Results

2025 South-eastern Black-Cockatoo Annual Count results, 3rd May 2025
 
 
This year 84 groups totalling 206 volunteers took part in the annual count for the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (SERTBC) cross the range on Saturday 3rd May.
 
2025 represented a strong search effort in which volunteers covered 3,505 kms of stringybark forest tracks and roadsides looking for the elusive cockatoos. Despite otherwise favourable weather, an afternoon wind impacted upon search efforts, with only a quarter of volunteer groups having success locating flocks during the count.
 
A total of 40 flock sightings were made on the day, with an additional19 additional sightings of SERTBCs recorded on days either side of the count. A total of 27 sightings were considered double counts of the same birds and excluded from the final tally. 11 sightings tallying 206 birds, were included from sightings reported either side of count day in the result.
 
After taking into consideration double counts and final tally stands at 885 birds, 418 fewer birds than last year’s total of 1,303.
 
SERTBC are notoriously difficult to find. What makes it more challenging is when flock sizes are small, widespread and located in areas that our counters can’t access, such as private land. Larger flocks are often noisier and so more likely to be detected than smaller flocks, while birds on private land can be easily missed if not reported by the landholder.
 
Weather conditions also play a big part in the number of birds counted on the day. Windy conditions make hearing birds difficult. This year an afternoon wind we experienced strong afternoon wind, the time of day when more sightings are likely to occur.
 
Information gathered during the annual count is crucial to determine patterns of habitat use, the minimum number of birds in the population and most importantly, the location of large flocks. Despite the birds’ usual behaviour of forming large flocks in late autumn/early winter, when the count is held, only two flocks exceeded 80 birds. The largest, a flock of 160 SERTBC, was seen feeding in private stringybark bushland near Murrays State Forest.
 
Flocks were reported from across the region, including Ozenkadnook, Goroke, Miga Lake, Jilpanger, Wattle Range, Penola, Dergholm, Lucindale, Heywood, and Chetwynd. Although total numbers were significantly lower than in previous years, it’s unlikely the population has suffered a mass decline since last year’s count of 1303 birds. It’s more likely that birds were scattered widely across their range and simply missed on the day.
 
Photo credit: D. Archer
 
The following table provides a breakdown of the results by state and region. This year most of the SERTBCs counted were found in Victoria (663 birds) with the largest concentrations of birds found in the Wimmera (north to north-east of Edenhope). In South-Australia, most flocks were reported in the southern part of the range - west of Penola, near Mount Burr Swamp and Nangwarry.
 
State/Region
Total No. of RTBC sightings/flocks on 3/5/2025
No. of additional sightings/flocks                    (included but not recorded on the day)
No. of sightings/flocks                (after excluding double counts)
No. birds counted                  (after excluding double counts)
No. of sites/areas searched
No. groups participating
No. of volunteers searching
No. kilometres of habitat searched
No. hours Teams spent searching
 
 
   
   
   
South Australia
12
3
10
222
28
24
63
765
100.3
   
   
Glenelg Hopkins
9
3
9
245
29
31
77
1636
158.7
   
   
Wimmera
19
5
19
418
35
29
66
1104
136.7
   
   
Victoria (Wimmera & Glenelg Hopkins)
28
8
32
663
64
60
143
2740
295.4
   
Total (SA & Vic)
40
11
32
885
92
84
206
3505
395.7
   
Table 1: Observations and results of 2025 annual count by State and Region.
                                                                                               
Most SERTBCs sighted were feeding in stringybark or located coming in to drink at watering points. Of the two species of stringybark that the birds feed on, flocks were found feeding in both Eucalyptus arenacea (Desert Stringybark) than Eucalyptus baxteri (Brown Stringybark) habitats.  Patterns of SERTBC habitat use generally coincide with the fruiting patterns of the two species of stringybark and buloke. This year dry conditions have reduced food availability across the range.
 
Counts of large flocks are currently underway based on the information gained through the annual count. Once completed, this will indicate how well the birds bred last season.
 
