What do you think about the Minister’s comments? Letters to the editor would be great! (mercuryedletter at dbl.newsltd.com.au ) We’re always interested in any stories on Swift Parrots in mainland (or international!) media, please forward to our email address, if you spot anything.
 
The auditor general’s report into the management of threatened species in Tasmania (mentioned in the Mercury) article is now available online, go to:
 
http://tinyurl.com/dn4zmq
 
From my quick skimming through yesterday, it gives a good idea of what’s NOT happening in terms of protecting threatened species in our state. You can view the Greens media release in response to the report at:

http://www.tas.greens.org.au/News/view_MR.php?ActionID=3585
 
There IS lots happening on the Swift Parrot front at present though, reports being written, speeches made…our Premiers even going to be out planting 2,500ha of Blue Gums to supposedly help save the species. We’re setting our sights on achieving some much more useful and scientifically-sound ways of saving these beautiful birds from extinction. A full report on all the goings-on will be posted soon.
 
Bye for now
 
Sharon East
Wild Wielangta
wildwielangta at gmail dot com  

Despite the limitations of this survey it is clear that:
• there are known swift parrot nest sites both in Coupe 19D and close by. Swift parrots are known to return to the same sites even though this may be several years apart.
• currently there are large numbers of swift parrots both within the coupe, close by the coupe and in the Wielangta Forest block as a whole
• swift parrots have been seen inspecting hollows both in the coupe 19D and close by
• currently there appears to be a large blue gum flowering event in Wielangta Forest that this species relies on
• coupe 19D contains high quality swift parrot nesting habitat.

Given the swift parrot sightings – it appears that there is a high probability of a significant or ‘aggregate’ breeding event in Coupe 19D and adjacent forests in the coming months.

Here is the survey data

To read more view the recent letter to the Senior Zoologist in the Threatened Species Section of the Biodiversity Conservation Branch of the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water.