VOL. 17 (5) MARCH 1998 245

AUSTRALIAN WATCHER 1998, 17, 245-253 The Eastern Dasyomis brachypterus in East Gippsland, Victoria by ROHAN CLARKE1 and MICK BRAMWELL, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Gippsland Area, 7 Service Street, Bairnsdale, Victoria 3875

1Current address: 4 Reilly Court, South Croydon, Victoria 3136

Summary All sites in East Gippsland, Victoria, where the Eastern Bristlebird Dasyomis brachypterus has been recorded were surveyed between 1990 and 1995. The species has apparently disappeared from all known Victorian locations except Howe Flat in far East Gippsland, an area of reserved natural vegetation that is contiguous with a similar area in south-eastern New South Wales where the species also occurs. At the historical sites, the species appeared to occur in mosaic ecotonal , with Riparian Scrub the most common vegetation type occupied by . Inappropriate fire regimes may be responsible for the species' apparent decline in Victoria. At least 80% of the 10 historical sites have been burnt between the mid 1960s and 1995, and 50% of these have experienced large­ scale and/or frequently successive fires. In contrast, Howe Flat has experienced only small-scale, low-intensity fires during the same period, resulting in a mosaic of vegetation age classes.

Introduction Considerable cause for concern exists with regard to the long-term survival of the Eastern Bristlebird Dasyomis brachypterus. The species' in Victoria has recently been changed from Vulnerable to Endangered (CNR 1995) and it is listed under that state's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. It is listed as Vulnerable in New South Wales (Schedule 2 of the Conservation Act 1995) and is considered Endangered in Queensland (Garnett 1992a). Nationally, it is considered Vulnerable and listed under the Protection Act 1992. Historical records show that the Eastern Bristlebird was distributed in discrete pockets from the Conondale Range, south-eastern Queensland, along the coast and adjacent ranges to Marlo in eastern Victoria (Blakers et al. 1984, Garnett 1992a). Throughout this range the number of localities from which the species has been recorded has declined substantially m recent years (Holmes 1989, Baker 1996a). There is convincing evidence that populations in Queensland and northern New South Wales (referred to as the northern population) have declined. Holmes (1989) detected Bristlebirds at only 13 of 23 previously known localities and concluded that only a few hundred survive. Of the 103 territories that Holmes (1989) recorded, 88 were resurveyed by Lamb et al. (1993), who found only 36% occupied, although they found seven new territories, giving a survival rate of 44% from 1988 to 1993. Severe drought followed by a wildfire in 1991 has significantly reduced the largest northern population at Spicers Gap and the total northern population is currently likely to be less than 100 individuals at two isolated localities (Lamb et al. 1993, Baker 1996a). Similar declines have also been noted in New South Wales, where Baker (1996a) recorded at least nine localities where Eastern Bristlebirds are now presumably extinct and two localities with a negligible number near Wollongong. He estimated that the two substantial populations near Wollongong (referred to as the central population) numbered approximately 1300 individuals and were 'unlikely to total as many as 2000' as suggested by Garnett (1992b). A recent survey of suitable in the Nadgee Nature Reserve (along with the adjacent Victorian population, referred to as the AUSTRALIAN 246 CLARKE & BRAMWELL BIRD WATCHER southern population) detected 26 Eastern Bristlebirds (Baker 1996b), at a lower density than published for the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve (Baker 1996a). In Victoria, Eastern Bristlebirds have been recorded from dense vegetation near the coast from Marlo to the New South Wales border, with unconfirmed records from South Gippsland (Emison et al. 1987, Mitchell1995). In East