There were a large number of Corellas (Long-billed and Little) released
from aviaries in Blackbutt Reserve (Newcastle) by animal rights
activists and/or vandals, back in the 70's some time. There is now a
large flock (~300) of Corellas, mostly Little, which still roosts in the
reserve and breeding of these has been observed. These appear to be
slowly spreading and can frequently be found on local golf courses,
where they feed on the corms of onion weed. There is a fairly large
population of Long-billed spread along the Central Coast south towards
Sydney. Whether or not these have arisen from the same source is not
clear. Long-billed Corellas (20-30) can often be found feeding in pine
trees along the waterfront at Woy-Woy and there has been a small group
(~6) in the Morisset golf course area for about five years. I have
observed pairs of Little Corellas further from the coast in the Hunter
Valley, but it is possible these have come in from the west, either as a
response to drought or because continued land clearing in the valley has
created suitable habitat for them (or maybe both). Whatever the reasons,
these birds seem to be well established; whether or not they are
'tickable' I will leave to others to judge <g>.
Paul Osborn
>----------
>From: Ian Temby[SMTP:
>Sent: Wednesday, 25 June 1997 6:34
>To:
>Cc:
>Subject: Enquiry re Corella <fwd>
>
>On Mon, 23 Jun 1997 18:50:57 +1000 Andrew Hincks <>
>wrote:
>>Dear Ian,
>>
>>During a walk on Saturday afternoon(21/6/97) around 4.00pm I saw a
>>Corella on the oval of Heathcote High School, south of Sydney. It was
>>preoccupied digging in the dirt to find worms and we were able to get
>>within 3 metres of it.
>>
>>It had blue skin around its eye, red around its beak and a small amount
>>of red on its breast.
>>
>>I have looked in Simpson & Day's "Field Guide To The Birds of Australia"
>>and the only Corella shown to appear at all in Sydney is the Long Billed
>>Corella, and even then they are described as 'non-breeding and vagrant..'
>>
>>How common are Corella's in Sydney as this is the first one I have seen
>>here?
>>
>>Regards
>>
>>Susan Hincks
>Dear Susan
>
>My understanding is that there is an established feral population of LBC in
>Sydney which may have originated in part from the release of a number of
>birds
>by a disgruntled bird trapper, during the mid-1980s.
>
>Birding-Aussers, can anybody provide further info on Long-billed Corellas in
>the
>Sydney area? Please respond directly to Susan.
>
>Thanks
>
>Cheers
>
>Ian
>
>=======================================
>Ian Temby
>Wildlife Damage Control Officer
>Secretary, BIRDS Australia Parrot Association
>Flora and Fauna Branch
>Department of Natural Resources and Environment
>4/250 Victoria Parade
>EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002
>AUSTRALIA
>
>Phone 613 9412 4429
>Fax 613 9412 4586
>E-mail
>
>
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