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Long Sunskink (Lampropholis elongata)

The long sunskink is a small, cryptic skink found only in high elevation grasslands and grassy woodlands on the southern Walcha Plateau in north eastern New South Wales. It shelters in tussocks, rocks and occasional timber, so clearing and ground disturbance can remove animals and their limited habitat without obvious signs. The species is listed as critically endangered under both Commonwealth and New South Wales legislation.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Critically endangered.

Breeding season

The Long sunskink breeds in late spring and summer. Females develop eggs from late October and lay in November and December. Timing may vary with elevation, temperature and conditions on the Walcha Plateau.

Breeding mode: Egg laying. Females lay eggs.

Clutch size: 2 to 6 eggs.

Incubation: 33 to 34 days in captivity.

Age at maturity: Males usually mature at one year of age, at about 30 mm snout to vent length. Females mature at about two years of age, at approximately 30 to 40 mm snout to vent length.

Nest sites: Not recorded. Long sunskinks may use communal nests, as occurs in other Lampropholis species.

Fledging or weaning: Not recorded. Hatchlings are approximately 20 mm snout to vent length.

Breeding frequency: Not recorded.

Breeding and activity may shift between years and sites with temperature, elevation, fire history and local weather, so surveys should allow for activity outside the peak months.

  • Female egg development: Females develop eggs from late October, before laying begins.
  • Egg laying: Egg laying is recorded for November and December.
  • Hatching and young: The recorded laying period and 33 to 34 day incubation indicate that hatching and very young skinks are most likely from December to February.
  • Daytime activity and sheltering: The species is expected to be most active in warmer months, foraging during the day under and among grass tussocks, rocks and occasional timber.
  • Highest clearing risk: Avoid clearing or ground disturbance from October to February where practicable, because works may affect egg laying, eggs and newly hatched young; as a critically endangered species, occupied tussock habitat also requires protection outside this period.

Identification: Appearance and size

The long sunskink is a small, slender skink that is easily overlooked during site works. Careful identification is needed because it can occur with common brown Lampropholis species.

Adults are about 55 mm snout to vent length. Hatchlings are about 20 mm. The body is long and the legs are short.

The upper body is usually shiny mid brown to bronze. A dark lateral stripe runs from behind the eye along the side and onto the tail. The belly is usually cream to grey, and may have dark brown or black markings.

  • Five fingers and five toes.
  • A large gap between the front and back legs when the limbs are pressed against the body.
  • A moveable lower eyelid with a large transparent disc.
  • No obvious dark stripe along the spine.

Identification: Similar species

The long sunskink may occur with the delicate skink, Lampropholis delicata, and the garden skink, Lampropholis guichenoti. It may also occur with the mountain sunskink, Lampropholis caligula.

The long sunskink has a more conspicuously striped pattern than many other Lampropholis species. Species confirmation should be obtained from a suitably experienced herpetologist where an animal is captured or photographed.

  • Check the long body, five fingers and five toes, and the side stripe together.
  • Do not rely on colour alone. Colour and belly markings can vary between individuals.

Identification: Calls and field signs

No call or echolocation feature is used to locate this species. It is usually detected when it moves from ground cover or is found under a shelter during an active search.

Droppings, nests, whitewash, stains and odour are not reliable field signs for this small skink. The most useful signs are live animals, shed cover or occupied shelter sites, together with suitable tussock habitat.

  • Treat grass tussocks, rocks and timber as potential shelter sites.
  • Photograph the animal from above and the side where safe to do so.
  • Record the exact location, habitat, elevation and shelter type.

Identification: Site survey approach

Because the long sunskink is critically endangered and has a very restricted known range, a qualified ecologist should assess suitable habitat before clearing or construction. Targeted searches should focus on tussock bases, the underside of moveable rocks and occasional timber, with careful handling and replacement of shelters.

Survey effort should be repeated where conditions, season or access could affect detection. Avoid destructive searches and keep machinery, vehicles and people out of occupied or potentially occupied tussock patches until the site has been assessed.

  • Give priority to high elevation sites on the Walcha Plateau, especially above 1180 m and in habitat with connected tussock cover.
  • Use an experienced reptile survey team and confirm records with clear photographs or other appropriate evidence.
  • Follow current Commonwealth and New South Wales approval, reporting and handling requirements.

