Hello! I'm Jade, an ecologist setting out on my first 50km Ultra Marathon this May and raising funds for the Difficult Bird Research Group to support their important research for the Critically Endangered Swift Parrot!

Swift Parrots (Lathamus discolor) are nomadic birds only found in south-eastern Australia with a devastating estimated population of below 2,000. These small but mighty parrots conduct annual migrations from Victoria and south-eastern NSW, where they feed on flowering Eucalypts in the winter months, to the remote and rugged terrain of Tasmania in summer, where they breed in old forest growth.

Unfortunately, the amazing Swift Parrot is listed as Critically Endangered under the Commonwealth Government, due to their high risk of extinction within the immediate future.

The Difficult Bird Research Group are a focused team for our Australian bird species that are difficult to survey, are highly cryptic and/or are at risk of extinction. They have established population monitoring programs in collaboration with NSW and Tasmanian Governments and organisations to track trends in Swift Parrot occupancy and abundance, identifying the most important habitat that needs to be conserved.

Please delve into the world of research here! https://www.difficultbirds.com/study-species#swift-parrot

I will be doing a mere 51km out of the 900km it takes for one trip from NSW to Tasmania for the Swift Parrot, however I hope to raise awareness for this species that desperately needs our help and to support the professionals working towards solutions.

Thank you for your time and kind donations!