Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata)

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Vulnerable.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Vulnerable.

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Vulnerable.

Australian Capital Territory, Nature Conservation Act 2014: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

The species is generally resident, with local movements and some seasonal movement in southern populations. Breeding is concentrated from August to January, but autumn breeding may occur when conditions are suitable.

Month values are ordered January to December. A value of 0 indicates that the activity is not typical, 1 indicates that it occurs, and 2 indicates the main period.

• Breeding: Groups separate into small colonies and generally breed from August to January. Breeding may occur again in autumn when conditions are suitable.
• Eggs and nestlings: Incubation lasts approximately 12 to 15 days. Nestlings remain in the nest for approximately 24 to 30 days.
• Dependent young: Young may remain dependent for about two weeks after fledging, so late breeding attempts can extend dependence into February.
• Local movement: The species is usually sedentary, but some populations move locally. Southern birds may move between woodland and mallee areas in winter, and individuals have been recorded up to 2 km from their original banding location.
• Highest clearing risk: Clearing and disturbance are most likely to harm the species from August to January because nests, eggs and dependent young may be present. February can also carry risk where late breeding occurs.

Identification

The Diamond Firetail is a distinctive finch when seen well. Field identification is most reliable from the combination of red bill and eyes, crimson rump, black breast-band and flanks with white spots.

Adults are about 10 to 12 cm long and weigh approximately 17 g. They have an ash-grey head and back, brownish wings, a bright red bill and iris, a crimson rump, white throat and underparts, and a broad black breast-band extending into black flanks marked with strong white spots.

The tail is black and the legs and feet are dark grey. The flight is low and direct, with slight undulations.

Length: 10 to 12 cm

Weight: Approximately 17 g

Wingspan: Approximately 26 cm

Identification: Sexes and age classes

Males and females are similarly coloured. Females are generally smaller and have paler or brownish lores, while males have stronger black facial markings.

Immature birds lack the red eyes and bill. Their upper breast and flanks are greyer, with greyish-white barring on the flanks, so they can look less striking than adults.

Identification: Calls and field signs

The contact call is a plaintive, drawn-out nasal sound described as ‘twoo-wheee’ or ‘twooo-heeee’. An alarm call is described as ‘tay tay tay’, and the species also gives low, raspy or buzzy notes.

Birds are often detected on the ground in grassy areas, usually in small flocks. Nests are domed or bottle-shaped structures made from green grass, lined with fine grass and feathers, and fitted with a long entrance tunnel. A separate, smaller roosting nest may lack the entrance tunnel and lining.

Nests may be in dense shrubs, prickly vegetation, mistletoe or higher in trees, including beneath the large stick nests of raptors and other large birds. The species has no distinctive tracks, scats, sloughs, burrows or eyeshine that are useful for field detection.

• Check dense shrubs, mistletoe and the bases of large stick nests for globular grass nests during the breeding season.
• Treat repeated low flights, flocking and ground feeding in grassy woodland as useful supporting signs, but confirm identification from plumage or calls where possible.
• Do not rely on a single quiet or empty visit because the species can be locally mobile and may forage away from nesting sites.

Distribution: States and bioregions

The Diamond Firetail is endemic to south-eastern Australia. Its distribution extends from central or east-central Queensland through eastern and southern New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria to South Australia, including the Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.

The species is recorded in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia. In NSW, records are concentrated in the Northern, Central and Southern Tablelands, the Northern, Central and South Western Slopes, the North West Plains and the Riverina, with scattered records elsewhere and few records west of the Darling River.

The NSW profile lists known or predicted occurrences in the Australian Alps, Brigalow Belt South, Broken Hill Complex, Cobar Peneplain, Darling Riverine Plains, Mulga Lands, Murray Darling Depression, Nandewar, New England Tablelands, NSW North Coast, NSW South Western Slopes, Riverina, South East Corner, South Eastern Highlands, South Eastern Queensland and Sydney Basin. The species is also listed for Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

It is uncommon in many coastal districts, although records occur near Sydney, the Hunter Valley and the Bega Valley. The species is more strongly associated with inland slopes, tablelands, riverine plains and grassy woodland remnants.

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

The national assessment identifies three main isolated subpopulations: Eyre Peninsula, the Mount Lofty to Southern Flinders Ranges area, and south-eastern Australia. There are few recent records from Yorke Peninsula.

