Shire of Kojonup council answers Carnaby’s call, joins South West black cockatoo program
The Shire of Kojonup council will support a project to address the South West’s declining Carnaby’s black cockatoo population.
Councillors endorsed a motion at this month’s council meeting to partner with the South West Catchments Council for its black cockatoo project.
SWCC project manager Brian Chambers said WA’s south was home to three black cockatoo species that could not be found anywhere else in the world — Carnaby’s, Baudin’s and forest red-tails.
Dr Chambers said Carnaby’s cockatoos bred primarily in the agricultural regions of the Great Southern and Wheatbelt but their nests and food plants were in short supply.
After decades of extensive land clearing and habitat loss, the species had declined by about 50 per cent since the 70s.
“SWCC is working as part of a larger effort across the entire range of this species to identify and improve the habitat these cockatoos need to successfully breed,” he said.
“The Kojonup area is important not just for Carnaby’s cockatoos, but also for the Baudin’s and forest red-tail cockatoo species.
“Any work that we can do to improve habitat in this area can potentially benefit all three of these species.”
Shire of Kojonup Landcare officer Jane Kowald said many residents saw the black cockatoo as a Shire symbol and had noted its decline.
“Being a part of this project will raise awareness of the cockatoo decline, and give landholders a way to positively influence the species, by guiding on-ground work to improve the breeding outcomes for these unique birds,” she said.
Ms Kowald said the project started in March, when the Shire began surveying landholders about the region's black cockatoo population.
“The next phase of the project will identify areas that will assist in the successful breeding of the Carnaby’s cockatoo by improving existing nesting sites, repairing natural hollows or providing artificial ones, planting additional food sources or providing watering points,” she said.
Dr Chambers said the SWCC would continue to gather data from the community on the nesting, roosting and feeding patterns of the species.
“This work will continue through to the end of 2020 as the birds move inland to breed,” he said
“Once the sites where the birds are nesting are identified SWCC will continue to work with these local community groups and farmers in these areas to protect and enhance remnant vegetation that these birds need to successfully breed.”
He said the project was planned to continue until June 2023.
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