Spirit of Bruny

September 2011 - Good news, logging has ceased in the State Forest.

Half a dozen reports have been made over the last few weeks of Swift parrot sightings from locations on North and South Bruny. A number of Swift vanguards flew in to check on food potential and a number of small groups of the birds have been seen recently, we hope to have an active and productive breeding season on Bruny Island.

Matthew Webb of DPIPWE reports:

This years survey to be held over the weekend of the 29^th-30^th October 2011.
To build on the success of the 2009 and 2010 surveys, Birds Australia, in conjunction with the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, is again undertaking a 'landscape-scale' survey for the Swift Parrot in its breeding range in Tasmania. Through the use of skilled observers (i.e. people who can readily identify Swift Parrots by sight and call), and by covering as much known and potential habitat as possible in a concurrent fashion, we again hope to locate a large proportion of the species' population in its breeding range. The quality of the information collected over the previous 2 years is allowing new insights into the species breeding ecology and providing a very clear picture of annual changes in the availability of breeding habitat as well as the identification of several ‘new’ breeding areas. The consistency of results between different observers was again impressive and suggests the methodology has great potential for monitoring trends in the abundance of Swift Parrots into the future. This is something very difficult to achieve for highly mobile species and is only made possible by the help of dedicated volunteers.

August 2011 - What now for South Bruny Forests?

Spirit of Bruny chairperson Dr Louise Crossley, has been following the progress of the 'forest peace process' as a member of Environment Tasmania's Forest Reference Group. Other members of the group have been active in the Bruny Community Forestry Group and BIEN. The initial incentive for the formation of Spirit of Bruny as a small local conservation group, was the protection of swift parrot habitat on the island. Recently, the group’s main focus has been protection of Swift Parrot habitat under threat from logging of Bruny's native forests. These forests form a major proportion of this critically endangered bird's habitat in Tasmania. To this end, Spirit has succeeded in placing most of the South Bruny state forests on the Environmental Non Government Organisations list of High Conservation Value forests; and within the 430,000 ha to be securely protected under the recently negotiated Intergovernmental Agreement between the Federal and State governments.

Since the draft agreement was first announced, Spirit has also been working with BIEN on a proposal that would result in most of the South Bruny state forests being protected as permanent reserves under the Intergovernmental Agreement. This proposal is based on identification and documentation of the diverse and significant biodiversity values of the state forest area. If it is implemented it would rationalise the currently fragmented geography of the South Bruny National Park into a more coherent whole. In addition, this reservation would bring with it a portion of the $7m per annum of federal funds for management of new reserves committed in the Intergovernmental Agreement. These resources could be used for fire management, habitat protection, land management and similar activities in the reserve. Several other community benefits to be determined by a community consultation process could also flow to Bruny Island.

Go to this link for details of the Intergovernmental Agreement

April 2011 - What does good faith actually mean?

Forestry Tasmania is proposing to log coupe SB009A, on Coolangatta Road. It is one of the coupes on the High Conservation Forest (HCV) list currently being negotiated for permanent protection as part of the ‘Statement of Principles" forest peace plan.

The coupe has been thoroughly inspected by three members of Spirit of Bruny, and a number of concerns identified. Letters have been sent to both Graham Wilkinson, Chief Forest Practices Officer of the Forest Practices Authority, which certifies Forest Practices Plans (FPPs) to authorise logging in any coupe; and to Justin Jagger, Manager of Huon District, Forestry Tasmania.

Our concerns are:

Swift parrot habitat - there is a known nest within 100 metres of the coupe boundary; and several old, senescent trees in the coupe which provide potential additional nest sites.
Habitat for the Mount Mangana stag beetle which is on listed as Vulnerable under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Act.
The proposed harvesting area is only 10 ha of over 100 ha total area of the coupe; this hardly seems an economic proposition.
Substantial new clearing and road building will be required for access to the coupe; and upgrading of Coolangatta Road will be required.
Coolangatta Road is a frequently used cross-island route for residents and tourists, and use of this narrow, twisting road by large construction and log trucks presents a major public safety hazard.

