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Purple-backed Fairywren (Malurus assimilis)

The purple-backed fairywren is a small, usually sedentary Australian bird that lives in dense shrub cover and often forms cooperative breeding groups. Clearing, stock impacts and the removal of dense vegetation can reduce habitat, and disturbance may affect nests or dependent young because breeding can occur at any time after heavy rain.

Conservation status

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

The species has no single breeding season across its range. Inland birds can breed after heavy rain, and the widespread inland form is generally sedentary.

Month values are Jan to Dec. A value of 0 means the activity is not typically marked for that month, 1 means it occurs, and 2 means a documented peak. The supplied documents do not support a national monthly peak for this species.

  • Breeding and nesting: Breeding can occur at any time in inland Australia, with birds taking opportunities after heavy rain. The supplied documents do not identify peak months.
  • Young and dependent birds: Young may be present whenever rainfall triggers nesting. Helpers of both sexes provision nestlings, but the duration of dependence is not stated.
  • Territory use and dispersal: The widespread inland form is generally sedentary, with pairs maintaining territories year-round. Many young males remain in their natal territory, while females are more likely to disperse.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk applies year-round because breeding can occur after heavy rain at any time in inland Australia. Risk is likely to be highest locally after substantial rainfall when nests or dependent young may be present, but no national peak months are documented.

Identification

This is a small fairywren with a long blue tail, often held cocked. Identification depends strongly on sex, age, breeding plumage and regional variation.

The species averages 14.5 cm long and has a very long blue tail. The breeding male has a bright pale blue or azure crown and ear coverts, a black throat and nape, a purple or blue-purple back, chestnut shoulders, a bluish-grey tail, brown wings and a white belly.

Non-breeding males, females and juveniles are less conspicuous. In the widespread inland form, females are mainly grey-brown, while females of the Kimberley and Arnhem Land forms are more blue-grey and have contrasting blue crowns and backs.

Average length: 14.5 cm

Male breeding plumage: Blue crown and ear coverts, black breast and throat, purple back, chestnut shoulders and long blue tail

Identification: Sex, age and regional variation

Adult breeding males are usually identifiable by their bright blue and black plumage. Females and non-breeding birds are generally duller, although females in northern subspecies can be predominantly blue-grey.

Males have black bills and black lores. Females of the assimilis and rogersi forms have red-brown bills and rufous lores, while females of the dulcis form have white lores. Immature males develop black bills by about six months and may take another year or two to complete breeding plumage.

Immature male bill: Becomes black by about six months

Male plumage development: Breeding plumage begins in the first breeding season but may take another year or two to become complete

Identification: Similar species and field signs

The purple-backed fairywren belongs to the chestnut-shouldered fairywren group, which includes the lovely, variegated, red-winged and blue-breasted fairywrens. Check the combination of range, male shoulder colour, back colour, tail colour and female plumage rather than relying on one feature.

The main documented nest sign is a round or domed structure made from loosely woven grasses, twigs, bark and spider webs. It has a side entrance and can be larger than nests of other fairywrens.

No species-specific information on calls, tracks, scats or other ground signs was provided in the supplied documents.

Nest height: 9 to 11 cm at Shark Bay

Nest width: 5 to 9 cm at Shark Bay

  • Treat a small domed nest with a side entrance as a potential purple-backed fairywren nest where the species is present and dense cover occurs.
  • Do not use the absence of an obvious nest as evidence that a site is unused, because the species can breed opportunistically after rain.

Distribution: National range

The purple-backed fairywren is distributed across much of Australia, mainly west of the Great Dividing Range. The supplied documents do not provide a national population estimate or a quantified population trend.

The species occurs across much of the Australian continent. The documented range includes inland Queensland, western New South Wales, central Australia, inland and northern South Australia, much of Western Australia, the Kimberley and Arnhem Land.

It is replaced in south-western Western Australia by the red-winged and blue-breasted fairywrens, and north of a line between Normanton and Townsville in northern Queensland by the lovely fairywren.

States and territories specifically represented in the supplied range information: Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory

Island records noted: Bernier Island and Dorre Island, Western Australia

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

The supplied documents identify regional forms in central Australia, the Kimberley, Arnhem Land and the Bernier and Dorre islands. Four recognised subspecies are described, with zones of intermediate forms between some ranges.

