flying a hundred metres or so in front of us. As we approached them again, they flew up and another hundred metres in front - this happened several times - amazing! So our total was 11 raptor species for the day. Probably a record for us at the farm!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKzOuOYHHoTCcawaJNKnSjpQE78mqXGJ5ScftKVdHsyFnegdXVUggqQKPkho5af22zvgehzTEZoHmaDGZJ8YswjY6UjXqEONVTfGWiTof5i0yPVbdOmmkdk4na4nuBnLSBn4eurGk3ms/s1600-h/WBSE.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339209848481727666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKzOuOYHHoTCcawaJNKnSjpQE78mqXGJ5ScftKVdHsyFnegdXVUggqQKPkho5af22zvgehzTEZoHmaDGZJ8YswjY6UjXqEONVTfGWiTof5i0yPVbdOmmkdk4na4nuBnLSBn4eurGk3ms/s320/WBSE.jpg" /></a>We wound our way past Lake Borrie to the Beach Road gate, picking up all the ducks along the way except for Freckled (which we still haven't seen at the farm). From there a quick visit to the T-Section lagoons where we finally caught up with some spoonbills. All-in-all a good afternoon at the WTP!</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Thanks to Ruth Woodrow for allowing me to use her photos in my blog! </div><div><br /> </div><div>Full list: <a href="http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=41825">http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=41825</a></div><div></div></div></div>Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-16495554155640980552009-03-22T19:15:00.002+11:002009-03-22T20:51:40.339+11:00Duck Hunting Protest - Sale, VictoriaFor the first time Ruth and I found ourselves at a wetland at dawn yesterday, hoping we wouldn't see any birds. We had decided to participate in the Coalition Against Duck Shooting's protest against the Victorian Government's decision to allow a duck hunting season in 2009. I do not normally consider myself an activist, and nor do I particularly consider myself a "greenie" (whatever that means) - but as a lover of birds and wildlife, and someone that spends as much time as possible outdoors in our National Parks and reserves, I was so appalled by the government's decision that I decided that I needed to act.<br /><br />The story starts some years ago when Ruth and I first had contact with Laurie Levy, Director of the Coalition Against Duck Shooting, and the "face" of the anti-duck shooting campaign since about 1986. Ruth had to do an assignment for her university course, and chose to write about the Blue-billed Duck. In the course of doing her research she contacted Laurie to ask him about the impact of duck hunting on this particular species. A more passionate man would be hard to imagine! Laurie has worked tirelessly over the years to have duck hunting around Australia, and particularly in Victoria, banned - and is willing to talk to anyone and everyone on the subject, and does!<br /><br />More recently we met up with Laurie through our involvement with the Victoria branch of Birds Australia, and we have had many opportunities to talk with him about duck hunting. Up until 4 February this year, we all thought that there would be no duck hunting season this year. Unfortunately that was not to be the case - the government announced a "limited" duck hunting season of 49 days duration. As soon as we saw Laurie again after that, Ruth and I said that we would participate in the duck rescue effort and protest on the opening weekend.<br /><br />On Thursday last week, we attended our orientation meeting - where we were trained in what to do and how to behave at the protest. We were also told that this year we would be going to Sale - which has long been regarded as the heart of the duck hunting community. In the weeks leading up to the season, the Coalition Against Duck Hunting had surveyed the game reserves around the state and decided that the Gippsland wetlands were the only ones with enough water - as a result, that's where we we were going. The briefing covered how to behave towards the shooters, the police and wildlife officers, what to do with injured waterfowl, what to do with dead waterfowl and so on.<br /><br />At 4:45am on Saturday morning, in quite thick fog, we found ourselves at one of the campgrounds in Sale with a number of other protesters. We checked in to say that we had arrived, and were assigned our teams, but we had no idea at this stage of where we were going, or even how many people would be there. After the organisers had a brief, huddled conversation, the word spread, "It's Dowd's..." - meaning that we'd be heading for Dowd's Morass, about 12km from Sale. In the next half hour, we had a cup of coffee, prepared ourselves in whatever ways were necessary and got ready to leave. It is interesting to note that at least one newspaper photographer was also with us, documenting the preparations.<br /><br />By 5:15am, we were in a queue of cars and other vehicles and slowly heading out of the campground. We first headed towards the town, and as we were heading in that direction a long queue of vehicles were heading in the opposite - direction. It took me a moment or two to realise, that we were being passed by the head of our own queue, as we were heading to a roundabout to turn around - it was considered safer to do this than have a hundred or so vehicles turning right from the campground. As we rounded the roundabout, I could see other vehicles joining us - protesters that had stayed in motels or other accommodation rather than the campground. We passed the police station and saw that all the officers were standing out the front looking at the convoy in a rather bemused manner.<br /><br />During the drive to Dowd's Morass there were fog-free areas and we got to see an impressive sight - a queue of vehicles kilometres long, all with one thought in mind - to protest against, and hopefully to stop duck hunting. Ultimately we turned into a dirt road and headed along that for a while before being directed to an area on the side of the road to park. Directly in front of us, was a camp of some sort, with a number of 4WD vehicles, and tents. After a moment or two, it clicked - these were the hunters - the "enemy"! There were about eight vehicles, a number of tents and a larger, open tent set up as a cooking area. The hunter's camp was separated from the area where we parked by wire fence (although both areas were public land).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA3Buc6imkpzLIwXpCLj3fQU_k079Zp0pIe4VnO9dStk1S9ssCi_8d-MhV9k-IDKIqSt_U0wZBHoOS6OCaJE4H7Ym8MmpP9D84FW8ftZfkpQSjEIFueEdoAfUUDVcw9sR3FBtiyvilhU/s1600-h/IMG_3419.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315935875116802754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA3Buc6imkpzLIwXpCLj3fQU_k079Zp0pIe4VnO9dStk1S9ssCi_8d-MhV9k-IDKIqSt_U0wZBHoOS6OCaJE4H7Ym8MmpP9D84FW8ftZfkpQSjEIFueEdoAfUUDVcw9sR3FBtiyvilhU/s320/IMG_3419.jpg" border="0" /></a>Once we got out of the car, we prepared ourselves for entering the water. For Ruth and I that meant changing our shoes for wetsuit booties, rolling our trouser legs up and donning orange reflective vests. We walked up the track to where the main body of protesters were gathering - it seemed like we we walking for ages, but in actual fact it was only a hundred metres or so. Someone was yelling out, "Whistles! Come here if you need a whistle!" So we collected our whistles. Someone else was handing out pillowslips, so we collected a couple of those. Reality set in then - the pillow slips are for covering the wounded birds that we would find - covering them has a calming affect - however it is important to not get your pillowslip wet, because the bird may suffocate.<br /><br />Team leaders were calling out, "Team 3 here!", "Team 7 here!" and so on. Ruth and I had been assigned to Dave Evans - in Team 1. Dave is the coordinator - he is Laurie's eyes and ears on the ground, and decides which teams go where and what they should do. There were at least 12 teams with upto about 15 members in each team. Our team briefing was short - stay with your team leader and do what they say. Team leaders wear a patch front and back with the team number in BIG red digits. We'll be entering the water before first light (at 7:10am). The law says that the hunters are allowed to commence shooting at 7:10am, and the protestors are not allowed in the water until 10am. We will be ignoring that law - if we get caught, it is a $100 fine. If anyone isn't comfortable with breaking that law, they should leave the team now (no-one left). Remember to stay 10m from the hunters. Do not flush birds that are on the water. Do not flush birds from the reeds. If you see birds flying overhead, use your whistles to scare the birds AWAY from the guns - not TOWARDS.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBFdC7nH27J_hpYkgWDhNH17vFNtXKiZsGt5i6-wacK6yNu4baPTDzzx0ctZnzEcDrJLBKBCHLBuM7sTLQShzm22von8-fuYzx1JuuBykq5aNS4wCi-ZCuVY3FmGgoZecsNqL6qvKRK8/s1600-h/IMG_3414.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz4ZS0pxforsmWhvyHYbHDlx8OQsvPbinVlBMBdU1aiZBXuYguoAzRSQrw8CPF8pVfkGulEP-fQhvcxRF18_BNwIvDG-Bs8boWYXYvYlvNeiDtZGPcpRkdhtgwDazmeADRPGbUbxNMjM/s1600-h/IMG_3414.