125 Year Timeline - BirdLife Australia

125 years of BirdLife Australia: a timeline

Highlights from more than a century of bird conservation in Australia.

1901
Australasian Ornithologists’ Union Established
After years of discussion and planning among Australia’s early ornithologists, the Australasian Ornithologists Union (AOU) was formally established on 1 July 1901. With an initial membership of 137 people from across Australia and overseas, the AOU was dedicated to the scientific study of Australian birds and to fostering collaboration between a widely dispersed community of bird enthusiasts.

Central to this vision was the journal Emu, which became the Union’s principal means of communication, publishing original research, field observations and news from members. More than simply a journal, Emu helped define the identity of the young organisation, providing a shared focus and a lasting record of Australian ornithology.

A scan of the black and white cover of the first volume of The Emu, the oldest ornithological journal published in Australia. — The Emu *is the oldest ornithological journal published in Australia*.

1905

Bird Observers Club Established
Keen to hold regular outings and field trips, a
group of AOU members established the Bird
Observers Club in 1905. The Club placed particular emphasis on field observation and encouraging ordinary Australians to engage with birds in their natural habitats. Through its publications, excursions and welcoming community, the Club helped foster a growing appreciation of birds among generations of amateur and professional ornithologists alike.

1907
‘A Visit to the Heronries’
Arthur Mattingley’s article in Emu with accompanying photos of starving egret chicks left on the nests prompted the AOU to take action on the plume trade. Republished in the UK in 1909, the images helped turned public sentiment against ‘the white badge of cruelty’, leading to laws banning the trade in feathers in the USA
and UK by 1914.

A black and white photograph of two egret chicks in a nest. — *Before he was President of the RAOU, Arthur Mattingley’s photographs of egret colonies devastated by the plume trade became the face of an international campaign against the practice.*

1910

The AOU is granted a Royal Warrant by King George to become the RAOU.

1935
Trouble at Bird Lovers’ Camp
During the RAOU’s 1935 campout at Marlo, member
George Mack shot a Scarlet Robin, provoking outrage among fellow campers. The incident crystallised a growing divide within Australian ornithology between the long-established practice of collecting eggs and specimens and an emerging ethic of observing and protecting birds in the wild.

The reaction was swift: specimen collecting was immediately banned on RAOU campouts, and a committee was appointed to review the practice more broadly.

The controversy marked more than a policy change; it symbolised a broader shift in Australian bird study, as binoculars increasingly replaced guns and the focus moved from collecting birds to understanding and conserving them.

To the right of the frame, a male Scarlet Robin is perched on a twig against a blurred brown background. — *Male Scarlet Robin by Stephen Garth*

Nearly 100 years after the time of John Gould, the day of the individual collector has passed.
—Alec Chisholm, reporting on the committee’s findings.

1959
Bird banding
Another milestone in the development of Australian ornithology came with the introduction of bird banding by members of the Bird Observers Club. First undertaken in the 1910s, banding transformed the study of birds, revealing previously hidden details about migration, longevity, breeding success and survival.
What began as a largely volunteer-driven endeavour soon grew into a nationwide scientific program, and helped shift the focus of bird study from collecting specimens to studying living birds.

A colourised portrait of two women sitting on the ground during field work. To the left, a woman is holding a White-faced Storm-Petrel chick while the woman on the right takes notes. — *A BOCA banding trip in 1959 to Mud Island in Melbourne’s Port Philip Bay, where participants banded 1,065 White-faced Storm-Petrels.*

1964

Nest Record Scheme
One of the RAOU’s earliest national data gathering projects, the Nest Record Scheme was led by Stephen Marchant. By 1999, the scheme had amassed over 90,000 records, and continues to this day in Birdata. Along with gathering valuable data, Marchant hoped the scheme would “divert interest from the collection of eggs to the recording of what happens to them in nature”.

The 1968 ‘revolution’
By the late 1960s, the RAOU found itself at a crossroads. A younger generation of members, inspired by the rapid growth of ecology and conservation science, challenged what they saw as an old-fashioned organisation more focused on tradition than action.

