Description: This outing will be a repeat of the very popular and practical nest workshops held for over twenty years. As usual it will be a very informal outing which has been timed to coincide with the peak of the breeding season. The morning will start with the usual very short presentation, including tips on the types of nests built by different species of birds, and how to find nests or nesting behaviour. This will be followed by several hours putting this into practice, with participants looking for breeding behaviour, signs of nests, etc. This will also allow plenty of opportunities for bird watching.
The workshop is particularly suitable for beginners or those relatively new to bird watching, though more experienced members and repeat customers are also very welcome.
Proposed attendees are reminded of the care that needs to be taken around breeding birds as outlined in the new COG Ethical Birding Guidelines which can be found through the link on the Home Page of the Canberra Birds website (Ethical Birding Guidelines – Canberra Birds; in particular, please read and follow the sections on Nesting Birds and Bird Photography).
Walking distance: While every year has been different, we often don’t walk very far as there usually is a “hot spot” where most of the breeding activity occurs around 500 m from where we park. Maximum distance = 2.0 km of easy flat walking.
Meeting time and place: Meet at 8:00 am at the far end of the car park. Take Northcott Drive up to the start of the Campbell Park Offices, where you take the right fork and keep to the outside of the very large car park, skirting it until you get to the end. Intending participants might also like to look at the Campbell Park map on the COG website under the Maps, Forms and Lists button.
End Time: Between 11 am and 12 pm. Please remember to bring morning tea which we will have out in the field.
Name of leader and contact details: Registration is essential no later than Friday 8 November. To participate, please contact Jack Holland by email on jandaholland@bigpond.com – please include your name and mobile number, and emergency contact name and mobile number. If you are new to birding and need to borrow binoculars, please advise Jack when you register.