Michael Mulvaney and Chris Davey ‘Gang-gang nesting ecology’

Chris and Michael will reveal how citizen science research by hundreds of Canberrans has contributed to the scientific and wider understanding of Gang-gangs and how this research is to be continued with a focus on trying to answer why the Gang-gang numbers have been stable here, but declined in other places.

Abstract

Arguably the residents of Canberra have contributed the most to the scientific and wider understanding of Gang-gang nesting requirements, nest predator and hollow competitor interactions, and breeding timelines and success rate. Chris Davey and Michael Mulvaney will detail the results of this citizen science research, by hundreds of Canberrans and reveal how this research is to be continued with a focus on trying to answer the question why Gang-gang numbers in the Canberra area have been stable over the last 30 years where in most other places they have suffered significant declines.

Biographies

Michael Mulvaney is a former Government ecologist. Red Hill is the centre of Michael’s universe and he became involved in Gang-gang citizen research when a nest site was discovered on Red Hill and he wanted to know how important this nesting site may be.

Chis Davey, a former CSIRO Research Officer of vertebrate pest and conservation issues, has been overseeing citizen science research into the Gang-gang since this parrot was chosen as the focus of activity during the Canberra Ornithological Groups 50^th year celebration in 2015.

Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November in the Gardens’ Theatrette. Talks last for 1 hour. Admission is by gold coins donation. The Friends use the ‘gold’ coins donations received at each activity to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. Please note: unless otherwise indicated, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette.

The talks are in line with COVID-19 guidelines which can change rapidly.

Bookings are essential.  Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BYPQC. Bookings can be made from the Friday before the talk until Wednesday night before the talk.

The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. A donation to the Friends for the use of this material will be gratefully accepted. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au