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Grey Goshawk (Tachyspiza novaehollandiae)

The Grey Goshawk is a medium to large forest raptor found in coastal and near-coastal parts of northern and eastern Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. On development sites, mature wet forest, riparian vegetation, tall trees and nearby open feeding areas may support nests, foraging and movement, even where native forest is fragmented or close to towns and farms.

Conservation status

Tasmania, Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: Endangered.

Breeding season

Timing varies across the national range. The pattern below combines the broad breeding period reported for the species with the better documented south-eastern Tasmanian cycle. Grey Goshawks are resident rather than migratory, but individuals may make temporary long-range foraging movements.

Month values are January to December. A value of 0 means not typical, 1 means occurs, and 2 means peak. Timing is most applicable to Tasmania and should be adjusted using local survey records elsewhere in Australia.

  • Breeding, courtship and nest preparation: Breeding is reported from July to December in one identification source. In south-eastern Tasmania, females were observed inspecting or refurbishing nests around early September and breeding activity began in spring.
  • Egg laying and incubation: Most eggs were reportedly laid around mid-October in south-eastern Tasmania. Incubation lasts about 35 days, and incubation or early nestling checks occurred from late September to mid-November.
  • Nestlings and dependent young: Young remain in the nest for about 35 to 40 days after hatching and may continue using the natal area after fledging. In the south-eastern Tasmanian study, juveniles had generally dispersed from natal nests by the end of February.
  • Resident movement and foraging excursions: The species is a year-round resident. Adults use core areas around nests and foraging sites, with occasional excursions of about 5 to 54 km from the nest, especially outside or late in the breeding season.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing and disturbance are most likely to harm the species from nest preparation in late winter and early spring through the period of eggs, nestlings and recently fledged young. Active nest buffers and local breeding evidence should take precedence over calendar timing.

Identification

The Grey Goshawk is a powerful, broad-winged forest raptor. In Tasmania it occurs as the all-white form, while mainland birds may be grey or white.

The grey morph has a pale grey head and back, dark wingtips, a barred grey breast and tail, and white underparts. The white morph is entirely white and is the only completely white bird of prey described in the supplied sources. Adults are 40 to 55 cm long with a wingspan of 70 to 110 cm.

Identification: Sex and flight appearance

Females are substantially larger than males. The female may weigh up to about 990 g, while males average about 355 g. Birds are often detected perched in the forest canopy or flying over forest, timbered watercourses, farmland and urban fringes.

Identification: Field signs

Nests are large stick structures placed high in tall trees and lined with green leaves. Confirmed breeding signs include an adult sitting in an incubation position, nestlings in the nest, or juveniles perched on or beside the nest before fledging. The supplied sources do not provide reliable descriptions of calls, tracks, scats or other ground signs.

  • Inspect tall mature trees near watercourses and forest edges for stick nests, especially where the surrounding forest is wet, shaded and structurally complex.
  • Treat an occupied nest, recently used nest or nearby adult displaying breeding behaviour as a potential breeding site until checked by a suitably qualified person.

Distribution: National range

The species is endemic to Australia and occupies a relatively narrow coastal and near-coastal range. It is widely distributed but occurs at low density, with breeding concentrated in suitable mature forest and riparian areas.

The range extends from the Kimberley region of Western Australia across northern Australia, down the eastern coast through Queensland and New South Wales, into eastern and south-western Victoria, and across Bass Strait to Tasmania. The species is generally recorded within less than 1,000 km of the coast.

  • Relevant broad regions include the Kimberley, northern Australian coastal and subcoastal forests, the eastern Queensland and New South Wales coast, eastern and south-western Victoria, and Tasmania.
  • The supplied sources do not provide a state-by-state IBRA bioregion list, so regional assessments should use current state mapping and local records.

Distribution: Tasmanian strongholds

In Tasmania, breeding is concentrated in four broad regions: the north-west, north, north-east and south-east. Most nests are in the north and west, with smaller breeding populations in the south-east and north-east.

