Southern NSW & ACT - Birds Australia

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Southern NSW & ACT

Geographic Range

BASNA covers the ACT and NSW south of a rough line from Port Macquarie on the east coast to Tamworth, down to Dubbo, through Nyngan, Cobar and Wilcannia before ending at Broken Hill on the western border. This large region contains diverse ecological habitats, from temperate rainforests on the east coast and Dividing Range, through drier eucalypt woodlands to the semi-arid rangelands in the west.

Latest News

Ian Hume, Chairman, reports: As activity at the new Birds Australia Discovery Centre at Sydney Olympic Park picks up it is worth noting that seven projects are now run from the Sydney Office of BA located next to the centre. These are: Birds in Backyards, a joint project with the Australian Museum; the Cowra Woodland Birds Program, now in its seventh year; the Regent Honeyeater Recovery Project; the North Head Bird Survey; Engaging Ethnic Communities in Urban Bird Conservation; the Port Botany Extension Project, will be used toward a PhD by the Project Officer, Hazel Watson; and Bird Surveys of the Botany Wetlands, funded by Sydney Water, will monitor the utilisation of the largest freshwater wetland in the Sydney basin by both resident and migratory water birds. These projects, and our expanding role in joint education programs with Sydney Olympic Park are helping to enhance BA’s visibility in Sydney, Australia’s largest population centre.

Special Birds of the Region

The Rock Warbler is NSW's only endemic bird and can be found in the BASNA area, where the Hawkesbury sandstone and adjacent limestone provide overhangs for it to hang its nest from. The Regent Honeyeater used to be widespread and common across eastern Australia, but habitat clearance has led to its decline and current endangered status. Capertee Valley, three hours west of Sydney, is one of its last breeding strongholds. Other spectacular species you will find in the region are Superb Fairy-wren, Barking and Powerful Owls, and Bush Stone-curlew.

Projects in the Region

We have several research and conservation projects operating, and we are very grateful to our many volunteers who make them possible.

The endangered Regent Honeyeater is the longest running project, and involves replanting in the Capertee Valley to assist this vulnerable species. After 16 years, the National Recovery Team is overseeing a statistical analysis of survey results to assess the effectiveness of the tree-planting efforts.

Cowra Woodland Birds, another long term project, is working in this region to aid avian species by replanting the local woodlands. Both of these also have regular surveys to establish the efficacy of the replantings, although the current drought has badly affected habitat and birds.

Birds in Backyards (BIBY) is a research and education program that focuses on birds that live in urban areas. A partnership between Birds Australia and the Australian Museum, it is another BASNA initiative. It has an internationally acclaimed website where you can 'find that bird' using an identification tool with over 360 species currently represented. The BIBY program is so successful it is being introduced to other regions across Australia. A development of this education theme is the establishment of the Birds Australia Discovery Centre at Sydney Olympic Park, which will be officially opened in May 2008 -- but we've already started the education programs that will be central to the Discovery Centre.

Engaging Ethnic Communities in Urban Bird Conservation, funded by the NSW Environmental Trust, this project is developing workshops for multilingual educators, with very positive reactions from several ethnic groups in Sydney.

North Head Bird Survey, data on bird species and numbers will assist the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust as it plans for vegetation rehabilitation on the former Artillery School site.

Conservation Issues

BASNA has an active conservation subcommittee which regularly provides advice and recommendations relating to bird conservation issues to government and non-government agencies. Some recent examples are reviewing environmental impact statements and environmental management plans, reviewing reports from other environmental groups, and investigating members' concerns on local bird conservation matters. BASNA has also instigated a number of projects aimed at bird conservation and knowledge.

Activities

We run a Twitchathon, a 24-hour race to see who can see the most species and who can raise the most money. All funds are used for conservation of birds and their habitats or education initiatives to raise awareness of these issues.

The Birds Australia Discover Centre at Sydney Olympic Park is holding an increasing number of short courses and activities. See our projects section for several opportunities to volunteer for bird conservation.

What's On

For a list of events in Southern NSW & ACT, please check out our calendar

Contacts

Peter Marsh, Chair
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Office Manager

Birds Australia Discovery Centre
Newington Armory
Building 133
1 Jamieson Street
Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
Tel +61 2 9647 1033
Fax +61 2 9647 2030
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Publications

BASNA produce a quarterly regional newsletter entitled Bird Notes.

Regional Website

basna.birdsaustralia.com.au