The ‘Bringing Back the Bunyip Bird: Australasian Bittern Summit’ is the first time such a conference has been held where delegates can see and hear all things bittern.
Hosted by Riverina Local Land Services, it will be held from January 31 to February 3 at the Historic Hydro, Leeton.
Riverina LLS officer Anna Wilson said the event was an amazing opportunity to find out about current research and programs that would assist in the long-term survival of the species.
“Bitterns are listed as an endangered species in Australia with only about 1300 birds remaining,” Ms Wilson said.
“The NSW Riverina is seen as a hotspot for bitterns with wetlands and bittern-friendly rice crops providing habitat over the summer months for large numbers of birds for breeding purposes.
“The summit is open to all, with lots of opportunities to discuss ideas and what is working well in bittern conservation.”
The conference includes tours to some of the key bittern wetlands of the Riverina, as well as the internationally recognised Fivebough Wetland and bittern-friendly rice crops.
Wetland managers, bittern ecologists and rice farmers involved in growing bittern-friendly rice will be in attendance.
“Although we can’t promise, it is hoped that we will see bitterns in bittern-friendly rice crops, where the birds regularly poke their heads above the rice to check their surroundings, on the field trips — an amazing opportunity that is unique to the Riverina,” Ms Wilson said.
Expert speakers from across Australia and New Zealand will cover a range of topics, including:
- innovative monitoring methods;
- wetland management;
- bittern-friendly rice farming; and
- breeding, feeding and movement ecology.
To register to attend the event and for further information, visit: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/riverina/events/
