The Orange-bellied Parrot (OBP) Tasmanian Program has recorded a record-breaking number of fledglings this breeding season.
Seventy-four fledglings were produced from 33 nest-boxes, which is the highest number and proportion of nests recorded in the wild since monitoring began in 1993.
Eighteen captive-bred adult OBPs were released for breeding in spring, and 40 captive-bred juveniles were released in late summer ahead of migration. A total of 188 OBPs are estimated to have migrated from Melaleuca at the end of the breeding season, with between 44 and 128 expected to return to Melaleuca in spring 2024.
While a number of nests failed to produce fledglings, the results continue to demonstrate the success of the Orange-bellied Parrot Tasmanian Program.
These successful numbers follow a record-breaking number of birds returning to Melaleuca last year.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) commenced a two-year project to track OBPs during their non-breeding period in late summer this year.
VHF nanotags were attached to 46 OBPs to track their migration. These tiny tags emit a signal that is detected by a network of 20 receiver towers that have been installed along the migration flyway of OBPs across the West Coast of Tasmania and Bass Strait Islands. These receivers can identify the location of these birds and are helping inform risks, threats, and management actions across the migratory range.
NRE Tas, in collaboration with mainland captive institutions, the OBP Recovery Team and associated working groups, is committed to the recovery of this critically endangered species and is looking forward to the opportunities next season will bring.