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Farmers look after rare cockatoos Landowners in the Burnett Mary region are helping to save a vulnerable bird. Under a project jointly sponsored by the Burnett Mary Regional Group and the Glossy Black Conservancy, landholders are reporting sightings and protecting habitat of the Glossy Black Cockatoo.
Co-ordinator of the project Lee Dorahy, who is based in Mundubbera, said that
several sightings of the rare Cockatoos have already been confirmed in different
locations.
“They have a very restricted diet of seeds of She-oak trees, so these trees are very important for their survival.” Several sightings of Glossy Black Cockatoos have been recorded at "Goondicum", a historic old pastoral holding on the headwaters of the Burnett River where environmental values have been maintained and enhanced since the present family moved there in 1957. "I have lived here 50 years", says Rosanne Campbell," and it is still a tremendous thrill to sight these rare birds. “My son, Robbie, occasionally comes across two or three of them in widely separated places while mustering cattle,” she said. “The Glossy Blacks are very shy, and not at all noisy like the ordinary species. They are a very dark brown in colour - so dark they look black unless you see them in a good, clear light. “Our family has always carefully preserved their known habitat, as well as their food trees which are scattered over a wide area. Goondicum has also several areas preserved for the habitat of the rare Brushtailed Wallaby, and for the only known Pebblemound mice to still survive in this whole North Burnett area." Ms Dorahy said that the main threat to the Glossy Black Cockatoo was loss of feed sources and nesting habitat, particularly large Eucalypt trees with hollows. “If landowners can retain these old trees on their properties and re-plant she oaks, then the birds have a chance to survive.” Ms Dorahy said that She-oaks had many other uses other than providing food for the cockatoos. “They make great windbreaks, provide shelter for stock, help to control erosion, and are favoured by woodturners for their rich grained timber.” Sightings of Glossy Black cockatoos can be reported by contacting Ms Dorahy on 4165 5406 or email nro@mundubbera.qld.gov.au. For more information about the cockatoos, click here
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© 2005-2010 Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management Inc |