Fellow member Barry Hart was guest speaker at last month’s meeting of Batemans Bay Garden Club. Barry talked about one of his other interests (besides gardening) – Seabird Rescue.
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The local branch of the Australian Seabird Rescue organisation is active throughout the Eurobodalla region, with 35 dedicated members. Their mission statement is “Reducing human impact on coastal wildlife”. They are involved in rescue/rehabilitation of any injured marine animal, with a major interest in birds, particularly pelicans.
Barry explained that pelicans are large birds, weighing up to 8kg, with a wing span of 2.3 to 2.8m and may live for 30 years. Adult birds can eat between 1kg-2kg of fish per day.
The biggest cause of injury to sea birds is fishing tackle (92 per cent). Discarded line is particularly dangerous as it tangles around legs, wings and beaks. Barry asks all fishers to deposit used lines in bins to prevent suffering to seabirds.
Discarded plastics also cause considerable damage to sea life and the Rescue Team urge everybody to dispose of them in an appropriate manner. It is estimated 70 million tonnes of plastic waste pollutes the waterways per year.
The 60 members present thanked Barry for his interesting and enlightening talk.
The exhibit tables were full of flowers, potted plants and edibles. Very pleasing considering it is winter.
A coach trip to Berry for the camellia show is next on the agenda for members, with a visit to a local camellia nursery included.
In September there is another coach trip to Canberra for the Floriade display.
Our next meeting is on July 26, in the Anglican Church hall at 2pm, with guests always welcome. It will be followed by the annual general meeting and election of the new committee.
