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Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)

The Silvereye is a small, mobile passerine found across much of Australia, including urban gardens, woodland, forest, orchards, thickets and coastal vegetation. It may occur on development sites where native trees and shrubs provide food, nesting places and shelter, particularly during breeding and seasonal movements.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

Timing varies among Australian populations because some Silvereyes are sedentary and others migrate or disperse. The calendar below summarises the best-supported pattern for field planning across Australia.

Month values are ordered January to December. A value of 0 means not typical, 1 means occurs, and 2 means peak. Exact timing varies among populations and regions.

  • Breeding: Australian breeding is reported from September to January, with a peak in November.
  • Young in nest or dependent: Eggs are incubated for about 10 to 13 days and young leave the nest at about 12 days. Up to four broods may occur, and the number of young is reported to be highest in January.
  • Movement and flocking: Large flocks form in winter. In Western Australia, large flocks form in January and February and may move inland when food decreases in coastal breeding areas. Tasmanian birds may move to south-eastern Australia during winter.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest from September to January because breeding, active nests and dependent young may be present. February remains a potential risk where late broods or concentrated feeding flocks occur.

Identification

Silvereyes are small olive-green birds with a conspicuous white eye-ring. They are active, mobile birds that often call continuously while moving through foliage.

Adults have a white ring of feathers around the eye, an olive-green head and wings, and a grey to olive back depending on region. Eastern birds commonly have yellow throats, pale buff flanks and white on the undertail. Tasmanian birds commonly have grey throats, chestnut flanks and yellow on the undertail.

The bill is thin and pointed. The species is usually seen alone, in pairs, or in small flocks moving rapidly through trees and shrubs.

Length: 11 to 13 cm

Weight: 8.5 to 10 g, with another source recording 12.1 to 13.1 g

Main colours: Olive-green, grey, white, yellow and, in some populations, chestnut

Identification: Calls and field signs

The contact call is a thin, high-pitched sound described as a persistent "psip" or "psee". The song consists of high-pitched whistles and short trills.

The nest is a small cup made from fine grasses, mosses, hair and spider webs. It is suspended from a shrub or tree branch, or placed in a horizontal tree fork.

Nest height: Up to 5 m above the ground where placed in a horizontal tree fork

Nest materials: Grass, mosses, hair, fine vegetation and spider web

  • Listen for persistent high-pitched contact calls from foliage.
  • Search dense shrubs and small tree forks for small suspended cup nests during the breeding season.
  • Do not rely on tracks, scats or eyeshine for identification because these field signs are not described for this species in the supplied sources.

Identification: Similar species

In Cairns, the Silvereye may be confused with the Yellow-bellied Silvereye, Zosterops luteus. The Yellow-bellied Silvereye is described as noticeably smaller and yellow underneath from the bill to the tail.

Juvenile Silvereyes may be harder to identify because they lack the adult white eye-ring.

Distribution: Australian range

Silvereyes are widespread across Australia and also occur in Tasmania and offshore islands. Some populations are sedentary, while others make substantial seasonal movements.

In Australia, the species occurs from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland through eastern and southern Australia to south-western and western Australia. The documented range includes Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.

The Western Australian range extends from Carnarvon to Kalgoorlie and Eucla and through the south-west. The species is more common in south-eastern Australia, but its range extends to about Shark Bay in Western Australia.

States and territories documented: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory

Western Australian extent: Carnarvon to Kalgoorlie and Eucla, including the south-west

  • The supplied documents do not assign the species to specific Australian bioregions.
  • The species is recorded from coastal and sub-coastal areas as well as inland and urban habitats where suitable trees and shrubs occur.

Distribution: Mobility and populations

Silvereyes comprise multiple populations, some of which are highly mobile. Birds seen at one location at different times of year may belong to different populations.

Tasmanian birds can migrate hundreds of kilometres to south-eastern Australia during the Australian winter. Large flocks also form during winter, and Western Australian birds may move inland in January and February when food decreases in coastal breeding areas.

Recognised subspecies: 16 are reported across the broader range

Recorded movement: Tasmanian birds may travel hundreds of kilometres to south-eastern Australia

Population size and trend: No Australian population estimate or trend is provided in the supplied documents

Habitat: Habitat types

Silvereyes use a wide range of wooded and shrub-dominated habitats. They may occur in retained vegetation, revegetation, gardens and orchards where food and nesting cover are available.

Recorded habitat includes thickets, forests, woodland, mangroves, urban parks and gardens, orchards, coastal vegetation and sub-coastal vegetation. The species can occur from lowland habitats to the subalpine zone.

