New Orange-bellied Parrot sightings in SA!

After the September Orange-bellied Parrot (OBP) survey weekend, SA coordinator Bob Green has some very exciting news to share.

The survey weekend was held over September 14 and 15 where two OBP’s were sighted around the Narrung Peninsula (south-eastern end of Lake Alexandrina). One bird was a 2022 captive-born male, and the second a 2020 wild-born male. These are in addition to the adult male seen in the same area earlier this year.

This news is quite exciting as it shows the birds are using their full range to forage over winter. It also tells us that they are definitely flying through the south-western Victoria area (Jess’ ‘patch’) to get from their summer breeding ground in Tasmania, landing on the mainland somewhere between Warrnambool and Wilsons Promontory (see map below) and then continuing along the coast to the Murray Mouth in SA.

Orange-bellied Parrots were also recorded on the Bellarine Peninsula where volunteers enjoyed spotting a flock of seven birds, consisting of five adults and three juveniles, on more than one occasion. This brings the tally on the Bellarine Peninsula to 8 for 2024 so far. While at the Western Treatment Plant on Port Phillip Bay, a new bird was also spotted: a wild-born first year bird, adding to the previous tally of seven for the site.

Over the next 6 weeks or so, the birds will start to make their way back to Tasmania for the summer breeding season. If you would like to help with the search throughout south-western Victoria please get in touch with Jess here.

Details are below for other areas.

o Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria – Craig Morley – email:
o Port Phillip Bay/Western Treatment Plant, Victoria – Ryan Kilgower – email:
o Western Port and Bass Coast, Victoria – Jon Fallaw – email: ph: 0439 825 872
o South and West Gippsland, Victoria – Sam Monks – email: ph: 0458 381 837

This project is funded by the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECCA)