Tag: birds

Palm cockatoos in Cape York Peninsula Australia

When sea levels rose to the current levels, the New Guinea Palm cockatoo population was split away from the Northern Australian population, a subspecies.

While Palm cockatoo numbers in New Guinea are still relatively high (although in decline), the Australian sub species population (Probosciger aterrimus macgillivrayi) is endangered with a high estimate of 2500-3000 remaining (as of 2022).

Palm cockatoos are the only bird known to make and play a musical instrument. He makes his own drumstick by stripping off the bark and whittling it down. He then bangs it against a hollow in a rhythmical pattern as a sexual display.

See interview and footage of Palm cockatoos with expert, Robert Heinsohn from the Australian National University on Youtube BBC here.

The standard threats apply to Palm Cockatoos – mining, habitat loss, climate change, illegal pet trade and fire. (With only one successful offspring every 10 years)

Current conservation status and recovery plan

Below is an excerpt taken from:

Ecotone Flora Fauna Consultants 2022-1057 Rep01, Rev04

Ecological Report for Palm Cockatoo Habitat Survey 2022

Aurukun Bauxite Project, 22 March 2023 which is found in full here

This upgrading of status in Queensland is supported by a recent Population Viability Analysis (PVA) for the Australian subspecies of Palm Cockatoo, which estimates there are fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in Australia at a best-case scenario (Keighley et al. 2021). Given the species’ endemicity to Queensland, it is likely the listing under the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act will reflect this change in due course. Population instability is affected by slow life history characteristics, low breeding success, geographic and ecological barriers to dispersal and a sensitivity to habitat disturbance.

The Palm Cockatoo is categorised as both a Matter of National Environmental Significance (MNES) and a Matter of State Environmental Significance (MSES). Habitat critical to the survival of the species (in accordance with Commonwealth Significant Impact Guidelines) is not defined by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment & Water (DCCEEW); however, MNES potential habitat mapping for this species encompasses all riparian and Eucalypt woodland forest communities over the Project Site (DCCEEW 2023).

There is currently no national Recovery Plan for Probosciger aterrimus macgillivrayi, although the DCCEEW ‘Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032’ (2022) include the development of such documents as one of their targets. It has been suggested that the current approved conservation advice provides sufficient direction for actions to be implemented, mitigating against further threat or impact to this subspecies (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2015). The Primary Conservation Action includes implementing fire management regimes to protect tree hollows and ensuring impacts from mining activity do not further reduce the amount of available breeding and foraging habitat (Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2015).

How can you help?

Write! Ask the federal Labour Environment Minister Murray Watt (known for approving developments) who replaced Tanya Plibersek because of pressure from Western Australia (source View from the Hill The Conversation here )

Write to a politician:

Senator the Hon Murray Watt

Minister for the Environment and Water

https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/contact

Endangered Emu-wrens and the South Australian rocket launching site

“Southern Launch has previously assured the general public that there would be minimal disturbance to birdlife beyond a “startled response”, where birds left the area during launch noises but returned soon afterwards.”

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-29/eyre-peninsula-rocket-launch-gets-tanya-plibersek-approval/104503048

This style of minimising the harm is typical of an impact assessment, where proponents make the case for development. In reality these sensitive, shy birds will most likely leave their nests and not find their way back in time to keep their eggs viable.

During nesting season at night when the endangered emu-wrens are sleeping, if they leave their nests and eggs, what is the likelihood of them flying back in the dark?

Page 111 of the Assessment report explains how frequently these terrifying launch noises may occur.

Rocket launches can occur every 24 hours during nesting season at night while the birds are sleeping.

The proposal has the potential to disturb fauna, nearby residents and visitors to the locality through the creation of noise and vibration impacts during construction and operation. In particular, each rocket launch event would produce a moderate level of operational noise over several weeks and a high level of noise for a very brief period during the launch itself. Noise impacts from rocket testing would also occur over a brief period. Vibration effects during a launch would be confined to within the launch pad. At the maximum operating scenario, the proposed facility will host in the vicinity of 36 yearly launches (one every 2-3 weeks on average), with a rocket launched at any time over a 24-hour period.

https://plan.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1423357/Assessment-Report-Whalers-Way-Orbital-Launch-Complex.pdf

The same article mentioned above by the ABC claims:

“Conservationists are concerned the launches will endanger 12 bird species, including the endangered southern emu wren, whose population stands at fewer than 750. “

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-29/eyre-peninsula-rocket-launch-gets-tanya-plibersek-approval/104503048

My question for Tanya Plibersek, the federal environment minister who approved this project, have you ever observed birds startle at night? And do you sincerely believe these birds would find their way to their safe perches and nests every time?

