birding-aus

western ground parrot

To: "'Frank O'Connor'" <>, <>
Subject: western ground parrot
From: "Tony Russell" <>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:42:54 +1030
Thank you Frank.

Tony.

-----Original Message-----
From: 
 On Behalf Of Frank O'Connor
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 6:57 PM
To: 
Subject: western ground parrot



The Western Ground Parrot is believed to be a full species based on
recent 
DNA analysis as has been reported.  It is in extreme risk.  Its numbers
may 
only be 110 individuals.  It is declining at an alarming rate.  In the
last 
10 years its estimated numbers have halved, and it has disappeared from
the 
Cheyne Beach / Waychinicup area, and its numbers in its former
stronghold 
of the Fitzgerald River NP have dropped severely.  Its stronghold (if
you 
can say that for a species in such low numbers) is now Cape Arid NP.
Cats 
are believed to be a major factor, now that 1080 baiting has greatly 
reduced the fox numbers.

It is one species I haven't seen!!  I have assisted in about 20
listening 
surveys, and heard several.  If you did want to see it, then I would 
suggest that you volunteer for future surveys.  Go to the Birds
Australia 
web site, and find the Western Ground Parrot details there.  It should
be 
under projects.  If not, then go to the Western Australia section and
look 
under projects there.

110 individuals makes it rarer than Jeff Kennett's 'trumped up budgie' 
(OBP).  Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that it is likely to jump in
front 
of any wind farms, and so it is extremely difficult to get funding.
They 
are proposing a captive breeding program, plus a very strong feral
animal 
control program.  Some funding has been received from Exetel.


_________________________________________________________________
Frank O'Connor           Birding WA http://birdingwa.iinet.net.au
Phone : (08) 9386 5694              Email :  

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