Coxen’s Fig Recovery, Upper Pinbarren, Queensland Final Report July 2016

Compiled by Raphael O’Flynn Project Officer Support/Water Watch Coordinator Noosa & District Landcare Group

Introduction The Coxen’s Fig Parrot, diophthalma coxenii, (Fig 1) is an endangered species of Double- eyed Fig Parrot and to our delight here at Noosa & District Landcare Group (NDLG) we have an unconfirmed population in the Upper Pinbarren region. Several of our local landowners have reported recent sightings, unfortunately as yet there is no photographic or recorded evidence of these . Historically the Upper Pinbarren and Kin Kin area was a large habitat area for the Coxen’s fig parrot. With the increase in land clearing and change of land use over the decades this species of has Fig 1. Coxen’s Fig Parrot most likely declined significantly in numbers. Oil on canvas Painting by Sally The funding from Birdlife and Australian Bird Elmer Environment Foundation has allowed NDLG to supply 1000 species tube stock to the landholders of Upper Pinbarren and Kin Kin region. These Figs are to value add to pre-existing ongoing revegetation works areas as well as be a part of new planting projects. It is believed that the planting of more Ficus species, with the cooperation with the local residents will see an increase in sightings with the aim to gain confirmation of the existence of a viable population. Procedure First step Gain seed stock and cutting material that was suitable for the region of Upper Pinbarren and Kin Kin. Species decided on are listed in table 1 below. The species on the list were developed with consultation with leading experts of the Department of Environment and Heritage, Dr Ian Gynther and by site assessment of the area to establish what was already in the region. Second step Propagate the seed and establish cuttings of appropriate trees. Creating sufficient tube stock in our production nursery Third step A specially designed order form for tube stock has been distributed to our local landholders listed in our data base who have previously indicated their willingness to take the tube stock, planting and maintaining them on their property. (Appendix 3 is an example of the distributed form). Fourth step Allocate tube stock species according to landholder’s preference and plant.

Progress The completion of this project has seen the successful planting of 7 species of Ficus that are endemic to the Upper Pinbarren and Kin Kin region. As mentioned this region is historically a breeding and feeding habitat for Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxenii, the Coxen’s Fig Parrot, and the additional Ficus spp. to the area gives greater probability of the establishment of a viable population which can then be monitored. Appendix 1, table 1 gives an indication of the distribution of numbers of the species. Appendix 2 is a map of the area with particular note of where the species were allocated. This allocation was dependent on the preference of the landowner in cases of privately owned property and the specific site location. As you can appreciate, Ficus species are known to be large trees with potential to cause root damage to infrastructure so plant location was sited with this in mind and any negative consequences avoided. A photographic timeline of the progress of the seed propagation is captured in Appendix 3. Community engagement A significant benefit achieved from the project was the active engagement of the community of the region. All land holders approached, met the project with enthusiasm and readily lent their support, a number of them taking the Ficus tube stock, planting and maintaining them on their property. Other landholders, while not able to take plants, have pledged support for future projects as they arise. Through this project we have been able to give onsite skill training to the Queensland State Government funded Skilling Queenslanders for Work team that has allowed these young workers to gain experience in revegetation and regeneration. The emphasis on this project has of course been the creation of habitat for endangered species. Issues arising throughout the project A suitable local seed source of Ficus superba, one of the species originally listed as being endemic to the Upper Pinbarren/Kin Kin region was unfortunately not able to be found, despite best efforts. It was the decision of NDLG not to source the seed from outside the area, as all 7 other Ficus species distributed were known to be endemic, local provenance seed. Due to personal circumstances of one of our landholders, there has been a short temporary delay in the planting of the final 250 of the allocated tube stock. This delay will be remedied within the near future and completion of planting will be achieved.

Future goals The Coxen’s Fig Parrot Recovery Project has been considered a success with the allocation of all the tube stock within the Upper Pinbarren and Kin Kin location. Figures 2a, b, c &d capture some of the Ficus tube stock as they are planted by the Skilling Queenslanders team at the official Coxen’s Fig Parrot site at Upper Pinbarren. It is the goal of NDLG to continue to source further funding into research of the Coxen’s Fig Parrot; specifically to source sound and motion monitoring equipment that will enable the capture of call recordings with the aim to record the first photographic evidence of a viable population of Coxen’s Fig Parrot. This will be supported by the Department of Environment & Heritage Protection, Queensland and Dr Ian Gynther. It has been a great pleasure to work with ABEF and Birdlife Australia and any opportunity for NDLG to work with this organisation again would be welcome.

a

b

c

d

Figure 2 a,b & d planting of variety of species of Ficus tubestock; c the Noosa Council Coxen’s Fig Parrot site at Upper Pinbarren, Queensland.

Photographs: Jonothon Smith, June 2016 APPENDIX 1 Table 1: Species list of selected Ficus to be planted/allocated at Upper Pinbarren and Kin Kin and the number of each plant distributed to date.

Botanical name Common Name Number distributed Ficus coronata Creek Sandpaper Fig 405

Ficus fraseri Sandpaper Fig 190

Ficus macrophylla Moreton Bay Fig 70

Ficus virens White fig 83

Ficus watkinsiana Strangler fig 70

Ficus obliqua Small leaf fig 74

Ficus rubignosa (form Platypoda) Rock fig 108

Total 1,000

APPENDIX 2 Location map of the 1000 Ficus spp planted in the Upper Pinbarren/KinKin region 2015/2016

Noosa Council Coxen’s Fig Parrot site established 2001

APPENDIX 3 Photographic time line:

Fig 1: Ficus watkinsiana fruit in situ. Photo taken by Rachel Lyons May 2015

Fig 2: Ficus watkinsiana fruit drying in preparation to sow. Photo taken by Raphael O’Flynn 11th August 2015

Fig 3: Ficus rubignosa in seedling tray ready to Fig 4: Ficus virens ready to go to a new prick out into tubestock. home nd Photo taken by Raphael O’Flynn 22nd January Photo taken by Raphael O’Flynn 22 2016 January 2016

Fig 5: Here’s one we prepared earlier! th Ficus watkinsiana at Upper Pinbarren. Photo taken by Rachel Lyons 15 May 2015 APPENDIX 3 Example of the order form emailed to landowners