September 30, 2011
Welcome to Birding NSW
OUR AIM is to bring together all those with an interest in native birds in Sydney, its surrounds and the state of New South Wales.
Formed in 1966, Birding NSW is a thriving club with a very active membership. The club publishes a bimonthly newsletter and holds monthly meetings in central Sydney. The meetings include a guest speaker, unusual sightings, outings program and conservation topics.
Our members are from all walks of life, backgrounds, age groups and levels of experience. Whether you are an experienced birder or an absolute beginner join us at our next meeting or outing. All are welcome!
Birding NSW News
April 26, 2012
NSW and ACT Twitchathon 2012 – Project Sponsorship
At the Bird Interest Group Network (BIGnet) meeting held in Cowra on 15th & 16th April 2012 the BIGnet members approved the proposal to sponsor the Cowra Woodlands Restoration projects for which Twitchathon Funds will be raised in 2012.
The Cowra Woodland Birds Program is a series of projects aimed at reversing the decline of woodland birds in the region. The projects are focused on scientific research and the management of birds in their woodland habitats. They involve the local landholders and managers, the Cowra Shire Council as well as local birdwatchers, members of BirdLife Southern NSW and other birding clubs.
This year’s twitchathon will be held on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October. For futher information go to BirdLife Southern NSW.
February 1, 2012
CENTENNIAL PARKLANDS SURVEY
On Saturday 4th January 2012, seventeen members met in Centennial Park and had an enjoyable day conducting surveys at various spots in the Park. The group also enjoyed some casual bird watching. The highlights included several Grey Butcherbirds, a Buff-banded Rail and a Nankeen Night-Heron.
Birding NSW has been conducting surveys of birds within Centennial Park since 2009. Gradually a lot of data is being gathered which will eventually show trends and assist with the management of the parklands.
If you would like to participate in Club organised surveys or carry out surveys in your own time with the guidance of the Club’s Activity Officer please write or email us.
Resident Tawny Frogmouths - Image by D Gonzalvez
January 2, 2012
NSW and ACT TWITCHATHON 2011
Menacing Monarchs of the Hunter Bird Observers Club - winners of the 2011 Twitchathon Main Race (R McDonald, Peter Struik, M Kearns)
The fundraising objective for this year’s NSW/ACT Twitchathon was ‘The Powerful Owl Monitoring Project in the Greater Sydney Region’. Once all monies have come in, it is expected $20,000 will have been raised for this project.
2011 was the biggest Twitch ever with 155 participants in 46 teams. The Twitch started at 4.00pm Saturday 29 October and ended at 4.00pm Sunday 30 October.
Birding NSW fielded three teams – two from the Central Coast: The Champion Choughs and Which Is It. The Champagne Shriketits rounding out the third. More…
November 24, 2011
2011 PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION WINNERS
Congratulations to the following winners of the photo competition held on Tuesday 1 November 2011:
GRAND PRIZE: Red-tailed Tropicbird by Alfred Schulte
Prize: A free trip of the winner’s choice donated by Outback Track Tours
EASTER PRIZE: Restless Flycatcher by Eric Yan
Prize: A free trip on the Outback Track Tours Easter Camping Trip
SINGLE BIRD: Brown Quail by Leigh Hall (Prize: $250)
IN FLIGHT: Welcome Swallow by Carol Abbott (Prize: $250)
GROUP OF BIRDS: Silvereyes by Helen Fallow (Prize: $250)
People’s Choice Award
Birding NSW is grateful for the generosity of the three judges, Adrian O’Neill, David Stowe and Charlie Andrews for agreeing to give of their time and expertise to judge the competition for the second year. We would also like to thank Mark and Sarah Wardrop of Outback Track Tours for again generously providing the Grand Prize and Easter Prize.
September 30, 2011
IBA Survey at Grenfell
Birding NSW conducted its first bird survey around Grenfell (five hours west of Sydney) over the weekend 24–25 September 2011.
Birding NSW has adopted this area as the Weddin Shire is within the South-West Slopes Important Bird Area (IBA) and retains much woodland habitat. A total of 14 sites were identified for surveying by club members. Several sites are on the Bird Trails of the Weddin Shire.
The South-west Slopes IBA, which stretches from Orange to Wagga Wagga was chosen because it regularly holds significant numbers of several globally threatened bird species including the Superb Parrot and the Swift Parrot.
Part of a global conservation initiative
Who said science wasn't fun?
BirdLife International has implemented the Important Bird Area program (IBA) worldwide. Currently over 170 countries participate in this program. The program aims to identify, monitor and protect a global network of IBAs for the conservation of the world’s birds and other biodiversity. Birds Australia (soon to become BirdLife Australia) is a partner of Birdlife International and has taken responsibility for the program Australia wide and regional birding groups carry out IBA surveys within Australia.
The survey was a huge success. We all managed to use our GPS’s and survey our given sites and in the evening we enjoyed a warm and friendly BBQ where we exchanged information on our sightings of the day.
The Birding NSW committee has decided that we will survey twice a year around Grenfell and our next survey will be timed to fit in with possible sightings of Swift Parrots.