Silvereyes use both native and modified vegetation, but native vegetation provides nesting places, roost sites and food.

Maximum elevation reported: 1,850 m

Habitat structure: Wooded or shrubby vegetation, including semi-open habitats

  • Retain connected trees and dense shrubs where practicable.
  • Inspect flowering, fruiting and insect-rich vegetation before clearing.
  • Treat urban parks, gardens and orchards as potential Silvereye habitat rather than assuming that developed land has no habitat value.

Habitat: Features relevant to site works

The most relevant habitat features are trees and shrubs that provide flowers, fruit, insects, nest forks and sheltered foliage. Dense vegetation is used for feeding, movement and nesting.

The supplied sources do not provide a minimum patch size, corridor width or vegetation height threshold for Silvereyes.

  • Prioritise inspection of flowering and fruiting trees, dense shrub layers and vegetation adjoining cleared areas.
  • Stage clearing outside the main breeding period where possible, and check for active nests before removing shrubs or small trees.
  • Retain vegetation that links larger patches, because the species can move between feeding and sheltering sites.

Foraging habitat: Food

Silvereyes feed in trees, shrubs, ground vegetation and orchards. They take both animal and plant food and can move quickly through foliage while calling.

The diet includes small insects, worms, spiders and other invertebrates, as well as fruit, berries and nectar. Insects are taken from the ground, leaves, flowers, on and under bark, and from the air.

Recorded food plants and food sources include figs, black nightshade, saltbush, Atriplex, grapes and other soft fruits. Nectar from flowering trees is also important.

Trophic type: Omnivore

Foraging locations: Ground, leaves, flowers, bark, airspace, orchards and fruiting vegetation

  • Inspect flowering trees and shrubs for active feeding.
  • Inspect fruiting plants, including figs, saltbush, Atriplex and other soft-fruited plants.
  • Check leaf surfaces, bark, ground cover and the airspace around vegetation for insect-feeding activity.

Foraging habitat: Movement while feeding

Silvereyes commonly occur in pairs or small parties and move rapidly through feeding areas. Larger flocks may form during winter or during seasonal movements.

The supplied documents do not provide a measured daily foraging range or territory size. Breeding pairs are reported to defend a small territory.

  • Avoid isolating retained feeding trees from nearby shrubs and other wooded vegetation where practicable.
  • Record flock size and direction of movement during pre-clearance inspections, particularly around flowering or fruiting vegetation.
  • Treat vegetation near orchards, gardens and coastal thickets as potential feeding habitat.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Silvereyes breed in shrubs and trees that provide a fork or branch for a small suspended cup nest. Both adults contribute to nest construction, incubation and care of young.

Breeding occurs from September to January in Australia, with a peak in November. Pairs may raise two to three clutches in a season, and up to four broods have been reported in some areas and favourable seasons.

The nest is usually placed in a shrub or tree, including a horizontal tree fork, and is made from fine plant material bound with spider web. Both sexes construct the nest and incubate the eggs.

Breeding season: September to January in Australia, peaking in November

Clutch size: 2 to 4 pale blue or bluish-green eggs

Incubation: About 10 to 13 days, with one source reporting 11.5 days

Time to leave nest: About 12 days after hatching, with young remaining in the nest for less than two weeks

Clutches or broods: Usually 2 to 3 clutches, with up to 4 broods reported

Age at first breeding: About 1 year

Lifespan: Average age reported as 3.5 years, with a maximum recorded age of 18.66 years

Gestation: Not applicable to this bird

Breeding habitat: Nest habitat

Breeding habitat consists of shrubs and small to large trees with suitable horizontal forks or branches and surrounding foliage. The nest may be suspended from a branch and can be up to 5 m above the ground.

Breeding pairs actively defend a small territory. Clearing dense shrubs, tree forks or flowering and fruiting vegetation during the breeding season may remove an active nest or reduce food available to adults and dependent young.

Nest height reported: Up to 5 m above ground

Nest support: Shrub or tree branch, commonly a horizontal tree fork

  • Search shrubs and tree forks for active cup nests before clearing from September to January.
  • Include small trees and dense shrubs in nest searches, not only mature hollow-bearing trees.
  • Establish an appropriate no-entry area around any active nest in accordance with the project approval and fauna handling procedure.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter and roosting

Silvereyes shelter and roost in woody vegetation, including dense shrubs, thickets, forests, gardens and other tree cover. The supplied documents do not describe dens, burrows, hollows or species-specific roost dimensions.