Distribution: Range in Australia

The long sunskink is known only from New South Wales. Its known distribution is very small, although additional animals may occur in unsurveyed high elevation habitat, including on private land.

Records are from the southern edge of the Walcha Plateau in north eastern New South Wales. Known areas include Ngulin Nature Reserve and surrounding land, the unreserved public land around the Mt Grundy Fire Tower, adjacent private property, Riamukka State Forest and the vicinity of a private property known as The Flags.

Recorded elevations are 1180 to 1455 m above sea level. Records made after 1972 are all from above 1260 m.

  • New South Wales is the only Australian state with confirmed records.
  • Potential habitat may occur in Mummel Gulf National Park, Nowendoc National Park, Tuggolo Creek Nature Reserve and protected forestry management areas.
  • Other possible areas include Enfield, Nowendoc, Nundle, Terrible Billy and Tuggolo State Forests.

Distribution: Range limits and site planning

The current recorded extent of occurrence is about 8 km². The known area of occupancy is about 8 to 12 km², with the recorded 2022 distribution represented by 8 km².

The species is known from one threat defined location. A single fire could potentially affect the entire currently known population.

  • Do not assume that land outside the four confirmed sites is unoccupied where suitable habitat remains.
  • Include nearby suitable private land, forest edges, grassland patches and connected tussock areas in pre works assessments.
  • Treat new records as high priority and report them through the relevant approval and threatened species channels.

Distribution: Overseas range

The long sunskink is endemic to Australia. No overseas range is known.

Habitat: Vegetation and landform

Look for the long sunskink in high elevation, open grassy habitats with shelter close to the ground. Large, connected tussock patches are more suitable than isolated, heavily disturbed grass tufts.

Known habitat includes tussock grasslands, grassy open canopy eucalypt woodland, grassy clearings and forest edges. The species has also been recorded in plantations where suitable ground cover remains.

Sites are generally on the southern Walcha Plateau at 1180 to 1455 m above sea level, on stony granite or basalt derived soils.

  • Well connected tussocks, particularly Poa sieberiana, or grey tussock grass and snow grass.
  • Open canopy eucalypt woodland with a grassy understorey.
  • Grassy clearings and edges within forests, woodlands and plantations.
  • Stony ground with rocks and patches of continuous ground cover.

Habitat: Features to check on a works site

Map all tussock patches and grassy openings before access tracks, compounds, easements or clearing are marked out. Include apparently degraded areas if they retain the right elevation and soil features and could be restored.

Habitat can be very small. In 2022, all occupied sites had habitat areas of less than 1 ha.

  • Poa sieberiana tussocks with cover extending to the ground.
  • Moveable rocks, timber and rough ground among tussocks.
  • Links between grass patches that allow movement under cover.
  • Edges between open woodland, grassland and forest.

Habitat: Habitat protection

All known and historically occupied areas should be treated as habitat critical to survival. Adjacent suitable areas can also support persistence and recovery.

For critically endangered species, avoid clearing or modifying suitable habitat wherever practicable. Redesign work areas first, then apply site controls and approvals before any disturbance.

  • Fence and clearly mark no go habitat before machinery arrives.
  • Keep vehicles, stockpiles, spoil and access tracks out of tussock patches.
  • Retain rocks, timber and ground cover within protected areas.
  • Prevent unnecessary fragmentation of connected grass cover.

Foraging habitat: Where to look

The long sunskink is likely to forage during the day under and among ground cover. Its diet is expected to consist of insects and other small prey.

Search beneath and between dense grass tussocks, especially Poa sieberiana. Grassy woodland openings, clearing edges and forest margins can provide foraging habitat when ground cover is continuous.

The species may be found in and under shelters during active searches. Warm, suitable conditions can improve the chance of detecting moving skinks, but survey timing should be set by an experienced ecologist for the site.

  • Tussock bases and the shaded ground immediately beneath them.
  • Gaps between connected tussocks.
  • Edges of grassy clearings and open canopy woodland.
  • Ground around moveable rocks and occasional timber.

Foraging habitat: Foraging habitat management

Retain a continuous layer of native ground cover. Avoid broad scale slashing, grading, intensive grazing, soil compaction and removal of rocks or timber in suitable habitat.

