When guest speaker Yolande Cozijn, the media officer for Birdlife Shoalhaven, which takes in towns including Berry, Ulladulla and Merimbula, gave Nowra Rotarians a quiz, she gave out more chocolates as prizes than she anticipated.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Showing beautiful photos taken by her husband, who is a wildlife photographer, some Rotarians were not only able to identify the species of birds, such as the Superb Fairy Wren and Sacred Kingfisher, they were also able to comment on the behaviour of the birds.
However, it soon became evident that Yolande was the real expert in the room as she explained many more facts and figures of Shoalhaven bird life, the habitats they thrive in and removed some of the myths about feeding wild birds.
Yolande said that BirLlife Shoalhaven and its umbrella organisation, Birdlife Australia, were much more than just bird watching clubs.
It takes between 120 and 150 years for a gum tree to develop holes in the trunks and branches where many bird species nest.
The organisation also focused on conservation, education, research into endangered species and lobbying governments at all levels to assist them in the above.
Yolande explained that, for the most part, new urban development was not conducive to bird life with the removal of trees.
It takes between 120 and 150 years for a gum tree to develop holes in the trunks and branches where many bird species nest.
Notwithstanding the need to retain these trees in situations where they are not dangerous to people, Yolande gave many tips on how to make our gardens attractive to different species of local birds.
Yolande gave examples of the many types of trees, shrubs, creepers, grasses and mulch that we could use in our gardens to attract certain types of birds, and how to landscape our gardens to provide food, shelter and protection from predators.
Giving tips on birdbaths and nesting box design Yolande said that it is most important to keep clean eating and drinking containers as there is an increasing risk of birds catching and transmitting disease from these unclean water and food receptacles.
BirdLife Shoalhaven has partnered with Shoalhaven City Council to produce a map and brochure on the many local bushwalking tracks where the full range of Shoalhaven birdlife can be seen.
These are available at the Shoalhaven Tourist Centre.
At the end of her talk Yolande handed out information on Shoalhaven birdlife and invited Rotarians to subscribe to their monthly BirdLife Shoalhaven newsletter.
BirdLife Shoalhaven from south of Gerringong to north of Bateman's Bay and west to the Southern Highlands.
It includes the main towns of Nowra, Berry and Ulladulla and many national parks including Jervis Bay, Booderee, Morton and the Budawangs.
Members can enjoy a field trip each month.
For more information or to become a member, head BirdLife Australia