Brolga breeding success

By Contributed

Dec 18, 2024

A local farmer and Rushworth Field and Game are celebrating the successful hatching of two young brolgas on a wetland in northern Victoria.

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When the brolga were found by Corop farmer, he said the parent birds were keeping a watchful eye on their chicks, which have recently sprouted feathers.

Graeme Wall, conservation officer for Rushworth Field and Game, said there had been four successful hatching in the local area this year which was particularly satisfying after a relatively dry winter.

The farmer first spotted the chicks in early December and has been patiently waiting for a photo opportunity since then.

Mr Wall said it's uncommon for brolgas to have two chicks, as they typically lay one egg or end up with a single successfully hatched chick.

The safe nesting environment is the result of ongoing fox control efforts by the farmer and fox shoots conducted by Rushworth Field and Game.

The farmer has been instrumental in creating a suitable breeding habitat by filling and maintaining the wetland throughout the year, ensuring it remains a viable ecosystem even during drier periods.

Mr Wall said brolga numbers continue to improve in the Corop area, noting that there are always opportunities to enhance this success through habitat improvement and predator reduction.

The breeding season for brolgas in this region typically runs from July to December, coinciding with the wetter months.