birding-aus Assitance required

[Errol Nye <>]

Concern for the survival of Australian water birds species has grown in
the last decade, as wetlands continue to be degraded on a national scale
and as population continue to decline. Of particular concern is the
contraction in ranges of species in New South Wales. These species suffer
from a lack of information relating to threatening processes and hence
there is a pressing need for effective management through increased
understanding of the relationship of waterbird populations to fluctuating
resources, mobility, patterns of land clearing and introduced 
pests.

Starting in September 1999 I started a PhD project look at factors
influencing the declines of four wetland species, those being the
Wandering Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna arcuata), Cotton Pygmy
Geese (Nettapus coromandelianus), Comb-crested Jacana
(Irediparra gallinacea) and the Magpie Goose (Anseranas
semipalmata). To facilitate this project I am asking for assistance
of local bird watches to provide me with an idea of the exact locations
of these bird species within Northern New South Wales, so that I can
determine study sites to investigate the biology of these species, with
reference to movement capabilities, breeding success and food
requirements.

If you observe any of the species before mentioned or think that you
might whilst enjoying a weekend of bird watching, within Northern New
South Wales or Queensland could you please contact me  by email at
.
and include some detailed info on locations and behaviour as I am trying
to start at database of locations and network of people in these
locations. Please tell yours friends as well.

Yours truly,
Errol Nye.

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Errol Nye

(PhD Student): Distributional Ecology and

Conservation of Tropical Wetland Birds

School of Biological Sciences A08,

University of Sydney, NSW, 2006

Ph:(02) 9351 5118

Fax: (02) 9351 4119

Email :

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