The species was formerly treated as a subspecies of the variegated fairywren and was elevated to species status following genetic work. The documents do not provide abundance estimates, density estimates or a measured national trend.

Recognised subspecies: Four

Population size: Not stated in the supplied documents

Population trend: Not quantified in the supplied documents

Habitat: Vegetation communities

The species needs dense, low vegetation for cover and uses open vegetation where thickets and shrubs are available. Habitat selection varies across its broad inland and northern range.

Habitat includes inland and northern scrubland with dense vegetation, rocky outcrops, Acacia, Eremophila and lignum. In the Northern Territory, the species preferred open woodland dominated by lancewood, Acacia shirleyi, and bullwaddy, Macropteranthes kekwickii, over eucalyptus woodland.

It also occurs in chenopod scrubland containing saltbush, bluebush, black rolypoly, nitre goosefoot and grass tussocks, with overstorey plants such as black box, Eucalyptus largiflorens, and native cypress, Callitris.

  • Retain dense shrub patches, lignum, Acacia thickets, chenopod scrub and grass tussocks during site planning.
  • Inspect rocky outcrops and shrub edges as well as open woodland before clearing.

Habitat: Climate and structure

The species occurs across a strong rainfall and temperature gradient. In the studied south-eastern populations, purple-backed fairywrens formed larger groups in hotter, drier conditions and smaller groups in cooler, wetter conditions.

The documents do not provide a defined elevation range or a minimum patch size. Dense cover appears to be the main structural requirement described for occupied habitat.

Climate pattern documented in south-eastern Australia: Larger groups in hotter, drier areas and smaller groups in cooler, wetter areas

Elevation limit: Not stated in the supplied documents

Foraging habitat: Food and foraging setting

The supplied documents provide limited direct information on adult foraging. They link rainfall with insect availability and describe both adults and helpers provisioning nestlings.

In fairywrens generally, rainfall is positively associated with resource availability, including insect availability. This supports the use of structurally diverse shrubland, chenopod scrub, grass tussocks and woodland edges as potential feeding habitat.

Purple-backed fairywrens forage within the same dense-cover habitats used for shelter and breeding, including Acacia, Eremophila, lignum and chenopod vegetation. The supplied documents do not specify a complete diet or identify particular food plants.

Documented prey or food category: Insects are identified as an example of rainfall-linked resource availability

Foraging range: Not quantified in the supplied documents

  • Retain connected shrub cover and ground vegetation around known or potential territories so birds can move between cover and feeding areas.
  • Avoid assuming that cleared gaps are of low value, because the species uses open vegetation where suitable thickets and other dense cover remain.

Foraging habitat: Social foraging and provisioning

The species commonly lives in groups containing a breeding pair and non-breeding helpers. Helpers of both sexes provision young, and helper presence can increase offspring survival and breeder productivity.

This means that clearing a group territory can affect more than the breeding pair. It can also remove feeding cover used by helpers and dependent young.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding is opportunistic and linked to rainfall in inland Australia. Dense vegetation is needed for the nest and for concealment of the breeding group.

The species can breed at any time in inland Australia, with nesting opportunities taken after heavy rain. Usually only one brood is raised each year.

Groups are often cooperative. They commonly contain one breeding pair and one or more non-breeding helpers, and helpers of both sexes provision young.

Breeding season: Any time in inland Australia, particularly after heavy rain

Typical broods per year: Usually one

Clutch size: Not stated in the supplied documents

Incubation period: Not stated in the supplied documents

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied documents

Lifespan: Not stated in the supplied documents

Breeding habitat: Nest habitat

The nest is a round or domed structure made of loosely woven grasses, twigs, bark and spider webs. It has an entrance on one side and is often larger than the nests of other fairywrens.

Potential nest sites occur in dense shrub cover, chenopod vegetation, grass tussocks, lignum and other vegetation that can conceal a low nest.

Nest dimensions recorded at Shark Bay: 9 to 11 cm tall and 5 to 9 cm wide

Nest entrance: One side entrance

  • Search dense ground and shrub cover carefully before clearing, especially after substantial rain.
  • Use a nest exclusion and fauna management procedure if an active nest or dependent young is found.

