Opportunities for Participation - Birds Australia

Opportunities for ParticipationBirdLife Western Australia (BWA) is a Branch of BirdLife Australia. We are an active Branch and there are many opportunities toparticipate in activities. These activities range from helping in the Floreat Park office, to participating in excursions; from involvement inthe community education program to participating in important national and local bird conservation and survey projects. There are alsoopportunities to participate in one or more of the many groups and committees that help us do what we do.See what we do in the table below AND use the contact details. If you are....?1. New to Bird Watching – a beginner? Visit our office and library and... See... Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project; CommunityEducation; Excursions; Perth Suburban Birds Survey and others2. Interested in expanding your Birdwatching/Identification Skills? See... Broome Bird Observatory; Community Education; Excursions;Shorebirds 2020 and others3. Interested in day/weekend /extended excursions? See.. Excursions; Shorebirds 2020; Hooded Plover Project4. Interested in Conservation/ Research? See... Atlas of Australian Birds and Bird data; Australasian Bittern project; Conservation andResearch Committee; Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project; Eyre Bird Observatory and others.5. Happy to be part of an office team and or sales/ promotion? See... BirdLife WA Office; Card Sales6. Interested in helping to teach others? See... Community Education; Excursions7. Interested in Photography? See... Photography Group8. Interested in publicising the organisation? See Birdwatching Guides, Card Sales, Community EducationProject coordinators and other people may also be contacted through the BirdLife WA office. The office is staffed Monday-Friday9.30am-12.30pm. Contact: BirdLife Western Australia, Peregrine House, 167 Perry Lakes Drive, FLOREAT WA 6014T 9383 7749 E wa@birdlife.org.au W www.birdlife.org.au/waJoin us for the birds, the birding and the camaraderie!Original C Gole 2011 Updated by L Marshall Feb 20131

Activity or project What we do When is itoperating?Atlas of AustralianBirds and Bird dataAustralasian BitternprojectThe Atlas is the largest citizenscience project in Australiaand one of the largest in theworld. This is Australia’s mostimportant database for birds.Anyone can contribute.Conservation project for thisendangered species whichinhabits vegetated wetlands inthe southwestBirdLife WA Office The Birds WA Office is open 5days a week from 9:30 am to12:30pm, and is entirelystaffed by volunteers.Birdwatching guides Provide bird lists andinformation on good birdingsites in metropolitan and ruralshires in WABroome BirdObservatoryThe Observatory is situatedon the shore of Roebuck Baynear the extensive CrabCreek tidal mud flats. Morethan 300 species of birdshave been recorded at one ofthe world’s most importantsites for migratory shorebirdsWhat can participants do?Ongoing • Undertake surveys of birds in allhabitat types in all parts of Australia,including all parts of WA• Adopt a site and survey it regularly(eg monthly or quarterly)• Do opportunistic surveys eg: yourbackyard , farm; a local reserve; bushland.• If you are doing surveys of wetlandsor seabirds, please count the birds• Surveys can be entered on paperforms or you can do it online via BirdataSurveys inSpring andSummer• Join evening listening surveys in PerthMetropolitan Region• Participate in survey campouts inlocations across the south-west (north ofBunbury to Esperance)• Adopt a wetland and conduct dawn ordusk surveysOngoing • Answer the phone, greet visitors,check the post, do photocopying, open andanswer or redirect e-mails and othergeneral duties.Ongoing • Participating in surveys, such as Atlassurveys, wherever possible (the BirdsAustralia databases are an excellentsource of information for the Guides)Ongoing • Visit the Observatory and participatein courses such as ‘Wave the WadersGoodbye’• Offer to help with periodic busy beesat the Observatory• Join the Observatory committee oroffer to help in other waysIs trainingprovided?No (butindividualobservers arewilling to takepeople out withthem)YesYesNoYesWho to contact if you are interested inparticipatingCheryl GoleTel: 9293 4958email: Cheryl.gole@birdlife.org.auCheryl GoleTel: 9293 4958email: Cheryl.gole@birdlife.org.auLiz WalkerTel: 9444 8920Email: lizwalk@ozemail.com.auPam AgarTel: 9457 2292Email: agar@openaccess.com.auTo visit the Observatory or participate in otheractivities, contact the wardens:Tel: 9193 5600Email: broome@birdlife.org.auOriginal C Gole 2011 Updated by L Marshall Feb 20132

