Geographic Range
BASNA covers the ACT and NSW south of a rough line from Port Macquarie on the east coast to Tamworth, down to Dubbo, through Nyngan, Cobar and Wilcannia before ending at Broken Hill on the western border. This large region contains diverse ecological habitats, from temperate rainforests on the east coast and Dividing Range, through drier eucalypt woodlands to the semi-arid rangelands in the west. BASNA is also home to the Birds Australia Discovery Centre.
Latest News
AGM & Symposium
The BASNA AGM and Symposium will be held on 20 March 2010, hosted by the Hunter Bird Observers Club. The theme for the seminar will be 'Birds of the Hunter' and there will be an outing on Sunday 21 March to the Walka Recreational and Wildlife Reserve on the outskirts of Maitland. To download a registration form for the seminar and/or a voting form for the AGM visit our calendar of events.
BASNA Members Questionnare
We would like feedback on the types of activities members prefer to participate in. Please download the questionnare and return it to us to help us better serve you.
Unexpected Closures
If travelling from outside Sydney please call or email the Discovery Centre during office hours to confirm our opening hours as access is restricted at times due to other events at Sydney Olympic Park. Phone: 02 9647 1033 or Email:
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Special Birds of the Region
The Rock Warbler is NSW's only endemic bird and can be found in the BASNA area, where the Hawkesbury sandstone and adjacent limestone provide overhangs for it to hang its nest from. The Regent Honeyeater used to be widespread and common across eastern Australia, but habitat clearance has led to its decline and current endangered status. Capertee Valley, three hours west of Sydney, is one of its last breeding strongholds. Other spectacular species you will find in the region are Superb Fairy-wren, Barking and Powerful Owls, and Bush Stone-curlew.
Projects in the Region
We have several research and conservation projects operating, and we are very grateful to our many volunteers who make them possible.
Birds in Backyards (BIBY) is a research and education program that focuses on birds that live in urban areas. Originally a partnership between Birds Australia and the Australian Museum, it is another BASNA initiative. It has an internationally acclaimed website where you can 'Find that Bird' using an identification tool with over 360 species currently represented. The BIBY program is so successful it is being introduced to other regions across Australia.
Cowra Woodland Birds, another long term project, is working in this region to aid avian species by replanting the local woodlands. Both of these also have regular surveys to establish the efficacy of the replantings, although the current drought has badly affected habitat and birds.
Endangered Regent Honeyeater is the longest running project, and involves replanting in the Capertee Valley to assist this vulnerable species. After 16 years, the National Recovery Team is overseeing a statistical analysis of survey results to assess the effectiveness of the tree-planting efforts.
Engaging Ethnic Communities in Urban Bird Conservation, funded by the NSW Environmental Trust, this project developed workshops for multilingual educators, with very positive reactions from several ethnic groups in Sydney.
Conservation Issues
BASNA has an active conservation subcommittee which regularly provides advice and recommendations relating to bird conservation issues to government and non-government agencies. Some recent examples are reviewing environmental impact statements and environmental management plans, reviewing reports from other environmental groups, and investigating members' concerns on local bird conservation matters. BASNA has also instigated a number of projects aimed at bird conservation and knowledge.
Activities
We run a Twitchathon, a 24-hour race to see who can see the most species and who can raise the most money. All funds are used for conservation of birds and their habitats or education initiatives to raise awareness of these issues.
The Birds Australia Discovery Centre at Sydney Olympic Park is holding an increasing number of short courses and activities. See our projects section for several opportunities to volunteer for bird conservation.
Library
With reference books, serials, and some old and rare items, the BASNA library is a good resource for ornithologists in this region. Journals include Emu - Austral Ornithology and Auk, and full sets of Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife series on birds are included in the collection.
As with any library, reference material may not be borrowed but people may come and photocopy what they need - free to BA members and 20cents/page for non-members. BA Members and members of other Birding clubs may also borrow non-reference books.
The Library can be used by appointment Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Phone the BASNA office to make a booking. It is open on weekends 10am - 4pm.
What's On
For a list of events, courses and workshops in Southern NSW & ACT, please check out our calendar.
Contacts
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, Chair
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, Office Manager
Holly Parsons, Birds in Backyards Program Manager
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, Education Coordinator & Discovery Centre Manager
Birds Australia Discovery Centre
Newington Armory
Building 133
1 Jamieson Street
Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
Tel +61 2 9647 1033
Fax +61 2 9647 2030
Email:
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Publications
BASNA produce a quarterly regional newsletter entitled Bird Notes.
Bird Notes March 2010
Bird Notes December 2009
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Rockwarbler in Royal NP © Nevil Lazarus
Parklands near the Discovery Centre © Jon Irvine
Bush Stone-curlew © Dean Ingwersen
Regent Honeyeater © Chris Tzaros
Superb Parrot © Chris Tzaros
Tawny Frogmouths in disguise © Jon Irvine
Galah lining its nest © Jon Irvine
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