In South Australia, the eastern Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges are a stronghold. The species persists mainly in larger woodland remnants, generally larger than 50 ha, and the eastern Mount Lofty Ranges and northern agricultural area are important regional areas.

Buloke Woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions provide important habitat for the species. The species is also recorded in Box-Gum Woodlands, Snow Gum woodlands, riparian woodland and lightly wooded farmland.

Distribution: Population status

Reporting rates declined across the species' range from 2000 to 2019. The national assessment considered the decline to be greater than 30 per cent over the preceding ten years, with a high probability that declines will continue.

The species is often sedentary, but some populations move locally. Southern populations may move between woodland and mallee areas in winter, and banded birds have been located up to 2 km from their original banding location.

Estimated mature individuals: 136,000, with a plausible range of 68,000 to 272,000; estimate reliability is low.

Estimated extent of occurrence: 1,500,000 km², with a contracting trend.

Estimated area of occupancy: 25,000 km², with a contracting trend.

Estimated subpopulations: Three main isolated subpopulations, with an assessed range of two to 100.

Generation time: Approximately 2.2 years.

Habitat: Habitat types

Diamond Firetails use open, grassy vegetation with scattered trees and shrubs. Habitat quality depends on a diverse native ground layer, suitable nesting cover, connectivity and access to water.

The species occurs in grassy eucalypt, acacia and casuarina woodlands, open forest, mallee, Natural Temperate Grassland and secondary grassland derived from other vegetation communities.

It also occurs along rivers and creeks, in riparian vegetation, in lightly wooded farmland and in some areas near towns and farm houses. Buloke Woodlands are important habitat in the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions.

Recorded elevation range: Approximately 0 to 300 m in the source profile.

Important regional habitat: Grassy woodland, Box-Gum Woodland, Snow Gum Woodland, Buloke Woodland, mallee, riparian vegetation and lightly wooded farmland.

Habitat: Structure and condition

Preferred areas have relatively low tree density, few large logs, little litter cover and high grass cover. Scattered shrubs, dense patches of foliage, mistletoe and mature trees with large stick nests add nesting and shelter opportunities.

High-quality sites have a diverse native ground layer dominated by perennial grasses and other plants that produce seed at different times of year. Riparian sites and other areas with reliable access to water are especially important.

For project assessment, retain connected woodland and grassland remnants, including areas of 200 ha or greater within woody vegetation, as well as smaller remnants that provide links or stepping stones between occupied sites.

• Map native perennial grass cover, scattered shrubs, mistletoe, mature trees and large stick nests before clearing.
• Inspect adjacent woodland, grassland and riparian habitat because the birds may forage on the ground away from their nest site.
• Avoid treating recently disturbed or currently unoccupied habitat as having no conservation value, because suitable habitat may recover after fire, grazing or other disturbance.

Foraging habitat: Food and feeding method

Diamond Firetails feed mainly on the ground in open grassy habitats. They need a reliable supply of seed across the year, rather than a short period of abundant exotic seed.

The diet consists mainly of ripe and partly ripe grass and herb seeds, green leaves and insects. Insects are particularly important during the breeding season.

Birds commonly hop or move over bare or lightly littered ground, taking fallen seed or seed directly from plants. They are frequently seen foraging in flocks of 5 to 40 birds.

Foraging habitat: Food plants and seasonal supply

A mixture of native perennial grasses and other herbs is preferred because different species mature and seed at different times. In the Mount Lofty Ranges, Drooping She-oak can provide an important winter seed source where perennial grasses have been replaced by exotic annual grasses.

Exotic grasses may provide food at some times, but their seed supply can be short-lived or poorly timed. When exotic annual grass seed germinates in late autumn and winter, firetails may face food shortages if alternative native seed sources are absent.

Green vegetation may also supplement water intake. Sites near reliable water, particularly riparian sites, are therefore useful foraging habitat.

• Retain native perennial grasses and seeding herbs through construction planning and rehabilitation.
• Do not remove extensive exotic food plants in one operation unless an alternative native food supply is already available or will be established.
• Record ground-feeding activity, flock size and the identity and seeding condition of grasses and herbs during site inspections.

