Re: Cattle Egret breeding colony at Featherdale Wildlife Park

The Featherdale Cattle Egret breeding colony in western Sydney originated from a captive population which grew as young returned to the natal colony.  This was, over time, supplemented by birds from more northern colonies joining this new colony.  I don't have the exact details on hand but I can recall at least one bird tagged as a nestling in the Hunter breeding at this colony.

At one stage part of the breeding colony was in Casuarinas growing in and over the Tasmanian Devil enclosure.  As is generally the case in egret colonies a number of young, when they reach the adventurous clambering stage or during storms, fall from the trees.  Imagine the response of the paying customers to this small zoo when a young egret fell into the Tassie Devil enclosure!  The zoo's response to the problem - lop the trees to discourage nesting in this part of the zoo.  Personally, I think a better solution would have been to simply rename the exhibit as "Predators and their prey".

Cheers

David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
Department of Environment & Conservation
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo  NSW  2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884 9382



This message is intended for the addressee named and may contain
confidential information. 

If you are not the intended recipient, please delete it and notify the sender. Views expressed in this message may be those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation.