On 4th August, in celebration of International Owl Awareness Day, BirdLife WA will be hosting the first screening of 'Night Calling' in Perth.

'Night Calling' is a compelling documentary that follows Dr. Boyd Wykes, an ornithologist whose lifelong passion for night birds led to the discovery of a critical threat to owls in Australia. The film highlights the urgent need to protect these magnificent creatures by banning harmful rodenticides.

The event will begin with a mingling session in the foyer at 6:00 PM, where you will have the opportunity to connect with other attendees. Theatre entry will commence at 6:30 PM. Following the screening, we will host a panel discussion and Q&A session featuring:
• Dr. Boyd Wykes (Owl Friendly Margaret River)
• Sue Taylor (Film-maker)
• Dr. Mike Lohr (Edith Cowan University)
• Dr. Robert Davis (Edith Cowan University)
• Dr. Tegan Douglas (BirdLife Australia)
• Adin Lang (Elected Member - Coastal Ward, City of Fremantle)

Our esteemed MC for the evening will be Mandy Bamford, President of BirdLife Australia.

We anticipate this event will provide valuable insights and foster meaningful discussions on the conservation of our precious wildlife.

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About 'Night Calling'

As a ten year old, Boyd Wykes was thrilled to find an injured Tawny Frogmouth on his way home from school. Learning how to look after the bird sparked a passion for night birds that would stay with him throughout his life as an ornithologist.

Now in retirement, a chance sighting of a rare Masked Owl near his home in Margaret River turned Boyd’s passion into an obsession. In partnership with his bird photographer mate Steve Castan and a dedicated band of “Mowl” enthusiasts, they diligently tracked down several mating pairs and their nests, gathering invaluable scientific information along the way.

But the excitement soon turned to tragedy when a number of their precious Masked Owls were found dead on the side of the road. They were shocked to discover that common rat baits were at the heart of the problem. And Australia has some of the weakest protections in the western world.

And so began the Owl Friendly education campaign to ban the sale of “one dose kills” rodenticides. And if that meant creating safe havens, one community at a time, then so be it.

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