About Ricki Coughlan
My interest in birds goes back to early childhood. I have focussed all of my talents and abilities on learning about nature broadly and birds specifically and sharing sharing this with others in the course of my life. I hold a Graduate Certificate in Ornithology from Charles Sturt University and am currently preparing a paper on "Limpet predation by Ruddy Turnstones on rocky headlands" and research for my next study: "Habitat use by two Sydney fairy-wrens".
Ricki birding in the tall grass of "The Gravel Pit", east of Broome. © 2006 Lynn Scott. Press image to enlarge.
I have worked as a bird and nature guide since 1996 and am a seasoned presenter of birds, having presented to dozens of groups, from face to face to television, radio and print in that time. I regularly present at courses and workshops for Birds Australia: Australia's peak NGO for the study of birds and recreational birdwatching. I have served as Warden at the Birds Australia Broome Bird Observatory - arguably the highest post one can serve within Australia, using my capacities.
My goal is to make a contribution to broadening public education and understanding about nature and how humanity can co-exist with a vibrant and healthy global environment. I believe that this is best done by working at both ends: to gather knowledge through surveys and study, on the one hand, and, on the other, disseminating this knowledge through workshops, presentations and birding tours.
Ricki with the Long Reef wader study team. © 2007 Ricki Coughlan. Press image to enlarge.
In 2007, I formed a sizeable shorebird study team on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Our focus is counting and studying migratory Paelarctic Shorebirds, which spend the Austral Summer on Long Reef and Careel Bay. Our work contributes to the Australasian Wader Study Group's dataset on these birds and a greater understanding of their movements, lives and demography on a local and regional scale.
You can find more about me by referring to my online resume.