Activity or project What we do When is itoperating?What can participants do?Card SalesThe Sales Committee raises Ongoing • Help on stalls and trading tablesfunds though sales of cards• Prepare orders for postingand lapel badges• Assist at the Combined CharitiesChristmas Card ShopCarnaby’s Black-Cockatoo RecoveryProjectCommunityEducationConservation andResearch CommitteeExecutive CommitteeExcursionsConservation project for thisendangered species whichbreeds in the wheatbelt andspends the non-breedingmonths on or near coastalareasPromote Birding as aninteresting and worthwhileactivity and encouragemembershipRespond to requests fordisplays, presentations,classes and walksPrepare submissions onconservation issuesIdentify possible futureconservation projects.Committee elected at theAGM each year to overseethe management of the WABranch promoting theobjectives of BirdLife Aust.Run excursions ranging from2-3 hour morning walks tocampouts lasting 3-5 days. Allexcursions are lead byexperienced bird observers.Ongoing • Participate in nest monitoring inbreeding areas• Participate in planting projects forfuture food and hollow resources• Assist with nesting hollow repairs• Evening roost counts around Perth• Public relations, School education• Admin tasks, newsletter, data entryOngoing • Lead / assist in birdwalks at schoolsand /or public venues and assist withpresentations.• Become a presenter to groups –school children or/and adult groups• Prepare or select appropriateactivities or other material for visitsOngoing • Participate in discussions identifyingconservation issues and appropriate action• Prepare submissions• Write letters of supportOngoing • Offer informed views on the wideranging issues that come before the EC• Initiate changes or activities that willbenefit the BranchOngoing, heldonce or twiceweekly.Opportunities formembers andguests. Generalpublic invited toattend some.• Participate in excursions and learnhow to identifiy birds, their ecology andbehaviour.• Offer to lead an excursion/ suggestlocations, especially if you have a regularlocation and specific bird that you knowwell within 100km of the Perth or countrysub-branch centre for day walks etc..Is trainingprovided?Yes (field workYesNoNoYesWho to contact if you are interested inparticipatingBeryl WalkerTel 9397 6887Email: bemwalk@hotmail.comMatt FosseyTel 92872251 0428762292Email matt.fossey@birdlife.org.auTam KabatTel 9287 2204 0457333177Tamara.kabat@birdlife.org.auBrice WellsTel: 93837749Email: Oddcouple18@bigpond.comChair: BirdLife WAsuzannemather@bigpond.comChair of the BWA Executive Committeesuzannemather@bigpond.comSue AbbottsTel 94441607suechat@bigpond.net.auOriginal C Gole 2011 Updated by L Marshall Feb 20133

