Where? Where? Wedgie! 2018 Day 6 : 06-05-2018

We’re heading to Maria Island to locate one of James’ tagged eagles tomorrow so we dropped in to one of the public workshops. Bookend Trust’s Citizen Science Coordinator Dr Clare Hawkins and bird specialist Peter Vaughan described how we are trying to learn more about Wedgie and other target species populations... and how everyone can help.

Over at our sister website www.naturetrackers.com.au people are preparing for the public bird surveys on 25-27 May (James and I are going somewhere very remote and awesome). To help them be prepared Dr Clare is joining with raptor experts like Nick Mooney, Peter Vaughan and Peter Tonelli. They are describing why the survey is designed how it is, and some basics for identifying the different raptors. Spotting birds in the field and knowing what they are is difficult but very good fun. For students it would be a good idea to begin by discussing the birds common to the school yard and home. How do you know what they are? Size and shape, colour, behaviour, sounds? Then start to research birds you haven’t seen yet but might during a bushwalk or drive along the highway. Make notes, do sketches, create charts, role play them on the mat!

Normally I wouldn’t do a t-shirt winner on the weekend but I will today because my name is??? posted an answer when clearly not at school. And if there’s one thing I love it’s students loving learning off their own steam.