Wild Wielangta

Mount Nelson resident, Andrew Hingston, is the lucky first person to catch a glimpse of endangered Swift Parrots as they return to Tasmania to breed this year. Andrew saw two of the parrots in trees around Mt Nelson Primary School last weekend and six birds were seen yesterday. Andrew is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Tasmania’s School of Geography and Environmental Studies and has been actively involved in monitoring this endangered bird for several years.

“Each year the return of this colourful little parrot is one of the harbingers of spring in Tasmania. Local communities and birdwatchers anticipate the Swift Parrots return with great excitement, in the same way that the first cuckoo is eagerly anticipated in the UK every spring,” said Sharon East, keen birdwatcher and spokesperson for the South East (Tas) Forest Protection Group.

“After completing their long annual migration from as far afield as South-East Queensland, Swift Parrots return to Tasmania to breed every year. They only breed here in Tasmania, favouring forests in the coastal strip between Orford and Dover. Now numbering less than 1300 pairs the species is listed as nationally endangered under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. An “endangered” listing under the Act means that unless action is taken immediately the species is likely to become extinct,” Ms East said.

“Much of the Swift Parrot’s favoured nesting habitat is on land managed by Forestry Tasmania that is targeted for logging and woodchipping. Birds Tasmania has estimated that 500 – 1000 ha of Swift Parrot breeding habitat is being woodchipped in Tasmania every year. An area regarded by experts as “the best known breeding habitat” for Swift Parrots is about to be logged in Wielangta Forest, south-east of Hobart. If Forestry Tasmania continues woodchipping the old forests that this beautiful but endangered bird needs for breeding then its future prospects are indeed grim,” Ms East said.

Local residents in South-East Tasmania are compiling sighting information for the Swift Parrot this year. Anyone seeing Swift Parrots is asked to contact the South East (Tas) Forest Protection Group on 6253 5348.

Photo opportunity: Andrew is available for photos/filming at the location of the first Swift Parrot sighting for this year at Mt Nelson.
Andrew Hingston, Honorary Research Associate, School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania

Further information and photos of Swift Parrots:
6253 5348
Wild Wielangta
South East (Tas) Forest Protection Group