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Silver-headed Antechinus (Antechinus argentus)

The silver-headed antechinus is a small, nocturnal insectivorous marsupial restricted to isolated, cool upland forests in Queensland. Works near suitable forest, rainforest, dense ground cover or mountain plateaus may affect individuals, shelter and food resources. It is listed as Endangered under the Commonwealth EPBC Act and Queensland legislation, and is an EVNT species requiring careful survey and impact management.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Endangered.

Breeding season

The silver-headed antechinus breeds once each year, with mating at Kroombit Tops occurring from mid to late June to early July. Births follow in late July to early August, and timing may vary between mountain sites with elevation, rainfall and seasonal food availability.

Breeding mode: Marsupial. Females give birth to young that attach to the nipples and develop in the pouch.

Breeding frequency: One breeding period each year.

Mating period: Mid to late June to early July, lasting 1 to 3 weeks at Kroombit Tops.

Litter size: Eight young.

Gestation: About 30 days, inferred for the species.

Weaning: Not recorded for the silver-headed antechinus. General antechinus accounts indicate weaning occurs in the following summer.

Maturity and lifespan: Males breed at about 11.5 months and die soon after mating. Females may live for up to two years.

Breeding timing may shift between Queensland mountain sites and years as elevation, rainfall, temperature and winter food availability change.

  • Mating and male die-off: Mating is concentrated from mid to late June to early July, followed by the annual male die-off.
  • Births and pouch young: Births occur in late July to early August, with young attached to the female's nipples in the pouch.
  • Dependent young with females: Young remain dependent after birth while developing in the pouch and with the female.
  • Juvenile dispersal: Juveniles disperse at about 3 to 4 months of age, although the distance and direction of movement are not known.
  • Nocturnal activity and foraging: The species is mostly nocturnal and forages for invertebrates in leaf litter, on bark and among ground cover and woody debris.
  • Highest clearing risk: Avoid clearing and intense ground disturbance from mating through the period when pouch young and recently emerged juveniles are dependent, especially June to October.

Identification: Appearance and size

The silver-headed antechinus is a small carnivorous marsupial. It is mostly nocturnal and can be difficult to detect without targeted trapping, camera trapping or trained detection dogs.

The head, neck and shoulders are silver-grey. The colour gradually changes through olive-buff to deeper olive-buff on the flanks, rump and upper surface of the tail base.

The belly is green-yellow-buff to olive-buff. The feet are pale silver. The tail is darker above and lighter underneath, with both sides becoming darker towards the tip.

Males are substantially larger than females. Males weigh about 40 to 46 g and females about 20 to 23 g. Males may be up to three times heavier than females.

  • Small head, large ears and a narrow snout.
  • Pale, slightly broken eye rings.
  • Females have a pouch with eight nipples.

Identification: Calls and similar species

No reliable species-specific call or echolocation feature is described. Do not rely on vocalisations for detection.

The species can resemble the yellow-footed antechinus, Antechinus flavipes, and is also related to the buff-footed antechinus, Antechinus mysticus. Identification may require close examination of pelage and, where necessary, genetic confirmation.

  • Silver-headed antechinus: silvery fur on the head, neck and shoulders.
  • Rump, flanks, upper hindfeet and underside of the tail base are olive-buff rather than strongly orange-toned.
  • Old museum specimens may be difficult to identify because their pelage can fade.

Identification: Field signs and detection

There are no distinctive droppings, nests, odour marks, whitewash or other site signs that can be used confidently for routine clearing inspections. Absence of signs does not demonstrate absence of the species.

Use targeted methods where suitable habitat is present. Detection dogs can provide rapid coverage, while Elliott trapping and camera trapping can confirm presence and provide information on sex, age, reproduction and genetics.

  • Search dense ground cover, moist leaf litter and woody debris where animals may shelter or forage.
  • Treat dog indications, camera records and captures as significant records and record the exact location, habitat and fire history.
  • Use appropriately licensed personnel and follow animal welfare, handling and release requirements.

Distribution: Range in Australia

The species has an extremely restricted Australian range. Confirmed locations described for the species are in central eastern Queensland, although project mapping may identify Queensland and New South Wales as relevant jurisdictions for assessment.