  • South-eastern records include the Huon Valley, D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Derwent and Huon valleys, Tasman Peninsula, eastern coastal forests and lower margins of the Wellington, Hartz and Meehan ranges.
  • Suitable nesting habitat is often localised in small to medium valleys with streams, creeks, drainage lines and sheltered forest.

Distribution: Population and status

The species is listed as endangered under Tasmania's Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. It is not listed under the Commonwealth EPBC Act in the supplied information. The Tasmanian population estimate of 70 to 110 breeding pairs is historical, and its current status is unknown.

Tasmanian legal status: Endangered under the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.

Commonwealth status: Not listed under the EPBC Act, according to the supplied sources.

Historical Tasmanian estimate: 70 to 110 breeding pairs.

Habitat: Forest and vegetation types

Grey Goshawks use a range of forest types, but breeding habitat is more restricted than general foraging habitat. Mature wet forest, riparian vegetation, tall trees and nearby open areas are recurring features.

The species uses rainforest, mangrove swamps, wet and dry eucalypt forest, tall woodland, Silver Wattle Acacia dealbata forest and Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon forest. In south-eastern Tasmania, nests were recorded in 26 floristic communities, including tall Eucalyptus obliqua forest, Eucalyptus regnans forest, Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus viminalis wet forest, temperate rainforest, Silver Wattle forest, riparian Blackwood forest and some dry sclerophyll forest.

  • Retain mature wet eucalypt forest and temperate rainforest.
  • Retain Blackwood swamp forest, Silver Wattle forest and riparian forest.
  • Do not assume that a small or isolated forest patch is unimportant. Nests were recorded in fragmented forest and forest bordering rural, agricultural and urban areas.

Habitat: Structure and setting

In the south-east Tasmanian study, nests were mostly in wet or damp, mixed-age sclerophyll forest with mature, older regrowth or remnant old-growth eucalypts. Nest stands commonly had complex structure, closed canopies, multi-layered understorey and little or no ground cover.

  • Give particular attention to tall trees, shaded forest, concave or valley landforms, sheltered slopes and forest near a watercourse or drainage line.
  • Nesting habitat was more likely within 0 to 140 m of a watercourse, within 0 to 200 m of a forest edge and where canopy height was about 19 to 48 m.
  • Avoid relying on distance from the mapped forest edge alone. Some nests were close to cleared land, pasture, agriculture or urban areas.

Habitat: Elevation and climate

Breeding in Tasmania is mainly associated with wet mature forest below 450 m above sea level. The south-eastern model found the strongest nesting association below 200 m, with most likely annual rainfall of about 619 to 946 mm. Suitable modelled habitat extended more broadly across about 440 to 1,600 mm rainfall and below 700 m, but this wider range should not be treated as a typical nest-site description.

  • Prioritise low-elevation wet forest and riparian vegetation during pre-clearance assessment.
  • Include drainage lines, sheltered lower valleys and forest at the lower margins of mountain ranges in habitat checks.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Grey Goshawks are opportunistic predators that hunt from forest perches and through open woodland, riparian vegetation and forest edges. They can forage across modified areas when prey is available.

Birds are the most frequent prey type in the supplied identification source. Other prey includes rabbits, possums, bats, small mammals, reptiles and insects. Females, being larger, can take larger prey such as currawongs, gamebirds and herons, while males more often take small to medium-sized passerines. Pigeons and parrots are also recorded prey.

  • Expect prey use to vary between sites and seasons.
  • Do not treat the presence of livestock, farms or urban areas as evidence that a site is unsuitable. Introduced prey can form part of the diet in modified areas.

Foraging habitat: Foraging places and behaviour

The species hunts from perches in the forest canopy and uses open woodland, tall wet forest, riparian zones, timbered watercourses and forest edges. It hunts by stealth and can pursue prey before taking it with its talons.

  • Retain mature perches, riparian trees, forest corridors and connected patches between nest sites and open feeding areas.
  • Check adjacent pasture, orchards, rural properties and urban fringes as part of the functional habitat assessment, not only the forest containing a nest.

