No. 35
World Migratory Bird Day Event on Saturday 12 October; Healthy Rivers Forum hosted by Member for Bicton Lisa O'Malley MLA on Saturday 19 October
Hello everyone,
In this newsletter we have two invitations to extend to you, as well as providing photos of a rare trans-equatorial migratory bird recently seen at Pt Walter.
World Migratory Bird Day
We’ve been busy preparing for our World Migratory Bird Day Event this coming Saturday, 12 October. This event is being run in conjunction with Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group, Bicton Environmental Action Group, Birdlife WA, City of Melville and River Guardians. We hope you’ve registered your interest for this exciting event but in case you haven’t here are the details once again:
Location: Haig Road foreshore east of the Attadale Dog Reserve (pedestrian entry from Haig Rd/Burke Dr junction, with parking along Burke Drive in the vicinity of Haig Rd). Look for the 3 gazebos along Haig Rd foreshore.
Activities: [Participation on walks will be in order of registration/first come first served basis]
Birdwatching Walks will led by Margaret Matassa, an experienced birder and a founding member and Chair of Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group (SERAG). Margaret will lead the first walk at 8.15am. (Please note the time of the Walk has changed since notification in our last Newsletter.) Further Walks will be put on subject to demand between 9 -10am.
A Bird Photography Class will take place at 9am, led by Gareth Evans. Bring your camera and join Gareth for a walk and talk on birds of MBS, and learn to take engaging photos of them. These skills are applicable to any camera including your cellphone, but a good zoom lens will provide the best results. Gareth won the 2024 Conservation Volunteers Wetland Photography Competition and received a Highly Commended Award in the Animals category of the Mono Photography Awards 2024.
River Guardians (DBCA) will have a Responsible Dog Ownership booth as well as run kids and other activities along with City of Melville – prizes to be won as well!
Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary will have kids and other activities eg. Colouring books/pages, provide information on trans-equatorial migratory birds and other birdlife in the MBS.
Light refreshments will be provided by the City of Melville.
Entrance is free but please register your interest in attending if you haven’t already done so here.
Healthy Rivers Forum 2024
Our State Member for Bicton Lisa O’Malley MLA, who is also Patron of the Melville Bird Sanctuary, is hosting a Healthy Rivers Forum 2024 that recognises the significance of our unique rivers, waterways and surrounding environment. See details below. This special community event will be an excellent opportunity to hear from local and state representatives including special guests: the Minister for the Environment and Climate Action, the Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, the Swan River Board Trust, the Nature Conservancy, the Melville Bird Sanctuary (ourselves) and Murdoch University’s School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences. There will be a Q&A panel, information displays and an informal session to engage with special guests. Refreshments will be provided.
Please take advantage of this great opportunity – and be sure to register your interest below.
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Location: Melville Bowls and Recreation Club, 592 Canning Hwy, Alfred Cove
There is no cost to attend but registration is essential at lisaomalley.com.au/survey-s/healthy-rivers-forum/.
Phone 9319 1732 or email bicton@mp.wa.gov.au
A rare, ‘Critically Endangered’ trans-equatorial migratory bird was spotted in MBS West Region (Pt Walter) in late September!
Thanks to the photos below taken by Sue Harper (left) and Gareth Evans (right), we have the rare treat of seeing an Eastern Curlew, a migrant from Siberian and Manchurian moorlands and bogs, the largest shorebird in the world weighing up to 1.25 kg.
All the best,
Jenny Christenson & Tom Lubin
Co-founders: Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary
Donations may be made to our Westpac Bank Account. Details as follows:
Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary
BSB: 036-084
A/c: 494777
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