Updated Sat at 3:28am
A survey of a remote, rocky
habitat full of spinifex grass in South Australia has found a rare bird still
lives in the area, despite fears it could have been wiped out in a fire six
years ago.
The short-tailed grasswren is
only found in South Australia, with the Gawler Ranges subspecies classed as
endangered, and Flinders Ranges subspecies considered vulnerable.
Catherine Lynch, Community
Ecologist with Natural Resources SA Arid Lands, said the Gawler Ranges was last
surveyed in 2006 but a fire had swept through since in 2011.
"We determined that there
was that need there to better understand the status of the species in the
Gawler Ranges and investigate how they were faring after that fire.
"That was one of the drivers
for carrying out the survey this year."
The survey showed the population
had remained stable and, although the birds weren't found at some of their
previously known habitats, they had resettled elsewhere.
Fifty-seven sites were surveyed
with grasswrens recorded at 20.
Ms Lynch said it was difficult to
determine if the population had varied, but it was a relief to confirm they
were still in the area.
"There was certainly a lot
of concern from leading ornithologists in South Australia about the state of
short-tailed grasswrens both in the Flinders Ranges and the Gawler
Ranges," she said.
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