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315935874137068626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz4ZS0pxforsmWhvyHYbHDlx8OQsvPbinVlBMBdU1aiZBXuYguoAzRSQrw8CPF8pVfkGulEP-fQhvcxRF18_BNwIvDG-Bs8boWYXYvYlvNeiDtZGPcpRkdhtgwDazmeADRPGbUbxNMjM/s320/IMG_3414.jpg" border="0" /></a>Next was Laurie's briefing to the group. Thanking everyone for attending, reminding us of why we're here - to rescue wounded waterfowl and to prevent the hunters from actually killing and wounding the birds by scaring the birds, or by distracting the hunters. Please avoid any confrontations, abide by the 10m law. Laurie then introduced the representatives from Wildlife Victoria - they would be waiting on the shore to collect wounded birds - a mobile veterinary clinc would be established to treat any wounded birds brought in. Next the legal representative briefed us - please see him if there were any legal issues - overbearing police or wildlife officers, and so on - but above all, RESPECT the police. Finally a time-check - we'll be entering the water in about 25 minutes.<br /><br />Next the police and wildlife officers met with Laurie and the legal representative. The police representative, a sergeant, reminded Laurie of the law - to which Laurie said that we would be entering the water before 10am. The police didn't seem too concerned by that, and expressed a desire for a confrontation-free day. The wildlife officers, on the other hand, seemed to take it as a personal attack that the protesters were there, and that we would dare interfere with their nicely run opening weekend. I was rather surprised by this - I genuinely thought that DSE officers would be anti-hunting and sympathetic to the protesters cause - but clearly not.<br />A quick word on the protesters. I wasn't sure what to expect - I imagined that the majority would be "greenies", "hippies", "tree-huggers" - the people you see chained to trees to stop logging. Sure, there were definitely people that fitted that mould. Plenty of beards and dreadlocks. But there were many others - I'm a business owner, there were clearly other people like me. There were shopkeepers, students, bird watchers, office workers, retired people, nature lovers - ordinary people. The one thing we had in common was a disgust that people would kill living creatures for sport. More than that, though, was that a 21st century government would actually ALLOW that behaviour.<br /><br />Around 6:30am the sky lightened somewhat and Dave yelled out, "To your teams". Everyone moved towards their team leaders and we headed to the water. Someone had placed carpet over the barbed wire fence (whilst the property was public, cattle are allowed to graze there), so we easily clambered over the fence and headed towards the water - about 170 people. As we stepped into the water, a wildlife officer screamed at us, "5m from the water! 5m from the water!" Dave yelled, "COME ON!" So with that, we broke the law and entered the water.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LWWihf46bf86HDuzS-dWg2RmkP2OBx-ZKOcYYoPRUImIWwPE2D1DlXF9ikeWLEi3kXdS5GkBm847-5wBK8HPujeT9gxh9pFdjptSUixzb2EB517lHHQo0HBWdR_U6BL1xBPExu5Nyzs/s1600-h/IMG_3423.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315935881067223650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LWWihf46bf86HDuzS-dWg2RmkP2OBx-ZKOcYYoPRUImIWwPE2D1DlXF9ikeWLEi3kXdS5GkBm847-5wBK8HPujeT9gxh9pFdjptSUixzb2EB517lHHQo0HBWdR_U6BL1xBPExu5Nyzs/s320/IMG_3423.jpg" border="0" /></a>The water wasn't cold, but the mud was deep, thick and incredibly sticky. Within 10m or so from shore, we were knee-deep in water and mud. Every so often, though, we would take a step and sink to thigh-depth. Walking was incredibly hard-going. Even though the sky was lightening, the fog was still thick - adding an eerie, atmospheric mood to the morning. We walked out parallel to an old fence in the water. As we walked out I could see ducks in the water - Dave saw that I had noticed and said, "They're decoys." As we approached a large island in the middle of the morass, I could just make out a figure on the shore in the gloom - a hunter (or "shooter" to use the protester's terminology). I pointed the shooter out to the others. Once again, reality bit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSisuef_GN1z7vu7RhXdokLTwrhEsHNU7eA0_CAMmnLsK-9RilPFlgtClCsQM8zH-_v9BIhHa-J2HHw8-DGQZfEKb2FdbnP7OHtuHEbnm3BtdMywTfQB7PaZQfu_yRf1y2U3weeZLHU_M/s1600-h/IMG_3435.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315936621249730002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSisuef_GN1z7vu7RhXdokLTwrhEsHNU7eA0_CAMmnLsK-9RilPFlgtClCsQM8zH-_v9BIhHa-J2HHw8-DGQZfEKb2FdbnP7OHtuHEbnm3BtdMywTfQB7PaZQfu_yRf1y2U3weeZLHU_M/s320/IMG_3435.jpg" border="0" /></a>Once we came within 10m or so of the island, we decided to turn right. It was just about 7am and still very foggy. At that moment the guns started - at least 10 minutes before the official start of the season. What they were shooting at is anyone's guess, because we saw nothing. We followed the island around to the right and as we passed one shooter, a team member from another team was there tying the shooter into his nook with police tape and streamers! Apparently this shooter, Steve, was known to the protesters from previous years. He seemed to take it quite good naturedly! We kept moving, passing more decoys in the water and passing other shooters. Certainly none of the shooters we passed were shooting at anything, but all we could hear above our squelching was gunfire. After about 20 minutes, we were satisfied that all shooters were covered further around to the right, but more than that, there were simply no ducks to be seen!<br /><br /><br /><br />We turned around and started heading back the way we came. The morning was becoming lighter, although it was still foggy. We passed the streamer-bound shooter. He hadn't touched <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxODLmPuybI97P8j2ON8TAob6yud_GlKgluZyl-vDmx8lnky7zp2EuDhi_2r1nhsXE3g9uLCNqRROEhC8v_iisn4iIf4mU-dO-138IFNFYRduen8rw6ipUOtFblQprEH3uejgPoFNhQ4/s1600-h/IMG_3430.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315935877960000018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxODLmPuybI97P8j2ON8TAob6yud_GlKgluZyl-vDmx8lnky7zp2EuDhi_2r1nhsXE3g9uLCNqRROEhC8v_iisn4iIf4mU-dO-138IFNFYRduen8rw6ipUOtFblQprEH3uejgPoFNhQ4/s320/IMG_3430.jpg" border="0" /></a>the streamers or tape that were surrounding him. He gave us a wave as we passed by. We crossed the mostly submerged fence and started to head to the left hand side of the island. As we walked along we passed through a collection of decoys. "Oy! Get away from my decoys!", the hunter shouted. "I'm supposed to cooperate with you lot!" As we walked on, the hunter's wife (one of two female shooters we heard of on that day) yelled at us, "You guys are a joke! What the hell do you think you're doing here? Piss off, the lot of you!" This provoked one of the protesters in our team to start yelling insults back again. In the end, nothing worse happened - just a few insults traded. On the other side of the hunter's patch was a camoflaged boat, and the other hunters' son, who was also a hunter. Dave commented that this was one of the best set ups he had ever seen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklcBsb4Rj9r6cqF2FeDEcM5-ob8KP5OsrwNHu3p2d9mYZQ8UBW7Lq0hQJ29YTZGFlwCcA0iZkUtDZl1FpanY1RItfFDc_9AmVBZgu4x0me93ox6RwzmPWufZn50VuzDRagUy1DNCFU2Y/s1600-h/IMG_3439.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315936632368657218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklcBsb4Rj9r6cqF2FeDEcM5-ob8KP5OsrwNHu3p2d9mYZQ8UBW7Lq0hQJ29YTZGFlwCcA0iZkUtDZl1FpanY1RItfFDc_9AmVBZgu4x0me93ox6RwzmPWufZn50VuzDRagUy1DNCFU2Y/s320/IMG_3439.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ruth and I decided to stay and shadow these hunters while the rest of our team found a gap through the middle of the island to the other side (where we could continuously hear gunfire). We also thought that it was best if we stood guard over these hunters, since they had engaged in trading insults with our team - I was worried that if others stayed, the situation may escalate. Fortunately a photographer from The Age had arrived, and was busy taking photos - mostly of the hunters, but also of protesters in the background, with the hunters in the foreground. Ruth and I stood guard, in the area between the hunters and their decoys. On a couple of occasions, we saw Black Ducks flying overhead. Mostly they were too high - shotguns only have a range of 50-80m, but sometimes we saw the ducks heading in our direction at less than this height. We blew our whistles as loudly as we could, and amazingly they turned around and flew out of the range of the guns!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83QDGvCdmKekxB8IX4TMrcq8RLHHz8VGWMbXlnHM5xIiEd8ZkALTreb6zz99PCZKXlUoqJqG7M8VPzThE_YfdPlMiHA66hAk6DVMU0CcvepMYjtZnKDao_aSonB2BRIg6OTvv0NKftXA/s1600-h/IMG_3441.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315936631396170578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83QDGvCdmKekxB8IX4TMrcq8RLHHz8VGWMbXlnHM5xIiEd8ZkALTreb6zz99PCZKXlUoqJqG7M8VPzThE_YfdPlMiHA66hAk6DVMU0CcvepMYjtZnKDao_aSonB2BRIg6OTvv0NKftXA/s320/IMG_3441.jpg" border="0" /></a>Once the photographer left, on several occasions, the female hunter fired shot over our heads - not shooting at anything, just trying to intimidate us. To be honest, she was by far the most aggressive of all the hunters we encountered. Other hunters on the shore side of the morass also fired at us - generally they fired almost straight up so the shot would come raining down on us. As the shot comes down, it sounds like hail falling. It doesn't hurt, provided that you're not looking up. Every time the shot came raining down on us, the hunter and his wife would laugh. Every time ducks flew over, well out of range, we'd hear the gunfire from all around us. For some reason "our" hunters didn't fire at the ducks - I guess they realised that they were too far away. The female hunter yelled out to us a few times, "I hope you're enjoying ruining our day", "What is it like getting paid $100 to stand there?" I couldn't resist - I had to respond to that one... "I don't get paid, where did you hear that?" To which she replied, "We've been told that you lot get paid $100 each to protest." I laughed and told her that that was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qFHc9shxRNJka6x7_8Dz_Q1gxQStbMypiiUVwiXBkUQGbUBVoUz-uRF-r2M-Rv842X2_SSs-agxKag9voHIftxDKbGN7qzcq0pecCmEGZyAABV6w4B8akRtY2H1N2TRp8m6YIjYze9I/s1600-h/IMG_3437.