15 June 2010

This year’s Congress and Campout is fast approaching.Register online now to take advantage of the member’s only Early Bird special. The Congress, to be held in Townsville in north Queensland, will start at 6.30 pm on Friday 13 August, with a meet-and-greet opening. Papers addressing the theme of “Conservation of Australian Birds; Approaches, Projects and Outcomes” will be presented and discussed on 14–15 August. All of this will take place at the Plaza Hotel, at the corner of Flinders and Stanley Streets. The Congress dinner will be held on Saturday night, a choice of excursions will be offered for early risers on Sunday morning, and a Sunday sunset cruise on Lake Ross for those at a loose end between the Congress and the Campout.

photo by Ian Montgomery http://www.birdway.com.au

The Campout will be held from 16–20 August, based at Crystal Creek Community Centre, Mutarnee, 65 km north of Townsville. Subject to numbers, field trips will cover a variety of habitats, from the coast to the highlands, including rainforest, dry sclerophyll forest, coasts and wetlands. There are three main excursions: Paluma National Park; Paluma township and Birthday Creek Falls; and AWCs Taravale. Information will also be available for self-guided birding excursions to many nearby areas. In the evening, enjoy some informative talks by locals with expertise in NQ’s birds. The Crystal Creek Caravan Park, next door to the Community Centre, is the suggested camping venue, though other accommodation is available within a 30 minute drive of Mutarnee.

For further details and the latest information, check the Birds Australia website or e-mail the organisers.

• http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/whats-on/congress-campout.html
• Register Online now or download a registration form.