The volunteer survey effort for this year was the highest to date with a record number of 206 volunteers in 84 groups, spending 395 hours scouring stringybark habitats for SERTBCs. Of those groups participating, one quarter sighted SERTBCs on the day.
There was again a great mix of new and returning participants, including several large teams of multiple search groups (DEECA, Zoos SA, Deakin University and VMLCG). As per previous years, there was a good turnout of returning volunteers who enjoy the thrill and anticipation of finding RTBCs on the day. The event is widely supported by locals and those who travel from as far away as Adelaide, Melbourne, Mildura, Gippsland and Castlemaine to join the count. The Kowree Private Conservancy Network (KPCN), a group of local landowners who live all across Victoria, organised their biannual catch-up to coincide with the count, providing members with an extra incentive to make the trip, which likely helped to boost volunteer numbers.
This year 30% of groups participating in the Annual Count, volunteered to undertake optional stringybark seed crop monitoring assessments. These surveys collect additional data to be analysed as part of ongoing monitoring for the Recovery Project. There were 26 volunteer groups that opted to take part surveying a total of 31 sites. Overall 194 surveys were completed collecting valuable data which will provide important information on food availability and monitoring the health of stringybark forests for our SERTBC.
 
An annual count training event was held in Casterton This year’s count began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Aunty Cathy Munroe, Gunditjmara elder, at the Casterton training session, which was attended by 16 volunteers comprising of mostly new count participants, some returning count volunteers and myself as the BirdLife Australia and Recovery Team representative.
The much-loved Baileys Rocks campout brought together 19 volunteers to share stories and insights. Many of the attendees were recovery team members, local DEECA and CFA staff, and members of the KPCN. This gathering provided a great opportunity to share recovery initiatives in detail and promoted excellent discussion. Special thanks to Pam Whitley, who presented valuable information on Australia's avian flu preparedness and the wildlife health surveillance program run through the University of Melbourne’s School of Veterinary Science.
 
Acknowledgements:
On behalf of the Red-tail Recovery Team and BirdLife Australia I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the volunteers who attended this event. I’d also like to thank all those who reported sightings in the lead up to the count and immediately following. Without volunteer support this event would not be possible.
 
A very special thanks to Evan Roberts for his ongoing assistance with promoting the count and contacting and encouraging local landholders to search their properties on the day.
 
This project is funded by the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Limestone Coast Landscape Board and Wimmera CMA, all members of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
 

Annual count 2024

 

This year 80 groups totalling 177 volunteers took part in the annual count for the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (SERTBC) cross the range on Saturday 4 May.

In almost perfect conditions, volunteers covered 3,342 kms of stringybark forest tracks and roadsides looking for the elusive cockatoos. Search effort combined with good listening conditions and a number of pre/post count sightings resulted in good numbers of RTBCs being counted.

After taking into consideration double counts and eight additional sightings of RTBCs recorded on days either side of the count the final tally stands at 1,303 birds, 99 birds more than last year’s total of 1,204 and the best tally since 2015.

A total of 58 sightings were made on the day, however 24 of those were considered double counts of the same birds and excluded from the final tally. An additional 8 sightings tallying 364 birds, collected either side of count day were included in the result.

Nine large flocks, ranging from 60-150 birds per flock were located, comprising 65% (847 birds) of the total number of birds counted. Large flocks were found north of Edenhope (Murrays, Hauslers, and Morea State Forests), west of Penola (Smelts and Clay Wells Road areas), Mt Burr, Jilpanger, Chetwynd and Nangwarry.

Figure 2 (above): Male RTBC observed feeding in stringybark by Rob Grenfell on annual count day. Photo Credit Rob Grenfell.

The following table provides a breakdown of the results by state and region. This year most of the RTBCs counted were found in Victoria (873 birds) with the largest concentrations of birds found in the Wimmera (north to north-east of Edenhope). In South-Australia, the far majority of birds were found in the southern part of the range - west of Penola, near Mount Burr Swamp and Nangwarry.

