Bringing the Weekly Bird Wrap from the Wetlands of Isabella Plains here in Australia’s Capital Territory – another great location for birdwatching!
This week’s stories include:
1. New funding announced for endangered species research
The Environment Restoration Funding will be built on with a new $10 million community grants program that has been launched today to support on-ground actions to help recover 100 priority species.
The grants between $50,000 and $250,000 will support a wide range of actions to directly benefit the priority plants and animals. The program reflects the Government’s efforts to protect and restore Australia’s threatened species through the Threatened Species Strategy‘s first Action Plan 2021 – 2026.
They are open to a range of community organisations. For further information, you may visit this link – www.business.gov.au/erfps.
The next best thing of here is that out of 100 species, 20 birds have been chosen;
- Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus
- Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis
- Carnaby’s Cockatoo Zanda latirostris
- Christmas Island Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster natalis
- Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis
- Golden-shouldered Parrot, Alwal Psephotus chrysopterygius
- Hooded Plover (eastern) Thinornis cucullatus cucullatus
- King Island Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla magnirostris
- Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata
- Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis
- Norfolk Island Green Parrot Cyanoramphus cookii
- Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster
- Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus
- Princess Parrot Polytelis alexandrae
- Red Goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus
- Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (SE) Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne
- Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera phrygia
- Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor
- Western Ground Parrot, Kyloring Pezoporus flaviventris
- White-throated Grasswren, Yirlinkirrkirr Amytornis woodwardi
2. Norfolk Island Green Parrot (which also appears on the endangered species list)
One of only two parrots on Norfolk Island, their population fell to just 45 birds in 2013 – this situation has prompted the people of Norfolk Island to action. One of the reasons of this decline were the rats and cats that were feeding on these lovely birds!
3. The Red Goshawk – a rare and cryptic bird from Northern Australia
Goshawks (from the Old English for “goose-hawk”) hunt hares, rabbits, squirrels, waterfowl, game-birds, corvids and pigeons, and will crash through vegetation in pursuit and even give chase on foot.
4. The Common Sandpiper at the wetlands of Isabella Plains
When feeding, the Common Sandpiper will pause to bob its head and teeter. When disturbed it will fly low preferably over water with down-curved, flicking wings.
5. Eleanora’s Falcons
Here’s some trivia: Eleonora’s falcons are monogamous, colonial breeders. Aerial displays by male falcons begin as soon as the birds arrive on nesting sites.
6. Isabella Pond
We’re shooting the bird wrap on-site here at Isabella Pond.
Ask Neil
Remember, you can ask any bird-related questions on my Ask Neil page – and I’ll be happy to answer! Thanks to Joe who submitted last week’s question about Koels.