Landcarers gain insight on Swift Parrots

This week saw us participate in the long awaited Swift Parrot workshop in Parkes.

The morning kicked off with an overview of the Central West Local Land Services Securing the Swift Parrot Project from May Fleming, with the aim of stabilising or improving the trajectory of the Swift Parrot by 2023.

The Swift Parrot is listed as Critically Endangered. This unique parrot feeds in the Central West during winter on flowering Eucalypts and Ironbarks, then flies to Tasmania to breed over summer.

It was a pleasure to have guest speaker, Matt Cameron with us to provide a presentation on the Swift Parrot. Matt is the Saving our Species Team Leader, Energy, Environment and Science, based in Albury working in the field of natural resource management for nearly 20 years, with a particular emphasis on threatened species conservation.

One interesting piece of information that Matt shared was in relation to predation and the risk that Sugar Gliders are to breeding.

Due to the small access hole that is needed for hollow nests, the nesting Swift Parrots are relatively protected from predators, but Sugar Gliders are an exception due to their size and ability to access this small space.

There have been high rates of nest failure recorded in some areas, due to the Glider eating eggs and frequently killing the female if they nest in areas where the Gliders have been introduced. Islands provide important refuges for breeding birds.

It was pleasing to have over 20 people in attendance and with gorgeous weather, a wonderful opportunity to get out in the field as well.

At Bumberry Dam our bird enthusiasts counted over 30 species of birds.

The following species were listed: Masked Lapwing; Australian Grebe: Eurasian Coot; White-necked Heron; Pied Cormorant; Australian Raven; Grey Butcher Bbird; Galah; Pied Currawong; Black Duck; Black Swan; White-faced heron; Grey teal; Little grebe; Pee Wee; White-bellied Cuckooshrike; Sulphur-crested Cockatoo; Eastern rosella; Brown thornbill; Superb Fairy wren; Rufous Whistler; Kookaburra; Grey Fantail; Double-barred Finch; Jackie winter; Grey shrike thrush; White-browed babbler; White-throated Treecreeper; Willy Wagtail; Yellow-faced honey eater; White-throated Gerygone; Buff-rumped Thornbill; Roufus Whistler; Australasian Darter; Friar Bird; Musk Duck.

These workshops are held with the support of the Central West Local Land Services, Parkes Shire Council and the Lachlan Valley Branch of the National Parks Association.

For further information please go to www.centralwestlachlanlandcare.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at @cwllandcare.