Fireworks and falcons to scare away corellas in Adelaide’s north

FIREWORKS and bird-scaring guns will join falcons and drones in Adelaide’s north as efforts increase to chase away an increasing number of corellas wreaking havoc.

FIREWORKS and bird-scaring guns will join falcons and drones as Playford Council steps up efforts to chase away an increasing number of corellas wreaking havoc on Adelaide’s northern fringes.

The council last week decided to bring back bird removal expert Paul Willcock, who last year used falcons and drones to scare away thousands of loud and destructive birds in areas such as Munno Para, Smithfield Plains and Craigmore.

Mr Willcock will be joined by bird deterrent company AviSure, which Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty last week said used “audio bird scaring devices and pyrotechnics” to scare away birds from the Edinburgh RAAF base and other areas.

“We have been advised by birdstrike experts that recent wet and then dry weather patterns created an abundant food supply for corellas to flock to Adelaide and its outlying regions from northern parts of the state,” Mr Docherty said.

“Without any intervention we have also been warned the birds would stay for longer than normal — ie months and not weeks.”

Paul Willcock with his peregrine falcons. Picture: Matt Turner

“Our staff have received numerous complaints about large flocks of corellas in our region and reports of noise and damage to trees, ovals, buildings and infrastructure from residents, businesses and schools — costing thousands of dollars.”

The deterrent program will start next week and continue for “a few weeks”, Mr Docherty said.

The council would also work with neighbouring councils and the State Government to manage corellas in the long-term — such as covering waterways, removing food sources and switching off or synchronising watering systems in reserves and parks.

Corellas are taking over areas of Adelaide’s north.

A UniSA report released last year on managing the most destructive species — little corellas — confirmed numbers had grown steadily as land was cleared for farming and housing.

”These areas provide abundant food and water resources,” the report read.

“Little corellas were not abundant or problematic in most of the state 50 years ago.”

The report recommended replanting bushland areas and covering water and food sources such as troughs and grain piles.

It is being reviewed as part of a corella management plan being developed jointly by the State Environment Department and the Local Government Association.

Birdman Paul Willcock with his peregrine falcon. Picture: Matt Turner

Mr Willcock said last week corellas needed to be controlled because they took over areas, chasing away other parrot species.

“They’re a domineering parrot — they take all the hollow logs,” Mr Willcock said.

Mr Willcock is an expert falcon handler and pioneer in the use of drones to scare the birds.

He said drones were particularly useful in scaring the pest birds.

“They’d never seen a drone before and suddenly they’re chasing them,” he said.

Playford staff estimated in May the birds had caused about $50,000 worth of damage last year, including chewing electrical wires and street light covers along Curtis Rd, Munno Para.

Shade sails at the Playford Alive Town Park had been torn, trees across the region were missing bark and the Stretton Centre on Peachey Rd, Munno Para, had sustained extensive damage.

The shade sails alone costed about $20,000 each to replace.