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315936632253189506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qFHc9shxRNJka6x7_8Dz_Q1gxQStbMypiiUVwiXBkUQGbUBVoUz-uRF-r2M-Rv842X2_SSs-agxKag9voHIftxDKbGN7qzcq0pecCmEGZyAABV6w4B8akRtY2H1N2TRp8m6YIjYze9I/s320/IMG_3437.jpg" border="0" /></a>We noticed some police and wildlife officers had walked out and were talking to a nearby hunter. When they finished talking with that hunter, they started to head towards our hunters. We decided that the best course of action was to walk away - not because we were afraid to be fined, but rather, if we were fined we'd have to leave the wetland for the remainder of the day. As we were walking away, Dave and the rest of our team appeared and were heading towards us. As quickly as I could I moved up to him and told him the police and wildlife officers were there. Dave got on the radio and asked if anyone at base knew if the police were fining people, or kicking them off the water. So far no-one knew, which presumably meant that no-one had been kicked off, but we couldn't be certain. It was decided that the team, and a second team that joined up with ours, would keep moving ahead of the police, and two members of the other team would act as "sacrificial lambs", and walk towards them and then back to shore. The police paid no attention to the protesters, so we figured that we'd probably be safe. Nonetheless, we felt that the police and wildlife officers were keeping our hunters busy, and we could probably be better used elsewhere.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrllkCUARIun8eMZuIXG1UziSSFw-OM9B7iu3Jh9uRgK3CIgY-t0sFzAc3jnbcPdvAbM2iZAaCXFvIBQfzbEw7lQTeBsIisCfdSBjPxjyiDMyFlolnQVcK1PDEg7ZdMWz_kvNAwZX5a24/s1600-h/IMG_3432.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315935879126408690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrllkCUARIun8eMZuIXG1UziSSFw-OM9B7iu3Jh9uRgK3CIgY-t0sFzAc3jnbcPdvAbM2iZAaCXFvIBQfzbEw7lQTeBsIisCfdSBjPxjyiDMyFlolnQVcK1PDEg7ZdMWz_kvNAwZX5a24/s320/IMG_3432.jpg" border="0" /></a>We spent another hour walking to the left of the morass, passing flocks of "decoys". We encountered another team of protesters who told us that all the shooters on the left side of the morass had given up for the day. The season started at 7:10am and these hunters had given up before 9am. Quite a satisfying start, I thought.<br /><br />Rumours abounded that there were 100 vehicles on the other side of the morass (presumably hunters vehicles). We could still hear gunfire from the other side of the island, so there were definitely shooters still there. We discussed tactics for a minute or two - there were basically two options, head to shore (and risk getting booked by the police) or attempt to cross the island to the other side. We chose the shore approach because we thought that may be faster, despite the obvious risk that if two teams, amounting to about 30 protesters, were caught, we'd be out of action for the remainder of the day. As we walked towards the shore, we called in to base for transport, and a minivan miraculously appeared. Unfortunately, as we reached the edge of the water, we realised that the land was private property, so we couldn't cross it - so we decided on plan B.<br /><br />We started heading back across the water towards the island. A number of the protesters decided to go back to base to rest (we'd been wading through water and mud for about three hours). Once we reached the island, we waded through thick mud to the path through to the other side. The water reached thigh depth and more. One of the protesters, Sarah, who was the leader of the other team that joined us, was probably the best dressed protester of all! I think she would not have looked out of place in Chapel Street, with her long black hair, wearing fashionable jeans, and a long red woollen jacket.<br /><br />I was keeping up with Dave as we reached the path through the island. I could hear squelching behind me and had assumed that it was Ruth - but when I turned around, she wasn't there. I walked back through the channel and Sarah told me that Ruth was resting a bit further back. I came across her on the edge of the island, resting against a branch - she looked exhausted. I asked if she wanted to go back and she nodded, "Yes." It was now well past 10am so we were safe to exit the water.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcNp5pLCTOnAlRXPOb-iKKeKHQkpW5Fz-QsH_MCgTyMQ0RQ3o9c75e6MM_OSwqk1cMCHlY8EnNc5_if8rtMPLRyPl7p9rTf_q_9aSptivRU74msLTJ1QvpcdwNoDlubc7dAjaCb0RaKA/s1600-h/IMG_3444.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315938281151884178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcNp5pLCTOnAlRXPOb-iKKeKHQkpW5Fz-QsH_MCgTyMQ0RQ3o9c75e6MM_OSwqk1cMCHlY8EnNc5_if8rtMPLRyPl7p9rTf_q_9aSptivRU74msLTJ1QvpcdwNoDlubc7dAjaCb0RaKA/s320/IMG_3444.jpg" border="0" /></a>We walked back and came out of the water. Most other teams were already out. Back at base we saw Laurie being interviewed by a TV reporter. Only a couple of police officers were left and they were chatting with protesters over cups of coffee. We walked up to the veterinary tent - and found that they had had NO business at all that day. We walked over to the catering tent and had a couple of cups of soup, and a vegan sausage on bread - definitely a new experience for me! Laurie's interview finished up and he came to the catering tent. We asked him how the day had gone - he told us that it had been very quiet - almost no birds, and to that point no casualties at all. Apparently two hunters had been booked by the police, one for having no licence. Also two protesters were booked, both for violating the 10m rule. No one had been booked for entering the water before 10am. As we were talking to him, a team member came up to Laurie and gave him a dead duck in a pillow slip. The one and only casualty of the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjvybTtgctNL9RXYvOfIeNm-NSkasOKyCK85U4YiqFXk9368-q55npMeWaDRWYxXQqV-EyikBOI-RC02WBL_kbFxdhdy7xYRZyNj6R-iAxvB7T_LKdGyzkFqOHIwINA_vvv04L2Vj_mI/s1600-h/IMG_3445.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315938283240636994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjvybTtgctNL9RXYvOfIeNm-NSkasOKyCK85U4YiqFXk9368-q55npMeWaDRWYxXQqV-EyikBOI-RC02WBL_kbFxdhdy7xYRZyNj6R-iAxvB7T_LKdGyzkFqOHIwINA_vvv04L2Vj_mI/s320/IMG_3445.jpg" border="0" /></a>Back at the hunters camp, they had come in from the water. They were sitting around their camp fire drinking beer. The day was over for them. It was 11am.<br /><br />I am only left with one question. Why, John Brumby, why do we need this ridiculous "sport"?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/protesters-gun-for-wild-west-shooters-as-duck-season-opens-20090321-951p.html">http://www.theage.com.au/national/protesters-gun-for-wild-west-shooters-as-duck-season-opens-20090321-951p.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/duck-shooters-clash-with-activists-20090321-94x1.html">http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/duck-shooters-clash-with-activists-20090321-94x1.html</a>Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-6616203659629784732009-02-17T23:40:00.001+11:002009-03-22T21:53:16.988+11:00Victorian Bushfires Update 5<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-md1T-Ee_FHbBVWUQO94C80gb0bMTRdIHr0YNclYvnaIYSHITVbQkJbSe2sRV3npYK9NHqX0rSodxZigUquXa3LSuH78kf3CTBL5HbpRKF7_ThJwaTP50YCJL8sYDZtnkY7JevUab00/s1600-h/IMG_0946.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315960706852690562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-md1T-Ee_FHbBVWUQO94C80gb0bMTRdIHr0YNclYvnaIYSHITVbQkJbSe2sRV3npYK9NHqX0rSodxZigUquXa3LSuH78kf3CTBL5HbpRKF7_ThJwaTP50YCJL8sYDZtnkY7JevUab00/s320/IMG_0946.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of the photos that Ruth took at my sister’s place on Saturday is going to be on the front page of The Age tomorrow, along with part of my sister’s story. We took many photos (and I will get around to posting them on Flickr before long), but one in particular is excellent – Ruth took a photo of the kangaroo standing in the ashes at my sister’s place in front of the concrete water tank. We sent the photo and a brief synopsis of the story to The Age yesterday, and they contacted Ruth this morning and said they wanted to interview my sister. The journalist and a photographer went out to my sister’s place today and interviewed her and took loads photos of the site. Coincidentally, my parents were visiting my sister today too. I suspect that it was good that there was a bit of excitement when my mum was there, because it didn’t really allow her much time to get upset.<br /><br />Last Sunday a number of my sister’s friends conducted a “working-bee” at their place in Hurstbridge. They created a huge vegetable patch in the previously overgrown garden, they converted part of the garage into a new art studio for my sister. They spent the entire day fixing and building. My sister was incredibly touched. My niece returned to school today, and all her school friends turned up with new articles of clothing for her!