Gudjuda Rangers ( from left ) Ben Devow , Jim Gaston and Diane Smallwood on the lookout for birds at Crooked Waterhole .
GIRU BIRD SURVEYS HELP ESTABLISH ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF WETLAND
NQ Dry Tropics project officers teamed up with Gudjuda Rangers and BirdLife Townsville to conduct bird surveys at Crooked Waterhole , Giru .
The surveys were part of an effort to improve bird habitat and biodiversity on properties around the Bowling Green Bay wetlands .
Participants were able to establish a baseline measure of the variety and extent of species diversity in the area . Future surveys will determine whether project activities , such as controlling woody and aquatic weeds , have attracted more birds by encouraging native vegetation to return .
Among the species spotted on the day were the crimson finch , rainbow bee eater , and white-faced heron .
The surveys gave the Gudjuda Rangers a chance to put into practice some of the techniques they learnt last year during bird identification training organised by NQ Dry Tropics and delivered by BirdLife Townsville .
The Restoring Bowling Green Bay Wetlands project is funded by the Australian Government ’ s Environment Restoration Fund .
White-faced heron .
2020 – 21 YEAR IN REVIEW 21