The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has launched a ‘Statewide ‘census’ to assess numbers and population trends of Eastern Ospreys and White-bellied Sea Eagles.
DEW said the census on these birds of prey, also known as raptors, would cover a significant proportion along the State’s coastline, via land and sea, to give ecologists a more accurate population picture.
Senior Ecologist with DEW, Randall Johnson said the Statewide surveys were part of a broader program to conserve and recover endangered coastal raptors.
Mr Johnson said the census would help DEW ecologists assess and compare raptor population trends against earlier surveys and identify threats to population stability.
Senior Ecologist with DEW, Danny Brock said the census was one of a number of initiatives underway as part of a recovery strategy for the species which focused on site protection, access restriction, data management and planning and policy.
Mr Brock said the recovery effort included community-led projects such as the recent installation of artificial nest platforms for the Eastern Osprey on Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island, as well as at the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park – Winaityinaityi Pangkara.
He said a further five platforms would be installed through a project delivered by the Southern Yorke Peninsula Landcare Group with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Mr Brock said it was hoped a recent community-led project fitting Osprey chicks with satellite trackers to record their movements would yield information about the species’ survival, dispersal and foraging behaviour.
Minister for Environment and Water, David Speirs said Green Adelaide, with partners such as the City of Adelaide, would lead a re-wilding project which focused on the Peregine Falcon, Eastern Osprey and the White-bellied Sea Eagle over the next year to explore monitoring of raptor breeding sites, nest site assessments and investigate ways to improve their habitat.
