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HAPPY AND HEALTHY: Whyalla Bird Society president Mick Hurle with Council CEO Chris Cowley at the Ada Ryan Gardens aviaries.
The City of Whyalla and Whyalla Bird Society partnership is flying with the birds at Ada Ryan Gardens the big winners.
The Whyalla Bird Society helped solve a sudden rat problem last year with a resultant clean-up and suggested modifications at the public aviaries. The society has since maintained the care with regular visits to check on the birds, their surroundings and perform the odd beak trim and health check.
This was recognised by Council when it made a $500 donation to the bird society this year for its help at the city’s aviaries, the care of birds throughout the city and the education of owners.
“It’s great to have such a knowledgeable group of people keeping an eye on the birds at the gardens”
Whyalla Bird Society president Mick Hurle was at the aviaries recently to trim the beaks on a couple of birds and met with Council CEO Chris Cowley to give him an update on the feathered inhabitants.
“The birds are looking healthy and the aviaries are 250% on what they were,” Mr Hurle said.
“I’ve told the boys (Council work crews at the gardens) to use calcium blocks and this is helping the birds’ health.
“We just need to trim the odd beak every now and then … this is normal and happens all the time.”
Mr Cowley said it was a pleasure to make the donation to the bird society which was doing a “great job” to help out at the aviaries and the work it does in the community to ensure the health of birds.
“It’s great to have such a knowledgeable group of people keeping an eye on the birds at the gardens,” Mr Cowley said.
“These aviaries are a real treat now and a real attraction for people when they are visiting Whyalla.
“This is all due to the hard work and care from our Council crews at the gardens and the wonderful co-operation we have from the bird society.”
Mick said the money from Council was very much appreciated with some of the funding used to attract members of other bird societies around the state to come to Whyalla and see the Ada Ryan Gardens aviaries.
“It certainly did help out we’d like to thank Council,” Mr Hurle said.
“We’ve had some bird club members from Port Pirie visit and we’re looking to get a bus-load of people from the Limestone Coast to come and have a look at our aviaries too.”
Mick said the balance of the money helped continue the society’s main goal of helping people in Whyalla care for birds and gain a greater understanding of them.
Anyone interested in joining the Whyalla Bird Society or obtain some information on bird care can call Mick on 8649 3468.