Twitching Tales

23 August 2008

  The group of 44 Rio Tinto staff and family members took part in the bird watching

But it wasn’t just the excitement of bird song that they had come for.

Rio Tinto employees and their families had gathered to attend a three day Rio Tinto and Birdlife International bird-watching event was held near Karijini National Park at Rio Tinto's Hamersley Station.

Newcomers quickly learned that twitching was the process of recording each bird species that was spotted, and were armed with hand-held computers to assist them in identifying some of Western Australia’s finest feathered friends.

Environmental Superintendent Nev Havelberg, Botanical Officer Jodie Fraser, Claire Stevenson from the Western Australian Museum and Piers Higgs from Gaia Resources provided an introductory session on the art of bird-watching.

Breaking into smaller groups, the creatively named Grey Falcons, Spotted Harriers, Black Bitterns and Cockatiels were led by experienced bird-watchers Darryl Abbott from the Department of Water, Ben Drew from the Department of Environment and Conservation, Jen Wilcox from Western Wildlife, Claire Stevenson and Piers Higgs, who provided interesting facts on the species spotted.

Taking in the bird life at Wittenoom Gorge, Hamersley Gorge and the nearby grasslands of Hamersley Station, the twitchers started the days early and wrapped up late. After three days' intensive 'twitching', the group had identified 62 species - three more than last year's expedition. Although the record still stands at 77 set in 2006 at Karratha Station.

The twitchers vowed to be back next year, enjoying each other's company and the beautiful birdlife of the region, eager to rival the 2006 record.

To find out more visit www.birdlife.org.

Bird lovers young and old enjoyed the twitching experience