"The amount of harm we have done to inland Australia is immense. We
> have changed fire regimes, introduced feral predators, feral
> herbivores and weed plants. All of these would have had great impact
> on ground nesters such as Night Parrots as they have on our native
> mammals"
Hi all,
While we up in the channel country recently, the conversation often turned
to Night Parrot and all the issues raised here.
We drove through the areas where NP has (anecdotically and historically)
been recorded, and after a great wet season, the conditions look fantastic.
There is no reason why NP wouldn't be having a great breeding season (cite
irruptions of Princess Parrot, Scarlet-chested Parrot in other arid zone
areas).
The downside was that we unfortunately (and further to Steve's comment
above) observed many feral cats in these areas.
They seem out of control I'm not sure whether there are any eradication
programs being implemented (I sincerely hope there are), because the impact
on NP would be huge I would think,
Cheers,
Greg
> Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2012 09:22:26 +1000
> From:
> To:
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Night Parrot.
>
> G'day all
>
> The Night Parrot discussion has been most interesting. A few thoughts of
mine.
>
> Several people have mentioned the desirability of catching one or a
> pair. Apart from a mist-net catch, photograph, DNA sample, measure
> then release operation I can't see much merit in this.
>
> Our knowledge of these bird's habits are really next to zero.
> Expeditions are not likely to be successful unless they follow rapidly
> on the heels of a confirmed sighting. Even a short delay would
> drastically reduce the chances of success.
>
> The idea of using sniffer dogs has merit but we need a scent. The
> next dead bird that turns up should be treated so that it's scent can
> be used.
>
> Remote cameras could be useful but I have no experience with them.
> The ones I've seen on TV and the internet seem to only capture things
> that pass very close or things that are quite large. I think you
> would have to be extremely lucky to set up a camera in just the right
> place to catch an image of a small parrot coming to water. No doubt
> you would get shots of all sorts of interesting critters though.
>
> The amount of harm we have done to inland Australia is immense. We
> have changed fire regimes, introduced feral predators, feral
> herbivores and weed plants. All of these would have had great impact
> on ground nesters such as Night Parrots as they have on our native
> mammals. The best way of ensuring the survival of the Night parrot is
> to reduce some of these pressures. Easier said than done of course.
> The backlash from some groups when camels are culled is an example of
> the pressures management authorities are under.
>
> And then there is climate change...
>
> I also think that we need to remind ourselves from time to time that
> we have no right to see these or any other species. Bloody hell I'd
> like to see one though!
>
> Cheers
> Steve
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