Delatite Landcare Group 2025-2026 bird surveys

Apr 1

Saturday March 28 saw our fourth bird-survey walk in our present project, guided by local ecologist Bert Lobert. Due to present fuel issues, we planned a revisit to a very local venue, the well-known bird “hot spot” Mullum wetlands. Despite lateness in the season and consequent reduction in summer migrant bird visitors it was far from disappointing. Our smallish group, with skills ranging from novice to experienced observed 30 species, mostly visually but strongly supported by listening for bird calls. If we take this together with our other 3 recent surveys in the Mansfield district (2025-2026 series), our various observers have collectively identified and recorded over 62 species.

These 2025-2026 surveys strongly complement our previous DLG/Up2Us activities overall representing 18 local bird survey and community observing skill development opportunities since 2021. Each observer in our program will undoubtedly have their own highlights; for a lucky few of us, maybe it was the awesome privilege of watching a wedgetail eagle leaving its nest, close by. For me they also include the musical calls of the western gerygone and the reed warbler – all pure delight.

So why else are we interested in birds? At a personal level there is an intrinsic beauty of birds with their huge diversity of plumage, calls and behaviours, although the bigger answer is that birds are a very significant component of our local natural ecosystem; working towards sustainability of this ecosystem is one of the key goals of the Delatite Landcare Group’s program. Raising community awareness of, and interest in birds and helping build bird observing and recording skills through field surveys is one way of working towards that goal.

At present it appears that fuel issues could persist for some time. Unfortunately, this may mean voluntarily deferring further collective field activity as well. We will let you know if plans for future walks change.

In the mean-time we hope you enjoy your bird observing and listening at your favourite local venue(s).

Lyn and John Gras, DLG.