Seedlings for Superbs
This August and September, Murray Local Land Services is offering ‘Seedlings for Superbs’ - a native plant giveaway of trees, shrubs, and grasses that superb parrots love to feed on and live within.
NOTE: ALL SEEDLINGS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED.
IF YOU PLACED AN ORDER, WE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH YOU SHORTLY TO ARRANGE SEEDLINGS PICK-UP/DELIVERY.
APOLOGIES TO ANYONE WHO MISSED OUT ON THE GIVEAWAY.
About the Superb Parrot
The superb parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) is a large, attractive green parrot with swift and graceful flight. It is found in the Murray region - from Barham and Wanganella in the west through to Albury and Holbrook in the east.
It is listed as vulnerable in New South Wales and Australia. There are fewer than 5,000 – 10,000 birds remaining in the wild.
In the Murray region, it nests between September and January in River Red Gum tree hollows along the Murray and Edward/Kolety Rivers. Over the nesting period, flocks of males feed together and travel to and from foraging sites where they collect food for the brooding females. Foraging sites are usually within 10 km of the nest site. Males may make 2-3 flights each day from nests to foraging areas and back, during which time the females do not leave the nest other than to be fed by the male.
Throughout the rest of the year, superb parrots forage in the surrounding grassy box woodland, white cypress pine woodland, boree woodlands, and grasslands of the Riverine Plains, away from the major rivers. Most of the foraging habitat is on private land. Superb parrots feed mainly on the ground and sometimes in trees and shrubs. They eat the seeds of grasses and plants, fruits and berries, nectar, flowers, and some insects.
The superb parrot has declined in range and abundance over the last 100 years. Major threats include clearing and degrading nesting and foraging habitats, disturbance around nesting sites, competition for nest hollows, trapping for the pet trade, and road kills.
More information about Superb Parrots can be found here.
About 'Seedlings for Superbs'
You can help to create superb parrot foraging habitat by planting known food plants.
We are offering free ‘Seedlings for Superbs’ - a native plant giveaway of trees, shrubs, and grasses that Superb Parrots love to feed on and live within.
To be eligible to order plants is simple! – Just live in the central zone of the Murray LLS region (i.e. where Superb Parrots can be found). See the map below (the eligible area is shown in green):
Initially, up to 80 plants per household/property are available (depending on interest, we may be able to offer more, so please let us know in your order form if you are interested in more than 80 seedlings). The plants available will be most suitable for larger blocks or farm revegetation projects. If you are after plants for your backyard, you may only want a small selection.
Landholders will be required to plant the seedlings in an appropriate area, protect them from stock for at least five years and control pest plants and animals until seedlings are established.
‘Seedlings for Superbs’ will be run on a first-come, first-served basis, so get in quick to take advantage of the giveaway.
NOTE: ALL SEEDLINGS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED.
IF YOU PLACED AN ORDER, WE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH YOU SHORTLY TO ARRANGE SEEDLINGS PICK-UP/DELIVERY.
APOLOGIES TO ANYONE WHO MISSED OUT ON THE GIVEAWAY.
Murray LLS staff will collate all ‘Seedlings for Superbs’ orders and will be in contact to confirm orders and organise a suitable plant pick-up date and location.
Site Preparation
Ensure your seedlings have the best chance of survival by preparing the site where you will be planting. You can do this by:
- digging a deep and wide hole - or if planting in paddocks ripping should be considered
- pre-watering planting holes to encourage moisture into the soil profile
- aim to plant your seedlings as soon as possible after collection and water them once planted
- Prevent herbivore access to the plants. Ensure livestock cannot access the planting site and control pest herbivores (rabbits and hares).
More information on site preparation can be found here.
Native Plant List
Species included in the giveaway are shown below and here.
Plants in the giveaway were sourced from:
‘Seedlings for Superbs’ is part of the Restoring Superb Parrot Flyways project, delivered by Murray Local Land Services through funding from the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.
