As part of Birds Australia's commitment to ornithological research and conservation, we manage the annual Stuart Leslie Bird Research Award. The Award was established in 1997 by Mr Stuart Leslie, AM, who was one of Birds Australia's long-time major donors and a keen bird watcher. Aware of the crucial importance of ongoing ornithological research and the financial challenges facing Australian students, Mr Leslie generously committed to giving $15,000 per year to support post-graduate field work and travel to scientific conferences. In late 2004, he was awarded a Fellowship of Birds Australia.

"Originally, I was going to give $15,000 to the Winston Churchill Trust," said Mr Leslie, "but that would have meant only one student receiving a $15,000 Fellowship. By setting up the Award and having it managed by Birds Australia, a larger number of students can be assisted. It's worked very well."

Since establishment, the Award has provided $240,000 and has assisted more than 100 projects, including studies on threatened species such as the Powerful Owl, Regent Honeyeater and Hooded Plover. Each year, the number of applications received by Birds Australia has increased steadily, evidence of the vital need for grant schemes such as the Award. Mr Leslie chose to fund bird research because they are good indicators of the overall health of the environment. He encouraged other individuals and corporations to consider donating to research organisations. "Wildlife research is vital to our future," said Mr Leslie. "Many species are declining and sometimes we don't know why. Many Australians are in the position, individually or through their position in business, to make a real difference to the future of our wildlife. It is a relatively easy and a very satisfying thing to do."

The award will continue into the future thanks to a generous bequest from Mr Leslie, who passed away in 2005, and the ongoing support from Mrs Leslie. Supporting students of ornithology and ecology is a high priority for Birds Australia, as they will make a major contribution to the future of Australia's native birds.

Have a look at this entertaining video of Anastasia Dalziell's work with Lyrebirds. Ana is a former recipient of the award many times over.

SLBRA 2010 Recipients

Supporting students of ornithology and ecology is a high priority for Birds Australia, because they will make a major contribution to the future of Australian birds. This year's crop of successful applicants were:

Research Awards
Gill Ainsworth, Charles Darwin University - Gathering quantitative data on public values and attitudes towards Australian native birds as well as their responses to conservation messages promoted through selected Birds Australia educational tools. Read more on this project

Julia Sommerfeld, University of Tasmania - Measuring the influences of environmental changes on foraging behaviour of the vulnerable Tasman Booby Sula dactylatra tasmani on Phillip Island (Norfolk Island).

Saul Cowen, Curtin University of Technology - Analysing population genetics and inbreeding effects in the Noisy Scrub-bird Atrichornis clamosus. The risks associated with low genetic diversity (low fitness, ability to adapt to and withstand stochastic events) can be evaluated and potentially mitigated by introducing new genetic stock to populations via further translocations.  

Tracy Moore, Murdoch University - Investigating the relationship between tree decline and foraging resources for birds. This research will generate more accurate predictions regarding the impacts of tree decline on birds in general, and more specifically, allow for more informed management decisions in relation to E. wandoo conservation and its birdlife.

Olivia Robinson, University of Queensland - Investigating the influence of landscape structure, land use intensity and woodland condition on woodland bird communities in a southern Queensland cotton growing area.

Rebecca Rose, Monash University - How Helmeted Honeyeaters react to predators by identifying key predators of this species and investigating this species’ warning systems and individual reactions to predation threats. It will also investigate whether captive-bred birds show diminished responses to predator threats by comparing their responses to wild-born individuals.

Conference Awards
Ana Dobson, Griffith University - Research on the genetic basis and inheritance of differing back-colour plumages in the Australian Magpie presented at “Evolution” Portland, Oregon, USA 25-29th June 2010.

Christa Beckmann, University of Sydney - Rresearch on the responses of wading birds to a novel food source- the invasive cane toad presented at the 13th International Behavioural Ecology Congress Perth WA, 26 Sept - 1 Oct 2010.

Dominique Potvin, University of Melbourne - Research on the urban effects on song and genetics in Silvereyes presented at the 13th International Behavioural Ecology Congress Perth WA, 26 Sept - 1 Oct 2010.
 
Madeleine Yewers, University of Melbourne - Research on the influence of personality on mating strategies in the Superb Fairy-wren presented at the 13th International Behavioural Ecology Congress Perth WA, 26 Sept - 1 Oct 2010.

Michelle Plant, University of Queensland - A talk titled “Health screening of free-ranging Psittacids at supplementary feeding sites in Australia — Implications for wild bird rehabilitation” presented at the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference South Australia 22-25 June 2010.

SLBRA 2009 Recipients

Supporting students of ornithology and ecology is a high priority for Birds Australia, because they will make a major contribution to the future of Australian birds. This year's crop of successful applicants were:

Research Awards
Christa Beckmann, University of Sydney - Do cane toads pose a threat to ground-nesting birds?

Victoria Bennett, Fenner School of Environment & Society - Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus) reintroductions into the eucalypt woodland aim to address biodiversity loss.

Alice Blackwood, University of New South Wales - Examining the effects of River-red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) decline on habitat quality for bushbirds in the Macquarie Marshes, NSW.

Kate Grarock, Australian National University - The Impact of the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) on native Australian Birds.

Mayumi Knight, University of Melbourne - Birds, bats, remnant forest and plantations: Biological responses to dynamic landscape mosaics within ‘The Green Triangle’.

Kathryn Lambert, University of New England - Comparing Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis) populations in natural and altered habitats.

Helene Lowry, Monash University - Comparison of several behavioural aspects of a successful native urban ‘adapter’, the Noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala) among urban and exurban populations.

Kimberley Maute, University of Wollongong - Conservation management of granivorous birds in tropical savannas.

Kathryn Napier, Murdoch University - Studying the behaviour and physiology of birds that consume mistletoe to determine how mistletoes are distributed and its contributions to biodiversity.

Karen Stagoll, Australian National University - Conservation planning and management of habitat for threatened woodland birds in urban and peri-urban landscapes.

Michael Todd, University of Tasmania - Investigating the ecology of the threatened Tasmanian Masked Owl and the potential disturbances posed by current forestry practices.

Conference Awards
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, Macquarie University - Separating the effects of fire regimes from climate change on avifauna in the southern hemisphere.

Karen Stagoll, Australian National University - Using a case study of bird-habitat relationships at Molonglo Valley, ACT to integrate conservation goals into planning and help mitigate ecological damage caused by urbanisation.

Michael Todd, University of Tasmania - Investigating the ecology of the threatened Tasmanian Masked Owl and the potential disturbances posed by current forestry practices.

Inka Veltheim, University of Ballarat - Identifying key habitats and movements of Victoria’s population of Brolga’s to assist in assessing the potential impacts of wind farm developments and other threats.

Download a full list of Stuart Leslie Bird Research Award Recipients 2000 - 2009.