On the Glossy Black Cockatoo

The overall population is declining. The tag ‘least concern’ used is a bit misleading as they are one of the more threatened of the cockatoo species. NSW, ACT and Queensland list them as vulnerable and Victoria lists them as threatened. With the exception of the South Australian sub-species which is listed endangered, thankfully they have not yet been listed nationally under the EPBC Act, however given why they are declining it is only a matter of time.

Allocasuarina verticillata is found on Mt Ainslie and Mt Majura amounts other dry rocky hillsides in the ACT where very occasionally the Glossies can be found. Might only happen once or twice a year. Still, it is nice to know they do visit the ACT.

I believe the new Arboretum has planted a stand of A. verticillata just for the Glossies.

I’ll have to plant a few of these. Thanks for the tip.
Currently have a bunch of native plants to entice the birdies to come visit. It works wonders
🙂

Looking up the tree idly, the scientific name is Allocasuarina verticillata and it can grow in heavy clay or sand. 5-10 m. Looks like there’s varous mail order places who’d send tube stock if the local bunch can’t get them in.

I’m in the process of planting trees in my garden and if someone can put me onto a source for drooping casuarina’s, I’ll get one. Anything that attracts these kinds of birds is welcome in my garden

My Flanders Poppy flowered yesterday and I’m pretty chuffed about it, what with the plants excellent timing and all.

Still to get a lone-Pine and heaps of room for more trees, so recommendations welcome!

I’m not sure Simon has a great grasp of all things environmental. In a press release this week, he was claiming a erlatively recent piece of ACT legislation was the reason 54% of the ACT has retained its native vegetation.