Coordinated Corridors Project
Linking vulnerable birdwing populations in South East Queensland
© De-Ann Attard
About this project
The Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) was once common across the wider Brisbane region but due to the loss of habitat and the loss of the larval host vine, the birdwing butterfly vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa), the species’ Queensland distribution is now restricted to two separate populations: Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, and Gold Coast Hinterland.
The ‘break in the chain’ where we cannot find a functioning birdwing population is between Woodford in the north and Tamborine Mountain in the south.
This project aims to link these two separate Richmond birdwing butterfly populations via the establishment of vine corridors between:
- Woodford and Samford in the north
- Tamborine Mountain and Mount Cotton along Albert River in the south.
The new corridors will provide ‘stepping stones’ for the female birdwings to move across the landscape to lay their eggs.
© De-Anne Attard
Vine planting, Samford Eco-corridor.
Thanks to our partners & sponsors
© Wendy Heath
RBCN Vine Planting Workshop, Woodford.
Through Wildlife Queensland’s survey work and thanks to a grant from Wettenhall Environmental Trust which funded the detailed desktop mapping of regional eco-systems and other habitat features, RBCN was able to determine locations for planting corridors of birdwing butterfly vines that would achieve the best results.
Download the Regional Habitat Corridor Map HERE.
Support for this critical corridor project has also been provided by a grant from the Bank Australia Impact Fund. The $7,500 Bank Australia Impact Fund grant funded the purchase of 1,000 birdwing butterfly vines for the development of this important habitat corridor.
Additional funds raised by Wildlife Queensland in September 2017 were used to plant a further 500 vines within the corridor.
Ongoing activities
The RBCN is currently working with local councils on various projects. These include:
- Moreton Bay Regional Council: 1,000 vines for Conservation Partnerships participants, in suitable habitat identified as part of mapping work.
- Logan City Council: Provision of vines for restoration projects along the Albert River.
- Redland City Council: Grant to plant 200 vines on Land for Wildlife Properties around/on Mount Cotton.
- Scenic Rim Council: Planting of 100 vines on Land for Wildlife Properties between Tamborine Mountain and the Albert River.
Over the next 20 years, the RBCN aims to have planted enough birdwing butterfly vines between Woodford and Mount Tamborine to facilitate the movement of Richmond birdwing butterflies along their entire north/south distribution.
This is a difficult and enormous task, but with time and help from the community, and local and state governments, we can achieve this.
Partners & sponsors
- Wettenhall Environmental Trust
- Bank Australia
- Moreton Bay Regional Council
- Logan City Council
- Redland City Council
- Samford and Districts Progress and Protection Association
- Samford District Bowls Club
- Swallowtail and Birdwing Butterfly Trust
- Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club
- Scenic Rim Regional Council