![]() ![]() She contacted Dr Hanson for more information on this flagship species for the wetlands, and the project expanded to Canberra. This data proved how reliant this species is on those Port Fairy wetlands, informing changes to housing development plans.Īround this time, Gould worked at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands in science and education. Wader bird expert, Dr Birgita Hanson, now one of Gould’s PhD supervisors, started collecting data on snipe to provide evidence about the Port Fairy Latham’s snipe population. The Latham’s Snipe Project began in 2015 after some vital snipe habitat in Port Fairy, Victoria, was marked for development. Lori Gould, PhD candidate with ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society, and Federation University at the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Canberra. “The snipe-catching gods must be looking down on us,” says Gould. This is the highest number of snipe ever caught in one catch in Canberra. The team assess, weigh, measure and tag a whopping 12 birds, before releasing them back to the wetland. With barely an ounce of sleep, the crew does it all again, as they spend another night working together to flush out the birds into awaiting nets. “This is the gauntlet,” she says while drawing a diagram of the new plan on a whiteboard to illustrate where the nets will go, and the direction each volunteer will need to come from. ![]() Being a wet summer, the wetlands – and thus the snipes’ favourite spots – have changed since last year. Gould brings up satellite maps onto a big screen, so the team can see where the snipe are hanging out at the moment. They know that Latham’s snipe roost during the day and then forage for food around dusk and dawn, dipping those long beaks into the mudflats to catch some grub. The group sit down over toast and cuppas to plan the next catch attempt. Many volunteers return to the wetlands each season, just like the snipe themselves. You’ve got to really love snipe to want to help. The posse includes fellow researchers, retired scientists, wetlands employees, local birdwatchers, members of the Young Rangers club and volunteers from the Japanese embassy. Over one weekend at the wetlands, a mix of around thirty-five super-experienced and new, enthusiastic citizen scientists are involved in the catch. It is a serious operation, albeit with lots of light-heartedness and laughter. The pressure is on to catch some snipe at the next attempt in order to deploy the last 13 out of 20 trackers planned for the 2022-23 season. To determine exactly where the snipe go, Gould uses GPS tracking technology. This journey is impressive, especially for a bird half the size of a magpie. Living an eternal summer, they cross hemispheres twice a year to avoid the cold seasons. The snipe arrive at Jerrabomberra Wetlands every spring on their long-haul migration from Japan or southern Russia. Photo: Olivia Congdon/ANU Frequent flyers Latham’s snipe at Jerrabomberra Wetlands. But, at certain times of year, we know they are there. Setting your eyes on a snipe in Australia can be tricky, as they lurk around the edges of the ponds, usually in the reeds where they are well-hidden from predators. With wide black eyes, a comically long, thin beak and mottled-brown feathers, Latham’s snipe are a cute, but unassuming wading bird. This is not an unusual scenario – these birds are notoriously difficult to catch. Not content with a willy wagtail and a reed warbler as a consolation prize, they return to the offices to discuss strategy. This scenario is what Lori Gould, an ANU PhD candidate who’s leading this mission, calls “textbook conditions” to catch and tag a migratory wading bird, called Latham’s snipe.īut sadly, the team have no luck with their first attempt in catching any snipe. A moment later, the sun peeks out over the line of gum trees bordering this urban oasis. They will arise before first light to “flush” the birds.Īt 5.32am precisely, as the birds are returning from a night of feeding, the team emerges from their hiding spots in the reeds to flush the birds into the nets. Just after midnight, the crew returns to the demountable offices of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands in Canberra, where they camp in swags on the floor. It must be as dark as possible for this mission to work. The bright lights from the car yard next door have been turned off. On a calm, summer evening, to the background of frog calls and buzzing mosquitoes, a group of volunteers and scientists don waders and sludge through the swamp to set out large nets.
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