G'day Folks,
It's crunch time now. It's getting a little nerve-wracking. The fate of our
project will be decided at the end of next week.
We've had amazing support so far. Huge thanks to everyone, especially those
who've already made pledges and encouraged others.
Please help us in these final days to get our project across the line.
There's a growing risk that we won't make it in time.
The clock stops at 8.34 a.m on Monday, October 27th.
You may want to forward this email with some of the key details below and
attached photos.
Many thanks, Matt Herring for Team Bunyip Birds
TRACKING BUNYIP BIRDS - ENDANGERED AUSTRALASIAN BITTERNS
If we can make it happen, we'll be able to better conserve this intriguing
species - the very strange and seriously endangered Bunyip Bird. We'll be able
to track the movements of at least seven bitterns, learning such things as how
mobile they are when breeding in the rice, where they go after harvest and which
wetlands they depend on throughout the year. People from around the world will
be able to follow their movements online on a new Bitterns in Rice Project
website.
How does it work? - People and organisations make pledges and they
are only withdrawn if the target of $50 000 is reached. There are rewards for
different pledges, like a bittern print, a tour or naming rights.
How long to go? - 13 days
$ pledged to date: $22 688
How many supporters so far? 149 including community groups and
several organisations.
Who has pledged? - Most supporters are one or more of the following:
keen to see farming and wildlife conservation work together; passionate about
bird conservation; involved in rice farming; or just love wetlands and their
waterbirds. Pledges have come in from across Australia, as well as Switzerland,
Finland, the UK, and New Zealand. The community groups range from Murrakool Land
for Wildlife to Birdlife Southern QLD, while the Rice Growers' Association of
Australia, Coleambally Irrigation Cooperative and Ecological Survey &
Management have also made significant contributions.
$ still needed: $27 312
How do you make a pledge? By signing up on the Pozible website
(enter name, email address and create a password), then clicking pledge on the
Tracking Bunyip Birds page -
www.pozible.com/bunyipbirds - and entering the details of your
credit or debit card. The money is only withdrawn if the project reaches it's
$50K target. Some people and organisations are unable to use a credit or debit
card so a bank account has been set up where pledges can be made on their
behalf. To do this, please contact Neil Bull on 0428 603 557 or as soon as possible.
Where are Australasian Bitterns found? Australia, New Zealand and
they may persist in New Caledonia.
How many Australasian Bitterns remain? The best estimate is 2500,
most of which are found in south-eastern Australia, with perhaps as many as 1000
in NZ. Much smaller numbers remain in south-western W.A and Tassie. The NSW
Riverina is a known stronghold, with rice fields supporting several hundred or
more.
Why are they called Bunyip Birds? The booming call of males, given
during the breeding season, was a key source of legends of the mythical Bunyip,
a creature feared by many Aboriginal groups. The tales were augmented by early
settlers through folklore.
What has the Bitterns in Rice Project achieved so far? Since 2012,
the BIRP has been uncovering the secrets of Australia's Bunyip Bird and raising
awareness of its plight. We now know there is a very significant population
breeding in the rice. Together with other important species found along the way,
the project shows enormous potential to bridge the gap between food production
and wildlife conservation in the Riverina. We've developed Bittern Friendly Rice
Growing Tips and established a long term research and monitoring program with
the support of hundreds of rice growers. Trials are underway to test the
effectiveness of tweaking the management of rice fields to better incorporate
biodiversity while still producing excellent yields.
--
Matt Herring
Wildlife Ecologist
Environmental Education
Murray
Wildlife Pty Ltd
Email:
Mobile: 0428 236
563
Latest news, project updates and publications:
www.murraywildlife.com.au
