Wetland surveys

The BirdLife Victoria Conservation Committee has asked that you give consideration to doing wetland surveys in the lead-up to (and during) the upcoming Victorian duck-hunting season (March 21-June 8). Please see this link: http://www.birdlife.org.au/locations/all-victoria-statewide/conservation-initiatives-vic Excerpt: “Poor rainfall over the past two years has affected native duck numbers and breeding and habitat availability across eastern Australia… Populations have declined, breeding success was low, habitat has declined and the climate is drier than in the previous few years and predicted to deteriorate further. “BirdLife Australia is keen to receive information on threatened species and/or breeding birds that may be present on Victorian wetlands that will be open to duck hunting this year. We are concerned that in previous years shooting has been allowed in areas that were providing important habitat for threatened species and nesting species. In some cases threatened and protected birds have been shot. “We want to ensure that the Game Management Authority is aware of the locations of endangered species/breeding birds to ensure that those wetlands are closed to hunting.” In 2013, more than 200 Freckled Ducks were shot on a wetland that should have been closed to hunting. All Victorian birders can help prevent this happening again.