I met Joy Peglar on a visit to our place; she was counting bird species in the area for the Australian Bird Count data base and has been doing so for the past 20 years, visiting the valley every few months. Focusing on three different areas, the valley floor, dry and wet sclerophyll forests, she has identified over 140 bird species not including rainforest birds. Joy’s knowledge is vast; where a bird lives of course is directly related to what it likes to eat. The birds can be tiny up high in the trees, but having an acute sense of hearing she can identify the bird’s call, whether male or female, even the evening song might be different to the bird’s call during the day and around the breeding time too. All these and the migratory birds that visit the valley each year can be identified by Joy.
The sad fact is that, as large trees are felled, flight paths are disrupted and breeding grounds and habitat disappear, not only for birds but for other animals that reside in trees too. Old growth trees with hollows are especially precious; this is why it is so important to prevent large trees from being cut down unless it’s 100％ necessary. Unfortunately, as the human footprint grows in the valley the wildlife becomes affected more and more. Recently someone said to me that Kangaroo Valley should be declared a natural zoo before it’s too late; I would have to agree, as by the time children of today have grown up the present endangered species may have long died out and a lot more species will be classified as threatened – even wombats!
I asked the students who come to my drawing classes if they would like to draw a bird that lives in the valley and donate it towards a fundraiser for WIRES, to raise funds for the ongoing care needed in helping injured and orphaned wildlife, and also in the hope of raising awareness of the different bird species in the valley, hopefully inspiring people to identify them and learn more about their different habitats in the area.
Understanding what is involved in the dedication of those trying to protect our native wildlife residing in Kangaroo Valley is profoundly important in the preservation of living side by side with the wildlife in this unique valley.
Some of the unsung heroes of the valley are the few dedicated with the care and raising of animals; they need to be acknowledged and supported by our community. Recently having visited one woman who has just spent a year raising three baby wombats which are about to be released, I was reminded again of the dedication needed in the protection and raising of native animals, making sure they have the right food, collecting grass each day, proper enclosures etc., and the constant managing of mange treatment at numerous burrows; such service must be acknowledged.
For the few people tucked away in the valley committed to wildlife, we thank them with all our heart. The valley’s wildlife is on equal par with the rest of the reasons we love living here; we are responsible, we are their voice.
We all have a responsibility in minimising the impact of road kill by limiting our speed. Speed makes very little difference to the time a journey takes, but makes an enormous difference to the number of animals killed on our roads.
For instance, a study showed that 50% of roadkill is by cars travelling above 80kph. The 100kph zone of Tallowa Dam Road is 17.7km long. That distance takes 10.62 minutes at 100kph, and 13.27 minutes at 80 kph. So reducing the speed limit from 100 to 80kph would add only 2.65 minutes to that whole journey, while reducing the wildlife road kill risk by 50%.
Below is a link to a speed and distance calculator. It is really good to play around with the numbers and see that there is really no good reason to speed:
https://www.sensorsone.com/distance-and-speed-to-time-calculator/.
Here are links for information regarding wildlife friendly fencing and netting:
https://wildlifefriendlyfencing.org/
https://www.mrwn.org.au/how-you-can-help/wildlife-friendly-fencing
The fundraiser art auction for WIRES will be on 22 June at the Friendly Inn Hotel. Viewing of the artworks will be from 5pm on the day.
Please come along and support this very worthy event.
Kerrie Leishman