Support Conservation

Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund was established in 2009 to make available small grants ($10,000 maximum) to encourage and promote the scientific study of birds, their habitats and conservation in South Australia. Great knowledge of South Australian birds is critical to their conservation and evidence-based management. When their habitats and living conditions are destroyed or severely altered by vegetation clearance, over-grazing, rapidly changing and more intense weather, noise pollution, or increased urbanisation, it becomes hard for birds to feed, breed and find shelter to survive. When ecosystems change rapidly, the structures and functioning of ecosystems decline.  Birds especially cannot keep up with the changes and their numbers decline, which leads to populations disappearing from birding sites and the species as a whole becoming rare and eventually extinct. To read more about grant applications, go to the Conservation Research Fund page. 

You can make an impact on bird conservation science by donating to the fund.

No Beach Driving

Uncontrolled beach driving is causing serious and growing environmental harm across South Australia’s 4,000km coastline. With 750,000 registered SUV vehicles in the state, most beaches remain open to cars—unlike in Victoria, where beach driving is completely banned. This activity poses a major threat to coastal wildlife.

Nesting and roosting birds, including threatened species, are being killed (see image below of migratory waders, Red-necked Stints) or disturbed by motor vehicles. Beach driving also destroys feeding grounds, compacts sand, and damages dune ecosystems.Birds SA’s 2021 YouTube documentary On The Right Track highlights these issues.

A 2019 South Australian Parliamentary Inquiry recommended restricting vehicle access in sensitive areas and introducing beach driving permits—yet only safety-related measures have been adopted. There is, however, progress.

Thanks to the work of Birds SA and community pressure, the SA Environment Department has introduced useful restrictions on some beaches, with further restrictions on more beaches planned. This success is due to strong, visible support from bird and nature lovers. Birds SA urges continued public backing to expand protections and preserve vital habitat.

Please join the campaign to keep our beaches safe for wildlife by contacting the Conservation Sub-Committee at conservation@birdssa.asn.au

No Hunting of Native Birds

Birds SA strongly opposes the hunting of all native birds on both animal welfare and conservation grounds. Under South Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Act (1972), native ducks and Stubble Quail can still be hunted during annual open seasons approved by the Environment Minister. Shotgun hunting often results in birds being wounded but not retrieved, causing prolonged suffering.

Birds SA works with BirdLife Australia, RSPCA South Australia, and others to advocate for a ban on duck and quail hunting and for all native birds to be classified as “Protected.” Alarmingly, species like Zebra Finches, Budgerigars, Silvereyes, and Red Wattlebirds can currently be legally shot by anyone with a firearms licence.

A 2023 SA Parliamentary Select Committee inquiry into native bird hunting recommended continuing the practice, despite strong evidence of cruelty and inadequate enforcement of hunting regulations. Birds SA’s submission highlighted the additional stress hunting places on bird populations already under pressure from habitat loss and climate change.

Public opinion is clear: the majority of South Australians oppose this outdated and inhumane activity. Birds SA continues to press the State Government for change.

To view Birds SA’s submission or learn more, visit our Policies and Statements page or contact the Conservation Sub-Committee at conservation@birdssa.asn.au

Minko Scrub

Minko Scrub is a 66-hectare patch of beautiful native woodland and heathland located on a 300-hectare working farm in Mount Compass, South Australia. Just 1.5 km from School Swamp—home to the endangered Southern Emu-wren—and near other biodiversity hotspots like Cox’s Scrub, Minko is a vital piece of the region's ecological diversity.

The property features five distinct habitats: tall dense woodland, patchy heathland, Tea Tree scrub, reedy wetland, and lightly wooded heathland, along with a large dam and a seasonal stream. Birds SA holds a five-year access agreement with the landowner and conducts regular bird walks and surveys on-site.

Several important conservation efforts have already been made. To compensate for the historic loss of large trees and natural hollows, 40 nest boxes have been installed to support hollow-nesting birds. Access has been improved with better gates, and members have removed invasive species like broom to help native vegetation thrive.

Birds SA also records bird sightings during member walks and is planning future bird banding surveys to gather more detailed data. Minko Scrub is a wonderful example of how working farms and conservation can go hand-in-hand to protect precious bird habitats.

For more information, contact the Conservation Sub-Committee conservation@birdssa.asn.au

Seed Nursery

The Birds SA Native Seed Orchard at Riverdale Farm, 55 km southeast of Adelaide, is a collaborative conservation project between Birds SA, landowners Simon Harris and James Peberdy, and the Kanmantoo-Callington Landcare Group. Established in 2022 with support from a South Australian government grant, the orchard focuses on producing native seed for bird habitat restoration.

Most of the seed supports Bio-R’s revegetation work at nearby Frahn's Farm near Monarto, helping restore critical habitat for endangered woodland birds. Birds SA, Kanmantoo–Callington Landcare Group, and Seeding Natives share responsibility for orchard maintenance and seed harvesting, while Riverdale Farm contributes water and labour. Birds SA also committed to growing and planting 5,800 seedlings.

In its first year, the orchard produced over 11 kg of native seed, with a goal of 100 kg annually. It forms part of the wider Greening the Bremer project, which promotes ecological restoration across Ngarrindjeri Country. Bird surveys confirm the site already supports a rich diversity of species.

Community involvement, especially through volunteer days, has been key to the orchard’s success. Ongoing seedling production and volunteer opportunities are planned. Birds SA members interested in helping can join a Growers Workshop—contact the Conservation Sub-Committee at conservation@birdssa.asn.au to get involved.

Tulka Osprey Platform

The Eastern Osprey is listed as endangered in South Australia, largely due to a lack of safe nesting sites. To support its recovery, Friends of Osprey have been installing artificial nest platforms in key coastal locations. In 2024, Birds SA funded the construction and installation of a new platform at Tulka, near Port Lincoln, after three Ospreys were observed attempting to nest in an unsafe location—one tragically died from electrocution on a power pole, making action urgent.
The platform was built by the Ardrossan Men’s Shed and installed in June 2024 with the help of Southern-Ocean Dive and Marine, who provided boats and equipment. Local children helped construct a starter nest using sticks and seaweed.
Remarkably, within an hour of installation, the remaining Osprey pair landed on the platform and began arranging the nest. Over the following weeks, they remained at the site, defending it from Pacific Gulls, continuing nest-building, and showing signs of bonding and mating.
Although no chicks were observed this season—likely due to one bird’s young age—experts are optimistic that successful breeding will occur in the future. This project is a powerful example of collaborative conservation in action.
For more information, visit Friends of Osprey or contact the Conservation Sub-Committee at conservation@birdssa.asn.au