The known population is divided among isolated upland areas in Queensland. The main known areas are Kroombit Tops National Park, Blackdown Tableland National Park and Bulburin National Park.

At Kroombit Tops, records occur on and around the eastern escarpment plateau, about 70 km south west of Gladstone. Blackdown Tableland is about 220 km west of Gladstone. Bulburin is near Miriam Vale.

Estimated extent of occurrence: 1,008 km², based on records from 1997 to 2017

Estimated area of occupancy: 12 km², using 2 km by 2 km grid cells

Known population pattern: Two genetically divergent and historically isolated population areas are recognised in the core distribution, with Bulburin also supporting an isolated population

  • Kroombit Tops National Park.
  • Blackdown Tableland National Park.
  • Bulburin National Park, including the Polmaily section recorded in 2021.

Distribution: State and regional considerations

The species is listed as Endangered in Queensland and under the Commonwealth EPBC Act. The confirmed localities described in the field information are in Queensland, and no confirmed locality outside Queensland is identified.

For projects in mapped areas of New South Wales or near the southern edge of modelled habitat, obtain the current jurisdictional species layer and records before finalising survey or clearing decisions.

  • Check current state and Commonwealth mapping before site disturbance.
  • Treat apparently isolated upland forest patches as potential habitat until assessed.
  • Do not assume that a site is unsuitable solely because it is outside a known national park.

Distribution: Survey extent

The distribution is patchy within occupied national parks. Surveys have found new sites within known areas, including at slightly lower elevations than expected.

Use habitat models to select survey sites, but include some lower probability areas to test and refine the model. A negative result from one small site should not be used to clear a wider connected habitat area.

  • Survey suitable habitat across the full proposed disturbance footprint and nearby connected habitat.
  • Include wet open forest, closed forest, rainforest and adjoining upland forest where these occur.
  • Record elevation, vegetation structure, fire history and the condition of ground cover.

Habitat: Vegetation and landforms

The silver-headed antechinus is associated with cool, moist upland environments. On a works site, retain attention on habitat structure as well as vegetation type, because ground cover and woody debris provide refuge and foraging opportunities.

At Kroombit Tops, habitat includes shrubby tall open forest dominated by Eucalyptus montivaga, with subdominant Corymbia trachyphloia. The species also occurs in wet sclerophyll forest and simple notophyll vine forest.

At Blackdown Tableland, records include open forest dominated by Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa and Eucalyptus mensalis. At Bulburin, records include open forest dominated by Eucalyptus acmenoides and Syncarpia glomulifera, as well as rainforest communities.

  • High elevation plateaus, mountain tops and upland escarpments.
  • Cool, moist forest with dense grassy, ferny or shrubby understorey.
  • Rainforest and adjacent wet eucalypt forest.
  • Areas influenced by cloud, orographic rainfall or persistent moisture.

Habitat: Habitat structure

Look for continuous or semi-continuous vegetation cover, deep or moist litter, dense ground cover and large woody debris. These features provide cover, denning opportunities and feeding habitat.

Habitat can occur in both fire-adapted and fire-sensitive forest. The condition and recent fire history of each patch should be recorded rather than relying on vegetation class alone.

  • Dense shrubs, grasses or ferns near the ground.
  • Moist leaf litter and soil.
  • Fallen branches, logs and other large woody debris.
  • Connected forest that allows movement between patches.

Habitat: Site assessment

The species is highly habitat-specific and sensitive to disturbance. Assess the whole habitat mosaic, including retained vegetation, edges, drainage lines, rocky escarpments and unburnt or lightly burnt refuges.

Avoid fragmenting moist upland forest and avoid removing ground cover or woody debris unnecessarily. Where clearing cannot be avoided, have an ecologist assess the footprint and the surrounding habitat before works begin.

  • Map all suitable habitat within and beside the disturbance area.
  • Identify fire-sensitive rainforest and wet forest separately from fire-adapted open forest.
  • Mark habitat that can function as a refuge during and after fire.
  • Retain links between occupied or potentially occupied patches where practicable.

Foraging habitat: Food and feeding sites

The species hunts at night and feeds mainly on invertebrates. Productive foraging habitat is usually moist, structurally complex and rich in leaf litter, bark, ground cover and woody debris.

