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Black-throated Finch (Poephila cincta)

The Black-throated Finch is a small, social, seed-eating finch of open grassy woodland, riparian vegetation and grassy plains with reliable access to water. The southern subspecies is listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act and in Queensland, so clearing, grazing, altered fire and loss of water sources require particular attention on project sites.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Endangered.

Breeding season

The species is not a long-distance migrant. It is mostly sedentary, with local movement associated with rainfall, drought and food availability. Breeding can occur whenever conditions are suitable, so the risk period can extend across much of the year.

Month values are January to December: 0 means not typical, 1 means occurs, and 2 means peak or higher likelihood.

  • Breeding and laying: Breeding may occur throughout the year. Activity is most frequent from February to May in northern Australia and from August to January in the southern part of the range.
  • Nestlings and fledglings: Eggs hatch after about 12 days and young fledge at about 21 days. Young become independent at 5 to 6 weeks but may remain with their parents for several months.
  • Local movement: The species is mostly sedentary, but local movement may occur after rainfall or during drought. Radio tracking recorded dispersal of up to 4.5 km in the Desert Uplands.
  • Seed and water dependence: Birds use native grass seed and water throughout the year. Waterholes are especially useful for detection late in the dry season.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing is most likely to harm the species from August to January in the southern part of the range and from February to May in the north, when nests, nestlings or dependent young may be present. Because breeding can occur year-round, pre-clearing nest and flock searches remain necessary in all months.

Identification

The Black-throated Finch is a compact, thickset grass-finch that is usually detected around water or in open woodland with grassy groundcover. It is often seen in pairs or small flocks, and may fly into low trees when disturbed.

Adults have a grey head and neck, brown to fawn-brown back and wings, a black throat and upper breast, black tail, pale lower underbody and pinkish to pinkish-red feet. The bill is short, thick, dark and conical. The female generally has a slightly smaller black throat patch than the male.

Length: 103 to 129 mm

Weight: 11.5 to 17 g

Wing: 60 to 63 mm

Tail: 36 to 49 mm

Bill: 12 to 14.3 mm

Identification: Separating the subspecies

The southern subspecies has a white rump and uppertail coverts and richer brown plumage. The northern subspecies, Poephila cincta atropygialis, has a black rump. Confusion is most likely in north-eastern Queensland around the Burdekin-Lynd divide and the Einasleigh Uplands, where the forms historically intergraded.

Identification: Field signs and detection

The call is a loud, slightly harsh whistle described as tweer, with a softer tet. Song consists of phrases with softer, flute-like whistles.

Nests are enclosed, oval, bottle-shaped structures made from dried grass, usually with a long entrance tunnel. They may be in outer tree branches, grasses, tree hollows, termite mounds or active raptor nests. Non-breeding nests are also used for roosting.

The species is readily seen near waterholes, particularly late in the dry season. Area searches should cover suitable savanna woodland and water points. The threatened bird survey guidance gives 10 hours over 5 days for land-based area searches and 6 hours over 2 days for targeted searches of waterholes and woodswallow nests in areas of less than 50 hectares.

  • Check waterholes, creek lines, low trees and adjoining grassy woodland for small finch flocks.
  • Listen for the harsh whistle and watch for birds flying from ground feeding areas into low trees.
  • Search for enclosed grass nests in outer branches and for roost nests in suitable trees, hollows, termite mounds and dense grass.

Distribution: Current and former range

The species is endemic to eastern and north-eastern Australia. The southern subspecies has undergone a major contraction and is now concentrated in north-eastern and central Queensland.

The southern subspecies currently occurs in coastal northern Queensland and inland central Queensland, including the northern Brigalow Belt and areas west into the Einasleigh Uplands. It is now rarely reported south of Clermont and Ayr.

Historically, the southern form extended from the Atherton Tablelands through central and south-eastern Queensland to north-eastern New South Wales. It has disappeared from its former New South Wales range, with the last confirmed New South Wales record in 1994 and the last confirmed southern Queensland record in Stanthorpe in 1995.

  • Queensland: current range includes the Townsville coastal area, coastal northern Queensland and inland central Queensland.
  • New South Wales: the southern subspecies is presumed extinct after targeted searches and the absence of records since 1994.

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

Two remaining stronghold populations identified in recent genetic work are the Townsville Coastal Plain and the Desert Uplands Bioregion, also referred to as the Galilee Basin population. The Desert Uplands population contains genetically structured north, central and south regions, with restricted gene flow over short distances.

