Pilbara Grasswren (Amytornis whitei)

Conservation status

Northern Territory, Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976: Near threatened.

Breeding season

The Pilbara Grasswren is reported to breed after summer rains. Exact breeding, nesting and juvenile-dependence dates are not given, so the seasonal profile below uses the documented summer-rain trigger and marks other periods as uncertain rather than treating them as confirmed dates.

Summer rain timing varies between years and locations. Confirm breeding activity during pre-clearance surveys, particularly after substantial summer rainfall and before disturbance of dense spinifex or rocky habitat.

• Breeding after summer rains: Breeding is reported after summer rains. November and December are used as an indicative start and peak period for northern Australian grasswrens, but exact Pilbara Grasswren dates are not provided.
• Young and dependent birds: Young are expected to follow the breeding period, but the supplied sources do not provide nestling, fledging or dependence durations. Treat this timing as indicative only.
• Local movement through cover: No migration or defined seasonal dispersal is reported. Birds are described generally as moving through vegetation cover and disappearing quickly when disturbed.
• Highest clearing risk: Clearing and disturbance are most likely to harm birds when breeding follows summer rains and young may be dependent. Exact Pilbara Grasswren nesting dates are not provided, so controls should be based on site conditions and survey findings.

Identification

The Pilbara Grasswren is a small, secretive ground-dwelling bird that usually moves through dense spinifex and other low cover. It is more often detected by brief views, movement through hummocks or a high-pitched call than by prolonged observation.

It has a small body, a long tail, black moustache markings and rufous-brown upperparts. The supplied sources do not provide measured body length, wingspan or body mass.

Size and weight: Not reported in the supplied sources.

Key plumage features: Small and long-tailed, with black moustache markings and rufous-brown upperparts.

Identification: Similar species

The Pilbara Grasswren was formerly included in the Striated Grasswren complex and was also formerly treated with the Sandhill Grasswren as part of a Rufous Grasswren grouping.

Where the ranges overlap, the Dusky Grasswren is the main similar species identified in the supplied material. The Dusky Grasswren is darker and prefers rocky habitats, whereas the Pilbara Grasswren is associated with spinifex-rich ironstone hills and ranges.

Identification: Field signs and behaviour

Grasswrens commonly run or move through cover and can disappear quickly when approached. Their calls are generally high pitched, and early morning activity can assist detection. Species-specific call descriptions, tracks, scats, nest dimensions and other field-sign details are not provided.

• Record the location and extent of suitable spinifex and rocky ground when a bird is flushed.
• Avoid chasing birds through dense cover, because repeated disturbance can cause them to leave the immediate area.
• Use quiet observation and minimise movement when confirming an identification.

Distribution: Range and bioregional setting

The Pilbara Grasswren is restricted to Western Australia. Its distribution consists of several named Pilbara range systems and disjunct populations outside the main Pilbara area.

The main range is in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, including the Chichester, Hamersley, Ophthalmia and Parry Ranges. The source material also identifies a disjunct population south of the Ashburton River in the Barlee Range and a separate population on the Cape Range limestone plateau, possibly restricted to its undissected southern portion.

The supplied information does not provide a formal Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia classification, but the named sites are within the Pilbara and Cape Range areas of Western Australia.

State: Western Australia

Named range areas: Chichester, Hamersley, Ophthalmia, Parry and Barlee Ranges, plus the Cape Range limestone plateau

Population structure: Main Pilbara distribution, a disjunct Barlee Range population south of the Ashburton River, and a separate Cape Range population

Distribution: Strongholds and population status

The supplied sources identify the Chichester, Hamersley, Ophthalmia and Parry Ranges as the main areas of occurrence. They do not provide population estimates, density figures, colony counts or a quantified population trend for the Pilbara Grasswren.

The supplied listing information records the species as not listed under the EPBC Act and records a Northern Territory state listing of Near Threatened. The species account itself describes the bird as restricted to Western Australia, so the Northern Territory listing should be checked against the current relevant jurisdictional database before use in an assessment.

Population size: Not reported in the supplied sources.

Population trend: Not reported in the supplied sources.

EPBC status: Not listed in the supplied information.

State listing supplied: Northern Territory: Near Threatened.

Habitat: Overall habitat

Pilbara Grasswrens use spinifex-rich rocky country, especially ironstone hills and ranges. Habitat assessment should focus on the amount, continuity and condition of hummock grass cover across rocky ground, not just on isolated bird records.

