Last week we were excited to have the Western Power Depot at Narrogin donate and install some power poles for us to hold our raptor platforms. The team at Sheffield Metal Fabrication in Perth fabricated the galvanised mesh base and perching platform to complete the installation.
What is a raptor platform and what are we using them for?
The poles with the raptor platforms were installed at two Matchstick Banksia, a threatened flora species, sites to address the threats posed by parrots and rabbits. The aim is to encourage perching and nesting of raptor species that occur in the area to deter parrots from causing damage to the Matchstick Banksia branches and seed, and deal with the rabbits that cause damage to the root systems and eat emerging seedlings.
Raptors are known to prefer the highest perch in the landscape. As the power poles are far higher than the surrounding scrub we’re hoping to have raptors using the platforms in no time!
We’ll be monitoring the success of the platforms, as will the enthusiastic landholders who are excited to have them installed on their property in locations that will have an impact on the banksias as well as being in a spot that are easy to keep an eye on.
Thanks again to the teams at Western Power and Sheffield Metal Fabrications that made this possible.
This Wheatbelt NRM project is supported by funding through the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.