Regent Honeyeater Habitat Restoration
The project focuses on the Regent Honeyeater, an endangered bird species which has declined seriously over recent years. Only about 1000 - 1500 of these striking birds remain in the wild and there are just 3 key habitats left in Victoria! The Lurg district, as one of these, provides essential nectar supplies for Regent Honeyeaters when they arrive each winter to feed on the flowering Ironbarks.
But the ecosystem is in trouble! After 150 years of clearing and grazing, the remains of the former Ironbark forest are scattered across the landscape as narrow strips on roadsides and small patches on private land. With increasing fragmentation, things are out of balance. Serious dieback problems are obvious throughout the district and we are losing the old trees at an alarming rate.
There is a race against the clock to protect, restore and enlarge the existing habitat as fast as possible. The system is so depleted we have 10 endangered species in this one small district! Squirrel Gliders, Brush Tailed Phascogales, Grey Crowned Babblers, Bush Stone Curlews, Quolls and many rare plants are all hanging on by their skin of their teeth.
Activities such as seed collection, propagation, fencing, planting and mistletoe removal have been carried out in earnest on many properties in the district culminating with the planting of 84,500 indigenous plants during a four year period.
Local farmers are keen to protect any habitat that
remains, but cannot possibly complete all the tasks on their own. Seventy-five
landholders, 13 local schools, 3 schools from Melbourne, 2 LEAP groups, 2
Green Corps teams, hundreds of tertiary students, several church congregations,
scout groups and local businesses have all lent a hand in the work so far.
Your willing hands will make the work even lighter and more enjoyable this
year.
For details of this year's planting contact Ray
Thomas
(03) 57 611 611 work (03) 57 951 559 home