Gippsland, ten precise (100m X 100m resol,lltion) localities are known, with all records occurring before 1990. Occurrence of Eastern Bristlebirds at these sites is currently unknown but if the same population trends are occurring in Victoria as interstate, the species would be at great risk. The shy and cryptic nature of the Eastern Bristlebird, together with its similarity in call, appearance, behaviour and habitat preference to those of the Pilotbird Pycnoptilusjloccosus, may have led to the species being overlooked in Victoria and to possibly erroneous identification and reporting. One effective method to ascertain the presence of the species in an area is to use playback of the species' call to elicit a response. Holmes (1989) used this technique for censusing northern populations. However, limitations occur in the use of call playback. If over-used in an area, it may have detrimental effects on Bristlebirds, as they are particularly sensitive to disturbance and readily abandon their nests (McNamara 1946, Chaffer 1954, Holmes 1989). In New South Wales and Queensland, Eastern Bristlebird populations are distributed predominantly near the boundaries between vegetation communities. The northern population inhabits open forest adjacent to rainforest areas (Holmes 1989), whereas central and southern populations mainly occur in heath or Melaleuca thickets adjacent to woodland areas ( Recher 1981 , Bramwell et al. 1992 ) . Specific structural vegetation characteristics, such as thick ground cover with either tall shrub or low tree cover, also appear important for central populations (Baker 1992). In Victoria, information on vegetation community and habitat preference for Eastern Bristlebirds is scant, with no summary of existing information. The main threat to the Eastern Bristlebird appears to be inappropriate fire regimes (Garnett 1992a), and the population density of Eastern Bristlebirds is apparently influenced by the time since the last fire (Blakers et al. 1984, Holmes 1989, Bramwell et al. 1992, Pyke et al. 1995). The size of the area burnt and the proportion of that area burnt may also be important (see Lamb et al. 1993). The Eastern Bristlebird may be unable to find refuge in large-scale fires because of its relative immobility. Its apparently limited ability to disperse may mean that it is unable to recolonise areas of suitable habitat, with remnant populations thus remaining isolated from one another. Its survival is further compounded by a low reproductive rate: there are usually only two eggs per clutch and often only one young is fledged (Chaffer 1954, Holmes 1989). In Victoria no summary of fire history at Eastern Bristlebird localities has been recorded. The objectives of the surveys described in this paper were to: (1) Use the call-playback technique to sample all localities where the Eastern Bristlebird has been recorded in East Gippsland to determine if it is still present; (2) Use this technique to sample areas of habitat similar to those in (1) in East Gippsland to determine presence of the species, and (3) Record vegetation communities and available fire-history information at all precise record localities of the Eastern Bristlebird in East Gippsland.

Methods Surveys for Eastern Bristlebirds were performed at sites where the bird had previously been recorded and at potential habitat sites in coastal and lowland areas in East Gippsland between Toorloo Ann, VOL. 17 (5) MARCH 1998 Eastern Bristlebird in Victoria 247