Foraging habitat: Foraging area and movement

A defined home range has not been established. The species is generally sedentary, but some populations move locally, particularly in the south, and individuals have been recorded up to 2 km from a banding location.

A clearing footprint should therefore be assessed with the surrounding woodland, grassland, riparian vegetation and movement links, rather than as an isolated patch.

Known movement distance: Banded individuals have been located up to 2 km from the original banding location.

Home range: No detailed home-range estimate is available.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs in loose colonies when conditions are suitable, generally from August to January. Nesting habitat combines dense shrubs or foliage, suitable nest supports and nearby grassy foraging areas.

Groups separate into small colonies to breed. Both partners build the nest, although the female performs the weaving. Both sexes incubate the eggs and feed and care for the young.

Nests are domed or bottle-shaped, made from green grass blades and stems, lined with fine grass and feathers, and usually fitted with an entrance tunnel. Nests may be placed in shrubs, prickly vegetation, mistletoe or trees, including beneath the stick nests of raptors and other large birds.

Breeding season: Generally August to January; breeding may occur again in autumn when conditions are suitable.

Clutch size: Usually 4 to 5 eggs according to the national conservation advice; other sources report a broader range of 4 to 9 eggs.

Incubation: Approximately 12 to 15 days, with both sexes incubating.

Nestling period: Approximately 24 to 30 days before fledging.

Post-fledging dependence: Young may remain dependent for about two weeks after fledging.

Age at maturity: Approximately 9 months.

Lifespan: Approximately 5 to 7 years in the available source.

Breeding habitat: Features to retain

Breeding sites need dense shrubs or prickly foliage, suitable tree or shrub supports, mature trees with large stick nests, mistletoe and nearby areas with high grass cover and year-round seed availability.

Retain nesting and foraging habitat together. Removing shrubs or ground-layer food plants beside a nest tree can make a breeding site unsuitable even if the nest tree remains.

• Search dense shrubs, mistletoe, prickly plants and the bases of large stick nests before clearing from August to January.
• Maintain a buffer around active nests in accordance with the approved fauna management plan and applicable state or territory requirements.
• Avoid removing all shrub cover, native perennial grasses or seeding herbs from a breeding colony during the breeding season.

Sheltering habitat: Roosts and cover

The species shelters in dense vegetation and purpose-built roosting nests. Shelter is provided mainly by shrubs, prickly foliage, mistletoe and dense tree foliage rather than by hollows or burrows.

Birds roost in dense shrubs or in smaller nests built specifically for roosting. Roosting nests resemble breeding nests but generally lack the long entrance tunnel and fine lining.

Suitable cover includes dense shrubs, hakeas, rose bushes, boxthorn, sea urchin hakea, mistletoe and dense foliage in woodland or open forest. Scattered shrubs are an important part of high-quality habitat.

• Retain dense shrub patches, prickly vegetation, mistletoe and fallen timber during site preparation where they do not create a separate safety risk.
• Inspect shrubs and dense foliage for roosting nests, particularly before dawn or after birds leave a site to feed.
• Do not assume that an area without a breeding nest is unused, because roosting nests and flock shelter may be present.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter structure

No species-specific dependence on tree hollows, burrows or dens is reported in the supplied sources. Large stick nests made by raptors and other large birds can provide elevated nest supports, while mature trees, shrubs and ground-layer vegetation support shelter and feeding.

Low litter cover and few large logs are associated with preferred habitat, but the conservation advice still identifies scattered shrubs, native ground cover and retained habitat structure as important. Retention decisions should therefore consider both firetail use and the wider woodland condition.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main risks are loss and degradation of grassy woodland and grassland, reduced food supply, fragmentation and grazing pressure. Clearing and construction can remove nesting shrubs, mature trees, seed-producing ground cover and movement links in the same operation.

Historical and ongoing clearing for large-scale agriculture, residential development and infrastructure is the main cause of decline. Clearing reduces the area and quality of nesting and breeding habitat and isolates small populations.

Fragmented remnants are more likely to lose connectivity and local populations may become isolated or disappear. Larger remnants, including woody vegetation areas of 200 ha or greater, are particularly significant, but smaller remnants can still provide stepping stones and local breeding habitat.

