Three new bird waterers have been added to popular black cockatoo foraging sites in Cockburn, taking the total number of watering stations to five in time for the onset of Perth’s hot summer months.
The City of Cockburn has invested about $40,000 on five bird watering stations since 2023 with recent additions to Rinaldo Reserve in Coolbellup, and the grounds of the City’s Administration Centre, and Macfaull Park, both in Spearwood.
Stations were erected near Bibra Lake in April 2023 and at Manning Park, Hamilton Hill in March this year.
City of Cockburn Acting Head of Sustainability and Environment Rory Garven said the important additions were the City’s response to the Black Cockatoo Conservation Action Plan prepared for the City by Murdoch University under the Keep Carnaby’s Flying – Ngoolarks Forever partnership.
“One of the key actions in the Plan, is for the City to provide a network of fresh drinking water sources for black cockatoo,” Mr Garven said.
“It’s also the City’s response to general community interest in our provision of more bird waterers, Cockitroughs as they are known.
“A major threat to black cockatoo species is a lack of fresh and safe water sources in close proximity to roost sites.
“We know from the two stations already installed in Cockburn that they are popular with all bird species, including black cockatoo.
“Cockatoo need to access fresh water twice daily, in the morning and late afternoon, as they leave and return to their roosts. These watering stations are designed and located within 1km of roosts to provide another reliable, safe water source.”
The recent instalments at Macfaull Park and Rinaldo Park are located at confirmed roost sites for Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos as per Birdlife Australia’s Great Cocky Count.
City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the City was one of the most important areas in the Perth-Peel region for black cockatoos.
“Our City hosts some of the largest, most consistently used roost sites on the Swan Coastal Plain south of the river for both Carnaby’s cockatoos and forest red-tailed cockatoos,” Mayor Howlett said.
“This is due in large part to the presence of important black cockatoo foraging habitat in the City’s reserves and green spaces.
“The City has retained these roosting habitats, and key food resources nearby to ensure the roosts remain viable.
“A lack of fresh drinking water is a threat to black cockatoo across the Perth-Peel region creating risks and impacts including heat stress, disease from contaminated water sources, and vehicle strike when drinking from pooled water on roads and verges.
“The City is proud to support the protection of these iconic birds.”
The four-metre-high bird watering stations features several large water troughs at varying heights and angles, with timber rungs perfect for perching and beak-sharpening.
They are designed and supplied by the Town of Victoria Park’s Natural Areas Team and manufactured in Perth.
Caption: l-r Lauren Andrews (Environmental Officer), Mayor Logan Howlett, Lachlan McDonald (Environmental Operations Coordinator) and Rory Garven (Acting Head of Sustainability and Environment) with the new bird waterer at the City's Spearwood Administration Centre.