Are you interested in learning how to identify and contribute to the conservation of two nationally endangered birds?

A free training workshop will be hosted by the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and the Department of Sustainability of Environment (DSE) in St Arnaud on May 2.

The workshop is an opportunity for community members to learn about the habitat needs, management requirements and survey techniques to assist in the national recovery of the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater.

North Central CMA Biodiversity Team Leader, Adrian Martins said that the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater share similarities in that they rely heavily on the nectar-rich box ironbark forests and woodlands of Victoria and New South Wales.

The workshop, which is supported by Birds Australia's Threatened Bird Network, aims to create greater awareness of the two species significance as endangered species.

"One of the most significant threats to their survival is habitat clearance", said Adrian.

"More than 85% of the Swift Parrot's preferred winter habitat has already been cleared. With an estimated 500-1000 ha of its breeding habitat cleared every year, there has been a marked decline in the breeding population of the Swift Parrot in the last decade."

The Regent Honeyeater was once common in the woodlands of eastern Australia, particularly along the inland slopes of the Great Dividing Range.

"It once occurred as far west as Adelaide, but they have now all but disappeared from South Australia and western Victoria", said Adrian. "Within this reduced range its population is fragmented, and the only breeding habitat is in north-eastern Victoria and Capertee Valley and Bundarra-Barraba region of NSW".

The workshop will be held on May 2 from 10am until 4pm at the Perry Room in the St Arnuad Shire Office. There will be presentations from a range of bird experts, as well as a field visit. Morning tea and lunch will be provided and participants are encouraged to bring wet weather clothing and transport.

"We hope that after learning more about the plight of these two significant species, community members will be keen to participate in the bi-annual national volunteer surveys as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage's National Recovery programs", said Adrian.

"The continuation of data collection enables the National Recovery team to analyse results and make comparisons with previous years. It provides a very useful snapshot of the distribution of these rare birds across a very large landscape."

Adrian added "The survey results from last year showed a very obvious movement of Swift Parrots to coastal NSW. If the Box-Ironbark forests in central Victoria do not flower well then Swift Parrots might once again concentrate in large numbers in these coastal regions."

Bookings for the workshop are essential and can be made by contacting North Central CMA on 5448 7124. For more information about the national recovery program contact Adrian Martins at the North Central CMA on 5440 1851 or Peter Johnson at DSE Epsom on 5430 4358.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au