The species is primarily found in the ironstone hills of the Chichester, Hamersley, Ophthalmia and Parry Ranges. It also occurs in the Barlee Range south of the Ashburton River and on the limestone plateau of the Cape Range.

The supplied sources do not give elevation limits, minimum patch sizes, canopy cover thresholds or a defined climatic boundary.

Landform: Ironstone hills and rocky ranges, with a separate Cape Range limestone plateau population

Vegetation structure: Spinifex-rich hummock grassland and associated low cover

Elevation limit: Not reported in the supplied sources

Climate limit: Not reported in the supplied sources

Habitat: Habitat condition

Mature or long-unburnt spinifex is important for several Australian grasswrens, and the supplied fire-management material identifies the need to retain spinifex older than 15 years for related whitei populations. The Pilbara Grasswren account does not provide a species-specific minimum spinifex age, so that threshold should not be applied as a confirmed Pilbara Grasswren requirement without further site evidence.

• Map spinifex cover, rocky ground and recently burnt areas before clearing.
• Retain connected patches of dense spinifex around rocky hills and range systems where practicable.
• Treat apparently vacant spinifex habitat as potential habitat until targeted survey results and habitat condition are assessed.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding method

The supplied species account does not provide a Pilbara Grasswren diet or detailed foraging observations. General grasswren information indicates ground-level feeding on invertebrates and grass or sedge seeds, with birds using vegetation cover while feeding.

Grasswrens generally feed on insects, other invertebrates and grass or sedge seeds. They forage close to the ground and move between vegetation clumps, often running or hopping rather than flying for long distances.

No Pilbara Grasswren-specific list of food plants, prey taxa, feeding rates or foraging range is provided.

Documented grasswren food types: Insects, other invertebrates and grass or sedge seeds

Foraging level: Mainly at ground level among vegetation cover

Pilbara Grasswren foraging range: Not reported in the supplied sources

Foraging habitat: Foraging habitat on project sites

Potential foraging habitat includes dense spinifex and associated low vegetation on ironstone hills, rocky ranges and the Cape Range limestone plateau. Retaining only isolated spinifex clumps may reduce the usable area available for birds moving and feeding between cover.

• Inspect and map dense spinifex hummocks, rocky interspaces and connected low vegetation before ground disturbance.
• Keep machinery, spoil, laydown areas and access tracks out of the best continuous foraging cover where avoidance is feasible.
• Record fire age and recent disturbance when describing the habitat available to foraging birds.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding is reported to occur after summer rains. The supplied sources do not provide clutch size, incubation, fledging period, age at maturity or lifespan, so these details require targeted species references or field research before being used in project controls.

The Pilbara Grasswren usually breeds after summer rains. This timing is consistent with the broader pattern described for northern Australian grasswrens, where breeding activity increases after rain during the wet season.

The supplied sources do not describe the nest, clutch, incubation period, fledging period, age at maturity or lifespan for the Pilbara Grasswren.

Breeding season: After summer rains; exact months are not specified for the Pilbara Grasswren.

Clutch size: Not reported in the supplied sources.

Incubation: Not reported in the supplied sources.

Age at maturity: Not reported in the supplied sources.

Lifespan: Not reported in the supplied sources.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Dense spinifex provides nesting and protective cover for grasswrens generally. For the Pilbara Grasswren, breeding habitat is expected to be associated with spinifex-rich ironstone hills and rocky range country, but the supplied sources do not specify nest placement or nest dimensions.

• Avoid clearing dense spinifex and rocky ground during and soon after summer rains where breeding activity may be occurring.
• Search suitable dense cover carefully before disturbance, using methods appropriate for a secretive ground-nesting bird.
• Keep retained breeding habitat connected to other spinifex cover rather than leaving isolated clumps surrounded by cleared ground.

Sheltering habitat: Cover and refuge

Pilbara Grasswrens rely on dense ground cover and rocky country to avoid predators and human disturbance. Specific refuge dimensions, burrow use and nest-site measurements are not provided.

Dense spinifex hummocks provide protective cover for grasswrens generally. The Pilbara Grasswren is associated with ironstone hills and rocky ranges, so rocky interspaces and nearby spinifex are likely to be important for escape cover and daily shelter.

The supplied sources do not confirm use of tree hollows, burrows, caves or artificial structures by this species.