The full submission can be found HERE

Justin Jagger's response contained comments about the Spirit of Bruny website as follows:

it contains ‘misleading information and blatant propaganda' in stating that Forestry Tasmania ‘destroys forests' and
FT officers ‘do not take Spirit of Bruny members' observations of swift parrots seriously'

Spirit of Bruny's Chair Dr. Louise Crossley has replied to Mr Jagger's comments:

With regard to the specific comments in your response; the Spirit of Bruny website does not contain ' misinformation and blatant propaganda', but rather a different perspective from that of Forestry Tasmania. The very fact that you cite Forestry Tasmania's commendation for 'its successful regeneration of eucalypts in native forest' begs the question of why such regeneration would be necessary if the native forest had not been destroyed in the first place? It is a matter of values, not propaganda, to suggest that native forest is 'worth more standing'.
On the matter of survey results, it is a fact that when observations of swift parrots in the vicinity of SB040A by members of Spirit of Bruny were reported to Forestry Tasmania, there was no follow up or response to members and no change in the FPP and resulting harvesting practices was observed. It is this experience that led us to believe that our survey results were not being taken seriously. If they were, then I would appreciate the evidence.

Further News

In December 2010, harvesting in coupe SB 040A (off Fitzgerald's Road, behind Adventure Bay) was halted as part of the ‘good faith initial moratorium' applied to 39 coupes across the state.

Now, most of those coupes, including SB040A, are back on Forestry Tasmania's current three year harvesting plan; this means they will be fully logged, probably in 2011.
So where has that ‘good faith' gone?

Write to Bob Gordon, CEO of Forestry Tasmania, 79 Melville Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000

Or email forestry.tasmania@forestrytas.com.au and mark it to his attention in the subject line.

Please insist that he honours his ‘good faith' commitment and immediately removes all 39 coupes from the current harvesting plan.

October Bird Festival - a Great Weekend! - www.bien.org.au

A huge thank you to all the participants, guides, speakers, volunteers and sponsors who contributed to the fantastic success of the inaugural Bruny Island Bird Festival.

This was a tremendous effort for a small community and the very positive feedback we have received adds support for the festival becoming a regular event. At this stage we have decided to run it every two years so next festival will be Oct 2012. Excerpt from www.bien.org.au

21 September - IT'S ALL HAPPENING

Coupe 040A on the slopes behind Adventure Bay is currently being logged and many in our island community are disappointed that Forestry Tasmania continues to destroy forest that would be worth more standing. Spirit of Bruny members and supporters are determined to continue to work towards a positive solution for all parties.

We are receiving reports of sightings of Swifts as I type, spring is in the air and our many diverse bird species are happily calling for their mates. Please let us know if you see Swifts, where, when, how many, what they are doing and so on by downloading the survey formto send us or just send a quick email to our contact us link.

Birds Australia is calling for assistance for the annual Swift parrot survey 30 -31 October. Please contact c.tzaros@birdsaustralia.com.au for information and forms.

21-24 October 2010 please join Bruny Island Environment Network, Inala Nature Tours and Birds Australia for the inaugural Bruny Island Bird Festival, a celebration of Bruny's beautiful birds. Log on to www.bien.org.au for information, entry forms for the exhibition and booking online for activities and events. There are many free events, market stalls, an art and photography exhibition and much more, so fly quickly to the site and book now as the activities are filling fast. Hope to see you at our booth where all things Swift parrot will be on display, just look for the Swift parrot flags!

Swift parrot interpretation signage will be popping up soon, so take a moment to read them when you see them on your travels around Bruny Island.

Scroll down to read news of past months or how to make your views known to the Forestry Tasmania's Community Liason, Peter Pepper!

29 July - THE SWIFTS ARE BACK!

Great news, Shaun Bromfield from Lunawanna sighted a Swift parrot in his back garden so the experts were correct in their predictions. When and how many Swifts will arrive is Mother Nature's puzzle, though given the flowering reports from islanders, it's understandable. We had reports from Randals Bay, Southern Tasmania, the Swifts had not left the area and in mid July they were still there. Will they get to Coupe 040A before Forestry Tasmania begins their clear fell operations? We hope so, for Forestry Tasmania has assured the Bruny Community Forestry Group, they will cease operations if parrots are sighted there. Please let us know immediately if you see them in the area of Fitzgerald Road or within the coupe.