Where habitat has been disturbed, restoration may include protecting surviving tussocks and re establishing suitable native grass cover, including Poa sieberiana where appropriate to the site.

  • Keep work limits narrow and clearly marked.
  • Use low impact access routes that avoid tussock habitat.
  • Do not burn or slash occupied or potentially occupied patches without specialist ecological advice and required approvals.
  • Manage weeds and grazing so that native tussock cover is maintained.

Foraging habitat: Survey during works

Use a staged approach. Search and mark habitat before clearing, inspect the work area immediately before disturbance, and maintain fauna management oversight during ground works.

If a skink is found, stop work in the immediate area, protect the shelter and animal, and contact the project ecologist or fauna spotter catcher. Do not relocate it unless this has been authorised and a suitable method is in place.

Breeding habitat: Breeding timing

Breeding information for the long sunskink is limited, and nest sites have not been recorded. The species should still be managed as though suitable tussock and ground shelter may contain eggs or breeding animals during the breeding season.

Females develop eggs from late October and lay 2 to 6 eggs in November and December. Females mature at about 30 to 40 mm snout to vent length, usually at about two years of age. Males mature at about 30 mm, usually at one year.

  • Eggs are laid in concealed ground locations that have not been confirmed for this species.
  • Lampropholis species can use communal nests, so more than one female may use a suitable nesting area.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat to protect

Retain dense tussock bases, connected grass cover, rocks and occasional timber throughout the breeding period. Avoid disturbing soil, lifting shelters, grading, slashing or burning suitable patches in November and December.

Do not assume that a patch is unoccupied because no animals are seen. Eggs and small skinks can remain concealed within ground cover.

  • Protect all confirmed sites and nearby suitable habitat.
  • Keep spoil, machinery and temporary facilities away from tussock patches.
  • Use hand methods and ecological supervision where work near potential shelter cannot be avoided.

Breeding habitat: Works controls

Before works begin, the project ecologist should identify any practical no disturbance areas and document the approvals and response procedure for an animal or suspected nest. Any proposed disturbance to occupied habitat needs species specific advice because of the critically endangered listing.

If a possible nest or concentration of skinks is found, stop work locally and retain the surrounding cover. Do not excavate, collect eggs or move shelters without approval and specialist direction.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter features

The long sunskink relies on low ground shelter rather than hollows or elevated roosts. Dense tussocks, especially Poa sieberiana, are the main shelter feature, with rocks and occasional timber also used.

Animals have been found sheltering in grass tussocks and under moveable rocks. They may also use timber on the ground. Large patches or continuous cover of well connected tussocks provide the best shelter structure.

Shelter sites can be easily damaged by vehicles, earthworks, fire, slashing, grading and removal of surface material.

  • Dense Poa sieberiana tussocks.
  • Ground beneath and between tussocks.
  • Moveable rocks on stony soils.
  • Occasional fallen timber.

Sheltering habitat: Handling shelters

Treat every tussock, rock and piece of timber in suitable habitat as potentially occupied until it has been checked. Replace rocks and timber exactly as found after inspection, and avoid pulling apart or crushing tussock bases.

A fauna spotter catcher should use the least disruptive search method available. Any captured animal should be kept for the shortest practical time and managed under the approved project procedure.

  • Work from the edge of a patch towards cleared ground where possible.
  • Keep inspected shelters shaded and protected from machinery.
  • Record the shelter type and location for any animal found.

Sheltering habitat: Retain and restore cover

Protect connected tussock areas during construction and rehabilitation. Do not use imported fill, mulch or landscaping treatments that bury or replace native ground cover in retained habitat.

Modified areas with suitable elevation and soil attributes may be restorable. Restoration should be designed by an ecologist and land manager, with native tussock establishment and protection from repeat disturbance.

Threats: Clearing and construction

The long sunskink is critically endangered, with a very small known range and fewer than 160 mature individuals estimated in 2022. Development and land management should therefore follow an avoid first approach, with specialist advice for any potential habitat disturbance.

The main works risk is direct loss or fragmentation of tussock habitat. Clearing, road formation, trenching, grading, soil disturbance and construction compounds can remove shelter and foraging areas, including small patches less than 1 ha.

Avoid suitable habitat in project design. Where avoidance is not practicable, obtain the required approvals and prepare a species specific fauna management plan before work starts.