Sheltering habitat: Cover used for shelter

Shelter is provided by dense vegetation rather than documented tree hollows, burrows or caves. The species maintains territories year-round in at least part of its range.

The species is associated with scrubland containing plenty of vegetation that provides dense cover. Documented examples include Acacia, Eremophila, lignum, chenopod scrub, grass tussocks, lancewood and bullwaddy thickets.

Rocky outcrops are also identified as a preferred habitat feature in inland and northern Australia. The supplied documents do not describe a specific refuge type used outside the nest.

Documented refuge features: Dense shrub cover, grass tussocks and rocky outcrops

Hollows, burrows and roost dimensions: Not described in the supplied documents

  • Retain dense shrub patches and continuous low cover where possible.
  • Inspect rocky outcrops, lignum stands, grass tussocks and shrub bases before machinery enters a clearing area.

Sheltering habitat: Territory use

Pairs of the widespread inland form are generally sedentary and maintain territories year-round. Most young males remain in their natal territory during their first year, and some remain for life.

In the study population, 88.89% of males remained in their natal territory in their first year, compared with 11.76% of females. These figures came from a small dataset of offspring with known age and origin and should not be applied to every region.

First-year males remaining in natal territory: 88.89% in the reported dataset

First-year females remaining in natal territory: 11.76% in the reported dataset

Offspring with known age and origin: 82 individuals, comprising 65 males and 17 females

Threats: Clearing and habitat loss

The clearest documented project threat is the removal of native vegetation. Impacts are likely to be greatest where clearing removes dense cover, nests or a year-round territory.

Clearing of native vegetation in the Western Australian wheatbelt and the Murray-Mallee region of Victoria has had a negative impact on the species. Removal of shrubland, chenopod vegetation, lignum, grass tussocks and woodland thickets can remove shelter, feeding areas and nest sites.

Fragmentation is a concern because the species uses dense cover and generally maintains territories year-round. The supplied documents do not provide a minimum patch size or a measured road crossing rate.

  • Avoid clearing dense shrub patches and potential nest cover until pre-clearance checks have been completed.
  • Retain connected vegetation around occupied groups rather than leaving isolated small patches where practicable.
  • Stage clearing so fauna spotter catchers can inspect dense cover, rocky outcrops and low nests immediately before works.

Threats: Stock and vegetation condition

Consumption of saltbush by cattle is documented as a negative impact. Stock pressure can therefore reduce a vegetation type used by the species for cover and feeding.

Rainfall affects resource availability and breeding opportunity. Changes that reduce vegetation response after rain may reduce food and nest-site availability, although the supplied documents do not quantify hydrology impacts.

  • Exclude stock from retained habitat where grazing is removing saltbush, chenopods or other dense cover.
  • Protect retained shrub patches from indirect impacts such as vehicle damage, soil disturbance and construction access.

Threats: Other project risks

The supplied documents do not provide species-specific evidence on roads, fire, introduced predators, disease or hydrology change. These risks should still be considered where they remove or degrade the dense vegetation on which the species depends.

There is no documented seasonal period when the species is absent. Breeding can occur after heavy rain at any time in inland Australia, so clearing risk cannot be limited to a single breeding season.

  • Treat all occupied dense-cover habitat as potentially active when planning clearing, including outside the usual spring and summer breeding period.
  • Apply the project's approved controls for vehicle speed, night works, fire, weeds, predators and disease where those controls protect retained fairywren habitat.

Survey methodology: 1. Targeted visual searches

Survey for Purple-backed Fairywrens should focus on visual detection of small, active groups in dense, low vegetation and scrub. The supplied sources do not provide a formal Australian fauna survey guideline, spotlighting protocol or trapping effort for this species, so use targeted observation and document the method, conditions and detection limits.

Search suitable habitat during daylight when birds are active and visible, focusing on dense cover, scrub, rocky outcrops, Acacia, Eremophila, lignum, saltbush, bluebush and grass tussocks.

Use slow walking transects through or beside retained habitat and record the transect length, search width, time, weather, observers and habitat searched.

