Celebrating a lifetime dedicated to seabirds

Graeme Taylor, Principal Science Advisor Marine, has been awarded the Robert Falla Memorial award at the 2022 New Zealand Bird Conference which was held in Christchurch in June.

Read more here

Australasian Bittern Survey (Birdlife Australia)

Australasian Bittern are a partially nocturnal, cryptic, and nomadic heron species, which historically, have been observed in three countries, including Australia, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. The species has been classified as globally endangered since 2016 due to the declining trajectory of its small remaining population (1000 – 2499 individuals). The lack of rigorous baseline data and understanding of breeding behaviour of the species have been identified as barriers to effective conservation efforts aimed at reversing these trajectories.

Very soon, male Australasian Bitterns will begin establishing their territories in freshwater habitats comprising dense reedbeds, and producing a distinct, low frequency call referred to as a ‘boom’. This boom both attracts females and intimidates rivals.  Birdlife Australia is recruiting listeners from across the Australasian Bittern’s range to undertake coordinated listening surveys and help identify this season’s breeding sites.  Ideally, volunteers should be available once over these date ranges:

• September 8 – 12th,
• October 8 – 12th,
• November 6th – 10th,
• December 6th – 10th

There’s no expectation to be available for every date. Listeners can determine how many they’re available for. Even just one dawn or dusk survey during the identified dates is an exceptional contribution.

More information can be found here: https://www.networkbirdlife.org/volunteer-opportunities/keep-an-ear-out-for-australasian-bitterns-at-your-local-wetland

Birdlife Australia

Australasian Shorebird Conference 2022 – Registration open

The 12^th Australasian Shorebird Conference will take place online from 29-30 October 2022.  The Conference is online and registrations are now open here.

The theme for this Conference is “Global Strategies Local Actions” and through the Conference program we will look at what has been happening across the east Asian – Australasian Flyway since the 11^th Australasian Shorebird Conference held in 2018.

We know of the many ongoing challenges that face shorebirds including loss of habitat, hunting, pollution and competition for food resources. Add to that the increasing threats from climate change and greater impacts from a growing human population in the Flyway, their world becomes more and more uncertain.

Strong efforts are being dedicated at the global and local level to understanding, raising awareness about, and addressing the problems facing shorebirds. You will see this reflected through the range of exciting sessions during the two days. Knowledge and action go hand in hand, and we will see the efforts that are being dedicated to achieving better outcomes for shorebirds.

Abstracts on presentations that support these themes are invited.  The deadline for abstract is 15 August and more information is here.

All keen “shorebirders” will find the program of interest however you are engaged with our amazing shorebirds. We encourage you to register and join the Conference to learn more about and be part of the wonderful world of shorebirds and those seeking to ensure their conservation.

The cost of registrations is at an all time low.

If you are a student from East Asia there is support for you to attend.  Please look here for more details.

By registering you have the following benefits:

• Have access to the virtual platform and all sessions during the conference.
• Have access to a wide range of your peers and their latest research.
• As a presenter you will be able to share your latest research or management successes with an international audience of your peers.
• Have the opportunity to connect with your acquaintances and fellow conference attendees using the Meeting Hub. You can share contact details, send chat messages, video chat and set up meetings.
• During live session Q&A sessions you be able to submit written questions to the session chair. The pre-recorded video sessions will be followed by discussion forums where your question will be posed to the author by the session chair.
• Have access to recorded session content for two months after the conference has ended.