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Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:24:20 +1100
From: Ian May <bird...@ozemail.com.au>
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To: Simon Mustoe <simonmus...@hotmail.com>, 
	"'birding-...@vicnet.net.au'" <birding-...@vicnet.net.au>
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Rare Opportunity to see Princess Parrots
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Hello all

This is great news and thank you to the traditional owners.

If you are a birwatcher wondering if there might be a better chance to
see Princess Parrots near Mereenie at some other time, consider the
following.

The succession of events following outback rainfall cycles such as this
one, nearly always culminates in other not so desirable strikes against
the environment. Overnight, these events can change the habitat
condition for decades.

In the Mereenie Princess Parrot areas the likely most serious issue will
be broad front bushfires.   Usually caused by dry lightning strikes from
November to February, uncontrolled bushfires can burn across vast
frontiers of the outback after exceptional seasons when there is enough
dry fuel available to carry one. This was not always the case but
changes to traditional burning practices (the lack of mosaic burns) have
altered the way outback fires burn across the landscape.

Although early summer bushfires are natural in the arid zone, in average
years fuel loadings are too light for outback bushfires to carry far.

An example of how bushfires can change a habitat!  After the major
outback floods of 1974, generally regarded as the wettest outback years
on record, lines of intense fire raged across inland WA NT SA and Qld,
reducing vast areas of outback bird habitat to bare earth.  Uncontrolled
fires burnt out much of the Simpson Desert.   It is ironic that the few
areas left unburnt were mostly grazed severely by massive rabbit
irruptions that were exploding across the landscape also generated by
the exceptional seasonal conditions that benefited them.

The habitat around Mereenie this year is in absolute prime condition. It
has not carried a fire for many years and this is partly why the birds
are using the area

Because the fuel loadings are so high, unfortunately when it dries out
(cures), the area will potentially carry a very intense fire that would
alter the habitat suitability for Princess Parrots for a long time.

I try to avoid giving advice but if I was contemplating looking at
Princess Parrots in the near future, I would jump at the generous offer
from the Traditional Owners now while this rare opportunity exists.


Regards


Ian May
St Helens, Tasmania.7216


Simon Mustoe wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> After consideration, the CLC has issued an opportunity - initially just for this season - allowing groups of birders to arrange viewing of Princess Parrots near Alice Springs. Note, for further information, please contact Jol Fleming (contact details at base of announcement). 
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Simon Mustoe. 
> 
> ______
> 
> Rare Opportunity to see Princess Parrots
> 
> The Central Land Council has been instructed by a key traditional owner of
> the area in which princess parrots are currently nesting to issue a limited
> number of permits for people to join him on a series of visits to the site.
> 
> Permits will be available to:
> 
> - groups of between 5 and 12 people
> 
> - commercial birding companies wishing to organise groups of the same size.
> 
> Day trip access to the princess parrot site (west of Alice Springs) is offered at
> a traditional owner fee of $450 / person. Visitors will be accompanied by the
> traditional owner. All other costs and arrangements (e.g. travel to and from the site,
> accommodation, food etc.) are to be met by participants.
> 
> Site visits will be available on the following dates:
> 
> Monday 22nd November
> Wednesday 24th November
> Friday 26th November
> Monday 29th November
> Wednesday 1st December
> Friday 3rd December
> 
> Parks and Wildlife scientists, who are conducting research on the parrots at
> this site, have confirmed that the birds are still present.
> 
> For further details, to organise permits and for more information on permit conditions, please contact:
> 
> Jol Fleming*
> Direct Four W.D. Awareness
> Ph: 0457 582 731
> Fax: (08) 8953 0109
> Email: j...@direct4wd.com.au
> *Direct Four W.D. Awareness are appointed by the traditional owners to collect and administer funds received.
> They can arrange transportation to the site, if this is required, or visitors can arrange their own. 
> 
> 
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> 
> Simon Mustoe 
> Tel: +61 (0) 405220830 | Skype simonmustoe | Email simonmus...@ecology-solutions.com.au
> 
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