Nests spread

By Monique Ebrington
ENDANGERED helmeted honey eaters will now have more room to spread their wings after the recent extension to Yellingbo State Nature Reserve.
The 3.2 hectares of flood plains and farming land acquired will help the Friends of the Helmeted Honey Eaters (FHHE) to increase the size of the existing colony of the species of bird that inhabit the reserve.
The Yarra4Life will work with Parks Victoria and the FHHE group to redevelop the additional land over the next three years, planting more than 10,000 native trees, shrubs and understory species.
FHHE President Bob Anderson said the extension of Yellingbo Reserve will extend the breeding area for the birds.
“The important thing to us is that it widens the reserve where the Woori Yallock Creek and Cockatoo Creek meet, so it widens the breeding area,” Mr Anderson said.
“Anywhere in the flood plain is a potential place for them to nest.
“We just need to improve it by revegetation.”
The redevelopment will also be part of the Yarra4Life’s project to connect Yellingbo Reserve with the Yarra Ranges National Park, Dandenong Ranges National Park and Kurth Kiln Park.
Yarra4Life project coordinator Adam Shalekoff said the project will do this by protecting, improving and increasing the scale of native habitat and connecting habitat on private land between the Yellingbo Reserve and nearby parks.
“It’s great because the site now, rather than being managed for farming, will be managed as a conservation reserve site and redeveloped with natural habitat,” Mr Shalekoff said.
The land was purchased through a partnership deal between the State Government, which contributed $80,000, and the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association, which contributed $75,000 towards securing the land.
The Judith Eardley Association also contributed $100,000 towards revegetation of the land.
Judith Eardley Association volunteer Peter Hannaford said foundation members had supported the work of the FHHE for years and were happy to support a project that helped secure the future of native wildlife. “We like to buy habitat as much as we can,” Mr Hannaford said.
“It’s not just helping the helmeted honey eaters but also wild animals and plants.
“It will protect the natural land from gradual clearing for people.
“It will be a legacy that we’re please to have contributed towards.”
Like Mr Hannaford, Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato has also been involved in the project since the land became available last year.
“Last year I was approached by councillor Tim Heenan notifying me that this land was available to purchase,” Ms Lobato said.
“Councillor Heenan and I then met with Parks Victoria.
“I then presented a proposal to the minister which was ultimately accepted.”
Ms Lobato said the purchase of additional land for Yellingbo Reserve was an investment into the future of the reserve and the 500 species of flora and fauna that rely on it for survival.
For more information on the Friends of the Helmeted Honey Eater visit www.helmetedhoneyeater.org.au.