Broome - Pt 3: But wait, there's more!
While our focus in Broome was on shorebirds we couldn't help being captivated by the variety of other animals that were around the observatory or shores of Roebuck Bay. Wallabies were regularly seen around the camp. Mudskippers were engaging creatures which Phil and I spent a couple of ours observing & photographing one morning. Resident Green Tree frogs also came out each evening to keep us company during mealtimes. Of course, snakes were always an exciting find, especially the 2m+ black headed python we came across one eveing. Here's a few photos...
Similarly, the birds of the Australian Bush were spectacular. Here's some of the best pics from the trip (a few of the many hundreds I took!)...
Showing posts with label Broome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Broome. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Fellowship Reflections (week 5)
Broome - Pt 2: The cannon netting experience
In Broome we were based at the Broome Bird Observatory and were part of a team that varied in size from 8 to 14 individuals. We had 4 days of cannon netting, the goal being to get breeding plumage from 20 Godwits, 20 Red Knots and 20 Great Knots. We would rise between 5.30 - 6.00am to go set the net just above the tide line, in the relative cool of the morning.
Once set we would hide at a base camp or behind some camouflage to wait for the incoming tide to push the birds closer to the net.
When the numbers looked about right within the catching range then BANG, off went the cannons and we all raced to the net to make sure birds were out of the water, safe within the net and covered with shade clothe so we could transfer them to holding cages. The intensity of these moments is unrivalled. Chris, the leader was clear- don't use your initiative, just do what I say - his voice was the only voice we heard.
One of the research team, Massey vet Janelle Ward, was measuring stress levels of the birds and was collecting blood samples within the first 20 minutes of capture and again later after handling. I was able to assist intially with her extractions before moving into the plumage work with Phil.
It was hot intense stuff and the pressure was always on to process birds within a 4 hour timeframe. When the size of the catch on the second day was 180 birds, this meant everyone was physically pushed to be giving their most and by the end of that day the heat and pressure was taking its toll and concentrating on the simplest tasks took the most incredible effort. Still, it was amazing how we could bounce back after a cool beer at the end of the day.
Our temporary shelter for processing on the beach
This Godwit shows a flag DJA and lovely breeding plumage. Measurements were also taken on bill length, weight, wing length and so on, before birds were released back into the wild. It was always nice to see the birds fly off, usually without any problems, sometimes with a bit of a walk before taking off to the skies. In about 3 weeks or so these amazing birds will be winging there way north towards their breeding grounds.
In Broome we were based at the Broome Bird Observatory and were part of a team that varied in size from 8 to 14 individuals. We had 4 days of cannon netting, the goal being to get breeding plumage from 20 Godwits, 20 Red Knots and 20 Great Knots. We would rise between 5.30 - 6.00am to go set the net just above the tide line, in the relative cool of the morning.
Once set we would hide at a base camp or behind some camouflage to wait for the incoming tide to push the birds closer to the net.
When the numbers looked about right within the catching range then BANG, off went the cannons and we all raced to the net to make sure birds were out of the water, safe within the net and covered with shade clothe so we could transfer them to holding cages. The intensity of these moments is unrivalled. Chris, the leader was clear- don't use your initiative, just do what I say - his voice was the only voice we heard.
One of the research team, Massey vet Janelle Ward, was measuring stress levels of the birds and was collecting blood samples within the first 20 minutes of capture and again later after handling. I was able to assist intially with her extractions before moving into the plumage work with Phil.
It was hot intense stuff and the pressure was always on to process birds within a 4 hour timeframe. When the size of the catch on the second day was 180 birds, this meant everyone was physically pushed to be giving their most and by the end of that day the heat and pressure was taking its toll and concentrating on the simplest tasks took the most incredible effort. Still, it was amazing how we could bounce back after a cool beer at the end of the day.
Our temporary shelter for processing on the beach
This Godwit shows a flag DJA and lovely breeding plumage. Measurements were also taken on bill length, weight, wing length and so on, before birds were released back into the wild. It was always nice to see the birds fly off, usually without any problems, sometimes with a bit of a walk before taking off to the skies. In about 3 weeks or so these amazing birds will be winging there way north towards their breeding grounds.
Fellowship reflections (week 4)
Broome - Part 1: The amazing Roebuck Bay
Broome is some 2 hours flight north of Perth and was the destination for our field work on shorebirds. Broome, or specifically Roebuck Bay, is one of the world's best shorebird spots. The bay lies in a corner of the Indian Ocean where the topography is such that the tides are the largest in Australia. On the lowest tides there is more than 150km of intertidal flats. Bodiversity of marine organisms is extremely high and it therefore very attractive to the many shorebirds that winter here from the tundras and taigas of Russia.
February is wet season in Broome, though the days were sunny and hot (37oC) and the only rain we experienced was a couple of brief overnight showers and one spectacular electrical storm. This was in stark contrast to the summer I returned home to - and the three days of rain! We went to the outdoor movies the night of the storm - check out the tree in this photo...
Roebuck Bay holds maximum numbers of about 200,000 shorebirds (similar numbers to the whole of Victoria or Sth Australia). Some 20 species occur in internationally significant numbers. It was these birds that drew us to Broome. We were there to collect breeding plumage samples (breast and scapular feathers) before the birds headed north - these birds heading to Russia rather than Alaska. The three species we were working on specifically were Red Knot, Great Knot and Godwits. Here's a photo of one the final birds we released, a Great Knot...
Broome is some 2 hours flight north of Perth and was the destination for our field work on shorebirds. Broome, or specifically Roebuck Bay, is one of the world's best shorebird spots. The bay lies in a corner of the Indian Ocean where the topography is such that the tides are the largest in Australia. On the lowest tides there is more than 150km of intertidal flats. Bodiversity of marine organisms is extremely high and it therefore very attractive to the many shorebirds that winter here from the tundras and taigas of Russia.
February is wet season in Broome, though the days were sunny and hot (37oC) and the only rain we experienced was a couple of brief overnight showers and one spectacular electrical storm. This was in stark contrast to the summer I returned home to - and the three days of rain! We went to the outdoor movies the night of the storm - check out the tree in this photo...
Roebuck Bay holds maximum numbers of about 200,000 shorebirds (similar numbers to the whole of Victoria or Sth Australia). Some 20 species occur in internationally significant numbers. It was these birds that drew us to Broome. We were there to collect breeding plumage samples (breast and scapular feathers) before the birds headed north - these birds heading to Russia rather than Alaska. The three species we were working on specifically were Red Knot, Great Knot and Godwits. Here's a photo of one the final birds we released, a Great Knot...
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