State/Region

Total No. of RTBC sightings/flocks on 4/5/24

No. of additional sightings/flocks                    (included but not recorded on the day)

No. of sightings/flocks                (after excluding double counts)

No. birds counted                  (after excluding double counts)

No. of sites/areas searched

No. groups participating

No. of volunteers searching

No. kilometres of habitat searched

No. hours Teams spent searching

 

 
   
   
   

South Australia

3

5

7

430

32

26

51

735

86.2

   
   

Glenelg Hopkins

21

2

14

268

27

29

59

1677

138.8

   
   

Wimmera

34

1

21

605

28

25

67

930

140.5

   
   

Victoria (Wimmera & Glenelg Hopkins)

55

3

35

873

55

54

126

2607

279.3

   

Total (SA & Vic)

58

8

42

1303

 87

80

177

3342

365.5

   

Table 1: Observations and results of 2024 annual count by State and Region.

Most RTBCs sighted were feeding in stringybark or located coming in to drink at watering points. Of the two species of stringybark that the birds feed on, more RTBCs were found feeding in Eucalyptus arenacea (Desert Stringybark) than Eucalyptus baxteri (Brown Stringybark). Although, this was not the case in South Australia where the majority of individuals were located in E. baxteri.

Patterns of RTBC habitat use generally coincide with the fruiting patterns of the two species of stringybark and buloke. This year the buloke, which is found in the northern part of the species range produced an exceptional seed crop with heavy seed

loads observed across the Wimmera. Recent stringybark food availability monitoring undertaken prior to the count also highlighted a slight increase in overall capsule availability across the range, with E. arenacea performing slightly better than E. baxteri. This explains why large numbers of RTBCs were found in the Wimmera region this year (605 birds) and/or feeding in areas dominated by E. arenacea.

Other areas in which RTBCs were recorded include Dergholm, Wilkin, Lake Mundi, Casterton, Little Desert, Rennick, Bangham, Dorodong, Miga Lake and Mt Arapiles. There was an absence of birds around Lower Glenelg National Park, with only a small flock found in Dry Creek NFR located to the west of the Park.

The year’s result is particularly pleasing given it has been nine years since we recorded more than 1300 birds. This confirms our suspicions about birds being missed in previous counts rather than any significant losses of individuals.

The success of this year’s count has been attributed to the almost perfect weather conditions experienced on the day and the additional sightings reported either side of count day (accounting for 28% of the total number counted). Very little wind, combined with sunny conditions made listening for birds much more conducive than in previous years where adverse conditions (rain, hail and wind) reduced the chance of finding birds.

Furthermore, there was an improvement in volunteer survey effort from last year with 80 groups spending 365 hours scouring stringybark habitats for RTBCs. Of those groups participating, one third sighted RTBCs on the day.

There was again a great mix of new and returning participants, including several large teams of multiple search groups (DEECA, Zoos SA, Deakin University and VMLCG). There was also a subset of farmers who checked their own properties on the day, several of whom had good success locating large flocks coming into drink. As per previous years, there was a good turnout of returning volunteers who enjoy the thrill and anticipation of finding RTBCs on the day.  Without the incredible effort of our volunteers this event would not be possible.

An annual count training event was held in Casterton in conjunction with Casterton Rotary’s grand opening of the newly upgraded information shelter located on the outskirts of Casterton. The event was well attended by a crowd of about 30 people comprising local residents, member of the rotary club, count volunteers and myself as the BirdLife Australia and Recovery Team representative.

Unfortunately, very few volunteers attended the Baileys Rocks Campout this year. Those that did attend enjoyed the usual banter and bragging about who saw the most birds. This year’s biggest counters were Evan Roberts and Don Murdoch who counted a total of 239 birds north of Edenhope.

 

           Figure 5: Attendees at the Casterton Rotary Club Information Shelter Grand Opening and Annual Count Training Event, Casterton 4-5-24.

 

 

Figure 6: Observations and counts of South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos recorded as part of 2024 annual count. Double counts excluded

 

 

Acknowledgements:

On behalf of the Red-tail Recovery Team and BirdLife Australia I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the volunteers who attended this event. I’d also like to thank all those who reported sightings in the lead up to the count and immediately following. Without volunteer support this event would not be possible.

A very special thanks to Evan Roberts for his ongoing assistance with promoting the count and contacting and encouraging local landholders to search their properties on the day.

Annual Count 2023

Over 120 volunteers participated in this years annual count, held on Saturday 6 May. Volunteers travelled far and wide within the range of the cockatoo in south-east South Australia and south-west Victoria.

After taking into consideration liekly duplicate records and a few additional sightings either side of count day, the final tally stands at 1,204 birds. This is 61 more birds than last year. 

There were 25 sightings across the range on the day even though it was a cold, wet and windy day. The birds were generally found across the middle of the range, with the majority found in the Casterton and Edenhope areas. There were four large flocks sighted, ranging from 120 - 285 birds and a number of smaller flocks with an average size of about 25.

Despite the weather and a few people pulling out, we still had an impressive 65 groups of volunteers, comprising of 128 people. Some volunteers were even able to collect some valuable data on the amount of food currently available for the birds by gathering information on stringybark seed. Sightings of Red-tails proved to be consistent with high scores of stringybark capsules.

This year volunteers teams spent over 257 hours searching for Red-tails, covering more than 2,300 kilometres of roadside stringybark forest. This is a huge effort, especially in not so great weather! The Recovery Team would like to thank all of the volunteers this year. The count would not be possible without everyones help. Its still vitally important that we keep track of the Red-tail population. Having this knowledge allows us to better understand key priorities for conservation methods over time including factors such as habitat use and breeding success.

The day was also finished off with the campout at Baileys Rocks. A small group of volunteers braved the freezing cold weather to sit around a campfire and exchange wonderful stories. Looking forward to that again next year!

A special thankyou also goes to Even Roberts, Bron Perryman, Richard Hill and Tim Burnard for their invaluable annual count knowledge.

The SERTBC Recovery Program is managed by Birdlife Australia. The Annual Count is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority. The project is funded by The Australian Governments National Landcare Program.

Skye McPherson - SERTBC Recovery Progam Coordinator

Table 1: Observations and Results of 2023 annual count by state and region

 

State/

Region

Total No. of RTBC sightings/flocks

No. birds counted

 

 

No. of sites/areas

searched

No. of volunteers searching

No. kilometres of habitat searched

South Australia

 

5

 

220

20

32

568

Glenelg Hopkins

 

5

 

323

22

49

946.5

Wimmera

 

13

 

661

23

47

901

Victoria (Wimmera & Glenelg Hopkins)

 18

984

45

96

1,847.5

Total (SA & Vic)

23

 

1,204

65

128

2,415.5

 

Annual Count 2022

This year 70 groups totalling 118 volunteers took part in the annual count. After taking into consideration double counts of cockatoos and a few additional sightings of Red-tails recorded either side of the count day, the final tally stands at 1,143 birds, very close to the 2021 tally of 1,230 birds. 

Volunteers reported 25 sightings this year. The weather conditions on the day were fairly average with many groups experiencing a cold, wet and windy day which may have affected the results. Five large flocks ranging from 70-250 birds were included within the total.

Information gathered during the annual count is crucial to determine patterns of habitat use, the minimum number of birds in the population and most importantly, the location of large flocks. There five large flocks (greater than 70 birds) reported on the day. This year they were found around Edenhope, Coonawarra and Rennick. Other sightings were made near Benayeo, Charam, Langkoop, Derfhol, Penola, Francis and Wandilo.

This year the number of Red-tails observed in Victoria (909 birds and 18 sightings) was greater than that seen in SA (234 birds and 7 sightings). Nineteen groups observed Red-tails wither on count day or within a few days of the count.

We also had the optional stringybark seed monitoring on offer for keen volunteers who wanted to collect additional data for the recovery Project. There were 15 volunteer groups who opted to take part in this, collecting valuable data which will provide important information on food availability for Red-tails.