  • Mark exclusion zones before vegetation or ground works.
  • Keep access, spoil, laydown and drainage works outside retained tussock habitat.
  • Use staged clearing with a fauna spotter catcher and ecologist oversight.
  • Stop work and reassess if a long sunskink is found.

Threats: Forestry and vegetation management

Known occupied sites have occurred in active forestry areas. Logging, plantation operations, track construction, clearing of grassy edges and removal of ground cover can affect the species directly and can isolate small populations.

Maintain open grassy habitat and connected tussock cover. Retain rocks, timber and native ground cover, and avoid unnecessary edge widening.

  • Plan operations around confirmed and potential habitat.
  • Use site specific exclusion areas around occupied patches.
  • Prevent machinery from crossing tussock habitat.
  • Monitor retained habitat after operations.

Threats: Fire and repeated disturbance

The long sunskink is susceptible to frequent fire, and a single fire could potentially affect the entire currently known population. Repeated burning, intense fire and post fire loss of tussock cover can remove shelter across a site.

Fire planning should be coordinated with threatened species specialists and land managers. Do not burn known or potential habitat without assessing the likely effect on the species and its shelter structures.

  • Retain unburnt refuge areas where fire cannot be avoided.
  • Protect surviving tussocks, rocks and timber after fire.
  • Avoid repeated disturbance before ground cover has recovered.

Threats: Invasive species and site hygiene

Weeds, intensive grazing, soil compaction and poor rehabilitation can reduce native tussock cover and prey habitat. Vehicles and earthworks can also spread weeds into small, isolated habitat patches.

Use clean machinery and keep site disturbance within approved limits. Rehabilitate with appropriate native ground cover and monitor whether tussocks re establish.

  • Control weeds without broad disturbance to occupied ground cover.
  • Manage grazing to retain dense native tussocks.
  • Prevent soil movement between known or potential sites.
  • Record and report any new occurrence during works.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The long sunskink is small, cryptic and rarely seen. Survey work should focus on its high elevation grassland habitat and the shelters it uses, especially connected tussocks of Poa sieberiana.

Review records, habitat mapping and recent aerial imagery before visiting the site. Give particular attention to land above 1180 m, and to known or potential habitat on the Walcha Plateau.

Known NSW elevation: 1180 to 1455 m above sea level

Recent post-1972 records: Above 1260 m above sea level

  • Map tussock grasslands, grassy open canopy, forest clearings, plantation edges and connected grass cover.
  • Identify stony granite and basalt soils, rock cover, timber and areas of dense Poa sieberiana.
  • Check records from Ngulin Nature Reserve, surrounding land, Riamukka State Forest, the Mt Grundy Fire Tower area, The Flags area and nearby private properties.
  • Include suitable habitat on private land, state forest, forestry management areas and adjoining reserves in the assessment.

Survey methodology: 2. Active searches

Search during daylight when small skinks are likely to forage under and among ground cover. Use a careful, methodical search rather than relying on incidental sightings.

Adult size: Approximately 55 mm snout to vent length

Hatchling size: Approximately 20 mm snout to vent length

  • Inspect the bases and edges of large grass tussocks, especially Poa sieberiana, without breaking or removing the tussock structure.
  • Search beneath moveable rocks and suitable timber where this can be done safely and lawfully. Replace every shelter exactly as found.
  • Walk slowly through habitat edges, grassy clearings and open canopy areas. Watch for movement and listen for disturbance responses in the ground cover.
  • Use experienced reptile ecologists who can distinguish the long sunskink from the delicate skink, garden skink and other Lampropholis species.
  • Photograph animals in place where possible. Obtain expert confirmation for uncertain records rather than relying on a field impression.

Survey methodology: 3. Timing and repeat effort

Plan surveys in suitable daylight conditions when the ground layer can be searched safely. A single visit is unlikely to provide a reliable result for this cryptic species, particularly where habitat is small or fragmented.

Breeding period: Egg development begins in late October, with laying in November and December

Known incubation period: 33 to 34 days in captivity

  • Use repeated visits that cover all mapped habitat and all shelter types. Set the effort according to the size, condition and complexity of the site, and document the approach used.
  • Include the breeding period in the survey design. Females develop eggs from late October and lay two to six eggs in November and December.
  • Avoid searching during heavy rain, strong cold conditions or immediately after disturbance when animals may be less detectable. Record weather and ground conditions for every visit.
  • Treat a failure to detect the species as inconclusive where suitable habitat remains.