Watch for the species' long blue tail, rapid movements through cover and social groups, rather than relying only on calls.

The species is small, averaging 14.5 centimetres long, and females, juveniles and non-breeding males can be grey-brown or blue-grey, so do not restrict searches to brightly coloured breeding males.

Typical body length: 14.5 cm

Key detection habitat: Dense vegetation, scrub, rocky outcrops, Acacia, Eremophila, lignum and grass tussocks

  • Map all records with coordinates and record the number of adults, apparent breeding males, females, juveniles and other group members where identification is confident.
  • Repeat searches where dense vegetation, wind, rain, heat or poor visibility is likely to have reduced detection.

Survey methodology: 2. Group and territory observation

Observe each detected group until all adult group members that can reasonably be seen have been recorded, following the approach used in the published field study.

Record group size, sex of individuals, location, habitat, behaviour and whether the group appears to occupy one territory or is moving between territories.

Exclude fledglings from group-size counts if group composition is being compared, as the published study did.

Do not combine birds from adjoining groups where territorial boundaries are unclear.

Published observation effort: Two observational transects, one over 10 days in December 2018 and one over 7 days in August 2019

Published complete group records: 92 Purple-backed Fairywren groups

  • Use a quiet approach and remain outside dense cover unless access is safe and authorised.
  • Treat a single bird as a potential group record and search nearby cover before concluding that no other group members are present.

Survey methodology: 3. Timing and repeat visits

Plan at least one survey period in the breeding season relevant to the project area and repeat the search in a second period where habitat removal or low detectability creates a material risk of a false negative.

December observations in the published study were made in the late breeding season, while August observations were made in the early breeding season.

In inland Australia, breeding can occur after heavy rain at any time of year, so do not assume that a winter or summer visit represents the only breeding condition.

Record recent rainfall, temperature, wind, rain during the search and the time since sunrise or sunset.

Published survey periods: December, late breeding season, and August, early breeding season

Inland breeding timing: May occur at any time after heavy rain

  • Schedule repeat searches after rain where practicable in inland areas, while avoiding unsafe conditions and recording the reason for the timing.
  • If the project affects habitat during a period of active nesting or dependent young, obtain species-specific advice before clearing and use staged works.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

There is no species-specific spotlighting, trapping, call-playback, nest-search or transect-distance standard in the supplied documents. Set the search area and repeat effort from the size and configuration of the proposed clearing footprint, the amount of suitable cover and the likely consequences of a missed record.

A competent ecologist should justify the survey design where dense cover, fragmented habitat, recent rain or construction noise is likely to affect detection.

Report both positive and negative results, including the area searched, dates, start and finish times, observers, weather, habitat, effort, photographs and detection limitations.

  • Search all suitable habitat within the disturbance footprint and inspect retained habitat immediately beside the footprint where birds may be displaced.
  • Submit confirmed records and important negative-survey information to the relevant state wildlife database and any project-required biodiversity database.
  • Retain GPS tracks, photographs, field sheets, species identifications, group counts and decisions made in response to records.
  • Check current state and local survey, permit and reporting requirements before fieldwork begins.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Avoid clearing occupied habitat where practicable, then reduce the size, duration and isolation of the disturbance. Purple-backed Fairywrens are associated with dense vegetation and are generally sedentary in at least some populations, so retained cover and connected habitat should be treated as working habitat, not vacant space.

Retain dense scrub, Acacia, Eremophila, lignum, saltbush, bluebush, grass tussocks, rocky outcrops and other vegetation that provides low, concealed cover.

Avoid unnecessary clearing of continuous cover and retain links between habitat patches so birds can move through the site without crossing active work areas.

Do not clear more land than is approved, and keep machinery, storage, spoil and access tracks out of retained habitat.

Where clearing in Western Australia is proposed, confirm the current state conservation status and approval requirements before works begin.

  • Mark the approved clearing boundary and all no-go habitat on plans and in the field.
  • Design access and laydown areas in already cleared or low-value ground where practicable.
  • Use staged clearing so retained cover remains available while adjacent works are completed.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and project planning

Confirm whether the species is listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and whether state or territory legislation applies to the project location.

