Wildcare - Branches - Friends of the OBP

The Wildcare group Friends of Orange-bellied Parrot (OBP) provides volunteers and assists with fund raising, working bees and research activities to benefit the critically endangered OBPs.

Branch Files

Early to rise. Its observation time. No problems on days like this at Melaleuca.

BUT it isn't always like that!

Daily observations of OBPs are made by DPIPWE volunteers between 7-9am and 4-6pm.

12 OBPs at once!!. A hectic task to record all their bands.

With a kilometre between observation posts and feed tables bike-riding is the ideal way for volunteers to get around.

Braving wet, wind and mud to finish off the newly re-constructed feed table.

Daily feed table cleaning- about 25 mins each table adds up to 75 mins of scrubbing and washing.

Is this the best nest? No. Silver Silver L (F) and Blue Orange C didn't like the neighbours. Nov.2016

Where we work

The Wildcare Friends of the Orange-bellied Parrot (OBP) group works across the OBP’s range with a focus on Tasmania.

What we do

The objectives of the group are to:

Assist with the observation at Melaleuca (SW Tasmania)
Conduct migration and winter surveys – read about our April 2021 Autumn Migration Survey
Assist with OBP habitat management projects
Raise awareness of the plight of the OBP
Raise funds (including through our online shop) to support the activities of volunteers and other recovery actions

DPIPWE volunteers observe Orange-bellied Parrots visiting the feed tables, recording individual colour-bands and nest observations. This data is collected for the department’s OBP Program staff to monitor survival and breeding success of wild and captive-bred release birds.

Members of our group conduct autumn migration surveys (March-April) and winter surveys (June-July) on the north-west coast and on King Island. We also assist our counterparts on the mainland with winter surveys. An increasingly important role of FOOBP is recovery program advocacy and fund raising.

We are currently involved in some exciting new projects. Through a range of partnerships, we hope to raise much needed funds to support our volunteers and other parts of the recovery program.

An interview with Friends of the OBP President – Marianne Gee:

Visit the GALLERY to view images of the Friends of the OBP in action.

Online shop

All proceeds from sales in our online shop go to support the efforts to save the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrots. Please support the work of the Friends of the OBP by purchasing something for yourself or as a gift. Items are printed as they are ordered and then delivered by Australia Post.

You can either browse the shop products or check out the groups of products:

T-shirts and hoodies (3 print designs, choose a variety of styles in up to 18 colours)
Mugs
Coasters
Bags
Cushion covers
Stationery
Scarves
Aprons

Accommodation at Melaleuca

If you are a member of the Friends of the OBP and are selected by DPIPWE as a volunteer for the OBP Summer Monitoring Program, member accommodation at Melaleuca may be available to you.

For more information on FoOBP accommodation at Melaleuca please contact Barbara Willson on email barbara.b.willson@gmail.com

For all other enquiries about any aspect of your volunteer work and accommodation available through the DPIPWE Monitoring Program at Melaleuca please email obp.program@dpipwe.tas.gov.au