Born in 1971 on the east coast of Australia at Lake Macquarie I developed an interest in nature and wildlife from a young age. Serious birdwatching began at the age of 13. Wildlife has always been a major interest of mine and has been an integral part of my both my working life (see curriculum vitae below) and my hobbies.

I have worked in the fields of environmental consultancy and wildlife research in eastern and western New South Wales, north Queensland (Cape York Peninsula), Western Australia (East Kimberley) and Hawaii (Big Island). I have conducted research on birds such as Latham's Snipe, Red-browed Finch, Crimson Finch and Star Finch. Outside of Australia I have explored the Pacific Islands (Hawaii, Fiji and New Caledonia) as well as Thailand in South-east Asia.

I have a particular fascination for the rare, the exotic and the unusual. My knowledge and understanding of wildlife that I have built up through my years of research and birdwatching have proven invaluable to my wildlife photography.

While I still accept work as an environmental consultant, nature photography has become my major occupation of late and is also my favourite hobby.

I still field offers of work in consultancy and research fields as well as assignment photography. If you need someone who fits these bills feel free to .

© 2003 David Egan

Me (Mick Todd) in Khao Yai NP in Thailand in 2003.

1994-95 Bachelor of Science with Honours (University of Newcastle)

• Studied the ecology of the Red-browed Finch Neochmia temporalis in an urbanised environment. In particular this involved:
1. Mist-netting (where I trained under the tutelage of David Geering), dietary analysis (observation and crop sampling), colour-banding, and radio telemetry.
2. Apart from the thesis it resulted in papers including:
Todd, M.K. (1996) Diet and foraging behaviour of Red-browed Finches Neochmia temporalis, near Newcastle, New South Wales. EMU. 96 (4): 245-249.
Todd, M.K. (1997) Population demographics of Red-browed Finch, Neochmia temporalis, at Newcastle, NSW (1997) CORELLA, 21 (4): 112-118.

1996-97 Research Consultant (Lake Macquarie City Council)

• Creation of the first Lake Macquarie Catchment Fauna Distribution Database for the Lake Macquarie Ecosystems & Biodiversity Taskgroup and LMCC. In particular this involved:
1. The collation and combination of fauna records from government databases, environmental consultancy reports, local and national private interest groups and a subsequent creation of a Microsoft Access database.
2. Fauna surveys to fill in some of the gaps.
3. It is used as an aid in assessing zoning applications and development approvals.
4. Resulted in the following publication:
Todd, M.K. (1997) Birds of Open-forest communities of Western Lake Macquarie (1997) HUNTER REGION ANNUAL BIRD REPORT NUMBER 5 (1997): 76-79

1996-97 Fauna Consultant (various companies)

• Freelance fauna surveys, Species Impact Statements and report writing for reputable companies including The Wetlands Centre (formerly Shortland Wetlands Centre), Forest Fauna Surveys, Umwelt and Fly By Night Bat Surveys. In particular this involved:
1. A variety of fauna survey methodologies including bird survey techniques (point counts, transect counts, call playback), spotlighting, mammal trapping (pitfall, Elliott, Sherman, Longworth, Hairtrapping), bat survey (harp traps and bat detectors) and herp searching.
2. Report writing including assessments of Species Impact Statements.

1997-98 Ornithological Consultant (Birds Australia)

• Study of the feeding ecology and habitat use of Latham’s Snipe in the Lower Hunter Valley used to create suitable habitat for Latham’s Snipe at the Homebush Bay Olympic Site.
• In particular this position involved the following:
1. Mist-netting (capture, banding and fitting of radio-transmitters).
2. Analysis of snipe faeces to ascertain their preferred diet.
3. Study of feeding behaviour by observation.
4. Tracking of the movements of snipe by radio telemetry.
5. Resulted in a large report and the publication:
Todd, M.K. (2000) Feeding ecology of Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii, in the Lower Hunter Valley, New South Wales (2000). EMU 100 (2): 133-138.

1998-98 Research Assistant (Biological Resources Division of the United States Geological Survey)

• Research project into the factors limiting populations of three species of endangered Hawaiian birds (Akiapolaau, Hawaii Creeper and Akepa) on the Big Island by the Pacific Islands Ecosystem Research Centre. The majority of the work was carried out in the Hakalau NWR.
• In particular this position involved:
1. Mist-netting (capture, banding and assessment of birds for signs of disease). Colourband searching.
2. Nest searching and monitoring in plots of native forest that were either exposed to introduced predators or had had predators removed.

