Elusive bird spotted at Limeburners

The first solid evidence of ground parrots in more than two decades in Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve, north of Port Macquarie, has been confirmed.

Local wildlife consultant Bernard Whitehead and National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger James Baldwin sighted two of the normally elusive birds during a visit to Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve last week.

“We were even able to photograph one the birds before it disappeared into the heath,” Mr Baldwin said.

“This is exciting news as it fills a major gap in the species’ distribution in NSW.

“Previously known populations were clustered between Evans Head and Corindi in Broadwater, Bundjalung and Yuraygir national parks.

“Then there was a huge gap south to the next known populations in Barren Grounds and Budderoo National Park, near Wollongong, and other populations even further south around Jervis Bay,” he said.

“Although there was suitable habitat in this gap and strong indications that the birds were found in Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve, there was dated and limited evidence before now.”

“The ground parrot, one of only three ground-dwelling parrots in the world, rarely flies and mostly calls before sunrise and after sunset.

“As it is very unusual to see one we were both very excited to see two birds within a space of couple of kilometres,” Mr Baldwin said.

The ground parrot is listed as a Vulnerable species under the Threatened Species Conservation Act in NSW, and has declined in abundance and extent throughout its range.

It is now restricted to isolated populations in coastal and near-coastal heathland and swamps and there is still only patchy knowledge of its current distribution and numbers.