Inspired by the work of the RSPB to establish a network of reserves throughout Britain, Birds Australia established its first reserve at Gluepot in the Riverland of South Australia in 1997. The aims of Birds Australia's Reserves are rather similar to those of our Bird Observatories, giving priority to long-term monitoring and research of bird populations and encouraging public awareness of biodiversity issues, as well as the added responsibility of providing high-quality ecological management of large, internationally-significant protected areas to conserve their biodiversity.

Birds Australia's Reserves

Gluepot Reserve is located 64 km north of Waikerie and the River Murray, in the Riverland district of South Australia. When it was purchased in 1997, Gluepot was the largest intact area of mature, unburnt mallee woodland known in Australia. Because of its relatively pristine nature (though it had been grazed, it was only ever lightly stocked) it supports a great diversity of mallee-dependent species of birds, many of which are classified as threatened.  So far, 197 species have been seen here, so Gluepot is a haven for birdwatchers too. There are also many species of mammals, 52 species of reptiles and 12 species of bats. Their survival has been enhanced greatly by ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the habitat in various areas of the reserve. There are few areas of the world that support such a concentration of threatened species. Many research, conservation and awareness-raising activities are undertaken at Gluepot Reserve, and this has seen it win a bevy of awards.  A world class Visitor Information Centre has been built where visitors can find out about all aspects of the conservation and biodiversity in the area. An Environment Education Centre has been established at the Reserve and 14 two-day courses are run annually. Volunteer Rangers are on hand to welcome visitors throughout the year and provide valuable local knowledge about the area and its birds and other wildlife. There are also a number of research projects conducted on the Reserve to which volunteers can contribute.  Camping sites are available -- it's a great way to unwind and interact with nature -- and there is also accommodation available at nearby Waikerie. Not long ago, one of Australia's most highly rated ABC journalists described Gluepot as 'one of the conservation miracles of the 21st century'. Come and have a look -- you'll be amazed at what you can see!

Newhaven Reserve was opened in 2002. It is an oasis in the arid heart of Central Australia (a four-hour drive north-west of Alice Springs). It supports a rich diversity of unspoilt grasslands, shrublands and woodlands, sand-dunes and claypans, rocky ranges and saltlakes. Scientific surveys of these habitats have uncovered a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and plants, many of which are classified as threatened. The reserve is ideal for the release of threatened species of mammals or those which are locally extinct. This makes Newhaven a very special place indeed, and it is recognized as a site of international importance. Efforts to enhance and protect these habitats have included the removal of stock and feral camels, as well as fire mitigation activities. In addition, the traditional owners of the land, the Warlpiri, Luritja and Anmatyerre people, have used their considerable wealth of ecological knowledge to add to the effective management of the Reserve.  By purchasing this vast tract of land, Birds Australia has ensured that it will remain wild forever, and to make certain that it is managed effectively, sympathetically and responsibly into the future, control of Newhaven Reserve was transferred to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy in 2006.