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. BASNA is also home to the Birds Australia Discovery Centre.

Latest News

PETER MARSH, Chair, BASNA, reports: A principal activity of BASNA over the past nine months has been the running of the Discovery Centre at the Newington Armory, Sydney Olympic Park, just west of the centre of Sydney. The Centre, staffed by BASNA volunteers, is open each weekend from 10 till 4. So far volunteers have contributed well over 500 hours and there have been an estimated 3000 visitors.
The Centre’s functions include: (1) a library: Members of Birds Australia and other recognised bird clubs can borrow from the extensive collection of bird books, and journal articles can be copied on the photocopier (subject to copyright constraints). Anyone interested can call Pixie at the BASNA office 02 9647 1033 and arrange access; (2) exhibition space: The current display focuses on migratory birds, in particular the remarkable story of the Bar-tailed Godwits’ non-stop flight from Alaska to New Zealand, with access to the online tracking of the 2008 migrating birds. There are also a number of stuffed specimens, bones and nests on show; and (3) an education centre to run hands-on birding courses for children and adults and provide a range of educational materials. BASNA's education committee has been very active in running courses; the next is ‘Discovering Seabirds’ by Lindsay Smith on 17 April. Our recently appointed Education Co-ordinator, Aimee Freimanis, is busy developing and introducing courses and materials at the Centre and it is hoped that these can eventually be rolled out throughout Australia.

Other BASNA activities include the bird survey of North Head, which has been completed and the final report is being vetted before submission. A year-long survey of birds in the Botany Wetlands has produced a significant bird list. Monitoring of the nearby Port Botany extension is underway, requiring observation of birds in Penhryn Estuary six days a week during construction. The long-standing Cowra Woodland and Regent Honeyeater Recovery Projects are continuing and their results have recently been analysed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Discovery 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.

Library

With reference books, serials, and some old and rare items, the BASNA library is a good resource for ornithologists in this region. Journals include Emu - Austral Ornithology and Auk, and full sets of Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife series on birds are included in the collection.

As with any library, reference material may not be borrowed but people may come and photocopy what they need - free to BA members and 20cents/page for non-members. BA Members and members of other Birding clubs may also borrow non-reference books.

The Library can be used by appointment Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Phone the BASNA office to make a booking. It is open on weekends 10am - 4pm.

What's On

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

Contacts

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Chair
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Office Manager
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Education Coordinator

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
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it