24 June - FLOWERS ARE APPEARING IN BLUE GUMS.

Spirit of Bruny is receiving reports from islanders that E. globulous, blue gums are flowering. It's seems early given its winter, but important, as this may indicate increased foraging potential for the Swift parrots when they return. The experts are suggesting the Swifts parrots will be back on island in July, remember they arrived last year in mid August. It's probable climate change amongst other factors are contributing to the change in their migration and breeding patterns, therefore all habitat that may offer refuge or foraging possibilities is essential to leave standing. This would certainly help the Swift parrot's plight.

If you see E. globulous, blue gum or E. ovata, black gums flowering, please contact us with details ie your name, address, number of trees in flower and a percentage of the tree's flower. This will be very helpful and will assist experts with their research to better understand this endangered species.

8 June - THE FOREST IS WORTH MORE STANDING!

Forestry Tasmania was advised in 29 January 2010 (Swift Parrot Survey) by members of Spirit of Bruny, who are also members of the Bruny Community Forestry Group regarding sightings of Swift parrots and their activity in Coupe 040A above Adventure Bay. Acknowledgement of the survey was received from FT in February, however no follow up by FT officers was undertaken, nor were the survey records taken seriously. Falling of the road into this coupe began on 4th June 2010. This exquisite 100 year old forest coupe will be destroyed by clear felling due to begin in July, leaving potential habitat for the endangered Swift parrot further reduced knowing full well the Swift parrots will return perhaps as early as July this year. Forestry Tasmania’s boasts they are implementing measures for the protection of (Lathamus discolor) yet they continue to denude their habitat. "Why does Forestry Tasmania continue to state to community they are acting in defence of the Swift parrot and other threatened species?" Environment Minister Peter Garrett has acknowledged the extinction fate of the Orange Bellied Parrot due in part to habitat loss, Dr. Sally Bryant of Tasmanian Land Conservancy and Chris Tzaros of Birds Australia's recent survey extols the grim future for the Forty-spotted Pardalote and in the latest survey with regard the Swift parrot, it's clear, they too are headed toward extinction if we continue to destroy habitat at current rates. The forest belongs to all creatures large and small, so let's leave it standing and protect its future together.

Swift Parrot Survey – 17 December 2009

2009 has seen large numbers of Swift parrots inhabiting Bruny Island.

Whilst E. globulus flowering is not as intense as previous years, E. ovata provided foraging habitat as early as July on North Bruny and August thru November on South Bruny, where birds congregated in the small remnants on road verges, coastal reserves and private land. Flowering of E. globulus is occurring at sea level around Adventure Bay, with a gain in altitudinal budding, possibly bringing on late flowering as summer continued allowing for late start rearing of chicks. An increase in awareness and threats to the species has seen many community members collecting important data, which has heightened our overall knowledge and appreciation of the fragility of their existence.

Swift parrots have been observed feeding on a variety of plants such as Native cherry fruit, Waratah nectar, E. obliqua nectar, additionally the birds were seen on several occasions eating sawfly larvae and one person reported Swift parrots seemingly foraging on the ground amongst grasses. One thing is certain, that is the varied habitat in such small distances offers the species an opportunity to forage in years of low E. globulus flowering. This has become vitally important as the amount of suitable forest containing E. globulus disappears through land clearing for forestry, farming, and public and private development. A major threat is the loss of suitable nesting sites, with the loss of canopy cover, nests fall prey to predation by meat eating birds and introduced birds like the Starling out compete for nesting hollows.

This recent survey concludes, that coupe SBO40A is a Swift Parrot Important Breeding Area. (SPIBA) Furthermore, at least 20 other native birds are living and breeding here.

Recommendation

Due to accessibility by the general public and proximity to the thriving community of Adventure Bay, it is recommended that Forestry Tasmania diversify into providing a long term strategic advantage in the field of ornithology and preserve what remains for the purposes of tourism and conservation, thus providing long term employment opportunities.

Due to isolation, the diversity of plant communities and the nature of Bruny Island's small size, it is important to continue the quest for knowledge through long term study and monitoring of the species (Lathamus discolor). The decline of black gum is a major concern, therefore, it’s recommended planting of E. ovata on suitable land, with promotion for establishment by local, state and federal governments must become a priority over the next 5 years. It is urgent that ALL remaining Swift Parrot Important Breeding Areas (SPIBA) are excluded from logging and land clearing.