The first winter count for the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot and other closely related species was conducted recently.

South Australian OBP Regional Coordinator Bob Green said no Orange-bellied Parrots were spotted but a good number of the other species were found including 60 Blue-winged Parrots, 216 Elegant Parrots and six Rock Parrots.

“These are the four similar species that are searched for and they can be quite tricky to identify … all of these species can display an orange belly patch and so therefore other features need to be recorded to confirm an identification,” he said.

“Workshops to teach these skills are being held across the region.”

Mr Green said so far this season there had only been one unconfirmed report of an Orange-bellied Parrot in SA, which was still being assessed, which was from the Carpenter Rocks area during April.

“The most recent breeding season in south west Tasmania over summer had 77 birds return from the mainland which is the highest number for a long period,” he said.

“Following the breeding season it was estimated that 139 Orange-bellied Parrots departed on migration to the mainland, there has been a number of sightings in Victoria and we hope for some in SA again this year.

“It is important if you think you have seen an OBP to report it as soon as possible.”

The next official count will be taking place on the weekend of July 22 and 23 and anyone wanting to take part can email Mr Green at shriketit@bigpond.com to participate or take part in one of the identification workshops.

The project is supported by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board, through funding from the Federal Government’s National Landcare Program and contributes to the South Australian Government’s Project Coorong initiative.