Our local paper, The Innisfail Advocate, has published a story about our latest cassowary road death at Mission Beach over the Queens birthday long weekend
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birds. Show all posts
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Cassowary Chicks Lose Their Father…Reports the Innisfail Advocate
Our local paper, The Innisfail Advocate, has published a story about our latest cassowary road death at Mission Beach over the Queens birthday long weekend
Monday, June 14, 2010
Four Endangered Cassowaries Slaughtered over the Last Seven Months on Mission Beach Roads
That’s right, yet another endangered southern cassowary has been killed on North Queensland roads by a motor car.
So again I find myself sitting at my computer writing about another cassowary road death at Mission Beach, North Queensland.
So again I find myself sitting at my computer writing about another cassowary road death at Mission Beach, North Queensland.Sunday, May 23, 2010
Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service Map of Reported Cassowary Vehicle Strike Deaths
In April 2007 the Queensland government produced a map of known cassowary vehicle strike deaths at Mission Beach.
Sometimes a picture says a thousand words and basically a map is just a picture isn’t it!
Click on image for larger view.
Keep in mind that these are exclusively cassowary vehicle strike deaths and only record the percentage of vehicle strike deaths that are reported.
Sometimes a picture says a thousand words and basically a map is just a picture isn’t it!
Click on image for larger view.Keep in mind that these are exclusively cassowary vehicle strike deaths and only record the percentage of vehicle strike deaths that are reported.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tragic Cassowary Death Raises Mission Beach Road Toll to an Unacceptable 3 Adult Females in 6 Months
Yet again I find myself sitting in my office receiving news from my friend Liz Gallie at Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation (C4) that the Mission Beach community has lost yet another precious female endangered Southern cassowary.
Here is her email:
Subject: Another adult cassowary death on Mission Beach roads
Here is her email:Subject: Another adult cassowary death on Mission Beach roads
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Cassowary Scat/Tracks on the Beach in Front of Proposed Ella Bay Resort Complex/Urban Development
On Sunday 7 February 2010 I decided to go for a beach walk at Ella Bay.
I knew that both Barra Creek and Biggerabarra Creek had broken out to the sea and would block my travel but at the end of the day a short walk is better than no walk at all.
Being cut off from the northern end of the beach was not a problem a few days later when I brought the sea kayak along!
I’m glad I decided to make this trip as I was well rewarded for my enthusiasm as you will soon see.
I knew that both Barra Creek and Biggerabarra Creek had broken out to the sea and would block my travel but at the end of the day a short walk is better than no walk at all.Being cut off from the northern end of the beach was not a problem a few days later when I brought the sea kayak along!
I’m glad I decided to make this trip as I was well rewarded for my enthusiasm as you will soon see.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Pair of White-Bellied Sea-Eagles Haliaeetus leucogaster Eat A Poisonous Toadfish at Ella Bay
Recently I have been communicating with Queensland Parks and Wildlife regarding the methods used and behaviour of their personnel at Ella Bay. This is something I will blog about in the near future. It has caused me to re examine the low impact methods I use to conduct field observations at Ella Bay as I am always seeking ways to do things better!
Whilst looking through my notes and photographs I was reminded of the following interesting observation I made on 12 December 2009. Incidentally this was the same day I first observed Snub fin dolphins at Ella Bay but that’s another story.
During this Ella Bay beach walk I was surprised when I accidentally disturbed a pair of White-bellied Sea-eagles that were on the ground near the high tide mark.
Whilst looking through my notes and photographs I was reminded of the following interesting observation I made on 12 December 2009. Incidentally this was the same day I first observed Snub fin dolphins at Ella Bay but that’s another story.
During this Ella Bay beach walk I was surprised when I accidentally disturbed a pair of White-bellied Sea-eagles that were on the ground near the high tide mark.Monday, January 25, 2010
2010 International Year of Biodiversity
As some of you may already know 2010 is International Year of Biodiversity.
The following is the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Year of Biodiversity (2010):
The following is the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the International Year of Biodiversity (2010):Sunday, January 24, 2010
Ella Bay’s Great Grey Ghost: The Great-billed heron Ardea sumatrana
Ella Bay is well known for its biggest bird, the endangered Southern cassowary.
Ella Bay is also home to another huge bird which is even harder to photograph, the Great-billed heron, a wary bird that has evaded my camera on many occasions at Ella Bay!
My own experiences with this bird generally consist of frustrating fleeting glimpses of the tail end of this huge bird disappearing into the mangrove swamps. The Great-billed heron certainly does not like human company and is quick to scoot if disturbed.
Ella Bay is also home to another huge bird which is even harder to photograph, the Great-billed heron, a wary bird that has evaded my camera on many occasions at Ella Bay!
