Watch ‘birdcam’ footage taken from NBN tower nesting site

A number of new nesting platforms being rolled out by National Broadband Network* Co (NBN Co) may soon be fitted with their very own permanent “birdcams” – and the footage will be well worth the tweet.

The birdcams are set to capture footage of birds who make their homes high up on NBN fixed wireless transmission towers*, from Red Rock on the Mid North Coast of NSW up to the bustling birdlife in Brisbane.

In recent birdcam tests, the full drama of the nest unfolded at Red Rock’s pilot* testing site, where a pair of ospreys* had an egg that, sadly, did not survive.

At Beachmere in Brisbane, a pair of ospreys took turns to incubate* their eggs during cam testing.

NBN Co General Manager Chris Cusack said the company was considering how to best set up a permanent broadcast link*.

“We are still trying to find the best and most practical equipment that can literally withstand gale force winds, rain, and scorching sun,” Mr Cusack said.

The initiative began after many significant Aussie birds started to nest in NBN fixed wireless transmission towers, blocking NBN Co workers’ access.

There are approximately 500 towers across the country that have native Australian birds living in them, including eastern ospreys, peregrine falcons* and Torresian crows*.

Extended nesting platforms have been installed above the NBN equipment to avoid triggering penalties under environmental laws protecting nests.

Mr Cusack said the installation of the birdcams at three testing sites, Beachmere in Queensland, and Red Rock and Forster in NSW, captured the first successful nesting season since the platforms were installed.

The cameras also helped technicians by keeping an eye on the birds.

“The cameras significantly reduce the number of visits required, to check on birds and equipment, after an elevated nesting turret*,” Mr Cusack said.

“They also provide real time information regarding the presence of eggs and or chicks in the nest so that any tower maintenance works can be scheduled outside of this sensitive period.”

NBN Co are expected to launch a live stream of the birdcam footage to the public in the coming months.

WATCH THE VIDEO

POLL

GLOSSARY

• National Broadband Network: Australia’s fixed line internet infrastructure provider
• transmission towers: towers that transmit data over radio signals to an outdoor NBN antenna at a person’s home or business to provide an internet service
• pilot: test
• ospreys: a fish-eating bird of prey with a wingspan of 180cm
• incubate: keep its egg warm
• broadcast link: a camera set up that can broadcast or livestream footage to viewers at home as it happens
• peregrine falcons: a crow-sized bird of prey with a blue-grey back, barred white underparts and a black head
• Torresian crows: a large, glossy black bird
• elevated nesting turret: a raised nest

EXTRA READING
Why washed up birds are a worry
Meet Australia’s precious penguins
Feathered friend rescues cockatoo

QUICK QUIZ
1. Which types of birds are nesting in NBN towers?
2. What are some benefits of installing birdcams in the nests?
3. What weather challenges does NBN Co face when it comes to finding suitable camera equipment?
4. How many NBN towers across the country have native Australian birds living in them?
5. Which two states have birdcams installed at some of the nesting sites?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Birds News!
Imagine that you’re a journalist for Birds News, a news website for birds. Rewrite the story from a bird’s perspective! Include interviews with birds who have an opinion about the birdcams – both for and against.

Time: allow at least 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English

2. Extension
Create a design for a birdcam “that can literally withstand gale force winds, rain, and scorching sun” so that a permanent broadcast link can be set up.

Time: allow at least 60 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Design and Technology

VCOP ACTIVITY
BAB it!
Show you have read and understood the article by writing three sentences using the connectives “because’’, “and”, and “but” (BAB).

Your sentences can share different facts or opinions, or the same ones but written about in different ways.

What can you come up with?

Remember to use your VCOP editing skills to read aloud, edit and up-level.