The critically endangered swift parrot species has received almost $250,000 to help secure its food source.
The Swift Parrot Pantry Project aims to increase the parrot’s food source by increasing the abundance of nectar across Victoria, including in Nagambie and northern Victoria.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority project officer Janice Mentiplay-Smith said sites would be revegetated with locally indigenous trees and shrubs in order for the species she described as “on the edge” to thrive.
“On-ground outcomes of the Swift Parrot Pantry Project will include 65 hectares of revegetation at sites near Nagambie and in northern Victoria,” she said.
Ms Mentiplay Smith said seven of these hectares would be dedicated to a seed production area.
She said this was an important part of the long-term vision for the project.
“It means future revegetation projects are easier to plan and implement when we know there is a dedicated seed source available,” she said.
“This helps us protect and enhance swift parrot habitat and essentially stock their pantry with nectar.”
The swift parrot migrates from Tasmania each winter to eucalypt forests across Costerfield, Rushworth and the Warby Ranges.
Taungurung and Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners will be engaged as part of the project.
The project will also train people to help add to Birdlife Australia’s swift parrot identification and location database.
The project received $248,972 in funding.
For more information about the Swift parrot, visit https://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/swift-parrot