Faecal analysis indicates a diet dominated by beetles and cockroaches, with ants, crickets, grasshoppers, butterflies and spiders also recorded. The species forages in moist leaf litter and on tree bark.

High elevation sites can maintain food availability through the year because of ongoing moisture and orographic rainfall. Winter food availability is especially relevant to survival and breeding.

  • Moist leaf litter and damp soil.
  • Fallen timber, bark and woody debris.
  • Dense grass, fern and shrub cover.
  • Tree trunks and rough bark that support invertebrates.

Foraging habitat: Works site risks

Clearing, slashing, machinery traffic and soil disturbance can remove litter, logs and vegetation cover. These changes reduce shelter and may reduce the invertebrate prey base.

Fire, drought, weed invasion and grazing can simplify the understorey and reduce food availability. Feral pigs may also compete for invertebrate prey while disturbing the ground.

  • Keep machinery out of retained habitat and wet forest where possible.
  • Do not pile, burn or remove logs and substantial woody debris from retained habitat.
  • Prevent unnecessary night lighting and disturbance around retained habitat.
  • Control weeds and manage grazing or feral animal impacts in recovery areas.

Foraging habitat: Practical survey approach

Use habitat assessment to guide targeted nocturnal and trapping surveys. Detection dogs are useful for rapid coverage at low densities, but follow indications with a confirmatory method where practicable.

Elliott trapping can confirm current presence and provide information on age, sex, reproductive condition and genetics. Camera traps can corroborate detections and reduce handling.

  • Use predictive habitat models and known records to select sites.
  • Include burnt and unburnt habitat where fire has affected the area.
  • Record prey habitat features, fire severity, weeds, grazing and feral animal activity.
  • Obtain appropriate approvals before trapping, handling or releasing animals.

Breeding habitat: Breeding timing

Breeding is seasonal and tightly synchronised. Disturbance during the mating and pouch young period may affect adults, dependent young and the next generation, even though specific breeding nest structures are not well described.

At Kroombit Tops, mating occurs over a 1 to 3 week period from mid to late June to early July. Females give birth in late July to early August after an inferred gestation of about 30 days.

Young remain attached to the nipples and are carried in the pouch. Juveniles disperse at about 3 to 4 months and become adult at about seven months.

  • Males die after the annual mating period.
  • Females usually produce one litter of about eight young.
  • Females can live for up to two years, while the maximum male lifespan is about 11.5 months.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat

Specific silver-headed antechinus nests or maternity sites have not been identified. Ground cover, woody debris and dense vegetation should nevertheless be treated as potential denning and breeding habitat.

Communal winter nesting is reported for antechinuses generally, but a species-specific nest description is not established. Avoid disturbing likely shelter areas during the breeding season wherever the work program allows.

  • Retain dense ground cover and logs in and around known habitat.
  • Protect moist forest and rainforest refuges from fire and machinery disturbance.
  • Inspect the proposed work area before clearing and maintain a fauna spotter catcher during relevant works.

Breeding habitat: Management during breeding

Plan intrusive work outside the June to August breeding period where feasible. If timing cannot be changed, increase pre-clearance inspection, slow the clearing sequence and provide suitable opportunities for animals to move into retained habitat.

Any capture, handling or relocation should be undertaken only by appropriately licensed personnel under the approved species management arrangements. Record sex, age class, pouch young and release location.

  • Use staged clearing from less suitable habitat towards retained habitat.
  • Stop work if an animal, dependent young or likely den is found until the fauna spotter catcher assesses the situation.
  • Maintain connected refuge habitat during each stage of clearing.
  • Monitor retained habitat after works, especially where fire or ground disturbance has occurred.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter features

The species uses vegetation cover, ground cover and large woody debris for refuge and denning. Specific shelter structures have not been defined, so a precautionary approach is appropriate wherever these features occur.

Likely shelter resources include dense grasses, ferns and shrubs, moist litter, fallen timber, bark and other woody debris. These features should be retained wherever they occur in suitable upland forest or rainforest.

There is no confirmed reliance on hollows, caves or burrows. Do not remove or burn potential shelter features simply because no nest is visible.

  • Large logs and fallen branches.
  • Deep litter and damp ground cover.
  • Dense shrubs, grasses and ferns.
  • Vegetated edges around rainforest and wet forest.

