Newsletters and Bulletins
The newsletter is issued bimonthly. It’s available to current members online or by post.
The newsletter includes:
- President’s Report on current issues, events and concerns
- details of field outings, meetings and other activities
- upcoming presentations by guest speakers
- conservation issues
- field outing and trip reports
- unusual reports.
Visit our Newsletter list page here »
Birding Bulletins are issued approximately monthly.
Current Bulletin
BIRDING BULLETIN 119
JUNE 2017
WORKSHOP ON KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS (KBAs). ST GEORGES BASIN. AUGUST 5-6, 2017
This workshop, hosted by BirdLife Shoalhaven, will provide information on KBAs, bird surveys and Birdata and discuss how to involve other stakeholders and members of the public in KBAs. On the second day there will be practical demonstrations of survey techniques. While KBA “Guardians” have priority to attend the workshop, others interested in surveying in KBAs are welcome. Numbers are limited. There is no charge for the workshop. To see the programme and download the registration form, please go to http://www.birdingnsw.org.au/.
WORKSHOP ON USING BIRDATA (BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA ATLAS). EDUCATION CENTRE IN BICENTENNIAL PARK, SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK. AUGUST 26, 2017
This workshop, organised by BirdLife Southern NSW and led by Alan Stuart from Hunter Bird Observers Club, aims to teach you how to use the Birdata Portal and the smart phone app to help you record and submit bird surveys and to retrieve and analyse data. The cost is $15 per person. To see the programme and download the registration form, please go to http://www.birdingnsw.org.au/.
KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA BIRD SURVEYS AROUND GRENFELL, SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2017
Existing and new surveyors are encouraged to take part in the next bird survey around Grenfell. We will survey on 31 sites on roadsides, private properties and state forests. We meet at the Railway Hotel for dinner on Friday evening and have a barbecue on a private property on Saturday evening. If you would like to join the survey, please contact Elisabeth Karplus at emhodson@exemail.com.au.
‘ART FROM THE BIRDS – NESTS & BOWERS’. EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY FIONA LUMSDEN. THE BLUE MTS BOTANIC GARDEN – MT TOMAH. 10 JUNE – 23 JULY, 2017. 9.30-4.30 DAILY
Club member, Fiona Lumsden, will hold another exhibition of her bird paintings at Mt Tomah. Please visit this free exhibition if you are in the area. Fiona is also a teaching a ‘Nature Art Workshop’ – at The Garden, Mt Tomah on Sunday 16 July. The cost is $100. Bookings for the Workshop are essential at https://www.bluemountainsbotanicgarden.com.au/What-s-On or by phoning 4567 3019 or emailing kristen.wilder@rgbsyd.nsw.gov.au.
ANNUAL BIRDING NSW REGENT HONEYEATER SURVEY. CAPERTEE VALLEY. OCTOBER 6-8, 2017
Some accommodation is available at the Homestead in Capertee Valley National Park for surveyors. If you would like to take part in the survey and particularly if you would like to stay at the Homestead, please contact Elisabeth Karplus on emhodson@exemail.com.au.
RANKIN SPRINGS SURVEY FOR GLOSSY BLACK COCKATOOS. OCTOBER 6-8, 2017
Contact The Lachlan Fold Wildlife Action Group via http://murrumbidgeelandcare.asn.au/ for more information.
EXTENSION TO JERVIS BAY NATIONAL PARK
Following intensive lobbying by BirdLife Shoalhaven, the Office of Environment and Heritage has purchased an 11 hectare plot of land in Vincentia, which was recently advertised for development, This important Eastern Bristlebird habitat will incorporate this into Jervis Bay National Park. http://birdlife.org.au/media/bristlebirds-are-winners/
EXTENSIONS TO NARRABEEN LAGOON STATE PARK
A map of the extensions can be seen on the Friends of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment’s website at www.narrabeenlagoon.org.au . NEWS FROM THE BITTERN IN RICE PROJECTThe Australasian Bittern, MILo has flown from the rice fields of the Riverina to Coomonderry, the largest freshwater swamp on the New South Wales coast, providing evidence for the value of coastal wetlands outside of the rice season. http://www.bitternsinrice.com.au/milo-disperses-500-km-to-shoalhaven-heads/. The Australian Bittern, Arnold, named by Birding NSW, is also on the move with a short foray towards Victoria but he is now near Coleambally. http://www.bitternsinrice.com.au/arnolds-on-the-move/.
BIRD ARTWORK ON HOARDINGS IN CITY OF SYDNEY
The City of Sydney has chosen the Birds of Australia artwork by club members, Camila de Gregorio and Chris Macaluso, as one of 10 new works appearing on hoardings around the CBD. Their art work can be seen across from 321 Kent St, between Erskine and King St. To learn more about this programme go to http://goo.gl/8WF0eM.
KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS: NATURE’S HOTSPOTS
To learn more about BirdLife Australia’s campaign to raise awareness about Key Biodiversity Areas in Australia, please go to http://www.birdlife.org.au/campaigns/. In 2017, 19 KBAs have been declared as “in danger” of losing the environmental values that make them important. Each of these KBAs in Danger provides habitat for species that could soon become extinct should the current threats persist http://www.birdlife.org.au/campaigns/local-action-global-importance.
STUDY OF YELLOW-TAILED BLACK COCKATOOS BY UNSW CENTRE FOR ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE
You can help this study by providing sightings information. See http://www.ecosystem.unsw.edu.au/content/conservation-practice/threatened-species/foraging-and-habitat-ecology-of-the-yellow-tailed-black-cockatoo
BIRDS IN BACKYARD VIDEOS
For those who have not yet discovered this great selection of videos of birds, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/birdsinbackyards/videos.
CONSERVATION NEWS FROM BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA
- Hooded Plover breeding success has been seriously impacted since the Victorian Government allowed commercial racehorse trainers to gallop their horses along the beach of Belfast Coastal Reserve, near Port Fairy. http://birdlife.org.au/media/hold-your-horses/
- For an update on the Orange-bellied Parrots at Werribee, go to http://birdlife.org.au/media/encouraging-results-for-wintering-obps/
- The Walker Group is planning a large development at Toondah Harbour in Moreton Bay in Queensland. This development if allowed to proceed will destroy part of site protected for migratory shorebirds under the RAMSAR Convention. http://birdlife.org.au/media/new-toondah-plan-bad-news-for-birds/
For more stories go to http://birdlife.org.au/media/.
FREE GUIDED BIRD WALKS IN NEWINGTON ARMORY. 10 am last Sunday of each month
Bookings are not necessary, just meet at the Visitors Centre inside the gate to the Armory at 10am. If you would like more information, please call (02) 9647 1033 or email southernnsw@birdlife.org.au.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR THE BIRDLIFE DISCOVERY CENTRE
The Discovery Centre at Sydney Olympic Park is open from 10 am to 4 pm on weekends. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Debbie Harris on 4739 1839 or by email on daisyproctor@yahoo.co.uk
COWRA WOODLANDS BIRDS PROGRAM
Survey dates for 2017 will be 22/23 July, 14/15 October. If you would like to take part in the Cowra surveys, please contact Malcolm Fyfe on (02) 4471-8757 or malcolmfyfe33@gmail.com
The Birding Bulletin is produced by Elisabeth Karplus and sent to members by Keith Morris. If you have comments to make about the Bulletin or you would like an item to be included in the Bulletin, please contact Elisabeth on emhodson@exemail.com.au. Please note that items may have to be shortened for inclusion in the bulletin.