Some volunteers also attended the Annual Count training session on the morning of the count. this session took place in Rotary Park at Casterton where volunteers learned what the Red-tails sound like, the tell-tale feeding signs and how to identify stringybark from other eucalypt woodland. It was great to meet some of our wonderful volunteers face to face!

This year volunteers spent over 210 hours searching for the cockatoos across the range. participants came from a variety of backgrounds including farmers who searched their own properties, a great team of locals who regularlty take part in the count and several people who travelled from as fas as Adelaide and Melbourne to attend their very first survey.

Acknowledgements

The Recovery Team would like to say a massive thankyou to everyone who took part in the event and reported sightings and also to those who helped promote the event. This would not be possible without the help and support from locals and landholders in the Red-tails range. We hope that next year

A special thanks to Evan Roberts for his assistance with promoting the count and getting local landholders involved on the day. Also thanks to Bron Perryman, Richard Hill and Tim Burnard for their invaluable annual count knowledge!

The SERTBC Recovery Program is managed by BirdLife Australia and is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Governments National Landcare Program.

Skye McPherson - SERTBC Recovery Project Coordinator

 

Annual Count 2021

This year 85 groups totalling 181 volunteers took part in the annual count for the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo across the range on Saturday 1 May.

BirdLife Australia and the SERTBC Recovery Team were thankful that the count was able to go ahead this year, after last year’s backyard birding event which took place instead of the annual count.

After taking into consideration double counts of cockatoos and three additional sightings of Red-tails recorded either side of count day the final tally stands at 1230 birds, slightly more than the 2019 tally of 1193 birds.

Volunteers reported a record number of 57 sightings this year, an increase from the 2019 result of 43 sightings. The weather conditions on the day were fairly mild which resulted in good conditions for counting cockies. Six large flocks ranging in size from 80-200 birds were included within the total.

Figure 1: A barred bird observed on count day resting in a tree. Photo: Brad Russell

The birds were again widely dispersed across the range, with sightings from as far north as The Gap in South Australia to Gorae in the south-west of Victoria.

Information gathered during the annual count is crucial to determine patterns of habitat use, the minimum number of birds in the population and most importantly, the location of large flocks. There were six large flocks (greater than 80 birds) reported on the day.

This year, large flocks were found near Edenhope, Langkoop, Coonawarra and Nelson. Other sightings were made near Benayeo, Goroke, Natimuk, Clear Lake, Dergholm, Casterton, Rennick, Digby, Tarpeena and Wattle Range.

The table below provides a breakdown of the results for South Australia and Victoria. This year the number of Red-tails and sightings observed in Victoria (971 birds and 51 sightings/flocks excluding double counts) was greater than that seen in South Australia (259 birds and 6 sightings/flocks excluding double counts).

Thirty-six groups observed Red-tails either on count day or within a few days of the count.

Table 1: Observations and Results of 2021 annual count by state and region 

State/

Region

Total No. of RTBC sightings/flocks

No. of sightings/flocks excluding double counts

 

No. birds counted

 

 

No. of sites/areas

searched

No. of volunteers searching

No. kilometres of habitat searched

South Australia

 

6

 

6

259

32

51

857

Glenelg Hopkins

 

25

 

17

344

30

75

1476

Wimmera

 

26

 

16

627

27

51

1098

Victoria (Wimmera & Glenelg Hopkins)

51

 

33

971

57

126

2574

Total (SA & Vic)

57

 

39

1230

89

177

3431

 

 

Figure 2: Observations and counts of South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos recorded as part of the 2021 Annual Count

This year there was also optional stringybark seed monitoring on offer for keen volunteers who wanted to collect additional data for the Recovery Project. There were 28 volunteer groups that opted to take part in this monitoring, collecting valuable data which will provide important information on food availability for Red-tails.

A small number of volunteers also attended the Annual Count training session on the morning of the count. This session took place in Rotary Park at Casterton and volunteers learned what the Red-tails sounds like, the tell-tale feeding signs of the birds, and how to identify stringybark from other eucalypt woodland.

This year volunteers spent over 340 hours searching for the cockatoos across their range. Participants came from a variety of different backgrounds including farmers who searched their own properties, a great team of locals who regularly take part in the count, and several participants who travelled from as far as Adelaide and Melbourne to help out with the survey.

