Postal address: ‘Waldja’, 35 Crossman Rd Boddington WA 6390
Email:grmhmarston35@bigpond.com
Site
Description:
‘Waldja’ is a 1ha semi-rural property (32o 48’ S / 116o
29’ E) on the lower southern slope of the Hotham River valley on the
outskirts of Boddington. A granite outcrop and lateritic upland are located
higher up the slope and behind the property.
Aims
of the Project:
To determine seasonal changes in
bird movements, longevity, distribution and breeding in response to block
understorey revegetation.
To provide a measure of bird
numbers with increasing vegetation density.
To determine if the Hotham River
forms an east-west avian corridor with Marradong Timber Reserve (banding
project #1) to the west and with another bander’s project at Crossman to
the east.
Other
Information:
The block, originally part of an
adjacent sheep property, contained remnant Wandoo, Marri and Jam trees with
exotic grass understorey vegetation. The understorey is being planted with
endemic and exotic native shrub and herb species to create a wildlife
habitat. The population level of birds is being monitored as a function of
vegetation growth and structure.
Banding frequency is once a
month where weather conditions determine the actual day - (one of the
luxuries of being "retired"!!)