Native vegetation provides roost sites as well as nest sites and food. Silvereyes also use thickets, forests, woodland, orchards, suburban gardens and urban parks.

Birds may occur in pairs or small parties, while larger flocks form during winter and seasonal movements. Dense foliage is therefore relevant for both individual shelter and flock roosting.

Known refuge types: Trees, shrubs, thickets, forests, woodland, orchards, gardens and urban parks

Known refuge dimensions: No species-specific roost size is provided

  • Retain dense shrubs, thickets and leafy tree cover where practicable.
  • Inspect vegetation scheduled for removal during early morning and late afternoon, when birds may be using roosting or sheltering cover.
  • Do not expect to find burrows, dens or tracks for this species.

Sheltering habitat: Nest as a temporary refuge

During breeding, the nest is a small cup of grass, mosses, hair, fine vegetation and spider web. It is suspended in a shrub or tree and may be placed up to 5 m above the ground.

The nest is the only species-specific shelter structure described in the supplied documents.

Nest form: Small cup suspended from a shrub or tree branch

Nest height: Up to 5 m above ground

Threats: Clearing and disturbance

Silvereyes are widespread and listed as Least Concern globally in the supplied species account, but clearing can directly affect individuals, nests, food plants and sheltering vegetation. Project controls should focus on retaining suitable woody vegetation and avoiding disturbance during breeding and seasonal movements.

Removal of shrubs, tree forks, flowering plants, fruiting plants and dense foliage can remove nesting, feeding and roosting habitat. Clearing between September and January carries the greatest direct risk because active nests, eggs and dependent young may be present.

The supplied documents do not quantify the effect of habitat fragmentation, road mortality or construction noise on Silvereye populations. These matters should be assessed through the project risk assessment where relevant.

  • Complete pre-clearance inspections before removing shrubs and trees, especially from September to January.
  • Avoid clearing active nests and retain nearby feeding and shelter vegetation where practicable.
  • Plan staged clearing so that retained vegetation remains available while works progress.

Threats: Food supply and seasonal movement

Food shortages can trigger movement from coastal breeding areas to inland areas, and birds may concentrate in orchards when natural food is scarce. Removal of flowering or fruiting vegetation may therefore increase movement through nearby gardens, orchards or other feeding areas.

Silvereyes can damage grapes and other soft fruit when natural food is scarce. This agricultural interaction does not by itself indicate a conservation threat, but it shows that the species can respond quickly to changes in food supply.

  • Record flowering and fruiting vegetation before clearing.
  • Avoid removing groups of food plants during periods when birds are concentrated in the area.
  • Consider seasonal movement when scheduling works near coastal breeding vegetation, orchards and inland feeding areas.

Threats: Other pressures

The supplied documents do not identify species-specific impacts from fire, altered hydrology, disease, introduced predators or road mortality. They also do not provide a quantified population decline.

As a practical site measure, fauna teams should record these pressures if present and refer them to the project's ecological risk assessment rather than assuming that a widespread species is unaffected.

Global conservation status in supplied source: Least Concern

Australian population trend: Not provided in the supplied documents

  • Document any active nests, concentrated flocks, injured birds or unusual mortality near works.
  • Report disease signs, predator activity, road casualties and loss of flowering or fruiting vegetation through the project's fauna incident process.
  • Apply any state or project approval conditions that protect native birds and active nests.

Survey methodology: 1. Diurnal habitat and bird searches

Silvereyes are small, mobile, diurnal birds that use wooded habitats, orchards, gardens, thickets and forests. Surveys should focus on visual and call detection, habitat use, movement between retained vegetation and breeding activity.

Search during daylight in all wooded and shrubby habitat that may be disturbed, including tree canopies, shrub layers, forest edges, orchards, gardens and vegetation near wetlands or other retained habitat.

Record Silvereyes by sight and by their persistent, high-pitched contact call, described as a thin “psip” or “psee”.

Search during the period when the species is active, and avoid relying on night searches because Silvereyes are diurnal.

Body length: About 11 to 13 cm

Activity period: Diurnal

Key detection call: High-pitched contact call, described as “psip” or “psee”

  • Walk the proposed clearing area and adjacent retained habitat using transects suited to the size and shape of the site.
  • Record the number of birds, flock size, behaviour, flight direction, feeding locations, roosting locations and any territorial activity.
  • Repeat searches where birds may move between locations, because local populations can be augmented or replaced by mobile birds from other areas.

