Kim, a landholder in Brookton loves the space and tranquillity his property provides him. After relocating and recently handing over his business in Perth to his sons to run, a lot of his focus now has become his 1200 hectare property of 13 years. Kim has a keen interest in regenerating his property and “leaving more for the next generation”. This approach saw him recently come on board to take part in our Protecting WA Black-Cockatoos Project.
The Protecting WA Black-Cockatoos Project works in unison with Birdlife, who are recognised as community leaders in black-cockatoo conservation. Partnerships have been formed with farmers where breeding locations have been identified to protect and enhance this important habitat. Sites that contain breeding and/or feeding habitat are both critical to the breeding success of the species. Over the years these habitats have been lost due to clearing which, unfortunately, cannot be replaced in a year of tree planting.
A lack of breeding opportunities for black-cockatoos in the South-west areas of the Wheatbelt has been identified, so our team have been installing nest tubes to be placed in suitable trees. On Kim’s property the impressive brown mallet shown below was identified as a suitable host tree, as well as two additional trees.
Wheatbelt NRM has also identified four different TEC woodland assemblages across his property and acknowledges how it once held a significant waterway, which he is keen to re-establish by fencing and revegetating with species that, in time, should help the remnant reach the required criteria to be considered flooded gum woodland TEC. Kim also has plans to undertake extensive feral control across the property.
Focussing on feed sources, erecting artificial nesting structures, and providing drinking points and controlling pest animals is our focus as we work with the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, Birdlife Australia and other Regional NRM groups to support successful breeding of black-cockatoos.
This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.