The Barratta Creek catchment south-east of Townsville supports Black-throated Finches in remnant habitat. This catchment is part of the Burdekin Dry Tropics region and includes the Bowling Green Bay wetland system.

Estimated historical decline in extent of occurrence: About 53 to 83% over two decades, equivalent to an estimated 32 to 59% decline over the last 10 years in the 2005 assessment.

Older population estimate: Approximately 20,000 birds, considered low reliability.

Recent effective population size: About 290 to 360 in the Desert Uplands south region and 1,280 to 1,610 in the north-central region.

Genetic connectivity: Restricted gene flow was detected over 16 to 45 km in the Desert Uplands study area, with no recent gene flow detected between its north and south regions.

Habitat: Habitat types

Black-throated Finches need open grassy habitat, native seeding grasses and dependable access to water. Records are strongly associated with riparian vegetation and dense grassy groundcover.

Inland habitat includes open grassy woodland dominated by eucalypts, paperbarks or acacias. Coastal habitat includes open grassy plains with Pandanus. Many records are from creek lines, riverine vegetation and other areas adjoining water.

The species may require a mosaic of habitat types that provides grass seed through different seasons. Suitable habitat is often on freehold, leasehold and council land rather than only in conservation reserves.

  • Retain open woodland with native grassy groundcover and mature or regenerating trees.
  • Protect creek-side grasslands, waterholes, riparian strips and connected patches of suitable woodland.
  • Avoid treating dense tree cover as uniformly suitable, because recent habitat studies indicate a preference for open woodland with relatively low tree and shrub cover.

Habitat: Structure and environmental limits

The strongest documented habitat features are access to water, native grass seed, grassy groundcover and open woodland structure. The supplied documents do not give a reliable elevation limit or a fixed minimum width for riparian habitat.

The species is mostly sedentary but can move locally in response to drought or rainfall. Habitat fragmentation can restrict movement even over short distances, particularly where suitable woodland is replaced by highly modified ground or where canopy cover is very low or very high.

  • Assess both the proposed clearing area and nearby water points, because birds may forage in grassland and drink or roost elsewhere.
  • Map breaks between remnant woodland, creek lines and grass-seed patches when assessing habitat connectivity.
  • Treat drought periods as higher-risk periods for habitat degradation, grazing pressure and loss of available water.

Foraging habitat: Food and feeding sites

The Black-throated Finch is primarily a ground-feeding granivore. It uses grassy areas near woodland and water, often foraging socially in pairs or flocks.

The main foods are seeds of native grasses, particularly half-ripe seeds and seeds that have fallen to the ground. Birds may also remove seeds directly from grass spikes. Flying insects, spiders, ants and their larvae supplement the diet, especially during the breeding season.

Foraging habitat is usually open grassy woodland, riparian grassland, grassy plains and the edges of waterholes. Native grass diversity and cover in the 0 to 20 cm height layer are associated with suitable habitat, while heavily grazed areas with low grass diversity are avoided.

  • Inspect native grass patches beside creek lines, dams and waterholes for feeding birds and seed remains.
  • Retain native seeding grasses and avoid unnecessary disturbance of low grassy groundcover.
  • Assess grazing, weed invasion and exotic grass spread where these reduce native grass seed supply.

Foraging habitat: Foraging movement

The species generally maintains small home areas and shows strong site fidelity. Radio tracking in the Desert Uplands recorded dispersal of up to 4.5 km and stationary home ranges over a one-month period. Genetic evidence indicates that suitable vegetation and water availability influence movement between localities.

Recorded short-term dispersal: Up to 4.5 km in the Desert Uplands population.

  • Consider the distance between feeding grassland, drinking water and shelter when defining the area of potential impact.
  • Do not assume that a small isolated grass patch is unimportant if it lies between a water source and larger woodland remnants.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs in loose colonies when food and other conditions are suitable. Nests are generally close to water and may be placed in trees, shrubs, grass, hollows, termite mounds or existing raptor nests.

Pairs are monogamous and both sexes incubate the eggs, brood the young and feed them. Nests may be up to 50 m apart in loose colonies. Breeding can occur throughout the year, but is most frequent from February to May in northern Australia and from August to January in the southern part of the range.

