Millicent Spencer
Citizen scientists in Hume will gather this weekend at the Craigieburn wetlands for a rare opportunity to count the remaining Latham Snipe birds before they migrate back to Japan for the breeding season.
The volunteer citizen scientists, made up of local community members with an interest in nature, will gather at Aitken Creek in an effort to count approximately 30 of the rare Latham Snipe birds which reside in the wetlands.
Hume’s urban biodiversity officer Melissa Doherty said she is looking forward to the rare opportunity to sight the beautiful birds.
“The Latham Snipe birds are really quite rare [and] most people don’t get to see them because they are nocturnal and don’t fly around during the day,” she said.
“Last survey we counted 67 birds but several of those birds we counted multiple times.”
Ms Doherty said she believes there is still a significant population of about 30 birds which volunteers will assist in confirming at the counting event.
“We will walk through creek vegetation [and] have three people flushing the vegetation to make them fly,” she said.
“We then will have other people walking and counting the birds [as they take flight].”
“[The birds] will then fly directly to Japan, in a one stop flight over three days.”
Ms Doherty said the national event is a very important part of the biodiversity calendar.
“It’s important for us to know where these birds are,” she said.
“Lot’s of community groups will be out at the same time counting.”
Ms Doherty said it is important to account for the birds so their natural habitat of the wetlands can be maintained.
“Council didn’t know the birds were here until a local bird person told the council about them,” she said.
Now council conducts regular surveys in September, November, and January to track the birds.
Ms Doherty said she encourages locals to come along and experience the flight of the Latham Snipe birds.
“Connecting with nature is good for health and wellbeing,” she said.
“When we are aware of our local biodiversity we can look after nature.”
For more information or to participate in the event this Saturday, January 14 visit: www.hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/Lathams-Snipe-Survey-Jan-2023-Craigieburn-395793367617