Mallee emu-wren Lino and woodblock print by Joanna Bradley

Digging Darwin

Photo of Quenda (Western Australian Bandicoot)

Eastern bared bandicoot 

Charles Darwin fundamentally changed how we see ourselves as human creatures by listening to evidence laid out by the animals that surround us. The beaks of different finch species that populate the Galápagos Islands told the astounding story of speciation and adaptation. But before, during and after the study of  finches there were earthworms, and following  the publication of “Origin of the Species”(1859) came”The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms, with Observations on Their Habits” (1881). This  book was a bestseller, gathering the results of four decades of study, Darwin having first published on worms in 1837.

Darwin was following a hunch that soil fertility was a product of bioturbation, now specifically called biopedturbation since there are now half a dozen different categories of bioturbation recognised.  The added “ped” refers specifically to the mixing of soil by animals. It’s also possible to mix marine sediments, etc. 

Apart from exploring fundamental ideas about the nature of life, Darwin also succeeded in bringing ideas to public attention by arousing curiosity and involving others in his research. Darwin might have also started the first citizen science project by appealing for worm casting data from collaborators around the globe.His family members collected data on worm castings for him and went to the extent of conducting  experiments testing the hearing of worms by playing musical instruments of different types. Worms turn out to be deaf.

Among many findings, Darwin calculated that worms in his locale were responsible for moving soil to the surface of a paddock in the order of 160 tons per acre per year. Worms were cast as the bio-engineers of soil fertility. The stuff Darwin called ‘vegetable mould’ was the organically altered pre-digested dark soil horizon in which plant roots thrived. Worms built the fertile soils that supported English agriculture.

In Darwin’s time worms were regarded as pests, only responsible for unsightly mounds of castings. In the end, Darwin the conservationist told his son William, what he hoped his book would reveal is that ‘worms have much bigger souls than anyone would suppose’.

Darwin made the utility of ecology evident, with worms as providers of ‘eco-system services’. Bandicoots likewise are among a whole suite of small native animals that tilled the Australian soil, keeping it in better condition for supporting plant life.

In the Australian context, soil structure is markedly different to that found in rural England. It should come as no surprise that soils that are frequently dry do not support the same populations of earthworms. Nor is there generally the same rich banding of soil horizons. Yet there is still bioturbation at play, where worms are absent, ants may carry out the work of dragging stuff in and out of the ground. Or larger burrowing animals may be at work. Bandicoots have long thin snouts which they insert into the soil to sense food items, they will then dig to retrieve the food. The ground is left pockmarked as if giant earthworms were at play.

British settlers brought with them a slew of animals to recreate home. Some, like rabbits, are master bioengineers which had coevolved with foxes, digging extensive burrows for safety. Feral cats and foxes do hunt rabbits but disproportionately ravage native mammal populations. Australian small mammals have  suffered the largest extinction rates of anywhere in the world during  the colonial era. Three species are confirmed as extinct in the last decade.

Thirty three species of Australian mammals have been lost since settlement. This includes four distinct species of geographically isolated barred bandicoots. Specimens remain only in museum drawers. The Eastern barred bandicoot once found on the mainland is now restricted to Tasmania where foxes are absent. 

Other bandicoot species perhaps with greater ability to seek cover from predators will still emerge from bushland or from underneath buildings to dig holes into paddocks or lawns seeking a meal of invertebrates,  including the odd juicy worm. 

The declining condition of Australian soils has created a business opportunity for those who would offset carbon emissions by increasing soil carbon sequestration. As in Darwin’s time the public are ready to have the good news explained, there are animals who usefully dig the soil and they possess a soul bigger than you may suppose.

Bandicoot holes Wollumboola NSW 2022

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Feathers and Finery

Red-tailed black cockatoos 

by Tom Kristensen

Australia is home to a greater diversity of bird species than anywhere else in the world, given the bird count of the island continent includes seabirds from the Antarctic south to the tropical north. There are about 850 terrestrial species that inhabit landscapes ranging from the arid interior to cool towering eucalypt forests. About 400 bird species are only found in Australia. 

The diversity of birds has evolved in concert  with the changing extremes of wet and dry seasons along with cyclical droughts, fires and flooding rains. Rolling changes in living conditions selects for animals that are tough enough to cope with boom and bust but also specialised in exploiting unique circumstances. Speciation, the evolution of new species, occurs where populations are geographically divided as happens when conditions become too extreme. 

During periods of separation populations may drift apart as genes change and mates prefer different sexual characteristics, such as feather patterns. White feathers may appeal to some where black feathers are preferred by others. This process known as mate selection is a mystery that drives much animal biology as aesthetics of sound and colour are employed to induce pleasure and impress others. 

All of this is to explain why Australia has not only white cockatoos but also also black cockatoos. Further still,  there are five distinct species of black cockatoos with a larger number of recognised sub species. Each population has distinct plumage which appeals to mates as well as to people who are equally fascinated by beautiful form and colour. 

