Our efforts at Murbpook Nature Reserve over the past financial year have focused on collaborating with the Regent Parrot Recovery Team and Australian National University (ANU) to better understand our local population of Regent Parrots (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides). You can read about these activities and findings in our 2024 Impact Report. This work continues with surveys and observations throughout late winter and early spring, in peak nesting and breeding season. 

Our conservation actions have been significantly bolstered by the support of volunteers from Nature Foundation and BirdsSA. These dedicated individuals have played a crucial role in undertaking a Regent Parrot census. With the guidance and support of experienced bird survey volunteers, new volunteers have been able to contribute effectively, understanding what to look for and how to identify and document behaviours and findings. The last Regent Parrot census occurred in 2021. By building the skills of volunteers, we hope to begin annual surveys, which will provide valuable data to support the research of the Regent Parrot Recovery Team and ANU. 

The next significant step is the commencement of eDNA analysis on chick scat, funded through a Murray and Riverland Landscape Board Grassroots Grant. This study is a crucial part of our conservation efforts, as it will allow us to identify what the parent birds are foraging, which is essential for understanding their diet and habitat preferences. The information we gather will be instrumental in determining key plant species for future revegetation work at Murbpook Nature Reserve and throughout the Riverland region. 

We look forward to bringing you insights from the spring surveys and chick scat analysis project.