A pair seen foraging on a grass verge on Hoddle Street, Collingwood, inner Melbourne (10 lanes wide) at afternoon peak hour. They were unperturbed by passers-by. I assume they were feral?
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Probably not feral, amandastone, since Collingwood is within the natural range of the long-billed corella. However, their placid demeanour on the grassy verge of Hoddle Street would suggest they're escapees from captivity.
Thanks for the feedback. I thought "feral" was "escaped domestic"! Most unusual to see them in such a hostile and urban environment.
For many folk, I think, "feral" refers to non-local or non-indigenous, particularly in relation to animals & plants introduced to Australia from overseas. To other folk "feral" means running wild or out of control. I prefer the former.
Now, Hoddle Street . There are parks and a few grassy areas around there. Also Corellas are found everywhere.
We went to a Thai restaurant (yummy food) on Sunday. Corner Hoddles/Victoria Parade, no trees or anything. There was ONE Bottlebrush shrub infront of a house, masses of flowers. Guess what? there were three Wattlebirds in it. We stood there looking around, no other tree or shrub anywhere near. How did the birds find this one shrub?
Doesn't that prove the point,, even if you live in the City, it's worth planting natives.
No, the Long-billed Corellas haven't escaped anywhere , neither are they feral, there are lots of native birds around that area, they have come from the nearby Parks, Cricket ovals or Footy grounds.
M-L
Yes it does prove the point. I am on the local council and will endeavour to get more bottle brushes planted!
O, that would be wonderful
Amanda.
M-L
Amanda, that would be a huge help to our threatened bird life! Has Council given any thought to planting the indigenous vegetation that once prospered in the area that is now Melbourne?
Some years ago I recommended that Adelaide City Council plant indigenous vegetation as part of the North Terrace remake. I understand there are now plans to plant a section of North Terrace with a number of those species. Not only will wildlife benefit but people will have some idea as to what plants once existed naturally in the Adelaide area.
We have a guide to planting indigenous plants in Yarra here: http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Environment/Animals-and-Plants/Indigenous-Plants/
We're also rewriting our Street Tree Plan and these ideas could be incouded. The North Terrace example is an excellent one to follow - thanks!
Every council should have a booklet like this available to its ratepayers. Excellent stuff & a real contribution to protection & restoration of our natural heritage.
Amanda, I even wonder whether there are opportunities long term to create wildlife corridors by connecting streets & parks with any areas of remnant bushland or the Yarra itself. Rivers are good corridors for a variety of native bird species. (Much of the River Torrens in Adelaide is now a linear park planted with indigenous species & connected to the foot hills of the Mt Lofty Ranges). The educational value of such a project to students of schools in the Yarra Council area would be inestimable. Correct me if I'm wrong but I imagine there would be many of these students who would have little or no contact with the natural environment but some of whom, in the future, might be making bid decisions about the natural environment.