Community
26 November, 2025
Grasswren numbers hold strong in the Gulf
The latest survey shows the endangered Carpentarian Grasswren is still thriving despite recent wildfires.
The endangered Carpentarian Grasswren is continuing to defy the odds, with the latest regional survey confirming stable populations across its North West Queensland range despite consecutive years of major wildfires.
The 2025 Carpentarian Grasswren survey, carried out by BirdLife Northern Queensland volunteers and the Muu Tjaa Kalkutungu Warriors Traditional Owners, recorded the elusive bird at nearly 80 per cent of previously monitored sites north of Mount Isa.
Even more encouraging, new populations were found in areas that had been burnt during the 2023 and 2024 fire seasons.
The survey effort involved 15 volunteers and rangers who visited more than 90 sites. Supported by landholders, Traditional Owner ranger groups, volunteers and funding through a grant, the program continues to be one of the region’s most significant long-term conservation efforts.
While breeding numbers were lower this year, the findings confirm the species is holding on strongly despite harsh seasonal conditions.
Beyond its ecological importance, the Grasswren remains a major drawcard for eco-tourists.
Birdwatchers from across Australia travel specifically to the North West to try to spot the bird, often booking guided tours and contributing to local spending on accommodation, dining and fuel.
Southern Gulf NRM environment team leader Lyndy Skea said the results were a clear sign of the resilience of both the species and the community-led conservation work behind it.
“The Carpentarian Grasswren is part of our natural heritage and a unique attraction for birdwatchers. Protecting it keeps our region on the map and brings new opportunities for local tourism,” she said.
BirdLife Northern Queensland survey leader Kath Shurcliff said ongoing monitoring would remain crucial, particularly after back-to-back wildfire seasons.
“We now know that the Carpentarian Grasswren can survive major fire events, but the decline in breeding success reminds us how important habitat management is for their long-term survival,” she said.
The Carpentarian Grasswren is considered one of Australia’s most specialised and threatened birds.
Its presence in the rocky spinifex landscapes north of Mount Isa continues to anchor both conservation and tourism efforts across the region.
