"Overall, COG supports the Draft
Action Plan as reasonable in terms of outlining broad principles, but it could
have more of a regional emphasis/approach and more specific priority actions
which should be taken for the recovery of the species. We are concerned that little may occur
if the actions are largely generalised.
We are disappointed that the
background does not include that COG nominated the Glossy Black-Cockatoo to the
ACT Flora and Fauna Committee, nor is the published nomination cited in the
Draft Action Plan:
·
COG
believes this background should be included, possibly in a separate sentence
after the first introductory paragraph; similarly, the references list should
include that document/reference
·
this
is important as a reference document, as it provides a more complete history and
factual background, and the basis on which the nomination was made. The COG nomination (as published by COG
in its journal Canberra Bird Notes),
was referenced in the Little Eagle Action Plan and could similarly be cited and
a reference appear in the Glossy Black-Cockatoo Action Plan,
viz:
§
Bounds
J. 2011, Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami declared a
Threatened (Vulnerable) species in the ACT, Canberra Bird Notes Vol 36, No 2,
June 2011, pages 100-120.
Regional
Approach
The Action Plan should have a
greater focus on a regional approach in terms of specific, priority actions,
including communicating and working more proactively with regional entities in
NSW and local governments, and the community undertaking actions to improve
habitat and connectivity for the species.
This is important because the species travels long distances to find
food, and occupies a large area which includes adjacent NSW, possibly to the
coastal ranges. It is also listed
in NSW as a vulnerable species.
There are major regional efforts
being made in adjacent NSW to improve habitat and regional connectivity through
plantings of Allocasuarina
verticillata at sites from Queanbeyan to Bredbo (including Googong
Foreshores), by Queanbeyan Landcare, and under the auspices of the K2C project
(Kosciuszko to Coast) on the southern tablelands. None of this is mentioned in the Action
Plan or how these initiatives can be linked in with patches of ACT existing
habitat or new plantings to create greater continuity/connectivity of feeding
habitat.
- Under the heading REGIONAL
COOPERATION, the Action should be
stronger and more specific, eg
§
Take a
proactive role in ongoing communications with NSW Government authorities, and
relevant community groups, such as Landcare, Catchment and K2C project, to
improve habitat, including connectivity, for the Glossy Black-Cockatoo, and
research on distribution, demographics and movements (rather than the word
?maintain?).
Habitat
Enhancements
The Actions should include a
greater focus on establishing a second (or third), significant ACT feeding site,
as an alternative to the Mts Majura/Ainslie site; should that site be damaged by
wildfire for instance, having a second (or third) significant site will be very
important. This should be
investigated further as a specific action, including the potential of the Rob
Roy hills area as one major alternative ACT site, or a suitable cross border
site.
- Under PROTECTION: IDENTIFYING
AND PROTECTING/EXPANDING CORE HABITAT, eg
§
assess
as a priority, the suitability of one or two sites to be identified and
established as significant feeding habitat sites in the local area (in addition
to Mts Majura/Ainslie), and focus habitat restoration at those sites (including
a possible cross border site).
Monitoring and
Research
In relation to monitoring and
research, it is not enough just to rely on community organisations like COG to
collect data of sightings etc. COG
believes if habitat improvements are to be maximised, it is important to learn
much more about the species on a regional basis, its local occurrence,
distribution, feeding sites, and movements, as well as the places where it
breeds. That potentially could
better inform where habitat improvements and connectivity should be targeted.
This should be high on the list of
priority actions. This could be
undertaken as part of a partnership with the NSW Government/ACT academic
institutions to fund a major research project or a PhD, as the species is also
listed as vulnerable in NSW. This
could also involve cooperation with relevant community groups such as Landcare
and Catchment Groups, K2C and groups like COG.
§
Under
SURVEY, MONITORING AND RESEARCH, include more specific action,
eg
§
with
appropriate partners, initiate a research project on a regional basis, to better
understand the occurrence, distribution, feeding and breeding sites and movement
patterns of the Glossy Black-Cockatoo
Also, another Action under the
same heading could be included:
§
support a regular survey, eg
annually, of all known sites."
