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Canberra Today 19°/23° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Curlews finally breeding at Mulligans Flat

BUSH Stone-curlews went extinct from Canberra woodlands 45 years ago. A partnership between the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, the ACT Government, Canberra Ornithologists Group and the Australian National University saw the reintroduction of 11 birds in Spring last year.

Some of the birds were taken by foxes when they left the Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary. A pair that has survived, Herbie and Rowena, have this week been caught on camera with a chick in tow.

This is the first evidence of this species successfully breeding in Canberra for nearly 50 years.

The little fluffy chick was captured on a motion-sensored wildlife camera in the Sanctuary this week.

Sanctuary Ecologist Dr Kate Grarock was thrilled to make the discovery whilst sifting through thousands of images.

“We had our fingers crossed that these birds might be breeding, as we hadn’t seen much of them lately,” Kate said.

“Looking through the camera images on the bonnet of the car in the Sanctuary, we didn’t want to believe the first scratchy images coming through – then we saw the high quality videos and then ‘boom’, recognition of a major breakthrough.

“It’s a great testament to the efforts of our volunteers and partners, and we are now greatly encouraged for the future success of this reintroduction program.

“We are asking people to keep their distance from the birds, there is a chance this pair could have another chick later this season – and every individual counts.”

With the support of the National Landcare Program another 10 birds have been released into the Sanctuary this Spring, with now higher hopes for their future and the ultimate goal of re-
establishing a regional population.

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Ian Meikle, editor

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