Sheltering habitat: Fire and shelter loss

Fire can remove the cover and woody debris used for refuge and foraging. It may also expose animals to cats and other predators. Some animals persist after low to moderate severity fire, but recovery in fire-sensitive forest may be slow.

Fire planning should protect unburnt and lightly burnt refuge areas. Avoid repeated burning that removes ground cover before it has recovered.

  • Map unburnt refuges before planned burns.
  • Protect rainforest and other fire-sensitive habitat from inappropriate fire.
  • Retain fallen timber during post-fire clean-up unless it presents a demonstrated safety risk.
  • Control weeds and feral animals while shelter habitat regenerates.

Sheltering habitat: Clearing controls

Before clearing, inspect logs, litter, dense vegetation and the bases of shrubs for animals. Use staged clearing and retain connected cover so animals are not forced into exposed or predator-prone areas.

Keep stock, horses, pigs and machinery out of retained shelter habitat. Fence or clearly mark exclusion areas where practical.

  • Use a fauna spotter catcher during clearing.
  • Minimise night works in occupied or potentially occupied habitat.
  • Avoid unnecessary slashing, mulching and removal of fallen timber.
  • Keep retained habitat free from construction materials, spoil and washdown impacts.

Threats: Fire, drought and climate change

The silver-headed antechinus has a very small, fragmented range and is exposed to rapid changes in upland habitat. Works should avoid additional loss of forest structure, food resources and movement links.

Hotter and drier conditions can reduce the cool, moist habitat and winter food supply on which the species depends. Severe fire has affected all three known protected areas, and about one third of modelled potential habitat in Bulburin National Park was burnt in the 2019 to 2020 fires.

Plan fire management to protect rainforest, wet forest, unburnt refuges and recovering habitat. Avoid broad fuel reduction treatments that remove essential cover without considering the species and its habitat.

  • Map fire severity and habitat condition after fire.
  • Protect unburnt and lightly burnt refuges.
  • Allow ground cover and woody debris to recover before further disturbance.
  • Include climate and fire risk in the life of the project, not only during construction.

Threats: Predators and feral animals

Cats and foxes prey on antechinuses. Feral pigs, cattle and horses can trample and modify habitat, disturb the ground and reduce shelter. Feral pigs may also reduce the invertebrate prey available to the species.

Include predator and feral animal control in site management where these threats are present. Do not attract predators with food waste, carcasses or unsecured rubbish.

  • Secure food and waste from cats, foxes and other scavengers.
  • Control feral pigs, cattle and horses in retained habitat.
  • Repair fences and gates that allow stock into sensitive forest.
  • Record predator and feral animal activity during ecological inspections.

Threats: Weeds and habitat modification

Weeds can slow recovery after fire and alter the dense ground layer used for cover and foraging. Clearing, road construction, drainage changes, soil compaction and repeated slashing can also fragment suitable habitat.

Use weed hygiene controls and keep spoil, sediment and construction runoff out of rainforest and wet forest. Retain native ground cover and rehabilitate disturbed areas with locally appropriate methods.

  • Clean vehicles and machinery before entering sensitive habitat.
  • Prevent weed spread along access tracks and construction corridors.
  • Avoid unnecessary drainage or changes to moisture patterns.
  • Rehabilitate disturbed ground promptly and monitor recovery.

Threats: Survey, approvals and response

Because the species is Endangered and patchily distributed, a single unsuccessful survey should not be treated as proof that a site is unoccupied. Survey effort should match the habitat, proposed impact and likelihood of detection.

Seek current Commonwealth and Queensland advice before clearing. If the species is detected, or suitable habitat cannot be ruled out, stop and review the work method, exclusion areas, timing and species management requirements.

  • Use trained ecologists, fauna spotter catchers and licensed wildlife handlers.
  • Combine habitat assessment with detection dogs, Elliott trapping or camera trapping where appropriate.
  • Maintain accurate records of captures, detections, fire history and habitat condition.
  • Apply the approved species management program where Queensland requirements for protected wildlife or breeding places are triggered.

Survey methodology: 1. Desktop assessment

The silver-headed antechinus is a small, mostly nocturnal marsupial known from isolated, high elevation sites. Use more than one detection method where habitat is suitable, especially in dense cover, recently burnt areas and sites near known records.

