OBP Mainland Winter Monitoring Program 2018 summary

Three mainland winter surveys, coordinated by BirdLife Australia, Nature Glenelg Trust, Phillip Island Nature Park and DELWP, were conducted across to find and identify Orange- bellied Parrots, Neophema chrysogaster, in 2018. The survey dates for 2018 were:

• 19-20th May • 28-29th July • 8-9th September

Continued monitoring of the winter OBP population is a high priority in the current Orange- bellied Parrot Recovery Plan. The aims of the 2018 winter monitoring were to: • Co-ordinate three national counts across the possible winter range of the species within the five key Victorian site complexes: SW Victoria, Bellarine Peninsula, western , Bay and SW . • Monitor OBPs across their mainland distributional range throughout the winter period • Monitor, record, and if possible, investigate all incidental sightings of the species over the winter range • Raise awareness and education about the species across its mainland distributional range

To achieve these aims, volunteers were organised by Regional Coordinators of each key site complex to search both historical wintering sites, and to search potentially-suitable habitat throughout the OBP’s range. Sites were surveyed either on foot, from a slow-moving vehicle, or from a boat, depending on the access and size of the site to be searched. Incidental sightings of OBPs were also reported by volunteers and members of the public during the winter period which were followed up by the corresponding Regional Coordinator. Unfortunately, none of these sightings resulted in a verified confirmed record of an OBP.

South-west Gippsland, Samantha Monks

There were no official OBP sightings in the Gippsland region this year, but during autumn there were regular and consistent reports of the closely related Blue-winged Parrot (BWP) in the coastal saltmarsh, swamp scrub and adjoining grasslands of the Ramsar-listed Corner & Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Parks.

Small numbers of BWP were observed in the Manns Beach/Hunterston area in early March with a build up to larger flocks of over 300+ BWP until late May. During the first count weekend, large flocks of BWP were observed actively feeding on the tiny flowers and seeds of the pasture weed, Wire-weed/Prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare).

The Gippsland coastal region has faced another extremely dry autumn, winter and spring with low rainfall below 250mm. These drought conditions have had a detrimental effect on coastal

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vegetation communities and have dramatically limited foraging opportunities for coastal Neophema.

Despite the dry conditions, a highly committed and loyal band of nearly 30 volunteers have continued their search for the elusive OBP, committing almost 400 hours of total volunteer time. This includes dedicated members from BirdLife East Gippsland, Heyfield Bird Watchers, Landcare members and Friends of the OBP (Gippsland).

We have also welcomed new volunteers this year who have trekked around Jack Smith Lake and Shallow Inlet. A group of fishers based at Port Albert, have also surveyed islands within the inlet during their fishing expeditions. A group survey of the priority islands will occur during October and November.

A highlight of this year has been the ‘OBP Community Information and ID Workshop’ attended by 28 people. This event was held during September at Wulgunngo Ngalu Learning Place (WNLP), near Yarram and also included a screening of “The Desperate Plight of the Orange- bellied Parrot” by David Neilson. Following the film, David led a highly informative Q & A session before a delicious barbeque lunch prepared by the Wulgunngo Ngalu clients. At the conclusion of the day each participant was gifted with a life-size wooden OBP, beautifully hand crafted and painted by the WNLP clients. The ply wood was kindly donated by an OBP volunteer and the paints from the Koorie Education Unit in Morwell. The workshop resulted in several new volunteers wanting to help with the 2019 mainland surveys!

Western Port Bay, Jon Fallaw No OBPs were observed in this region during the 2018 season.

A total of 13 volunteers were involved in the three 2018 OBP survey weekends which totalled approximately 69 volunteer hours.

A tantalising report regarding Neophemas was received in early September in the region with flocks of 80+ being observed including the possibility of an OBP. Unfortunately, follow-up observations of the Neophemas in the region did not result in the positive ID of an OBP, with only Blue-winged Parrots being detected.

Western Port Phillip Bay, Steve Davidson A total of 23 volunteers were involved in the three 2018 OBP survey weekends which totalled approximately 135 volunteer hours.

On the first survey weekend, a number of birds were detected in the WTP vicinity including wild birds and birds released during the Mainland Release Trial Program. These included:

• Blue Orange C (wild bird; is his 9th winter on the mainland) • Red Red R (wild bird; second-year female returning to the mainland again after spending winter at the WTP in 2017 alongside Red Red W – ‘Matilda’) • An over-summering bird from the 2017 Mainland Release Trial Program (which moved approximately 15 kms from where it had been all summer to join the other OBPs) • Several OBPs from the 2018 Mainland Release Trial Program

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This was an auspicious occasion given that year after year, OBPs are often not detected during the national winter count weekends and a noteworthy experience for most of the long-time, ardent volunteers. Additionally, a few blue-winged Parrots were observed but numbers were low being in the single digits.

