BIRD SURVEY OPPORTUNITY

BIMBLEBOX NATURE REFUGE

Bird Survey 5-7 September 2019

Eric Anderson & Diana O’Connor

We are planning to resurvey the nine permanent sites we first established in October 2003 at the 8,000 ha Bimblebox Nature Refuge. This will be our 6th survey with others being conducted in Aug 2005, Dec 2011, Apl 2012 and Sep 2015. The permanent sites are GPS located and are based on the Birdlife Australia Area Search method where all birds are recorded in a 500 m radius around a point (= 80 ha) over a period of 60-90 minutes.

To participate you need, as a minimum, a moderate level of fitness and own a hand held GPS and binoculars. The tracks on the property are rudimentary so a relatively high clearance vehicle is necessary. The ‘camp site’ has power and water and facilities for cooking and showering. We will be bringing a camper trailer however there is a double bed and a separate bunk bed available if needed. You will need to provide all of your own food and beverages.

There are seven ecosystems on Bimblebox with the most prominent being Silver-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus melanophloia), Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea) woodland and Heathland. The property is located approx. 50 km NW of the central Qld town of Alpha, which is approximately 450 km west of Rockhampton. Alpha is located on the Capricorn Highway between Emerald and Barcaldine.

If you are interested in joining us and/or finding out more details please contact us by email (plainswanderer@powerup.com.au).

SEPTEMBER – WEDNESDAY - MID WEEK OUTING - DATE CHANGED!

SEPTEMBER – WEDNESDAY - MID WEEK OUTING

Group –  Sunshine Coast

Leader/s and contact details – Russ Lamb lambrk49@yahoo.com.au

Location 1 - Hamilton Road, Lake Macdonald

Location 2 - Cooroy Sewerage Treatment Works

Date – 11^th September, 2019  [WAS 4^TH]

Time –  7am start

Time –finish at 10am with morning tea & bird call, possibility of extension To Cooroy STW

What to bring – hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, folding chair, morning tea.

Other details –Unitywater require all visitors to wear enclosed footwear, long sleeved shirt, and long trousers

Subject: 17 AUGUST 2019 – SATURDAY OUTING - BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA SUNSHINE COAST

Dear all,

A reminder about our Saturday August outing – details below.

Please note – details of this outing have changed since the publishing of it in the year programme.

17 AUGUST 2019 – SATURDAY OUTING

Group –  Sunshine Coast

Leader/s and contact details – Steve Popple, 0499944233

Location – Pinbarren

Location –  Meet initially at the red dot [on the map above] on Upper Pinbarren Road, Pinbarren, meeting point is 300 metres from the end of the bitumen there is a parking spot on the left hand side. The walk will transfer to Steve and Carol Popple’s residence for the bird call and a wander through the garden

Date –  17 August, 2019

Time – [beginning] – 7-45am for an 8am start.

Time – [ending -estimated] – walk will end at c. 10am followed by morning tea with bird call

What to bring – hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, folding chair, morning tea.

Other details – Roadside birding along Upper Pinbarren Road with its open farmland habitat combined with remnant vegetation offers an interesting mix of bird species. Steve & Carol have a small rural block that they are converting from predominantly grass to native vegetation to increase biodiversity and hopefully attract more birds year round. Species seen at the property to date total 120 species.