• Avoid clearing native woodland, open forest, mallee, grassland and riparian vegetation that provides known or likely habitat.
• Retain links between remnants and use locally appropriate revegetation to reconnect isolated patches where impacts cannot be avoided.
• Assess the whole habitat unit, including shrubs, ground cover, mature trees, large stick nests and nearby water, rather than assessing individual trees alone.

Threats: Grazing and weeds

Heavy or frequent grazing by domestic stock, rabbits and overabundant kangaroos removes native grasses, seeding herbs and the shrub layer. Soil compaction and loss of regeneration further reduce habitat quality.

Exotic annual grasses and other weeds can replace native perennial grasses and produce seed at times that do not provide food throughout the year. Winter-fruiting exotic shrubs can also support Pied Currawongs, which may increase nest predation pressure.

• Reduce grazing intensity and frequency so that a diverse grass sward and scattered shrub layer remain.
• Control weeds while retaining sufficient food plants to prevent an abrupt loss of seed resources.
• Protect high-value habitat from domestic stock and manage rabbits and overabundant herbivores where they are degrading the ground and shrub layers.

Threats: Fire, predators and other project risks

The appropriate fire regime is not well understood. More frequent, larger or hotter fires may remove shrubs, seed-producing grasses and nests, while prescribed burning can be harmful where annual weeds dominate regeneration.

Eggs and nestlings may be taken by Pied Currawongs and other predators, including hawks and owls. No disease threat is identified in the supplied sources.

Road impacts are not identified as a separate species-specific threat in the supplied sources. Hydrology change is also not described as a direct quantified threat, but reliable water access and riparian habitat are important, so changes to creeks, wetlands, drainage or local water availability should be assessed.

• Avoid high-intensity or poorly timed burns in occupied habitat unless the fire regime has been assessed for the local woodland and grassland condition.
• Schedule vegetation clearing outside the main breeding period where practicable, and inspect shrubs, trees and large stick nests before disturbance.
• Manage construction lighting, noise, traffic and temporary access so that retained woodland, nesting cover and movement links are not unnecessarily disturbed.
• Protect riparian vegetation and avoid sediment, drainage or water-supply changes that reduce the value of nearby foraging and shelter habitat.

Survey methodology: 1. Diurnal habitat and bird searches

Diamond firetails are ground-feeding finches that occur in grassy woodland, open forest, mallee, riparian areas and lightly wooded farmland. Surveys should target birds on the ground, in flocks, and in suitable breeding and roosting habitat, particularly where clearing may remove grass cover, shrubs, scattered trees or access to water.

Search suitable habitat during daylight, with particular attention to grassy eucalypt, acacia and casuarina woodland, open forest, mallee, riparian vegetation and grassland with scattered trees.

Walk or slowly traverse representative habitat and inspect the ground, grass seed sources, shrubs, tree bases and woodland edges for feeding flocks, calls, feathers and other signs.

Record all observations, including flock size, behaviour, exact location, habitat type, nearby water, grass condition, shrubs and any breeding or roosting structures.

Diamond firetails usually occur in flocks of 5 to 40 birds and feed predominantly at ground level on grass and herb seeds, green leaves and insects.

Typical flock size: 5 to 40 birds, occasionally more

Breeding period: August to January

Main foraging position: On the ground

• Survey both retained habitat and areas proposed for clearing, including narrow vegetation strips, paddock trees, riparian vegetation and connected or stepping-stone patches.
• Give additional attention to sites with high grass cover, low tree density, few large logs, little litter, scattered shrubs or drooping she-oak in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
• Repeat searches where conditions are poor, seed availability is low or birds may be temporarily absent from a site because the species can move locally and may leave some sites in winter.

Survey methodology: 2. Breeding, roosting and habitat feature searches

Search from August to January for bottle-shaped or domed nests in dense shrubs, prickly vegetation, mistletoe and trees, including nests built beneath or within the large stick nests of raptors and ravens.

Inspect dense shrubs and small purpose-built nests for roosting birds, while avoiding unnecessary disturbance to occupied nests.

Search for breeding colonies because groups separate into small colonies during the breeding period and several nests may occur in one tree.

Inspect habitat surrounding nests for ground foraging areas, grass seed sources, water and movement links to nearby retained vegetation.