Table 1. Details of surveys at localities where Eastern Bristlebirds have previously been recorded in East Gippsland. See Figure 1 for location of survey sites 1-10. Source: Victorian Wildlife Atlas 1995. Location and map No. of Date of When surveyed Results number records record 1. Toorloo Arm 2 Jan. 87, Jan. 88 Feb. 95 No response 2. Second Island 1 Jan. 87 Mar. 91 , undated No response 3. Point Ricardo 1 Aug. 78 Jan. 95 No response 4. Cape Conran 2 Aug. 77, Aug. 78 Oct. 90, Jan. 95 No response 5. East Y eerung River 1 Mar. 80 Jan. 95 No response 6. West Bemm River 2 Feb. 83 Nov. 90 (twice) , No response Jan. 95 7. Bellbird Creek Apr. 90 Nov. 90, Jan. 95 No response 8. Clinton Rocks Dec. 79 Feb. 95 No response 9. Red River Oct. 80 Dec. 91 , Feb. 92 , No response Nov. 95 10. Howe Flat Sept. 85 Mar. 94 Five heard, one seen near Lake Tyers, and Howe Flat, east of Mallacoota, between 1990 and 1995 (Table 1, Figure 1). Surveys were carried out between 1990 and 1995 (see Table 1). The area from Marlo to Bemm River was surveyed between October 1990 and March 1991 and again in January 1995. Sites south of Cann River were surveyed between December 1991 and February 1992 with additional surveys in November 1995. The site east of Mallacoota (Howe Flat) was surveyed in March 1994. At each location, sites were surveyed by playing a variety of calls at points approximately 50 m apart in an attempt to elicit a response. On each occasion recordings were played for several minutes followed by a short listening period. Where possible, existing networks of tracks were used. However, sites without tracks were surveyed by walking throughout a search area. A pilot study indicated that the playback call could be heard easily at a distance of 100m, as could any calling Bristlebirds (see Bramwell et al. 1992). This distance was used in determining the total survey areas for each location. Tracks and the area covered at each location were mapped at 1:25 000 or 1:50 000 and the total area surveyed was determined. At each site this area ranged from 3.5 to 70 ha. All surveys were conducted between 0700 and 1300 h Eastern Summer Time; most were concluded before 1000 hand lasted between 60 and 120 minutes. Only on cooler days when activity and vocalisation of other remained high did surveys continue past 1000 h. For survey work completed in 1990 and 1991 calls used in the playback originated from the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, whereas surveys completed in 1995 used calls from Howe Flat birds. The quality of the recordings from Howe Flat was superior and the range of call types greater than those from the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve. Vegetation community information was collected at each survey location with names and descriptions following those in Woodgate et al . (1994). At sites where Eastern Bristlebirds had previously been recorded, vegetation community information was collected for the site and any additional vegetation communities within about 100m. Fire history for each location since the mid 1960s was determined from maps held at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offices in Orbost, Cann River and Nowa Nowa.

Results Thirty-one Eastern Bristlebird playback surveys were performed at 20 locations throughout the study area (see Figure 2). Thirteen censuses, covering a total of 128.5 ha, were performed in the Marlo-Bemm River area in the spring of 1990 and summer of 1991 with another 12, covering a total of 112.5 ha, being conducted in the summer of 1995. Two 32 ha censuses were performed in the Red River area, south ofCann River, in the spring of 1991 and summer of 1992 respectively. This area was re-surveyed (one census) in 1995 along with a large area (70 ha) around Clinton Rocks. A 32 ha area near Howe Flat was censused in March 1994, and the remaining two censuses were performed just east of Lake Tyers at Toorloo Arm ( 14 ha) and Ewings Morass (4 ha) in February 1995 (see Table 1, Figures 1 and 2). N .j>. 00

KEY • 1 Survey Location Approximate locptlons In Nadgee Reserve. J. Baker pars. comm.

Figure 1. Precise locations of previous records of Eastern Bristlebirds in East Gippsland. Figure 2. Locations of Eastern Bristlebird surveys in the present study in East Gippsland. AUSTRALIAN 250 CLARKE & BRAMWELL BIRD WATCHER

In 1995, the Victorian Wildlife Atlas held 32 Eastern Bristlebird records from 1843 until the commencement of the present surveys in spring 1990. All locations are south of the Princes Highway and range from east of Lake Tyers to the New South Wales border. Of these 32 records, only 13 have precise locality information, corresponding to ten locations, which have been surveyed since 1990, with five locations surveyed at least twice (Table 1). Eastern Bristlebirds were detected at only one of these locations; Howe Flat, where five individuals were heard and one seen, in an area of 32 ha. Although vegetation communities at these ten locations varied, Riparian communities were the most common vegetation type in which Eastern Bristlebirds had been observed (Table 2). The sites where Bristlebirds were recorded previously often contained more than one vegetation community; eight of the ten locations had an additional vegetation community within 100 m (Table 2). The vegetation where Bristlebirds were recorded at Howe Flat in these surveys is classified as Riparian Scrub (unpublished data). This area is dominated by Swamp Paperbark Melaleuca ericifolia and Giant Honey-myrtle M. armillaris with patches of tussock/sedge understorey ranging from 10 to 70% cover. A complex mosaic of vegetation communities occurs at Howe Flat, with Lowland Forest and Coastal Dune Scrub occurring within 100 m of recorded Bristlebird locations (Table 2) and Brackish Sedgeland and Coast Banksia Woodland also adjacent to the Riparian Scrub at Howe Flat. Fire has been recorded at eight of the ten locations. No fires have been recorded at two sites, Second Island and Toorloo Arm; single continuous vegetation communities now occur at these two sites. At a third site, West Bemm River, fire has not been recorded since 1973174, making the adjacent wet heathland one of the oldest in the area. In addition, fires have not been recorded at the Cape Conran site since 1972173, although fuel-reduction burns of three- to five-year frequency have been implemented over the last 20 years in an area 500 m north of the site, potentially affecting the Bristlebird population. In contrast, five sites have been burnt by large-scale fires. At these sites all Bristlebird records were made either before the last fire occurred or in a year immediately following fire. At Point Ricardo, three wildfires each eight years apart have occurred. The Bristlebird record from that area was just before the second of these fires. At the Bellbird Creek site in October 1989 a high-intensity fire that caused 50-100% crown scorch burned a total of 5600 ha. However, its northern boundary lay just 200m beyond the site. The East Y eerung River site was burnt by three wildfires between 1975176 and 1980/81, with the Bristlebird record between the second and third of these fires. The Bristlebird record at Clinton Rocks was made in 1979 and the area burned as part of the huge (300 000 ha) fire in February 1983 that extended all the way to the coast. The Red River site had been recently burnt (1978179) by a large-scale fire (25 000 ha) when a Bristlebird was recorded in the area in October 1980. Another fire in 1983 bordered the western side of the Red River site. At Howe Flat where Bristlebirds still occur, approximately 300 ha of the eastern half was burnt in 1981182. Another small area was burnt north of the site in Lowland Forest in 1986/87. The bums at Howe Flat were much smaller and less intense than the large-scale fires recorded at Red River, Bellbird Creek, Clinton Rocks, East Yeerung River and Point Ricardo. Thirteen of the 31 playback surveys were performed at ten potential habitat sites, some of which have imprecise records of Bristlebirds from the general area surveyed. All these sites are between Lake Tyers and Bemm River (see Figure 1). Vegetation communities surveyed included Banksia Woodland (five sites), Coastal Sand Heathland Table 2. Details of the vegetation community and fire history for each locality in East Gippsland surveyed in the present study for Eastern ~< Bristlebirds. This species had previously been recorded at all these sites (see Table 1). Source: Woodgate et al. (1994). ;;..0 :;ot""'n · Location and map number Vegetation community Adjacent