My own experiences with this bird generally consist of frustrating fleeting glimpses of the tail end of this huge bird disappearing into the mangrove swamps. The Great-billed heron certainly does not like human company and is quick to scoot if disturbed.Monday, December 21, 2009
Another Mission Beach Cassowary killed by a car at Mission Beach 20.12.2009
Yesterday morning while I was examining the multitude of cassowary tracks that cross the Ella Bay Road, the noble bird was being killed by a vehicle strike at nearby Mission Beach.
I received the following message from cassowary conservation groupC4.
I received the following message from cassowary conservation groupC4.Sad day today as another adult cassowary is killed on Mission Beach roads. With the Christmas holidays fast approaching and no better road management strategy than a small 'recent crossing' sign in an 80 kph area we can only hold our breath in hope that there are no more fatalities. Media release will follow as more details come in.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Mangoes and Cassowaries on the Ella Bay Road Part 2 - More food for thought!
The whole issue of cassowaries accessing food resources along the Ella Bay Road has been on my mind a fair bit lately after witnessing their attraction to the Mango trees that line the edges of the Ella Bay Road.
I am extremely concerned that property developer Ella Bay Pty Ltd plans to fence/widen this road potentially isolating or removing valuable cassowary food trees. That this is being proposed within and adjacent to a World Heritage National Park amplifies these concerns.
I am extremely concerned that property developer Ella Bay Pty Ltd plans to fence/widen this road potentially isolating or removing valuable cassowary food trees. That this is being proposed within and adjacent to a World Heritage National Park amplifies these concerns.Monday, November 16, 2009
Mission beach loses another endangered Cassowary to a hit run driver
Today I received a media release from Liz Gallie and the management team at Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation (C4). It was all bad news as our region has lost another endangered southern cassowary today to a hit run driver.
Photo by Liz Gallie
People sometimes ask why I am so strongly opposed to the proposed Ella Bay urban development/resort complex and all I can say is look at the photos, read the story, and there is your answer.
Photo by Liz GalliePeople sometimes ask why I am so strongly opposed to the proposed Ella Bay urban development/resort complex and all I can say is look at the photos, read the story, and there is your answer.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Torres Imperial-pigeons along the Ella Bay Road
A fortnight ago, after a long walk at Ella Bay I chanced upon a flock of Torres Imperial-pigeons Ducula spilorrhoa. They were feeding amongst the tree tops near the car park on the Ella Bay Road.
As I approached they were wheeling in and out amongst the trees so you have to excuse the quality of my photographs! I snapped off a few quick insurance shots before I even recognised what sort of birds they were.
As I approached they were wheeling in and out amongst the trees so you have to excuse the quality of my photographs! I snapped off a few quick insurance shots before I even recognised what sort of birds they were.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Cassowaries at Mission Beach: Recovery or Extinction
Today I got the green light to share a great new brochure with you that has been produced by inspirational Mission Beach artist Liz Gallie and her talented co volunteers at C4 (Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation).
I have been excited by this project for quite a while now as the concept is brilliant and the graphics on the brochure are awesome (download here, PDF).
I have been excited by this project for quite a while now as the concept is brilliant and the graphics on the brochure are awesome (download here, PDF).
Friday, October 2, 2009
Satori's 'innovative' cassowary gate exposed as ineffective Canadian deer gate!
A couple of weeks ago I got a heads up that there was a cassowary gate story in the Innisfail Advocate so I grabbed a copy and had a bit of a look. Sure enough there it was ‘Big birds trial road safety gate’.
I have been waiting with bated breath to find out details of Satori’s ‘innovative’ new Cassowary gate. Sadly I was disappointed to find it was just a deer gate with what looks like ping pong balls on the end of the tines/prongs! Suffice to say it didn’t rock my world!!
Here's the story by Lea Guy from the Innisfail Advocate
I have been waiting with bated breath to find out details of Satori’s ‘innovative’ new Cassowary gate. Sadly I was disappointed to find it was just a deer gate with what looks like ping pong balls on the end of the tines/prongs! Suffice to say it didn’t rock my world!!
Here's the story by Lea Guy from the Innisfail AdvocateMonday, August 17, 2009
Ella Bay Beach Walk: 13 August 2009
Where does the time go to?
I have been busy on a few conservation projects lately that I unfortunately can’t blog about so the poor Ellabayforever blog has been a bit neglected but I am back with more news!
The 13th of August was a great day not just because the sun was shining and I had a day off work but even better my better half Sara had a day off too so we went for a walk at Ella Bay.
I wanted to record some cultural sites to share with traditional owners who have kindly shared some of their knowledge of Ella Bay with me. I was also keen to get some fresh air into my system after shaking the dreaded flu!
I have been busy on a few conservation projects lately that I unfortunately can’t blog about so the poor Ellabayforever blog has been a bit neglected but I am back with more news!
The 13th of August was a great day not just because the sun was shining and I had a day off work but even better my better half Sara had a day off too so we went for a walk at Ella Bay.
