Bush Heritage Ecologist Hugh Pringle takes photographs of the malleefowl at Charles Darwin Reserve.
PHOTO: KURT AND ANDREA TSCHIRNER

Malleefowl action at Charles Darwin Reserve

Reserve managers Kurt and Andrea Tschirner report on sightings of malleefowl



With the purchase of Charles Darwin Reserve in Western Australia in 2003, one of the key species that Bush Heritage hoped to benefit was the nationally threatened malleefowl. This beautifully marked bird is now at risk throughout Australia because its mallee habitat has been cleared or fragmented, sheep and goats graze its food plants and foxes prey on its young.

Since February 2006 we have had eight sightings of malleefowl on the reserve. We have also found many fresh tracks, particularly around the homestead area. This is great news for Bush Heritage, and a great step for the conservation of this species in the northern wheat belt of Western Australia.
Salmon gum woodlands at Charles Darwin Reserve. PHOTO: JIRI LOCHMAN/LOCHMAN TRANSPARENCIES