<br /><br />The kangaroo has made an appearance at my sister’s place every day since we saw it on Saturday. He seems to look forward to them turning up with the hay. I have let her know that roo pellets would be better (thanks Storm) and she said that she’ll pick some of those up as soon as she can. Hopefully the picture and story will be on the front page (always subject to breaking news overnight). My sister’s name is Michele. <div><br /><div>For those that are interested, the article about the kangaroo and my sister has appeared in the online version of The Age.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/old-man-miracle-provides-link-with-how-things-were-20090217-8aau.html">http://www.theage.com.au/national/old-man-miracle-provides-link-with-how-things-were-20090217-8aau.html</a></div><div> </div><div>Thanks to Ruth Woodrow for allowing me to use her photo in my blog!</div></div>Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-44971997103653139382009-02-16T00:09:00.000+11:002009-03-22T21:38:56.000+11:00Victorian Bushfires Update 4<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpW79eFMRXH2Gytdwv0NO7sC-EXfkFgeo9IDtH68iakIY9YaSLOKC1Hld8Tp2LzT5LG510ZKwYKEuqMTQyH-k8m8ntsZ86_xZXOb20Oxs9b5HG_afK37qvNHI06i3DViK4zlQFRBJ5EM/s1600-h/D2C_1823.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315956812403647970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpW79eFMRXH2Gytdwv0NO7sC-EXfkFgeo9IDtH68iakIY9YaSLOKC1Hld8Tp2LzT5LG510ZKwYKEuqMTQyH-k8m8ntsZ86_xZXOb20Oxs9b5HG_afK37qvNHI06i3DViK4zlQFRBJ5EM/s320/D2C_1823.JPG" border="0" /></a>On Saturday Ruth and I got out to the site of my sister's house in St Andrews. Getting out to the area is still tightly restricted. Residents of the area have all been issued with coloured bracelets (the sort they use in hospitals) - with different colours representing different areas. You also need to show a licence or other evidence of an address in the area. Since the Kinglake fire area is no longer a crime scene, the restrictions are mostly in place to prevent looting, but also to prevent the queue of "bushfire sightseers" trying to get into the area. There are stories of reporters from various publications (including well-respected ones) offering $500 per coloured bracelet. One person I spoke to said that he came across some people without bracelets, one of whom was taking photos and the other was making notes in a notepad. He asked if they were friends or relatives of the property owners and they replied, "No, we're with the Sydney Morning Herald"...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6tq51r12k4xP3IlpqDiVk7HK8lKju2AB_B90ArVB-P3Zm4OwG6Bfvh00iQUZM2o_6_qmfRTsm3khHilqOd4UDwbEoa9LKOQkwIJJ9VOo9CHjbjQ46ujgD-QeVXuds8thp-x8aQSpfTc/s1600-h/D2C_1844.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315956841136262258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6tq51r12k4xP3IlpqDiVk7HK8lKju2AB_B90ArVB-P3Zm4OwG6Bfvh00iQUZM2o_6_qmfRTsm3khHilqOd4UDwbEoa9LKOQkwIJJ9VOo9CHjbjQ46ujgD-QeVXuds8thp-x8aQSpfTc/s320/D2C_1844.JPG" border="0" /></a>A quick word on sightseers. I have worried about whether we are simply bushfire sightseers too - it is the last thing that I would want to do or be. I feel that whilst we didn't live in the area, my sister certainly did and we have spent much time at their house, in the township of St Andrews and also in the greater Kinglake area. We have many wonderful memories of our times there, and for our ability to support my sister and family, we consider it important to be able to see first-hand what they have been through and what they have to deal with. In all of this we have made sure that we never get in the way of emergency and essential services personnel or their activites and that we treat the entire scene with the greatest respect, after all so many people have died there. We did not encounter any people that were simply trying to get into the area to have a look, although there are many reports out Whittlesea that these people are there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJyHlAW_sQCpoocHtqChFMS_Zt7osw-LLwGEqUynmh2VZgyreaFaLnRg_VSzO3sSGaGDDGurAQpGOdHzDwXeephyphenhyphenoBs9RiKBXU69CgIayPEgT2LcZ5je6FItYUf_-YCxF7N3Dk3dEAWw/s1600-h/D2C_1935.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315959180133148562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJyHlAW_sQCpoocHtqChFMS_Zt7osw-LLwGEqUynmh2VZgyreaFaLnRg_VSzO3sSGaGDDGurAQpGOdHzDwXeephyphenhyphenoBs9RiKBXU69CgIayPEgT2LcZ5je6FItYUf_-YCxF7N3Dk3dEAWw/s320/D2C_1935.JPG" border="0" /></a>Once we got through the two checkpoints, the extent of the devastation started to become apparent. All the hills and paddocks are charred. All along the Hurstbridge-Kinglake Road, trees have come down, or been chopped down and blackened logs are piled on the side of the road. Street signs are blackened and unreadable - although a crew has apparently been through and replaced some of the more critical ones. Every so often is a patch of unburned area - not large, just a few tens of square metres. Along the road every house on the left (west) side of the road was burnt out, except one - a brick house. The ground right up to the house is blackened, but the house itself had steel shutters - apparently those shutters saved the house. On the right hand (eastern) side of the road more houses survived - maybe every second house is gone. We saw along Mad Dog Creek Road a way, but could see no evidence of standing buildings, although people told us that further along the road many houses survived.<br /><br />At one point a few hundred metres to the east of Mullers Road the Hurstbridge-Kinglake Road turns sharply through 90 degrees, over a small gully. Police tape is up between some trees there - a body had been found there. Apparently a local that rode out on their motorcycle and for some reason had dismounted and was taking photos of the fire (according to witnesses). Unfortunately he perished. Further along the road is the intersection with Olives Lane. This was the closest that my sister got to St Andrews before being forced to turn back because of fire across the road. It was quite sobering to see this point - all I could think of was how close my sister and her daughter came to dying on that road on Saturday. Only a degree of luck and the fact that she refused to give up allowed them to survive.<br /><br />We saw police on the side roads riding trail bikes. Apparently the only way through on some of these roads at the moment. At various points along Hurstbridge-Kinglake road crews were working - generally collecting the cut-down trees and branches and feeding them into industrial-strength mulching machines. At many locations on the side of the road were trees still smoking. Fortunately even if they did flare up again, there is simply nothing left to burn. There is one paddock about 100m from the road that is unburned in the centre - this unburned area is full of mini-horses. Apparently they lived a few kilometres from there and miraculously survived. The person that owns this paddock has made what little is left available for these horses. Back in the township of St Andrews is a stock feed supplier - out the front are piles and piles of lucerne hay bales. One of the government agencies (I can't remember which one) has paid a whole host of these feed suppliers to make their stock available to anyone in the fire-affected area free of charge. If you have stock of your own, or other people's stock, or stock that has just roamed onto your land, you can just go and collect bales of hay to feed them.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwWiY1tMybsYaJ5JuT6I8aOhuL9_2kzUpY9Kj78Kdr4baqh7hGg4gMIHX5-3rwvr4Rn24HK4bVcEvdtyPWbuZFTF_irZA4YDoQOXvUM5f3_wXMliN_RlDKTwkk0wnomNGOUREvBTRZ8c/s1600-h/D2C_1840.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315956833987187570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwWiY1tMybsYaJ5JuT6I8aOhuL9_2kzUpY9Kj78Kdr4baqh7hGg4gMIHX5-3rwvr4Rn24HK4bVcEvdtyPWbuZFTF_irZA4YDoQOXvUM5f3_wXMliN_RlDKTwkk0wnomNGOUREvBTRZ8c/s320/D2C_1840.JPG" border="0" /></a>Getting closer to my sister's place we passed the ruins of one of the neighbour's houses where my sister's partner made the occupants leave their burning house and travel with him into St Andrews, after the fire front had passed. Apparently they were so shocked they didn't know what to do and were just staying in the house as it burned down around them. A little further and the house with the wildlife shelter - completely destroyed - 800 sick and injured animals died there. Finally we turned the corner and saw my sister's place. Had I not been following another vehicle, I would have missed it - all the familiar landmarks are gone. The 19th century church that they had trucked from northern Victoria that my sister used as her art studio was gone. The house was gone - except the chimney which was still standing. The sign that used to read "Kinglake National Park" - my previous mental prompt that this was their driveway - was blackened and twisted and unreadable.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzBEzfgdtSwPWAb7_AUHT0lvbxAR55OEMb_oQJbws2zXLatj16SsBlA_JUfrZXay6Fb48_c4cA99wukkhIu5JclvDn_k6tW3WkmvKLr2hFaR2D4p9UBSVoxvSnJ8j3es0TbHYN-mZ6L8/s1600-h/D2C_1834.