Normal clutch size: 4 to 5 eggs according to the Australian Government advice; reported range is 4 to 9 eggs

Incubation: About 12 to 15 days

Nestling period: About 24 to 30 days before fledging, depending on the source

• Mark confirmed or suspected nests and roosts for avoidance and refer them to the project ecologist for an appropriate exclusion area and work method.
• Do not rely on a single negative search to conclude that habitat is unused, because the species is sedentary in some areas but makes local movements in others.
• In the Mount Lofty Ranges, check drooping she-oak for winter food resources and inspect larger woodland remnants, where the species persists more often than in small degraded remnants.

Survey methodology: 3. Targeted observation and repeat searches

Use quiet observation periods at suitable feeding areas, water points, riparian vegetation and woodland edges, because the species is often detected hopping or feeding on the ground rather than in the canopy.

Use repeated visits across the proposed disturbance area where the initial search occurs outside the August to January breeding period, after recent disturbance, or during drought or poor seeding conditions.

Search at times when birds are likely to be active and visible, and record weather, recent rain, grazing, fire, grass seeding and weed cover for each visit.

No species-specific survey effort, such as a required number of nights, trap nights, transect length or observation hours, is provided in the supplied documents, and trapping is not identified as a recommended method for this species.

Reported density examples: Up to 1.18 birds per hectare in eucalypt woodland near Armidale, and 0.01 to 0.58 birds per hectare in revegetation areas at Monarto

Known local movement: Banded birds in one South Australian study were located up to 2 km from the original banding location

• Do not use spotlighting, call playback or trapping as a default method for this diurnal, ground-feeding finch unless a suitably qualified ecologist identifies a specific need and obtains any required approval.
• Do not infer absence from a short visit, because local densities can vary substantially with conditions and the species may move locally.
• Where the project may affect a large or connected remnant, survey the full disturbance footprint and the adjacent retained habitat that may receive displaced birds.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

• Prepare a site-specific survey plan that states the area searched, dates, start and finish times, observers, weather, recent rain, habitat condition, search method and any limitations.
• Use repeat daylight searches where habitat is suitable but detection conditions are poor, the site is outside the breeding period, or the species may have moved locally.
• Map all records and potential habitat features, including nests, roosting shrubs, dense shrub patches, water points, grass seed areas, scattered trees, logs and connectivity links.
• Report the result to the project ecologist and environmental officer before clearing or construction starts, including a clear conclusion about whether further survey or avoidance is required.
• Submit confirmed records and reliable negative survey information to the relevant state wildlife database, such as the applicable state biodiversity records system, and retain the original field data.
• Record incidental observations made during all fauna and vegetation work, including flock size, behaviour, breeding evidence and habitat condition.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Avoiding habitat loss is the primary project control for diamond firetails. Plan around grassy woodland structure, year-round seed supply, shrubs for nesting and roosting, water, and links between retained patches.

Retain and protect eucalypt, acacia and casuarina woodland, open forest, mallee, grassland and lightly wooded farmland from clearing, fragmentation and unnecessary disturbance.

Treat areas of 200 hectares or more of woody vegetation as particularly significant, while also protecting smaller remnants, treeless grassland and riparian vegetation used by the species.

Retain high grass cover, scattered shrubs, native perennial grasses, scattered trees, mistletoe, logs and low-litter foraging areas where they occur.

Protect drooping she-oak in the Mount Lofty Ranges, particularly where it provides winter seed when native perennial grasses have been replaced by exotic annual grasses.

Avoid placing access tracks, compounds, laydown areas, stockpiles and drainage works through retained habitat or between occupied patches.

• Set out clearing limits before machinery arrives and physically mark no-go habitat, nests, roosts, shrubs, water points and retained connectivity links.
• Use the smallest practical disturbance footprint and retain vegetation in continuous or stepping-stone links between habitat patches.
• Prioritise avoidance of riparian habitat and provide for retained water access, because riparian areas and reliable water sources are important to the species.
• Where clearing cannot be avoided, document the area, habitat type, condition, proposed mitigation and any residual impact for the approval assessment.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Check whether the action requires referral or approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 because the diamond firetail is nationally listed as Vulnerable.

Check the relevant state legislation, threatened species requirements, wildlife permits and fauna handling authorisations before survey, clearing, capture or relocation.

Schedule vegetation clearing away from the August to January breeding period where practicable, and avoid works near active nests or breeding colonies.

Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies survey methods, clearing limits, pre-clearance checks, fauna spotter catcher responsibilities, stop-work triggers, handling procedures, veterinary arrangements and reporting requirements.

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable under the EPBC Act

State status in supplied records: Vulnerable in the ACT, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria

• Stage clearing so that retained habitat remains available while each work area is checked and cleared under supervision.
• Brief all workers and operators on the species appearance, ground-feeding behaviour, nesting locations, no-go areas and stop-work procedure.
• Include a map of retained habitat, access to water, movement links, nest locations, roosting shrubs and areas requiring weed, grazing or fire controls.
• Obtain landholder and reserve approvals before modifying habitat, fencing, grazing, fire regimes or vegetation.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation and pre-clearance

Complete a pre-clearance inspection immediately before works in suitable habitat, with the timing and validity period set by the project ecologist and approval conditions.

Search the footprint and a practical adjoining area for birds, nests, roosting nests, dense shrubs, mistletoe, raptor or raven stick nests, grass seed sources, logs and other features that may be disturbed.

Mark habitat to be retained and install exclusion fencing where it will protect the habitat from machinery, vehicles, stock, materials and workers.

Remove or relocate equipment and materials that block access to retained food, shelter or water habitat before clearing begins.

Confirm that a suitably authorised fauna spotter catcher is present for all clearing activities that may injure or displace fauna.

• Do not clear a marked nest, roost or dense shrub until the project ecologist has confirmed the control measure and any required approval.
• Do not remove native grass, shrubs, logs or fallen timber from retained habitat as part of general site tidying.
• Inspect adjoining retained habitat for barriers that could prevent birds from moving away from the clearing front.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and spotter catcher duties

Clearing should proceed as a controlled, supervised operation. Diamond firetails are small, ground-feeding birds, so controls must cover the ground layer as well as trees and shrubs.

Hold a daily pre-start briefing covering the clearing boundary, retained habitat, nest and roost locations, fauna handling authority, access routes and stop-work triggers.

The fauna spotter catcher must inspect the active work area before machinery starts and remain able to see the clearing front and ground layer.

Clear progressively towards retained habitat where this is safe and approved, so birds have an opportunity to move away from machinery.

Use slow, staged clearing and avoid sudden removal of all shrubs, grass cover or shelter beside the active work area.

Keep machinery, vehicles, workers, stockpiles and spoil outside marked exclusion zones.

• Stop work if a diamond firetail is found injured, trapped, nesting in the work area, unable to move away safely, or exposed to immediate risk from machinery.
• Stop work if an active nest, roosting nest, breeding colony or previously unidentified high-value habitat feature is found.
• Stop work if clearing extends beyond the approved footprint or exclusion fencing is damaged or moved.
• The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to direct machinery to stop and must record each fauna interaction and direction given to operators.

During habitat disturbance: Handling and relocation

Do not chase, catch or handle a healthy free-flying diamond firetail unless this is necessary to prevent immediate harm and the person is authorised under the applicable approval or wildlife requirements.

Allow birds to move naturally into nearby retained habitat wherever possible, while keeping machinery stopped and workers clear of the escape route.

If capture is necessary, use the least stressful method available and follow the project fauna management plan, permit conditions and species-specific advice from the authorised fauna handler.

Release a recovered bird into nearby suitable retained habitat only when the authorised handler considers it fit and the release site is safe, connected and appropriate for the species.

Take injured or unwell birds to an approved wildlife carer or veterinarian as soon as practicable, and record the animal, location, condition, treatment and outcome.

• Do not relocate birds to an unapproved distant site or to habitat without suitable grass seed, shelter, water access and connectivity.
• Do not place a bird in a nest, tree hollow or enclosure unless directed by an authorised wildlife professional.
• Use clean, secure, appropriately ventilated transport equipment and minimise handling time, noise, heat and exposure.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat feature controls and records

Retain native logs, fallen timber, shrubs, mistletoe, grass cover, scattered trees and water access unless their removal is approved and assessed by the project ecologist.

Treat raptor and raven stick nests, dense shrubs and trees with firetail nests as sensitive features, even where the firetail nest is not immediately visible.

Before removing a feature from the approved footprint, inspect it for birds, nests and other fauna and follow the approved fauna handling procedure.

Maintain exclusion fencing, nest buffers, access controls and dust or sediment controls throughout the work.

