Unfortunately as Orange and adjoining rural areas undergo significant development and changing patterns of land use, the impact of this development on the habitat of our  native and migratory birds is often overlooked.    

The Orange urban area hosts significant species including the state and nationally threatened migratory superb parrot, as well as king parrots, crimson and eastern rosellas, red-rumped parrots, lorikeets, corellas, galahs, sulphur crested cockatoos, honeyeaters, finches, and superb wrens, to name but a few. 

The destruction of nesting and feeding sites in native trees, shrubs, grasslands and wetlands is of major concern and can lead to a significant reduction in the populations of some species, and an imbalance between others, as well as an overall reduction in biodiversity.

The fact that Orange is widely recognised within the birdwatching fraternity as the location of a wide range of bird habitats and species, draws attention to the importance of protecting our native birds, and encouraging a greater understanding, not only of their ecology, but also the contribution that birds make to our recreational enjoyment and social wellbeing.  

For example, bird watching tourism is an important component of the economy of many towns and locations in Australia and overseas, and Orange has the potential to be part of this increasingly important segment of the eco-tourism market providing habitats are protected and enhanced.

The very popular bird watching walks conducted monthly by the Friends of the Orange Botanic Gardens, and field excursions run by the Orange Field Naturalists and Conservation Society play an important role in helping us  appreciate the great beauty of our native birds and in increasing our awareness of the issues surrounding their survival.

The Birds in Backyards organisation has an extensive research, education and conservation program focusing on the birds that live where people live. Conservation can only take place if urban communities become involved.  

Individuals can make a valuable contribution to the Birds in Backyards program by:

l Designing and planting for both large and small birds - encourage birds and other wildlife into your garden. Ensuring that there is a balance between large trees and understory shrubs and groundcovers.

l Do a survey, collect data from your own garden and contribute to our knowledge of urban birds.

l Talk to your neighbours, encourage them to plant for birds as well.

l Talk to  council staff - birds need more than just gardens. Encourage your council staff to plant for native birds; dedicate areas of public parks and open spaces to birds and other wildlife; ensure remnant bushland is kept and cared for; work with a local or community nursery, or develop one that can grow plants from local species, and contribute to maintaining  biodiversity; link up with other councils so that wildlife corridors (bush areas that wildlife can use to move about safely) can be created throughout urban and rural areas.

l Talk to state and the federal governments, let them know that you place value and importance on Australia's natural heritage, and that they must ensure that it is kept intact and healthy

l Become a member of Birds in Backyards and receive regular updates and participate in surveys. Visit their website; www.birdsinbackyards.net

Information from the Birds in Backyards program was used in the preparation of this article.