The next meeting of the Far South Coast Birdwatchers will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday, June 8, in the Uniting Church Hall, Henwood St, Merimbula.
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The guest speaker will be Dr David Hollands, on another visit with stories and photos from his latest book, “Cranes, Herons and Storks of Australia”. This was 16 years in the making and is full of fascinating bird encounters. David always enchants members with his exploits, and they look forward to hearing about more of his adventures.
The heron family is well represented on the Far South Coast – many bird watchers regularly enjoy the simple but striking beauty of a snowy-white egret, standing alone in the open shallow waters that enhance so much of our countryside.
The white-faced heron is also a well-loved local resident in all types of wetland. It’s distinctive and elegant form, reflected in the water as it watches for fish, frogs and insects, is a favourite subject for photographers.
Although primarily a night feeder, the richly rust-coloured Nankeen night heron can sometimes be spotted quietly standing in shallow, swampy water during the day.
Go farther afield to the rice fields area around the Murrumbidgee, and a similar, but much scarcer heron – the Australasian bittern – may be found. Its also known as the Bunyip bird, due to its signature eerie, booming call which carries for over a kilometre at dusk and dawn and is probably the originator of the Bunyip legend. The species has actually benefited from the wetlands created by rice-farming, as these have turned out to be a good substitute for the natural swamp areas that bitterns inhabit, many of which have been lost.
This meeting will also be an opportunity for the many talented photographers in the group to show the best of their recent photos of birds in the Far South Coast area, for possible inclusion in the 2018 FSCB calendar. The evening will end with a light supper, and an opportunity to have a chat.
Visitors and potential new members are most welcome, and all are invited to attend meetings and regular bird walks. Details of events appear on the FSCB website, www.fscb.org.au, and can also be found on Facebook.