Greetings. The ACT Government has released for public comment the Draft Migratory
Species Action Plan 2017. It covers birds only.
They point out that:
Up to 27 migratory bird species visit the ACT each year. Most fly from as far away as northern Siberia, China, and Japan to spend their summer non-breeding season in Australia. Two migratory flycatchers breed in the ACT’s mountainous wet sclerophyll
forest during spring and summer.
The birds’ favourite places include the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, sewage reticulation ponds, urban wetlands and wet sclerophyll forests in the ACT. They also visit Lake George and Lake Bathurst outside the ACT.
Australia has signed international agreements to protect migratory species, and these 27 birds are listed under the Commonwealth’s
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This is particularly important because bird habitats around the world are threatened by habitat loss or degradation, often through development or invasion by pest plants and animals,
predation, pollution and climate change.
As part of our international responsibility to protect migratory species, the ACT Conservator of Flora and Fauna has drafted an action plan to protect and manage the habitats the birds use in the ACT. It also gives information about each bird. See the list
of photos of birds in the Draft Migratory Species Action Plan.
In my personal view, the comment that 'The birds’ favourite places include the ... sewage reticulation ponds' is ironical considering that Icon Water, an ACT Government agency, prohibits bird observers - citizen scientists - from collecting data on the migratory
birds there, and has dried out some of the ponds, destroying the habitats for migratory birds.
The drafters of the Action Plan go on to say that 'The ACT Government is keen to hear from birdwatchers and the general public. You can have your say on the action plan until Friday, 25 August 2017'.
Much, indeed most, of the data underpinning the draft Plan comes from COG's databases and eBird Australia, i.e. data submitted by COG members over many years. Well done!
Please visit
https://yoursay.act.gov.au/migratory-species to provide your comments on the draft Action Plan.
David
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David McDonald
1004 Norton Road
Wamboin NSW 2620
Australia
T: (02) 6238 3706
M: 0416 231 890
F: (02) 9475 4274
E: m("dnmcdonald.id.au","david");">
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