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315956820307723762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzBEzfgdtSwPWAb7_AUHT0lvbxAR55OEMb_oQJbws2zXLatj16SsBlA_JUfrZXay6Fb48_c4cA99wukkhIu5JclvDn_k6tW3WkmvKLr2hFaR2D4p9UBSVoxvSnJ8j3es0TbHYN-mZ6L8/s320/D2C_1834.JPG" border="0" /></a>One of the first things I noticed as we turned into the driveway was how damaged and rutted the driveway itself was. I'm not sure that a non-4WD would have been able to travel along their driveway at the moment. I don't know what causes the rutting - I can only assume that the heat of the fire removes the moisture from the ground and turns parts of it into dust that just blow away. But I'm only guessing. As we drove down the drive we could see that all their sheds and outhouses were gone. Once we got to where the house used to stand, we saw their van that was parked out the front of the house - completely burned out. All the gear from their St Andrews market stand (they had the sausage stand at the market) was in that van and was now gone. Something that you don't really think of is that so many people that live out in this area are self-employed and not only are their homes gone, but their livelihood is gone too. In my sister's case, she has lost her studio and all art materials, but they're replaceable. They've lost all the gear for their market stand, but alread friends have lent them enough to start again. Fortunately for them though, my sister's partner still has a job that he can go to, so they still have income.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp44oqjVqi4pwW3LQTDKYVefsNj5VB-itRFPe9R0S1N-VnthiTM7eCKWGzxFecxC57WyU0EvOasI7ghoo9Fj6Nn3Q4XNcpjAz0T5aqa6VMmRsh3ldhbLAlL4__TAI2vtq2j6xHCBht-Q/s1600-h/D2C_1897.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315958292757819314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp44oqjVqi4pwW3LQTDKYVefsNj5VB-itRFPe9R0S1N-VnthiTM7eCKWGzxFecxC57WyU0EvOasI7ghoo9Fj6Nn3Q4XNcpjAz0T5aqa6VMmRsh3ldhbLAlL4__TAI2vtq2j6xHCBht-Q/s320/D2C_1897.JPG" border="0" /></a>We parked in the cleared area on their driveway where their son had had the foresight to move their car to when the fire came. As a result, the car survived with scorch marks and a few melted bits. Once out of the car one of the first things we noticed was that their glasshouse was still standing! Apparently protected by the concrete watertank that they had on the side of their house. The glass that faced the fire front was broken, apparently shattered by debris thrown up by the incredible winds, but the rest of the glass was intact. It was obvious that it had become very hot in the glasshouse though, as most plants were dry and shrivelled. Tomatoes had cooked on the vine. Their son collected pitcher plants and other carnivorous plants (as some teenage boys do!) They were also dried out and dead, unfortunately.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvwurqLZzOnU-oZCu73wm3mgdMyNUvjHwfnWtFRYdjVbXGYc_uAkJid6Umu2MnsBRleYU7-7nLemdqksIz6UW-XQJ7RtKWZs1SipPnGh9boWrPU9FKBpqQjvT612dKOFN09gEyodt0Tw/s1600-h/D2C_1896.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315958286619623842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvwurqLZzOnU-oZCu73wm3mgdMyNUvjHwfnWtFRYdjVbXGYc_uAkJid6Umu2MnsBRleYU7-7nLemdqksIz6UW-XQJ7RtKWZs1SipPnGh9boWrPU9FKBpqQjvT612dKOFN09gEyodt0Tw/s320/D2C_1896.JPG" border="0" /></a>Then we saw something incredible. In the shade cast by their concrete watertank was a big old-man Eastern Grey Kangaroo! This kangaroo has been living on or near their property for more than a decade, and somehow it had survived. It's fur looked black, but I suspect from travelling through burned out paddocks rather than from direct exposure to the fire. Their fishpond had survived and the goldfish in the pond survived - once again, I can only assume it was protected by the concrete water tank. At least the kangaroo would have water to drink (plus their dam was also intact, so there was water there too). All paddocks and grassland were burned though, so there was no food for the kangaroo. My sister's partner drove back to the feed supplier in St Andrews and collected a bale of lucerne. Once he had returned, we broke off a "biscuit" from that bale and tossed it to the 'roo. Amazingly it got up and sauntered towards the hay and started to eat! They'll go out to the property every day or so and make sure it has some food.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjyp4Vzo7VChcV0vT2Py_bdGu7hhWGSZY4_LLpUwDjEKcKCsIv-loFwgdW3oufTPEtQbMyyPuMsDzRfun0_JlnJvwNblLT2WxpJ9fpoovVqabeMlqw9pgvQcpL9uljJJqAp4Xty89llE/s1600-h/D2C_1916.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315958294117544402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjyp4Vzo7VChcV0vT2Py_bdGu7hhWGSZY4_LLpUwDjEKcKCsIv-loFwgdW3oufTPEtQbMyyPuMsDzRfun0_JlnJvwNblLT2WxpJ9fpoovVqabeMlqw9pgvQcpL9uljJJqAp4Xty89llE/s320/D2C_1916.JPG" border="0" /></a>Looking through the ashes of the house, you can see where the various rooms were. The fridge is obviously where the kitchen was, and is buckled and blank. There are springs in the ashes where the sofa and the beds were. The metal storage cabinet where my sister stored her finished artworks is still there, but all the drawers contain is charred paper, instead of the final art. The house has collapsed around the ride-on lawnmower, which was stored underneath. The lawnmower is recognisable, except that the engine has gone - it was aluminium and is now a river of since-resolidified molten metal. The chimney still stands, and in the fireplace is the wood-burning stove that used to head the place. On a shelf above that, but currently well out of reach, are three ornaments - in exactly the location that they were originally placed. The corrugated iron roof is now twisted amongst the other unidentifiable metal items.</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJHoV7O4vUUzRXByyB42q5GdN5_STwbSmBbmd8ePeEtAvFNHESjKotJ6GzXTujmq3_3V_2q77hs0jgu56yChgemBPpgIwY9zowII8nFoi75qTIQ1CzGYOyfVo2KTuAMkctHn6kzG3oPI/s1600-h/D2C_1836.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315956824895052114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJHoV7O4vUUzRXByyB42q5GdN5_STwbSmBbmd8ePeEtAvFNHESjKotJ6GzXTujmq3_3V_2q77hs0jgu56yChgemBPpgIwY9zowII8nFoi75qTIQ1CzGYOyfVo2KTuAMkctHn6kzG3oPI/s320/D2C_1836.JPG" border="0" /></a>This wasn't the first time my sister and her partner had returned to the site. They has been allowed back two days previously. At that time they salvaged the Victorian-era cast-iron bathtubs and toilet cistern from the ashes. However, they noticed something at that time - they weren't the first people on the site. There were footprints in the ash, and items had been removed from the rubble - some items had been lined up on the bluestone wall they had. Also, my nephew has an old car that he used to drive around their back paddock. Surprisingly the car survived the fire, with scorch-marks only. However, someone had been there before, because they had smashed the windscreen and also the front passenger window. The windscreen appeared to be an act of vandalism only, but the passenger window was smashed so the car could be opened. My sister is going to bring out a sign that reads, "We have already lost almost everything, please don't loot what little we have left." Almost everyone has a story of looting in the area. No one has any idea whether it is kids getting in, or people seriously looking through the rubble for valuables.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8HxGdpVm4_UEstivTZeHzO4FHXRlfJymALjpYDKyJKLXxFZqOXmOXn7oG6xNmPXhJTrow7imxHGEym8Y3p_W3P84aYi5I94lp4NVXB_-d8wu_DZ_QadPTLYD-jAq8-bSAptgN_0qy1s/s1600-h/D2C_1872.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315958278017624594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8HxGdpVm4_UEstivTZeHzO4FHXRlfJymALjpYDKyJKLXxFZqOXmOXn7oG6xNmPXhJTrow7imxHGEym8Y3p_W3P84aYi5I94lp4NVXB_-d8wu_DZ_QadPTLYD-jAq8-bSAptgN_0qy1s/s320/D2C_1872.JPG" border="0" /></a>In the remains of the sheds was the remains of the motorcycle collection. A 1960s era BSA, and a number of Japanese bikes. Surprisingly the BSA "survived" - tyres were lost, but the steel frame and cast-iron engine block were intact. All the Japanese bikes, including my nephew's trail bike, were lost. The steel frames had warped, and the all aluminium engines had melted.<br /><br />From the house you can now see the Hurstbridge-Kinglake Road because all the foliage between the house and road has burned. A constant stream of vehicles - mostly work crews, were travelling along the road. Also from the house you can see a couple of kilometres of Ninks Road - I had no idea that it was so close, before this. Ninks Road is where 22 of 26 houses were lost. On the hills that you can now see clearly are the other roads I've mentioned previously. Places like Bald Spur Road where many people died. These roads are like scars across the black hills. The place is just barren.<br /><br />We walked the perimeter of the property. Most fences have gone - the fence posts burned, and the fencing wire on the ground. The powerlines to the property are down, although at least one of the wooden power poles is still standing. The sleepers around the garden and vegetable beds have burned, and all the plants are gone. Amazingly though, while we were there my sister pulled out several asparagus shoots that looked absolutely perfect! Walking around I noticed how incredibly dusty it was. In places the dust was inches thick on the ground. Presumably a combination of dust and ash. There seemed to be no moisture in the ground whatsoever. I dread to think what is going to happen when rain comes - the mud will be unbelievable, think.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6Aneu6zk9O0_NVOQim3G3C5ijtMaCkFcMhD7u1ZpcSv_6SOp7HAH5XUjB7zmcKdCSf5_ejAo5Zl4bMi3DrhcDJanZroBdxvR2x8vvrhG8yuxWWB3sx7pcUxsTSNws6PzIh1y4V9QjlM/s1600-h/D2C_1925.