Survey methodology: 2. Breeding and nest searches

Inspect shrubs and trees for the small cup-shaped nest, which is made from grasses, fine vegetation and spider webs.

Search for nests during the Australian breeding period, reported as September to January, with a peak in November in the Western Australian fauna note.

Look for adults carrying nesting material or food, repeated flights to one location, territorial behaviour and recently fledged young.

Reported breeding period: September to January

Reported peak breeding month: November

Eggs per clutch: 2 to 4

Nest height reported by BirdLife Australia: Up to 5 m above ground

  • Inspect vegetation from the ground before clearing, without disturbing active nests or repeatedly approaching them.
  • Give particular attention to horizontal tree forks and shrubs, because nests may be suspended from a shrub or tree branch and may be placed up to 5 m above ground.
  • Treat a suspected active nest as a stop-work location until the fauna spotter catcher or other appropriately authorised person has applied the project approval conditions.

Survey methodology: 3. Habitat-use and movement assessment

Map wooded and shrubby habitat used for feeding, nesting, shelter and movement through the site.

Assess connections between tree patches, thickets, orchards, gardens and retained vegetation, because Silvereyes can travel long distances and may move between breeding and non-breeding areas.

Record flowering, fruiting and insect-rich vegetation that may attract birds, including nectar-producing trees, soft-fruited plants and dense shrubs.

Reported movement: Tasmanian birds can move hundreds of kilometres to south-eastern Australia during the Australian winter

Recorded food types: Insects, fruit, berries and nectar

  • Undertake observations from outside the proposed clearing area where possible so birds are not displaced before their use of the site is recorded.
  • Include adjacent retained habitat in the assessment, particularly where clearing would remove a vegetation edge, feeding area or movement route.
  • Use the results to identify habitat that should be retained and areas requiring staged clearing or additional fauna controls.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

The supplied documents do not provide a prescribed number of survey nights, hours, trap nights, transect length or survey area for Silvereyes, and trapping is not indicated as a suitable method for this species in these documents.

Set survey effort according to the project footprint, habitat affected, season, expected mobility, approval conditions and the relevant state survey guidance.

  • Complete surveys in suitable daylight conditions and include the September to January breeding period where the project could affect nests or breeding habitat.
  • Document survey dates, start and finish times, weather, observers, methods, transect locations, area searched, detection conditions, bird numbers, behaviour, nests and habitat features.
  • Submit confirmed records to the relevant state wildlife database and provide records required by the project approval authority.
  • Keep photographs, spatial data, field sheets and fauna incident records with the project environmental records.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Plan the work around the Silvereye’s use of trees, shrubs, orchards and other wooded habitat. The species is not listed under the EPBC Act in the supplied project information, but state requirements still apply, including the reported vulnerable listing in New South Wales.

Retain mature trees, dense shrubs, flowering vegetation, fruiting plants and connected patches of woodland or forest wherever practicable.

Retain vegetation that provides nesting sites, feeding resources, shelter and movement between habitat patches.

Avoid removing a continuous vegetation edge or isolated patch where it is part of a movement route between retained habitat.

EPBC Act status supplied: Not listed

State status supplied: NSW: Vulnerable

Habitats recorded in the supplied sources: Urban areas, woodland, forest, thickets, orchards, gardens and coastal or sub-coastal vegetation

  • Set out the work area before clearing and keep machinery within the approved footprint.
  • Prioritise retention of trees and shrubs with active nests, dense foliage, flowering or fruiting resources, and links to larger retained patches.
  • Use the smallest practicable clearing area and stage clearing so suitable retained habitat remains available during construction.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and timing

Confirm the approval pathway before works begin, including state fauna and vegetation requirements and any conditions applying to the NSW vulnerable listing.

An EPBC referral is not indicated by the supplied listing information, but the proponent must still check whether another protected matter or a project-specific approval triggers referral requirements.

Schedule vegetation removal outside the reported September to January breeding period where practicable, and obtain approval before disturbing an active nest.

Reported breeding period to avoid where practicable: September to January

Relevant supplied state listing: NSW vulnerable

  • Check state permits, wildlife licences, nest disturbance requirements and fauna handling authorisations for the state where the project occurs.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies survey results, retained habitat, clearing limits, spotter catcher responsibilities, stop-work triggers, incident response and reporting.
  • Stage works so that birds can move into nearby retained habitat without being isolated by clearing.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

Complete a pre-clearance inspection shortly before works start because Silvereyes are mobile and local birds may change between seasons.