Foraging habitat: Foraging range

GPS tracking in south-eastern Tasmania showed that core use was centred on nests, alternate nests and preferred foraging locations. Females averaged a 19.03 km² breeding-season MCP home range and 47.47 km² outside the breeding season. Males averaged 160.50 km² and 219.00 km² respectively.

  • During breeding, females usually concentrated activity near the nest but sometimes travelled about 5 to 13 km away for one to four days.
  • Recorded maximum distances from the nest were 12.9 km for a female in the breeding season and 11.6 km for a male. In the non-breeding season, a female travelled up to 54 km from the nest and a male up to 17.6 km.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding pairs use mature trees in wet forest, usually near water. They may maintain several nests within a territory and can reuse a nest stand over successive breeding periods.

Breeding timing varies between the supplied sources. A broad breeding period of July to December is reported, while Tasmanian field work describes breeding from mid-September to February, with most eggs laid around mid-October. Nest checks in one study confirmed incubation or early nestling activity from late September to mid-November.

Breeding season: Broadly July to February in the supplied sources. In south-eastern Tasmania, the main breeding period was 1 October to 14 February, with egg laying generally around mid-October.

Clutch size: Two or three eggs.

Incubation: About 35 days.

Fledging: Young fledge about 35 to 40 days after hatching.

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied sources.

Lifespan: Not stated in the supplied sources.

Nests per territory: Mean 2.0 nests per breeding territory, with a range of 1 to 6 nests.

Breeding habitat: Nest habitat

Nests are built high in tall trees from sticks and twigs, with a lining of green leaves. In the Tasmanian study, mean nest height was 20.9 m, with a range of 13.0 to 31.0 m. Nests were usually in mature wet forest or damp riparian vegetation near a watercourse.

Mean nest height: 20.9 m above ground.

Recorded nest height range: 13.0 to 31.0 m.

Median distance between nests in a territory: 78.0 m.

Recorded distance between nests: 1.8 to 915.0 m.

Largest recorded nest stand: 0.54 ha containing six nests.

  • Search mature trees within about 140 m of watercourses and within about 200 m of forest edges where other habitat features are present.
  • Retain the nest tree, alternate nest trees, surrounding mature forest, riparian vegetation and access routes used by adults.
  • Apply a no-disturbance approach around active nests. The Tasmanian management profile specifies preventing disturbance within 100 m of an active nest.

Breeding habitat: Young and parental care

The female is primarily responsible for incubation and feeding, while the male mainly hunts. Juveniles may remain associated with the natal area after fledging, and tracking data indicates that juveniles generally dispersed from natal nests by the end of February in the south-eastern Tasmanian study.

  • Treat the nest area and nearby mature forest as sensitive after fledging, because dependent young may still use the natal area and associated foraging sites.
  • Check for branchers, fledged juveniles perched near the nest and adults carrying food before clearing or noisy works.

Sheltering habitat: Roosting and resting places

The supplied sources describe shelter and resting mainly in relation to forest structure, canopy perches, nest trees and dense riparian or wet forest. They do not identify separate dens, burrows or roost structures.

Grey Goshawks perch and hunt in the forest canopy. Suitable habitat commonly includes tall wet forest, timbered watercourses, shaded forest, mature trees and connected forest corridors. The species may also use open woodland and forest edges.

  • Retain mature canopy trees and continuous or connected riparian vegetation, including trees outside the immediate nest stand.
  • Inspect tall trees and sheltered forest near water for birds, alternate nests and repeated perch use before vegetation removal.

Sheltering habitat: Nest stands and alternate nests

Breeding territories can contain several nests. In 73 Tasmanian territories, 153 nests were identified, with a maximum of six nests in one nest stand and up to three nest stands in one territory. Alternate nests and preferred foraging sites were within the birds' core-use areas.

Nests recorded: 153 nests in 73 breeding territories.

Maximum nests in one stand: Six.

Maximum nest stands in one territory: Three.

Largest area containing active and alternate nests: 21.18 ha for six nests in three forest stands.

