News of our Wagga Wagga Chapter

The Wagga Wagga Chapter of Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists began officially on 7 December 2020 when Alan Whitehead President of MFN’s was guest speaker at a meeting with local nature and bird enthusiasts held in Wagga Wagga.

Alan spoke passionately. Sharing his experiences of being a MFN member and participating in field trips and bird/plant sightings and recordings. He informed the meeting that the MFN group is now 25 years old and it facilitates and promotes the knowledge of natural history, encouraging the preservation and protection of the Australian natural environment, especially that of the Murrumbidgee River Valley.

MFN also forms a network of other field naturalists across the country who observe, collect and document field data on birds, habitat and wildlife on a continuing basis. Data collected accords with scientific protocols and is recognised and cited as source research by governments of Australia and universities around the globe.

With the city of Wagga Wagga straddling the Murrumbidgee River it seemed appropriate to extend the membership base further east to increase the knowledge and familiarity of local wildlife.  A motion was passed at the February 2020 MFN Meeting Leeton endorsing the formation of a Wagga Wagga Chapter.

Those present at Romano’s Hotel on 7 December 2020 voted in favour of joining the MFN. Hoorah!! Much excitement by everyone!

Our first outing was ‘Breakfast with Birds’ on February 2 2021 at the Murrumbidya Wetlands to celebrate World Wetlands Day. A wonderful beginning. We have since had a great morning at Lake Albert and our next Field Trip is to be held at Flowerdale Lagoon, Wagga Wagga on Sunday 11 April.

Melanie Baulch