Leschenault Biosecurity Group Inc (LBG) is calling for residents and the farming community in Donnybrook to report sightings of corellas in the area.
LBG is requesting the support from the community to assist the group in determining the location of the corella roosting sites at night.
The Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), is a Category Three Declared Pest in Bunbury and the surrounding Shires under the WA Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act). A flock of about 20-30 birds has been sighted in the Donnybrook Townsite in the past few weeks.
This particular species of Corella is not native to the South West of Australia. The behaviour of these birds flocking within urban areas can cause a high amount of damage to infrastructure and trees in a small amount of time. These corellas are also a threat to native species of birds as they compete for nesting hollows and food resources.
After seeing the havoc caused by the birds in the City of Bunbury in recent years, LBG Project Officer Julie Chapman continued “Here in Donnybrook, these birds have the potential to decimate entire orchards in a day, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost produce and damage. We need to find out where these birds are roosting at night so that we can take the appropriate action before the problem gets worse and starts affecting the community and its resources.”
Leschenault Biosecurity Group is asking for members of the public to be alert and contact the group as soon as possible to report any sightings of flocks of the corellas.
“We are particularly interested in sightings at dawn and dusk. Once we know where they are roosting, we can implement a control program. These birds can sometimes migrate between inland and coastal areas, so continual monitoring and reporting of their location may be necessary.” Ms Chapman said. Roosting sites can be reported by contacting LBG at info@lbginc.org.au or calling 0488 021 344

little corella Cacatua sanguinea

ENDS.
For Media Enquiries please contact Karis Aplin, Communications Officer at Leschenault Biosecurity Group on 0477 049 967 or email comms@lbginc.org.au