2021 Science on Broome Coast
Shorebird disturbance on Roebuck Bay
Presenter Dr Nyil Khwaja
Yawuru Nagulagun Roebuck Bay Marine Park is one of the most important wetlands in the world for migratory shorebirds. These birds feed at low tide on the mudflats but come under stress at high tide as they are pushed onto beaches they share have to share with us and birds of prey. This talk presents new research on when, where and how shorebirds are disturbed at high tide and what this means for conserving these amazing birds.
Nhil Kwaja has been the Broome Bird Observatory Warden since 2019 and coordinated this project with funding from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. The important data collection has been done by volunteers. We hope the talk shows what a superb contribution they made to shorebird conservation science.
Where The Main Hall, University of Notre Dame, 88 Guy Street, Broome
When Thursday 28th October 5.30-7.00pm
Free Gold coin donations welcome
More info www.roebuckbay.org.au or gracemaglio@outlook.com
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Do you love dolphins and getting out on the Bay
Dolphin Watch Training…
become a trained dolphin watch volunteer
Attend our FREE training evening and…
– Learn more about the Australian Snubfin Dolphin
– How to identify dolphins with your free Finbook
– How to record sightings in a new Smartphone APP
– Apply your knowledge gained in the training session on Yawuru Nagulagun and in the Snubfin Dolphin Census in April 2022
– A draw for a door prize – a free dolphin watch cruise
Where Lotteries House 20 Cable Beach Rd Broome
When Tuesday 7th September 5.30-7.30pm
Free Gold coin donations welcome
More info www.roebuckbay.org.au or gracemaglio@outlook.com
DOOR PRIZE Absolute Ocean Charter Snubfin Dolphin Cruise for 2 people
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Snubfin dolphins of Yawuru Nagulagun Roebuck Bay
Presenter Alex D’Cruz
Yawuru Nagulagun/Roebuck Bay in Broome northwest Australia, hosts the highest density of any studied snubfin dolphin population. This presentation draws on data collected by cetacean researchers over 13-years to determine the importance of the area for individual dolphins and the population.
Alex recently finished Honours at Edith Cowan University exploring the ecology and population dynamics of snubfin dolphins in Yawuru Nagulagun/Roebuck Bay. The results from this study contributes important insights into the ecology of a highly valued species and supports continuous effective joint management of the snubfin dolphin population in Yawuru Nagulagun.
Register by September 1, 2021 to Holly Raudino
Holly.Raudino@dbca.wa.gov.au or phone 97246177
Where Lotteries House 20 Cable Beach Rd Broome
When Wednesday 8th September 6.00-7.30pm
Free Gold coin donations welcome
More info www.roebuckbay.org.au or gracemaglio@outlook.com
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Soil Health and Compost
Presenter Jardine Macdonald
Looking after your soil’s health will mean better soil structure to soak in and hold rainfall and nutrients, growing healthy plants in return. Compost is an easy, inexpensive rewarding way you can use your kitchen and garden scraps and help the soil food web in your backyard and school for a healthy garden. Composting also helps to keep Roebuck Bay’s water quality clean and marine web healthy. Jardine is passionate about soil health so this is a great opportunity to learn how to compost.
Kandy Curran, will launch the re-published gardening book produced by Roebuck Bay Working Group Coastal Gardens A planting guide for Broome on the Dampier peninsula
The size of a mini iPad, the FREE book has practical advice on growing a waterwise garden that benefits your wallet and Roebuck Bay. Coastal Gardens is online and on smartphones »
Where Hall 2, Lotteries House
20 Cable Beach Road East, Broome
When Thursday 11th May 5.30-7.00 pm
Free Gold coin donations welcome
www.roebuckbay.org.au
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A series of video interviews celebrating the work of outstanding individuals and organisations promoting the natural values of Roebuck Bay and surrounds
Eucalypts of Broome by Philip Docherty
In 2021 Philip Docherty was awarded a Eucalypt Australia fellowship www.eucalyptaustralia.org.au to run a project to collect seeds, propagate and plant Broome eucalypt species in Magabala Botanical Park in Broome North. The project includes raising awareness of Eucalypts through guided tour, radio interviews and an educational display at Broome Public Library. Future initiatives include tree planting days, creating signage and a booklet on Kimberley eucalypts.
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Coastal benefits of native plants in Broome
The reprint of the popular book Coastal Gardens – A Planting Guide for Broome on the Dampier Peninsula is inspiring the Broome community to grow a waterwise garden that benefits the wallet, environment, and Broome’s coastal waters and in particular, Ramsar listed Roebuck Bay.
Local natives (endemics) have many benefits. They thrive in Broome soils and climate, most are cyclone resistant, they keep your home and garden cool, require less water than introduced plants and are resistant to tropical pests. Endemic plants have evolved over time with defense mechanisms to cope with common pests, thereby requiring fewer pesticides than introduced species. Less pesticides used in your garden, means less chemicals entering Broome’s coastal waters via roadside stormwater drains.
The book is available online and designed to be smart phone friendly https://roebuckbay.org.au/pdfs/coastal-gardens-web-version.pdf
The reprint of the book is funded by Rangelands NRM with support from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
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Celebrating Science week : Sea snakes of Roebuck Bay
Dr Jenna Crow-Riddell, a Post Doctoral researcher from the University of Adelaide has been studying sea snakes in Roebuck Bay and the Kimberley coast for ten years. Jenna agreed to speak on camera whilst in Broome recently and this has resulted in a fascinating film by Matthew Adams at Surge Films about Jenna’s fascinating research on sea snakes on the Kimberley coast. Jenna’s research is seeking answers to a range of questions: sea snake’s evolutionary biology, general biodiversity, sensory biology and ecological role in this unique ecosystem.
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