Rotamah Island Bird
Observatory Inc.
Weekend Activities and Courses:
Typical Costs: $90.00 per adult plus cost of catered accommodation.
Accommodation and Weekend programs at the Rotamah Island Bird Observatory are currently in recess during the renovation of the Observatory building and Wardens Cottage following the satisfactory outcome of negotiation with Parks Victoria of a long term lease.
It is hoped that full operation will recommence in early 2015
A sample of the Program of Activities
from previous years.
ABSA Bander Training Course
Date:
August 17-24
Leader:
David Geering
Since 1997,
the Australian Bird Study Association has run several bird banding training
courses. Previously they have been held at Birds Australia's Barren Grounds
Bird Observatory. The aim of the course is to train people so they will be
eligible for an "A" class licence with mist net endorsement. The
training course requires some pre course study and is very intensive being
conducted over 7 consecutive days. Course cost is aproximately
$1,100.00, places are strictly limited and application should be made through
the course leader.
Email to : david.geering@npws.nsw.gov.au
Nature Photography
Date:
August 24-26
Leader:
Robert Gardiner
Come and
join Robert Gardiner who is ready to share his experience, showing that great
photographs are no fluke. This weekend will give you an introduction to
techniques of nature and wildlife photography.
The Secret Kingdom of Plants
Date:
September 7-9
Leaders:
Jane & Malcolm Calder
All you
ever wanted to know about plants but were afraid to ask! Discover the plants of
Rotamah, from the magnificent red gums to the world's
smallest flowering plant. Accompanied by Jane & Malcolm this weekend is
good for all skill levels.
Painting The Day
Date:
September 21-23
Leader:
Nic Day
Ever wished
you could capture Australia's magnificent wildlife on paper? Let Nic (illustrator of the Simpson & Day Field Guide to
Australian Birds) introduce you to the secrets of drawing and painting nature.
All skill levels catered for.
Orchids of Spring
Date:
October 12-14
Leader:
Jeffrey Jeanes
Come and
discover the secrets of these beautiful flowers with Jeffrey Jeanes, the author of Orchids of Victoria. Rotamah is well known for it’s orchids and October is the time the orchids are
at their most prolific and diverse
Nests& Nestlings
Date:
October 19-21
Join the
wardens in investigating the nesting activity of spring. Search the bush for
nests from the tiny cup of a Silvereye to the gigantic stick nest of the
sea-eagle. We'll also be taking a leisurely half-day cruise to see nesting
pelicans and other waterbirds.
Goin' Batty
Date
:
November 23-25
Leader:
Lindy Lumsden
All you
ever wanted to know about bats and more! Take advantage of this rare
opportunity to see these mysterious creatures up close with Lindy, Victoria's
leading bat expert.
Where The Wild Things Are
Date:
January 11-13
A
perfect family weekend. Join us while we take a closer look at some of
the wildlife of Rotamah. We'll be trapping small mammals
and mist-netting birds, as well as taking spotlight walks to discover the
creatures of the night .
Absolutely Fabulous Fieldwrens
Date:
February 1-3
Leader:
Don Ripper
Help us
continue our research project into the little known Striated Fieldwren (Calamanthus
fuliginosus) . Spend the weekend
mist-netting and banding wrens and identifying their nesting sites in the
saltmarshes of Rotamah and Little Rotamah.
Beautiful Butterflies
Date:
22-24 February
Leader:
Charles McCubbin
Charles is
one of Australia's best-known butterfly experts. On this weekend he'll lead an
exploration of the butterflies and other insects of Rotamah
Island, perfect for the budding entomologist in all of us.
Wee Creatures
Date:
March 8-11
Leader:
Lindy Lumsden
Spend a wondrous
weekend discovering the world of bats with Lindy. Over ten different species
are found on the island and when we're not looking for bats we'll be doing some
trapping for pygmy-possums and other small mammals of Rotamah.
Birding For Beginners
Date: March
22-24
Leader:
Margaret Cameron
A
great weekend for all those who have always meant to take up birdwatching but just never quite got around to it. We'll introduce you to
the birds of Rotamah Island and how to identify them
in a friendly, relaxing atmosphere.