Breeding is most favourable when seeding grasses provide abundant half-ripe seed. Nests are usually near water, in outer branches of trees or shrubs, but may also be in grass, tree hollows, termite mounds or active raptor nests.

Breeding season: Throughout the year when conditions are suitable; most frequent February to May in the north and August to January in the south.

Clutch size: Usually 5 to 6 eggs, with a reported range of 3 to 9.

Incubation: About 12 days.

Fledging: About 21 days after hatching.

Age at independence: About 5 to 6 weeks, although young remain with their parents for several months.

Age at sexual maturity: From about 6 months.

Life expectancy: Estimated at 4 to 6 years.

  • Before clearing, inspect trees, shrubs, dense grass, termite mounds and active raptor nests near water for enclosed grass nests.
  • Retain suitable nesting trees and shrubs together with the nearby native grass and water resources used by breeding birds.
  • Avoid disturbing known nests and nearby flocking or feeding areas during the relevant breeding period.

Breeding habitat: Breeding site features

Breeding sites are associated with open grassy woodland, riparian vegetation and reliable access to water. Dense native grass can provide nesting material, while trees and shrubs provide outer branches and hollows for nest placement.

  • Search within at least the immediate riparian and woodland margins around water points, not only the ground proposed for clearing.
  • Record nest location, height, substrate, condition and distance to water where a nest is found.
  • Retain connected native grass and woodland around known or suspected nesting areas.

Sheltering habitat: Roost and nest structures

The species shelters and roosts in enclosed grass nests and in vegetation near water. It may use several nest substrates, so shelter searches should not be limited to tree hollows.

Non-breeding nests are used for roosting. These are bottle-shaped, enclosed grass structures with a long entrance tunnel. Breeding nests are commonly built in the outer branches of trees or shrubs, but records also include grasses, tree hollows, termite mounds and active raptor nests.

The species usually rests, drinks and bathes in groups. Small flocks may move into low trees when disturbed and may gather around waterholes.

Nest spacing: Nests in loose colonies may be up to 50 m apart.

Nest material: Dried grass, usually lined with fine material and sometimes reported with feathers or charcoal.

Known shelter substrates: Outer branches, shrubs, grasses, tree hollows, termite mounds and active raptor nests.

  • Inspect outer branches, dense grass, hollows, termite mounds and active raptor nests for enclosed grass structures before vegetation or earthworks begin.
  • Retain roosting vegetation and nearby water points where Black-throated Finches are recorded.
  • Check low trees and woodland edges after a flock is flushed from the ground, as birds commonly fly up into low trees.

Threats: Clearing and development

The main threat is loss and degradation of grassy woodland and riparian habitat. The species is particularly exposed where clearing removes feeding and nesting habitat or breaks links between woodland, grass seed and water.

Clearing for agriculture, urban growth, infrastructure and development removes open grassy woodland, riparian breeding habitat and native grass seed sources. The Townsville population is predominantly exposed to urbanisation and land development, while mining affects more than half of the remaining habitat identified for the Desert Uplands population.

Fragmentation can restrict gene flow and movement over short distances. Genetic studies found restricted gene flow between localities only 16 km apart and identified fragmented suitable woodland as a likely barrier.

  • Avoid clearing riparian vegetation, native grassy woodland, waterhole margins and connected habitat between known records.
  • Treat isolated remnants and narrow connections as potentially important, particularly between water sources and larger woodland patches.
  • Include indirect loss of feeding and nesting habitat, not only the vegetation footprint, in impact assessments.

Threats: Grazing, fire and weeds

Overgrazing by livestock and rabbits reduces native grass cover, grass diversity and seed availability, and can degrade riparian vegetation. Altered fire regimes, fire exclusion, woody regrowth, introduced pasture grasses and other weeds can change the open grassy woodland structure used by the species.

Drought can intensify the effects of grazing, reduce seed production and increase pressure on remaining water sources.

  • Manage stock access to creek lines and waterholes to reduce trampling, grazing pressure and loss of grassy groundcover.
  • Prevent the spread of exotic grasses and other weeds into native grass and woodland remnants.
  • Plan fire regimes to retain native seeding grasses and suitable open woodland, rather than allowing either repeated intense fire or prolonged woody thickening.

