Water bought to rescue rare parrots

Riverland West Local Action Planning Association's Anna Reid checks on a sprinkler tap used to water redgum trees at Hogwash Bend, near Wakerie.

A GROUP of conservationists have pitched in to buy water to protect habitat for the threatened regent parrot species.

A small number of Nature Foundation SA supporters donated money to buy 6.8ML of water to save thirsty river red gums at Hogwash Bend, near Waikerie, on the River Murray.

The water was pumped through a sprinkler system at four different sites over the winter months.

River red gums provide the largest nesting site for regent parrots.

There are fewer than 500 breeding pairs of the threatened species left in the state.

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Funds boost for parrot habitat

Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus) Photo: KymThe project manager of the Riverland West Local Action Planning Group says new South Australian Government funding will provide the region with significant grassroots projects.

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Feathers fly as bird watching takes off

Rascals: Prof David Watson will work on a $1.4 million project to find out just how much damage birds such as this sulphur-crested cockatoo, cause. They may be pretty, but at certain times of the year native parrots can be a major pest for Australian fruit and nut growers.

They cause up to $300 million damage each year, according to estimates by the Bureau of Rural Sciences.

A new, three-year $1.4 million project aims to find out just how much damage birds cause, why, and how it can be minimised.

Charles Sturt University ecologists began last month by conducting a bird monitoring course for workers at Select Harvests almond orchards near Boundary Bend, in northwest Victoria.

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