The supplied material identifies the species as least concern in Queensland and internationally, but state requirements can differ and must be checked for the relevant jurisdiction.

Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies survey results, habitat to be retained, clearing limits, fauna handling arrangements, stop-work triggers, reporting contacts and rehabilitation actions.

  • Obtain all required state or territory permits before capturing, handling, relocating or treating injured fauna.
  • Refer the project under the EPBC Act if the current Commonwealth assessment indicates that referral is required.
  • Include the fauna spotter catcher, site supervisor, machinery operators and environmental officer in the pre-start briefing.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

Complete a pre-clearance inspection of the approved footprint shortly before works, with timing justified against the survey results and the likelihood of group movement.

Mark occupied groups, dense cover, rocky features and retained vegetation on the ground and in the clearing plan.

Use exclusion fencing or other visible barriers where they can keep machinery and people out of retained habitat without trapping birds or blocking access to essential cover.

Confirm a nearby retained release area before any relocation is considered, and ensure it contains suitable dense cover rather than open ground.

  • Brief operators on the species' appearance, including the bright blue and chestnut breeding male and the less conspicuous grey-brown or blue-grey birds.
  • Check that the fauna spotter catcher has the required authority, equipment, transport and wildlife carer or veterinary contacts.
  • Inspect the footprint for active nests or dependent young and obtain species-specific advice before disturbing them.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Use a fauna spotter catcher and environmental officer to control the sequence of clearing. The spotter should work ahead of machinery, maintain communication with the operator and stop the task when an animal, active nest or unapproved habitat feature is found.

Complete a daily pre-start inspection of the footprint, exclusion fencing, retained vegetation and access routes.

The fauna spotter catcher should walk the next work area before machinery enters, maintain a clear line of communication with the operator and remain in a safe position outside the machine's operating radius.

Clear in short, observable stages towards retained habitat only where the fauna management plan allows it and where animals can move safely away from machinery.

Keep machinery speeds low enough for the spotter to inspect vegetation and respond to fauna movement, and stop for any uncertain identification or loss of visual contact.

  • Use a clear stop-work signal that every operator understands.
  • Keep workers, vehicles, spoil and materials out of retained habitat and exclusion zones.
  • Record each daily inspection, clearing stage, fauna observation, relocation and incident.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna encounters and handling

Stop the immediate task when a Purple-backed Fairywren is found in the active work area, and allow the fauna spotter catcher to assess whether the bird can move safely into nearby retained cover.

Do not chase, net or handle the bird unless handling is necessary, lawful and within the spotter catcher's authorisation and training.

If relocation is required, move the bird only to nearby retained habitat identified in the fauna management plan, and record the release location, time, method and condition.

Send an injured bird to an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian as soon as practicable, using the approved transport and animal-welfare procedure.

  • Do not allow untrained workers to catch, feed, water or transport the bird.
  • Avoid relocating a bird across roads, open ground or active machinery areas.
  • If a dependent young bird or active nest is found, stop work and obtain advice from the relevant wildlife authority or authorised fauna professional before proceeding.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and stop-work triggers

Inspect dense shrubs, grass tussocks, rocky outcrops and other low cover before removal because these are the habitat features documented for the species.

The supplied sources do not identify a specific dependence on tree hollows, logs, burrows or wetlands, but any such feature within the approved footprint must still be managed under the project's general fauna procedure.

Stop work if the clearing boundary is unclear, exclusion fencing is damaged, an animal cannot move away safely, an active nest or dependent young is found, or machinery enters retained habitat.

Stop work and escalate if clearing would remove more habitat than approved or would sever a planned connection between retained patches.

  • Have the environmental officer inspect any rock, log, hollow-bearing tree, burrow or wet area that must be disturbed before machinery moves it or removes it.
  • Use the approved fauna procedure for staged removal, relocation or reinstatement of any feature that is found to contain fauna.
  • Restart only after the spotter catcher and environmental officer agree that the trigger has been resolved and the decision is recorded.

After habitat disturbance: Completion checks

Check the completed footprint and the retained habitat after clearing. The aim is to confirm that clearing stayed within the approved boundary, animals were not left in danger and retained cover remains usable and connected.

