Tasmania is participating in the first National Twitchathon! This event is open to all comers: backyard bird-watcher, nature-loving family, experienced birder or keen twitcher. All you have to do is try and see as many different species of birds as you can within a set time-frame. Each year the Twitchathon raises money for bird conservation and this year the aim is to help protect the endangered Tasmanian sub-species of the Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax fleayi).

The majestic “Wedgie” is the largest bird of prey in Australia and is endangered at both Tasmanian and national levels. With only 400-700 breeding adults in Tassie, Wedgies are at risk from habitat loss, nest disturbance, shooting, collisions with vehicles, powerlines, wind-farms and fences, and electrocution. Wedge-tailed Eagles are extremely shy nesters, and will simply abandon nests if exposed to too much disturbance – whether from logging, development or close approach by humans. Any money raised from the Twitchathon will go towards a research project that aims to test the safe distance for approaching nests, and to find out where young birds go to forage. The aim is to raise enough to cover half the cost of one telemetry unit to attach to a juvenile Wedgie.

For more information about the Wedge-tailed Eagle research project, contact James Pay james.pay@utas.edu.au