Connecting the flock
- BirdLife Northern Queensland
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
BirdLife Northern Queensland at the 2026 Network Forum
Denis Walls | Convenor
Edward Bell | Crane Count Coordinator
In late May, BirdLife Northern Queensland was represented at the BirdLife Australia Network Forum in Melbourne by Convenor Denis Walls and Crane Count Coordinator Edward Bell. Held on 28–29 May 2026, the annual gathering brought together representatives from 13 BirdLife branches and affiliated groups from across Australia to exchange ideas, share experiences and strengthen the collaborative networks that underpin bird conservation efforts nationwide.
While presentations covered a diverse range of topics, a consistent theme throughout the forum was the importance of collaboration. Many of the challenges facing birds and their habitats are shared across regions, and the opportunity to exchange knowledge, experiences and solutions is one of the greatest strengths of the BirdLife network.
The forum opened with a keynote presentation by Kurt Jones, CEO of Co-Exist Australia, which highlighted approaches to engaging younger people in conservation and volunteering. Discussions focused on empowering young people to participate in meaningful ways and creating opportunities for them to connect with nature and conservation activities. The presentation sparked ideas for potential partnerships and future youth engagement opportunities in northern Queensland.
Sean Dooley from BirdLife Australia spoke about the power of storytelling in conservation. He emphasised the importance of clear, relatable communication and reminded attendees that BirdLife’s reputation as a trusted, science-based and non-partisan organisation gives its messages significant credibility. His presentation reinforced the value of effective communication in building community support for bird conservation.
A field excursion to the Werribee Treatment Plant provided opportunities to observe a range of southern Australian bird species, including the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. However, just as valuable as the birding itself were the informal conversations that took place throughout the day, allowing participants to connect with BirdLife staff, researchers, project leaders and volunteers from around the country.
The second day featured presentations from branches and special interest groups. BirdLife Northern Queensland shared an overview of the branch’s activities, projects and achievements across one of Australia's largest and most diverse BirdLife regions. The presentation highlighted the breadth of work undertaken by volunteers throughout Far North Queensland and generated considerable interest from other branches.
Several presentations offered ideas that may have future relevance for BirdLife Northern Queensland. BirdLife Castlemaine showcased initiatives that connect art, science and nature, including nature journalling activities and accessible birding events. These programs have successfully broadened participation and attracted new audiences to bird conservation.
Shorebird conservation also featured prominently. BirdLife Southern NSW presented research on Far Eastern Curlew roosts and disturbance impacts, highlighting the importance of understanding and protecting both large and small shorebird sites. The work has potential relevance for shorebird monitoring efforts in northern Queensland, where many important but lesser-known roost sites occur.
Forum participants also received updates on BirdData, BirdLife Australia’s citizen science platform. BirdData continues to play a critical role in informing government planning, environmental assessments and conservation decision-making. Planned improvements, including project dashboards and enhanced reporting tools, will provide additional benefits for project coordinators and contributors.
One of the most important topics discussed was preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1). BirdLife Australia representatives outlined current planning efforts and encouraged branches to help raise community awareness. The discussion highlighted the potential risks to migratory shorebirds, waterbirds and other species that occur in northern Australia. Participants were reminded that BirdData now includes functionality for recording dead birds, helping build valuable baseline information that may assist future monitoring efforts.
The forum also highlighted the important role BirdLife branches can play in advocacy and conservation campaigns. Case studies from around Australia demonstrated how local groups can contribute to habitat protection, community engagement and improved conservation outcomes through partnerships, public awareness and collaboration with BirdLife Australia.
Beyond the formal presentations, the greatest value of the forum was the opportunity to build relationships. Representatives exchanged ideas, shared lessons learned and established new connections that will support future projects and collaborations. These networks are particularly valuable for regional branches such as BirdLife Northern Queensland, where volunteers often work across vast distances and a wide variety of habitats and conservation challenges.
BirdLife Northern Queensland returned from the forum with new ideas, new contacts and a renewed appreciation of the strength of the national BirdLife network. While every region faces its own unique challenges, the forum demonstrated that by sharing knowledge and working together, BirdLife branches can achieve far more than any one group could alone.