  • Do not clear an apparently unused stick nest without checking whether it is an alternate nest in an occupied territory.
  • Assess surrounding forest beyond the active nest tree, because the 50 percent and 75 percent core areas include alternate nests and preferred foraging locations.

Sheltering habitat: Other refuge features

The supplied sources do not report den, burrow, hollow, slough, eyeshine or ground-cover requirements for this species. For a forest raptor, tree retention and protection of canopy, riparian and valley vegetation are the supported shelter measures.

  • Use a qualified fauna ecologist to investigate any large stick nest, repeated canopy perch or adult bird showing territorial behaviour.
  • Where clearing is unavoidable, retain connected forest and riparian trees between the nest area and known or likely feeding areas.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main development risk is loss or alteration of mature wet forest and riparian habitat, especially around active and alternate nests. Disturbance, infrastructure hazards and toxicants can affect adults, young and the prey base.

Clearance and alteration of mature wet forest are identified as major threats in Tasmania. Blackwood swamp forest, forest along watercourses and other connecting forest corridors are particularly important. Clearing for plantations, pasture, urban development and infrastructure can remove nest trees, reduce prey habitat and isolate breeding territories.

  • Avoid clearing mature wet forest, riparian forest, tall trees and known nest stands.
  • Map active and alternate nests, forest corridors, watercourses and nearby open feeding areas before finalising the clearing footprint.
  • Retain habitat below 450 m above sea level where it matches wet mature forest and riparian nest-site features.

Threats: Disturbance and roads

Disturbance at nest sites is a documented threat. Vehicles and construction activity may also cause direct collision risk, particularly where works occur near forest edges, roads, powerlines or flight paths between nest and feeding areas.

  • Prevent disturbance within 100 m of an active nest in accordance with the Tasmanian management profile.
  • Schedule noisy or high-traffic works outside the breeding and dependent-young period where practicable, and obtain species-specific advice before changing an established nest buffer.
  • Use fauna spotter catchers to check tall trees, canopy activity and nest trees before clearing or construction.

Threats: Powerlines and other infrastructure

Electrocution from electricity infrastructure and collisions with vehicles are identified threats. New poles, overhead wires, temporary lighting, cranes and other tall structures may create additional collision or perching hazards where they intersect regular flight paths.

  • Assess powerline alignment and construction access routes near known nests, forest edges and watercourses.
  • Use species-specific engineering and environmental controls where a project places wires or other infrastructure near active goshawk habitat.

Threats: Persecution and toxicants

Persecution, deliberate shooting, secondary poisoning from rodenticides and bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals are documented threats. Conflict may arise where goshawks take poultry or other domestic animals.

  • Do not use rodenticides or other toxicants in a way that could expose goshawks through poisoned prey or carcasses.
  • Manage poultry and livestock interactions without shooting, trapping or poisoning the birds.
  • Report injured, dead or poisoned goshawks through the relevant state wildlife authority.

Threats: Fire and hydrology

The supplied sources do not quantify fire thresholds or hydrological impacts. Because nests are strongly associated with wet forest, riparian vegetation, drainage lines and sheltered valleys, changes to watercourses, drainage patterns or wet-forest condition may reduce breeding habitat.

  • Avoid diverting, draining or infilling watercourses, drainage lines and wet forest near known or modelled nesting habitat.
  • Assess indirect effects of road drainage, culverts, sediment, altered flows and loss of riparian canopy.
  • Obtain site-specific ecological advice on fire regimes and planned burns where mature wet forest, nest trees or riparian corridors may be affected.

Survey methodology: 1. Nest and habitat assessment

No species-specific survey guideline was provided in the source material. Survey design should reflect the Grey Goshawk's low density, cryptic behaviour, large home ranges and strong association with mature wet forest, watercourses and nest trees.

Search mature wet and damp forest, riparian vegetation, Blackwood and Silver Wattle forest, temperate rainforest, tall eucalypt forest and forest edges near watercourses.

