No. 34
World Migratory Bird Day Event; What is Owl Friendly?; Looking after Injured Birds
Hello everyone,
It’s officially Spring! This is an exciting time for the Melville Bird Sanctuary (MBS) as we prepare to welcome back our phenomenal trans equatorial migratory birds flying all the way from their breeding grounds in the Arctic Region to Australia and New Zealand. Trans equatorial migratory birds are Shorebirds, referred to as ‘waders’. They wade in shallow water and seek food on coastal mudflats, estuaries and the edge of inland wetlands. They don’t have webbed feet and they don’t swim.
Every spring/summer, about 37 species of waders migrate to Australia to escape freezing conditions in their Northern Hemisphere breeding grounds. They visit Australia’s coastal and freshwater wetlands, these being critical for them to rest and feed, enabling them to build the energy reserves they need to travel the long distance back to their breeding grounds around April. They feed on our mudflats, probing for crustaceans, molluscs and worms. It is particularly important to minimise disturbance to migratory birds, giving them the best opportunity to feed and rest before they undertake the long return journey back to the Northern Hemisphere. Sadly, these birds are under pressure in Australia as well as in their staging (stopover) and breeding grounds. Some of them are listed as ‘Critically Endangered’. Australia has signed international agreements with Japan, China and the Republic of Korea to protect migratory birds and their habitats.
Find out more about these birds, who start arriving in late August, by coming along to our World Migratory Bird Day event – see details below. Our team of volunteers would love to meet and talk to you about developments at the Melville Bird Sanctuary.
World Migratory Bird Day Event on Saturday, 12 October 2024
Location: Along Haig Road Foreshore east of the Attadale Dog Reserve (pedestrian entry from Haig Rd/Burke Dr junction, parking along Burke Drive in vicinity of Haig Road). Look for the gazebos along Haig Rd foreshore.
Time: 8am -11am
Activities: Birdwatching Walks led by experienced birders at 8.30am and 9am. The 9am Walk will have an emphasis on bird photography including ethics of bird photography. Participation in these walks will be on a first come, first served basis. Both Walks will accommodate 10-15 participants each. Depending on demand, an additional walk may be added. Please bring birdwatching binoculars if possible. For those wanting to join the bird photography Walk, please bring your cameras along.
River Guardians (DBCA), City of Melville, Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group (SERAG), Bicton Environmental Action Group (BEAG) and Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary (FoMBS) will all be there. A merchandise stall hosted by Birdlife WAmeans you can purchase books about birds as well as cards and bird earrings.
There’ll be activities for kids – colouring books/pages, informal talks about migratory birds, prizes to be won and lots of interest for all.
Light refreshments will be provided by City of Melville.
Entrance is free but please register your interest in attending this event at this Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/world-migratory-bird-day-event-tickets-1004892910747?aff=oddtdtcreator
What is Owl Friendly?
Recent articles in the local press, discussions at Melville Council and a recent Screening of “Night Calling” at Luna Leederville followed by panel discussion, have again brought to the forefront ways to alleviate the problems caused by use of anticoagulant rodenticides – particularly second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) on rat populations. We have several bird species that consume mice and rats as part of their diet and are at high risk of SGARs poisoning – deaths through this poisoning can be slow and painful for birds. We have links on our website to Birdlife material on Bird-friendly rodent control. See Birds of MBS — Melville Bird Sanctuary (melbirdsanc.com) The City of Melville had a recent Facebook post on 20 August, detailing precautions being taken by the City We, along with the City of Melville, will be providing relevant information at our World Migratory Bird Day event on 12 October 2024.
Looking After Injured Birds
What should you do if you find an injured bird either in your garden or elsewhere? Often the question doesn’t arise until you’re up against it. Birdlife Australia offers practical information including precautions you should take to make any rescue effort safe for both yourself and the bird. Read the information at the link below before you actually need to use it. Carry a well ventilated box and some old towels in your car just in case you need to use them. Keep the WA Wildlife Rescue number 08 9474 9055 on your mobile phone list of contacts as well as the number of your local vet. Relevant information will be on our website shortly.
Helping Injured Birds - BirdLife Australia
New Arrivals!
Common Greenshanks at Alfred Cove; Photo by Sue Harper
All the best,
Jenny Christenson & Tom Lubin
Co-founders: Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary
Contact Melville City Rangers
Business hours: 08 9364 0666 or 1300 635 845
After hours: 0418 943 219
Contact Wildcare Helpline (Parks & Wildlife - DBCA)
08 9474 9055
Donations may be made to our Westpac Bank Account. Details as follows:
Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary
BSB: 036-084
A/c: 494777