A first-year bird was then observed in early June which was identified as a February captive- release bird from Melaleuca. This individual was later observed with 7 other OBPs including wild birds and birds from the 2017 and 2018 mainland releases. Wild and mainland released birds continued to be observed throughout the season.

Bellarine Peninsula, Craig Morley More than 40 volunteers were involved in the 2018 OBP survey weekends which totalled more than 450 hours of in-kind support to the project.

During the first winter survey weekend, in May, three OBPs were observed in the vicinity of Lake Connewarre including a wild-bred juvenile male, a captive-bred juvenile male released at Melaleuca in February 2018, and a wild-bred adult male. Blue-winged Parrots were observed at several sites including the eastern shore of Lake Connewarre (up to 270 birds observed), the southern shore of Lake Connewarre (9), Bancoora Saltmarsh (28), and Breamlea Saltmarsh (20).

Thirty-two volunteers assisted with surveys on the July weekend where a wild-bred juvenile (first-year) male OBP was observed in a restricted area in . This may, or may not, have been the same individual that was seen near Lake Connewarre earlier in the year. Only the Saturday surveys, in beautiful winter sunshine, were conducted as gale-force winds and rain resulted in the postponement of the Sunday surveys. Forecast strong winds the following Sunday resulted in the cancellation of the make-up surveys. Blue-winged Parrots were seen in good numbers in the surveys that did occur.

Twenty-three volunteers assisted on the September survey weekend with an OBP being observed in a restricted area of Swan Bay. The OBP was a first-year captive-bred male which was released at Melaleuca in February 2018. This may, or may not, have been the same individual that was seen near Lake Connewarre earlier in the year. Fewer Blue-winged Parrots were observed which was expected as they move to more wooded areas to breed. The highest number seen was 19 south of the jetty in Swan Bay.

Two sell-out screenings of “The desperate plight of the Orange-bellied Parrot” documentary were held in Geelong earlier in the year, with more than forty people attending each screening.

South-west Victoria, Nicole Mojonnier A total of 16 volunteers were involved in the 2018 OBP survey weekends which totalled a combined 264 volunteer hours.

The first winter count was an excellent weekend despite cold and rainy weather. Fourteen volunteers participated over the weekend equating to the highest number of volunteers involved in an OBP count weekend in a long time, including seven new volunteers. Rutledges Cutting was in excellent condition with 100+ Blue-winged Parrots being observed there on a regular basis throughout May.

The second count weekend was particularly challenging due to adverse weather conditions including heavy rain, hail, thunderstorms and gusty winds. Seven volunteers managed to

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conduct some surveys across four days (Friday to Monday). On the Saturday, there was a report of a small flock of four Neophemas in a former OBP hotspot. Descriptions of appearance and behaviour provided by the observers of two of the birds matched OBPs (the other two were identified as Blue-winged Parrots). Unfortunately, the individuals could not be observed for long enough to get a confirmed sighting. The area was systematically surveyed on the Sunday and regularly over the following weeks, but confirmation could not be attained. Blue-winged Parrots were again observed at Rutledges Cutting and also the Fitzroy River area.

As expected, the third count weekend (covered by 8 volunteers) was not great for parrot sightings with the majority of sites experiencing very high water levels. This resulted in most of the feeding plants being inundated or rotting after water levels had reduced. Consequently, no Neophemas were observed leading up to, or over, the survey weekend.

This year included the surveying of the Glenelg River Estuary near Nelson which is a new RAMSAR site and provides excellent OBP habitat.

An information and ID workshop was held at the end of June in which 21 people attended while approximately 40 people attended the screening of “The desperate plight of the Orange-bellied Parrot” documentary. The OBP workshop has helped in the recruitment of new volunteers to the mainland OBP monitoring program in the region.

Thank-you!

The Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team and Regional Coordinators wish to extend a huge thank-you to all of the volunteers and organisations who contribute to the mainland monitoring program for the OBP. Your involvement in the monitoring efforts and in-kind contributions to the program helps to provide essential coverage of OBP habitat and information pertaining to current site use, movements and distribution as well as helping to further educate the public about the species.

For more information on the Orange-bellied Parrot program please visit http://birdlife.org.au/projects/orange-bellied-parrot-recovery or https://www.threatenedbirdnetwork.org

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