Threatened Woodland Birds of Bruny Island

The Threatened Woodland Birds of Bruny Island (TWBBI) project is a major new initiative and partnership developed by BIEN.

Bruny Island provides critical habitat for two threatened birds: swift parrot and forty-spotted pardalote. For swift parrots, Bruny Island is one of only two places where they can breed without facing the threat of predation by sugar gliders. For forty-spotted pardalotes, Bruny Island is the core of one of only two remaining viable populations.

Because of the importance of Bruny Island to these woodland species BIEN, Friends of North Bruny (FoNB), Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) and the Forty-spotted Pardalote Recovery Team (40SPRT) commenced in April 2023 the Threatened Woodland Birds of Bruny Island project (TWBBI) – a project aimed at enhancing their habitat and breeding outcomes on Bruny Island.  It is underpinned by a strategic plan that incorporates aspects of both species national recovery plans. We have recently been joined by the National Swift Parrot Recovery team.

Philanthropy funds the project: the on-ground works are funded through the generous support of the Elsie Cameron Foundation through the TLC’s Land for Wildlife Program, while Dr Louise Crossley left a bequest to BIEN that covers the salary of a Project Manager.  Steering Committee members donate their time, and there is significant in-kind support from other project partners and landholders.

TWBBI – working with interested Land for Wildlife or Conservation Covenanted landowners – is planting plant forage trees for both species and providing immediate support to their reproductive success by installing nest boxes and managing competitors and parasites. In exchange for monitoring and maintenance contracts, these actions are being undertaken at little cost to landholders, and are tailored to suit their specific needs. For example, plantings may entail anything from broadscale revegetation to planting windbreaks or amenity trees.