Autumn 2020 Survey weekend | 23 - 26th April, 2020
The year of COVID-19 and King Island was closed to all visitors, so all arrangements for the usual weekend surveys were cancelled. However the surveys were completed by local bird enthusiasts over a five week period - from the 23rd April to 31st May. It was a great effort undertaken by a few birders supported by several learners. A great job done.
Using call play-back one team even recorded one of our critically endangered KI Brown Thornbill, on site within the 20 survey period.
Spring 2020 Survey weekend completed by local King Islanders
The 2020 Spring Surveys were again undertaken entirely by local King islanders due to COVID preventing visitors from participating. Altogether 15 locals took part. THANKS HEAPS to EVERYONE who contributed. Those who know their birds led 7 groups and were accompanied by others as scribes who wrote down the data and were also another pair of eyes looking out - even if they weren't sure what they were seeing until identified by the leader. A great way to learn more about birds and see special places on the island.
Two teams, led to two members of the KI Brown Thornbill (KIBT) and KI Scrubtit (KIS) Recovery Teams, also conducted specific 5 minute searches for the KIBT in any relevant sites, as they went. No new populations where located but a zero result also tells us about the habitat that the KI Brown Thornbill prefers, so it all adds to our knowledge of them.
Love this photo of a Strong-billed Honeater, endemic to Tasmania, taken by Ash Kennedy, that was recorded in several of the Spring Surveys. They are cheeky and wonderfully cheerful little birds that you often hear before you see them as they chatter amongst themselves and scrabble about in the hanging bark of Eucalyptus trees looking for bugs. Thanks Ash.
Wings On King is an on-going project designed so survey sites can be monitored at any time - whenever it suits YOU.
Like to know more about the Wings On King Project click here
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