Activity or project What we do When is itoperating?Eyre BirdObservatoryThe Observatory is locatedwithin the Nuytsland NatureReserve on the remote southcoast of WA. Volunteercaretakers look after theObservatory; visiting expertsand volunteers periodicallyrun courses and otheractivities.What can participants do?Ongoing • Volunteer as wardens for 3 months orfor shorter periods to fill in.• Join the committee and help protectand manage the siteVisit and participate in bird surveys andother activities such as bird banding anddune restoration activities• Licensed tradespeople can helpmaintain the Heritage-listed buildingsIs trainingprovided?YesWho to contact if you are interested inparticipatingTo visit the Observatory, contact the caretakers:Tel: 9039 3450Email: eyrebirdobs@bigpond.comTo participate in other ways contact:Alma de RebeiraTel: 08 9298 8999Email: eyre@birdlife.orgGreat WesternWoodland ProjectHooded PloverProjectImportant Bird AreasprojectMember’s MonthlyMeetingBirdLife Australia, with TheNature Conservancy, isrunning a project to establishlong-term monitoring of birdsin the GWW to assess birdspecies’ ecology, distribution,population status etc. with theaimof improving conservationand management in the area.Conservation project for athreatened bird which issubject to predation anddisturbance in breeding areasin coastal WA and inland saltlakesAustralia has 314 ImportantBird Areas (IBAs); WA has 74.These are key sites for birdconservation for threatenedand congregatory speciesGuest speaker on 4 th Mondayof each month2011 - 2014 • Participate in the seasonal bird surveysconducted at a variety of locations withinthe GWW (no experience required).• Conduct bird surveys anywhere withinthe GWW at any time and provide theresults to the project coordinator or directto the Bird Atlas.• Assist in the office with communicationsor volunteer coordinationOngoing • Report sightings of Hooded Plover,particularly breeding birds• Participate in advertised surveys(coastal areas and inland salt lakes),colour banding, research projects• Adopt a beach or salt lake and surveyit regularly• Promote at fairs etcOngoing • Adopt an IBA• Help do monitoring surveys at IBAs• Contribute to conservation advocacyfor IBAs, help raise awareness of IBAs• Join the WA Working Group to helpprovide oversight for the state program(Expressions of Interest welcome)Monthly • Help with publicity, suggest possiblespeakers• Attend meetings to learn more aboutbirds and enjoy the companionshipOn siteNoNo (althoughtraining isprovided forsome individualmonitoringprojects)NoElizabeth Foxm 0427947009liz.fox@birdlife.org.auWebsite: http://www.birdlife.org.au/projects/greatwestern-woodlandsMarcus SingorTel: 9362 2742Email: msingor@primus.com.auCheryl GoleTel: 9293 4958email: Cheryl.gole@birdlife.org.auWayne MerrittTel: 94054774 0411591547Email: timbersupplies@ozemail.com.auOriginal C Gole 2011 Updated by L Marshall Feb 20134

Activity or project What we do When is itoperating?Perth Suburban BirdsSurveyPhotography GroupRangelands SurveysShorebirds 2020Provides information on theuse by birds of suburbangardens in the PerthMetropolitan AreaEncourage and support alltypes of bird photography andorganise photographicexcursions.Does bird surveys on formerpastoral leases acquired bythe Dept of Environment andConservation for conservationpurposesThe Shorebirds 2020 programcoordinates national shorebirdpopulation monitoring inAustralia including populationtrends, identifying the drivingfactors for change in order tosupport the conservation andeffective management ofshorebirds and their habitats.What can participants do?Ongoing • Do a weekly bird survey in yourgarden or other Perth metropolitan areasite nominated by youOngoing • Share and learn photographicexpertise.• Display photographs at monthly BWAmeetings..• Provide photographs for BWA use forpublicity and education.For 2-3 weeks inWinter eachyearOngoing (mostlysummer)• Participate in annual surveys.Participants need reasonable knowledge ofdry-country birds and must be willing towork in pairs in remote areas• Participate in annual shorebird countsin February each year at new or scheduledsites across WA.• Participate in shorebird identificationand conservation workshops.• Conduct regular shorebird counts ofyour local wetlandsIs trainingprovided?NoSharedexpertiseBasic GPSskills required;some trainingprovided forbasic surveytechniquesYesWho to contact if you are interested inparticipatingClive NealonTel: 9448 5921email: clivenealon@bigpond.comSandra WallaceTel :62624649Email : Wallaces9@hotmail.comAndrew HobbsTel: 92462026Email : gerygone@iinet.net.auEd & Alyson Paull:Tel :9299 6283Email : edward.paull@bigpond.comPam & George Agar:Tel: 9457 2292;Email: agar@openaccess.com.auFor monitoring in WA:Kimberly OntonTel: 0428 880 580Email: shorebirds.wa@birdlife.org.auFor general information about shorebirds and theShorebirds 2020 project, visit:http://www.birdlife.org.au/projects/shorebirds-2020Email: shorebirds@birdlife.org.auWestern GroundParrot ProjectWe work with the DECWestern Ground Parrotrecovery project, and increaseawareness of the existence ofthis bird and its very real riskof extinction in the short termOngoing • Participate in planned ‘listening’surveys• Membership of 'Friends' group• Assisting with displays at showsYesContact the Friends of the Western GroundParrot:www.western-ground-parrot.org.auOriginal C Gole 2011 Updated by L Marshall Feb 20135