No. 16
Hello everyone,
We’re feeling the joy as public health measures ease! Especially for less (or no) indoor masks (apart from in certain settings of course). But please be cautious and stay safe.
In this newsletter, we provide updates/information on the following items:The consultancy for the Melville Bird Sanctuary (MBS) which was approved at the Council Meeting on 15 March 2022.
Our next Birdwatching Walk to be led by Dr Claire Greenwell, Conservation Council of WA (CCWA).
Progress on our new Viewing Platform near Pt Waylen.
Discussions with DBCA regarding a review of the Osprey nest conditions following the deaths of the 2 juvenile Osprey in heat wave conditions late last December.
Consultancy for the Melville Bird Sanctuary
We welcomed the Council decision on 15 March 2022 following a motion put by Councillor Jane Edinger, to specifically approve “the appointment of a consultant to progress the establishment of the MBS as a short term recommendation”. Since then, we have had written communication with the City of Melville and DBCA. We have also met with City of Melville’s Mick McCarthy, Convenor of Birdlife WA, Dr Rochelle Steven, CCWA’s Citizen Science Manager, Dr Claire Greenwell as well as Margaret Matassa and Robert Harvey (Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group) and Peter Neesham (Bicton Environmental Action Group). Both SERAG and BEAG are the main environmental volunteer groups working in the areas encompassed by the MBS boundaries. Please refer to updated proposed MBS boundaries map at the end of this email.
Following the above meetings, we recently provided the City of Melville and DBCA with broad details of our collective vision for the MBS – most importantly that the areas within the MBS boundaries should be managed to minimise threats/disturbances to birdlife and provide a sanctuary for birdlife and for all visitors to the MBS. Our aspiration is for the MBS to be a unique and tranquil space within sight of the city skyline -just across the river- and for a rehabilitated and fully revegetated Pt Waylen peninsula to be the "centrepiece" of the MBS.
The next steps are for Mick McCarthy and Mark Cugley (DBCA) to agree on specifications for the consultancy (which will include both Stages 1 and 2 of the MBS boundaries) and commission it.
Birdwatching Walk
Our next Birdwatching Walk will be on Tuesday 24 May from 7.30am to approx. 9.30am. If you have time constraints, you can leave any time you wish during the Walk. We have a special guest leader, Dr Claire Greenwell, a conservation biologist and ornithologist who recently completed a PhD exploring the life history, behaviour and ecology of the Australian Fairy Tern. She is currently the Citizen Science Manager at the CCWA and also convenes the Western Australian Fairy Tern Network.
Please let us know by reply email or via our Facebook page, of your attendance at this Birdwatching Walk which will commence from the Troy Park carpark (opp 194 Burke Dr, Attadale). Please aim to arrive at 7.20am to complete registration details. Bring a pair of binoculars if possible as well as a hat, sunscreen and water. We should have some spare pairs of binoculars available and Claire will also have a birdwatching scope.
Viewing Platform at Pt Waylen
As mentioned in previous newsletters, this platform is being funded by a pre-State Government Election commitment for bird viewing facilities from our Member for Bicton, Lisa O’Malley MLA. City of Melville is handling these funds and we understand has added to them to ensure the best possible result. Foreshore Officer Jem Stirling has assured us that all is progressing well and we should soon hear about a completion date. Both SERAG and ourselves have been part of the consultation process with the City and DBCA.
Review of Alfred Cove Osprey Nest conditions following deaths of the 2 juvenile Osprey in last December’s heat wave
We met on site some weeks ago with Parks and Wildlife staff Melissa Evans and Vaughn Chapple. Melissa and Vaughn said a lot of work had gone into establishing the current nesting pole at Alfred Cove in March 2020 and that the 2 offspring were the first to be born in the ‘new’ nest. It was agreed the most likely causes of them not surviving were the heatwave conditions that prevailed just prior to them fledging. Melissa and Vaughn assured us they will be vigilant about the Osprey nest over the coming months and have invited us all to assist with information and photos of anything that raises concern. Melissa can be contacted on melissa.evans@dbca.wa.gov.au.
That’s it for now! Please continue to keep in touch with us via email or on our Facebook page – addresses at the bottom of this email.
Kind regards,
Tom Lubin and Jenny Christenson
Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary