Great news for Orange-bellied Parrot numbers!
If you’ve been following the story of the Orange-bellied Parrot (OBP) for a while you would know that by this time of year they have well and truly made their way back to Melaleuca, Tasmania for their breeding season. Each year volunteers are stationed at Melaleuca to count the birds as they arrive at feeding tables. Updates on how many birds have arrived every week are broadcast through the Orange-bellied Parrot Tasmanian Program Facebook page, culminating on a census on 15th December.
This years numbers have just been released, with a total number of 92 returned OBPs recorded this year, 10 more than last year’s census! This is the largest number of returned birds in 17 years! More returnees may be recorded over the coming weeks, if this occurs, the population size will be updated at the end of the breeding season.
And what about the OBP mainland season?
Over the winter mainland season, there were 21 sightings, which is the highest number of confirmed individuals for over 10 years. Three of these sightings were on South Australia’s Narrung Peninsula. This shows that OBPs must be flying through south-western Victoria on the way from, and back to, Tasmania, we just have to find them.
Fifteen of the OBPs confirmed on the mainland during winter have also been recorded returning to Melaleuca for the breeding season. Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment have also released captive-bred adult OBPs during spring to supplement the number of wild breeding pairs. This brings the total number of known OBPs at Melaleuca as of 15th December to 107 individuals.
A huge thank you to the volunteers who spend their time and energy travelling to and surveying the sites during winter. Their efforts help to determine where these birds are, and which areas should be a priority focus. If you would like to volunteer your time during the 2025 mainland season, please contact the following:
- South Australia – Bob Green, email here
- Southwest Victoria (SA Border to Warranmbool) – Jess Bourchier, email here
- Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria – Craig Morley, email here
- Port Phillip Bay/Western Treatment Plant, Victoria – Ryan Kilgower, email here
- Western Port and Bass Coast, Victoria – Jon Fallaw, email here
- South and West Gippsland, Victoria – Sam Monks, email here
The OBP project is supported by Glenelg Hopkins CMA and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