Map known records, modelled habitat, elevation, vegetation communities, fire history and nearby habitat connections before selecting survey sites.

Give particular attention to cool, moist upland forest, rainforest, wet open forest and areas with dense understorey, leaf litter, woody debris and vegetation cover.

Check whether the proposed action may affect a listed endangered species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Queensland legislation. Confirm any relevant New South Wales requirements where the project occurs in, or may affect, mapped New South Wales habitat.

Known distribution: Isolated high elevation locations in central and eastern Queensland, including Kroombit Tops, Blackdown Tableland and Bulburin national parks.

Important habitat features: Cool, moist forest, rainforest, dense ground cover, leaf litter, vegetation cover and large woody debris.

  • Obtain recent records from the relevant government wildlife database and local land managers.
  • Include burnt and unburnt habitat in the assessment. Unburnt patches may provide refuge and post-fire recovery habitat.
  • Use habitat models to select likely sites, but also sample some lower probability sites to test and refine the model.

Survey methodology: 2. Detection dogs, cameras and trapping

Use trained conservation detection dogs for rapid coverage of large areas or sites where animals are likely to occur at low density. A dog and handler can survey a site in about 45 minutes, subject to site conditions and handler advice.

Follow positive dog indications with Elliott trapping and, where suitable, remote cameras. Trapping confirms current presence and allows assessment of age, sex, reproductive condition and genetic sampling by authorised personnel.

Use previous trapping guidance of 300 to 600 trap nights per site as a starting point for new areas. Adjust effort with a qualified ecologist to suit habitat, weather, animal welfare requirements and the purpose of the survey.

Documented survey methods: Detection dogs, Elliott trapping, remote camera trapping and live trapping.

Documented dog survey effort: A dog and handler surveyed one site in about 45 minutes.

Documented trapping effort: New areas have commonly used 300 to 600 trap nights per site.

  • Keep trapping equipment shaded, dry and protected from ants, rain and temperature extremes.
  • Use appropriate food and bedding, inspect traps frequently and release animals at the point of capture unless a lawful relocation plan applies.
  • Do not rely on a single negative survey in patchy habitat. Repeat surveys where habitat is suitable and the consequences of missing the species are high.

Survey methodology: 3. Timing and field conditions

Plan surveys in the few months before breeding where possible. At Kroombit Tops, mating occurs over one to three weeks from mid to late June to early July, and females give birth from late July to early August.

Avoid relying only on hot, dry or recently disturbed conditions. The species is associated with cool, moist habitat and prey in leaf litter, on tree bark and around woody debris.

Survey both burnt and unburnt habitat after fire. Recovery can differ between fire adapted open forest and fire sensitive rainforest, so record fire severity and the condition of ground cover.

Breeding timing: Mating at Kroombit Tops occurs from mid to late June to early July. Births occur from late July to early August.

Movement information: Juveniles disperse at about 3 to 4 months. No regular migration is established.

  • Record rainfall, recent fire, temperature, wind, cloud, ground moisture and the condition of litter, shrubs and woody debris.
  • Use night surveys or trapping conditions suited to a nocturnal species, while following animal welfare and permit conditions.
  • Do not describe a site as unoccupied solely because no animals were detected during one visit.

Survey methodology: 4. Records and interpretation

Record the precise location, date, time, method, effort, habitat, fire history and outcome of every survey and detection.

Photograph habitat and signs where this can be done without disturbing animals. Record whether a detection was confirmed by trapping, camera footage, genetic material or another approved method.

Treat records from high elevation open forest, rainforest and wet forest as potentially significant. Identification can be confused with yellow-footed and buff-footed antechinuses, so seek expert confirmation where required.

Identification: The species has a silvery head, neck and shoulders, with olive buff tones on the flanks, rump and upper hindfeet. Genetic confirmation may be needed for difficult records.

  • Record animal number, sex, age class, reproductive condition, pouch young and release location for every captured animal.
  • Record dog indications, camera detections, trap nights, trap failures and weather conditions.
  • Provide records to the relevant regulator, land manager and project ecologist in the format required by approvals.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Avoidance and approvals

Avoiding habitat loss is the preferred approach for this endangered species. Work planning should protect known populations, suitable upland habitat and the ground cover and woody debris used for refuge, denning and foraging.

