The Ecosure team: Managing Director Phil Shaw is recognised internationally for his work in the bird management industry. He is supported by Principal Biologist Gerard Ferguson and a team of well trained field officers.

Initial Site Assessment

Initial assessments identify current population levels, preferred breeding and/or roosting and/or foraging sites, and the strategies necessary to manage the population at sustainable levels throughout these key areas. Following an analysis of the information a management plan can be developed which often incorporates some or all of the following services.

Population Monitoring

Ecosure provides population monitoring over the long term to assess the effectiveness of management actions.

Restricting Food Supply

A key component to managing overabundant bird populations is to define and restrict anthropogenic food sources. Research conducted Ecosure in 2001 found that approximately 70% of the urban ibis population obtain food from landfills, and that this artificial food supply is responsible for escalating populations which spill over to surrounding areas. Ecosure has pioneered the development and implementation of dispersal programs at landfills which has reduced on-site foraging populations of ibis by up to 90%. Anthropogenic food sources in parks and recreational areas are addressed through public education programs.

Restricting Breeding Success

As part of an integrated approach to reducing bird populations, Ecosure offers an egg and nest removal service (under damage mitigation permits issued by appropriate agencies). This procedure restricts breeding success and curbs the population growth rate. Apart from stemming recruitment to the population egg and nest removal harasses adult birds and deters them from establishing new colonies in an area.

Dispersal of Evening Roosts

Our roost dispersal service acts to disrupt roosting patterns of target species and unsettle bird colonies prior to nesting. When performed regularly dispersal is particularly effective at moving a problematic colony of birds from an unwanted area. It is additionally a deterrent to establishing breeding colonies, ultimately resulting in a further reduction of breeding success. Ecosure field officers utilise a range of tools including species specific distress callers, spotlights, stockwhips and laser lights.

Education

Ecosure develops and delivers public awareness programs that help provide an effective two-way flow of information on bird management. The use of signage and other educational material available from Ecosure is used to curb public feeding of birds and to increase the public understanding of avifauna issues. Input from the public on the location of problematic bird populations (i.e. colonies, foraging sites etc) is important in ensuring that the majority of the local bird population is accounted for and incorporated in to regional management programs.