July 20, 2016
Grenfell IBA Bird Survey – get involved
South West Slopes Important Bird and Biodiversity Area
Eleventh bird survey weekend around Grenfell on September 23-25, 2016
Please join us for the next survey weekend. New surveyors are always welcome. In small groups, we survey on about 30 sites including many on private properties around Grenfell. The survey takes place on Saturday morning and the rest of the weekend is free for birding. We meet for dinner at the Railway Hotel in Grenfell on Friday evening and have a barbecue on a private property on Saturday evening. Grenfell is five hours’ drive west of Sydney. Accommodation is available in hotels, a motel and bed and breakfast places as well as in the caravan park.
If you would like to join us or would like more information, please contact Elisabeth Karplus on emhodson@exemail.com.au or Allan Richards on activities@birdingnsw.org.au
REGENT HONEYEATER SURVEY IN THE CAPERTEE VALLEY – get involved
Regent honeyeater survey and October long weekend campout in the Capertee valley, 30 September – 3 October 2016
Please join us for Birding NSW’s Regent Honeyeater Survey in the Capertee Valley during the October long weekend. There are 12 survey sites in the valley. We survey on Saturday and Sunday mornings and you can bird in the valley during the rest of the weekend. There are several places to stay in the Capertee Valley and there are motels in Kandos and Rylstone. Please note that Glen Davis hosts the “Back to Glen Davis” that weekend so the Glen Davis camp ground will be full. However you can camp in the Capertee Valley National Park (see below). If you are interested in taking part in the survey, please contact Elisabeth Karplus on emhodson@exemail.com.au or 0421 665 553 or Allan Richards on activities@birdingnsw.org.au
A club campout has been arranged to coincide with the survey. The campsite is in Capertee National Park and camping sites must be reserved in advance online on the NSW National Parks website (http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/Capertee-National-Park). Picnic tables, barbeque facilities and toilets are provided. Bring everything else that you need including water. There is limited/no mobile reception within the park. A code will be provided for the gate to enter the park. Leader: Allan Richards 0432 064 660.
July 20, 2016
Spring Bird Survey – Sydney Olympic Park – get involved
Spring bird surveys in Sydney Olympic Park
Spring bird surveys have been undertaken in Sydney Olympic Park for the last 12 years. Each year 50 sites within Sydney Olympic Park are surveyed weekly for eight weeks. The observations made on the surveys help to guide the management of Sydney Olympic Park. The 2016 survey will take place weekly on Tuesday mornings (6.30 am to about 9 am) for eight weeks from September 13 until November 1. There is an Information and Training meeting on Tuesday September 6 for new and returning surveyors. Surveyors cover three to four sites on each survey day. You don’t have to do every survey – even taking part in a couple of surveys will be helpful. If you would like more information or would like to take part in the weekly surveys, please contact Elisabeth Karplus on emhodson@exemail.com.au or 0421 665553.
July 20, 2016
Citizen Science – become involved
Subject: Citizen science study into bird feeding and watering in Australia
Dr Gráinne Cleary, is a research fellow working with Prof Don Driscoll and Dr Kelly Miller at Deakin University and Prof Darryl Jones at Griffith University, investigating the complex and controversial issue of bird feeding through the Australian Bird Feeding and Watering Study and writes:
We are recruiting for people to take part in this study which starts August 1st and would appreciate if you would circulate this email to people you feel would be interested in getting involved in the study.
Why is research into bird feeding needed?
We estimate that over 40% of Australian households provide food for birds with more providing water. However despite their good intentions of wanting to help native birds people end up attracting undesirable visitors, including introduced species and hyper aggressive birds such as Noisy Miners. Bird feeding is a major issue that we cannot ignore and the absence of any real evidence based research means we don’t know the affect bird feeding is having on the environment. Our study will help fill this information gap to inform principles around bird feeding.
How will we investigate bird feeding?
We are currently recruiting citizen scientists to participate in the study. We have developed a customised online web portal (www.feedingbirds.org.au) that allows participants to enter information about their bird feeding and watering activities. We will work closely with our participants to understand what people are feeding birds, how often and why specific food and/or water is provided. We will also examine the motivations behind these activities and what are felt to be the benefits to themselves and to the birds.
How to get involved in the study?
If you provide food or water for birds we would love you to get involved in the study by registering at www.feedingbirds.org.au The study starts Aug 1st and will run for four weeks and during this time we would like you to record what birds are visiting your bath or feeder for 20 minutes, once a day and 3 times a week. We know that you may not be able to commit to the full survey period so just do what you can as all the data helps!
If you have any questions about the study please feel free to contact me at g.cleary@deakin.edu.au
June 1, 2016
Photographic Competition 2016
Download the entry form and rules for the 2016 photographic competition here.
Please read the rules carefully as some have been revised here.