HI Everyone,
Unfortunately, there have been no more data transmissions from snipe 59 in PNG. We have either lost the bird or the tag.
On a positive note, Robin Hide at ANU has looked through his Field Guides to birds of PNG (recent publications), and the species is listed as a vagrant and not in the areas our birds have used! So
it is exciting that we have added new information about the distribution of snipe in PNG. We have also learnt about its trip up to the north of Australia as well and once again, the importance of Gwydir Wetlands as a staging site.
Given the lateness of the season we were curious to know whether it was going to migrate to Japan or
stay in PNG. We really don’t know much about what this little bird does between Australia and Japan / Russia. We will keep checking every few days over the next couple of weeks, just in case it comes back online.
On a another note, I want to let you know that my time with the Wetlands is drawing to a close. I have had a wonderful 5 years but decided it was timely to leave and spend more time managing my personal
environmental consulting business (GrassRoots Environmental) which enables me to pursue my other great love– Rivers! I will still be in Canberra and I will come back in Spring as a volunteer to help put our last two satellite transmitters on Snipe at the Wetlands.
I am not sure who at the Trust will be coordinating the Snipe project going forward, but will let you know. My last day is the 12th June.
Cheers Lori
Lori Gould
Program Manager
Woodlands and Wetlands Trust (Jerrabomberra Wetlands)
M: 0439 030 058
PO Box 58 Fyshwick ACT 2609
www.woodlandsandwetlands.org.au
