Vics: Birds fly in to red tape, as they land from Siberia

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-1999
Vics: Birds fly in to red tape, as they land from Siberia

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP - Birdwatchers have been out in force today monitoring hundreds
of migratory birds flying in from Siberia, Alaska and Asia to Australia.

On the wing non-stop for up to three days at a time, the thousands of waders fly 12,000km
from Siberia, landing at wetlands south-west of Melbourne each year to avoid the harsh
northern winter.

Apparently unconcerned that their summer holiday resort is in fact a giant sewage treatment
plant, the birds are then netted and banded for identification as part of a worldwide
study project.

The Western Treatment Plant at Werribee, despite its prosaic function, is one of the
world's most significant wetlands, Melbourne Water managing director Brian Bayley said.

It was an ideal temporary summer home for the birds - it was "drought-proof", contained
rich sources of food and was protected from human interference.

Volunteers from the Victorian Wader Study Group, led by Dr Clive Minton, who initiated
the project, annually net and band the birds "as part of a worldwide effort to monitor
their migratory patterns and survival and reproduction rates".

Species that undertake the six-to-eight week journey from Siberia include the sharp-tailed
sandpiper, the curlew sandpiper, and the tiny red-necked stint, Mr Bayley said.

AAP er/nm

KEYWORD: BIRDS

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