Mark retained trees, shrubs, nesting areas, movement links and no-go zones on plans and in the field.

Use exclusion fencing where it can protect retained vegetation and prevent machinery entering habitat that is not approved for removal.

  • Brief machine operators and supervisors on the species’ appearance, high-pitched contact call, breeding period and stop-work procedure.
  • Check shrubs and trees for cup nests, adult feeding activity and fledglings before each clearing stage.
  • Confirm where injured wildlife will be taken and which fauna handler, veterinarian or wildlife carer is available before clearing starts.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machine interface

Clearing should proceed slowly and under the control of the fauna spotter catcher. The spotter catcher must have authority to pause machinery whenever a Silvereye, nest or unapproved habitat feature is encountered.

Inspect the active work area at the start of each day and after breaks, relocations or changes in the clearing footprint.

The fauna spotter catcher should work where they can see the vegetation being disturbed and communicate directly with the machine operator.

Use staged clearing and allow birds to leave towards retained habitat before machinery removes vegetation.

  • Maintain the approved exclusion zones and keep machinery out of retained trees, shrubs and marked habitat.
  • Clear from the edge of the approved footprint towards retained habitat where this is safe and consistent with the site risk assessment.
  • Stop machinery immediately when the spotter catcher directs, and do not resume until the animal, nest or hazard has been assessed and the spotter catcher gives clearance.
  • Do not use clearing speed, noise or smoke to deliberately flush birds from habitat.

During habitat disturbance: Animals, nests and habitat features

If a Silvereye is found, pause nearby work and allow it to move away if it is uninjured and can fly safely to retained habitat.

Do not handle a healthy free-flying Silvereye unless handling is required under an approved fauna management procedure and is undertaken by an appropriately authorised person.

If an active nest, dependent young or recently fledged bird is found, stop work in the immediate area and apply the approved nest buffer or relocation procedure.

  • Do not remove an active nest or relocate a bird without the required authorisation and advice from the project ecologist or relevant wildlife authority.
  • Treat trees, shrubs, logs, rocks, wetland edges and other habitat features as potential shelter or feeding resources and inspect them before removal.
  • Where an approved relocation is required, place the bird in nearby retained habitat with suitable trees or shrubs and away from active machinery.
  • Take injured birds promptly to a veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer, following the state’s wildlife handling and transport requirements.
  • Do not use nest boxes, artificial hollows or other replacement features as a reason to remove suitable existing vegetation.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

Stop work in the affected area if a Silvereye is injured, trapped, unable to fly, repeatedly returning to a nest location, or found with dependent young.

Stop work if clearing is outside the approved footprint, exclusion fencing has failed, or a marked retained habitat feature is at risk.

Record each observation, response and clearance decision so the project can demonstrate compliance with approvals and the fauna management plan.

  • Record the date, time, location, number of birds, behaviour, habitat feature, action taken, handler and outcome for every fauna interaction.
  • Photograph and map active nests, retained habitat, exclusion zones and any injured animal response where this can be done without causing further disturbance.
  • Escalate unplanned impacts, mortality, nest disturbance or unauthorised clearing to the project environmental officer and approval holder immediately.
  • Report incidents to the relevant regulator where required by the approval or state legislation.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance inspection

Post-clearing checks should confirm that no birds, nests or dependent young remain in the work area and that retained habitat controls are still effective. Monitoring should reflect the scale of habitat removal and the project approval conditions.

Inspect the cleared area and the retained edge after each clearing stage for injured birds, stranded young, damaged nests and birds trapped behind fencing or other barriers.

Check that retained trees, shrubs, movement links and feeding areas have not been damaged by machinery, spoil, traffic or sediment.

Remove temporary exclusion fencing only when the area is safe and the environmental officer confirms that it is no longer needed.

  • Have the fauna spotter catcher or another suitably experienced person complete the post-clearance check.
  • Maintain access to retained habitat and do not block movement routes with stored materials, compounds, fencing or spoil.
  • Record the inspection outcome, including nil records, rather than recording only animals that were found.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor retained vegetation and restoration areas for Silvereye use, nesting and feeding where the project removes or fragments wooded habitat.

Use repeated daylight observations and call detection at locations identified in the pre-clearance assessment, with effort set by the project approval and impact scale.

Compare post-work observations with the pre-clearance record, including bird presence, flock size, feeding behaviour, nesting and movement between retained patches.