Survey methodology: 4. Records and evidence

Keep a clear record for each search and each animal. These records support decisions about clearing, fire, forestry operations and habitat protection.

  • Record date, start and finish time, observers, search method, weather, recent fire history and the area searched.
  • Record the location of each animal or sign with a reliable GPS position, habitat type, elevation and shelter type.
  • Describe tussock cover, Poa sieberiana, rocks, timber, canopy condition, soil type and nearby disturbance.
  • Record photographs, measurements where authorised, identification confidence and whether the animal was handled or left in place.
  • Report suspected communal nesting or an unusual concentration of animals immediately to the project ecologist and relevant wildlife authority.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Approvals and permits

Avoidance is the preferred approach for this critically endangered species. Before work starts, confirm the approvals, survey findings and controls with the relevant authorities and the project ecologist.

Confirm the legal pathway before planning clearing or construction. The long sunskink is listed as critically endangered under the EPBC Act and in New South Wales.

Commonwealth status: Critically endangered

NSW status: Critically endangered under Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016

  • Assess whether the action needs an EPBC referral or approval because it may affect the species or habitat critical to its survival.
  • Check NSW requirements under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and obtain any required threatened species, animal ethics or scientific licences before survey, handling or relocation.
  • For work in another jurisdiction, check the relevant state or territory threatened species and wildlife legislation. The species is currently recorded only in NSW, but project planning should still use the applicable local requirements.
  • If a Queensland project involves a near threatened animal or interference with a breeding place, confirm whether a species management program is required. Do not assume a Queensland SMP replaces other approvals.
  • Keep approvals, conditions, maps and contact details on site.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Avoidance and site controls

Retain occupied habitat and nearby suitable habitat wherever possible. Small occupied areas can support a very restricted population, so avoid treating a patch as expendable because it is less than one hectare.

  • Redesign access, compounds, drainage, laydown areas and clearing boundaries to avoid tussock grasslands, grassy open canopy and connected Poa sieberiana cover.
  • Protect rocks, timber and the ground layer within retained habitat. Do not stockpile materials, park machinery or place spoil on these areas.
  • Set a site specific no go area around occupied and potentially occupied habitat. Define the boundary with the project ecologist and approval conditions rather than applying an unverified generic distance.
  • Use fencing and signs to keep workers, vehicles, domestic animals and machinery out of retained habitat.
  • Prevent fire escaping into retained habitat. The species is susceptible to frequent fire and a single fire could affect the entire currently known population.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Pre-clearance survey

Complete a targeted pre-clearance survey close enough to the start of works to reflect current conditions. Use the same careful shelter searches as the broader ecological survey.

Female maturity: Approximately 30 to 40 mm snout to vent length, usually about two years of age

Male maturity: About 30 mm snout to vent length, usually about one year of age

  • Search every proposed impact area, access route and temporary work area, including tussock bases, rocks and timber.
  • Survey adjacent retained habitat where animals may move during works or where it will be used for release.
  • Mark all records and likely shelter or breeding areas on the clearing plan. Treat suitable habitat with no detection as potentially occupied where survey conditions were poor.
  • Have a qualified herpetologist review identification and the proposed response before clearing proceeds.
  • Do not disturb suspected nests or communal breeding places during the survey.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Timing, exclusion and induction

There is no known migration period for the long sunskink. Timing controls should instead reflect its breeding period, daily activity and the risk of fire or ground disturbance.

  • Where practicable, schedule ground disturbance outside egg laying in November and December, and obtain project specific advice for work from late October through the incubation period.
  • Install exclusion fencing before machinery enters the work area, where fencing can be designed without damaging tussocks or trapping animals.
  • Provide a toolbox talk for all workers. Show the species, its similar skinks, no go areas, shelter habitat, stop work requirements and the reporting chain.
  • Give the spotter catcher and site supervisor authority to stop work immediately when an animal, nest or suspected breeding place is found.
  • Check fencing, signs and no go areas at the start of each shift.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Clearance should be slow, staged and supervised. The spotter catcher must be able to stop work, protect shelter habitat and arrange an authorised response whenever a long sunskink or possible breeding place is found.

