Following the interest generated by the article in the last issue of Finches & Softbill magazine about the Save The Gouldian Fund we thought we’d supply you with a little more about the Australian Wildlife Conservancies (AWC) operation at the Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary.

As the majority of us are probably unaware of Mike & Elisabeth Fidler have been journeying to the north-east of Western Australia for over 25 years in their quest to study the Gouldian in the wild. Their journeys took them from Kununurra and, upon the acquisition of the old Mornington Station by the AWC, onto this area with its resident population of wild Gouldians. Here they were able to help with funding of a number of conservation strategies for the restoration of the endangered Gouldian finch, Erythrura gouldiae. So, in a nutshell, the Mornington Station became of real importance to researchers because it held numbers of the Gouldian and because it gave them the opportunity to use the area as a huge open-air laboratory!

Rather than tie the area up for pure research the AWC put in place the infrastructure for a small scale wilderness camp where people could visit and see for themselves the wonders of the Kimberley and, if they are observant, to see the Gouldian in the wild with minimal impact upon their habitat. Thus was the Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary born!

As mentioned in the previous article the last few decades have seen a significant change in fire regimes in the Kimberley region in order to provide fresh green fodder. The AWC believes that this may be contributing to the decline of many species of birds, especially the Gouldian finch.
Perhaps the best way to outline their proposed strategy towards fire management is a quote from their website:

"AWC staff are implementing a fire management program that aims to:

This is achieved using a combination of ground and aerial ignition (from helicopters). The occurrence and extent of all fires are recorded in order to assess whether the fire management strategy is achieving the aims stated above. The local aboriginal community at Mornington are also involved in fire management activities; CALM and FESA assist with advice."

Should you stop for a snack the first thing that you will notice is the bird song that emanates from everywhere around you – from the screech of the Black Cockies to the chatter of feeding finches!

Getting there usually commences from the domestic airline terminal which is situated at Broome and flights are on a regular basis from most eastern seaboard capitals and from Perth, Western Australia.
However, these days more and more people are arriving in their own vehicles and for the majority of these the trip is made in 4WD vehicles as it can get a little rough on the dirt road although the Gibb River Road is a highway compared to what it used to be like so I’m told!
If you’re not planning on travelling there in your own vehicle then don’t despair as the major hire car companies are well stocked with just such vehicles and you can hire one from Broome. If the thought of driving that far does not appeal then there is always the local Golden Eagle Airlines, available from either Broome or Derby, which will arrange to have you flown in to the landing strip at The Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary and, believe me, that trip is one to behold as you look down on an ancient landscape. Failing that there is always the mail plane but it can take a while to arrive given the large number of stops it must make to deliver the all important mail items but it does allow you an additional bit of ‘local flavour’! Mind you the trip out of Mornington is a lot faster!

If you have the time and are not so keen on small aeroplanes that tend to wobble quite a lot then might I be so bold as to suggest the Gibb River Road Bus Service for a memorable trip. A few hours spent with Martin at the wheel and you’ll be in stitches and also be fully informed about the colourful local history! He even offered to arrange birding trips to waterholes that are rarely frequented and to get you from the Gibb River Road and into Mornington itself with a bit warning!

Well, I hope that I have given you some incentive to go and have a look for yourself at the rugged beauty that is the Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary. Whether it’s to see the endangered Gouldian finch or Purple Backed wren or simply to have a champagne as the sun sets at Sir Johns Gorge you won’t be disappointed.
From giant Blue-tongued lizards to tiny little Gecko’s the Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary has it all and. Who knows, maybe you’ll run into a member of the Save The Gouldian Fund from Tasmania wandering around Mornington at 5 am with a tally sheet counting Gouldians complaining about the heat and a blasted Goshawk that keeps scaring all the Pictorellas away!
However, a word of warning to all of you thinking of journeying to Mornington. Don’t think you’ll ever be content with "just one visit" to this majestic country!

                                         Finally just a few itemised reasons for you to mull over.

Non-Bird People!

If you would like more information on the Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary or the services offered by the AWC there then go to www.australianwildlife.org and follow the links to Mornington.
For Martin and the Gibb River Road Bus Service call 1800 197 262 0r visit www.gibbriverbus.com.au

If the aeroplane trip appeals more to you then Golden Eagle Airlines can be found at www.goldeneagleairlines.com

For more information on the work being undertaken by the Save The Gouldian Fund please visit us at www.savethegouldian.org

As Seen in Just Finches & Softbills Magazine
 To Them Our Thanks!