Led by figures including Dom Serventy and supported by many emerging ornithologists, reformers pushed through major changes to the Union’s governance and direction in what became known as the “1968 revolution”. The upheaval was not universally welcomed, but the RAOU emerged with a stronger scientific focus and a growing commitment to conservation.

1968

1969

RAOU Newsletter
One of the lasting legacies of the 1968 reforms was the creation of the RAOU Newsletter in 1969. As Emu, under the editorship of Stephen Marchant, evolved into a more specialised scientific journal, the Union needed a more accessible and conversational link between members across the country. From the two-page bulletin sent out in 1969, it grew in scope and ambition, becoming Wingspan magazine in 1991 and later Australian Birdlife in 2012.

1971

Australasian Seabird Group formed
Our oldest special interest group, the ASG played a crucial role in advancing the study of albatrosses, petrels, penguins and other seabirds across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Through its conferences, publications, beach patrols and long-running field surveys, the group helped build a strong network of seabird researchers and advocates, while providing expert advice on emerging conservation challenges. Its influence has been felt far beyond academia, contributing to efforts to protect breeding colonies, understand the impacts of fisheries bycatch and improve the conservation of seabirds throughout the region.

1975

Clarkesdale Sanctuary
Sheep farmer and conservationist Gordon Clarke donated his 31-hectare ‘Bird Paddock’ to BOCA in 1975, a parcel of land he had replanted with native vegetation to benefit birdlife.

Five years later, he donated another 13 hectares, and made subsequent donations to Trust for Nature. Now a dedicated reserve of 535 hectares, Clarkesdale Sanctuary is home to more than 150 species of woodland birds.

1976
Eyre Bird Observatory
Restored from an abandoned telegraph station near Cocklebiddy, Western Australia, Eyre became our first observatory. Managed by volunteer caretakers, the EBO offers birding courses, accommodation and research opportunities while maintaining bird surveys and weather observations.

Hand-painted signage at the entrance of the Eyre Bird Observatory. The signs read: Welcome to Eyre Bird Observatory Wonundra, with an arrow pointing towards parking. — *The Eyre Bird Observatory is Australia’s first bird observatory*.

1977

First Atlas fieldwork begins
The First Atlas of Australian Birds was one of the most ambitious citizen-science projects ever undertaken in Australia. Launched in 1977 and coordinated by Margaret Blakers, the project enlisted thousands of volunteers to survey birds across the continent, from major cities to some of the most remote corners of the country.

People went all over Australia in their own time and their own funding to every corner of the 800 squares of the country.
—Norman Wettenhall, one of the project’s most influential champions

1978
Victorian Wader Studies Group begins
A founding figure of the Victorian Wader Study Group, Clive Minton was also a driving force behind the Australasian Wader Studies Group, and helped transform the understanding of migratory shorebirds in Australia and across the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

Most notably, he introduced cannon-netting techniques to Australia, enabling researchers to safely capture, band and study large numbers of shorebirds for the first time.

In 1981, Clive organised the first AWSG expedition to Roebuck Bay. The data collected by generations of volunteers revealed the remarkable migrations linking Australian coasts with breeding grounds in Siberia and Alaska, while also providing critical information on survival, population trends and conservation needs. Through his leadership, enthusiasm and tireless fieldwork, Minton inspired hundreds of volunteers and helped establish Australia as a world leader in shorebird research and conservation.

A photograph of a person holding two small migratory shorebirds in their hands, a Red Knot (left) and Great Knot (right). — *A Red Knot (left) and Great Knot (right) being banded.*

1979

BirdLife Australia Raptor Group formed
Convened by David Baker-Gabb, BARG promoted the study, conservation and management of diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey. In 1986, Baker-Gabb co-ordinated BOP Watch, a project aimed at gathering baseline data on raptors around Australia, which resulted in the development of a management plan for the vulnerable Red Goshawk after data collected by Baker-Gabb and Tom Aumann showed a population decline. BARG continues to support and lead raptor research today.