Use a staged sequence that gives animals an opportunity to move into retained habitat. Keep the retained habitat connected and undisturbed while the impact area is being cleared.

  • Clearly mark the approved clearing footprint and check it before each stage.
  • Remove non habitat cover and undertake ground disturbance progressively under direct fauna supervision.
  • Search tussocks, rocks and timber immediately before they are disturbed. Replace retained shelters after inspection.
  • Keep machinery out of retained habitat and stop if an animal moves toward the work area or becomes exposed.
  • Do not burn, mulch or bury tussocks, rocks or timber until the approved fauna procedure has been completed.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Handling and relocation

Only authorised and appropriately experienced personnel should catch, handle or relocate a long sunskink. Minimise handling because the species is small, cryptic and poorly known.

  • Allow an animal to move into suitable retained habitat where safe, rather than catching it unnecessarily.
  • If capture is required, use the approved reptile handling method and place the animal in a secure, shaded container for the shortest practical time.
  • Release it into suitable nearby habitat with connected tussocks and shelter, only where this is allowed by the approval or permit and directed by the project ecologist.
  • Do not move animals across roads, into unsuitable habitat or into another population without specific approval and expert direction.
  • Record the capture, identification, condition, location, release location, time and handler.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Breeding places and concentrations

Stop work if a nest, eggs, a suspected communal nest or an unusual concentration of long sunskinks is found. Nest sites for this species have not been recorded in the field, so do not assume that a concealed site is inactive.

Clutch size: Two to six eggs

Egg laying: November and December

  • Keep people and machinery clear of the location and protect the surrounding tussocks, rocks, timber and soil surface.
  • Do not touch, excavate, relocate or cover eggs or a suspected breeding place unless directed under the relevant approval and by an authorised specialist.
  • Contact the project ecologist, approval holder and relevant wildlife authority for instructions before work resumes.
  • Map the location and establish a site specific protection area based on the breeding place, habitat and approval conditions.
  • Review the clearing sequence and timing before recommencing work.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Injured or trapped animals

Treat any injured animal as a wildlife incident. Keep the animal quiet, shaded and secure while the authorised rescue pathway is arranged.

  • Stop nearby work and have the spotter catcher assess the animal without unnecessary handling.
  • Place an injured animal in a ventilated, secure container only if authorised and safe to do so. Do not offer food or water unless directed by a wildlife veterinarian or rehabilitator.
  • Contact the nominated wildlife carer, veterinarian, regulator or project ecologist under the project approval.
  • Record the injury, suspected cause, location, time, photographs and treatment or transfer details.
  • Review the work method before restarting in the affected area.

During habitat disturbance: 5. Daily records

Keep records that allow the project team and regulators to understand what was searched, cleared and found.

  • Record the cleared area, date, crew, spotter catcher, machinery, weather and start and finish times.
  • Record all sightings, captures, relocations, injuries, deaths, nests, suspected breeding places and stop work events.
  • Update the site map after every shift and retain photographs of habitat and controls.
  • Report incidents within the timeframe required by the approval, permit or management plan.
  • Keep a running tally of animals and avoid presenting zero detections as proof of absence.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post clearance checks

Post clearance checks help confirm that controls worked and that retained habitat has not been damaged. Follow up all animals, incidents and habitat changes through the project reporting system.

Inspect the completed work area and its edges after each clearing stage. Check that no animals, nests or damaged shelter structures remain within the approved footprint.

  • Search exposed tussock bases, rocks, timber piles and disturbed ground under fauna supervision.
  • Inspect exclusion fencing, gates, signs, stockpiles and drainage for gaps, entrapment risks or encroachment into retained habitat.
  • Confirm that retained Poa sieberiana and connected grass cover remain intact.
  • Remove temporary controls only when the project ecologist confirms that they are no longer needed and approval conditions allow removal.
  • Record findings and photographs in the completion report.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Relocated animals and retained habitat

Check release areas after relocation and during follow up visits. The species has a restricted known range and its dispersal capacity is unknown, so relocation should be treated as a project specific action rather than routine mitigation.

