Japanese students follow the birds to the Bellarine

A DELEGATION of students from Nagoya in Japan visited the Bellarine last week to learn more about migratory birds who frequent the wetlands between both cities.

The students’ visit was part of the Geelong Nagoya Wetlands Partnership, signed in 2007.

This year’s delegation is the 10th to have made the journey.

Nagoya students visited the National Wool Museum (including the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition), and met with Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood, who was mayor when the initial partnership was signed.

They also travelled to Breamlea to view shorebirds both resident and migratory, before getting up close with native Australian animals at the Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary.

They also toured the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre next to Swan Bay, which is part of the Port Phillip (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula RAMSAR Wetlands, and participated in learning activities with students at Queenscliff Primary School.

The partnership encourages the two cities to talk about the importance of wetland habitats in order to ensure the environments at both ends of the birds’ migration routes are protected.