Health check survey on bird feed

THE effects of humans feeding native birds in the Dandenongs is again under the spotlight.
Parks Victoria and the University of Queensland is undertaking health checks on birds at a number of sites within the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
The two-week study started on 16 July and will finish on Saturday.
The survey follows residents’ complaints that increasing numbers of cockatoos are damaging hills homes.
Residents say the population has grown because so many tourists are feeding the birds when they visit Kallista’s Grants Picnic Ground.
University of Queensland researcher Michelle Plant said there have long been concerns over the health and wellbeing of wild birds at feeding sites, however little was known about the actual effects.
“With many people feeding wild birds at tourism locations and in backyards, this research will provide valuable information to guide management requirements and policy,” she said.
Ms Plant said the research would include looking at a range of parrot species such as cockatoos across eastern Australia.
She said the research would look at the link between feed provided by humans and food that birds have gained by foraging naturally in the forest.
Parks Victoria ranger Craig Bray said although tourists enjoyed feeding the native birds, it was also extremely important to monitor the effect it has.
“This research will provide guidance to ensure the best for the birds and the people that come to enjoy them,” he said.
As well as the Dandenong Ranges National Park, Ms Plant will be researching the Gondwana Rainforests in Queensland and New South Wales.
Further studies will also be carried out in February and March next year.
The research is part of a three year project and the results will be released in 2010.