Redesign the work footprint to retain confirmed habitat and habitat connections wherever practicable. Avoid clearing cool, moist upland forest, rainforest, wet open forest and areas with dense ground cover.

Before work starts, determine whether the action is likely to have a significant impact on this endangered species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Refer the action if required, or comply with an existing approval or conservation agreement.

In Queensland, obtain the relevant authority under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 before disturbing protected wildlife or tampering with a breeding place. Where an active breeding place may be affected, confirm whether a species management program or other Queensland approval is required.

Listing: Endangered under the Commonwealth and Queensland listings.

Queensland breeding places: Tampering with a breeding place of protected wildlife may require a species management program.

  • Obtain any Queensland wildlife, clearing, protected area and scientific or damage mitigation permits that apply to the activity.
  • Check state requirements for any mapped New South Wales population or record before commencing work in New South Wales.
  • Keep copies of approvals, conditions, maps and contact details at the work front.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Pre-clearance survey

Complete a targeted pre-clearance survey in all suitable habitat, not just within the proposed clearing edge. Use detection dogs, Elliott traps and cameras in combination where the risk of a missed detection is high.

Survey before breeding where possible, but do not assume that a survey outside the breeding period removes the need for care. Females may carry pouch young and ground shelters may be used throughout the year.

Inspect the work area for dense ground cover, leaf litter, woody debris and other potential denning or refuge habitat without dismantling it unnecessarily.

Breeding biology: Litter size is generally eight young. Juveniles disperse at about 3 to 4 months.

  • Mark confirmed detections, likely refuge areas, rainforest patches, wet gullies and retained habitat on construction plans.
  • Use a qualified fauna ecologist to set the survey method and effort for the site.
  • Stop planning based on a negative result if new habitat or a new animal is found during site preparation.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Buffers and exclusion areas

Set site specific no go areas around confirmed records, suitable habitat and any active breeding place. The available species information does not establish a universal buffer distance, so the project ecologist should define the buffer from the animal location, habitat sensitivity, activity and approval conditions.

Use fencing, flagging, locked gates and clear maps to protect exclusion areas. Keep machinery, vehicles, spoil, fuels and laydown areas outside these areas.

Retain large woody debris, litter and understorey in protected areas. Do not burn, mulch, slash or stockpile this material unless the approved management plan allows it.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing before each shift and after storms or vehicle movements.
  • Mark boundaries so they remain visible in low light and wet conditions.
  • Extend or change the exclusion area if an animal, den or breeding place is found.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Induction and work planning

Induct all workers, contractors and visitors before entering the site. Show photographs or descriptions of the species, exclusion areas, stop work triggers and reporting contacts.

Plan clearing in small, sequential stages so fauna can move into retained habitat and spotters can inspect each area. Keep retained habitat connected where practicable.

Schedule high risk work outside the local breeding period where this can be achieved. At Kroombit Tops, avoid disturbance from mid to late June through early August unless an ecologist and approval conditions support the timing.

Local breeding window: At Kroombit Tops, mating occurs from mid to late June to early July and births occur from late July to early August.

  • Use a written fauna management plan with maps, responsibilities, equipment and emergency contacts.
  • Brief operators on the authority of the fauna spotter catcher to stop work.
  • Include fire, predator, weed and feral animal controls in the construction environmental management plan.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Sequential clearing

Clearing must be slow, staged and supervised. The fauna spotter catcher has authority to stop work whenever an animal, active breeding place or unexpected habitat risk is identified.

Clear from the least disturbed edge towards retained habitat, using small sections and pauses for inspection. Do not isolate an animal between machinery and a retained habitat area.

Remove non habitat infrastructure and ground hazards first where possible. Retain natural cover and woody debris in the exclusion area.

Keep machinery away from rainforest, dense understorey, wet gullies and retained habitat unless the approved work method specifically allows access.

  • Check each section before, during and after clearing.
  • Use low speed and low impact methods near ground cover and woody debris.
  • Do not burn cleared material near known or suitable habitat.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Animal handling and breeding places

Only authorised and suitably trained people may capture, handle, contain or release a silver-headed antechinus. The spotter catcher should minimise handling time and stress.

