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August 1st
National Tree Day
August 25th - 31st
Keep Australia Beautiful Week
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Welcome to our latest e-News update
We’re already into the second half of the year and we’re gearing up for a very busy few months as we approach Christmas. Here’s a quick snapshot of what we’ve been up to at EBS.
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EBS Ornithologist Alison Derry and Ecologist Sally O’Neill participated in an Orange-Bellied Parrot (OBP) count on 23rd May at Thompson’s Beach and Port Gawler as part of the SA, Victoria and Tasmania wide search. While the specie’s main breeding site is at Melaleuca in Tasmania, birds migrate to feeding grounds in SA and Victoria each winter. Several field surveys are conducted by volunteers during the winter, targeting favourable saltmarsh habitat to attempt to locate the whereabouts of the birds. Another survey is taking place during the month of July (http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/our-projects/orange-bellied-parrot-mainland-recovery.html).
During the May 2010 census, just 3 OBPs were found across SA, with one sighting at Port MacDonnell, one at Ewe Island and one at Mundoo Island, with a possible 4th bird in the Coorong. 38 volunteers contributed to 200 volunteer hours during this latest survey.
It has been estimated that only 50 birds remain in the wild. The Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment are now leading a new 18 month Recovery Action Plan for this critically endangered species. With the real possibility of this species becoming extinct in 3-5 years, this action plan aims to:
- secure a captive insurance population to maintain diversity;
- increase the captive breeding population by 160 birds (at Adelaide Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria); and
- endeavour to improve the low breeding in Tasmania.
A well camouflaged OBP (photo courtesy of Bob Green).
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A big congratulations to Matt, Melissa, Ruby and Lara Launer on the birth of little
Jack on June 4th! When’s his first field trip Matt?
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If any of your colleagues or contacts would benefit from
the services provided by
EBS Ecology, please
forward their details to us
and we will contact them to
see how we might be able
to assist them. Thank you.
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On July 17th, EBS Ecology and Restoration hosted the first in a series of educational breakfast presentations at Adelaide Pavilion. Guest speaker, Chris West (CEO Zoos S.A.), provided a wonderful insight into the crucial role zoos play in today’s society. With near capacity attendance, the breakfast provided a great start to the working day. We could have listened to Chris for hours, but he’s a very busy man! Thanks so much Chris.
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