Geographic Range
Our Regional Group of Birds Australia was formed in 2010 (from humble beginnings as Birds South East operating since September 2001). Membership consists of Birds Australia members in south-eastern South Australia and south-western Victoria. Close links on projects and activities are shared with Friends of Shorebirds SE for this same area.
Latest News
Bob Green, Conservation Officer: OBP’s were seen in all three official winter counts in SA during 2010 for the first time ever, with parrots being recorded in seven locations; Seaweed harvesting in the region has the potential for negative impacts on habitat for shorebird species and any proposals will be closely monitored.
Sue Black, Secretary: newsletter 55 went out in early December containing results of our 2010 Twitchathon and Bird Quiz which were well supported.
Bryan Haywood, Convenor/Sightings Coordinator: BASE is compiling observations into a MS Access database and we’ve reached a massive 5,700 sightings of common, rare and threatened species. Highlights in last 12 months have included seeing wetlands filling up for a second year in a row encouraging a pair of Brolgas and Australasian Bitterns to nest at Pick Swamp - re-established wetland area the group monitors monthly. A Powerful Owl was heard on several occasions in the Mt Burr Range pine forest and remnant scrub. This observation is on the most western limit of their range in Australia.
Our group will become more involved in IBAs in the future as we already undertake monitoring at a few sites and we’ve made contact with one private IBA manager to set up bush bird surveys in 2011.
The BASE spring campout for 2011 will be a joint event with Birds SA, held in October at Ngarkat Conservation Park, 30 km north-east of Keith. All welcome. For information email
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.
Special Birds of the Region
The diversity of habitat in this region, covering coastal and inland areas, is reflected in its birdlife. The endangered Orange-bellied Parrot and Red-tailed Black Cockatoo are two of our iconic species. Regionally Crested Bellbird, and Malleefowl are special mallee species in decline. Closer to the coast we find Olive Whistler, Beautiful Firetail, Southern Emu-wren, and Rufous Bristlebird in varying locations and numbers. Wetlands in the region are home to Brolga, Australian Painted Snipe and Magpie Goose and our forests and woodlands still have Powerful and Barking Owls but in short supply.
Projects in the Region
The Group is associated with the Pick Swamp Wetland restoration project and runs monthly counts in four habitats throughout the site. We assisted the SENRM Board produce fact sheets for a website called nrmFauna and more recently a pocket booklet on wetland birds. Members participate in the annual counts for Orange-bellied Parrot, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo and we provide observations to BA on other National projects (Australian Painted Snipe, Hooded Plover and Australasian Bittern). Previously we have organised a search for the regionally Endangered Powerful Owl, declining Black-chinned Honeyeater and Chestnut-rumped Heathwren with encouraging results.
Conservation Issues
We share concerns with conservationists all over Australia about over-development along the coast, and degradation of wetlands but feel in an already highly cleared part of Australia the degree of fragmentation creates the greatest threat. Another important issue is the safety of our beach nesting birds and the issues they face with off-road vehicles, dogs and recreational activities generally revolving around fishing at or near to known breeding locations for species including Little and Fairy Tern, Hooded Plover and Pied Oystercatcher.
Activities
BASE aims to hold monthly outings and seasonal campouts, alternating between coastal and inland sites in South Australia and Victoria. Since 2009 we’ve run a Twitchathon and Bird Quiz, and each year we hold an October Long Weekend Campout. In some years there is also an excursion to a site well outside our region.
What's On
For a list of events in south east South Australia and south west Victoria, please check out our calendar
Contacts
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, Convenor and Sightings Coordinator
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, Deputy Convenor and Conservation Officer
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, Secretary
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, Treasurer
Publications
We publish a regular newsletter, which appears 5-6 times per year and is distributed to our members and also to interested people outside of our area. Friends of Shorebirds SE also provide a regular update within the BASE newsletter.
Newsletter Sep 2010
Newsletter Dec 2010
Newsletter Apr 2011
Newsletter Jul 2011
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