Hi all I’ve started a petition on behalf of the fast disappearing eastern subspecies of the Partridge Pigeon. Would member please sign it and pass it on? Here’s the link: http://www.change.org/petitions/northern-territory-government-conduct-eis-on-partridge-pigeon-in-the-vicinity-of-berry-springs-darwin-river Here’s why it’s important: Partridge Pigeon is one of those birds that birdwatchers travel to the Top End to see. This red-faced cutie used to be found across the Top End, but is now restricted to a very few areas; it has declined by 30% in monitored sites within Kakadu National Park. A major cause appears to be exotic grasses that result in intense fires that cause habitat destruction. No studies have been carried out on this bird since the early 2000s. Then its IUCN status was ‘vulnerable’. Darwin River, Northern Territory, appears to have a healthy population of Partridge Pigeon, possibly because most landholders control weeds and fire. But a 600-110 man “workers’ village/caravan park” is proposed for Darwin River, carrying a largely enhanced risk of more habitat destruction. This bird’s very existence may now be endangered. An EIS and further biological survey is needed urgently to establish this bird’s status. You can sign my petition by clicking here. Thanks Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow PO Box 71 Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841 PhD candidate Vice-chair Wildlife Tourism Australia goodfellow@bigpond.com.au _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
Comments
15 responses to “Partridge Pigeon possibly under threat”
Martin, let me know, what Stephen Garnett writes, won’t you? It was Stephen who first persuaded me to do a PhD, telling me that I should be using my experience and information in my own study rather than giving it to others (or words to that effect). And thank you. Denise Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow PO Box 71 Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841 PhD candidate Vice-chair Wildlife Tourism Australia goodfellow@bigpond.com.au On 7 May 2014, at 12:48 pm, martin cachard <mcachard@hotmail.com> wrote: _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
thanx Denise, I would suggest that both races would be shown, with a little field study, to now unfortunately be worthy as being classified as threatened, at the very least!! I haven’t checked the latest classification by Stephen Garnett in his excellent book but I will tonight as I have a copy of it at home… cheers for now, martin cachard, cairns CC: carlsclifford@gmail.com; birding-aus@birding-aus.org Hi Martin Thanks very much for raising this again. Both subspecies are vulnerable (EPBC and IUCN), or possibly worse, given the time since they were classified. Another bird in the same genus, the Squatter Pigeon, is also vulnerable. That’s two out of three species in the genus Geophaps. To all you who have signed the petition, thank you very much. I have passed your supportive comments to Joy White, a traditional owner of the nearby Aboriginal settlement of Belyuen. This development caught them blind-sided. It seems that because Darwin is in a boom and accommodation is at a premium, that anything goes. There appears to be very little environmental protection in reality. Denise Lawungkurr GoodfellowPO Box 71Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841 PhD candidateVice-chair Wildlife Tourism Australia goodfellow@bigpond.com.au On 7 May 2014, at 6:18 am, martin cachard <mcachard@hotmail.com> wrote:hi all… before all of this worthwhile discussion about the dreaded cat situation (& their silly owners lobbying for them!!), I put up a comment asking about the current status of both eastern & western races of Partridge Pigeon – does anyone have any comments about that…?? cheers for now, martin cachard, cairns 0428 782 808 CC: birding-aus@birding-aus.org; goodfellow@bigpond.com.au They sure are. You just have to clear your cookies and away you go again. Works well for newspaper sites that only allow you to access articles on their sites a certain number of times a month, unless you are a subscriber. Carl Clifford On 6 May 2014, at 17:56, Dave Torr <davidtorr@gmail.com> wrote: The problem with all these sites is they are so easy to manipulate that few people take any notice of them. On 6 May 2014 09:32, “Alan Gillanders” <alan@alanswildlifetours.com.au > wrote: I noticed with some dismay that there is a petition on the site wanting the withdrawal of a 24 hour cat curfew in the Yarra Ranges. It has over 2.5K signatures and lots of emotive supportive comments, talking about environmental enrichment for the cats and should we then cage all the birds of prey too. Regards, Alan Alan’s Wildlife Tours 2 Mather Road Yungaburra 4884 Phone 07 4095 3784 Mobile 0408 953 786 http://www.alanswildlifetours.com.au/ Sent: Monday, May 5, 2014 9:45 PM Hi all I’ve started a petition on behalf of the fast disappearing eastern subspecies of the Partridge Pigeon. Would member please sign it and pass it on? Here’s the link: http://www.change.org/petitions/northern-territory- government-conduct-eis-on-partridge-pigeon-in-the- vicinity-of-berry-springs-darwin-river Here’s why it’s important: Partridge Pigeon is one of those birds that birdwatchers travel to the Top End to see. This red-faced cutie used to be found across the Top End, but is now restricted to a very few areas; it has declined by 30% in monitored sites within Kakadu National