NEWS DESK
The birds are flying into oblivion Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au OVER the past few decades there has been no shortage of reports about bird species being wiped out or their numbers facing rapid decline. Most often these reports involve the northern hemisphere and birds that have to navigate several countries to satisfy their migratory instincts. But speak to Max Burrows of the Mornington Peninsula branch of BirdLife Australia and what seems a problem half a world away becomes an event in our own backyard. It’s not that long ago bird watchers were confronted by the local extinction of the grey-crowned babbler. Probably not a bird on everyone’s easily identifiable list, but a loss that was sadly added to the 40 or so species of birds that have disappeared from around Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula since the arrival of Europeans. In recent years the plight of the hooded plover has so captured hearts and minds that a friends group was formed and was able to exert enough pressure to have dogs banned from the plover’s ocean beach nesting grounds within the Mornington Peninsula National Park. The group’s members also monitor and build fences around plover nests, which are sometimes washed away during big swells and extra high tides. The peninsula is thought to be home for about 70 of the state’s 550 hooded plovers and this year saw 13 chicks fledged, more than in the
Winners and losers: While the Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula areas have lost at least 40 bird species over the past couple of centuries others have found living near humans is not always bad. Pictures: Gary Sissons
previous three breeding seasons. However, birds such as the scarlet robin, Bassian thrush, red-browed finch and Jacky Winter are on the decline throughout Frankston and the peninsula. Mr Burrows believes these birds find it difficult living near humans, either through loss of habitat or through predation by cats and foxes. He said French Island may be the only place where adequate numbers of scarlet robins survive because of the absence of foxes. Even birds that move on when land is cleared or altered have trouble finding an available home “because there
are other species already there”. “Jack Winters were regularly seen around this area in the 1980s but we haven’t had any reports since 2000,” Mr Burrows said. “A southern emu wren was spotted at Tootgarook last year, the first after 25 years. But we’re not likely to get many of the [declining] birds back.” Mr Burrows said BirdLife Australia’s rare bird project was researching birds that had been declining or subject to habitat loss since 2008. Seven species being focused on are the black-shouldered kite, Australian king-parrot, scarlet robin, Bassian thrush, eastern great egret, red-browed
finch and Jacky Winter. “We have already established that the grey-crowned babbler no longer occurs in this region and the scarlet robin is now mainly restricted to French Island, the southern emu wren now occurs in only a few localities and is rarely reported,” he stated in an article in the September Mornington Peninsula Birdlife magazine. However all is not lost, with recent sightings of the thought-tobe-threatened crested shrike-tit and the possibility that there are more of the notoriously shy Bassian thrushes around than have been reported. There still seem to be plenty of
eastern great egrets, although their numbers noticeably decline with the draining of wetlands. Birds such as king parrots, galahs, rainbow lorikeets and corellas are on the increase, although their numbers will be limited by the availability of nesting hollows. Mr Burrows said there were about 220 species of birds living or regularly visiting the peninsula. The 40 species lost since the arrival of Europeans include emus, bustards and the orange-bellied parrot. “Birds can’t save themselves and we haven’t the expertise or ability to prevent their decline,” Mr Burrows said.
Select from the
149
$
range or above
WHAT’S ON @ MOONAH LINKS
MONDAY @ MOONAH
$50 INCLUDING MOTORISED CARTS
MOONAH DAY SPA
We remember the 60s 25% off the total price of 1 pair for over 60s
AUGUST SPECIAL
WINTER WARMER SPECIAL 90 MINUTE HOT STONE MASSAGE - $120 (valued at $160)
Warm up this winter with a deeply relaxing experience. This treatment is a combination of traditional and hot stone massage, treating the deep muscle layer to increase blood circulation, release muscle stiffness and melt away tensions. Rosebud Plaza Shopping Centre (Next to Kmart) 5981 1044
Book an eye test online
$149 price complete with standard single vision lenses with scratch resistant coating. Multifocals and bifocals lens options also available at an extra cost. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer including 2 pairs for one low price. Offer available in store only. Excludes reglazes and safety eyewear. © 2017 Specsavers Pty Ltd
PAGE 6
Southern Peninsula News 22 August 2017
T&Cs: Applies to the month of August 2017. Cannot be used in conjunction with other specials
55 Peter Thomson Drive, Fingal 3939 03 5988 2000 www.moonahlinks.com.au