vegetation communities Fire history ::t:::i (see Figure 1) (within 100m of record) ~Ul -a~ 1. Toorloo Arm Limestone Box Forest None - Continuous Limestone Box Forest No records of fire 00 2. Second Island Warm Temperate Rainforest None- Continuous Warm Temperate Rainforest No records of fire 3. Point Ricardo Coastal Dune Scrub Coast Banksia Woodland, Coastal Sand Heathland 1972173, 1980/81, 1988/89 4. Cape Conran Coast Banksia Woodland, Coastal Dune Scrub 1972173 Riparian Scrub 5. East Y eerung River Riparian Scrub Wet Heathland, Lowland Forest 1975176, 1977178 N of site, 1980/81 S of site 6. West Bemm River Coastal Dune Scrub Wet Heathland 1967/68, 1973174 @1 7. Bell bird Creek Riparian Forest Lowland Forest, Riparian Scrub 1967/68, 1989/90 (t"' 8. Clinton Rocks Lowland Forest, Wet Heathland Coastal Banksia Woodland 1982/83 a 9. Red River Lowland Forest, Wet Heathland Coastal Dune Scrub 1978179, 1982/83 to

~- W of site 00 10. Howe Flat Riparian Scrub Lowland Forest, Coastal Dune Scrub 1981/82, 1986/87 ~ N of site [ s· ..... "rl ...... t""''O ::s o no ,_, ::s :;;· :I: ~ o.. ti1 0 ...... ::s 'E.. to ~ -a "' o "' ~ & ri a ~ & ~ "" a s · o.. o "' ~ ~ ~ "' fa·....,~~~< ..... s g. c=;· \0 e: 0 0 ::r 0 0 () 0 "" -· ""~-"' ~ ::s~ ~ ..... ~ ~ ~(.;)...., o o..., 0 o o o-a· ""n n "'n 1!5 gc:t~al:!ag ~ s 1l ::l. g-g ;;;· 0 g ~ 0 (t ~ - '< "' '0 ~-< 0 n ~ o ::s ::s ::;1 "' "" "' cr 8' o e:.,< o '0 o ~ 0 oCO~o ..... ~ 0••0,_,0~0..~ 0'"10'"1 0 ..,0 ooN::r ""o--::r...,;;l ::s~o'""'~o::s= gg · ~crc::r..., J§ ::r 0 ':-"' ~o n (TQ frn>8r-1"rn 0.. 0 ::s < '< ~ ~ 0 (1Q 0 Ol ;· 0.. ~ ,..,. ()> 0 '< e: ::s 0..'< ~ ; · ~::ro..::s(IQ ::s .... ("II - · 1-1 ~ c. (tl Q. ~ 0.. 0.. ~ ~- ""o-o..o o-::r::;s >"' o...... ,"' o..o"' . en 0.. Z ~ -;=;:---;=;:-~. ,....;:;·~.::;:o::rS -.:;:oo o.._(IQ,_,. n(IQ o... ::s ~""g. .... g::soo""'""'&"" too o ~· 0 ..... ~ ~ ..... o..- ~ """"·o..'< "" .... "rl <~>n-'ooo .... (1Q r:/'.1 ::s '"C) ~ ~ :::t'"O 0 "" 0 0 0 ~ g r a a = ~""· ~~~ & og"'~o ~a~o~IS"o""0::3·o"" ~ ...... t:C r:l'.l ::---- e. ::s r;;·"' - · C/.l () 00 ~ o ...... g....,""o..o..::S~::r...... ,::;s ...... ""< '0 ::s~ ~ < c. · -;::;:.""..... ""~~~""""co ...... ::::!. ~ :=;.· 00 1-1-4 ::s () '"1 C/) ,.... O'CI ;:t. ::s (tl ~ a. ~ & a ~ s·~- ri ~ g o- s· ~ g. ~ g_§ '"0 o-o s-o.. §' ;:;: -oo · ::roo "" o ~·n 0 '< ::s ~(IQ o...... ,o o"" g::s 0 ~ s· ~ -o o« . g. ~ o ~ 0 0 .... ::s::s ...... , ..... ~[~S""::ss·~~~csi~~BH~~[§.~&0 \0- ao::s -ooov~,... ::S ~ ..... '0 0...... , \0 3 ::s ~...... a:. ;:!;. r:l'.l '"0 0...... -o D::r::S(IQ- og:~~~~ l;.) 0 0.. 00 ...... C'D - · ..., r.n ::s "' o.. '"0 g-=-·o o.. o ::s '"0 ::s ..., ..... ~ o g .... (IQ to-a a ...., (JQOO. ,...,_,<~O(JQ(j"O.... o""::s....,,_,::S ~-Ooo 0 "" "' ·"' """C't o.:;:::s..,o...,2 -a a~ S..:;oa '"0 f""'to -· n::s::;s ri (IQ..,<.., r:l'.l t:i ~ 0 - · 0 (TQ cia~ - · ...... 0 0\"-< [ 0 ::r 0.. ~ ...... r.n ~ ::. ~ >< 00 0 r:l'.l...... -· t:C I--" 0 (Jq ...... ""1 ~ ...... 0 -· ~ ~ 2 ,...::S::;s::r 3'""' ,...\0 • ~1'0 \0::r'Co - ..... ~'0 ;-::to- o- ...... :00 o-(IQ o a o.. ·"' o- ~ 00 n o- \0 o o o.. ""' o g~.--.,<;1'00 "" ::s ""' "" ~- ~ ...... 0 \0 "' ... s g 0 "" ~ -· ..... 0 .C '0 "" (I) - · O M ~ ...... , \J\ 0" <; -· 00 ;::;- ::s 0 ...... Cf.l ::s ...... N ~ ;5. 0 ~ - · '"1 () '"1 ...... 0 ~ < 00 < 0 1-'t - • ~ ~ <: - · 0 ..... 0 o a"" ~-~ s·~ a ::s,...::ro..::roon~oi'O::;sO..o::S~o-~""...... ,,...... ,w ; · .... ::s ""::s V\ ::s 0 "' ~ .:0 e:.:;· g.