January 12, 2020

Australia’s bushfire crisis – an update on our birds

Photo Banner: Laughing Kookaburra, Wallabi Point, NSW © Adam Stevenson

Dear Friend,

Our hearts reach out to everyone impacted by Australia’s ferocious and devastating bushfires. Some of the stories we’re hearing from BirdLife staff, volunteers and supporters are truly heartbreaking. And terrifying. We are thinking about you and your families.

I’d particularly like to thank all the volunteers who are at the frontline of this fire emergency; from firefighters working long hours in the hot ash and blood red skies, to people in the community who are stepping up to support each other. You are amazing.

Distressful events impact us physically, mentally and emotionally. If you or your loved ones have been affected by the bushfires, or you are feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to seek help, using services such as Lifeline on 13 11 14.

As well as the terrible loss of life and property, experts estimate more than 500 million animals have been killed so far, including threatened species close to our hearts, such as Regent Honeyeaters, Eastern Bristlebirds and Glossy Black Cockatoos. Many of the surviving birds have lost breeding and feeding habitat and now face starvation.

The scale of the wildlife emergency is unprecedented, which is why we are stepping up to do our bit for Australia’s birds. BirdLife is already planning and coordinating a disaster response; we need to understand the impact on threatened birds and work with our partners to put emergency plans in place for now and the longer-term.

As soon as it is safe to do so, our own monitoring activities across the fire affected areas will recommence. Staff will be going out to check on the Northern Eastern Bristlebird population, which had at least three key areas of habitat hit by fires in south-east Queensland and northern NSW late last year. We also know fires have been through parts of the Capertee Valley and other known Regent Honeyeater breeding sites but we won’t know how bad it is until we can get out there. And these are just two of hundreds of bird species from across the country that have been impacted by catastrophic fires.

You can help BirdLife Australia lead the disaster recovery effort for threatened birds by donating to our appeal. Your support will help give threatened native birds a more hopeful start to the new year. Thank you.

To the many people who have contacted us to ask what else they can do to help, you can always make sure that fresh water is available to birds over the summer months. Another option is to get involved with your local BirdLife branch or group.

I remain hopeful that, if we all listen to the science and pull together, we can help bushfire-ravaged communities and birds bounce back.

With best wishes,

Paul Sullivan, CEO