A photography competition calling for photos of native birds within 100 kilometres of Cowra has been hailed as a resounding success and will run again next October as part of Bird Week 2020.
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Cowra's Natural Resource Management Committee (Cowra NRM) ran 'The Cowra Archibird Photography Competition' which attracted 133 entries and the 2019 winners were recently announced.
The online Facebook competition awarded Phil Weyers of Greenthorpe, the top award.
Judge John Cooper said his image "Chow Time", (showing the Rainbow Bee-eater approaching its nest to feed its young) had loads of impact and gave this photo first place.
Second Place also went to Weyers for his photo, "Spring Time Galahs" (featuring two galahs at their nest-hollow).
The Judges said "the action of the two birds with out-stretched wings, both in sharp focus, is well displayed against the vivid blue sky. An image with stunning impact."
"There have been 175 land based native bird species recorded in the Cowra region, 54 of which are listed as endangered, rare or declining.
"This competition is helping to support their survival," said Cowra NRM member John Rankin.
Cowra's Natural Resource Management Committee are raising awareness of the positive roles native birds play on farms and in food production.
Plague insects such as grasshoppers, army grubs and red-legged earth mites do not have a chance to thrive when adequate native bird species are around to eat and control them but, as these photos show, native birds require adequate native vegetation across our region.
"Our hope is that the greater Cowra community sees the importance of fallen logs, dead trees, old trees with developed hollows and connectivity to water sources to ensure native birds continue to survive," said John Rankin.
The winner of the youth category went to Mia Lewis for her photo "Just Cruising" with the judge stating 'A lovely action shot of the Cockatoo.
The back lighting showing through the extended wings has great impact'
Both locals and visitors to this district are encouraged to start taking Archibird photos in anticipation of the 2020 competition.
To view all the 2019 Archibird photos search for Cowra Natural Resource Management Committee - Cowra NRM on Facebook.