Primary refuge type: Dense spinifex and other low vegetation cover

Associated sheltering landform: Rocky ironstone hills and ranges

Refuge dimensions: Not reported in the supplied sources

Confirmed burrow, hollow or cave use: Not reported in the supplied sources

Sheltering habitat: Site protection measures

Clearing should account for the continuous cover used by birds moving through the site. A narrow retained strip may not function as shelter if it is isolated from surrounding spinifex and exposed to machinery, people or predators.

• Retain dense spinifex patches and rocky cover around active work areas where practicable.
• Keep temporary access routes and stockpiles away from retained refuge cover.
• Limit unnecessary movement through spinifex and do not pursue flushed birds into retained habitat.
• Inspect retained cover after fire or earthworks to document loss of sheltering structure.

Threats: Fire

The main documented pressures are inappropriate fire regimes and introduced predators. On development sites, direct clearing and fragmentation can remove the spinifex and rocky habitat used for feeding, shelter and breeding.

Spinifex is highly flammable, and grasswrens that depend on mature or long-unburnt spinifex can be sensitive to wildfire and frequent burning. The supplied fire-management material recommends retaining a mosaic that includes spinifex older than 15 years for related whitei populations, but it does not establish that exact age requirement for the Pilbara Grasswren.

Wildfire, prescribed burning, hot works and escaped construction fires can reduce dense cover across a work area.

• Map fire history and spinifex age classes before planning clearing or prescribed fire.
• Use hot-work controls, fire breaks and emergency response measures around retained spinifex.
• Avoid treating all spinifex uniformly, and retain older patches where the project footprint allows.

Threats: Clearing, fragmentation and construction

Clearing ironstone hills, rocky range habitat, spinifex hummocks or Cape Range limestone plateau vegetation can remove habitat directly. Roads, pads, trenches and linear infrastructure can break up cover and increase disturbance across otherwise connected habitat.

The supplied sources do not quantify a minimum viable patch size, road-effect distance or clearing buffer.

• Complete a habitat map before finalising the disturbance footprint.
• Use existing cleared corridors where possible and minimise new roads through continuous spinifex.
• Keep retained patches connected and clearly mark exclusion areas before clearing starts.
• Use a fauna spotter catcher where required by the project approval and stop work if an injured or trapped bird is found.

Threats: Predators and introduced animals

The Pilbara management material identifies feral cats and foxes as introduced predators requiring monitoring and control in Pilbara conservation areas. Rabbits, goats, cattle, horses and donkeys are also identified as threats to native vegetation or habitat in parts of the region.

The supplied sources do not provide a Pilbara Grasswren-specific predation rate or disease impact.

• Prevent construction waste and food sources from attracting feral predators around work compounds.
• Report evidence of feral cats, foxes or habitat damage by introduced herbivores to the project environment lead.
• Maintain perimeter fencing and stock controls where grazing animals could enter retained habitat.

Threats: Hydrology and disease

The supplied sources do not identify hydrology change or disease as documented Pilbara Grasswren threats. Project drainage, altered runoff and sediment movement should still be assessed where they could change spinifex condition or rocky habitat, but species-specific effects are not provided.

• Check whether altered drainage or runoff could damage retained spinifex and rocky habitat.
• Do not describe hydrology change or disease as confirmed species threats without additional supporting evidence.

Survey methodology: 1. Targeted habitat searches

The Pilbara Grasswren is a small, elusive bird of spinifex and rocky country in the Pilbara, with additional populations on the Barlee Range and the Cape Range limestone plateau. Surveys should focus on detecting birds on foot, especially when they are vocal and active after rain.

Search ironstone hills and rocky country in the Chichester, Hamersley, Ophthalmia and Parry Ranges, as well as suitable habitat in the Barlee Range and Cape Range plateau.

Prioritise mature or dense Triodia hummocks, rocky outcrops, gullies, slopes and areas with continuous ground cover.

Walk quietly through or beside suitable habitat and record visual detections, high-pitched contact calls, song, tracks and movement between hummocks.

Keep movement slow and minimise disturbance because grasswrens are sensitive to movement and can disappear rapidly into cover.

Known Pilbara distribution: Ironstone hills in the Chichester, Hamersley, Ophthalmia and Parry Ranges

Other recorded populations: South of the Ashburton River in the Barlee Range, and on the Cape Range limestone plateau

• Undertake searches in all habitat that could be cleared or isolated, including narrow rocky gullies, small spinifex patches and habitat adjoining the project footprint.
• Record the survey route, date, start and finish time, weather, recent rainfall, fire history where known, habitat condition and every detection location.
• Map occupied habitat and the surrounding connected spinifex and rocky cover, rather than recording only the point where a bird was seen.

