Volunteers log region’s birdlife
TWITCHERS have spent more than four years detailing the Geelong’s region’s bird life and found 320 species.
More than 600 bird watchers laboured for months recording the different types of birds seen in the region. During their extensive time in the field, more than 306,000 individual observations were made.
The most popular bird seen in the Geelong region was the Australian magpie, followed by the red wattlebird, superb fairy-wren and little raven.
Craig Morley, from the Geelong Field Naturalists Club, said the exhaustive exercise highlighted the rich diversity of the region’s bird life. He said it was a tremendous effort to capture such a comprehensive overview.
“Over 600 observers were involved in this project over four years and what did they do — they went out and observed birds,” he said.
“Most importantly they recorded their observations.
“We looked in freshwater wetlands, fairly clapped-out shelter belts, we looked in dry river woodlands, forests, we looked at the Lake Connewarre delta, places along the rocky shores and over Port Phillip Heads, we looked in urban parklands, and even people’s back gardens.
“It was a pretty good effort for a volunteer club.
“I wouldn’t be talking about this today unless those 600 observers put in their reports.”
Unusual species seen in the Geelong region included the flame robin, yellow-faced honeyeater, gang-gang cockatoo, striated pardalote, grey goshawk, rufous bristlebird and satin flycatcher.
“The satin flycatcher is a fascinating species because for a few weeks of the year it completely leaves Australia and goes to Papua New Guinea,” Mr Morley said.
The GFNC is a club for anyone interested in wildlife, plants, or conservation in the Geelong region.
To access the 550-page Geelong Bird Report 2013-2016, email info@gfnc.org.au.