Local scientist causing a flap on ABC news
Posted on 25 July, 2016 by Connecting Country
In 2015, Newstead/Castlemaine-based ecologist Emmi Scherlies assisted Connecting Country with research into factors affecting success rates of different approaches to revegetation. Connecting Country really appreciated her support and insights, and we have maintained contact with her as she has continued her PhD studies at La Trobe University.
Twice this year already, the ABC news website has run stories about the findings of Emmi’s university studies.
This first one is about the prime focus of her PhD – the ecology and behaviour of the threatened Southern Bentwing Bat (CLICK HERE).
The second one describes her role in the finding of Australia’s oldest bird (CLICK HERE).
We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did. Well done Emmi! We look forward to reading or hearing about your next discovery.
A Southern Bentwing Bat. Photo by Rick Hammond, Zoos Victoria
What a terrific story and useful find. I have often wondered how long birds live and how we could possibly discover this scientifically, given the mobility birds. While the banding is not a sure scientific answer to the question of length of bird life, this instance shows an almost comparable human life-span for some egrets and also the patterns of living. 15 kilometres from the point of banding appears to indicate a thoroughly at home bird!
I wonder how many bands are found and not recorded due to lack of information on the part of finders.