About the project
This project implements actions across King Island to protect the habitat of two priority critically endangered species, the King Island Brown Thornbill and King Island Scrubtit.
Building the capacity of landholders and community groups on King Island is key to reducing weed and feral animal threats to the birds. We are working to improve the quality and extent of the birds’ habitat by connecting remnant habitat patches with corridors across agricultural land, fencing stock out of high-quality vegetation and supporting Asparagus Fern, Inkweed and feral cat control.
Defining and mapping habitat requirements to support the survival of King Island Scrubtit and King Island Brown Thornbill
This project is conducting important bird surveys on King Island, to improve our understanding of the distribution and habitat requirements of the critically endangered King Island Scrubtit and King Island Brown Thornbill. These two birds are among the five Australian bird species considered most likely, in the absence of intervention, to become extinct within 20 years. We are also conducting vegetation surveys to improve accuracy of mapping of important native vegetation communities and habitat for these birds. This will aid future landscape scale planning and management of critical biodiversity assets.
Enhancing King Island Brown Thornbill habitat patches
In partnership with King Island Landcare Group, Cradle Coast NRM will recover and create new habitat for the King Island Brown Thornbill via vegetation restoration. The project aims towards creating a vegetation corridor that will also serve other King Island critically endangered species, such as the King Island Scrubtit, Black Currawong or the latest addition to the list of endangered, the King Island Yellow Wattlebird.
Cradle Coast 2030 Strategy
Threatened species include species listed under the EPBC Act and TSP Act. Important species recognises that there are regionally or locally important species, as well as emerging threatened species.
Duration: 2023 – 2028
Location: King Island
Funding provider: Australian Government – Regional Delivery Partners
Contact: Nicky Loane, Project Officer (King Island)
Phone: 0427 285 699 Email: nloane@cradlecoast.com
Image: A Felixer cat grooming trap
Feral cat control on King Island using Felixer cat grooming traps
From 21 April 2024, four Felixer Feral Cat Grooming Traps will be used to target feral cats on King Island. This is part of an Australian Government-funded project to reduce threats to the critically endangered King Island Brown Thornbill and King Island Scrubtit.
These traps will be deployed and regularly serviced by licensed professionals, warning signs will be displayed at entrances to the property and within 50 m of each trap.