Our 5441 6200 Hotliners are challenged by some calls and we all collaborate on solutions for
some tricky situations.
Different species are dependent on different habitats for their survival. Listed as endangered
in NSW, Bush stone-curlews need fallen timber in their habitat to assist in their camouflage
expertise, but what can they do when their familiar habitat becomes a building site? Curlews
have challenged us twice this week for solutions.
The first call involved a curlew at Ninderry that took a strong dislike to the lady of the house!
Nevertheless, Tony didn’t ring up demanding removal, just possible solutions. This behaviour
is more usual when a female is close to hatching chicks. Innovative ideas are being trialled to
win this bird over.
A couple of days later a call came from a building site at the southern end of the coast. Jessie
observed a curlew with 2 eggs laying on a patch of ground on a building site next door.
There was serious concern for the welfare of the bird and eggs. The eggs could easily be
stood on, and the bird itself could lay out flat, so well camouflaged and not seen by
machinery operators. Jesse sent photos. Phone calls were made to the very helpful salesman
handling the future housing sales. He said the curlew was such a good protective mother.
Workmen the previous day had been calling her “Ängry Bird”! Ian gave me a number to call
and this lady consulted with the construction manager in regards to the building schedule and
impact on construction.
Meanwhile, Jessie decided on a practical solution. He texted to say he moved mumma
curlew and the eggs in the excavator to a safer spot and put in some posts and bunting, with
room for her at the bottom to move in and out.
We hope for a happy outcome with a wildlife surveillance camera keeping us up-to-date.
Donna Brennan Wildlife Volunteers Assoc Inc (WILVOS) PO Box 4805 Sunshine Coast Mail
Centre Q 4560 PH 5441 6200 www.wilvos.org.au
Bush stone-curlews appearing
