The National Park and Wildlife Services’ ‘Park of the Month’ for this month has been named as the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary (AIBS) National Park – Winaityinaityi Pangkara
Sitting at the southern end of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), the migratory route is used by more than 5 million birds a year, stretching from Alaska and Siberia to Australia.
According to NPWS Ranger Warrick Barnes, the sanctuary is a key feeding and roosting site for resident and migratory birds that fly between the northern and southern hemispheres.
It is also home to a wide range of 263 unique fauna and flora species.
Ranger Barnes said more than 52 shorebird species, including 32 migratory bird species had been recorded in the sanctuary, several of which were endangered.
“Every year, migratory bird species arrive in spring to feed over summer, before taking flight in autumn to head on a 25,000 km journey back to their arctic breeding grounds in the northern hemisphere,” Ranger Barnes said.
“It means that November is a great time to visit the sanctuary with binoculars and to see these amazing little birds in the shallows for yourself.”
He said that as part of Park of the Month, the NPWS would be involved in numerous activities held in the sanctuary that are either free or provided at a subsidised cost.
He said that among the activities were: A ranger-guided walk of the St Kilda Mangrove Trail; Introduction to shorebirds with Birdlife Australia; Kayaking and snorkelling in the mangrove forest; Working bee with a ranger and Friends of AIBS; and Guided bird watching at Thompson and Light beaches.
More information about the November Park of the Month can be accessed on the NPWS website at this PS News link.
