In early December, our Biodiversity Program team joined the South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (SETAC) and Dejan Stojanovich from The Australian National University (ANU) out on Bruny Island for a day of tree climbing and to find out more about the Swift Parrot nest boxes that had been previously installed on Murrayfield by ANU.
Dejan took the SETAC crew through the basics of what Swift Parrot nest boxes look like, what they could expect when it comes time to inspecting the nest boxes and a little more about the ecology of the site and why it is so important to the ongoing survival of the critically endangered Swift Parrot. There was also a chance to view some of the natural hollows on the property up close and learn more about what characteristics make for an ideal Swift Parrot hollow.
While there have not been any Swift Parrots nesting at the site this season, Swift Parrots select different nesting sites year on year, depending on the variable flowering patterns of Tasmanian Blue Gums and Black Gums. The SETAC team were happy to get some more practice under their (climbing) belts and enjoy a day out at this beautiful woodland site in Apollo Bay, which is owned and managed by the Weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation. Learning more about how and when Swift Parrots may use this site is also helping guide their decisions in future land management works including cultural burns.
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Natural tree hollow that has regularly been used by Swift Parrots in previous years
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Swift Parrot nest box
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Nicole King from SETAC helps remove a fallen tree from the access track
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This work forms part of NRM South’s ‘Saving Swift Parrots’ project, a five-year partnership effort to improve conservation outcomes for Swift Parrots, through improvements to management actions within their breeding range in Tasmania.
This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by NRM South, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.