1981

HANZAB
RAOU votes to begin HANZAB – an ambitious project to compile everything known about every bird species in the region into a single authoritative reference. Stephen Marchant became chief HANZAB editor.

Australasian Wader Studies Group formed

1984
Atlas of Australian Birds published
The Atlas compiled more than three million bird records and provided the first comprehensive picture of the distribution of Australia’s birdlife. Beyond its scientific value, the Atlas demonstrated the extraordinary power of volunteer observers working together towards a common goal. It set a new benchmark for citizen science in Australia and laid the foundations for many of the large-scale monitoring and conservation programs that followed.

A photograph of first edition of The Atlas of Australian Birds, published in 1984. The cover shows a flock of migratory shorebirds on a shoreline. — The Atlas of Australian Birds *was the first bird Atlas to cover an entire continent.*

1988
Broome Bird Observatory established

The Broome Bird Observatory is located on the shores of Roebuck Bay, one of the most important areas for migratory shorebirds in Australia.

1990

Volume 1 HANZAB published

1996
RAOU becomes Birds Australia
The adoption of the name Birds Australia reflected the growth of the RAOU into a national movement of birdwatchers, volunteers, researchers and conservationists. Landmark projects such as the Atlas of Australian Birds and HANZAB had attracted thousands of new members, many with little connection to academic ornithology but a strong commitment to birds and their conservation.

Threatened Birds Network established
Volunteers have always been integral to our work, and the TBN was created as a hub to link volunteers with urgent conservation tasks for threatened birds.

The TBN linked volunteers with more than 30 conservation projects, involving Regent Honeyeaters, Swift Parrots, bitterns, mallee birds and many others.

1997
Gluepot Reserve established

A photo of mallee woodland at Gluepot Reserve — *Gluepot Reserve in South Australia is part of the largest block of intact mallee left in Australia*.

2001

First Australasian Ornithological Conference
The first major scientific conference entirely devoted to the study of Australian birds.

Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project begins

2002
New Atlas of Australian Birds published

The cover of The New Atlas of Australian Birds, featuring a drawing of Budgerigars in the outback, — *The second* Atlas was the culmination of the largest continent-wide survey of birds in the world.

2005

Birds in Backyards website launched
Created in 1998, the Birds in Backyards program has connected many people, schools and children with the birds in their local areas, co-ordinated seasonal bird surveys and spawned projects like Birds in Schools, the Powerful Owl Project, online learning courses and the ‘Birds Meet’ webinar series.

The Atlas goes digital: Birdata launches

2006
HANZAB complete
Seven volumes, 20 years and countless contributors later, HANZAB was complete. Few ornithological projects have matched its scope, ambition or influence.

Beach-nesting Birds program begins
More than 20 years of surveys, breeding monitoring and hands-on nest protection have made the Beach-nesting Birds program one of our best conservation success stories, helping turn the tide for the Hooded Plover.

A photograph of the nine HANZAB books in a row. The spine of each volume includes an illustration of an Australian bird. — *Spanning seven volumes and nine books, HANZAB is an encyclopaedia of all species of birds recorded in Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica.*

2007

Shorebirds 2020 begins
Concern over declining shorebird populations sparked a nationwide effort to count and monitor birds over 320 key sites across Australia. Powered by more than 1,500 volunteers, the program continues today as the Australian Shorebird Monitoring Program.

2008

National Directory of Important Migratory Shorebird Habitat
Decades of shorebird surveys were distilled into the first Directory, and millions more records followed in later editions, making it an indispensable tool for shorebird conservation across Australia and the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

BIBY wins Eureka Prize for Environmental Education

2009

Australia’s Important Birding Areas published
Applying criteria established by BirdLife International, the program systematically assessed and identified 314 sites of global importance for birds in Australia.

Woodland Birds for Biodiversity Program
Faced with the rapid decline of Australia’s woodland birds on public and private land, this program worked with landholders to protect and restore habitat across south-eastern Australia. The program continues today as Woodland Birds, helping guide conservation for more than 40 threatened and declining species.