  • Confirm that every relocated animal was released at the approved location and that the habitat remained suitable.
  • Revisit release and retained habitat using the approved survey method and record detections, shelter use and signs of disturbance.
  • Do not infer establishment from a single sighting. Use repeated monitoring where relocation has occurred.
  • Report unexpected movement, mortality or absence of suitable shelter to the project ecologist.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Monitoring and reporting

Use monitoring to test whether the project has maintained habitat and avoided additional mortality. Keep the approach consistent so results can be compared over time.

Known mature population estimate: Less than 160 across four confirmed extant sites in 2022

Known recent occupied patch size: Less than one hectare at each occupied site in 2022

  • Monitor occupied and retained habitat at the frequency and duration required by approvals or the management plan.
  • Record the same habitat variables at each visit, including tussock condition, Poa sieberiana cover, rock and timber shelter, weeds, fire and disturbance.
  • Report results to the land manager, approval holder and relevant regulator as required.
  • Map new records promptly and protect them from later project activities.
  • Escalate any decline, fire, repeated disturbance or new mortality for management review.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Review every stop work event, injury, death, nest discovery, escape from exclusion fencing and unapproved habitat disturbance. A short review can prevent a repeated impact at the next work front.

  • Identify what happened, when it happened, which control failed and whether the species or habitat was affected.
  • Update the induction, clearing sequence, fencing, supervision and emergency contacts before work resumes.
  • Notify regulators and approval holders where required by conditions or law.
  • Share lessons with the spotter catcher, supervisors, contractors and land manager.
  • Retain the review with the project fauna records.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore habitat structure

Rehabilitation should recreate the ground layer used for shelter and foraging, not simply establish trees or pasture. Protecting existing tussocks is preferable to trying to replace mature shelter after clearing.

Rehabilitate with high elevation, locally appropriate native ground cover and a focus on connected tussocks. Use the habitat attributes known from occupied sites.

  • Retain and reinstate topsoil where it contains native grass propagules and is suitable for the approved rehabilitation method.
  • Re-establish Poa sieberiana and other appropriate native tussock cover on suitable granite or basalt derived soils.
  • Create large, connected patches rather than isolated clumps where the site layout allows.
  • Retain or reinstate suitable rocks and coarse timber as shelter, placing them securely and without burying existing tussocks.
  • Exclude vehicles, grazing and repeated disturbance until the ground layer is established.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Breeding and shelter structures

The long sunskink shelters in tussocks and sometimes under rocks or timber. Its field nesting sites are not known, so artificial breeding structures should not be installed without specialist advice and approval.

  • Do not install bat boxes, bird nest boxes, hollows or roost structures as a substitute for long sunskink habitat. They are not designed for this species.
  • If a project ecologist confirms that replacement breeding habitat is appropriate, develop an artificial nest or shelter design from local observations and approval conditions.
  • Use retained or reinstated tussocks, rocks and timber as the first replacement structures.
  • Inspect any experimental structure for animal use, overheating, flooding, predators and maintenance impacts.
  • Remove or modify structures that create hazards or attract animals into active work areas.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Weeds, fire and water

Manage rehabilitation for a cool, connected and low disturbance ground layer. Avoid actions that remove shelter or increase fire risk.

  • Control weeds before they shade or replace native tussocks, using methods approved for the site and avoiding chemical drift into occupied habitat.
  • Prevent frequent or uncontrolled fire in retained and rehabilitated habitat. Prepare fire measures with the land manager and threatened species adviser.
  • Do not create ponds, drains or artificial water points as a default measure. The species is associated with ground cover, not a documented water feature.
  • Control erosion and runoff so that soil, rocks and tussocks are not washed away or buried.
  • Keep lighting directed away from retained and rehabilitated ground habitat, and use the lowest practical intensity during construction and operation.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Long term monitoring

Monitor rehabilitation until it provides stable shelter and connected tussock cover. Success should be judged by habitat condition as well as long sunskink detections.

  • Set photo points and habitat plots before works begin, where required by the management plan.
  • Track Poa sieberiana establishment, tussock continuity, rock and timber shelter, weed cover, fire, erosion and vehicle damage.
  • Use repeated targeted searches during suitable daylight conditions and include the November to December breeding period where approved.
  • Compare rehabilitation areas with nearby retained habitat and adapt weed, fire, access or revegetation management when results are poor.
  • Maintain the habitat and monitoring records with the site environmental management system.

Sources