aussiebirder

In the last post we saw Endangered bird species from the west in Perth WA, this week we focus on an endangered bird in rapid decline in the east, meaning our state of NSW where before the early European invasion and settlement Black-necked Stalk (Australia’s only endemic stalk species) also falsely known as the Jabiru (The South American Stalk), were numerous, especially around fresh water lakes and wetlands. This beautiful majestic bird is always a delight to behold by birders in our state due to its rarity and beauty. We usually have to travel north to Queensland, Northern Territory or the far north WA in the Kimberley.

The reason for their demise is similar to other Threatened and Endangered birds and animals facing future extinction. Click on images to enlarge them.

1, Habitat Loss due to human modification of the land for farming and other human pursuits.

2. Powerline and Windfarm Turbine Collisions contribute to many deaths as the birds are unable to see the danger clearly or predict it while they are flying, often looking down ward more so than forward. Here is a Immature Black-necked Stalk glorying in its ability to fly high and glide on the thermals. It is at great risk of collision being unaware of such dangers.

3. Degradation of wetlands due to pollution and human interference with water sources that feed them, resulting in increased water salinity and reduced water flow making nesting and feeding young difficult. The NSW Murry-Darling River System is a good example where governments have allowed illegal water usage. This has been brought to light by multiple fish deaths and low river levels. Sustainable shared water usage is now a priority for the Government and the Water Resources Commission in NSW to return sustainable water sharing for both humans, the life of the river and also the natural environment of the wildlife that use it.

These birds are often found in breeding pairs as they do pair for life. However, if a partner dies or is killed the other may find another partner and continue breeding. Both parents sit on nest and help raise their young. They have become extinct in many parts of NSW and are limited now to the occasional single bird or pair being sighted in northern NSW from Newcastle northward causing many birders in our state to excitedly descend on the site when a fresh announcement is made as an eBird sighting.

The pair below were nesting in a field next to Cairns airport in Far North Queensland. We always look out at this spot when driving into the airport, hoping they will be there again. Note the female has the yellow eye-ring and is on ground on the nest with the male standing watch. They usually fledge 1 to 3 chicks depending on rainfall, maybe up to 5 in a good year.

Birdlife Australia is Australia’s largest bird conservation charity, seeking to protect our birds and their habitats from extinction. If you are Australian it is worth becoming a member as I have. If you are from overseas, Birdlife International is seeking to protect bird flyways and migratory birds from predation by humans and destruction of wetland and tidal feeding grounds. Birdlife Australia lobbies governments to take action to protect our birds and other wildlife usually from industry and logging businesses which are often given unhealthy favour from the governments due their support. Australia has one of the poorest conservation histories.

Australia is in an Extinction Crisis click HERE TO DONATE and help save our birds so our grandchildren will be able to also enjoy our natural heritage. You will be taken to the Birdlife Australia site on a new tab.

Enjoy your week and get behind any conservation groups that YOU may have locally and help conserve our wildlife. Thank you for all those who have been recently purchasing my books both online and in visitor centres and book shops, yes they are great Christmas ideas for presents that will continue to help them through life and its often difficult twists and turns with helpful counselling tools but using the birds as a non confronting and interesting means of helping prepare our children to a happy and healthy life. There is still a week for overseas orders. Australia Post orders deliver within the week as they have become more efficient in recent months.

Click on the image below to be taken to my Birdbook page which will introduce you to my books. It will open in a new tab.

In the light of many bird and animal species becoming extinct in our world every year, never to be seen of again, many people today ask the deep and meaningful question of their own lives: “What happens when my life ceases and I die ? Is this all their is ?!” ” What can I expect after I die ?“ There are many religions and historical cultures throughout the history of humankind that have developed their own spin on the answers to these questions. Many people today avoid these questions and there has recently developed a culture where the ‘D’ word is not printed or spoken for the fear of creating fear. I have to ask is that being wise and honest and is hiding the truth being real ? The famous saying is: ‘There are only two things in this world we can be sure of – death and taxes.’

The Bible is not only a wise book but an open and honest book which reveals, rather than hides, the truth. The Enemy of our Lives, known as the Devil and his cohort are Occultic, which means they are always seeking to hide the truth or falsify it to prevent us experiencing the life of joy, faith, hope and love which we were created to enjoy by Father God. The Bible is an honest and ‘bloody’ book as it not only records the good things God’s people have done throughout history but also the bad and sinful, the fearful, the dishonest, the murderous and adulterous actions, of even his most loved followers.

The blood and life of God’s very own Son Jesus was offered up on our behalf for the forgiveness of our selfish sinful lifestyle, its resulting deeds and ultimate rebellion against God our Heavenly Father and his loving ways. God in his kindness, grace and mercy offers each of us today total forgiveness and renewed relationship with him through his indwelling Holy Spirit. God has a plan full of hope for each of us not just for now but for after we leave this life. Jesus came back from the grave to assure and declare it is ours by believing in him and what he has done for us. Yes, there is life after death, and our response to Jesus will determine our eternal destiny.

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

Member of Birdlife Australia

To introduce people to our unique Australian birds,

And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

NOTE: All photos, videos and music used on this website are photographed, composed, performed  by the site owner and remains his copyrighted property, unless otherwise stated. The use of any material that is not original material of the site owner is duly acknowledged as such. © W. A. Hewson 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.