If an animal is found, stop work, secure the area and allow the spotter catcher to assess it. Release healthy animals into suitable nearby habitat only where this is lawful and consistent with the approved management plan.

If an active breeding place, den, nest or dependent young is found, stop work and protect the location. Do not move the animal, young or shelter material until the ecologist and relevant regulator have confirmed the lawful response.

Shelter habitat: Ground cover, vegetation cover and large woody debris are used for refuge, foraging and denning.

  • Do not place an animal in a box, vehicle or temporary enclosure unless directed by an authorised wildlife professional.
  • Do not separate a female from pouch young.
  • Record the location and condition of any breeding place before further action.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Injured or distressed animals

Stop work and keep people, dogs and machinery away from an injured or distressed animal. Ask the fauna spotter catcher or wildlife carer to assess it.

Place the animal in a secure, quiet and temperature suitable container only if directed by an authorised person. Do not provide food, water or medication unless directed by a wildlife veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer.

Arrange prompt transfer to a licensed wildlife carer or veterinarian, and record the handover.

  • Use the project emergency contact pathway and notify the relevant regulator where an approval condition requires it.
  • Record injury type, likely cause, location, time, photographs where safe, and the animal's final disposition.
  • Treat heat, fire, crushing, predation and dog attack as incidents requiring review.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Stop work and incident records

The spotter catcher should stop work for any unexpected detection, injured animal, active breeding place, damaged exclusion fence, fire risk or breach of an approval condition.

Keep machinery stationary until the ecologist confirms the control measure. Do not restart work on verbal assumptions where a permit, approval or management plan requires written clearance.

Maintain a daily fauna log for all searches, captures, relocations, injuries, mortalities and stop work events.

  • Record date, time, crew, location, activity, species, number of animals, condition, action taken and people notified.
  • Map the detection and any changed exclusion area.
  • Report mortalities, breeding place impacts and approval breaches within the timeframe set by the relevant approval.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post clearance checks

Post clearance checks confirm that no animals or dependent young remain in the work area and that controls have worked. Monitoring should focus on retained habitat, known populations and areas affected by fire or construction.

Inspect the cleared area immediately after each stage and again before machinery leaves the work area. Check spoil piles, felled vegetation, drains, pits, culverts and retained habitat edges.

Have the fauna spotter catcher confirm that no animal, pouch young or active breeding place has been overlooked. Do not disturb retained woody debris or ground cover merely to search it unless the approved method allows this.

Close or make safe pits, trenches and other fauna hazards as soon as practicable.

  • Remove fauna hazards at the end of each shift where possible.
  • Check exclusion fencing and gates daily during active works.
  • Keep retained habitat free of vehicles, lighting, waste and construction materials.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Monitoring and reporting

Monitor confirmed populations and retained habitat using repeatable methods. Elliott trapping can provide information on presence, age, sex and reproductive condition, while cameras and detection dogs can extend coverage.

Repeat monitoring after major fire, drought, construction disturbance or significant habitat change. Compare results with the pre disturbance survey using the same locations and effort where practicable.

Report monitoring results to the approval holder, land manager and relevant regulator as required.

Monitoring context: Two Elliott trapping surveys one year apart have been used at burnt and unburnt sites. Detection dogs have also been used to locate new sites.

  • Record trap nights, camera nights, dog search time, weather, fire history, habitat condition and detection results.
  • Report new records promptly so habitat models and management plans can be updated.
  • Include failed surveys, access constraints and changes in detection conditions in the report.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Relocation and release records

Where relocation is lawful and approved, release animals into suitable nearby habitat that is connected, unoccupied by conflicting works and able to provide cover and food. Do not move animals to an unrelated mountain or population without specialist advice and approval.

Release animals at the capture location whenever that remains safe and lawful. Avoid unnecessary translocation because populations are isolated and genetically divergent.

Record the release point, time, habitat, animal details, handler and any follow up requirement.

  • Use clean equipment between sites to reduce disease and weed transfer.
  • Do not release an animal into recently burnt, exposed or predator rich habitat unless the ecologist has assessed it as suitable.
  • Check released animals and the release area according to the approved plan.

After habitat disturbance: 4. Incident review

Review every mortality, injury, breeding place impact, fire event and unplanned habitat disturbance. Include the spotter catcher, site supervisor, ecologist and approval holder.