1998-01 Senior Conservation Officer (Qld Parks & Wildlife Service)

• Research project into the ecology of endangered subspecies of the Star Finch and the Crimson Finch via the Tropical Savannas Co-operative Research Centre. In particular this position involved the following:

1. Utilisation of a variety of bird research methods including mist-netting, dietary analysis (observation and crop sampling), colour-banding, nest success studies.
2. Work in remote localities such as east and west Cape York Peninsula, East Kimberley district of WA and the Yinberrie Hills of NT.
3. Recommendations on management practices that will ensure the survival of the threatened subspecies.
4. Work resulted in a number of reports many internal but some of which have been published, for example:
Todd, M.K. (2002) Nest Site and Breeding Season Data for the Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton in Australia, AUSTRALIAN BIRD WATCHER, 19(5): 161-171.
Todd, M.K., Felton, A. & Garnett, S.T. (2003) Morphological and dietary differences between common and uncommon subspecies of Crimson Finch, Neochmia phaeton, and Star Finch, Neochmia ruficauda, in northern Australia, EMU, 103(2): 141-148.

2001-03 Biodiversity Planning Officer (NSW NPWS)

• Managed and operated the Riverina Biodiversity Project from the Riverina Regional Office of the NPWS at Griffith. Assessing Conservation Priorities in the Riverina Bioregion. In particular this position involved the following:
1. Planning and co-ordinating of a series of expert panels to delineate High Conservation Value (HCV) areas in the Riverina bioregion.
2. Assessment of the conservation status of vegetation communities in the bioregion.
3. Recommendation of properties for purchase by the NPWS. Note the project has since resulted in the purchase of 4 properties to date for addition to the state reserve system.
4. Survey of mallee communities in the Nombinnie block of central NSW. Note that the surveys discovered 2 new populations of the endangered Red-lored Whistler and one of the Striated Grasswren.
5. Extensive manipulation of vegetation and other layers in the GIS Arcview.
6. C-Plan analysis of the Riverina bioregion with Bob Pressey and Mal Ridges.
7. Co-ordination and release of the Cobar Peneplain Bioregion Survey reports to the public.
8. The production of the internal report: Riverina Bioregion Conservation Plan with co-author Ross McDonnell.

Plainswanderer Pedionomus torquatus

• Special Area Vertebrate Fauna Surveys for the Sydney Catchment Authority Special Areas which are joint-managed by the SCA and the DEC. Involved using a variety of fauna survey methods in the restricted access water catchment areas west and south of Sydney.
• Comprehensive Regional Assessment style surveys including bird counts, herp searching, spotlighting, bat detection and trapping.
• Targeted searches for forest owls.

• Mammal trapping and identification as part of a long term mammal monitoring project in the Munmorah SCA for the Department of Environment and Conservation (former NSW NPWS).
• Mammal trapping and identification as part of a long term mammal monitoring project at Mt Owen and Ravensworth SF, near Singleton.

Eastern Pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus

2006 Field Researcher (The University of Newcastle)
• Microbial carriage in birds. Carrying out the field component- involving the capture and taking of samples from migratory waders and ducks in the Lower Hunter Estuary. These samples were analysed by microbiologists for the presence or otherwise of viruses including avian influenza.

2005-2007 Vegetation Officer (Lake Macquarie City Council)

• Mapping of native vegetation boundaries and communities using detailed aerial photographs and Geographic Information Systems

• Compilation of Bushfire Risk mapping for Lake Macquarie city.

• Creation of Wildlife Corridors Map for Lake Macquarie City Council.

Scribbly Gum Eucalyptus haemastoma

2007- PhD Student- (University of Tasmania)- Ecology of the Tasmanian Masked Owl

It is proposed to investigate the characteristics, availability, and management of hollows required by the Tasmanian Masked Owl. It will add to an existing research programme that aims to provide a basis for managing habitat for hollow dependent fauna in Tasmania's forests.

The research will focus in particular on the threatened Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae castanops the largest of Tasmania’s nocturnal birds and the most particular with regards to hollow requirements. Research will target the bird’s nest and roost requirements, movements, territory size and its relationship to habitat and prey availability.

The results will enable development of conservation measures for large hollow dependent fauna, and will also contribute to assessment of the long-term consequences of various landscape management scenarios on the viability of populations of large hollow dependent fauna.

Tasmanian Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae castanops