Figure 3: Kelsey Bennett teaching volunteers about the South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoos at the Casterton training session. Photo: Callum Banks

Acknowledgements

On behalf of the Red-tail Recovery Team and BirdLife Australia I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the volunteers, including all those who reported sightings of Red-tails in the lead up the count, for supporting this annual event. Without volunteer support this event would not be possible.

A special thanks to Evan Roberts for his assistance with promoting the count and getting local landholders involved on the day.

The SERTBC Recovery Program is managed by BirdLife Australia. This project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

 

 

'Look to the Skies’ 2020 

This year BirdLife Australia and the South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Recovery Team held a local ‘Look to the Skies’ monitoring event on Saturday 2 May to try and count as many cockies as possible. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions unfortunately we had to cancel our usual Annual Cocky Count, however it is vital at this time of year to count as many Red-tails as we can and find the location of large flocks so we decided to run a smaller event aimed at locals who live in the Red-tail range in south-east SA and south-west Vic.

Participants searched their own properties and backyards for Red-tails on the day and despite the cold and windy weather we received a good number of sightings. The total number of cockies seen on the day was 748 birds from 18 sighting reports, which is a fantastic effort considering most of the birds counted were on private land. Taking into account sighting reports received in the week before and after the event, as well as several large flocks which were known but weren't counted on the day, the number of birds counted came to 1144. 

Figure 1: Red-tails feeding in stringybark as part of a large flock found in Strathdownie before the event. Photo: Chris Farrell

A large number of birds were found in Ullswater, with landholders Ros and Andrew Bradey counting 450 birds on their property and in the surrounding stringybark reserves!

Red-tails were also found in other areas in Victoria including Benayeo and Meereek. In SA birds were found around Naracoorte, Wild Dog Valley, The Gap, Lucindale and Kalangadoo. Other areas where birds had been seen before and after the event included Strathdownie and Clear Lake.

The majority of birds appeared to be in the northern part of the Red-tail range, especially in the Wimmera region. It is likely the birds are taking advantage of the good seed crop currently available for them in Desert stringybark which occurs in that part of the range. While we won't be able to compare the results of this event to previous years' Annual Counts, the data collected is still important in finding the location of large flocks and determining patterns of habitat use.

The following table provides a breakdown of the results for South Australia and Victoria. 

Table 1: Observations and results of 2020 ‘Look to the Skies’ event by state and region

State/Region Total no. of sightings/flocks 2-5-20 No. birds counted
South Australia 11 150
Wimmera 7 598
Glenelg Hopkins 0* 0*
Total (SA & Vic) 18 748

*although no birds were counted in the Glenelg Hopkins region on the day, a flock of 156 birds had been sighted in Strathdownie before the event

Figure 2: Observations and counts of South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos recorded as part of the 2020 'Look to the Skies' event

There were around 40 people who officially registered for the event but it’s likely that more people took part and kept an eye out for Red-tails on the day but didn’t register. The event was promoted widely in the weeks leading up to it and attracted a good amount of attention especially on social media. The Recovery Team has recently set up a new Facebook page for our project, you can find us by searching 'South eastern Red tailed Black Cockatoo Recovery Project'.

Acknowledgements

The Recovery Team would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part in the event and reported sightings, and also to those people who helped promote the event. This would not have been possible without the help and support from locals and landholders in the Red-tail's range. We hope that next year we’ll be able to hold our normal Annual Cocky Count again and volunteers will be able to go out and search for our stunning Red-tails!

A special thanks to Evan Roberts and Kerry Gilkes for their assistance with promoting the event and getting local landholders involved on the day.

The SERTBC Recovery Program is managed by BirdLife Australia and is supported by the South East Natural Resources Management Board, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

 

 

Annual Count 2019

This year 81 groups totalling 172 volunteers took part in the annual count for the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo across the range on Saturday 4 May.

