Farms and rural properties cover large parts of the Australian landscape. Managing this land in a way that benefits birds and their habitats can also see benefits to farm productivity, through helping combat issues that flow on from climate change, historic habitat loss and fragmentation, feral animals and drought.
Click here to watch all Birds on Farms videos, including participant testimonials.
Key points
- Since the arrival of the first European settlers, much of Australia’s woodland area has been cleared for agricultural use. Less than 10% of the original woodlands remain.
- More than 70% of the land area in SE and SW Australia is in private ownership – with much of this in regional areas. As such, rural properties have an essential role to play in bird conservation.
- The types of birds detected on a farm can be an indicator of the property’s environmental health and the sustainability of agricultural practices.
- Declining woodland bird populations are in a healthier state within agricultural districts that have well-managed remnant habitats and areas of revegetation.
Birds on Farms working with landholders
Through the Birds on Farms program, we partner with landholders to learn more about birds and their habitats on private rural properties. We can then use the information gathered to conserve and protect woodland birds.
After initial monitoring of the birds which occur on rural properties, to gain an understanding of the species assemblages that occur there across all seasons, the Birds on Farms project then supports the landholders in planning, and then implementing, appropriate habitat management on their properties.
Our long-term objective is to support landholders and local communities to enhance populations and diversity of woodland birds and their habitats within a landscape that continues to be agriculturally productive and profitable. To achieve this, we provide participants with opportunities to be involved in a range of activities, including the development of tailored habitat plans, regular bird monitoring surveys and site visits, training workshops and educational events, and access to partnerships and subsidies for on-ground works.
Bird-friendly Farms Guide
To assist landholders with the process of creating a bird-friendly property, BirdLife Australia, in collaboration with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, has developed the Bird-Friendly Farms guide.
This guide provides information on what birds occur in rural landscapes and why private land is important for their conservation, the characteristics of bird-friendly habitat, and how you can manage the threats to the birds on your property.
Bird-friendly habitat consists of many components and this guide will explain how you can manage habitat connectivity, paddock trees, waterways, tree hollows and more.
View or download the Bird-friendly Farms guide:
Watch the Birds on Farms video to hear about our top 5 tips for creating bird-friendly farms:
Making life better with Birds on Farms
Currently, Birds on Farms is operating across Victoria, and has six separate regional projects in Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, Queensland and Western Australia. Interest from landholders and birdwatchers is encouraged in all Birds on Farms projects.
Victoria-wide
There are now 200 rural landholders participating across the state. With the assistance of volunteer birdwatchers, standardised bird surveys are regularly undertaken in a range of habitats on each property. The information collected provides landholders, scientists and other conservation practitioners with critical information about bird population health and habitat use on private land.
Yarra to Yea
This project works with rural landholders and communities from the north-eastern fringes of Greater Melbourne (Lilydale, Eltham), northwards across the Great Dividing Range, through to the Yea district. It provides participants with opportunities to be involved in the development of tailored habitat plans, regular bird monitoring surveys and site visits, training workshops and educational events, and access to partnerships and subsidies for on-ground works.
Southern NSW
This project, in the South West Slopes region of NSW, provides rural landholders and other participants with opportunities to be involved in the development of tailored habitat plans, regular bird monitoring surveys and site visits, training workshops and educational events, and access to partnerships and subsidies for on-ground works.
Central West NSW
Also known as ‘Re-ageing the Woodlands of Central West NSW’, this project works with rural landowners and participants to fast-track the establishment of old-growth components in local woodlands using a mix of targeted, on-ground habitat restoration, awareness-raising activities and regular bird monitoring surveys.
ACT–Yass
Covering rural agricultural lands across the ACT and northwards into the Yass district and surrounds, this project provides rural landholders and other participants with opportunities to be involved in the development of tailored habitat plans, regular bird monitoring surveys and site visits, training workshops and educational events, and access to partnerships and subsidies for on-ground works.
Western Australia
This project is connecting rural landholders with citizen scientists across Western Australia’s agricultural region. The project provides rural landholders and other participants with opportunities to be involved in regular bird monitoring surveys, site visits, training workshops and events, and access to subsidies for on-ground works.
Lockyer-Toowoomba
The latest Birds on Farms project is centred around the Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba. This project provides rural landholders and other participants with opportunities to be involved in the development of tailored habitat plans, regular bird monitoring surveys and site visits, training workshops and educational events, and access to partnerships and subsidies for on-ground works.
Birds on Farms Victoria is made possible by the support of Chris and Gina Grubb.
Birds on Farms Lockyer-Toowoomba is made possible by the support of Chris and Gina Grubb.
Birds on Farms ACT-Yass is made possible by the support of Chris and Gina Grubb and the Purryburry Trust.
Birds on Farms Southern NSW is supported by NSW Government’s Saving our Species Program and through its Environmental Trust. It is also supported by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, and by Chris and Gina Grubb. Project partners include Holbrook Landcare Network, West Hume Landcare, Corowa District Landcare and the Ovens and Murray BirdLife Australia Branch.
Central West NSW Birds on Farms is being funded by the NSW Government through a partnership between the Saving our Species program and the Environmental Trust. Funding is also received through The Corella Fund, The Wood Foundation, and from Nick Butcher.
Birds on Farms Yarra to Yea is made possible by Chris and Gina Grubb, through a grant received from The Ross Trust, and by support from The Garry White Foundation and The Naylor Stewart Foundation.