Prioritise low elevations, especially below 200 m above sea level, sheltered valleys, concave landforms, south-easterly aspects and forest with canopy heights of about 19 to 48 m.

Inspect areas within about 140 m of watercourses and 200 m of forest edges first, because these distances were associated with modelled nesting habitat in south-eastern Tasmania.

Look for stick nests high in mature trees, Grey Goshawks perched in the canopy, territorial or breeding displays, and adults carrying nest material or food.

Recorded nest height: Mean 20.9 m above ground, range 13 to 31 m

Recorded nest elevation: 1.1 to 384 m above sea level in the south-eastern Tasmania study

Recorded breeding territories: 73 active territories in the study area

  • Complete a desktop habitat assessment before field work using current vegetation, watercourse, canopy height, elevation and forest-edge mapping where available.
  • Walk or scan all mature forest and riparian habitat that may be cleared, including retained patches that could be connected to the work area.
  • Use experienced observers because the species occurs at low densities and may be missed during a single visit.

Survey methodology: 2. Dawn and daytime targeted searches

Conduct repeated searches from elevated or open vantage points overlooking mature forest, timbered watercourses, forest edges and valley systems.

Search during the breeding period, with particular attention from September to February when active nests, nestlings and fledged young are most likely to be present.

Record all goshawk sightings, flight paths, perch trees, suspected nest trees, alarm behaviour and direction of travel using a GPS.

Inspect likely nest trees from the ground without approaching an active nest closely or causing repeated disturbance.

Breeding timing reported in the sources: July to December in one source, and mid-September to February in the GPS study

Typical breeding-season ranging: Female maximum distance from the nest was 12.9 km and male maximum distance was 11.6 km in the GPS study

  • Use binoculars or a telescope to scan tree crowns and exposed perches before entering dense forest.
  • Search adjoining forest within the expected territory, not only the proposed clearing footprint, because tracked birds used core areas centred on nests and preferred foraging sites and made excursions several kilometres from nests.
  • Repeat the search when visibility is poor or dense foliage prevents a reliable assessment, and document the limitation.

Survey methodology: 3. Call playback and targeted nest verification

Use call playback only where it is permitted by the relevant approval and where the ecologist has assessed that the benefit outweighs disturbance risk.

Apply playback from outside likely nest buffers, keep the session brief, and stop immediately if a bird shows sustained alarm, repeated close passes or defensive behaviour.

Use reported sightings, landholder information, breeding displays and photographic evidence to target follow-up searches, as these approaches helped locate confirmed nests in the Tasmania study.

Confirm a suspected nest by direct observation from a suitable distance or recent photographic evidence, rather than by climbing or approaching the nest tree.

  • Do not use playback near an active nest, during incubation or when dependent young are present unless the approval expressly allows it.
  • Do not rely on a negative playback response as evidence that Grey Goshawks are absent.
  • Record the date, start and finish time, weather, observer names, playback location, response and any nest or bird location.

Survey methodology: 4. Minimum effort and reporting

The supplied documents do not specify a standard number of survey nights, transect length, trapping effort or spotlighting effort for Grey Goshawks. Set effort from the size and quality of the habitat, the proposed impact and the likelihood of nesting, and document the rationale.

Do not use trapping as a default method for this species. The available trapping information relates to research telemetry, where 15 adults were captured near known active nests using a remote bow-net, roadkill or call playback and a taxidermy lure.

Submit verified records, suspected nests, breeding observations and locations of injured or dead birds to the relevant state wildlife database and advise the project regulator where required.

Provide survey maps, dates, weather, observer qualifications, methods, effort, detection conditions, habitat descriptions, photographs, GPS data, negative-survey limitations and all records of disturbance or nest buffers in the project report.