Attractive feathers have long been collected and used as ornamentation and there exists today a  lucrative on-line market in coloured feathers. It is possible to purchase individual flight feathers of red-tailed black cockatoos for $75 a piece or the whole bird for $1000. While trading in protected wildlife is prohibited there are exemptions made for feathers. 

An argument exists that conservation can be funded by allowing trophy hunting and encouraging the growth of collections. The problems of a market driven approach to conservation are obvious, as rare specimens become more desirable they increase in value and attract more attention from collectors. Increasing value creates increasing pressure on wild populations and growth of a black market. 

The trade in animal parts continues to be a major driver of population decline in endangered animals. Hunting for koala pelts in the early 20th century set the  backdrop of the current divide in attitudes to exploiting wildlife as a resource. Legislation designed to protect wildlife is only as effective as the will to enforce any red lines.  Economic carve-outs and loopholes are many and varied, all are tilted towards gains for people not for wildlife. The end of killing koalas for money was brought about by a total ban on trading in koala skins. 

The first listed death of an environmental activist known as an “environmental killing” occurred in 1905 when Guy Bradley employed as  the lone game warden in the wetlands of   Florida was shot dead by poachers. Having previously worked as a guide for hunters Guy had decided to instead uphold conservation legislation protecting declining bird populations. The poachers were hunting egrets to remove their lacy plumes used to adorn fancy hats popular at the time.  

Drawing by Elizabeth and John Gould

Red tailed black cockatoos

Woodblock print, 6 cherry blocks. Hand printed with a baren on Japanese/Thai hand made washi paper. Oban size 38 x 25cm

A$250.00

Print making process pictures

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Bush stone-curlew

Burhinus grallarius

Bush stone curlews are largely nocturnal with large eyes to assist a life in low light. They favour open areas to forage and nest. Eggs laid directly on the ground are vulnerable to being eaten by predators. Nesting parents can adopt a range of strategies to protect eggs, the bush stone curlew relies on camouflage, as the name suggests. It’s able to strike a pose like a statue, sometimes lying flat on the ground, neck extended, looking like a stone. The eyes are partially closed when the curlew is intent on blending in, but flutter wide open if detected, with eye contact maintained while the bird attempts to distract attention from the nest.

The eggs are also speckled to blend in with the leaf litter and go unnoticed.

If a person should come too close to nesting curlews they will attempt to lead them away from the nest by hissing, strutting and flapping around with raised wings. Naturally time off the nest is not good for the eggs and stressful, stone-curlews would prefer to remain on the eggs. Stone-curlews in repeated contact with people have been observed to allow closer intrusion towards the nest.

Bush stone-curlew numbers are under threat in NSW where they are declared endangered. Feral foxes make an easy meal of ground dwelling birds.

Tom Kristensen 2024 ǂ

Bush stone curlew mini print and 5 card pack

One hand made Japanese woodblock mini print on hand made washi paper. Plus 5 facsimile cards with message to politicians. 19 x 12.5cm

A$45.00

Bandicoots mini print and 5 card pack

One hand made Japanese woodblock mini print on hand made washi paper. Plus 5 facsimile cards with message to politicians. 19 x 12.5cm

A$45.00

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Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knot

Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knot
Endangered horseshoe crabs provide eggs for endangered shorebirds.
Evolutionary storylines reaching back hundreds of millions of years are now in danger of ending with habitat destruction and ocean harvesting.
The red knot is a medium sized migratory shore bird, it flies vast distances from breeding grounds in the north to winter feeding grounds in the south. The feeding areas are restricted to highly productive wetlands and sand flats on intertidal zones, places that are increasingly taken into human use, for agriculture and coastal property development.
In the middle of the major migratory path from the Arctic tundra to the tip of South America the red knots make a vital stopover to feed on eggs of the horseshoe crabs. The extinction of horseshoe crabs through over-harvesting would likely cut off the migration path of the red knots. Other migration paths exist but all are under similar pressures.

20 x 20 cm, 1 Shina block, Water-washable oils (COBRA) on Nishinouchi washi with sumi sizing, edition 24 for Baren Exchange.
Part of the Double Dagger series where two printmakers illustrate environmental themes

Tom Kristensen 2024 ǂ

Red knot and Horseshoe crabs lino print

Hand carved and printed by Tom Kristensen in the style of Ono Tadashige onto black hand made Japanese washi paper. 20 x 20cm

A$100.00

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Regent Honeyeater

Regent Honeyeater

Anthochaera phrygia

Endemic to southeastern Australia.

Critically Endangered.

Migrates in flocks following nectar flow in ironbark woodland.

Major threat – land clearing.

Warragamba Dam Raising Project Offset* prices exceeded capacity for government to pay. Solution; reclassify flooding of honeyeater habitat as a temporary impact

•Offsets are deals done to allow for Destruction of the environment

As of 10th July 2023 the species credit price for Regent Honeyeater is $4,308.00.

