Woodland Bird Monitoring Workshop with Chris Tzaros – 9 Dec 2015
Posted on 18 November, 2015 by Tanya Loos
On the first Saturday of December, join a small group of bird observers for a morning with ecologist and photographer Chris Tzaros. Chris shall take us through the ins and outs of monitoring woodland birds – with a special focus on the collection of data for Connecting Country and BirdLife Australia.
We are currently looking for volunteers to carry out regular bird surveys on both private and public land across the Mount Alexander region. In particular we are searching for the feathered five: the Jacky Winter, Painted Button-quail, Hooded Robin, Brown Treecreeper and Diamond Firetail. Attending this workshop would be a great first step in getting involved.
The workshop will cover:
- A background to bird identification and bird fauna of the Mount Alexander region.
- Bird monitoring methods of the monitoring project (including a practical component).
- The role of community volunteers in ecological monitoring projects.
Some experience in bird watching is desired, however we are open to any enthusiastic attendees! Be quick though – we have just a few places left.
When: Saturday 5th December 2015 , 9am-12pm (followed by lunch until 1pm).
Where: Newstead Community Centre, Newstead.
RSVP: Essential! Contact Tanya Loos on 03 5472 1594 or by email tanya@connectingcountry.org.au. Please detail any dietary requirements.
A male Red-capped Robin, by Chris Tzaros
About Chris Tzaros: Chris is a wildlife ecologist and nature photographer for his company; Birds, Bush and Beyond. In 1997 he was awarded Young Australian of the Year in the Victorian environment category in recognition of his commitment to box-ironbark conservation and his dedicated work on threatened birds such as the Grey-Crowned Babbler and Swift Parrot. In 2005, Chris authored a comprehensive book on the Wildlife of Australia’s Box-Ironbark Country. Chris is also an accomplished bird photographer and has contributed many beautiful images to Connecting Country’s Woodland Birds Brochure.
I have grey crowned babblers and superb parrots on our farm and (I think) blue bonnets but I don’t know how to monitor them
Hi Tracey! Thanks for your comment – wow, you have some special birds on your property! Sounds like you are a bit far away from Castlemaine, our Grey-crowned babblers became extinct locally here about 15 years ago. Which is very sad! Monitoring is simply adding some extra info when you write down the birds you see. For example, you could count the birds you see on your property once a month, for twenty minutes, and then send the list with the date and your property address to BirdLife Australia. Monitoring done! I suggest you have a look at Connecting Country’s woodland bird page for some ideas http://connectingcountry.org.au/about/projects/securing-woodland-birds/, and also head to Birdlife Australia’s website http://www.birdlife.org.au/
I have never seen a Superb Parrot or a Blue Bonnet – I am jealous! Enjoy! : ) warm regards, Tanya
We would like to join as we are newish to Central Victoria and keen to know the local birds!
Surveys seem a practical thing at this time when even Willy Wagtails seem rare!
Please confirm our attendance, Tanya.
Thanks, Rosemary
Hi Rosemary. We’ve been overwhelmed by the interest in the workshop, and it is now fully booked. We have added your names to the waiting list, and we’ll let you know ASAP if any spots come up. We may also run the workshop again in 2016. (Tanya is away this week, and will no doubt contact you when she returns). Chris
Thanks for invite Tanya. I would love to come but have a committment in Melbourne on that Saturday for my masters project. A real disappointment that I am double booked..Hope it goes really well and I am happy to do some bird monitoring in the new year,
All the best, Nikki