Survey methodology: 2. Timing and detection conditions

Give preference to the first part of the morning, when grasswrens are generally most vocal and active.

Where practicable, survey after a substantial rainfall event, when grasswrens may become more vocal and breeding activity may increase.

For northern Australian grasswrens, the source identifies November to February as the usual wet-season period when birds are more detectable; confirm local rainfall and access conditions before scheduling work.

Avoid relying on a single quiet-period visit. Grasswrens can be shy and difficult to detect outside favourable conditions.

Preferred time of day: Early morning

Northern Australian seasonal window identified in the source: November to February, usually the wet season

Favourable trigger for detection: A month or so after a good rain event

• Use a late-afternoon reconnaissance to locate suitable habitat and possible activity areas, then return before sunrise for the main search where access and safety allow.
• Do not treat a non-detection as evidence that habitat is unoccupied, particularly after fire, during dry conditions or where dense spinifex limits visibility.
• Suspend or reschedule work if heat, storms, unsafe ground conditions or poor visibility prevent effective searching.

Survey methodology: 3. Call and observation practice

Listen for high-pitched contact calls and song, which may be difficult to hear. Use more than one observer where practicable.

Use binoculars and a suitable telephoto lens to observe birds without approaching them or driving them from cover.

Do not chase birds or repeatedly flush them from spinifex and rocky cover.

Avoid call playback unless it is lawful, authorised and necessary for the survey objective. If used, keep it to short, infrequent bursts and stop if birds show distress or repeated displacement.

• Keep observers still after a detection and allow birds to return to their normal movement routes.
• Record the number of birds, behaviour, sex or age only where confidently identified, habitat used and the direction of movement.
• Treat repeated detections within the same area as evidence of a potentially occupied territory or family group, but do not infer a population size without a suitable monitoring design.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

• Use the current jurisdictional fauna survey requirements and any project approval conditions to set the number of visits, transect effort, survey area and seasonal coverage.
• The supplied documents do not specify a Pilbara Grasswren standard for nights, hours, trap nights, transect lengths or minimum survey area, so do not report an invented effort standard.
• Submit verified records, spatial data, photographs and survey metadata to the relevant Western Australian or other state wildlife database, as required by the jurisdiction.
• Provide the project fauna report, detection map, habitat map, weather and rainfall context, fire history where known, limitations and any proposed management response to the approval holder and regulator.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Avoid and minimise

Avoiding loss of mature spinifex, rocky cover and habitat connections is the first response. The project team should confirm the species status and approval pathway before clearing and design the works around occupied or potentially occupied habitat.

Avoid clearing mature or dense spinifex on ironstone hills, rocky slopes, gullies and outcrops wherever practicable.

Retain connected patches of spinifex and rocky cover between the disturbance area and nearby suitable habitat.

Retain habitat in the Cape Range limestone plateau and Barlee Range areas where the project occurs within those known population areas.

Do not rely on a narrow retained strip if it is separated from other spinifex and rocky habitat or exposed to repeated disturbance.

• Place access tracks, laydown areas, compounds and temporary fencing outside the best connected spinifex and rocky habitat.
• Use the smallest practicable disturbance footprint and confine vehicles and machinery to marked access routes.
• Have the ecologist mark no-go habitat, retained buffers and access routes before mobilisation.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Approvals and work planning

Check the current Commonwealth and state conservation status before works begin, including whether the proposed action requires an EPBC Act referral or a state approval, permit or fauna authority.

Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies Pilbara Grasswren habitat, survey limitations, clearing controls, spotter catcher responsibilities, stop-work triggers, reporting and rehabilitation.

Plan clearing outside periods of higher activity where practicable, while recognising that the source identifies November to February as a period when northern Australian grasswrens may be more vocal and detectable.

Stage clearing so that retained habitat remains connected and animals have nearby cover during each stage.

• Use the pre-clearance results to revise the work boundary before final plant and machinery placement.
• Brief all operators on the species, habitat markers, exclusion zones, speed limits, stop-work process and incident contacts.
• Consult Traditional Owners and relevant land managers where management, access or fire history information is held locally.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Site preparation

Complete a targeted pre-clearance search of all proposed clearing and access areas, including adjacent spinifex and rocky habitat that could be affected by machinery, dust, fire or altered access.

