By Peter Douglas
An irreplaceable powerful owl population in Mount Evelyn is likely to disappear in the next five to 10 years, according to resident and long-time owl watcher, Clare Worsnop.
For the third year running, a pair of breeding owls, ‘Mr Owl’ and ‘Mrs Owl’, who call home the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve, have abandoned their hollow after tending to eggs earlier in the year.
Ms Worsnop believes the increased use of the lower reserve at the site is affecting the endangered species’ capacity to breed and maintain their population.
Though, also concerning to Ms Worsnop, she believes an upcoming Yarra Ranges Council vote on the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve Master Plan could seal the local population’s fate.
The Master Plan, which is due for the council chambers on 12 September, will provide guidance on a $5 million-plus proposal to rejuvenate the lower reserve, which includes its resurfacing and plans to establish a floodplain in the area.
Ms Worsnop said the local powerful owl population was already under significant stress.
“The noise level has increased with increased usage of the recreation reserve in recent years … the football club trains from Tuesday through to Friday, then plays weekends and even night matches until 10am,” Ms Worsnop said.
“The owls are becoming stressed and haven’t bred for three years now. If they stop breeding, they won’t be there for future generations.
“That level of human interference is incompatible with the wildlife in the region.”
Junior and women footballers are the predominant users of the lower reserve, with the rapid growth of the game at grassroots level well documented.
The Master Plan will act as a guidance tool regarding a plan that is believed to include extra seating and an electronic sign for the lower reserve, as well as works to create a floodplain that would include some drainage.
Ms Worsnop said she was not against any proposed upgrade of the main reserve, or the growth of the game locally, but said the “Master Plan is biased towards the footballers”.
“There are overlays, and adequate checks and balances, in place, but they are being ignored for the footballers,” she said.
“The owls are territorial, so won’t pack up and leave, because they would need to push out other owls.
“If there is no young to come through, the present population may not be around in the next five to 10 years.”
There also are fears among local owl watchers there has been a significant decline in possum numbers in the area, due to human interference.
Possums are one of the main food sources for the powerful owl.
Earlier in the year, Ms Worsnop had expected the local duo to become ‘Mumma’ and ‘Pappa Owl’, with their actions suggesting there were eggs inside a hollow at the reserve.
Ms Worsnop said ‘Mr Owl’ had been busy doing the hunting in the cooler months and coming back with his ‘possum pie’, while ‘Mrs Owl’ had been in the hollow and presumably tending to the eggs, which were likely to hatch in the coming weeks.
Ms Worsnop said it was now clear they had abandoned the hollow and would have to wait again until next year.