Threats: Other threats and project risks

Illegal trapping has been suggested as a factor in the loss of some remnant populations. Finch virus is identified as a possible threat. The supplied documents provide less species-specific evidence for road mortality, construction noise or direct hydrology change, but loss or degradation of water sources can remove access to drinking and feeding habitat.

Project activities that remove waterholes, alter creek drainage, increase sedimentation or leave birds without nearby water may reduce habitat suitability even where some woodland remains.

  • Keep locations of sensitive records confidential where illegal trapping is a concern.
  • Prevent sediment, pollutants and uncontrolled runoff from entering creek lines and waterholes.
  • Maintain access to suitable drinking water during construction and rehabilitation where birds are known or likely to occur.
  • Use hygiene controls and report sick or dead finches because disease risk is not well quantified for this species.

Survey methodology: 1. Waterhole watches

Survey effort must account for the finch's small flock size, seasonal movements and close association with seeding grasses, open grassy woodland and water. Confirm whether the taxon present is the southern subspecies, Poephila cincta cincta, because it can be confused with the northern subspecies around the Burdekin-Lynd divide.

In northern Australia, locate and watch suitable waterholes late in the dry season, when the finches are readily seen near water.

Record all finches using the waterhole, including flock size, behaviour, photographs where possible and the direction of travel after drinking.

Check identification carefully because the southern and northern subspecies may overlap around the Burdekin-Lynd divide.

Recommended targeted effort: 6 hours over 2 days

Detection note: The finch is readily seen near waterholes and is usually heard or seen in small flocks flying into low trees.

  • Use the waterhole watch as a targeted method and combine it with searches of surrounding savanna woodland.
  • Do not rely on a single negative waterhole watch as evidence that the species is absent.

Survey methodology: 2. Area searches

Search suitable grassy woodland, riparian vegetation and open grassy areas with access to water.

Walk slowly through the site and check low trees, woodland edges, creek lines, seeding grass areas and places where other finches are feeding.

Search for birds on the ground, in low trees and flying between feeding and drinking areas.

Recommended effort for areas under 50 hectares: 10 hours over 5 days

Typical flock size: Usually up to 20 birds, with larger flocks of 50 to 60 birds reported

Habitat to target: Grassy woodland dominated by eucalypts, paperbarks or acacias, riparian vegetation, and open grassy plains with access to water

  • In the tropics, search savanna woodland as well as waterholes late in the dry season.
  • Elsewhere, conduct area searches of suitable habitat and check flocks of other finch species.
  • Record the searched area, route, start and finish times, weather, vegetation condition, water availability and all detections.

Survey methodology: 3. Breeding and habitat checks

Plan repeat searches across the breeding periods relevant to the site, because breeding can occur throughout the year when conditions are suitable.

In northern Australia, give particular attention to September to April, with breeding often occurring from February to May after the wet season.

In the southern part of the range, give particular attention to August to January.

Inspect trees, shrubs, grass tussocks, termite mounds and raptor nests for enclosed grass nests, but do not disturb nests or roosts.

Eggs: Usually 5 to 6, with 3 to 9 reported

Hatching and fledging: Eggs hatch in about 12 days and young fledge at about 21 days after hatching

Dependence period: Young reach independence at 5 to 6 weeks but remain with their parents for several months

  • Prioritise areas with abundant seeding grasses and access to water, because these conditions support feeding and breeding.
  • Check for birds around black-faced woodswallow flocks in the early wet season in tropical areas.
  • Treat an occupied nest, roost site or repeatedly used water point as a habitat feature requiring protection in the works plan.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use the survey guideline effort as the minimum starting point, then increase effort where habitat is extensive, access to water is limited, conditions are poor or previous records indicate use.
  • Record survey dates, times, observers, methods, effort, weather, water conditions, habitat, flock size, photographs, coordinates and identification confidence.
  • Submit confirmed records and important negative survey results to the relevant state wildlife database and provide the records to the project approval authority where required.
  • Retain original field sheets, photographs, call or observation notes and spatial data with the project environmental records.
  • Escalate uncertain identifications to a suitably experienced ornithologist, particularly in the northern Queensland intergradation zone.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Treat any project area containing open grassy woodland, riparian vegetation, seeding native grasses and reliable water as potential Black-throated Finch habitat. The species is nationally endangered and its southern subspecies has undergone major range contraction.