Mark retained spinifex, rocky outcrops, gullies, no-go areas and any observed activity areas with durable signs and exclusion fencing suited to the site.

Inspect for birds sheltering in dense hummocks, under shrubs, beside rocks and along gullies immediately before clearing.

Confirm that fire controls are in place. Fire planning should retain an appropriate range of spinifex age classes rather than creating a uniformly young or repeatedly burnt site.

Fire management reference for Amytornis whitei populations: The source identifies a fire mosaic retaining 20 per cent of spinifex older than 15 years for Yellabinna grasswren and sandhill rufous grasswren populations

• Do not burn vegetation as a clearing method unless it is separately approved and supported by a species and habitat fire assessment.
• Record recent fire boundaries and the age or condition of spinifex where this information is available.
• Coordinate clearing with any feral cat, fox, goat or rabbit control program operating in the project area.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Daily controls and machinery coordination

Clearing should proceed as a controlled, supervised operation. The fauna spotter catcher must be able to direct machinery, stop work and manage any animal found in or near the disturbance area.

The fauna spotter catcher should inspect the work area before clearing starts each day and after breaks, changes in work fronts or unexpected movement of vegetation.

Use a slow, staged clearing sequence that allows the spotter catcher to inspect habitat immediately before machinery enters it.

Keep machinery outside marked retained habitat and maintain a clear line of communication between the spotter catcher, operator, supervisor and environmental officer.

Stop work when the spotter catcher cannot safely see the clearing face, when dust or noise prevents effective detection, or when an animal enters the work area.

• Use one agreed stop signal and test it with every operator before work begins.
• Clear in short sections towards retained habitat only where the fauna management plan confirms that this will not drive birds into machinery or isolated habitat.
• Do not allow workers to pursue, corner, photograph at close range or repeatedly flush a Pilbara Grasswren.
• Record the date, work area, machinery, personnel, weather, habitat cleared, detections, actions and any stop-work event.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Animal found in the work area

Stop the relevant plant and give the bird time to move into retained cover if it can do so without being chased.

Only an appropriately authorised fauna spotter catcher should handle a bird, and handling should be avoided unless required for immediate safety, approved relocation or veterinary care.

If relocation is required, move the bird only to nearby retained habitat that matches the occupied spinifex and rocky cover, following the approved fauna management plan and permit conditions.

Take an injured or compromised bird to an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian through the project emergency process.

• Use a clean, secure, ventilated holding container only for the shortest time needed and keep it cool, quiet and away from machinery and people.
• Do not release a bird into cleared, recently burnt, heavily trafficked or visibly unsuitable habitat.
• Notify the environmental officer and project supervisor of every capture, relocation, injury or mortality before work resumes in that area.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Stop-work triggers and records

Stop work if a Pilbara Grasswren is detected within the active clearing area, if occupied habitat is found outside the approved footprint, or if the approved exclusion area cannot be maintained.

Stop work if clearing exposes a previously unmapped connected patch of mature spinifex, rocky cover or a gully that may provide habitat.

Stop work after a mortality, injury, repeated escape into the work face or failure of exclusion fencing until the fauna spotter catcher and environmental officer agree on a revised control.

Maintain a daily fauna register with coordinates, photographs where useful, habitat condition, action taken, person responsible and the decision to recommence work.

• Report any threatened fauna incident through the approval and regulator notification process where required.
• Update the clearing map after each detection and revise the remaining work sequence if the animal uses habitat outside the original assessment area.
• Do not close an incident until the animal's outcome, reporting pathway and corrective action are documented.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Completion checks

Post-clearing checks should confirm that no animals remain in the disturbance footprint and that retained habitat, access controls and fire controls are functioning as planned.

Inspect the cleared footprint, retained edges, stockpiles, temporary access routes and exclusion fencing after each clearing stage.

Search retained spinifex and rocky cover beside the work area for displaced or injured birds, without repeatedly flushing them.

Remove or repair damaged fencing, signs and habitat exclusion markers before the next work stage.

Confirm that no additional clearing, grading, vehicle access or storage has extended into retained habitat.

• Complete a final fauna spotter catcher inspection before demobilising from each work front.
• Record all post-clearing checks, detections, injuries, mortalities, repairs and unresolved risks.
• Keep retained habitat free of spoil, waste, unnecessary lighting and vehicle disturbance.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained and rehabilitated spinifex and rocky habitat where the project approval or fauna management plan requires it.