I wanted to record some cultural sites to share with traditional owners who have kindly shared some of their knowledge of Ella Bay with me. I was also keen to get some fresh air into my system after shaking the dreaded flu!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Cassowaries on ABC 26 July (Sun) 7.30pm
I have been that busy photographing and writing about Ella Bay’s Indo-pacific humpback dolphins that I forgot to give you all a decent “heads up” about a cassowary documentary which is making its debut on the ABC 1.
It’s a documentary by Bianca Keeley called CASSOWARIES which I thought was a great title!
From what I can find out it is about cassowaries at Mission Beach post cyclone Larry.
It’s a documentary by Bianca Keeley called CASSOWARIES which I thought was a great title!
From what I can find out it is about cassowaries at Mission Beach post cyclone Larry.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Entrapment
Recently I received a letter from Liz Gallie a member of cassowary conservation group C4. It highlighted the dangers posed to endangered southern cassowaries by fences around urban developments.
This is of particular interest to me as developer Satori is suggesting within their Ella Bay proposal that roadside fencing be established to funnel cassowaries toward road crossing points. I strongly oppose this as it may funnel birds from neighbouring territories into the same area with the potential for territorial fighting. Fencing could isolate cassowaries from important seasonal foods such as white apples Syzygium forte which grow to the East of the Ella Bay access road. Fencing can also physically separate adults and juveniles leading to stress, injury or death.
As the following letter and images clearly illustrate fencing is no friend to our cassowaries and is not the solution to keeping them safe. Thankyou Liz, Karen and C4 and with no further words from me here’s the story ...
This is of particular interest to me as developer Satori is suggesting within their Ella Bay proposal that roadside fencing be established to funnel cassowaries toward road crossing points. I strongly oppose this as it may funnel birds from neighbouring territories into the same area with the potential for territorial fighting. Fencing could isolate cassowaries from important seasonal foods such as white apples Syzygium forte which grow to the East of the Ella Bay access road. Fencing can also physically separate adults and juveniles leading to stress, injury or death.
As the following letter and images clearly illustrate fencing is no friend to our cassowaries and is not the solution to keeping them safe. Thankyou Liz, Karen and C4 and with no further words from me here’s the story ...
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Joov the Fringe Dweller by Liz Gallie
Today I received this great story from my friend Liz Gallie. Her property at Bingil Bay is frequented by our endangered southern cassowaries. Liz regularly shares her observations with me I am sure you will agree that Liz’s cassowary photos are without equal.
Often when reading so many statistics relating to these amazing birds I worry they might become numbers on a page to me. When I get bogged down with the facts and figures (believe me a lot of the statistics aren’t very pretty) I sit down and have a coffee and think about Joov and other cassowaries Liz has shared with me in her emails and photos. I wonder how their day is going and what challenges they are facing but mostly I hope they are alive and well as with a total population of about 1200 birds every individual is vital if this species is to avoid extinction. Again thank you Liz and I invite you all to read about Joov the fringe dweller.
Often when reading so many statistics relating to these amazing birds I worry they might become numbers on a page to me. When I get bogged down with the facts and figures (believe me a lot of the statistics aren’t very pretty) I sit down and have a coffee and think about Joov and other cassowaries Liz has shared with me in her emails and photos. I wonder how their day is going and what challenges they are facing but mostly I hope they are alive and well as with a total population of about 1200 birds every individual is vital if this species is to avoid extinction. Again thank you Liz and I invite you all to read about Joov the fringe dweller.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Grey Goshawk: Ella Bay’s Deadly Forest Assassin
The Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae lives at Ella Bay.
This noble forest predator is listed as rare by the Nature Conservation Act although it may be found in every Australian state. It is not a huge bird, measuring from 40 to 55 cm long and weighing up to 680 grams (larger birds are females).
This noble forest predator is listed as rare by the Nature Conservation Act although it may be found in every Australian state. It is not a huge bird, measuring from 40 to 55 cm long and weighing up to 680 grams (larger birds are females).
Sunday, May 3, 2009
A road to Cassowary extinction
There’s an access road between Ella Bay and Flying Fish Point that’s approximately 4 kilometres long. It’s not a wide road and much of it is single lane. It’s not a smooth road as most of it is unsealed. Most importantly it’s not a fast road as it has a speed limit of 40 km/hr as every metre of it is used by the endangered southern cassowary.
It’s a road I want to tell you about as it has the potential to kill off Ella Bay’s cassowaries to the point of local extinction.
Words cannot describe the beauty of this road in its present state so please forgive me if I am a bit heavy handed with my photographs.
It’s a road I want to tell you about as it has the potential to kill off Ella Bay’s cassowaries to the point of local extinction.Words cannot describe the beauty of this road in its present state so please forgive me if I am a bit heavy handed with my photographs.
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