Record the date, time, location, habitat feature, species observation, flock size, behaviour, action taken, handler, release location, injury and final outcome.

• Do not use general fauna controls for hollow-bearing trees, rocks, burrows or wetlands as a substitute for a site-specific assessment, because the supplied documents identify shrubs, grass cover, trees, logs, water and ground habitat as the main firetail features.
• Keep clearing records, photographs, maps, weather conditions, pre-clearance results and daily sign-offs with the project environmental records.
• Report all mortality, injury, nest disturbance, unauthorised clearing and repeated stop-work events to the project environmental officer and approval holder.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearing work must confirm that no fauna or habitat controls were missed and that retained patches remain usable. Monitoring should focus on occupancy, food supply, shelter and connectivity rather than presence alone.

Inspect the completed clearing area and its edges for injured or trapped birds, disturbed nests, isolated shrubs, damaged exclusion fencing and access routes into retained habitat.

Complete a final fauna sweep before removing the fauna spotter catcher from each staged work area.

Check that retained grass cover, shrubs, scattered trees, logs, mistletoe, water access and movement links have not been damaged by machinery or materials.

Remove waste, temporary materials and hazards from retained habitat, but do not remove native logs, shrubs or grass cover as part of clean-up.

• Document any bird found after clearing, including its condition, location, action taken and final outcome.
• Reinspect the site after heavy machinery, flood, fire or other events that may damage retained habitat or fencing.
• Keep nest and roost exclusion areas in place for the period specified by the ecologist or approval condition.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and corrective action

Monitor retained and rehabilitated habitat during the breeding period from August to January where the project has removed or altered suitable habitat.

Use repeat daylight searches to record diamond firetail presence, flock size, breeding evidence, ground cover, native grass seeding, shrub cover, weeds, grazing and water availability.

Compare monitoring results with pre-disturbance records and investigate declines, loss of connectivity, poor regeneration or disappearance from formerly occupied habitat.

Adapt grazing, weed, fencing, revegetation and fire controls when monitoring shows that habitat quality or food supply is declining.

Recorded reporting-rate decline: Across the range, reporting rates declined by 58% for 2 hectare, 20 minute counts and by 46% for 500 metre area searches from 2000 to 2019

Relevant breeding months: August to January

• Include nearby retained patches and any connected or stepping-stone plantings in monitoring, because the species may move locally and can use linked remnants.
• Monitor for aggressive noisy miners, increased predator activity, rabbit impacts, overabundant kangaroo grazing and domestic stock damage where these pressures occur.
• Use site-specific success thresholds approved by the project ecologist, because the supplied documents do not provide a universal post-construction monitoring duration or population target.

After habitat disturbance: Reporting, approvals and offsets

Provide the approval holder, regulator and relevant state wildlife database with the final clearing area, fauna incidents, monitoring results, habitat retained, rehabilitation progress and any corrective actions.

Report any impact that differs from the approved footprint or fauna management plan immediately through the project approval process.

Assess residual impacts under the applicable Commonwealth and state approval framework, including whether an offset or additional conservation action is required.

Retain all survey, clearing, handling, release, veterinary, photographic and monitoring records for the period required by the approval or management system.

• Do not treat an offset as a substitute for avoiding or minimising clearing of occupied or suitable habitat.
• Link any required offset or stewardship action to protection and management of suitable grassy woodland, open forest, mallee, grassland or riparian habitat.
• Where records show continuing decline or failed mitigation, review the project controls with the relevant ecologist and regulator.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure and food

Rehabilitation should restore a functioning grassy woodland or grassland ground layer, shelter, breeding structure, food supply and movement link. Plant locally appropriate species and manage the site for year-round seed availability.

Revegetate with locally appropriate native eucalypts, acacias, casuarinas, shrubs and a diverse mix of native perennial grasses and forbs suited to the site.

Use a mixture of grass species that seed at different times of year to provide a more reliable food supply than a site dominated by exotic annual grasses.

Restore scattered shrubs and dense prickly vegetation for nesting and roosting, while retaining appropriate open ground and high grass cover for foraging.

In the Mount Lofty Ranges, include drooping she-oak where it is appropriate to the local vegetation community and approved restoration design.

