Kath Shurcliff | Grasswren Project Leader
Call for volunteers to survey grasswrens in western Queensland – April/May 2025
Remember this photo from last year? It shows some of the burnt-out habitat where BirdLife Northern Queensland (BLNQ) found Carpentarian Grasswrens last year.
Well, we are calling for volunteers again this year.
We have partnered with Southern Gulf NRM to monitor the impacts their regional fire management strategy is having on the habitat where both Carpentarian and Kalkadoon grasswrens are found.
Last year presented us with a perfect test of their strategy, as widespread wildfires had swept through much of the spinifex country west of Mount Isa. Our survey results from last year showed the birds had by and large survived, surprisingly even in sites where almost all the spinifex had been totally burnt, as seen above!
Have a look at this video which shows the impacts on a nearby property, where Conservation Partners, under the guidance of Dr Steve Murphy and Henry Stoetzel have been working.
Our aim this year is to check on groups of birds which we found in 2024 that had survived the wildfires. We know that they survived, but have they been able to thrive and successfully breed in those same locations?
This year we will be starting our work on 30 April, meeting just north of Mount Isa, and continuing until 12 May, with an optional extension until 20 May.
We are looking for volunteers who have a good high clearance vehicle; can be self-sustaining in food, water and fuel; and enjoy bush camping. You do not need to know how to survey grasswrens, as we provide that training at the start. We are able to reimburse participants fuel costs up to a limit of $1,000 per vehicle.
If you would like more details, please contact Kath Shurcliff at crabplover@westnet.com.au or call me on 0478 641 987. Hope you can join us this year!
