The Mandurah Bird Observers and Birds Australia team caught birds using nets set up earlier in the day.

At night the birds, unable to see, get caught in these nets.

Handled with the upmost care, the volunteers then set to work in darkness to tag the birds and then release them.

The volunteers tagged the birds to research their health and migratory patterns.

This delicate operation was captured on film earlier in the year for the documentary Birds of the Peel-Yalgorup.

Produced by Mandurah woman Amanda Willmott, the 12-minute documentary highlights her passion of birds and the environment.

Filmed over four months at the Peel-Yalgorup system, mainly around Nairns, the purpose of the documentary is to make people aware of the birds’ reliance on the wetlands to survive.

“We want to draw people’s awareness that there is an internationally listed wetland in our own backyard,” Miss Willmott said.

“We’ve got to protect it for the future.”

The 29-year-old environmental scientist said playing a role in effectively managing the wetlands was her passion.

“I want people to understand that this wetland that plays a big role and their actions will have an impact - good or bad.”

The Peel-Yalgorup system has been recognised as a rich source of food for many resident and migrant birds.

But as the region’s human population explodes many species are under increasing threat.

Wetlands destruction is an international issue and in 1971 the Ramsar Convention was developed for the conservation of wetlands.

The Peel-Yalgorup system is a Ramsar listed site which makes it a wetland of international significance.

“More people mean more impact on the wetlands,” Miss Willmott said.

“Human activity has a direct impact and we’ve got make sure we balance population growth with environmental needs because the wetland plays a significant role in the food stocks chain.”

Mandurah City Mayor Paddi Creevey narrates the documentary, which was launched on World Environment Day on June 5.

Miss Willmott said the first stop was to take the documentary to local schools.