VCE Environmental Science

Photo by Dave Watts

97 surveys were conducted in 2007 to record sightings of the bird in the south west of Victoria. OBP’s were sighted at seven sites, with the maximum of nine birds sighted at both Rutledge’s Cutting and Yambuk Lake. The Birds Australia website has the most up-to-date data about OBP sightings from surveys at: http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/our-projects/orange-bellied-parrot-mainland-recovery.html For example, the data for south-western Victoria Orange Bellied Parrot Surveys Summary for 2007. From these sumary sheets I have compiled the following:

Photo by Chris Tzaros/Birds Australia in an article at ABC Rural “Habitat project could save rare parrot”

“The endangered orange-bellied parrot is back in the spotlight, this time playing a part in the future of the $3 billion Wonthaggi desalination plant. Fresh from its central role in the Gippsland wind farm debacle, the parrot has been named on a list of plants and animals that could hold up the massive project. The list also includes the giant Gippsland earthworm, hooded plover, glossy grass skink, southern brown bandicoot and the growling grass frog. Unique to a small part of South Gippsland, the giant earthworm — which grows up to 2m — is listed as a vulnerable species under Commonwealth law.

Growling grass frogs were a major stumbling block for the Craigieburn bypass and VicRoads spent $250,000 on fences to protect them along the Pakenham bypass. The State Government released details of the planned environmental effects study on the desalination plant in January. Planning Minister Justin Madden said preliminary studies had shown the need for further investigation of the impact on animals, plants and the landscape. Experts will attempt to predict the potential effects of the desalination plant on various animal species during construction and operation. This could be either through direct disturbance or dust, noise, increased human presence, habitat change or disease.

The study will consider the economic impact of the desalination plant, but not on individual businesses. “Financial implications of the project, such as influences on specific business enterprises or compensation, will not need to be assessed as part of the EES,” the report said. Despite continued public opposition, work is scheduled to begin on the desalination plant this year and desalinated water should flow to Melbourne by 2011.” Article from http://ricchione.de/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&Itemid=88

Cartoon Image reproduced with permission from http://www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au/

I love this cartoon by Nicholson, who sketches for the Australian newspaper. It was printed on 22nd June, 2006, when the then Environment Minister, Senator Ian Campbell vetoed a $200 million wind farm development due to the risk to the critically endangered Orange Bellied Parrot. What is the significance of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo in the cartoon?

Screen capture from http://scribblemaps.com/#id=bZWgRJkpGX

Go to Google Scribble maps at http://scribblemaps.com/ and draw the Winter and Summer migration route of the OBP. Use different colours and label you map accordingly. Remember to SAVE your map and you can post it on your blog.

Birds Australia article about OBP – includes identification, habitat, volunteer opportunities and maps.

Came across this interesting article about “offset packages” – what a wind turbine developer is doing to offset the risk of fatalities due to wind turbines.

Photos by Tacey Gray, Port Fairy Consolidated.

The Orange Bellied Parrot feeds on the beaded glasswort (above left) as well as a range of the seeds and fruits from grasses, sedges and herbs. It roosts in coastal shrubs, such as the woolly tea tree (above right), which provides protection from predators, including foxes and feral cats.

Threats to the OBP include:

• loss and alteration of winter habitat, in particular destruction of its saltmarsh feeding grounds, by industrial and urban development, agricultural practices and recreation
• its small population, making it extremely sensitive to sudden catastrophes such as disease and storms during migrations across Bass Strait
• predation by introduced predators, especially foxes and  feral cats
• competition from introduced seed-eating birds
• loss of genetic variation because of its small population size. 

Management to prevent extinction of this species is contained in the Orange Bellied Parrot Recovery Plan (2005 – 2009), which aims to:

• Monitor the population size, productivity, survival and life history of the Orange-bellied Parrot.
• Identify and document all sites used by Orange-bellied Parrots.
• Increase the carrying capacity of habitat through active management of sites throughout the species’ range.
• Identify and measure threats, particularly in migratory and winter habitats.
• Increase the number of breeding sub-populations.
• Maintain a viable captive population.
• Foster community support and involvement in the conservation and recovery of the species and its habitat.
• Secure adequate funding and support to successfully implement the Recovery Plan.
• Manage, review and report on the recovery process.

OBP Brochure from the Australian Government Department of Natural Heritage and Environment.

National Recovery Plan for the Orange Bellied Parrot.

Image by Dave Watts (OBP Recovery Team, Victoria)

The Orange Bellied Parrot has recently begun it’s treacherous migration across Bass Strait, from it’s spring and summer breeding grounds in the south west of Tasmania, to the Victorian and SA coast. There are only about 200 individuals of this species and less than 50 mature breeding pairs. Over the next few weeks volunteers will be visiting known feeding and roosting sites to count the numbers that have survived since their last visit.

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act statement

EPBC – Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts - OBP Recovery Plan.

Orange Bellied Parrot – BIRD

ARKive – OBP

BirdLife International – OBP

Zoos Victoria – Orange Bellied Parrot

Museum Victoria – Biodiversity

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – OBP