  • Avoid clearing known or potential feeding, drinking, nesting and roosting habitat wherever practicable.
  • Retain connected patches of grassy woodland and riparian vegetation between retained areas, because fragmented suitable vegetation can restrict movement and gene flow.
  • Retain mature eucalypts, paperbarks, acacias and other trees or shrubs near water, including trees that may support enclosed nests or roosts.
  • Protect native seeding grasses and avoid replacing them with exotic pasture grasses or other groundcover that reduces food availability.
  • Keep livestock, vehicles and machinery away from watercourses and wet areas where trampling, sedimentation and loss of groundcover could degrade habitat.
  • Set site-specific no-go areas and buffers around retained habitat, nests, water points and riparian vegetation using the project risk assessment and approval conditions.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and project planning

  • Check whether the proposed action is likely to have a significant impact on the EPBC Act listed taxon and obtain advice about referral before works begin.
  • Check Queensland and any other relevant state or territory listing, permit and wildlife handling requirements for the project location.
  • Engage a suitably qualified ecologist to confirm the taxon, map habitat and prepare the fauna management measures before finalising the clearing footprint.
  • Schedule clearing outside active breeding and dependent-young periods where practicable, noting that breeding can occur throughout the year when conditions are suitable.
  • Stage clearing so retained habitat, water access and movement routes remain available while each work area is opened.
  • Include stop-work triggers, authorised fauna handlers, relocation sites, veterinary contacts, reporting requirements and incident forms in the fauna management plan.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

  • Complete a pre-clearance survey using waterhole watches and area searches before vegetation is marked or removed.
  • Mark retained trees, riparian vegetation, seeding grass areas, water points, nests, roosts and movement routes on construction plans and on the ground.
  • Use exclusion fencing where it can keep machinery, workers and domestic animals out of retained habitat without blocking the finches' access to water and feeding areas.
  • Brief the spotter catcher, supervisors and machine operators on the species' appearance, flock behaviour, habitat and stop-work procedures.
  • Inspect the work area again immediately before clearing because the finch may move locally in response to rainfall or drought.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Clear only within the approved footprint and keep a trained fauna spotter catcher involved in daily work planning. The finch is usually sedentary but may move locally in response to drought or rainfall, so habitat availability can change during a project.

  • Check the work area, retained habitat, water points and exclusion fencing at the start of each shift.
  • Use a slow, supervised clearing sequence that allows the spotter catcher to inspect vegetation and stop machinery before a bird or nest is harmed.
  • Keep machinery, stockpiles, lighting, dust and vehicle movements out of retained grassy woodland, riparian vegetation and water access areas.
  • Maintain a clear line of communication between the spotter catcher, machine operator and site supervisor throughout clearing.
  • Do not allow workers to chase, handle or photograph a finch at close range unless directed by an authorised fauna handler.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and fauna handling

Nest features reported for the species: Outer branches of trees or shrubs, tree hollows, termite mounds and active raptor nests

Potential relocation habitat: Nearby retained grassy woodland or riparian vegetation with native seeding grasses and access to water

  • Stop work if a finch, occupied nest, dependent young or other protected fauna is found within the active work area.
  • Allow an experienced bird handler to assess whether the bird can leave unaided and whether nearby retained habitat provides safe cover, food and water.
  • Only a person authorised under the relevant state or territory requirements should capture, handle or relocate the bird.
  • If relocation is approved, move the bird to nearby retained habitat with suitable grassy woodland, seeding grasses and access to water, following the permit and fauna management plan.
  • Do not remove nests, eggs or young unless the relevant authority and fauna management plan expressly allow it.
  • Treat hollow-bearing trees, logs, rocks, burrows and termite mounds as fauna habitat features and inspect them before removal, even though the finch's nests may also occur in shrubs, tree hollows, termite mounds or active raptor nests.
  • Protect wetlands, creek lines and waterholes from sediment, fuel, concrete washout and altered drainage.

During habitat disturbance: Incidents, injuries and stop-work triggers

  • Stop work and notify the site supervisor if a finch is injured, trapped, repeatedly flushed, found nesting in the work area or unable to reach retained habitat safely.
  • Place an injured bird in a quiet, secure container only if this can be done by an authorised handler without avoidable stress or injury.
  • Transfer an injured bird promptly to a veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer and record the transfer details.
  • Stop work if clearing would remove the only practical route between a retained habitat patch and water, or if sediment or machinery is entering a protected water area.
  • Record every sighting, capture, relocation, injury, nest, mortality, stop-work event and complaint with date, time, coordinates, habitat, action taken and names of the people involved.
  • Notify the relevant wildlife authority and approval holders of any incident required to be reported under the permit or approval.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance checks must confirm that no birds, nests or dependent young remain in the disturbed area and that retained habitat still provides connected feeding and drinking resources.