Tasmanian status: Endangered under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995

Commonwealth status in the supplied sources: Not listed under the EPBC Act

Estimated Tasmanian population: Less than 110 breeding pairs, with an earlier estimate of 70 to 110 pairs

  • Check the current Tasmanian and relevant jurisdictional survey and permit requirements before field work.
  • Record the species under the current accepted name, Grey Goshawk, Tachyspiza novaehollandiae, and note any taxonomic name used in older records.
  • Retain raw GPS tracks, photographs and nest observations so the record can be independently checked.
  • Report a confirmed or suspected active nest to the project ecologist and regulator before works proceed in the affected area.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Treat mature wet forest, riparian forest and connected forest patches as potential Grey Goshawk habitat. The main project risk is removal or alteration of mature wet forest and disturbance near active nests.

Redesign the footprint to retain mature wet and damp forest, Blackwood swamp forest, tall eucalypt forest, temperate rainforest, forest along watercourses and connecting forest corridors.

Retain mature trees and forest stands within and beside valleys, drainage lines, riparian zones and forest edges, particularly where canopy height is about 19 to 48 m.

Avoid clearing in sheltered, shaded forest near watercourses, especially at low elevations and on south-easterly aspects.

Retain adjoining foraging habitat because adults have large ranges and use preferred foraging areas as well as nest trees.

Nest reserve reference: The Tasmanian species profile recommends preventing disturbance within 100 m of an active nest

Nest stands: A breeding territory contained up to six nests, and the largest recorded nest stand was 0.54 ha

Nest spacing: Median distance between nests within territories was 78 m, with a range of 1.8 to 915 m

  • Keep an undisturbed buffer around every active nest and apply the larger distance required by the approval, permit or species management advice.
  • Use the Tasmanian management profile recommendation of no disturbance within 100 m of an active nest as a minimum planning reference, unless a regulator or permit requires a larger buffer.
  • Maintain connected forest between nests, riparian areas and retained habitat rather than leaving isolated mature trees or small disconnected patches.
  • Do not clear alternate nest trees or a nest stand merely because the nest is not active in the current season.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

The species is listed as endangered in Tasmania, so obtain the required state approvals and permits before taking, disturbing or interfering with a bird, nest or other wildlife feature.

The species is not listed under the EPBC Act in the supplied sources, but check the current Commonwealth list and referral requirements before finalising the assessment.

Schedule clearing and high-noise activities outside the breeding period where practicable, noting that the sources report breeding activity from July to December and from mid-September to February.

Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies potential nest trees, retained forest, watercourses, buffers, fauna spotter catcher responsibilities, stop-work triggers and reporting lines.

  • Stage works so that habitat is cleared in small, controlled areas and retained habitat remains available while the project progresses.
  • Place access tracks, laydown areas, lighting, generators and noisy plant away from mature riparian forest and active or suspected nest trees.
  • Include procedures for unexpected nest discovery, injured birds, powerline risk, vehicle collision and chemical or rodenticide exposure.
  • Brief all operators and contractors before work starts, with maps showing exclusion zones and no-go habitat.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

Complete a pre-clearance inspection shortly before clearing, because nests may be newly established or alternate nests may be used within a breeding territory.

Mark active and suspected nest trees, alternate nest trees, mature riparian trees, forest corridors and other retained habitat on the ground and in the site plans.

Install exclusion fencing where it can protect retained forest and buffers without damaging roots, restricting bird movement or creating a collision hazard.

Confirm that the fauna spotter catcher has authority, suitable equipment, an agreed wildlife carer and veterinary contact, and a method for recording all fauna interactions.

  • Use a no-go marker that is visible from plant operating positions and access routes.
  • Inspect the underside and crown of likely nest trees from the ground without climbing, cutting branches or disturbing the nest.
  • Fence or barricade the active nest buffer and any retained habitat that could be entered accidentally by machinery or workers.
  • Recheck the work area if clearing is delayed or the season changes.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and spotter catcher procedure

Grey Goshawks may be present well beyond the nest tree. Clearing must therefore be supervised, progressive and able to stop immediately when a bird, nest or unexpected habitat feature is found.

Complete a pre-start inspection of the approved work area, exclusion zones, mature trees, watercourses and retained forest each day.

Have the fauna spotter catcher inspect the next clearing section before machinery enters it and remain in communication with the operator throughout the activity.

