Home help for vulnerable species

With as few as 2000 Powerful Owls left in NSW, the experts say they are one-step away from becoming endangered.

But there is a small and passionate group of people on the Northern Beaches determined to make the future of this important species more certain.

Our biodiversity team have been working closely with experts including Dr Beth Mott of Bird Life Australia’s Powerful Owl Project, together with enthusiastic local residents.

According to Dr Mott, we have 25 known breeding pairs on the ‘Beaches – 10 of which are located around Pittwater.

“It’s amazing how important small reserves are for this species. On the Northern Beaches the majority of our owls are living and breeding in those little protected pockets of bush between houses, rather than in the more extensive bushland reserves.”

“As they lose more of their habitat, we are urging residents to think twice about cutting down big old trees in their backyards, along with recognising the value of smaller trees.  

“Hollow-bearing trees provide valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife, somewhere they can shelter, sleep, lay their eggs or raise their young during breeding season. If there’s no hollows, there’s no breeding,” says Dr Mott.

Council staff described a recent win, where they worked closely with a local arborist and residents to have an artificial hollow created in a large but dead Spotted Gum tree in a Council reserve in Avalon.

They used their chainsaw to create an artificial hollow, making a future home for an owl or other native species such as King Parrots or Sugar Gliders.

“I’m excited to see what can be done for our threatened species when councils, tree contractors and local residents come together,” said Dr Mott.

Other ways to assist says Dr Mott is to help monitor the Powerful Owl, so we can map their locations.

“Even if you can’t see them they have a distinctive call; a double hoot with a low and deep pitch.”

“People on the Northern Beaches are lucky to often hear this sound, but don’t realise how important it is to report it. If we know where our owls are, we can work with Council to make sure the owls are not disturbed, and with our wildlife groups to make sure any injured owls get home safely.” she added.

To find out more about the Powerful Owl project, including recordings of their call, or to report a sighting email [email protected].

Council would also love to hear from you with your wildlife sightings. Please email us on [email protected]