The bush stone-curlew has recently returned to Phillip Island, having not been seen there for more than 40 years. In April, twelve of these unique birds were released into the wild as part of a restoration program led by Paula Wasiak, a PhD researcher at the Australian National University (ANU). The initiative comes after gargantuan success in eradicating foxes from the island. In 2017, their quarter-century of hard work finally paid off, as the island was officially declared fox-free.
Wasiak stressed the importance of building a social license for the program. He announced that building community support will be key to its success. The bush stone-curlew is known for its distinctive black and brown feather stripes. Unfortunately, this quirky little bird has been absent from Phillip Island for decades. Along with its return, researchers aim to use this effort not just to restore the species, but to boost local biodiversity.
The Release Process
In April, with the help of a committed volunteer, Wasiak let the dozen bush stone-curlews loose in their new environment. Each bird was outfitted with a leg band for identification, as well as a solar GPS tracking backpack to help track its movements and overall health. The young gannets are still being monitored by scientists from Phillip Island Nature Parks.
Wasiak commented on the successful release, saying, “Today went marvellously. It was almost textbook, and the birds are looking really good.” Once released, the birds will be health screened every three months. Their last payment is set at six months post-release, the point at which they’ve graduated into the wild.
The initial results are promising. As a result of this release, three out of the twelve bush stone-curlews have made their new home in bushland connecting Oswin Roberts Reserve to Newhaven College. This recent shift in the birds’ region and habitat indicates that they are comfortable and secure in their new home base.
Community Engagement
Log a nature sighting
Local residents have shown great excitement at the return of the bush stone-curlews. As Allison Trevena, a local resident who saw the first of these birds sprint across her driveway, put it, “It was just magical to see.” “It’s kind of exciting really because I love nature,” she stated. Trevena spoke intensely about her attachment to the birds and her hopes for their nesting success being something she could make possible.
Wasiak noted the solidarity of the community, which he said played a huge role in progressing the work. “We live at a time of rapid biodiversity loss, and it is incredibly special to live on an island where we can reduce lost species. I find that incredibly fulfilling,” she remarked. More research The partnership between researchers and community members is proving essential to making sure the bush stone-curlew population is healthy enough to prosper.
Looking Ahead
Wasiak hasn’t let go of the goal of improving her research. She wants to find innovative ways to help the bush stone-curlew’s return to Phillip Island be a success. Her passion comes from her long history in wildlife conservation, including an incredible 15 years in penguin research.
These birds are ecstatic to be here. In fact, they surely must have felt secure enough and wanted to settle here and breed. We can contribute to the boosting of their population, which is really the goal,” she added. These new long-term monitoring efforts will offer greater understanding of the adaptability and growth of this returning species.