~~ ~ ~·~ ~ s. ~ (1Q 0 •• 0. ::r';::roo oo · oo ....,o..::r. oo oo 1'0 .j::.O..O 0 ...... oo ::so AUSTRALIAN 252 CLARKE & BRAMWELL BIRD WATCHER density similar to that for the Barren Grounds Nature Reserve of 25 birds/100 ha (Baker 1992) and within the 6-32 birds/100 ha range reported for Jervis Bay National Park (Baker & Whelan 1996). Although this is higher than densities recorded at the Nadgee Nature Reserve of6 birds/100 ha (Baker 1996b), given the divergence amongst methods used this difference may not be significant. Furthermore, as the Howe Flat survey covered a comparatively small area (32 ha), our observations are unlikely to represent the true population density. A wider search for Bristlebirds at Howe Flat is needed to assess population density and size accurately. There is much to learn concerning the habitat preference of Eastern Bristlebirds, particularly as there are no detailed ecological data available for southern populations. The available information is mostly anecdotal and occasionally conflicting. Norris & Mansergh (1981) described Bristlebird habitat as consisting of 'wet heathland and coastal scrub', whereas Dorward (1976) stated that the species prefers 'dense tea­ tree thickets and heath but also bloodwood/white stringybarklsilvertop forest with a dense heathy understorey'. Emison et al. (1987) also included 'Lilly Pilly gullies and stringybark forests where tall shrubs such as Paperbark Tea-tree dominate the understorey' as habitats occupied by the species. In contrast with published habitat preferences, Bristlebirds have been reported from Riparian communities in East Gippsland more frequently than in any other vegetation community. The biased distribution of Bristlebirds towards boundaries between vegetation communities in northern and central populations (Holmes 1989, Bramwell et al. 1992) is also apparent from East Gippsland records. This may in part be related to the abundance of ecotones, caused by the small and linear nature of the vegetation communities in areas where Bristlebirds occur or have been known to occur. The brief fire-history analysis of areas where Eastern Bristlebirds have been previously recorded in Victoria is consistent with the findings of other studies (Holmes 1989, Hartley & Kikk:awa 1994, Pyke et al. 1995, Baker & Whelan 1996), in that Eastern Bristlebirds appear to occupy areas which are likely to be affected adversely by fire and require a proportion ofunburnt area post-fire (a fire-refuge area). Wildfires at some sites where no area was left unburnt (e.g. Clinton Rocks) were probably responsible for local extinctions. In contrast, the occurrence of small fire refuges such as those at Bellbird Creek and Red River almost certainly allowed individuals to survive the fire, with the resultant reduction in cover and foraging sites probably responsible for the species' subsequent disappearance. Owing to the Bristlebird's relative immobility and low reproductive rates, refuges may need to be larger than for other faunal species. Although this may be an important factor in Bristlebird survival, further studies on the impact of fires on Bristlebird populations are required before conclusions can be made. The density of Bristlebirds has been shown to fluctuate relative to the age of the vegetation community (Blakers et al. 1984, Holmes 1989, Bramwell et al. 1992, Pyke et al. 1995). At the two sites were fire has not been recorded since the 1960s (Toorloo Arm and Second Island), vegetation communities may have reached an age class no longer suitable for Bristlebirds. This may also be the case at the West Bemm River site where vegetation communities have remained unburnt for at least 20 years. At Howe Flat, the only site where Eastern Bristlebirds are known to persist in Victoria, at least two small-scale, low-intensity fires have created a mosaic of vegetation age classes. Following an assessment of the impact of fires, the development and long­ term implementation of a series of small-scale ecological burns at Howe Flat may be necessary to ensure the survival of the Eastern Bristlebird in Victoria. The Eastern Bristlebird is a cryptic species and its range once extended west to at least Marlo. However, considering the relative abundance of Pilotbirds and their VOL. 17 (5) MARCH 1998 Eastern Bristlebird in Victoria 253