The weather conditions improved this year with less wind and rain than the previous few years, which meant that the calls of the cockies were able to be heard more easily. After several years of lower count results it is pleasing to report that the number of birds counted increased considerably this year.

After taking into consideration double counts the final tally stands at 1193 birds, which is substantially higher than last year’s total of 839 birds. Additional sightings either side of the count were also incorporated into the total including a flock of 200 birds, the largest sighting recorded in the count.

The number of sightings reported by volunteers this year was 43, which is slightly less than last year's total of 45.

Figure 1: A flock of South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoos observed on count day landing in trees. Photo: Kristen Capewell

The distribution of sightings was fairly widespread, with birds again recorded as far north as McCallum (40km NE of Keith). 

There was good weather on the day across most of the range meaning it would have been easier to both see and hear the Red-tails, which may have contributed to the higher number of birds counted this year.

The information gathered during the annual count is crucial to determine patterns of habitat use, the minimum number of birds in the population and most importantly, the location of large flocks. Flock sizes this year were larger than they have been in previous years, with seven large flocks (greater than 80 birds) recorded.

This year, large flocks were found near Edenhope, Penola, Rennick, Dry Creek, Wandilo and Kanawinka. Other sightings were made near Goroke, Harrow, Coonawarra, Dergholm, Nangwarry, Casterton, Nelson, Lucindale, Millicent, Tooan and Frances.

The table below provides a breakdown of the results for South Australia and Victoria. This year the number of Red-tails and sightings observed in Victoria (799 birds and 18 sightings/flocks excluding double counts) was greater than that seen in South Australia (394 birds and 10 sightings/flocks excluding double counts).

Twenty-five groups observed Red-tails either on count day or within a few days of the count.

Table 1: Observations and Results of 2019 annual count by state and region 

State/

Region

Total No. of RTBC sightings/flocks

4-5-19

No. of sightings/flocks excluding double counts

 

No. birds counted

 

 

No. of sites/areas

searched

No. of volunteers searching

No. kilometres of habitat searched

South Australia

 

15

 

10

394

43

57

486

Glenelg Hopkins

 

18

 

11

494

42

72*

1682

Wimmera

 

10

 

7

305

32

48*

975

Victoria (Wimmera & Glenelg Hopkins)

28

 

18

799

74

115

2657

Total (SA & Vic)

43

 

28

1193

117

172

3143

*some volunteers surveyed sites in both regions (Glenelg Hopkins and Wimmera) and thus have been included (for reporting purposes) in total numbers participating in each region.

Figure 2: Observations and counts of South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos recorded as part of the 2019 annual count (double counts excluded)

The annual Baileys Rocks campout was again a success, with volunteers gathering on the night to share stories on how many cockies they saw or the flock that got away.

A total of 10 volunteers also attended the Annual Count training session on the morning of the count. This session took place in Rotary Park at Casterton and volunteers learned what the Red-tails sounds like, the tell-tale feeding signs of the birds, and how to identify stringybark from other eucalypt woodland.

Volunteer effort was fantastic, with 81 groups spending over 270 hours searching for the cockatoos across the range. This year we had volunteers from a variety of different backgrounds including farmers who searched their own properties, a great team of locals who regularly take part in the count, and several participants who travelled from as far as Adelaide and Melbourne to help out with the survey.

Figure 3: Tim Burnard teaching volunteers about the South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoos at the Casterton training session. Photo: Kelsey Bennett

Acknowledgements

On behalf of the Red-tail Recovery Team and BirdLife Australia I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the volunteers, including all those who reported sightings of Red-tails in the lead up the count, for supporting this annual event. Without volunteer support this event would not be possible.

A special thanks to Evan Roberts, Kerry Gilkes and Jeremy Freeman for their assistance with promoting the count and getting local landholders involved on the day, and Tim Burnard for running the training session in Casterton and organising the campsite at Baileys Rocks.

The SERTBC Recovery Program is managed by BirdLife Australia and is supported by the South East Natural Resources Management Board, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.

   
   

Annual Count 2018

This year 89 groups totalling 179 volunteers took part in the annual count for the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo across the range on Saturday 5 May.

