Latest news from Birdlife Australia
Posted on 11 March, 2015 by Connecting Country
The Black-fronted Dotterel is a small wader that may be seen on ponds and dams in our region. Photo by JJ Harrison.
Birdlife Australia is the nation’s largest bird conservation organisation. They are an independent, not-for-profit, who’s aim is to create a bright future for Australia’s birds. There is considerable overlap between the aims and activities of Connecting Country within the Mount Alexander region and those of Birdlife Australia on a broader scale. Earlier this year, the two organisations signed an agreement document, with the result being that Connecting Country is now recognised as an Affiliated Organisation of Birdlife Australia. This means that we have made to commitment to provide support for each other, and to work together, where possible and useful.
Birdlife has already provided considerable advice and guidance with the development of Connecting Country’s Woodland Birds Action Plan and with the implementation of our ‘Habitat for Bush Birds’ program. In the coming weeks, the data that Connecting Country has collected over the 5 or so years of our bird monitoring program will be added to the Birdlife bird atlas program.
Birdlife Australia recently released their March 2015 edition of their Threatened Bird Network newsletter (click here). This gives an fascinating insight into the projects being undertaken to conserve native birds across the country, and also identifies ways in which you can get involved. Connecting Country’s Habitat for Bush Birds coordinator, Tanya Loos, also notes that there will be a range of new opportunities to get involved with bird identification, surveys and monitoring in the local area through Connecting Country over the coming weeks and months. Watch this space!
For the health fanatics out there, Birdlife are also about to launch their ‘Farewell Shorebirds” program – from 21 March to 19 April 2015. They are challenging people to run, walk, swim or cycle a fraction of the distance covered by the numerous migratory shorebirds about to leave Australia for the northern hemisphere. While the Mount Alexander region is not renowned for its migratory waders, regular readers of the Natural Newstead blog will know that there are local wetlands such as Cairn Curran that are used by a variety of sandpipers on occasions. Keep an eye on the Farewell Shorebirds website for further details (click here).
I’ll happy to participate in Beth’s idea – as long as I can do a brisk walk and not have to run!
Should we do a Farewell Shorebirds challenge as a team effort – 2 km each person and see how far we get? I’m up for it!