Use repeat searches at the same mapped locations and under comparable conditions where possible, recording effort and detection conditions so results can be compared.

Report changes in habitat condition, fire exposure, weed invasion, feral animal activity and Pilbara Grasswren detections to the project environmental officer and relevant regulator.

Submit confirmed records and spatial data to the relevant state wildlife database.

• Include pre-clearance, clearing supervision and post-clearing results in the completion report.
• Compare the final disturbance footprint with the approved footprint and explain any variance.
• Keep monitoring records with the project environmental management documentation.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Ongoing controls and offsets

Maintain no-go areas, fencing, signage and access controls until the site is stable and the environmental officer confirms that controls are no longer needed.

Manage fire so retained and rehabilitated spinifex is not exposed to a uniform burn pattern or repeated high-intensity fire.

If residual impacts remain after avoidance and rehabilitation, address any offset or other compensatory requirement set by the relevant approval or regulator.

Use local predator and herbivore control programs where monitoring identifies feral cats, foxes, goats or rabbits as a risk to retained habitat or prey communities.

• Do not claim that an offset replaces the need to retain occupied or suitable habitat.
• Document the location, area, management action, responsible party and duration of any offset or conservation measure.
• Review controls after fire, flooding, major construction changes or new records of the species.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Recreate habitat structure

Rehabilitation should recreate connected spinifex and rocky cover rather than only stabilising bare ground. The key outcome is functional habitat for a species that runs between cover and is associated with ironstone hills, rocky country and dense Triodia.

Retain and protect surviving mature spinifex around the rehabilitation area while planted or regenerating vegetation establishes.

Use locally appropriate Triodia and other native species from the same habitat type, subject to seed availability, approvals and advice from the land manager.

Recontour disturbed ground to match adjoining slopes, drainage lines and rocky terrain where this can be done without causing erosion.

Reinstate suitable rocks and natural ground cover where they were removed and can be safely returned.

• Do not replace spinifex habitat with cleared amenity plantings, dense pasture or weed-prone ground cover.
• Keep rehabilitation areas connected to retained ironstone, rocky or limestone habitat.
• Prevent stock, vehicles and unnecessary access from damaging regenerating hummocks and rocky cover.
• Do not install nest boxes unless monitoring or a specialist assessment shows that they are relevant to this species; the supplied documents identify spinifex and rocky cover, not tree hollows, as the habitat feature to restore.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Fire, weeds and introduced animals

Prepare a fire management plan that maintains a mosaic of spinifex age classes and protects older spinifex habitat.

Use fire only under an approved ecological burning program that considers the species' dependence on spinifex cover and the local fire history.

Control invasive grasses and other weeds that alter spinifex structure or increase fuel continuity.

Coordinate feral cat, fox, goat and rabbit control with the land manager where these threats are recorded or identified in the project assessment.

Fire and habitat management principle: Retain an appropriate diversity of spinifex age classes and patch sizes

Management example in the source: Retain 20 per cent of spinifex older than 15 years for specified Amytornis whitei populations

• Map fire scars and spinifex age classes during rehabilitation monitoring.
• Protect retained older spinifex from unnecessary prescribed burning and construction ignition sources.
• Inspect rehabilitation after fires and remove new access or grazing pressures that prevent recovery.
• Use the source's fire planning reference for a mosaic retaining 20 per cent of spinifex older than 15 years only where the relevant population and land management setting match that reference; do not apply it automatically to every Pilbara site.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Monitoring and success measures

Monitor plant establishment, spinifex hummock development, rocky cover, weed cover, erosion, fire exposure and introduced animal activity.

Repeat targeted Pilbara Grasswren searches when rehabilitation has developed enough cover to provide potential habitat, using comparable timing and weather conditions where possible.

Treat successful rehabilitation as more than ground stabilisation. It should provide connected native cover that birds can use for movement, shelter and foraging.

Set site-specific completion criteria in the rehabilitation plan and retain the monitoring evidence for approval reporting.

• Record rehabilitation area, species planted or naturally regenerating, survival or cover, weed control, fire history and fauna detections.
• Investigate any decline in retained or rehabilitated habitat and implement corrective action.
• Continue monitoring until the agreed habitat and fauna performance criteria are met, or until the regulator approves an alternative endpoint.
• Submit new verified Pilbara Grasswren records to the relevant state wildlife database.

Sources

• Grasswrens, tracksbirding.com.au: https://www.tracksbirding.com.au/grasswrens/
• download, WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/media/6322/download