Where? Where? Wedgie! 2018 Day 21 : 21-05-2018

As we begin the final week of the expedition there’s only one thing on our mind. The big wedgie survey this Friday - Sunday. Today’s update shows that even very small people can spot eagles. And we visit Inala Nature Tours on Bruny Island to see why people travel half way around the world to see Tassie birds. 

It was our last island visit for the expedition. Can you remember the other two islands we’ve been to? James wasn’t with me as he had a minor disaster to deal with at the University. His bone and other eagle samples were in a freezer when the floods hit Hobart recently and knocked out the power. They defrosted. The smell is not good. 

I convinced my own family to come adventuring for the day. It was a chance to see how good young eyes are at spotting birds. Nick Mooney tells people at the workshops to take a youngster into the field and on surveys because they are great at seeing little specks in the sky!

We also made the journey to the south end of the island to see the team at Inala Nature Tours. On this expedition we’ve looked at the science of their life cycle and threats to ongoing survival. But there’s another part to the Wedgie story, they and other birds are a very special part of Tasmania’s tourism industry. People come from far and wide to see our endemic birds and get up close to them in natural settings.

Cat and Tonia explained how they have a raptor viewing room with one way glass that the birds can’t see into. The staff collect fresh road kill on the way to work and put it in a paddock. This prevents the birds and other wildlife eating it on the road and getting skittled. It’s also great for photographers who want to see them up close. 

Tomorrow I’m getting some sea kayaking equipment prepared for our trip to the South West on Wednesday, and catching up with eagle expert Jason Wiersma from the Forest Practices Authority to heat some of his wedgie stories and how forestry impacts eagles.