Friends of Parnkalla Walking Trail (FPWT) and Friends of Osprey (FO) gathered at Snook’s landing on Saturday 7 February to erect a roost pole for the eastern osprey, currently endangered in South Australia.
Evelyn Walker delivered a welcome to country in Barngarla language with an English translation for non-language speakers’ understanding.
She emphasised the importance of groups like the FPWT, Barngarla people and others who collaborate for the continued care for wildlife, the land and waters to ensure they remain healthy and respected, well into the future.
The processes that culminated in the day’s proceedings were initiated in 2024 when FO vice president Fran Solly gave a splendid talk at the 2024 FPWT annual general meeting.
In any year, during and after breeding of the ospreys on the barge in Porter Bay, adults and fledged young search for sites to rest and from which to hunt for food. Coastal mallee does not provide suitable emergent vegetation.
Fran suggested that survival might be enhanced by introducing artificial roosts close to suitable foraging areas such as the shallow waters that exist around the bay.
Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board’s Rachael Kannussaar informed Sonia Tidemann of avenues for financial support and, thanks to Grassroots Grants funding, made possible by the Emergency Services Levy, a grant was obtained for three roosts.
Adelaide Flagpole Services went out of its way to create a suitable structure that, when topped with wood, met the envisaged requirements.
In consultation with Fran, Brad Tolley from Port Lincoln City Council and local landowner Rob Watson, three sites were identified – two on steep slopes in Boston Bay and one near Snook’s Landing.
Fit and energetic men were recruited by Peter Southam and Sonia to dig holes 75 centimetres deep and 50cm in diameter, cart bags of cement, mix cement and fill the holes created.
The template supplied enabled special bolts to be sunk deep into the cement.
Mitre10 Port Lincoln obtained a generous donation for all the cement needed from Adelaide Brighton Cement and, unexpectedly, an anonymous donor assisted the project.
On 7 February, the base of the third pole was slid over the bolts in the now-solid cement at Snook’s Landing, handled expertly by Rob Watson, Peter and Sonia – all of whom had practised on earlier poles.
Friends looked on while mayor Diana Mislov, who had congratulated the FPWT on achieving the erection of the osprey roost poles, ceremonially tightened the nuts to ensure that the pole was secure.
FO patron Janet Forster suggested the camera that documents nesting behaviour on the nearby barge could also incorporate a view of the new roost and spread, internationally, its future utilisation by ospreys – an exciting thought.