Clear progressively in short sections, keep machinery slow enough to stop safely, and maintain a clear line of sight between the spotter catcher and the machine operator.

Keep workers, vehicles, lighting and noise away from active nest buffers and retained riparian forest.

  • Stop the machine immediately when the spotter catcher gives the agreed stop signal.
  • Do not allow an operator to resume until the spotter catcher has inspected the hazard, removed or relocated fauna under the approved procedure, or obtained ecologist approval.
  • Keep all workers out of a nest buffer unless the approval specifically permits entry.
  • Prevent dogs, cats and unauthorised people from entering retained habitat or the nest buffer.

During habitat disturbance: If a Grey Goshawk is found

Stop work and give the bird space; do not chase, call repeatedly, throw objects or attempt to flush it from a nest tree.

The fauna spotter catcher must not capture or handle the bird unless they are authorised, trained and the approved fauna management plan allows it.

If the bird moves into nearby retained habitat, keep machinery stopped until it has moved away and the ecologist has assessed whether a nest, dependent young or repeated disturbance risk is present.

If the bird is injured, contain it only where safe and authorised, place it in a suitable ventilated carrier, minimise handling and transport it promptly to an approved wildlife carer or veterinarian.

  • Record the bird's location, condition, behaviour, direction of movement, photographs if safe, time, plant involved and action taken.
  • Treat repeated adult alarm calls, defensive flights, a nestling, an occupied nest or a bird carrying food as evidence requiring an ecologist assessment before work resumes.
  • Do not relocate an adult Grey Goshawk or a nest unless the relevant authority has approved that action and a suitably authorised person is responsible.
  • Use nearby retained forest for any approved relocation only after confirming that the habitat is safe and suitable.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and stop-work triggers

Stop work if a nest, suspected nest, nest tree, dependent young, injured Grey Goshawk or previously unmapped mature riparian forest is found.

Stop work if clearing enters the approved nest buffer, damages a retained tree, blocks a forest corridor or affects a watercourse or drainage line identified as Grey Goshawk habitat.

Treat hollow-bearing trees, large mature trees, logs, rock piles, dense cover and wetlands as fauna habitat features that require inspection and handling under the approved fauna plan, even though the supplied sources identify mature trees and riparian forest as the principal Grey Goshawk features.

Do not fell a suspected nest tree, alternate nest tree or nearby mature tree until the ecologist has checked the area and the regulator has been consulted where required.

  • Lower or place habitat features carefully only when the fauna management plan requires it, and keep them within nearby retained habitat where this is safe and approved.
  • Do not create open gaps between retained forest and watercourses that prevent movement between feeding and nesting areas.
  • Manage dust, smoke, runoff, sediment, herbicide and noise so that retained riparian forest and watercourses are not degraded.
  • Record each stop-work event, the trigger, location, time, decision-maker, controls and approval to recommence.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance work must confirm that buffers and retained habitat remain intact and that project activities have not displaced a breeding pair or damaged access to nest and foraging areas.

Inspect the cleared edge, retained forest, watercourses and active nest buffers after each clearing stage and after major changes to access, drainage or construction activity.

Check for injured or dead birds, damaged nest trees, fallen nests, new access into exclusion zones, erosion, sediment deposition, lighting spill and loss of canopy connection.

Repeat targeted searches during the next suitable breeding period where works occurred beside potential nesting habitat or where a Grey Goshawk was detected before or during construction.

Maintain exclusion fencing, signs and no-go markers until the ecologist confirms that the risk has ended and the approval allows their removal.

  • Reinstate a damaged buffer immediately and notify the project environmental officer.
  • Report any collision, electrocution, shooting, poisoning or suspected rodenticide exposure to the relevant authority and wildlife carer or veterinarian.
  • Do not remove a fallen nest or dead bird until it has been photographed, recorded and dealt with under the permit and incident procedure.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained mature forest, riparian corridors and known nest areas for evidence of continued use, including adults, nest building, nestlings, fledged young, alarm behaviour and regular flight paths.

