Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00006:reg:3:p30
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00006
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 30/58)
Character Range: 86030–89146

Bristlebird. Drought impacts may interact with other threats, including climate change, fire, and invasive weeds. For example, the 2019–2020 wildfires were exacerbated by drought (Ward et al. 2020).

           Drought conditions may also impede the implementation of on-ground management actions. For example, chemical weed control is rendered ineffective during drought and over-dry conditions prevent prescribed burning due to associated risks (K Roche pers. comm. 2021)

                 3.2.8            Predation by foxes

           Because Eastern Bristlebird are ground-dwelling and nest close to the ground, the species is at risk of predation by foxes, particularly when wildfires reduce the amount of vegetation and increase Eastern Bristlebird exposure (Lindenmayer et al. 2009).
           In addition, Eastern Bristlebird calling behaviour may make them susceptible to predation (OEH 2012).

           The threat of predation by foxes varies across the distribution of the Eastern Bristlebird. Although not quantified, the threat of predation by foxes was assessed as higher for the central Eastern Bristlebird population, compared to northern and
           southern populations (Appendix 2). The effects of predation are less significant for the northern population because the thick grassy habitat reduces foraging opportunities for invasive predators. Nonetheless, any natural predation (by native predators) or the occasional predation by invasive pest predators could have a significant impact
           on northern populations of Eastern Bristlebird, due to the very small number of wild individuals remaining. Eastern Bristlebirds at Nadgee NR (southern population) recovered rapidly after fire in the absence of pest predator baiting programs, likely because the area has a healthy Dingo (Canis familiaris) population.

           Predation by European red fox is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the EBPC Act, and a threat abatement plan has been prepared (DEWHA 2008a, 2008b).

       3.2.9            Predation by feral cats

 In addition to foxes, feral cats predate on Eastern Bristlebirds (Meek 2003; Woinarski et al. 2017), although predation risk varies across the species spatial range. As with the threat of predation by foxes, the threat of predation by cats has not been quantified but was assessed as higher for the northern Eastern Bristlebird population, compared to central and southern populations that occur in dense heath vegetation that is relatively impenetrable to cats and foxes (Appendix 2). The threat of cats is also amplified by bushfires as they take advantage of recently burnt areas (McGregor et
 al. 2016), as they prefer to hunt in open habitats and have higher hunting success in such habitats (McGregor et al. 2015). Studies are required to assess the overall impact of predation by cats and foxes, and the effectiveness of their control, on the Eastern Bristlebird.

 Predation by feral cats is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the EBPC Act, and a threat abatement plan has been prepared (DE 2015a, 2015b).

       3.2.10      Disease in