2011

Powerful Owl Project begins

2012

The merger
BirdLife Australia was born! Members of both Birds Australia and BOCA voted overwhelmingly in favour of merging to create the largest organisation in the country devoted to the conservation of native birds.

Wetland Birds Program begins

First Australian Birdlife magazine published

The cover of the first issue of Australian Birdlife magazine, featuring a Scarlet-chested Parrot feeding on saltbush. — *The first issue of* Australian Birdlife magazine (formerly Wingspan) was published in 2012.

2013

Satellite tracking
Tiny transmitters unlocked the secrets of bird migration. Working with international partners, BirdLife Australia and the AWSG began tracking shorebirds across the East Asian–Australasian Flyway.

2014

The first Aussie Backyard Bird Count

Eastern Hooded Plover listed as Vulnerable
Thanks to years of research into breeding success, population trends and threats by the Beach-nesting Birds Program and its hundreds of volunteers, the eastern subspecies of Hooded Plover was added to Australia’s national threatened species list as Vulnerable.

To the left of the frame, two Hooded Plovers are running across the sand, their orange legs outstretched. — *Hooded Plovers by Hamish Burrell*

To the right of the frame, an adult yellow and black Regent Honeyeater with coloured leg bands is perched on a flowering gum branch against a dappled grey, white and green background. The bird is looking towards the camera with its long tongue exposed. — *Regent Honeyeater by Tim Paasila*

2015

Regent Honeyeater uplisted
A key focus of our Woodland Birds program, the Regent Honeyeater was uplisted to Critically Endangered in 2015 after years of data collected by BirdLife Australia and partners.

Seven migratory shorebird species listed as threatened thanks to our data

2016

Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary recognised
Through decades of shorebird monitoring, Important Bird Area assessments and advocacy for migratory bird habitat, BirdLife helped ensure that the international significance of the Gulf St Vincent wetlands was recognised and ultimately protected.

2017

Beach-nesting Birds Program expands to include terns

BirdLife develops KBA Guardian program with Health Checks
BirdLife Australia was one of the first countries to adopt Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), the updated iteration of Important Bird Areas (IBAs), and helped others in the region to establish their own. The Guardian Program with annual Easter Health Checks is one of the largest volunteer site-monitoring efforts in Australia.

Birds on Farms relaunched in Victoria
First launched in 1995, Birds on Farms combines bird monitoring with practical habitat restoration and farm management advice, helping cement the idea that conservation doesn’t stop at the farm gate – and that healthy bird populations can be a sign of healthy, resilient farms. Now operating across Australia, Birds on Farms is one of our biggest programs.

2019

Waterbird Indices developed
BirdLife Australia consolidated more than 4 million historical records to develop a national waterbird index for Australia that can track trends in populations as indicators of wetland health.

2021

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats inscribed on World Heritage List
After years of advocacy by BirdLife partners and conservation organisations across the flyway, the Getbol (Korean Tidal Flats) were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, recognising one of the most important stopover sites for migratory shorebirds on Earth.

2024
Toondah Harbour saved
After a 10-year campaign by BirdLife Australia and Birdlife Southern Queensland, the proposal to build a marina in the Ramsar-listed wetlands of Moreton Bay was defeated, protecting this critical feeding and roosting site for migratory shorebirds.

AI call recogniser
Artificial intelligence joined the conservation toolkit when BirdLife Australia helped develop an automated call recogniser for the Critically Endangered Mukarrthippi Grasswren.

A crowd of protesters gathered on the shores of Toondah Harbour, holding signs that spell out the words Stop Extinctions — *Toondah Harbour protesters by Karl Goodsell*

2025

12^th Regent Honeyeater release
Faced with the looming extinction of the Regent Honeyeater, BirdLife Australia joined a bold captive-release effort to bring the species back from the brink. Since then, 556 zoo-bred birds have been released into the wild.

Our history

125 years of BirdLife Australia: a timeline