Extinction Matters BioBlitzes | Community organisation

Extinction Matters BioBlitzes

Add/Update information

Reviews

Tags

• Community organisation

25.01.2022 You may have been lucky enough to meet Kristi Ellingsen of Insects of Tasmania, or Peter McQuillan (author of the book described here) on one of the BioBlitzes. Kristi says: "If you haven't found this book for your insect collection, look out for it. It is so useful for Tasmanian caterpillar and moth identification. The text is also really readable and interesting for the non-expert. I use it so often that I thought it was time to give it a plug!" https://butterflyconservationsa.net.au//book-caterpillars/

25.01.2022 It's all happening - the first Where? Where? Wedgie! surveys are this Friday! The deadline for booking your survey square for the first weekend (29-31 May) is Wednesday night - so everyone has time to prepare. The booking map helps us coordinate where we all go, so that together we choose for the best quality science. We have suggestions and final advice on travel restrictions (much better than we feared) - here: https://naturetrackers.com.au/news15.php

24.01.2022 Threatened Species Bake Off - Bush Blitz Citizen Science Award The winner of this year’s Bush Blitz Citizen Science Award is Nick Lambert. Nick submitted a vari...ety of records, including a sound recording of an Eastern Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus) - one of only six observations of the Eastern Ground Parrot on iNaturalist, and the only sound recording! Nick also submitted records of the Australian Masked Owl, the Powerful Owl and Lord Coral. This year’s Bake Off encouraged participants to join a virtual expedition with Bush Blitz - Australia’s largest nature discovery program. Participating in the Bush Blitz Backyard Species Discovery project is a great way to undertake your own ‘backyard research’. You’ll discover some amazing plants and animals living in your own backyard if you go looking, and gain a better understanding about the biodiversity, threatened species, and threats in your local area. We introduced a special award to acknowledge the participant who added the most interesting observation of a threatened species to the Backyard Species Discovery Project on iNaturalist. To learn more about Bush Blitz and how you can get involved from your own home, visit: https://bushblitz.org.au/ : Australian Masked Owl Nick Lambert Powerful Owl Nick Lambert Ground Parrot Birdlife Australia

23.01.2022 This doesn't actually just apply to birding! But as NatureTrackers has just posted, participation in Where? Where? Wedgie! this year is looking like a great plan to care for mind, body and nature... https://www.audubon.org//birding-perfect-activity-while-pr

22.01.2022 iNaturalist encourages us to explore our local areas ever more closely with all sorts of inspiring projects, including a Socially Distant BioBlitz - a 'new tri-weekly series of self-paced natural exploration that adhere to the World Health Organization's guidelines for social distancing' - https://www.inaturalist.org//socially-distant-bioblitz-5-3 Here are some local results which involved taking some very close looks - and you can see some more both on iNaturalist and on the fabulous Tasmanian Insects and Spiders page.

22.01.2022 Talk birds, ecology and science with a wonderful range of people online - starting this Monday!

22.01.2022 Calling schools students, parents, teachers! Join us online in a fantastic 9-day program for schools students. Get FREE live, interactive lessons about birds, e...cology and scientific research from extremely engaging eagle researcher Dr James Pay, incredibly enthusiastic conservation biologist Dr Clare Hawkins and friends. They're getting ready for all your questions... Register now on EventBrite to receive all the details. See more

21.01.2022 Did you know that Hooded Plovers (‘Hoodies’) sometimes run away from their nest to protect it? On beaches around Tasmania, Hooded Plovers have paired up and are... underway with their breeding season, working around the clock to try and raise a family. These little shorebirds lay their eggs onto a simple scrape in the sand. They choose a spot above the high tide line where the waves won’t wash their eggs away. The eggs are speckled and blend in perfectly with the dry sand and seaweed. Hooded Plovers incubate their eggs for about 30 days, constantly checking for danger. If they see a dog, human or other potential predator coming towards the nest, the adult plovers may deliberately move away. This draws attention away from the nest, and hopefully the well-camouflaged eggs remain hidden and safe. Sadly, on beaches with lots of disturbances, adult plovers can be so busy distracting potential predators that they can’t spend enough time on the eggs. The eggs can be exposed to harsh temperatures and fail to hatch, or they can be snatched by other predators. We can help make life easier for these hard-working shorebirds by keeping ourselves, our dogs and our vehicles well away from their nesting areas. Let’s help the Hoodies hatch! Eric Woehler BirdLife Tasmania BirdLife Tasmania NRM North NRM South Cradle Coast NRM Landcare Tasmania Wildcare Tasmania #coastcaretasmania #breakodaycouncil #glamorganspringbaycouncil

21.01.2022 Happy international bee day! Around 20 000 different species of bee have been described around the world - including lots in Tasmania...

