Bird Conservation
February 1st, 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
September 30th, 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.