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315959176659550594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6Aneu6zk9O0_NVOQim3G3C5ijtMaCkFcMhD7u1ZpcSv_6SOp7HAH5XUjB7zmcKdCSf5_ejAo5Zl4bMi3DrhcDJanZroBdxvR2x8vvrhG8yuxWWB3sx7pcUxsTSNws6PzIh1y4V9QjlM/s320/D2C_1925.JPG" border="0" /></a>We walked down to the dam where my sister's partner and their son jumped in to escape the flames. The ash that had previously been on the surface of the water was gone and the water looked remarkably clear. On the first day they returned they found six large carp floating in the dam. They previously hadn't even know that they had carp in their dam! All the foliage around the dam is gone, it must have been so hot as the trees and bushes burned there - I can't imagine what it must have been like to be in the dam with towels over heads as the bushes and trees burned. Once again, I think they are incredibly lucky to have survived.</div><div></div><br /><div>One thing I hadn't expected was the smell. Not just the smell of smoke and the smell of burned wood, but the smell of rotting carcasses. On some properties that had stock that perished, large pits had been dug and the dead stock pushed in and then covered with lime. In paddocks on other properties dead stock remain in the open. Depending on which way the wind blows, the stench can be quite overpowering. Walking around we could see the remains of native animals that hadn't survived. Ruth found the body of a Tawny Frogmouth near the dam. My sister found a dead rosella (she didn't say if it was Eastern or Crimson). I found a dead Yellow-tufted Honeyeater on the driveway in front of the house (presumably not a Helmeted Honeyeater!)<br /><br />As we walked towards the dam, a family of Wood Ducks walked away from us. Amazing how soon these birds had returned. We heard a magpie calling in the distance. Overhead some Galahs were flying. We saw Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. On the Thursday, when they first came back to the site, my sister and her partner saw some Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. We saw a White-faced Heron flying across the paddocks and into the dam. Other birds seen in the burned area (but not on my sister's property) were Little Ravens and Yellow-rumped Thornbills. One thing that I noticed, and was certainly commented on by others, was the extraordinarily large number and variety of birds in Hurstbridge and other areas immediately outside the fire area. Presumably these are birds that escaped the bushfire and have taken up residence just outside the area. I looked but did not see any White-throated Needletails. I actually don't recall seeing any insects, let alone flying ones, that these birds could feed on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTI9AWsS5bixwiTILEdsaRY9WarGnBcOIWsoOqHwAi07NkvJIupio4Kx0w9qah_cs8oXUDLngoTEzvUjt9cBr7W1gIPf6IQaj-krCdaMdjvLx9A6DHD4hWApmhQtd9eeYc8g2lAFYzZBs/s1600-h/D2C_1851.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315958268277687730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTI9AWsS5bixwiTILEdsaRY9WarGnBcOIWsoOqHwAi07NkvJIupio4Kx0w9qah_cs8oXUDLngoTEzvUjt9cBr7W1gIPf6IQaj-krCdaMdjvLx9A6DHD4hWApmhQtd9eeYc8g2lAFYzZBs/s320/D2C_1851.JPG" border="0" /></a>Eventually my sister couldn't stay at the property any longer, so we left. Once we reached St Andrews, we called into the community centre that had been set up in the old school hall. This was quite amazing. As we walked in, there was a kitchen where food was prepared around the clock. A corridor was lined shelves containing food and groceries of all sorts - canned food, fresh vegetables, bread, milk and other necessities. As we walked in, one of the community workers said, "Just grab a bag and take whatever you need." It is amazing how the community comes together to support its own. There was another room at the hall with desks set up - CentreLink, a nurse, legal aid, Telstra, trauma counsellor and so forth. On the wall was a message board - people looking for people, people advising they're OK. Another list on the wall was from people offering goods or services. Another list was local accommodation - people offering everything from single rooms to entire houses for people displaced by the fires. Ruth and I spoke with one of the counsellors who offered us advice on supporting my sister and her family - she also asked how the kids were and gave us pamphlets on how to deal with people facing trauma. She also tried to make sure that Ruth and I were OK, because she said that it was likely that we'd feel some stress-related effects too. My sister and her partner collected new work boots, to replace the ones lost in the fire - all donated by Yakka. This room was full of donated clothes - all sorted, neatly folded and stacked.<br /><br />It will be interesting to see what happens in the fire area over the weeks and months to come. I expect that over the next few weeks the trees will lose their burnt leaves and the epicordal growth will start. I am not sure how long it will take for new grass to appear. Possibly once some rain has fallen. Nature will of course start to repair itself. I think the human tragedy will take much longer to repair.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-77539005656573810802009-02-10T23:45:00.001+11:002009-03-22T20:57:23.067+11:00Victorian Bushfires Update 3A different sort of report today.<br /><br />My sister lost everything including all the basics - crockery, cups, mugs, glasses, cutlery, pots and pans - everything. I decided that on the way to see them I would stop off and see if I could buy some bits and pieces. I stopped at Greensborough shopping centre and wandered around. Eventually I found a House store. They had everything I needed all on sale - for more than 50% off. I started saying to the sales assistant that I wanted two crockery sets, four different sets of glasses, a cutlery set and so forth - for my sister who had lost everything in the bushfires. At this the sales assistant and her manager both started to cry and said that they would give me a discount - they would give it all to me for nothing if they could, but they weren't allowed to. The sales assistant then asked if they needed a place to live - she lived by herself nearby and had plenty of space. I thanked her for her incredibly kind offer and told her that my sister actually had some accommodation, but if she wanted to help, the ABC was collecting offers of goods and services on their web site - <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/">www.abc.net.au</a> . I eventually walked out of that shop with a trolley full of goods at half the half-price amount!<br /><br />As I walked past the Vodafone shop, I remembered that my nephew, who had lost his phone in the fire, was with them. I asked what we should do and they said that it was easy, just come in and get a new blank SIM card which they will reprogram to the old number and buy a new phone. Anyway, later that day I came back with my nephew and went to the shop. They did the SIM reprogramming for nothing and sold me a new phone at cost price (once again they weren't allowed to go below that). They also said that if they could, they would have given us a phone for nothing too.<br /><br />I also returned to the office today. My colleagues and staff all expressed an interest in helping in some way. That's some way beyond donating money. The general feeling was one of powerlessness - they wanted to be physically doing something to assist - even if it was simply making lunches for survivors or firefighters. I'm trying to find out more about this, but the best advice I have been given is to register on the Volunteering Australia website - <a href="http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/">www.volunteeringaustralia.org</a>.<br /><br />I have never experienced such a high level of community spirit before. I remember this feeling immediately after the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983, but certainly not to this degree.<br /><br />Ruth is heading out to Woori Yallock tomorrow which is where some of the effort for the Healesville and Bunyip fires is being coordinated from. Hopefully I'll have some first-hand accounts of those fires then. There is not much point in me returning to the fire zone until I can get access – there is no indication of when that will be. The police did allow a small number of people into Kinglake today – but only from Whittlesea. No access has been permitted north of St Andrews yet.<br /><br />The Bunyip fire was threatening Gembrook earlier today, but is apparently not posing a threat to population centres at the moment. I also believe that Tonimbuk is no longer under threat. Unfortunately however a vast amount of Bunyip State Park has been destroyed. I have no concrete information on Buttongrass Track (the most reliable spot for Southern Emu-wren and Beautiful Firetail) - but given the area of destruction I am almost certain that it has been burned.<br /><br />I spoke to a friend today who lives at Crystal Creek, just south of Yackandandah and north-east of Beechworth. The fire has moved north wiping out the settlement of Stanley and was 12km south of Crystal Creek. The Myrtleford-Yackandandah Road had been cut. Alerts are still in effect for this area, but the fire is moving quite slowly. The thoughts are that this fire is behaving more like a "conventional" bushfire than the firestorm that hit Kinglake on the weekend.Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-25168153274985336032009-02-09T23:47:00.003+11:002009-03-22T20:49:47.083+11:00Victorian Bushfires Update 2<div>Today I visited more of the bushfire affected area. With my sister and her partner we tried to go back to the site of their burned-out house. We first drove to St Andrews and I can verify that the pub is still there. There is a police check-point on Main Road, St Andrews - at the site of the market. Only locals are permitted past the checkpoint - the police require a drivers licence with a valid address in St Andrews before allowing people past. There is a second checkpoint at the Mittons Bridge road - no one is permitted beyond that except for emergency services vehicles. Unfortunately my sister's house is several kilometres to the north of that intersection, so we could not get in any further. There are several reasons for the roadblock - firstly because the police have declared the ENTIRE fire-affected area to be a crime zone (more on this later); secondly, the roads have not been adequately cleared; thirdly, the fires are actually still going (more on this later too).<br /><br />The first thing that is noticeable on approaching the Mittons Bridge roadblock is that this is the closest point that the fire came to St Andrews - about 1.5km from the pub. The hills and paddocks beyond Mittons Bridge Road are completely blackened. Since we couldn't get through the roadblock we drove along Mittons Bridge Road - which ultimately winds its way back to Hurstbridge. From Mittons Bridge Road, you get a good view of the land to the north of St Andrews - which is the fire-affected area. A quick look shows the path of the fire - it clearly followed the ridge line which extends from Kilmore and Heathcote north west of here, all the way to Yarra Glen south east of this location. Directly in the path of the fire were the townships of Kinglake West, Pheasant Creek, Kinglake Central, Kinglake, Strathewen and St Andrews. From Mittons Bridge Road, looking north it is possible to see the power-line easement, and you can also see Bald Spur Road, Jackson Road, School Ridge Road, Bowden Spur Road, Eagles Nest Road and the hamlet of Strathewen - all of which will long be remembered in this area as sites of complete (and I mean 100%) destruction.<br /><br />The hills are blackened - and I now understand what people mean by "matchsticks". At this distance, the trees look like little matchsticks stuck into the ground. There is no foliage or green left at all. The area reeks of smoke. At various spots along the way we stopped and spoke with residents. Immediately to the north of Mittons Bridge Road every second house is still standing (as this was the southern extent of the fire). The houses that burned look like they have simply melted. Grass in the paddocks is burned, but you can clearly see where the wind changed and the fire reversed on itself. There is still stock in the paddocks, grazing on the small remnant patches of unburned grass. There is also dead stock in the burned areas. Trees along the roadside are still smoking. All along the hills in the distance you can see smoke and what looks like the occasional flame - probably flare-up from smouldering trees. I guess no one is particularly worried about this because even if the tree burst into flames again, there is nothing left around to burn.<br /><br />Every person I spoke to said the same thing. They had absolutely no warning of impending disaster. The fire moved so quickly that they had no chance to save anything - it was pure luck that some houses survived and some burned (this on the southern extremity of the fire). People that had escaped from Strathewen said that NOTHING was left. I notice that this has been picked up on by the online news today - The Age (<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/">http://www.theage.com.au/</a>) has an article on this hamlet - showing nothing left. From Mittons Bridge Road, it is not possible to see detail, but the location of that hamlet is right in the middle of the blackened area. The description of the fire that almost everyone used was "firestorm". People (including my sister's partner) described huge fireballs preceding the fire front. They also described the white-hot sparks that resulted from these fireballs that flew hundreds of metres in front of the fire front igniting the ground. Everyone mentioned the incredible noise that accompanies the passing of the fire. People that had witnessed it also described the incredible heat from the fire front.<br /><br />I spoke to people that survived in Ninks Road. One couple in a house that survived described seeing their neighbour's house literally explode. They were sure their neighbours were dead. The house on the other side also burned to the ground. Once the fire had passed they came out to check the damage and to see what happened their neighbours. After seeing the ruins of their neighbour's house they burst into tears... But then something amazing happened. Two figures rose from the creek - covered in mud - it was their neighbours. But then another two figures rose from the creek a little further along - their neighbours from the other side, carrying their one-year-old child. Everyone has stories of the day the fires came.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehshhanfdF-6bCs-fNIvyqjUg_xXecqJodeYnY61L9idpjLYDFlAwtaAsp5EZkO6eN76DQY2f-aEPinMEU49iC8dUSxR8pNArdsicwoAsFJYxZOmwxBDZgRwXrOuLSHytl9cLj0hpGis/s1600-h/D2C_1729.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315946703624684402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehshhanfdF-6bCs-fNIvyqjUg_xXecqJodeYnY61L9idpjLYDFlAwtaAsp5EZkO6eN76DQY2f-aEPinMEU49iC8dUSxR8pNArdsicwoAsFJYxZOmwxBDZgRwXrOuLSHytl9cLj0hpGis/s320/D2C_1729.jpg" border="0" /></a>I also visited Whittlesea today (helping Ruth deliver a replacement 4WD to the Parks Victoria office). Whittlesea is the current control centre for these fires. It is quite amazing that normal life goes on all around - the freeway had peak hour traffic, people are going to work. It is only once you get to this location that you can see that all is not quite right. From Whittlesea you can see the smoke pouring from the hills. There are clearly hot-spots because the smoke is thicker. It is really important to note that the Kinglake fires are NOT extingushed yet - this is still very much an active bushfire. CFA crews were heading out to the fire front, police were blocking roads and controlling traffic, Parks Victoria staff were heading out to map the fire front. In the front yard of the head ranger's house is a Toyota Landcruiser that has been exposed to radiant heat - the rear bumper, tail lights, and all plastic has melted - the oven-baked paint has blistered - inside the vehicle everything is intact. The crew survived - but it goes to show how hot the fire must get for vehicles to spontaneously burst into flames.<br /><br />I was terribly saddened by the loss of Dr Richard Zann and his wife and daughter - whilst I didn't know him personally, I knew of his work and his incredibly valuable contribution to birds and bird conservation. He lived in Bald Spur Road which was one of the hardest hit areas in this region. Also killed in that road was the Australian actor Reg Evans (of Mad Max fame, amongst other appearances) and his partner. Reg was a well-known face at the St Andrews market, and was renowned for his passion for local theatre. Apparently Reg died trying to flee the fire. From what I understand so many people died in that road attempting to do the same.<br /><br />I believe that Yellingbo is undamaged. Apparently it is covered in ash, but otherwise unharmed. Tonimbuk (another location for the endangered Helmeted Honeyeater) is under threat however - the Bunyip bushfire, which is currently 25,000ha in size is burning 5km to the north, in basically inaccessible forest. Fortunately the threat is not considered great at the moment. Bunyip State Park is currently closed to the public.<br /><br />I mentioned earlier that the police have declared the entire fire-affected area to be a crime zone. Unfortunately this means that NO ONE is allowed into the area - and once someone has left, they cannot return (which is causing all sorts of problems, apparently). Practically what this means is that no wildlife carers can enter the area to look for injured wildlife. No vets can enter the area to destroy badly injured stock or wildlife. It is unclear when the area will be opened, but probably not for another day or two, which will mean that it is too late for much wildlife.<br /><br />Fires are currently threatening Yackandandah and Beechworth, but there is no immediate threat to the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park (and that park remains open). There is a fire burning at Wilsons Promontory 2km to the north of Sealers Cove. The Wilsons Promontory National Park is closed to the public. All other fire-affected National and State Parks are closed to the public.</div>Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-87485535750598243392009-02-08T21:46:00.000+11:002009-03-22T20:43:16.561+11:00Victorian Bushfires Update (Supplement)My sister said that the petrol station was OK when they first arrived at Kinglake yesterday evening, but was gone this morning.<br /><br />The fact that the pub at Kinglake is still standing was the subject of much talk at Hurstbridge today!<br /><br />I should have said something about the communications...<br /><br />Ruth and I have generally been able to call IN to mobile phones in the fire zone. It is almost impossible for people in the zone to call OUT though. I'm not a communications engineer, but I suspect that it has something to do with the fact that the close mobile towers are destroyed, and all communications are from more distant towers. Why this has this effect, I am unsure. All landlines into the fires zone are gone, so mobiles are the only method of communication. I have found that text messages IN or OUT of the zone are iffy too.