Hand carved & printed on Japanese washi

USA et

Forestry offsets described at http://www.fsc.org

Double Dagger †† Art

† The dagger is a typographical symbol denoting a secondary footnote or extinction of a species

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Green Island Ono Tadashige tribute

Ume – Sea by Ono Tadashige 1959

36 Views of Green Island No. 29 RED Green Island

Tadashige Ono was born in 1909 near the end of the Meiji era; four decades of industrialisation and military expansion under the imperial eye of the emperor. Japanese military victory over China on the Korean Peninsula led to the Chinese revolution of 1911, overturning 2000 years of monarchy with the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Other revolutions in Russia and Germany saw the rise of more REDS.

Communist posters and pamphlets were illustrated with proletarian art, seemingly carved from wood with a pen knife. Woodblock art, historically dismissed as plebeian, was now authentically primitive. The young Ono entering art school was energetically criticising industrial development and capitalism, while leading fellow artists to mount group exhibitions and publish magazines. His early black and white work was crowded with figures; at work, on strike, partying. He produced a 50-page graphic novel illustrating “the death of three generations”, a pregnant mother is seen pushing a coal cart, then dying while giving birth in the mine. As his work became more colourful Ono depicted landscapes and village life; cats and birds predominate as silent witnesses while the people go about their daily lives. Scenic views of Japan and abroad combine with comments on pollution, wreckage and warfare. Ono was a respected scholar of prints and a bold innovator. He developed a technique enabling multicoloured prints to be made from a single block.

Champion of the Japanese print tradition, which had always produced affordable art for the masses, he worked in universities teaching the history of prints and passing on printmaking skills. Always producing prints at incredible speed, Qno encouraged others to join his print revolution. He mentored many important artists, including Kiyoshi Saito. Although a museum opened after his death in 1990, that museum has now sadly been deaccessioned, perhaps an indication of a lack of respect for a RED rabble rouser.

These 36 views are presented in the Sosaku Hanga tradition: self-carved and hand printed. This print was made from a Linoleum floor tile, Japanese gampi washi, and Royal Talens water-washable oils, and backed with Thai kozo chiri. The seal indicates the Double Dagger project; prints from collaborating artists on environmental themes: Australia is an island continent producing rivers of RED iron ore and black coal.

This print in answer to Ono’s Ume (fT:) – Sea 1959

Tom Kristensen

2024

IMG_2401

Red Green Island by Tom Kristensen

Made in the style of Ono Tadashige on a single lino block. 25.5 x 20cm Number 29 in Tom’s Green Island series, this print is about how increasing global temperature is changing to once very stable climates and locations.

A$150.00

Print by Tom Kristensen
Backing
Verso of Red Green Island

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Powerful Owl

Powerful Owl

Ninox strenua 

Largest Australian owl, and one of top ten largest in the world, the powerful owl with a wingspan of 2m, lives in old forests with tall trees and hollows along the Australian eastern coast from South Queensland, through Victoria and up to 200km inland.

Powerful owls prey on tree-dwelling marsupials like possums, Joey koalas, and gliders. 

Their range can include urban areas beside bushland. Soft repetitive 2 long note calls at night. 

Australian owls do not have feathered ear tufts or horns on their heads and with smaller head size relative to body, powerful owls and their much smaller cousins, southern boobooks, are described as hawk-owls.

Powerful owls are threatened by habitat destruction and poison baits. They are classified as vulnerable to extinction.

Jo Bradley 2022

Powerful Owl Burnum Burnum Sanctuary Sutherland 2022 by Matilda Bradley

Powerful owl print

by Tom Kristensen and Jo Bradley 3 hand carved shina blocks and one hand carved lino block hand printed with baren. 25.5 x 20cm

A$100.00

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Powerful Pellets

Looking up through a skylight I wondered about the large grey sausage adhered to the glass. Some days or perhaps weeks later I went up on the roof and discovered the best part of a small skeleton encased in a tight felt cocoon. On opening the package a pair of mandibles appeared and from the dentition I was able to identify the remains of a brush tail possum. Only one animal will eat a possum and drop the remains in the form of a pellet; the Powerful Owl, Ninox strenua

The pellet is the indigestible portion of a possum meal and it was coughed up from a roost in the Angophora tree that grows over our house. In the following months I found gizzards dropped on the roadway and later the dismembered wings of a fruit bat.

At night in the winter, more often after rain, the Powerful Owl can be heard calling. Locals have different theories about where the owls may nest, roost and hunt. Perhaps they are occasional visitors, perhaps we share a pair with Bundeena.

The powerful owl is listed as a vulnerable species due mainly to habitat clearing. We are fortunate indeed to have them here in Maianbar

To hear a recording of a Powerful Owl calling click on this soundcloud link