Use the monitoring period and frequency specified in the approval or fauna management plan, and increase monitoring if a bird is detected near construction or if breeding activity is suspected.

Report results to the regulator, land manager and relevant state wildlife database, including negative findings and any limitations caused by access, weather or visibility.

Review the controls if the species stops using a retained nest area or if new activity is concentrated near the work boundary.

  • Map all post-clearance observations and compare them with pre-clearance nest and habitat maps.
  • Record the condition of retained forest, watercourses, buffers and corridors at each monitoring visit.
  • Keep records of incidents, corrective actions, rehabilitation, offsets and approval correspondence with the project environmental file.
  • Apply offsets or other compensatory measures where required by the approval, permit or state threatened species process.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should restore mature, shaded, connected forest near watercourses and retain the structure needed for future nesting and foraging. Grey Goshawk habitat develops over long time frames, so protecting existing trees and regeneration is more effective than relying only on new planting.

Revegetate cleared edges and drainage lines with locally appropriate native wet-forest species, including eucalypts, Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon, Silver Wattle Acacia dealbata and other species characteristic of the retained forest community.

Re-establish continuous native vegetation between retained forest patches, watercourses, valleys and known or potential nest areas.

Retain and protect mature trees, older regrowth and natural regeneration because recorded nests were mostly in mature, older regrowth or remnant old-growth eucalypt forest.

Restore shaded, structurally complex forest with a closed canopy, layered understorey and little exposed ground where this matches the local forest community.

Forest types recorded at nests: Wet and dry eucalypt forest, Silver Wattle, Blackwood forest and temperate rainforest

Nest-tree height: Mean 20.9 m, with recorded nests 13 to 31 m above ground

  • Use local provenance seed or tubestock where required by the rehabilitation specification and match plantings to the existing wet eucalypt, Blackwood, Silver Wattle or rainforest community.
  • Control weeds until planted and regenerating vegetation can persist without intensive maintenance.
  • Prevent grazing, browsing, unauthorised vehicle access and compaction in rehabilitated riparian areas.
  • Do not plant a dense screen that blocks an existing flight path or creates a collision hazard near powerlines.

Rehabilitation actions: Nest and fauna features

Retain fallen timber and natural logs where they do not create a fire, safety or pest risk, because they contribute to forest structure and prey habitat.

Do not install nest boxes as a substitute for retaining mature nest trees unless a suitably qualified ecologist and the relevant authority approve the design and location.

If a nest tree is lost, retain nearby mature trees and restore the surrounding forest and riparian connection rather than attempting to move the nest without approval.

Restore wetlands, drainage lines and watercourse margins with native vegetation and stable banks, while preventing sediment and polluted runoff.

  • Use nest boxes only as a supplementary measure with a documented need, suitable structural support and an inspection and maintenance plan.
  • Do not place nest boxes or artificial structures within powerline collision zones or where they could increase disturbance near an active nest.
  • Replace damaged habitat features only under the approved fauna management plan and record their location and condition.
  • Keep rehabilitation works outside active nest buffers unless they are specifically approved and supervised.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor plant survival, canopy development, weed cover, riparian stability, corridor continuity and use of restored habitat by Grey Goshawks and their prey.

Use adult sightings, repeated use of restored forest, nest building, occupancy of an approved nest box and successful fledging as species-related indicators, while recognising that mature nesting structure will take many years to develop.

Inspect rehabilitated areas during the breeding period and compare results with the pre-clearance habitat assessment.

Continue weed, pest, fire and access management so that restored forest remains shaded, connected and suitable for nesting and foraging.

  • Set measurable targets for plant survival, native cover, weed cover, bank stability and corridor continuity in the rehabilitation plan.
  • Record all Grey Goshawk observations and submit verified records to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Manage fire in consultation with the land manager and fire authority to protect mature wet forest, riparian vegetation and regenerating stands.
  • Review rehabilitation methods if monitoring shows canopy loss, drying of riparian forest, reduced connectivity or repeated disturbance near a nest.

Sources