Despite the huge search effort, which saw over 3600kms of stringybark forest tracks covered, our cockies proved once again elusive with less than a third of our counters locating Red-tails on the day.

After taking into consideration double counts and two additional sightings of Red-tails recorded on days either side of the count the final tally stands at 839 birds - which is slightly more than the 810 birds recorded last year.

A total of 43 sightings were made on the day, however many of these were double counts of the same birds.


Figure 2: A flock of South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos observed on count day landing in trees near a drinking trough at Dry Creek. Photo: Kristen Capewell.

 

The distribution of sightings was again widespread with one flock seen as far north as McCallum (40km NE of Keith). Flock sizes were also smaller than usual with only four large flocks (greater than 80 birds) recorded. 

Red-tails are notoriously difficult to find. What makes it more challenging is when flock sizes are small, widespread and located in areas that our counters can’t access, such as private land.

Larger flocks are often noisier and so more likely to be detected than smaller flocks, while birds on private land can be easily missed if not for the support of the landholder.

Weather conditions also play a big part in the number of birds counted on the day. This year we experienced less than ideal conditions (wet and windy) in both the lead up to the count and on the day -  across most parts of the range. Windy conditions make hearing birds difficultand let’s face it - you’re more likely to hear a Red-tail before you see one.

Although total numbers are down, it’s unlikely the population has suffered a mass decline since our biggest count of over 1500 birds back in 2015. It’s more likely that birds were scattered widely across their range and simply missed on the day.

The overall prognosis for the population, however, is far from good. Flock counts, which are undertaken after the annual count and provide our best indication of breeding success, have revealed a disturbing trend with declining numbers of females and juveniles recorded in flocks over time.

Fewer adult females means fewer breeding pairs and thus fewer offspring; fewer juveniles means less birds available to replace present breeding pairs in future.

Unfortunately, the last good breeding event was more than 10 years ago. Breeding success is strongly linked to stringybark food availability, with more successful breeding in years of plentiful food.

Counts of large flocks are currently underway based on the information gained through the annual count. Once completed, this will indicate how well the birds bred last season.

This year, large flocks were found near Rennick, Chetwynd, Wattle Range (west of Penola) and Mumbannar. The biggest of these comprised 135 birds drinking from a trough on private land adjacent Rennick State Forest.

Other sightings were made near Harrow, Goroke, Charam, Wandilo, Dry Creek, Dergholm, Lake Mundi, Heywood, Willalooka, Clear Lake, Lucindale, McCallum and Casterton.

Interestingly, many flocks seen this year were found on private land which is why the widespread efforts of landholders to put feeding habitat back on their properties is so important.

The following table provides a breakdown of the results for South Australia and Victoria. This year the number of Red-tails and sightings observed in Victoria (629 birds and 16 sightings/flocks excluding double counts) was greater than that seen in South Australia (210 birds and 13 sightings/flocks excluding double counts).

Twenty-six groups observed Red-tails on count day; with an additional two groups providing sightings of birds (included in the final tally) either side of count day.

Table 1: Observations and Results of 2018 annual count by state and region

State/

Region

Total No. of RTBC sightings/flocks

5-5-18

 

No. of additional sightings/

flocks

 

No. of sightings/flocks

 

No. birds counted

 

 

No. of sites/areas

searched

No. of volunteers searching

No. kilometres of habitat searched

South Australia

 

15

2

13

210

67

64

831.3

Glenelg Hopkins

 

17

0

9

433

42

79*

1734.1

Wimmera

 

11

0

7

196

50

44*

1102.2

Victoria (Wimmera & Glenelg Hopkins)

28

0

16

629

92

115

2836.3

Total (SA & Vic)

43

2

29

839

159

179

3667.6

*some volunteers surveyed sites in both regions (Glenelg Hopkins and Wimmera) and thus have been included (for reporting purposes) in total numbers participating in each region.

 

Figure 3: Observations and counts of South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos recorded as part of 2018 annual count. Double counts excluded

The annual

Previous page: Annual Counts
Next page: How to get involved in counts