20.01.2022 Newly established species in Tasmania automatically identified by iNaturalist! The Bookend Trust's citizen science coordinator Clare Hawkins is no moth expert, but iNaturalist's incredible algorithms correctly identified her smartphone photo as the poison hemlock moth, Agonopterix alstroemeriana. Since the system can't be 100% reliable, AND this species had never been recorded in Tasmania, she just suggested 'Agonopterix'. But after a few exchanges between expert moth identi...fiers Peter McQuillan and Elaine McDonald on the post, it was indeed confirmed as the poison hemlock moth. Elaine and Peter then reviewed the identifications of other individuals they'd recorded in southern Tasmania and tracked down more... (9 observations on iNaturalist so far https://www.inaturalist.org/observations ). Now, with the aid of Jingyi Chen, it's all published. You can see the abstract here: https://www.tandfonline.com//full/10/00779962.2020.1820125. While newly established species can be a big worry, this one depends on another exotic species, hemlock - so it might actually help control this. Curious but still hesitant about iNaturalist? Check out this 'guide for the dubious' - https://tasfieldnats.org.au//iNat-for-Field-Nats-Sept20.pdf Maybe you'll be able to help monitor these moths... See more

18.01.2022 With more muted colours than their male counterparts, female robins are one of the most challenging groups of songbirds to identify in Tasmania. Thankfully, eac...h species has at least one feature that distinguishes it from the others, and all can be used in most settings. A orangey-red breast and white forehead indicates a female Scarlet Robin, as no other female robins take on colour resembling the males of their species. Buff wing-bars are only found in female Pink Robins, which are also largely restricted to dense, wet forests in which other robins are less frequently seen. A black loral stripe, from the base of the bill to the eye, is a feature for Dusky Robin. This feature holds for both males and females of this species, as it is the only monomorphic (rather than dimorphic) robin in Tasmania. Female flame robins have warmer light-brown upperparts than other species, which combined with their bold white wing bars makes them dissimilar to all other robins in Tasmania.

15.01.2022 Congratulations Tom Sayers on this *beautiful* work - this is at the site of our last BioBlitz, which was coordinated almost exactly a year ago by the Bookend Trust and Devonport City Council. Over 250 species were recorded on iNaturalist in 30 hours! You can see many of them here...

15.01.2022 Join John Gooderham from the Waterbug Blitz to learn about the incredible world of aquatic life in our rivers: from the very tiniest waterbugs to the largest aquatic invertebrate in the world crazy waterbug sex and cannibalism - there's a lot happening in aquatic ecosystems... quick tips on how to tell if a waterway is healthy? what can we do to look after our waterways?... We've been very proud to have John as part of our BioBlitzes - he's one of Australasia's best aquatic ecologists and a very engaging presenter. Learn how to develop some of his skills! (and help out with future BioBlitzes...) Don't miss him! One for the kids as well. A joint initiative between Dairy Tas and NRM North, this webinar will run from 1pm - 2pm. RSVP is essential - click on the link.

15.01.2022 Celebrating World Wetlands Day 2021 World Wetlands Day is celebrated internationally each year on 2 February. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Co...nvention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971. This year we are celebrating with a range of activities at the Tamar Island Wetlands Centre throughout the month of February. You can choose how to participate in the way that best suits you. Photo Competition Theme ‘Wetlands and Water’. Open to all ages, annual parks pass as prize, photos must be taken at the wetlands, no drones allowed. Submit by 4pm 28th February 2021. Please see the Terms & Conditions in the images in this post. Colouring/Drawing Competition Colour the sheet or draw a wetlands inspired picture and return to the TIWC in person or by email by 4pm on 28th February 2021. Prize packs for winners. Scavenger hunt Answer the questions by going for a walk out to the Island and back. Show staff completed questions and receive a goodie bag. Available for the month of February. Guided tours with Disco Rangers Sunday 14th February 10am & 2pm. Bookings essential for COVID-19. Phone or email the TIWC to make a booking. Photos by Helen Cunningham showcasing Tamar Island Wetlands Birds on display at the centre for the month of February. Tamar Island Wetlands Centre contacts: email [email protected]; Tel 6327 3964

14.01.2022 We had to put up a security camera at Inala because the Antechinus were stealing our hearts! Antechinus are tiny relatives of the more famous Tasmanian Devil. T...here are two species found on Bruny Island - Dusky Antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii) and Swamp Antechinus (Antechinus minimus). Although both species live in the Inala gardens, the beautiful golden flanks on this one tell us it's likely to be a Swamp Antechinus. #Wildoz #Antechinus See more

13.01.2022 It was #SeaSlugDay this week! Take a look at the more than 100k slug observations on iNaturalist - a really beautiful celebration of biodiversity: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations

13.01.2022 ‘Ditch the news cycle engage, gain skills and make a difference’

13.01.2022 As we go about our lives, what do we each need to do to ensure that our threatened birds of prey can recover? - and that all species can flourish? Join us to ta...lk about what can and is being done, by both individuals and organisations. You might be surprised! 10 am (30 mins - for K-12 students; 2-step registration): https://expeditionclass-www20.eventbrite.com.au 5.30 pm (45 mins - for general public): https://expeditionclass-www20.eventbrite.com.au Photos: Elizabeth Latham (goshawk); James Pay (eagle nest)

