Hi All,
Some good news. Over the weekend at Jerrabomberra Wetlands, we caught 6 Latham’s Snipe, of which 3 were big enough to fit satellite transmitters (using a very lightweight harness). They are all doing well and transmitting
data. The research team named the first one “Nozomi” after some serious (but light-hearted) debate. It means “Hope” in Japanese. The other two – P8 and P9 are still needing names and we are putting this out to the public for suggestions.
We were very lucky to have Birgita Hansen and Richard Chamberlain from the Victorian (now Australian) Snipe Project, and Tatsuya Ura from the Wild Bird Society of Japan, leading the research team. Tatsuya is one of the
people who fitted 5 Snipe with satellite transmitters from Haikkado (Japan) last July – the first time this has been done in the World. [Birgita, Richard and myself joined him and his team in Japan to observe and assist], and were very pleased he could be
here with us. Our efforts this weekend is the second in the World and the first attempt in Australia. Tatsuya was accompanied by a TV crew from Haikkado, who have joined us for 4 days to make a 30 minute documentary on the story of the Snipe and the Jerrabomberra
Wetlands. They return to Japan tomorrow but will send us their film once complete.
The research team consisted of members of the ACT Young Rangers Club @ Jerra, Friends of Jerra Wetlands, Canberra Ornithologists Group, Jerra Wetlands Management Sub-Committee, Parks and Conservation Service staff and
other interested volunteers. We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks for their amazing contributions. Being awake for two nights in a row is a tough ask, let along spending it in a muddy smelly, insect-infested Swamp. All these people (including the youngsters)
did this with great enthusiasm and care. The Wetlands Offices looked like a large slumber party!
We would also like to thank the ACT Government – Environment and Planning Directorate and the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust for providing funding for the transmitters to enable this project to go ahead. We still have one
transmitter to deploy but have opted to wait until Spring, as the birds will be heading back to Japan in the very near future and due to the scale of the operation, time will be against us.
In total, there have now been 11 Snipe caught at Jerrabomberra Wetlands and all have leg flags which are orange and start with the letter R or P. If you see one of these - or any Snipe with a leg flag - please send me
an email. Note that over 40 birds have had leg flags fitted in Port Fairy, Victoria also.
Feel free to get in touch if you wish to discuss this in more detail.
Kind Regards,
Lori
Lori Gould
Program Manager
Woodlands and Wetlands Trust (Jerrabomberra Wetlands)
M: 0439030058
PO Box 58 Fyshwick ACT 2609
www.woodlandsandwetlands.org.au