<br /><br />I was asked about the situation in the settlement of Pheasant Creek, which is between Kinglake and Kinglake West. My sister evacuated Kinglake this afternoon and had to drive from Kinglake to Whittlesea through Pheasant Creek and Kinglake West. She said that amazingly Pheasant Creek was still standing - there's a well-known bakery on the main road that was untouched, and other structures appeared OK. She said all that remained of Kinglake West was "matchsticks" though.Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-59669713717973573442009-02-08T19:55:00.001+11:002009-03-22T21:03:27.967+11:00Victorian Bushfires Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcZqysVuanzop7EqO0m9yXWmetm2lmXZpn0XroClAIVrQm1W4_v9sI0qEzoRt_njgJ_e7bKPJ3geAC0hA9n6DOLxJo8ADK_DhuR_gQDQrD3cT9m1BbzK0ouF2sIlV0moBSNocgMjq_z8/s1600-h/IMG_1050.jpg"></a><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOoT9c_Rwdb3ARD-1rqeJBSJIF3Q-obhZTdxfkfWtKLS51FjTko8xHV_g-GY7l0755OEw1Af5MbK8vkU6488IVRSDddsYTx2517eGPjk_jUdWHiKE9TMupxBGQXs1i615tIJeunnx7Vg/s1600-h/IMG_1046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315950222194383762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOoT9c_Rwdb3ARD-1rqeJBSJIF3Q-obhZTdxfkfWtKLS51FjTko8xHV_g-GY7l0755OEw1Af5MbK8vkU6488IVRSDddsYTx2517eGPjk_jUdWHiKE9TMupxBGQXs1i615tIJeunnx7Vg/s320/IMG_1046.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>This afternoon I have been out as far as Hurstbridge mostly to check up on my sister and her family. On Saturday my sister and her family were preparing to go to a party at Eildon. Whilst getting ready, my sister heard a loud roaring noise and when they went outside they could see flames on the hilltop to the north east of their property. This was the first warning they had of impending danger – no mention of danger to St Andrews in the media or on the bushfire website. Quickly they decided that she and my niece would evacuate and her partner and my nephew would stay to defend the house. As it turns out neither situation was good. My sister was unable to get through to St Andrews (the nearest town), so doubled-back towards Kinglake. Ultimately she got through to a safe-house in Kinglake, but only after driving through an active fire front – breaking all the rules, but unless she had she would have died. Apparently the fire encircled the safe-house during the night, but because it was in an potato farm and the bush around the house was cleared, the fire fighters at the safe-house managed to save it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uxle55lE9J3_ikM7wlRLBYaXrWt8X2OdsR3lutDLAQBHAN2ON5jr5AL_JR5ctEGYLotmATgJVqCFxIoCZfNE0bK0p8amdRIm2_5FQ7pFpv4_R23YceK5LfeHYS-ov7nUVMNBraiWtYk/s1600-h/IMG_1048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315950223006568018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uxle55lE9J3_ikM7wlRLBYaXrWt8X2OdsR3lutDLAQBHAN2ON5jr5AL_JR5ctEGYLotmATgJVqCFxIoCZfNE0bK0p8amdRIm2_5FQ7pFpv4_R23YceK5LfeHYS-ov7nUVMNBraiWtYk/s320/IMG_1048.jpg" border="0" /></a>My sister’s partner and my nephew tried to save the house, but the pictures you’ve probably seen on the news about the speed at which the fire was moving ultimately beat them. He said that if they had another 20 men with fire-fighting gear they may have saved the property. The only way they survived was to by escaping to their dam and jumping in, covering their heads with wet towels. Once again another no-no, but they said that had they not done this they would certainly have perished.<br /><br />Ruth and I met with many people in Hurstbridge, each with their own story to tell. The overall feeling is one of incredible community spirit. I am sure that many tales of incredible heroism and incredible tragedy will emerge over the coming days and weeks. I know that my sister in her own way helped a number of people by forcing them to continue driving to safety. Her partner also, after leaving their property went from house to house making people leave and ensuring they got to St Andrews. He and my sister had no <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHHa3r712yrk321FXRWOfblJUbQ39gee7yMwd5ycFyBqNPU7bEJQfWdPVvDx71XLZfLK3mKkxJw9_HkhuPdTwC-tKLmow5qeenCrbzepz8xAXfxuH6CM23-BRFpmx-tzY33Uw8D8rMCs/s1600-h/IMG_1049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315950228119094882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHHa3r712yrk321FXRWOfblJUbQ39gee7yMwd5ycFyBqNPU7bEJQfWdPVvDx71XLZfLK3mKkxJw9_HkhuPdTwC-tKLmow5qeenCrbzepz8xAXfxuH6CM23-BRFpmx-tzY33Uw8D8rMCs/s320/IMG_1049.jpg" border="0" /></a>contact with each other for hours because the mobile phone system was out. I can’t imagine what that must have been like. My sister was also trapped in Kinglake overnight with active fires all around and all access roads cut. Once again, I can’t imagine what that must have been like.<br /><br />For those birders that have asked, I have news on one well-known birding family – Ken and Annie Rogers and their son Danny. The Rogers live at St Andrews in Ninks Road. Unfortunately Ninks Road was devastated – 22 of 26 houses were destroyed, including theirs. Danny emailed me today in response to an email I sent earlier. All his family have survived but they lost their house and all possessions. I have no further details of their story, but I know that he has spoken with some concerned birders today. At least one person died in Ninks Road (I suspect more will be found).<br /><br />I found out today that the township of St Andrews, including the famous pub have been spared. The fire came within metres of the town at around 6pm last night, but the cool change and accompanying wind direction change meant that the fire turned around. Kinglake West however has been razed, I believe that there are few if any structures remaining. Kinglake township has been burned to one side of the main road – including the petrol station, Italian restaurant and all houses on that side of town. Amazingly the other side of the main road and the town is untouched. Most of the deaths in the fires are in the Kinglake, Kinglake West and St Andrews area. Most of these are from people that were trapped in their cars, so I consider myself incredibly lucky that my sister is still alive.<br /><br />I have no further information on the transfer of endangered species from Healesville Sanctuary today, but all the information I have is that the road remained open through the day so the transport should have got through. I will call either the Sanctuary or the zoo tomorrow – I figured that they had more pressing things to do than to speak with me today.<br /><br />I also have no definite news on Yellingbo, but I believe that it has been spared. I will find out more information tomorrow, hopefully. Yellingbo would really have only been in danger had the Murrundindi fire complex joined with the Bunyip fire complex. Whilst this has not happened, the fires are still burning and are still threatening these areas.<br /><br />I also have no definitive information on the damage to Bunyip State Park. I suspect that we won’t know that for some days yet.<br /><br />I also am unsure of what actions are being undertaken for injured wildlife, including birds. To be honest it is too early to even consider this, unfortunately. The police and emergency services are not allowing people into the fire zone until they have cleared the roads and checked each and every burned-out house and burned-out car for casualties. I expect to be able to get out there tomorrow, and I will try to get in contact with wildlife carers then. Some bad news on this front – there was an injured wildlife shelter on a property between St Andrews and Kinglake. Unfortunately this property has been lost and all the wildlife that was being cared for perished.</div></div></div></div>Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4502224635518672117.post-78895707746833565472009-02-08T12:25:00.001+11:002009-03-22T20:37:12.139+11:00Victorian BushfiresAs you are doubtless aware, there have been incredibly ferocious bushfires in Victoria this weekend. Amongst other places, the townships of Marysville, Kinglake, Kinglake West and St Andrews have been wiped out. My sister lost her home an all possessions between St Andrews and Kinglake – and I know of others that have lost everything. There are also other people who live in the area that have not been able to be contacted. Marysville apparently has one building remaining. I’m unsure about the extent of damage to Kinglake and St Andrews, but after speaking to my sister who is still trapped in the township of Kinglake, they are “gone”.<br /><br />Vast areas of the Kinglake National Park and the Bunyip State Park have been devastated – presumably along with the wildlife, including birds, of those areas. I am currently unsure of the situation at Yellingbo (with its remaining population of wild Helmeted Honeyeaters) – let’s just hope that the Bunyip fire and the Kinglake fire don’t join up.<br /><br />Healesville Sanctuary is closed today, not surprisingly. Apparently, their collections of Orange-bellied Parrots, Helmeted Honeyeaters and endangered mammals have been loaded onto vans and trucks for transport to Melbourne Zoo today. The road from Melbourne to Healesville is still open, but beyond Healesville it is closed.<br /><br />Authorities are asking that people do not visit the fire-affected areas at this time and to keep off the roads to allow essential services access.Paul Doddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06524324215073686666noreply@blogger.com0