response to playback calls of Bristlebirds, the possibility that some of the reports of Eastern Bristlebirds in East Gippsland were misidentifications cannot be discounted. There is clearly a need for caution when identifying the Eastern Bristlebird by call alone. For these reasons, confirmation by people with expertise with the species is desirable before Eastern Bristlebird records are entered onto official databases. However, this process should not make observers apprehensive about reporting records of Eastern Bristlebirds. Recent or past records would be gratefully accepted by the authors. Acknowledgements Thanks are due to Rob and Nardia Kernot who assisted in fieldwork and Graeme Thomson, Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Orbost, for drafting maps. Andrew Mcintyre assisted in the project from its conception and made many helpful comments on drafts of this paper, as did Stephen Henry. Jack Baker, Graham Pyke and Harry Recher reviewed the manuscript. References Baker, J. (1992), Occurrence and Habitat Preference of Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyomis brachypterus) in the Illawarra Region, N.S.W., unpubl. report, University of Wollongong, Wollongong. --(1996a), Assessing the Status of the Eastern Bristlebird, report to N.S.W. Natl Parks & Wildl. Service, University of Wollongong, Wollongong. -- (1996b), Strategy for Conservation and Management of the Ground Parrot and Eastern Bristlebird Populations at Nadgee Nature Reserve, N.S.W., Jervis Bay National Park and Beecroft Peninsula, draftreport to N.S.W. Natl Parks & Wildl. Service and Aust. Nature Conservation Agency. --& Whelan, R. (1996), The Ground Parrot and Eastern Bristlebird at Jervis Bay National Park: Survey and Management Recommendations, final report, University ofWollongong, Wollongong. Blakers, M., Davies, S.J.J.F. & Reilly, P.W. (1984), The Atlas of Australian Birds, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne. Bramwell, M.D., Pyke, G., Adams, C. & Coontz, P. (1992), 'Habitat use by Eastern Bristlebirds in Barren Grounds Nature Reserve', Emu 90, 117-121. Chaffer, N. (1954), 'The Eastern Bristle-bird', Emu 54, 153-162. CNR (1995), Threatened Fauna in Victoria- 1995, Dept Conservation & Natural Resources, Victoria. Dorward, D.F. (1976), Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Victorian Coastal Region, Town and Country Planning Board, Victoria. Emison, W.B., Beardsell, C.M., Norman, F.l., Loyn, R.H. & Bennett, S.C. (1987), Atlas of Victorian Birds, Dept Conservation, Forests & Lands and Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Melbourne. Garnett, S. (1992a), The Action Plan for Australian Birds, Aust. Natl Parks & Wild!. Service, Canberra. --(1992b) Threatened and Extinct Birds ofAustralia, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Melbourne. · Hartley, S.L. & Kikkawa, J. (1994), The Population Management of the Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyomis brachpterus), unpubl. report, University of Queensland, Brisbane. Holmes, G. (1989) Eastern Bristlebird: Species Management Plan for Northern Populations, draft report to Qld Natl Parks & Wildl. Service and N .S.W. National Parks & Wildlife Service. Lamb, D., Turnbull, M. H. & Meyers, N. (1993), Eastern Bristlebird Habitat Assessment in Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales, report to Aust. Nat! Parks & Wildlife Service, University of Queensland, Brisbane. McNamara, E. (1946), 'Field notes on the Eastern Bristle-bird', Emu 45, 260-265. Mitchell, P. (1995), 'Bird report series 110 (Part 1). Unusual sightings', Bird Observer 752, 14. Norris, K.C. & Mansergh, I. M . (1981), Sites ofZoological Significance in East Gippsland, Ministry for Conservation, Victoria. Pyke, G.H., Saillard, R. & Smith, J. (1995), 'Abundance of Eastern Bristlebirds in relation to habitat and fire history', Emu 95, 106-110. Recher, H.F. (1981), 'Bird communities of heath and their management and conservation requirements', in Haigh, C. (Ed.), Heaths in New South Wales, 27-40, Natl Parks &Wildl. Service, Sydney. Woodgate, P.W., Peel, W .D., Ritman, K.T., Coram, J.E., Brady, A., Rule, A.J . & Banks, J .C.G. (1994), A Study of the Old-growth Forests of East Gippsland, Dept Conservation & Natural Resources, Victoria. Received 5 December 1996 •