The results of the 30th annual red tail cocky count are in and thanks to a huge number of volunteers, and some favourable weather conditions, the count was a huge success!

This year marked 30 years of monitoring the South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo,

And what a way to celebrate with the biggest number of volunteers joining the count ever!

This year’s count had:

• 218 volunteers across 101 survey groups
• 17 new volunteer groups joined this year
• 4,438 km of habitat covered
• 485+ hours spent surveying
• 1,443 birds recorded across 28 validated sightings
• 8 large flocks (60–250 birds) recorded

This amazing result reflects improved detection and effort … the extra survey groups taking part this year boosted survey efforts significantly!

The Annual count forms a critical component of the long-term monitoring of the species as a minimum population estimate (not a complete population count) and locates flocks for follow up flock counts, which are a vital way of monitoring the population.

A HUGE thank you to all the volunteers, partners, landholders, and supporters who made this possible – from spreading the word to contributing sightings, stories, and photos.

The South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo recovery project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Wimmera CMA and Limestone Coast Landscape Board members of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel and BirdLife Australia through the South eastern Red tailed Black Cockatoo Recovery Project

To find out more about the project – visit our project page here