Jim
Can't make it to Brisbane but I'd like to make some observations now.
Having contributed to a number of conservation projects, including Gould's
Petrel on Cabbage Tree Island (Port Stephens, NSW), Regent Honeyeaters in
the Capertee Valley, I am firmly convinced that committed, properly recorded
and actively/scientifically used studies of bird behaviour are a key
component of successful bird conservation.
Using Gould's Petrel as an example, the detailed work done on behaviour such
as changeover periods (males and females swapping on nests, and time away
from nest), how the adults fly through the rainforest (get rid of that
Pisonia), return of young ones to the place they were born, nesting habits
(such as lining nest with dry leaves, etc. have all contributed to a
successful conservation program (so far) for Gould's Petrel.
The critical part is the scientific recording and use of the studies by
actually undertaking positive conservation work - I am convinced that
disciplined methodology works.
It's a two part thing: use the statistics to take positive conservation
action.
For surveys (and I've volunteered on a few over the years including
continuously over a four year term), which are largely presence/absence
counts, I'm not yet fully convinced of their power - on their own. Even
surveys that go further to record numbers, breeding status, habitat usage,
weather etc. merely build up lots of statistics and data:
the data need to be translated to solid action.
I know some people will argue that the stats are required first before you
know what action to take, but I suggest that "all stats, no action" is not
"conservation".
Irene Denton
Sydney NSW
Australia
-----Original Message-----
From: James Davis <>
To: OZ Bird Listserve <>
Date: Tuesday, 13 April 1999 07:28
Subject: birding-aus Free Lecture on Birds
>
>For all interested bird enthusiasts
>
>14 April 1999, 7:30 - 9:00
>Lectures at the Mt. Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Brisbane, Qld
>Phone (07) 3403-2550
>
>
>Title: Can Study of Bird Behaviour Benefit Conservation?
>
>In a world that is increasingly modified by human activity, the survival
>of many threatened birds depends on the development of thoughtful
>conservation strategies. Although a great deal is known about avian
>behaviour, much of this knowledge has not been applied toward
>conservation. In this open forum, participants will explore the question:
>What importance can behavioural studies have for the conservation of wild
>birds? The discussion will open with the comments of three ornithologists
>with interests in conservation and behaviour. After these opening
>comments, the audience is invited to participate by asking questions and
>contributing their own comments and ideas. The discussion will be
>monitored in order to keep the content focused.
>
>Topics likely to be covered include: Habitat related issues, response to
>predators, imprinting/learning,
>sexual selection, captive breeding practices, traits that make birds
>susceptible to extinction, and more...
>
>
>Panel participants will be:
>
>Dr. Jim Davis, Editor
>Interpretive Birding Bulletin
>
>Dr. Darryl Jones
>Faculty of Environmental Science
>Griffith University, Qld
>
>Dr. Jeremy Thompson
>Environmental Protection Agency
>Senior Principle Conservation Officer
>
>
>To unsubscribe from this list, please send a message to
>
>Include ONLY "unsubscribe birding-aus" in the message body (without the
>quotes)
>
To unsubscribe from this list, please send a message to
Include ONLY "unsubscribe birding-aus" in the message body (without the
quotes)
|
