Little Corella community update – dispelling the myths
The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board would like to update the community on the Little Corella control trial and issue a timely reminder to landholders about actions they can take to control Little Corellas on their properties.
"We want to thank the community members who have reported Little Corella roosting sites," Kangaroo Island Landscape Board (KILB) Chair Andrew Heinrich said.
"The information and data about Little Corella roosting sites that you report are extremely valuable for this trial program," he said.
Mr Heinrich said it is vital for the control trial's success that community reports focus on roosting sites, which means the Little Corellas are present one hour after dark.
"If the birds land at sunset or just on dark, it is not a roosting site, so please do not report it," Mr Heinrich said.
"If you have Little Corellas in the same location on your property one hour after dark, it is roosting, and this is the information we need reported," he said.
DEVELOPMENT OF BAIT
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has advised the KILB that a bait specifically designed to target pest birds, such as Little Corellas, is in development. However, due to the rigorous testing and approval process, this bait is at least four years from being released.
PURPOSE OF THE TRIAL PROGRAM
Mr Heinrich said the purpose of the KILB trial control program is to assess the impact of spatially targeted management actions, rather than conducting a broad-range control program across Kangaroo Island.
"Little Corellas are extremely intelligent birds, and at the moment, they are starting to spread across the island," Mr Heinrich said.
"Until the bait to target Little Corellas becomes available, the Board is investigating a technique to control the birds while roosting," he said.
Mr Heinrich said the community likely may not see a significant decrease in Little Corella flocks during the trial control program.
"The trial control is not about dispersing Little Corellas, as that only moves the problem from one place to another," Mr Heinrich said.
Mr Heinrich said KILB staff involved in the Kangaroo Island Glossy black cockatoo and woodland bird projects will assess the effectiveness of targeting roosting sites.
"We hope that the targeted roosting technique for managing Little Corellas will benefit Kangaroo Island glossy black cockatoos and other woodland birds,” he said.
LANDOWNERS PERMITTED TO USE CONTROL TACTICS
Tony Sandeman, National Parks & Wildlife Manager on Kangaroo Island from National Parks and Wildlife Service SA said Little Corellas are an impact-causing native species and are listed as unprotected.
“Little Corellas are a native bird species but are not 'protected' in South Australia by the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (NPW Act),” Mr Sandeman said. “That means that unlike most native species, people are permitted to shoot Little Corellas without a permit issued under the NPW Act, but a permit is required to kill a Little Corella by a means other than shooting.”
Mr Sandeman said the Department for Environment and Water encourages people shooting Little Corellas to abide by the Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Birds by Shooting, available on their website: www.environment.sa.gov.au.
“It is a legal requirement that all Little Corella management activities comply with the Animal Welfare Act 1985, and acting in accordance with the code will satisfy that requirement” Mr Sandman said.
Mr Heinrich said landowners can proactively control Little Corella flocks on their properties.
“Property owners experiencing detrimental impacts caused by Little Corellas could use various lethal and non-lethal methods to deter the birds,” Mr Heinrich said.
"Non-lethal methods include loud, sharp noises where appropriate or rotating flashing lights and high-powered torches between sunset and sunrise. Physical barriers such as bird netting or visual deterrents can also protect property," Mr Heinrich said.
"Landowners do not need a permit to destroy Little Corellas if shooting, but a permit is required to kill them by any other method. However, the destruction of any animal must abide by the Animal Welfare Act 1985 and should be consistent with relevant codes of practice," he said.
Landowners and shooters acting on behalf of the landowners must hold a valid and current firearms license, and police approval is required to discharge firearms in a built-up area.
Rural property owners must comply with requirements and regulations set by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Country Fire Service (CFS) when using gas guns to deter these birds from their property.
WHERE TO GET HELP
"We understand these birds can cause distress to some community members," Mr Heinrich said.
"The Board has limited resources but we are working hard to find an effective way to control these birds. We will keep you updated on our progress," he said.
"In the meantime, if you feel your mental health is being affected by Little Corellas, please speak to your general practitioner or consult the services available on the SA Health Mental Health Services website."
To report Little Corella roosting sites, please call the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board on 8553 2476 or the Kangaroo Island Council on 8553 4500.
