Final nest checks have been completed, as we bid farewell to another successful breeding season for our Orange-bellied Parrots.
Fifty-nine fledglings were produced from 21 nesting attempts, the third highest number produced in a season in the past 20 years.
Together with captive-bred juveniles released over summer and the remaining wild and captive-release adults, these new additions bring the total number of Orange-bellied Parrots expected to migrate north at the end of this season to 139.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Roger Jaensch, said this season also sees the beginning of a collaboration project between our Government’s OBP Tasmanian Program and Zoos Victoria, who have been using transmitters to track OBPs released on the mainland since 2017.
“The Tasmanian tracking project is a proof-of-concept trial as we look to better understand the OBPs’ habitat use and migratory pathway,” Minister Jaensch said.
“Building on our knowledge of migratory pathways, stop-over locations, and over-winter habitat use, this tracking project aims to provide further insights into how to better protect habitat, identify and manage threats, and improve the prospects of recovery for this important species.”
“A transmitter was attached to the tail feathers of 12 captive-bred juveniles that were released at Melaleuca in February.
“This migration will provide important insights, not only about bird behaviour, but also for the refinement of the technology and attachment procedures for future tracking programs.
“The Tasmanian Government has invested $2.5 million in a purpose-built facility at Five Mile Beach which can accommodate more than 300 birds, and this captive breeding program is crucial to the success of the National Recovery Program for the Orange-bellied Parrot.”
Minister Jaensch thanked the dedicated staff, researchers, volunteers and the Australian Government’s Regional Lands Partnership Program for their important contributions to these programs.
