Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00006:reg:3:p14
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00006
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 14/58)
Character Range: 40379–43375

OEH 2012).

 A fire regime that is too infrequent in the northern population could allow vegetation to become unsuitable for nesting through trees and shrubs becoming established and shading the growth of suitable grassy ground cover, grassy tussocks becoming too long and collapsing or weeds invading (Sandpiper Ecological Surveys 2000). Different studies have proposed different fire intervals to maintain suitable habitat: 10–20 years (Holmes 1989); 5–15 years (Lamb et al. 1993); 4–5 years (Sandpiper Ecological
 Surveys 2007); and 4–5 years (Stone et al. 2018). The northern population also utilises rainforest as a refuge from fire (Holmes 1989).

 The tussock grass habitat of the northern population may be suitable for breeding at two years post fire (Hartley & Kikkawa 1994). Grass cover exceeded pre-fire levels two years post fire at both Richmond Gap and Grassy Spur and declined 4–5 years after fire at both sites (Sandpiper Ecological Surveys 2007). To manage bristlebird habitat, it is important to understand the relationship between tussocks, which are used for nesting, and other ground vegetation such as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), which provide cover for foraging and shelter. Frequent fires have been shown to increase Kangaroo Grass cover at the expense of tussocks (Sandpiper Ecological Surveys 2007).

 Characteristic habitat for northern Eastern Bristlebirds © Copyright, Kelly Roche from NSW Department
 of Planning and Environment

Central and southern populations

           Central and southern Eastern Bristlebird habitat is characterised by dense, low
           vegetation including heath and open woodland with a heathy understorey.

           Birds in the central and southern populations have been recorded in a variety of vegetation communities with dense understorey. They often occur in low heathland, sometimes interspersed with thickets of taller shrubs or small trees (Loyn 1985; Pyke et al. 1995; Gosper & Baker 1997; Clarke & Bramwell 1998; Baker 1998, 2000; Bain & McPhee 2005; Bramwell 2008). The species also occurs in Gahnia sedgeland (Baker 1998) and in dense swamp shrubland or in coastal or riparian scrub and often with tussock-grasses or sedges in the understorey (Pyke et al. 1995; Gosper & Baker 1997; Clarke & Bramwell 1998; Baker 1998, 2000; Higgins & Peter 2002; Bramwell 2008).

           Open healthy woodland, Nadgee NP © Copyright, BirdLife Australia

           Birds sometimes occur in open sclerophyll woodland or forest, with a shrubby understorey and a dense ground layer of grasses or bracken (Emison et al. 1987; Bramwell et al. 1992; Pyke et al. 1995; Gosper & Baker 1997; Clarke & Bramwell 1998; Baker 1998, 2000; Bain & McPhee 2005; Bramwell 2008;). They occasionally occur in temperate rainforest that contains Acmena smithii (syn. Acmena smithii) (Emison et al. 1987; Clarke & Bramwell 1998; Baker 2000). In Croajingolong NP, Eastern Bristlebirds have also been recorded in rainforest along creeks and lowland