The disappearance and downsizing of Australia’s backyard in major capital cities is placing increased pressure of Australia’s native birdlife.
Blue Wren
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Ann-Maree Colborne, CEO of Gould Group, Australia’s oldest environmental education organisation formed in 1909 with Prime Minister Alfred Deakin as its first president to protect native bird life said, the decade of drought has seen a major increase in birds migrating to the city in search of water and food.
“However, with the increase in higher density housing, smaller lots of land and larger homes the traditional Australian backyard is disappearing with fewer trees and shrubs being available for birds and other small animals.”
Gould is urging people to think of birds by making sure that they leave a bowl of water in the garden in a safe spot off the ground for birds to get a drink.
Ms Colborne said, with the lack of rainfall and excessive temperatures forecast to continue bird life in Australia will continue its migration to the city areas. |
“The appreciation of Australia’s bird life has never been more important as many of our birds are facing extinction and unfortunately in the past one hundred years we have already lost many species.
“Teaching children to appreciate bird life in their own gardens is part of developing a life long environmental skill and understanding that is vital given the impact of climate change on the next generation.
“Australia is home to between 600,000 and 700,000 species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. About 84% of plants, 83% of mammals, and 45% of birds are endemic - that is, they are only found in Australia.”
The Department of Environment and Water list twenty three birds as extinct, and another forty which are endangered.
Ms Colborne said that with climate change, tree clearing, the removal of habitat in the cities with denser development and the drought, birds and other unique Australian fauna are under increasing threat.
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Gould Group
Mobile: 0417 329 201
Gould’s Top Tips for Bird Watching
What scares birds?
Three things will frighten birds unnecessarily.
* Pointing with an outstretched arm will often frighten birds close-by.
* Sudden movement eg. a child swinging a bat, throwing a ball or play fighting will frighten birds because they see fast dangerous looking movement.
* Sudden loud sounds unsettle birds, but talking in an even pitched tone will cause little disturbance.
Locating birds:
To find birds, look for movement and locate where sound is coming from. The brightest parrot is invisible in a green tree when it remains motionless. Look for movement in the air, on the ground and among plants. You may also find some birds resting on structures like power lines, roofs etc. Look in the direction of bird calls. Remember not to point with an outstretched arm.
How close can you get?
Most birds will allow you to get reasonably close before they fly away or run off. You can get closer by moving slowly, approaching from the side and not walking directly towards the bird. How close you get may depend on the environment. So parks and your own garden, where birds are used to people are good places to begin bird watching. During duck shooting season, waterbirds may be nervous, and may not let you get within 200 metres of them. But in a park, the same duck may come up and take food from you.
Feeding Birds:
The best way to feed birds is to provide them with appropriate trees, shrubs, grasses and mulch. Many birds appreciate a shallow bird bath. Directly feeding feral birds can potentially cause problems for the survival of some of our native birds.
What do birds do?
There are many interesting books describing the intriguing life of birds. You may like to read some of these books. However you can look through a window into your garden, or go outside and discover first hand the amazing life of birds.
Source
www.gould.org.au
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