  • Inspect the cleared edge, retained trees, water points and adjacent grassy woodland at the end of each clearing day and again after the final pass.
  • Check for injured or displaced birds, nests, eggs, young, damaged habitat features, sediment movement and blocked access to water.
  • Keep exclusion fencing and no-go markers in place until the supervisor and ecologist confirm that construction will not damage retained habitat.
  • Remove temporary fencing only where its removal will not expose retained habitat to machinery, stock or unauthorised access.
  • Repair any damage to retained riparian vegetation, water access or native grass cover as soon as practicable.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

  • Monitor retained habitat and nearby water points during construction and after completion, using repeat area searches and targeted waterhole watches where the project risk assessment identifies potential effects.
  • Compare flock observations, water use, habitat condition and incidents with the pre-clearance survey records.
  • Continue monitoring through the next suitable wet and dry periods where the project removes or fragments known habitat.
  • Report results, incidents, corrective actions, photographs and spatial records to the approval holder and relevant wildlife database.
  • Review the fauna management plan if finches stop using retained habitat, if connectivity is broken or if repeated disturbance occurs.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and approvals

  • Confirm whether the approval requires offsets, habitat restoration, monitoring or other compensatory measures for residual impacts.
  • Use any offset or restoration area to protect connected grassy woodland, riparian vegetation, native seeding grasses and reliable water access rather than isolated vegetation without feeding resources.
  • Document the area, tenure, management actions, protection mechanism, monitoring period and success measures for any offset or residual impact measure.

Rehabilitation actions: Habitat reconstruction

Rehabilitation should rebuild the finch's linked feeding, nesting and drinking habitat. Focus on native grasses, open grassy woodland, riparian vegetation and safe access to water, with management that limits grazing, weeds, inappropriate fire and other causes of habitat decline.

  • Re-establish native seeding grasses across disturbed ground and manage them for seed production rather than relying on exotic pasture grasses.
  • Plant or retain open grassy woodland using locally appropriate eucalypts, paperbarks and acacias, with riparian vegetation along drainage lines and watercourses.
  • Maintain an open ground layer and avoid dense woody regrowth that removes the grassy structure used for feeding.
  • Reinstate natural drainage and protect water points from trampling, sedimentation, contamination and excessive disturbance.
  • Retain suitable mature trees and shrubs for nesting and roosting, including trees with hollows where they occur.
  • Consider artificial nest features only where a qualified ecologist, the relevant authority and the approved management plan identify a need and specify an appropriate design.

Rehabilitation actions: Threat management

  • Control weeds and exotic grasses before they spread into restored native grass areas.
  • Manage grazing pressure so native grasses and riparian groundcover remain available for feeding and nesting.
  • Use a fire regime that protects native grass resources, nesting habitat and retained woodland, and obtain ecological advice before planned burns.
  • Keep restored habitat connected to retained woodland and water rather than creating isolated planting blocks.
  • Assess feral animal and predator risks where they are identified at the site, and manage them under the relevant approved control programme.

Rehabilitation actions: Success measures and adaptive management

Recommended monitoring focus: Native grass seed availability, water access, riparian condition, habitat connectivity, flock observations and nesting or roosting use

Relevant movement information: The species is believed to be mostly sedentary but may move locally in response to drought or rainfall

  • Measure survival and cover of planted native grasses, eucalypts, paperbarks and acacias, along with weed cover, groundcover condition and water quality.
  • Inspect restored areas for finch use through repeat area searches and waterhole watches, recording flock size, feeding, drinking, nesting and movement between habitat patches.
  • Check that restored habitat remains connected and that birds can move between feeding areas, nesting or roosting features and water.
  • Monitor through relevant wet and dry periods, because local movements may respond to rainfall and drought and breeding occurs when conditions are suitable.
  • Increase weed, grazing, fire or water management actions if habitat condition declines or if monitoring shows that the restored area is not providing seeding grasses and safe access to water.
  • Submit confirmed sightings and monitoring records to the relevant state wildlife database and retain the data with the project completion report.

Sources