Park. A major cause appears to be exotic grasses that result in intense fires that cause habitat destruction. No studies have been carried out on this bird since the early 2000s. Then its IUCN status was ‘vulnerable’. Darwin River, Northern Territory, appears to have a healthy population of Partridge Pigeon, possibly because most landholders control weeds and fire. But a 600-110 man “workers’ village/caravan park” is proposed for Darwin River, carrying a largely enhanced risk of more habitat destruction. This bird’s very existence may now be endangered. An EIS and further biological survey is needed urgently to establish this bird’s status. You can sign my petition by clicking here. Thanks Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow PO Box 71 Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841 PhD candidate Vice-chair Wildlife Tourism Australia goodfellow@bigpond.com.au _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org —– No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG – http://www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4570 / Virus Database: 3931/7441 – Release Date: 05/05/14 _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
Hi Martin Thanks very much for raising this again. Both subspecies are vulnerable (EPBC and IUCN), or possibly worse, given the time since they were classified. Another bird in the same genus, the Squatter Pigeon, is also vulnerable. That’s two out of three species in the genus Geophaps. To all you who have signed the petition, thank you very much. I have passed your supportive comments to Joy White, a traditional owner of the nearby Aboriginal settlement of Belyuen. This development caught them blind-sided. It seems that because Darwin is in a boom and accommodation is at a premium, that anything goes. There appears to be very little environmental protection in reality. Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow PO Box 71 Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841 PhD candidate Vice-chair Wildlife Tourism Australia goodfellow@bigpond.com.au On 7 May 2014, at 6:18 am, martin cachard <mcachard@hotmail.com> wrote: _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
hi all… before all of this worthwhile discussion about the dreaded cat situation (& their silly owners lobbying for them!!), I put up a comment asking about the current status of both eastern & western races of Partridge Pigeon – does anyone have any comments about that…?? cheers for now, martin cachard, cairns 0428 782 808 _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
They sure are. You just have to clear your cookies and away you go again. Works well for newspaper sites that only allow you to access articles on their sites a certain number of times a month, unless you are a subscriber. Carl Clifford _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
The problem with all these sites is they are so easy to manipulate that few people take any notice of them. On 6 May 2014 09:32, “Alan Gillanders” <alan@alanswildlifetours.com.au > wrote: _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
In my Local Government area, cats have to be registered and microchipped, with a maximum of 3 cats per household. Unfortunately, most residents are unaware of these regulations. I am at present waging war with my neighbours cats, semi-feral moggies “rescued” from a rural property. First there were 3, now there are 6. What birdlife I have in my yard, is being predated severely, with up to 3 birds a week being killed. Time for lead implants I think. Carl Clifford _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
I’d like to see you try to get a local councillor to agree to support that one. In Victoria cats have to be registered. Local councils have the power to charge, I think, three times as much for cats that aren’t desexed, but a lot don’t even have the guts to do that. Peter Shute _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
All cats should be shot if they are found anywhere near any conservation area of any type. That might prompt owners to look after their cats and keep them indoors!-Kevin Bartram _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
Agree totally! Denise Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow PO Box 71 Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841 PhD candidate Vice-chair Wildlife Tourism Australia goodfellow@bigpond.com.au On 6 May 2014, at 11:48 am, Tony Russell <pratincole08@gmail.com> wrote: _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
All cats should have to be registered and kept within the owner’s property. Those not complying should be fined heavily, just like dog owners are, ie $315 fine for having a dog roaming free in the streets. —–Original Message—– Denise Goodfellow Sent: Tuesday, 6 May 2014 9:08 AM Cc: <Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org> That’s crazy. Perhaps someone ought to post a petition arguing the case for the birds. If cat owners want “environmental enrichment” they’re not going to get it by letting their pets out – they’ll decrease that enrichment by killing off the wildlife! Denise Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow PO Box 71 Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841 PhD candidate Vice-chair Wildlife Tourism Australia goodfellow@bigpond.com.au On 6 May 2014, at 9:02 am, Alan Gillanders <alan@alanswildlifetours.com.au > wrote: the withdrawal of a 24 hour cat curfew in the Yarra