Complete a post-clearance inspection of the footprint, retained vegetation edges, access routes and exclusion zones on the same day where practicable.

Search for stranded, injured or displaced birds in remaining cover, around machinery, along fencing and at the boundary between cleared and retained habitat.

Remove temporary hazards such as open trenches, netting, uncovered pits and unsecured materials in accordance with the project's fauna controls.

Compare the cleared area with the approved plan and record any unauthorised disturbance or damaged retained habitat.

  • Photograph retained habitat and boundary controls after clearing.
  • Record all post-clearance searches, fauna observations, injuries, releases and corrective actions.
  • Escalate any mortality, injury or unauthorised clearing under the project's incident and approval conditions.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained habitat where the project could reduce cover, increase edge exposure or isolate a group from nearby vegetation.

Repeat visual group searches where a pre-clearance record was made, where birds were relocated or where construction noise and vegetation removal may have displaced birds.

Report the final area cleared, habitat retained, records obtained, fauna incidents, relocations, rehabilitation commitments and any permit conditions to the relevant authority and project database.

  • Submit confirmed species records to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Keep monitoring records with dates, observers, weather, locations, group sizes, habitat condition and photographs.
  • Maintain exclusion fencing, no-go signage and other controls until the environmental officer confirms they are no longer needed.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and corrective action

Assess offset or restoration requirements against the approval conditions and the amount and quality of habitat removed.

If clearing damaged retained cover or a movement link, repair the area through the approved rehabilitation plan and document the corrective action.

Review the fauna management plan after the works if survey results, injuries, repeated bird observations or unexpected habitat impacts show that controls were not adequate.

  • Do not treat an absence of birds after clearing as evidence that the habitat was unimportant.
  • Obtain approval before changing a rehabilitation, offset or monitoring commitment.
  • Use the documented project outcome to improve controls for later work stages.

Rehabilitation actions: Planting and habitat structure

Rehabilitation should rebuild dense, low cover and reconnect retained habitat. Use locally appropriate native species and structure, with the final planting design checked against the project region and approval conditions.

Re-establish dense native cover using locally appropriate plants represented in the documented habitat, such as Acacia, Eremophila, lignum, saltbush, bluebush, black rolypoly, nitre goosefoot and native grass tussocks.

Where relevant to the local ecological community, retain or restore overstorey species such as black box and native cypress rather than creating an open grass-only site.

Use varied plant spacing and layers that provide concealed movement and foraging cover, not just isolated planted specimens.

Reinstate rocks, logs and other approved ground structure where they were removed and where doing so will not create a safety or maintenance hazard.

  • Use local provenance plants where required by the rehabilitation specification.
  • Protect new plantings from grazing, vehicle damage and excessive weed competition.
  • Do not introduce non-local or invasive species.

Rehabilitation actions: Weeds, predators, fire and water

Control weeds that replace dense native cover, using methods suitable for the site and consistent with the rehabilitation plan.

Manage domestic and introduced predators under the project's approved controls, particularly where they can enter newly restored cover or retained habitat.

Apply fire management that protects dense refuge vegetation and follows the local fire regime, legal requirements and ecological advice.

Do not create artificial wetlands or water points solely for this species because the supplied sources do not identify wetlands as a required habitat feature.

  • Inspect restored areas after fire, flood, drought and major construction disturbance.
  • Keep rehabilitation areas free of vehicle access until plants are established and the environmental officer releases the area.
  • Use erosion and sediment controls so runoff does not smother low vegetation or degrade retained habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor plant survival, weed cover, grazing or browsing damage, ground cover, shrub density, connectivity to retained vegetation and use by Purple-backed Fairywrens.

Use repeat visual searches based on the project's approved survey design and compare group records, habitat condition and detection effort between monitoring periods.

Set success measures before planting, including survival and cover targets, weed control requirements, functioning habitat connections and confirmed use by the species where monitoring is intended to detect recolonisation.

  • Record monitoring dates, search effort, weather, observers, habitat condition, group size and photographs from fixed points.
  • Repair failed planting, damaged fencing, weed outbreaks or gaps in habitat connections when monitoring identifies a problem.
  • Submit significant rehabilitation records and species observations to the relevant state wildlife database and project reporting system.

Sources