Forum on threatened species takes flight

LAST Friday saw the fourth annual Otway Threatened Species Research Forum held at the Geelong Regional Library.

The forum provided a valuable opportunity for researchers, residents and land managers to come together and discuss how to protect the threatened species in the Otways.

Highlighting the various threats native species can face was Craig Morley’s talk, which discussed the the findings of the Geelong Bird Report 20132016.

The large project spanned across the Otways, Surf Coast and Bellarine regions, with Mr Morley making particular note of the impact increased development in these areas has on bird life.

“We need to be mindful of development and look at the bigger picture, because if we keep saying there’s somewhere else for the birds to go, then eventually there’s nowhere for the birds to go.”

Mr Morley also said that “every species has slightly different habitat requirements”.

The report included data on 320 species and emphasised the importance of protecting these species’ habitats.

The projects data was gathered by more than 600 volunteers over a four-year period. The volunteers made 306,000 observations in that period.

Event overseer Jack Pascoe said the data in Mr Morley’s report was invaluable. The City of Greater Geelong has supported the project with an environmental grant.

This has enabled Mr Morley to create a similar report from 2017-2020. He said there had been an even greater level of interaction, with the increase in bird spotting apps helping build engagement.

Volunteer birdwatchers weren’t the only ones contributing to research discussed at the forum.

Whale watchers were a significant part of the Department of Land Water and Planning’s Mandy Watson’s talk.

Ms Watson described how a small group of photographers who followed Southern Right Wales across the coast of South-eastern Australia were able to provide “significant amounts of data” on the creatures movements and behaviours.

Ms Watson’s talk highlighted the benefits of researchers combining with locals to gather as much information as possible, a collaboration the forum was looking to foster.

Mark Le Pla, who spoke at the forum about using genetic sampling to determine the effectiveness of fox-baiting, said that meeting with local residents and land-owners ensured researchers like himself could focus on the right areas.

“There are projects that come about largely because of this forum.”

The forum was well attended.