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25/03/2008
Gould Group
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Media Release
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25
March 2008
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Australia's Disappearing
Backyards Puts Pressure on Bird Life
The disappearance
and downsizing of Australia's backyard in major capital cities is placing increased
pressure of Australia's native birdlife.
Blue Wren
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Ann-Maree Colborne,
CEO of Gould Group, Australia's oldest environmental education organisation
formed in 1909 by Prime Minister Alfred Deakin to protect native bird
life said, the decade of drought has seen a major increase in birds migrating
to the city in search of water and food.
"However, with the
increase in higher density housing, smaller lots of land and larger homes
the traditional Australian backyard is disappearing with fewer trees and
shrubs being available for birds and other small animals."
Gould is urging people
to think of birds by making sure that they leave a bowl of water in the
garden in a safe spot off the ground for birds to get a drink.
Ms Colborne said, with the lack of rainfall and excessive temperatures
forecast to continue bird life in Australia will continue its migration
to the city areas.
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"The appreciation
of Australia's bird life has never been more important as many of our birds
are facing extinction and unfortunately in the past one hundred years we have
already lost many species.
"Teaching
children to appreciate bird life in their own gardens is part of developing
a life long environmental skill and understanding that is vital given the impact
of climate change on the next generation.
"Australia
is home to between 600,000 and 700,000 species, many of which are found nowhere
else in the world. About 84% of plants, 83% of mammals, and 45% of birds are
endemic - that is, they are only found in Australia."
The Department
of Environment and Water list twenty three birds as extinct, and another forty
which are endangered.
Ms Colborne
said that with climate change, tree clearing, the removal of habitat in the
cities with denser development and the drought, birds and other unique Australian
fauna are under increasing threat.
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Gould Group Mobile: 0417 329 201
Gould's
Top Tips for Bird Watching
What scares
birds?
Three things will frighten birds unnecessarily.
* Pointing with an outstretched arm will often frighten birds close-by.
* Sudden movement eg. a child swinging a bat, throwing a ball or play fighting
will frighten birds because they see fast dangerous looking movement.
* Sudden loud sounds unsettle birds, but talking in an even pitched tone will
cause little disturbance.
Locating
birds:
To find birds, look for movement and locate where sound is coming from. The
brightest parrot is invisible in a green tree when it remains motionless. Look
for movement in the air, on the ground and among plants. You may also find some
birds resting on structures like power lines, roofs etc. Look in the direction
of bird calls. Remember not to point with an outstretched arm.
How close can you get?
Most birds will allow you to get reasonably close before they fly away or run
off. You can get closer by moving slowly, approaching from the side and not
walking directly towards the bird. How close you get may depend on the environment.
So parks and your own garden, where birds are used to people are good places
to begin bird watching. During duck shooting season, waterbirds may be nervous,
and may not let you get within 200 metres of them. But in a park, the same duck
may come up and take food from you.
Feeding Birds:
The best way to feed birds is to provide them with appropriate trees, shrubs,
grasses and mulch. Many birds appreciate a shallow bird bath. Directly feeding
feral birds can potentially cause problems for the survival of some of our native
birds.
What do birds do?
There are many interesting books describing the intriguing life of birds. You
may like to read some of these books. However you can look through a window
into your garden, or go outside and discover first hand the amazing life of
birds.
Gould
Bird Pledge Online
People wanting
to re-kindle their relationship with their bird pledge can register at www.gould.org.au
and print out a new personalised historic bird pledge for themselves and their
children and grandchildren.
Download the historic Bird
Lovers Pledge
The
Bird Lovers Pledge 1909
I hereby promise that I will protect native birds and will not collect their
eggs.
I also promise that I will endeavour to prevent others from injuring native
birds and destroying their eggs.
www.gould.org.au
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