Turquoise Parrot workshop
Helping Turquoise Parrot Populations to Recover After the Dunn's Road Bushfire.
Capacity to Deliver - NSWLP-011-029
The issue
The Dunn's Road Bushfire of January 2020 devastated 600,000ha in the Riverina Highlands and Upper Murray Regions. Many species of animals and Endangered Ecological Communities were severely impacted. Turquoise Parrot populations were in decline during much of the 20th century. Wildlife that sheltered in unburnt woodlands during the fire, will lead the recovery of those species. Many hollows where birds such as the Turquoise Parrots nest, were destroyed in the fire. Attendees to the workshop were told about Turquoise Parrot behaviour and habitat, and then watched a nest box demonstration installation in an unburnt Grassy Box Gum Woodland.
The solution
Jayden Gunn from Birdlife Australia gave a short presentation on Turquoise Parrot behaviour and habitat. He then conducted a walk and talk through a White Box, Yellow Box, Blakely's Red Gum woodland. Attendees learnt that these parrots prefer long hollows to nest in. Carl Tippler from Habitech Innovations then demonstrated a nest box installation on a Blakely's Red Gum.
The impact
At the completion of the workshop, attendees had a much better understanding of the Turquoise Parrot, its behaviour and habitat needs. This workshop was also reported across Australia on the ABC. This will lead to a much better appreciation of our wildlife, and how severely it was impacted by the bushfires of 2019-20.
Key facts
- Turquoise Parrot populations were impacted by the bushfires of 2019-2020.
- Populations were already declining through much of the 20th century.
- Landholders can provide nest boxes to supplement the loss of hollows after the fires.