The Broken Boosey Conservation Management Network (CMN) will be holding a Turquoise Parrot nest box building workshop at the Winton Wetlands on Sunday 3rd May.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority CMN Coordinator Janice Mentiplay-Smith said the workshop would be run as part of the Broken Boosey CMN Practical Parrot Action Project, and the aim of the day was to provide much-needed nesting habitat for the threatened Turquoise Parrot.
“The Turquoise Parrot needs hollow limbs in trees in which to build a nest, but this habitat has been lost through land clearing and other disturbances over time,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
“After the bushfires in Wunghnu in 2014, the Broken Boosey CMN salvaged over 100 hollow limbs from stockpiled timber which we will transform into hollow nesting habitat for the Turquoise Parrot during the workshop.
“The workshop will be family friendly, and we’re hoping for a good turn out to help create habitat for this beautiful threatened species.”
Ms Mentiplay-Smith said the ‘natural artificial’ nest boxes would be constructed so they are easy to attach to fence posts and would be available for workshop participants to take home.
“There will be also be an opportunity to paint some nest boxes or build boxes from some of our pre-fabricated kits to contribute to the Broken Boosey CMN’s nest box supply,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
“The nest boxes built on the day will add to the 100 nest boxes we have already made.”
Chris Tzaros from Birds, Bush and Beyond will provide an update on the progress of the Practical Parrot Action Project.
The workshop is free and a delicious BBQ lunch and afternoon tea will be supplied by the Thoona CWA.
Where: Yacht Club at Winton Wetlands, Lake Mokoan Road, Chesney Vale (between Benalla and Glenrowan). Vic Roads Map Ref Map 34 C8. The day will begin at 12.00 with a BBQ lunch.
When: Sunday 3 May.
RSVP for catering purposes by Tuesday April 28, 2015 to Janice Mentiplay-Smith on 5764 7506 / 0418316169 or email janicem@gbcma.vic.gov.au
Please ensure you wear sturdy, covered footwear and a broad brimmed hat.
The Practical Parrot Action Project received funding support from the Victorian Government. The project is working towards establishing 70 hectares of indigenous revegetation and installing 2 kilometres of fencing to protect habitat. A Turquoise parrot monitoring program has been developed and community field days and workshops are aimed at raising awareness in the community about the Turquoise Parrot.
For more information on the Broken Boosey Conservation Management Network visit www.brokenbooseycmn.com