Re-discovery of Orange-bellied Parrots at a KBA

Anderson Inlet is one of the largest coastal estuaries in Victoria and connects the Tarwin River to Bass Strait. It was originally declared as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in 2009 when the IBA program was established. The site was declared as important habitat for Red-necked Stints as the expansive intertidal mudflats was suitable for these shorebirds for roosting and feeding. In addition to this, the site was an important non-breeding site for the Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. Historically, there was a record of six individuals in 1998 and then two in 1999. In the decades since then, things have been tough for this small migratory parrot; the population has fluctuated between 17 and 22 individuals, but due to the success of captive-breeding programs, the current population sits just between 200-400 individuals. The Orange-bellied Parrot is currently listed as one of the priority species in the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan (2022-2032).

Orange-bellied Parrots were recently re-discovered at the Anderson Inlet KBA and many birdwatchers have enjoyed their presence and welcome their return to this coastal area. This finding spurred David Farrar to re-engage with the KBA program and he has now come on officially as the Anderson Inlet KBA Guardian and completed the first health-check for the site. But things are not looking good at this KBA. Despite the occurrence of threatened species, impressive numbers of congregations of migratory shorebirds, and the presence of the vulnerable saltmarsh ecological community, the KBA still continues to endure threats. Pressures at this site range from agricultural run-off, invasive weeds, hunting (duck, deer, and quail), recreational pressures, disturbance, past mining, and coastal development.

Orange-bellied Parrots feeding on chickweed

This KBA presents an opportunity to work across multiple stakeholders to manage the area for its biodiversity values. The Anderson Inlet Coastal Reserve, which borders most of the coastal boundary of the inlet has provisions for hunting under the Crown Land Reserves Act. The remaining surrounding coastal area is either privately owned land or classified as crown land. The Cape Liptrap Coastal Park Managed by Parks Victoria, borders Venus Bay to the south of Anderson Inlet and the South Gippsland Shire Council manages visitor facilities and sites adjacent to the inlet.

The main management action to save the species is to maintain and protect suitable habitat throughout the parrot’s range. This includes working with landholders to conserve breeding, nesting, and non-breeding habitat, controlling predators throughout their range, and managing and enhancing the captive breeding program.

In the future, we hope to ensure that management is coordinated across the coastal area surrounding the Anderson Inlet KBA to ensure that threatened species such as the Orange-bellied Parrot are protected, and all biodiversity is supported so that the area remains its high biodiversity value.

By Amanda Lilleyman and David Farrar. All photos and videos by David Farrar.