Ranges. It has over 2.5K signatures and lots of emotive supportive comments, talking about environmental enrichment for the cats and should we then cage all the birds of prey too. subspecies of the Partridge Pigeon. http://www.change.org/petitions/northern-territory-government-conduct-eis-on -partridge-pigeon-in-the-vicinity-of-berry-springs-darwin-river End to see. This red-faced cutie used to be found across the Top End, but is now restricted to a very few areas; it has declined by 30% in monitored sites within Kakadu National Park. A major cause appears to be exotic grasses that result in intense fires that cause habitat destruction. No studies have been carried out on this bird since the early 2000s. Then its IUCN status was ‘vulnerable’. Partridge Pigeon, possibly because most landholders control weeds and fire. But a 600-110 man “workers’ village/caravan park” is proposed for Darwin River, carrying a largely enhanced risk of more habitat destruction. This bird’s very existence may now be endangered. An EIS and further biological survey is needed urgently to establish this bird’s status. _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
I assume that site was set up to promote good change, but people have different ideas about what’s good. Cat owners always resist curfews of any kind, and I’m surprised it got enough support to be implemented in the first place. It’ll be interested to see how long it lasts now. Peter Shute gs-darwin-river _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
That’s crazy. Perhaps someone ought to post a petition arguing the case for the birds. If cat owners want “environmental enrichment” they’re not going to get it by letting their pets out – they’ll decrease that enrichment by killing off the wildlife! Denise Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow PO Box 71 Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841 PhD candidate Vice-chair Wildlife Tourism Australia goodfellow@bigpond.com.au On 6 May 2014, at 9:02 am, Alan Gillanders <alan@alanswildlifetours.com.au > wrote: _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
I noticed with some dismay that there is a petition on the site wanting the withdrawal of a 24 hour cat curfew in the Yarra Ranges. It has over 2.5K signatures and lots of emotive supportive comments, talking about environmental enrichment for the cats and should we then cage all the birds of prey too. Regards, Alan Alan’s Wildlife Tours 2 Mather Road Yungaburra 4884 Phone 07 4095 3784 Mobile 0408 953 786 http://www.alanswildlifetours.com.au/ —–Original Message—– Sent: Monday, May 5, 2014 9:45 PM Hi all I’ve started a petition on behalf of the fast disappearing eastern subspecies of the Partridge Pigeon. Would member please sign it and pass it on? Here’s the link: http://www.change.org/petitions/northern-territory-government-conduct-eis-on-partridge-pigeon-in-the-vicinity-of-berry-springs-darwin-river Here’s why it’s important: Partridge Pigeon is one of those birds that birdwatchers travel to the Top End to see. This red-faced cutie used to be found across the Top End, but is now restricted to a very few areas; it has declined by 30% in monitored sites within Kakadu National Park. A major cause appears to be exotic grasses that result in intense fires that cause habitat destruction. No studies have been carried out on this bird since the early 2000s. Then its IUCN status was ‘vulnerable’. Darwin River, Northern Territory, appears to have a healthy population of Partridge Pigeon, possibly because most landholders control weeds and fire. But a 600-110 man “workers’ village/caravan park” is proposed for Darwin River, carrying a largely enhanced risk of more habitat destruction. This bird’s very existence may now be endangered. An EIS and further biological survey is needed urgently to establish this bird’s status. You can sign my petition by clicking here. Thanks Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow PO Box 71 Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841 PhD candidate Vice-chair Wildlife Tourism Australia goodfellow@bigpond.com.au _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org —– No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG – http://www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4570 / Virus Database: 3931/7441 – Release Date: 05/05/14 _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
hi Denise, yes, it is a real shame to hear about the continued & steady decline of these gorgeous birds in your region…I’ve noticed it myself just between 2 Top End visits in 2005 & again in 2008 – in 2008 they were much much harder to locate in Kakadu NP than they’d been just a few years prior… i believe the western race yellow-faced blauwii is also struggling to hang in there…in late 2008 I came across some 50-60 birds in one tight flock getting ready to roost at Surveyor’s Pool on the Mitchell Plateau – the next morning George Swann told me that that was a very remarkable record & that he hadn’t heard of such numbers of this race for many many years…!! a similar plight, which has been well documented, has hit the southern race of the very closely related Squatter Pigeon, especially south of about Townsville down to far northern NSW… has anybody else noticed decreases in numbers of blauwii Partidge Pigeon out there or does any one else have anything to add…?? cheers, martin cachard, cairns 0428 782 808 _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org