12.01.2022 At least 250 people were involved in the Don Reserve BioBlitz! A massive THANK YOU to all the leaders and assistants running the survey teams, and the organisations that supported their participation - including the University of Tasmania (who also provided all the microscopes, binoculars & a lot of other kit), the University of Canberra, the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service WildSCOOL program, Insects of Tasmania and Cradle Coast NRM. And ...a big thanks to the enthusiastic participating schools, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Devonport and Andrews Creek Primary School. We also thank Devonport Regional Gallery for running a wonderful art activity recording some of the species found, Friends of Don Reserve for their help and guidance on site, and Sea Shepherd Australia - Marine Campaign and the Bass Strait Maritime Centre for running a litter clean up of the area at the same time. And of course we hugely thank our co-organisers Devonport City Council, our hosts Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre, and Rotary Devonport South East for feeding us all! Photos taken during the BioBlitz are still being uploaded onto iNaturalist, and over 40 additional people from all around the world are helping identify the species from the photos. Numbers will fluctuate as this happens, and again when we tidy everything up to go onto the Natural Values Atlas, but we're currently at **250 species recorded in 30 hours!!** One for each person involved... (oh! & latest news - we have four bats to add). To see details, check out the project 'Don Reserve Extinction Matters BioBlitz' data link below; click on Filters to get more details on specific groups such as fungi, insects, birds etc.: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations You'll find some beautiful & fascinating pictures. We’ll also be posting pictures and updates on the Extinction Matters and Devonport Events Facebook pages over the next week or two, as well as on the Devonport City Council website. (See Greg Close's magnificent bird photos we've just shared on this page!) A little reminder to participants - we recently sent out an email with a survey link for feedback and any ideas for any future Extinction Matters BioBlitzes - we'd love to hear from you! (Photos: Pentatomid stink bug Omyta centrolineata & Stalked hairy fairy cup Lachnum virgineum, both by Kristi Ellingsen of Insects of Tasmania)

10.01.2022 What an inspiration for the Bookend Trust's newly announced Claws on the Line art competition!! NRM North creator Lauren Bird has made a Mt Arthur Burrowing Crayfish - it's listed as Vulnerable, found only in a 300 square km area centred on Mt. Arthur in north-east Tasmania. You can help map & monitor its distribution through the Claws on the Line project - https://naturetrackers.com.au/claws/index.php Find out more about where it lives & why it's threatened here: https://www.threatenedspecieslink.tas.gov.au//Mt-Arthur-Bu And... details of the art comp here: https://www.facebook.com//a.523094984396/3502845476421079/

10.01.2022 Swift parrots are full of surprises! Learn more...

09.01.2022 Last chance to book for this year! Hope you can join in on the adventure...

08.01.2022 ...And one of the authors is an 11-year-old citizen scientist from Queensland! https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/52910/ ZooKeys... Queensland Science ABC Science Guardian Australia See more

06.01.2022 Worried you might get a bit bored stuck at home this Easter? How about creating a Where? Where? Wedgie! song? Be *very* inspired by David Hamilton's amazing 'Al...l the Quoll Things'! How about a Tasmanian 'Eagle Rock'? Perhaps you'd like to include info on species identification - find that & more here: https://naturetrackers.com.au/prepare.php (in the DropBox info, & also the 'Get Ready' Resources). See more

05.01.2022 Inspiring stuff! The power of weeding...

05.01.2022 What actually IS 'a species'? What's the definition? A really comprehensive AND entertaining answer from Rutherford & Fry's Curious Cases podcast... https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000kp5r

03.01.2022 Curious but dubious about iNaturalist? Not everyone loves smartphone apps! The pdf attached to this post walks you through the app & the website very gently - and the friendly Zoom session this Thursday evening *talks* you through it too...

02.01.2022 A very interesting angle on the implications of fragmenting a declining species' habitat. (If you have the relevant permissions you can access the full paper here: https://royalsocietypublishing.org/d/10.1098/rspb.2021.0225 )

02.01.2022 Our incredible connectedness has transformed 21st century citizen science - for BioBlitzes and much more! However... many of us don’t have high-speed internet, latest software etc. etc. So the Bookend Trust's citizen science coordinator Clare has launched a crowdfunding campaign to upgrade features of the NatureTrackers website - so it's more easily accessible, & more people can get involved in Where? Where? Wedgie! and other threatened species monitoring. They have until 7th December to hit their target (or they receive nothing). Pledging is infectious, so if you'd like to help - you can make the biggest difference by doing it today! https://www.pozible.com/project/where-where-website/

01.01.2022 Hollows are *so* important! - including for many threatened species. You can find out more about hollows in Tasmania here... http://fpop.fpa.tas.gov.au/publ/hollows%20booklet%20web.pdf