Birds of Peru

Inca Tern. This photo was released into the public domain by its author, Arpingstone
Move over Dusky Woodswallow, this may be my new favourite bird - or pretty close to, anyway: the photo above is of an Inca Tern. Some birds are just beak and feathers above others.

To see this bird I'd have to make the trek to Peru. Sounds expensive, you say. Well, it may not be, if I can win a trip! Kolibri Expeditions are giving away 15 free birds trips in Peru. What a chance! I thought Australian birds were pretty amazing, but Peruvian birds are simply outstanding (check out Gunnar Engblom's 11 must-see Peruvian birds).

Plant education

Atriplex cinerea 071007-7223
Originally uploaded by Tony Rodd

Western Treatment Plant
My plant education is a work-in-progress, but the good news is that it is progressing. Today, I spent the day at the Western Treatment Plant, and managed to learn a couple new plants:

· Atriplex cinerea (Grey Saltbush)
· Oxalis pes-caprae (weed with a yellow flower)
· Wild Rape
· I believe we saw tea-tree as well, but I don't know which kind. My guess is Prickly Tea-tree...

Yarra Bend Park
And, I learnt a few plants while doing fence work at Yarra Bend Park:

· Winter Grass
· Velp Grass (not sure about the spelling)

Lurg Hills
Also, I did some tree planting last weekend in the Lurg Hills near Benalla, and here are a few trees we planted:

· Mugga Ironbark
· Grey Box
· Yellow Box

And, we were trying to get rid of Onion Grass.

Of course, there were many more plants around; my method is to learn a couple on each field trip.

Bird banding

A Pied Oystercatcher captured (and later released) at Stockyard Point
When I talk about bird banding, I'm talking about the practice of fitting a bird with a leg band for identification. I've helped a few researchers and bird groups with bird banding, and I like it because it's hands on experience with researchers working to find out more about birds and what we can do to protect them.

Some people are against bird banding, and some people are for it. The argument for bird banding is it helps greatly with research. Some say much of what has been discovered about birds - especially waders and migrant birds - could not have been achieved without banding. The argument against bird banding is the risks for birds associated with being captured and carrying a band.

The risks associated with being captured are that the birds can suffer from stress, drown or be eaten by predators. My opinion is these risks can be minimized by careful management and the presence of experienced banders, which is a requirement anyway. Waders have been known to carry band-related injuries, however, I have been told that waders commonly carry leg injuries in any case. Only a study on band-related injuries will tell if these injuries are plentiful or few and far between.

All this considered, my personal view is that bird banding is invaluable to bird research, and so long as it is carefully conducted and qualifications remain necessary for carrying out any banding, it should continue. Having said that, I'd be very interested to see the results of any studies on band-related injuries.