Prioritise revegetation that expands existing habitat, reconnects isolated patches or creates stepping-stone habitat between retained areas.

Recommended riparian revegetation width: At least 50 metres where riparian restoration is undertaken

Important food condition: A diverse native perennial grass layer with seed available at different times of year

• Restore riparian habitat where relevant, with a minimum revegetated width of 50 metres recommended in the Australian Government advice and with the ground layer and understorey actively managed.
• Protect natural regeneration and fence rehabilitation areas from domestic stock and excessive native herbivore grazing.
• Retain or reinstate fallen timber and scattered logs where they are part of the local habitat structure, while avoiding excessive litter accumulation in areas managed for firetail foraging.

Rehabilitation actions: Nests, shelter and water

Retain mature trees, mistletoe, dense shrubs and suitable raptor or raven stick nests where they occur, because diamond firetails use shrubs, tree foliage, mistletoe and the bases of large stick nests for breeding.

Provide safe access to reliable water through retained or restored riparian areas and other approved water features, without creating hazards or attracting excessive predators.

Do not install nest boxes as a default measure, because the supplied documents describe natural nests and do not establish a nest-box design or occupancy requirement for this species.

If a project ecologist identifies a need for artificial nesting structures, obtain a documented design, placement, maintenance and monitoring plan before installation.

• Protect restored habitat from stock, rabbits and overabundant kangaroos where grazing removes the shrub layer or reduces seed production.
• Maintain links between restored and retained patches so birds can move between feeding, nesting and roosting areas.
• Do not place revegetation where it will remove existing high-quality grassland or block an established movement route.

Rehabilitation actions: Weed, predator and fire management

Control exotic annual and invasive perennial grasses where they replace native perennial grasses, but stage weed removal so that large areas of food plants are not removed before an alternative native food source is established.

Target winter-fruiting invasive shrubs such as cotoneaster, hawthorn, firethorn and privet where they support pied currawongs or compromise habitat values.

Manage rabbits, domestic stock and overabundant kangaroos to protect grass seed production, shrub cover and woodland regeneration.

Develop a site-specific fire regime with the relevant fire ecologist and land manager, because the appropriate fire regime for diamond firetails is not well understood and inappropriate fire may remove food, shrubs or nesting habitat.

Avoid frequent fire that removes the ground and shrub layers, and assess prescribed burning where annual weeds may dominate regeneration.

• Coordinate weed, grazing, predator and fire actions so that one control does not remove the food or shelter needed by the species.
• Inspect rehabilitation after fire, drought, heavy grazing and weed treatment, and repair losses in grass cover, shrubs and connectivity.
• Consider noisy miner management where monitoring shows aggressive exclusion from retained woodland, and use only actions with demonstrated approval and effectiveness.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor rehabilitation for native perennial grass establishment, seed availability across seasons, shrub survival, tree and casuarina regeneration, weed cover, grazing pressure, water access and connectivity.

Undertake repeat daylight bird searches and record diamond firetail presence, flock size, ground foraging, breeding or roosting evidence and use of restored habitat.

Set project-specific success measures before planting, because the supplied documents do not prescribe a universal rehabilitation period or numeric occupancy target.

Continue management until the site meets the approved success measures and no longer depends on temporary protection for basic grass, shrub, water and connectivity functions.

• Use photographs, fixed points, vegetation plots and mapped bird records to compare rehabilitation with reference habitat and pre-disturbance conditions.
• Investigate failure where native grass cover is replaced by exotic annual grasses, shrubs die, seed is unavailable in winter, grazing prevents regeneration or birds do not use connected habitat.
• Report monitoring results to the approval holder and relevant regulator, and revise planting, weed, grazing, predator or fire actions where results are poor.

Sources

• Conservation Advice for Stagonopleura guttata (diamond firetail), Australian Government DCCEEW: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/59398-conservation-advice-31032023.pdf
• Approved Conservation Advice for the Buloke Woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions, Australian Government DCCEEW: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/3-conservation-advice.pdf
• Diamond Firetail - profile, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://threatenedspecies.bionet.nsw.gov.au/profile?id=10768
• Stagonopleura guttata (diamond firetail) | INFORMATION, animaldiversity.org: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Stagonopleura_guttata/
• Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail, South Australian Government: https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/landscape/docs/hf/pa-fact-diamondfiretail.pdf