Paluma Range Citizen Science Program Launch & Camp Out
Fri, 25 Aug
|Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba Group Area
Join with researchers, locals, BirdLife Townsville & BirdLife North Queensland and bushwalking clubs to help contribute to our knowledge of Cassowaries at the southern extent of their global distribution and high altitude birds vulnerable to climate change in Paluma Range National Park.
Time and location
25 Aug 2023, 1:00 pm AEST – 28 Aug 2023, 10:00 am AEST
Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba Group Area, Lake Paluma, Crystal Creek QLD 4816, Australia
About the event
Join with researchers, locals, BirdLife Townsville and BirdLife North Queensland and bushwalking clubs to help contribute to our knowledge of Cassowaries at the southern extent of their global distribution and high altitude birds vulnerable to climate change in Paluma Range National Park.
The only targeted surveys for cassowaries on the Paluma Range were for the faecal DNA wet tropics populaton analysis (Westcott et al 2014). No scats, signs or sightings were recorded during that study however, the extrapolated population estimate for the area was 16 adult birds. The Paluma Range however contains 22,050 ha of potential habitat and birds are sighted here semi-frequently. So let’s track them down to add to our body of knowledge about the distribution, abundance, habitat condition and threats to Cassowaries here. Please download the Birdata App on your phone.
Location
Camping @ Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba group camping area or self-arranged B&B accommodation at Paluma Village.
Friday, 25 August
Friday evening welcome, presentation and dinner @ Paluma Community Centre, 65 Mount Spec Road, Paluma
1:00 pm Lake Paluma – Magar Yamba group campsite open.
5:00 pm Paluma Community Centre – Nywaigi Welcome to Country.
6:00 pm Catered dinner (by donation).
7:00 pm Presentations on Cassowaries and Birds with Altitude Citizen Science programs.
8:00 pm Organise survey teams and locations.
Saturday, 26 August
AM survey designated routes.
PM review camera trap data. Self-catered.
Sunday, 27 August
AM survey designated routes.
PM review findings & camera trap data. Sunday night camping optional. Self-catered.
Monday, 28 August
AM survey optional.
Checkout by 10:00 am.
Funded by a Qld Government CSA – Threatened Species Grant and Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Supported by BirdLife Townsville, BirdLife Australia, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, NQ Dry Tropics NRM and Girringun Aboriginal Corporation and thank you to the Paluma Community Centre for gifting in-kind support of the community centre for the Friday evening.