The August meeting will be a normal face-to-face one held at our usual venue. Attendees should heed social distancing and good hygiene practice etc, and use their common sense and stay home if they have COVID symptoms. Mask wearing is recommended.
The short presentation will be by Emmeline Norris from the Conservation Research Unit, ACT Government on “Potential impacts of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) on native fauna in the ACT.”
Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs), commonly used for rodent control in Australia, pose a significant threat to native wildlife. The prolonged toxicity of these chemicals can lead to the bioaccumulation of lethal doses in non-target species such as birds of prey, carnivorous mammals, and reptiles. Despite bans on the use of SGARs overseas, these chemicals are unregulated in Australia. This presentation outlines a recent analysis into the potential impacts of SGARs on non-target native fauna in the ACT and discusses important next steps for mitigating species declines due to secondary poisoning.
The main presentation will be by Andy Taylor, a Senior Natural Resource Management Advisor for South East Local Land Services (LLS) on “Connecting with Canberra – the Scarlet Robin Project.”
Andy Taylor’s area of work is predominantly within the Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council area. He advises private landholders on all things soil, water and biodiversity and has a particular interest in building awareness around the plight of our woodland birds and the threats that face them. He also helps to design, manage and deliver grant programs to private landholders, many which include opportunities to support bird habitat.
In particular, Andy will speak to us about a grant program he has been involved in, the Scarlet Robin Project. This landscape scale project has just completed its 7th year, with a focus on raising awareness about threatened woodland bird species across the communities of Braidwood, Burra, Michelago and Delegate. The project has delivered a lot of wonderful on-ground outcomes and community engagement and he will show a short film to celebrate the achievements so far.
But there is still so much to do, and Andy will be probing the audience about their experiences and observations that can help build on the great work that organisations like COG, LLS and others do to support our beautiful native birds!