Burns could wipe out cockatoos
WHEN returning to Geelong from Lara on Tuesday, I was saddened to see a column of smoke rising over the distant Otway Ranges.
Not a bushfire in the usual sense, but the result of the socalled planned burns.
This last week has provided ideal weather for burning the forest, the intention to protect towns from bushfires.
Ironically, perhaps, only a couple of days ago Birdlife Australia released a report on five species that are threatened with “extinction by neglect”.
One of these is the southeastern population of the redtailed black cockatoo.
The birds occupy the southwest corner of Victoria and southeast section of South Australia.
The region’s population numbers fewer than 1500, which in avian terms is extremely low, and falling.
Birdlife Australia pinpoint one cause of the decline as the frequency of these planned burns in the birds’ territory.
Research showed no more than 15 per cent of the habitat should be burnt in any 10-year period, if the birds are to survive. But in recent years this figure has risen to 26 per cent, mainly due to “planned” burns.
“This coincides with an unprecedented drop in the proportion of females and young birds,” according to Birdlife Australia.
Expert Graham Pizzey said the population is dependent “on remnant brown stringybark”.
They rely on hollow-trunked trees too, for this is where they nest.
Landowners have been positive in retaining these trees as far as possible, but the burning of forests on public land has reduced the food supply.
Birdlife Australia asks — is this “extinction by neglect of action on planned burns”.
A good question . . . but there seems little hope we might get a good answer. Wildlife information and questions can be sent to ppescott@gmail.com