When I started this blog I wanted to focus on Ella Bay and Bramston Beach but I have since realised that conservation issues in the coastal wet tropics of Australia are all interrelated and so will sometimes do stories on nearby beaches such as Mission Beach and Cowley beach.
I will remain focused on Ella Bay however the sad situation at Cowley Beach is a warning that can not be ignored.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Joov the Fringe Dweller on "I and the Bird"
The Cassowary and Ella Bay is on this week's "I and the Bird" carnival!
This week's edition is hosted by Amber Coakley on the Birder's Lounge. Amber has created a fantastic world-wide adventure for this 102th edition of the Carnival!
Amber says "To give you an idea of where-in-the-world our contributors and their birdy-encounters are coming from, I’ve shown a map representing each post. Each map attempts to show you the general location of the birds discussed, and includes an overview map so that you can see which continent you are virtually visiting. Just click on each map and you will be transported to each exciting place around the globe."
Amber has generously included Liz Gallie's moving entry Joov the Fringe Dweller on this blog and says "My heart goes out to these amazing birds and their struggle to survive as the urban sprawl takes it toll."
Thank you Amber!
This week's edition is hosted by Amber Coakley on the Birder's Lounge. Amber has created a fantastic world-wide adventure for this 102th edition of the Carnival!
Amber says "To give you an idea of where-in-the-world our contributors and their birdy-encounters are coming from, I’ve shown a map representing each post. Each map attempts to show you the general location of the birds discussed, and includes an overview map so that you can see which continent you are virtually visiting. Just click on each map and you will be transported to each exciting place around the globe."
Amber has generously included Liz Gallie's moving entry Joov the Fringe Dweller on this blog and says "My heart goes out to these amazing birds and their struggle to survive as the urban sprawl takes it toll."
Thank you Amber!
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.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Indo-pacific dolphins sighted at Bramston Beach
Last Sunday I was keen on a beach walk. Perhaps I needed to thaw the cold that had crept into my bones during a recent visit to Victoria or maybe it was the perfect blue skies but the urge to visit salt water could not be ignored!
The tide was out and the ocean was very calm considering it was almost midday. As usual I scanned the ocean hoping to see a sea eagle or dolphin.
The tide was out and the ocean was very calm considering it was almost midday. As usual I scanned the ocean hoping to see a sea eagle or dolphin.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Sea Turtles - a poem by Matilda Bishop
Sea TurtlesSwimming slowly, in the sea
This is where sea turtles can be
Swimming straightly up and down
Swimming, blending, to the ground
Bunch of jellies, swim together
Lightly, lightly like a feather
There goes one, there goes two
Then scares another like saying 'boo'
This is where we find turtles in the sea
This is where they be
They would like to stay
on earth like you
So help these animals
stay here, too!!
Matilda Bishop aged 10, loves Ella Bay as well turtles!
Ellie Bock, President of the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre forwarded this poem for sharing on the Ella Bay blog.
The gorgeous watercolour of the splendid sea turtle is by Kimberley Payard, a Far North Queensland artist whose love affair with the sea goes as far back as she can remember. For nearly two decades, she has lived and worked on the Great Barrier Reef as an adventure diver and professional underwater photographer. Her website www.greatbarrierreef.net.au is dedicated to restoring the balance of nature on our planet.
Thank you ladies for sharing these wonderful expressions of our beloved marine life!
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