Saving the Superb Parrot and Regent Honeyeater
Saving the Superb Parrot and Regent Honeyeater
Workshops held throughout the Central West to raise awareness about these critically endangered species.
Collaborations -
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The issue
The Superb Parrot and the Regent Honeyeater are two species occurring in the Central West of NSW which are critically endangered. In order to help protect these species, the help of interested people is needed to undertake training to identify and properly report sightings of these species.
The challenge is to create a well trained and informed group of volunteers in different areas where both these birds have been known to frequent. These volunteers will provide accurate survey data and monitor the populations of these species as part of the overall conservation strategy for these species. Volunteers are essential to the project and by training them and giving them important roles within the project, it is hoped that their enthusiasm will be maintained.
The solution
In collaboration with Central West Local Land Services a workshop was planned and held to provide members of the community with the required skills to assist in rebuilding these two species.
The structure of the workshop was designed to give the participants a high level of skill in identifying both species by providing training on the specific patterns and colours of the plumage, the call of both male and female birds, their preferred habitat and food sources. Detailed information on both species' mating habits, nesting requirements and their main predators was also provided.
The impact
The workshop was held at Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum with key speaker Mick Roderick - the NSW Project Coordinator for the Woodlands Birds for Biodiversity.
Mick delivered instructional sessions on Identification, Habitat , Threats and Management Actions for the ongoing survival of these species.
Included in the sessions were the use of life-sized models to clearly explain the identification methodology for these birds. This was followed by detailed discussion of the plans in place to protect both of these species and what we as invested people can contribute to this project.
The majority of the afternoon session was spent in the field around the Arboretum to fine-tune the participant's skills under the watchful eye of an expert in Mick.
Speaking with the participants after the workshop it was apparent that the majority of the participants had gained a significant amount of new knowledge in regard to these two endangered species and this had whetted their appetite for deeper participation in this project and conservation as a whole.
Key facts
- Two local species need help
- The community cares and is willing to help.
- More workshops being planned.
- Collaborations for future works are in the pipeline.
- We need to do more for the environment as a whole.