Water stations making a splash for local birdlife

Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos at Mills Park have a reliable fresh water source for hot summer days, thanks to the efforts of the City of Gosnells.

The City installed a bird waterer called a Cockitrough at the park in 2022, providing water high off the ground to offer better protection from predators and people. This summer, City staff recorded the threatened Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos using the waterer.

Mayor Terresa Lynes said the nearest Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo roost site to Mills Park was about 2km away.

“Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos and other species such as wattle birds have been recorded using the waterer regularly this summer, including on days of extreme heat,” she said.

“The City of Gosnells is home to large areas of valuable natural bushland and biodiversity hotspots. As our climate changes and pressures on bird populations increase, supporting our local wildlife with measures such as this becomes even more important.

“The City plans to install at least two more bird waterers near known black cockatoo roosts and is considering future sites across the City.”

The next site the City plans to install a bird waterer is Mary Carroll Park, which provides habitat for a large number of bird species.

“The Friends of Mary Carroll Wetland have reported black cockatoos foraging at the renowned wetland throughout summer and a new waterer will provide a constant water source, even when the wetland dries out during warmer months,” Mayor Lynes said.

Cockitrough waterers were originally designed by staff at the Town of Victoria Park, demonstrating the cooperation between local governments in environmental protection.