Two years on from the installation of artificial nesting hollows (AHNs) in Moora, Arc Infrastructure is proud to be continuing its work with the Australian Black Cockatoo Specialists (ABCS) towards the conservation of the endangered Carnaby's Black Cockatoos.
Arc has been involved in the protection of Carnaby's Black Cockatoos in Moora since March 2023, by allowing access and assisting with the installation of the ANHs, or ‘cockatubes’, within the rail corridor.
The original artificial hollows were installed as part of Doral Mineral Sands Yalyalup operations offset requirements, with the support and involvement of members of Arc’s Governance and Risk (G&R) - Environment team.
Monitoring of the hollows is carried out every October and December, with the most recent inspection revealing promising results. ABCS’ survey in December 2024 inspected all 19 cockatubes and the additional nine repaired natural hollows, with 28 nesting attempts recorded across all 28 hollows, resulting in 18 nestlings (a bird that is too young to leave its nest).
Arc’s G&R Coordinator – Environment, Ngaire Mulholland said the recent findings from the cockatube monitoring highlight the effectiveness of providing artificial nesting sites, which mimic the natural hollows that Carnaby's Black Cockatoos rely on for breeding.
“It’s encouraging to see the local population of Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos settling and nesting in both the cockatubes and repaired natural hollows. Being one of the integral organisations initially involved in this project, to seeing the progress that’s been made in just two years is really wonderful,” Ngaire said.
Each hollow was meticulously inspected using camera poles, with detailed observations and photographs taken to document the condition and activity within. The evidence of chipping by black cockatoos in all 19 ANHs show the birds' active use and acceptance of these artificial sites.
The cockatubes were scientifically designed and developed over many years by Landcare Serpentine-Jarrahdale specifically for WA’s black cockatoos. Their specific dimensions have been found to be the most successful in terms of nesting and fledging rates and replicates those that would be found in a hollow of an approximately 250-year-old tree.
The conservation of the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo is vital, with the breed being essential contributors to the environment through their seed dispersal activities helping to regenerate native forests.
Rick Dawson from ABCS expressed his gratitude for Arc’s continued support of the project in Moora and commended the outstanding outcomes the team has noted through the high levels of nesting activity.
"The most recent achievement (of 18 nestlings) is particularly significant, as our primary goal is to increase nesting attempts, given that fledgling outcomes cannot always be determined.
“Arc’s contributions are making a meaningful and measurable impact on the conservation of Black Cockatoos in this region,” Rick said.
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