  • Report fauna interactions, injuries, mortalities, nest outcomes, habitat retained and any management changes in the project environmental report.
  • Submit confirmed records and required incident information to the relevant state wildlife database or regulator.
  • Keep monitoring results with spatial records and photographs so later rehabilitation decisions are based on observed use of the site.

After habitat disturbance: Maintain controls and offsets

Maintain no-go zones, fencing, weed controls and traffic controls until retained and rehabilitated habitat is stable and the environmental officer signs off the area.

Provide offsets or other approved compensatory measures where required by state approval conditions or the project’s impact assessment.

Use offsets as a separate approval measure and do not treat them as a substitute for avoiding and minimising clearing of existing Silvereye habitat.

  • Check offset or conservation areas for the same habitat features identified during the assessment, including trees, shrubs, flowering and fruiting plants, and habitat connections.
  • Record the location, protection status, management actions and monitoring commitments for any offset area.
  • Escalate declining habitat condition, repeated injuries or loss of movement links so controls can be adjusted.

Rehabilitation actions: Re-establish food and nesting habitat

Rehabilitation should rebuild the wooded and shrubby habitat that Silvereyes use for food, nesting, shelter and movement. It should be designed around local native vegetation and the habitat types recorded at the project site.

Plant locally appropriate native trees and shrubs that provide foliage, flowers, nectar, berries and cover through the year.

Use a mix of canopy, mid-storey and shrub plants to recreate the layered habitat used by Silvereyes in forests, thickets, orchards, gardens and woodland.

Include dense shrubs and small trees suitable for cup nests, because nests are made from fine vegetation and spider webs and may be suspended in shrubs or trees.

Recorded diet: Small insects, fruit, berries and nectar

Nest materials: Grass, fine vegetation and spider webs

Reported nest placement: Suspended from a shrub or tree, including horizontal tree forks up to 5 m above ground

  • Use locally occurring plant species selected by the project ecologist and land manager rather than relying on a single species or planting layer.
  • Protect new plantings from browsing, trampling, vehicle access, weeds and competing grasses until established.
  • Retain naturally regenerating shrubs and trees where they meet the rehabilitation objectives.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore connections and habitat features

Reconnect retained trees, shrubs, thickets, orchards, gardens and forest patches where clearing has interrupted movement through the site.

Reinstate native ground and shrub cover at vegetation edges and around retained trees.

Retain suitable natural features such as logs, rocks and leaf litter where they support invertebrates or shelter, while avoiding the introduction of material that could create a fire, pest or safety risk.

  • Do not remove existing hollow-bearing trees unless authorised and unavoidable, and retain them where safe because replacement habitat takes time to develop.
  • Use nest boxes only where specified by the fauna management plan or approval and where ongoing inspection and maintenance can be provided.
  • Design wetland or drainage areas with vegetated edges and nearby native shrubs where these areas form part of the retained habitat, without creating unsafe conditions or attracting fauna into machinery zones.

Rehabilitation actions: Weed, predator and fire management

Control weeds that suppress native shrubs, flowering plants, fruiting plants and insect habitat.

Manage domestic and feral predators, artificial lighting and other project-related disturbances in accordance with the site management plan.

Apply fire planning that protects established trees, shrubs, nests and rehabilitation plantings while meeting the legal and safety requirements for the site.

  • Inspect rehabilitation areas for weed invasion, plant death, browsing, erosion and loss of connectivity.
  • Avoid broad pesticide use where it could reduce the insects that Silvereyes eat or contaminate flowering and fruiting resources.
  • Keep rehabilitation maintenance activities outside active nest areas during the September to January breeding period where practicable.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor rehabilitation during establishment and through the period required by the approval, using daylight observations and Silvereye call detections at retained and replanted habitat.

Measure survival and growth of plantings, development of shrub cover, weed cover, connectivity between habitat patches and use by Silvereyes.

Use breeding observations, feeding activity, flock presence and movement through restored vegetation as species-specific indicators, while recognising that mobile birds may vary between seasons.

Breeding period relevant to monitoring: September to January

Reported seasonal movement: Tasmanian birds may move to south-eastern Australia during the Australian winter

  • Set project-specific numerical targets for planting survival, weed cover, canopy and shrub development, and habitat connection before works begin.
  • Repeat monitoring in comparable seasons and conditions so results can be compared with the pre-clearance baseline.
  • Repair failed plantings, damaged fencing, weed outbreaks or breaks in habitat connectivity when monitoring shows that the rehabilitation target is not being met.
  • Submit rehabilitation monitoring results and Silvereye records to the relevant state wildlife database where required.

Sources