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

In Victoria, birdwatchers have been out in force monitoring hundreds of migratory birds
that fly from Siberia, Alaska and Asia to Australia every year.

The thousands of waders fly 12,000 km from Siberia, landing at wetlands south-west
of Melbourne to avoid the harsh northern winter.

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

Melbourne Water managing director BRIAN BAYLEY says that the Western Treatment Plant
at Werribee, despite its prosaic function, is one of the world's most significant wetlands.

It's an ideal temporary summer home for the birds because it's drought-proof, contains
rich sources of food and is 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.

Mr BAYLEY says 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.

AAP RTV er/jn

KEYWORD: BIRDS (MELBOURNE)

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