Identify whether the cause was machinery, fire, predators, fencing, lighting, access, weather or a planning failure. Update the method statement before the next work stage.

Share lessons with crews and contractors through a short site briefing.

  • Check whether the exclusion area, timing, survey effort and supervision were adequate.
  • Update maps and risk registers after every new detection.
  • Close out corrective actions and retain evidence for compliance reporting.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Habitat restoration

Rehabilitation should restore cool, moist habitat and the ground layer used by this insectivorous marsupial. Natural recovery is preferred, with long term control of fire, weeds, feral predators and grazing or trampling pressures.

Restore the original forest structure and ground layer using local provenance plants and site appropriate methods. Reconnect retained habitat where practicable.

Reinstate leaf litter, fallen timber, logs and other natural cover that were removed from the work area. Use clean material from the same site where possible.

Protect wet gullies, rainforest edges, dense understorey and areas with high soil moisture from further disturbance.

Habitat features to restore: Vegetation cover, complex ground structure, leaf litter and large woody debris support refuge, denning and invertebrate prey.

  • Do not over clear the rehabilitation area before planting or erosion control.
  • Retain natural regeneration where it is healthy and safe.
  • Use fauna friendly drainage, crossings and erosion controls that do not create open traps or barriers.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Breeding and shelter structures

Prioritise natural ground cover and woody debris. No species specific requirement for nest boxes, bat boxes, artificial roosts or other replacement structures has been established for the silver-headed antechinus.

Do not install bat boxes or elevated roost structures as a substitute for retaining antechinus habitat. Use artificial nest sites only if a qualified antechinus ecologist identifies a site specific need and the regulator approves the design.

If natural den or nest material must be removed, retain suitable material nearby and follow the approved fauna management plan.

  • Keep replacement structures close to suitable cover, away from lighting, roads, cats and machinery.
  • Inspect any approved artificial structure for use, damage, heat and predators.
  • Remove structures that create a hazard or are not being used, unless approval conditions require otherwise.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Weeds, predators and grazing

Control invasive weeds before they dominate recovering understorey or alter fire behaviour. Use methods that minimise soil disturbance and avoid poisoning non target prey or wildlife.

Control feral cats and foxes in accordance with the site pest plan. Manage feral pigs, cattle and horses where they trample, graze or disturb habitat.

Coordinate pest and weed control across the wider habitat, not only within the construction footprint.

Recorded management concerns: Fire, invasive weeds, feral cats, foxes, feral pigs, cattle and horses can affect habitat or animals.

  • Use washdown procedures to prevent weed spread by vehicles and machinery.
  • Record weed species, treatment area, method, timing and follow up result.
  • Protect recovering rainforest and wet forest from repeated fire, trampling and grazing.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Water, fire and lighting

Maintain natural drainage and soil moisture in rehabilitation areas. Prevent sediment, pollutants and altered runoff from entering rainforest, wet forest or retained habitat.

Use a fire management approach that protects fire sensitive rainforest and retains unburnt refuge patches. Do not apply planned burning without ecological assessment and approval.

Keep lighting away from retained and rehabilitated habitat. Use the lowest practical intensity, shield lights downwards and avoid lighting dense understorey and habitat edges.

  • Inspect drainage and erosion controls after heavy rain.
  • Maintain unburnt habitat and woody debris where safe and consistent with the approved fire plan.
  • Turn off temporary lighting when work is complete.

Rehabilitation actions: 5. Long term monitoring

Monitor rehabilitation until vegetation cover, ground structure and habitat function are established. Monitoring should include natural regeneration, leaf litter, woody debris, weeds, fire impacts, predator activity and animal detections.

Use detection dogs, cameras and Elliott trapping where the site is suitable and permits allow. Repeat surveys at consistent locations so trends can be compared.

Continue monitoring after severe fire, drought or major pest outbreaks. The species may persist after fire, but recovery can be slow in fire sensitive habitat.

Post fire evidence: First year individuals have been captured after the 2019 to 2020 fires at Bulburin, confirming breeding after fire.

  • Set clear rehabilitation targets with the land manager and regulator.
  • Compare animal detections and habitat condition with the pre disturbance baseline.
  • Keep records for the life of the approval or management plan and use results to adjust fire, pest and weed actions.

Sources