Bird

Turquoise Parrot Project milestones celebrated

More than 40 people celebrated two and half years of effort to protect the Turquoise Parrot population in the Warby Ranges-Chesney Vale hills region at Bailey’s Winery near Glenrowan on October 9.
Graham Colson and Chris Tzaros

The Broken Boosey Conservation Management Network (CMN) and Birds, Bush and Beyond, with support from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and funding from the Victorian Government and the Nestle Community Environment Program, has worked closely with local landholders to protect and improve habitat for the threatened Turquoise Parrot.

Goulburn Broken CMA CMN Co-ordinator Janice Mentiplay-Smith said thanks to the landholders’ efforts 150 specially designed nest boxes had been installed on private and public land for the birds.

“We’ve also revegetated 80 hectares with suitable shrubs and grasses and fenced about 4km of remnant vegetation,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.

 “Monitoring shows the nest boxes are being used by Turquoise Parrots to shelter and breed. The event at Bailey’s was an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of the local community in achieving these fantastic results.”

At the event Chris Tzaros from Birds Bush and Beyond gave a presentation about the parrot and the project’s achievements. Local landholder Graham Colson was also acknowledged for his many years of support for the project.

“It was great to hold the event at Bailey’s Winery as they have been involved in the Turquoise Parrot Project since its inception,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said. “As well as installing 10 nest boxes at the winery, staff have helped build another 20 parrot and 19 marsupial nest boxes for use by other landholders.”

Chris Tzaros’s booklet Turquoise Country – Communities caring for the threatened Turquoise Parrot outlining the project’s journey so far, and the need and reasons behind it, was launched at the lunch.

The 28-page A4-sized booklet contains information and history about the Turquoise Parrot in the Warby Ranges-Chesney Vale hills, and is full of brilliant photographs.

The booklet is free; if you would like a copy, please contact Janice Mentiplay-Smith on janicem@gbcma.vic.gov.au

The Goulburn Broken CMA acknowledges and respects First Nations people and the deep connection they have with their land and waters.


We acknowledge the Yorta Yorta and Taungurung people and their ancestors/forbears as Traditional Owners of the land and waters in the Goulburn Broken Catchment (and beyond). We value our ongoing partnerships with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Taungurung Land and Waters Council for the health of Country and its people.


We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge and recognise the primacy of Traditional Owners obligations, rights and responsibilities to use and care for their traditional lands and waters.

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