Join the big Glossy Weekender!

9 May, 2019Posted in: Environment
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3 Glossy Black Cockatoo's on tree branch

Wingecarribee Shire Council is inviting bird enthusiasts from across the Shire to join them this weekend and hear of the plight of the Glossy Black-Cockatoo.

“The Glossy Black-Cockatoo really is a beautiful and charismatic bird,” said Council’s Environmental Projects Officer, Joe Stammers.

“However they’re classified as a vulnerable species and if we don’t help to protect their remaining habitat they face the very real prospect of extinction.

“Fortunately our region contains one of the last remaining vegetated corridors where these birds regularly feed and nest.”

Four community workshops will be held over the weekend of May 11 and 12 and will feature insights from species experts Mike Barth and Daniella Teixeira as well as updates from the Glossies in the Mist project team.

“We’re now entering our second year of the local Glossy Black-Cockatoo conservation project,” said Joe.

“The information provided by the community to this point has been fantastic, particularly residents living in the Great Western Wildlife Corridor.”

Stretching between Bullio and Bungonia, the Great Western Wildlife Corridor is an important landscape connection for the Glossy Blacks and the only vegetated habitat corridor between the southern Blue Mountains and the Morton National Park.

“Glossy Black-Cockatoos prefer to feed on Black She-Oak trees,” Joe added.  “Because these trees are often found on private land, we’ve been working with local landowners to report sightings of the birds and help map any stands of trees where they may be feeding or nesting.”

Glossy Black-Cockatoos are social birds and usually live in groups of two to ten.  They can be identified by their bulbous bill, prominent red tail and short crest.  The birds are sometimes more brownish in colour than black and the females exhibit yellow patches around their head and neck.

“We’d encourage any private landholders, community members or general bird lovers to join us and hear of the progress made to protect this truly magnificent bird.”

Workshops will be held on:

  • Saturday 11 May
    Bungonia Hall (10am-12noon)
    Tallong Hall (2pm-4pm)
  • Sunday 12 May
    Canyonleigh Hall (10am-12noon
    High Range Lane RFS shed (2pm-4pm)

Head to www.eventbrite.com.au and search for ‘Big Glossy Weekender’ to RSVP your preferred session or contact simon.tedder@environment.nsw.gov.au.

The Glossies in the Mist project is a collaborative project between the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Wingecarribee Shire Council, Friends of the Glossy Black Cockatoo and Forestry NSW and is funded by the NSW Government’s Saving Our Species program.