Application for Scientific Permit – Available for Public Comment
Public comment on the following application for a Scientific Research (Fauna) Permit is open until 28 May 2026
Applicant: Australian National University
Species/Taxon: (including non-target species likely to be affected)
Target species: Swift parrot (Lathamus discolor)
Non-target species potentially impacted: Tree martin (Petrochelidon nigricans), Green rosella (Platycerus caledonicus), Musk lorikeet (Glossopsitta cocinna), Rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus), Owlet nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus), Blue-wing parrot (Neophema chrysostoma), European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps), Pygmy possum (Cercatetus lepidus)
Location: A range of private, public, and reserved land across Tasmania, with a particular focus on the range of swift parrots (Lathamus discolor)
Title of research: Swift parrot monitoring
Aim of project:
This project has two main aims:
1) Maintaining existing nest boxes
2) Capture and tagging of adult swift parrots
Justification:
Aim 1: Maintaining existing nest boxes
This project aims to undertake important maintenance of existing nest boxes by accessing every known nest box previously installed by the ANU. Boxes will be closed, maintained, replaced, or removed depending on the location, occupancy status, and state of disrepair
All boxes will be closed or removed in locations where swift parrots are absent. This will prevent usage by pest species (including starlings and sugar gliders), thus ensuring that pest species are not benefitting from attempted conservation actions
This work will ensure that existing boxes are maintained and in good working order, thus providing more nesting opportunities for swift parrots in future
This work will be occurring on a range of land tenures where permissions have already been obtained
Aim 2: Capture and tagging of adult swift parrots
The project is part of a major study on the ecology of swift parrots, with aim of deploying GPS tags to understand the timing, speed, location, and required habitat utilised by swift parrots during their northbound migration across the Bass Strait
Understanding flight paths and habitat use will help inform future planning and developments
Insights into migration behaviour and habitat use will help guide future land-management decisions, ensuring critical habitats are protected
High resolution movement data will help inform strategies for adaptive management and long-term conservation planning for the species
Data from this study will contribute to ongoing recovery efforts, supporting informed decision-making by governments, researchers, and conservation organisations
Swift parrots occupy a huge range across the entire eastern portion of Tasmania; thus this work will be occurring across a range of land tenures
Maximum likely numbers of individuals involved:
Aim 1: Maintaining existing nest boxes
There are an estimated 446 existing nest boxes requiring assessment and maintenance
While the majority of boxes are expected to be empty, a range of native and non-native birds and mammals have previously been documented occupying these boxes
Native species will not be removed from boxes
Disturbance will be kept to a minimum by accessing boxes in winter/outside of the breeding season
Aim 2 : Capture and tagging of adult swift parrots
Target individuals: up to 25 tags will be deployed on male swift parrots
Capture of non-target individuals will be minimised as mist-nets will only be deployed when there is a high chance of capturing the target species
Activities undertaken and methods:
Aim 1: Maintaining existing nest boxes
This work will be occurring at a variety of locations across Tasmania
Nest boxes will be accessed in winter/outside of breeding season to avoid disturbing breeding animals
If a nest box is occupied by native animals at the time of inspection the box will not be modified in any way
If a nest box is occupied by non-native animals at the time of inspection (e.g., common starling, sugar glider), the occupants will be evicted from the nest box (either by removal and immediate release, or by encouraging animals to exit the nest box) and the nest box will be closed or removed as required
Aim 2: Capture and tagging of adult swift parrots
Up to 25 adult swift parrots will be captured and tagged with GPS tags weighing less than 5% of total body weight
Birds will be weighed prior to tag deployment
Tags will be attached via a temporary attachment mechanism to not encumber individuals for longer than necessary
Tags will transmit data via a satellite network so recapture is not required for data collection
Birds will be captured via mist-net in the period of time after the breeding season has concluded, but prior to migration (likely ~February 2026)
Mist-nets will be strategically deployed to target flocking swift parrots, thus reducing the risk of capturing non-target species
Fate of animals:
Aim 1: Maintaining existing nest boxes
Aim 2: Capture and tagging of adult swift parrots
Likely impact on species involved (including any by-catch):
Aim 1: Maintaining existing nest boxes
- All nest boxes will be managed outside of the breeding season, meaning that the impact on animals will be negligible
- Individuals occupying nest boxes are likely to experience minimal levels of disturbance
Aim 2: Capture and tagging of adult swift parrots
All handling will be done conducted by trained and experienced personnel
Non-target species: non-target animals will be removed from the mist net and immediately released, resulting in minimal levels of disturbance
Target species: tag attachment and handling will result in temporary discomfort, but experience and research have shown that this discomfort is temporary and will have limited impact on survival
Tags are designed to be as light as possible to ensure individuals are not unduly burdened
Individuals will be weighed prior to attachment to ensure tags do not exceed 5% of body weight
Tags will be attached via a temporary mechanism to ensure individuals are not unduly encumbered
Birds will be targeted for capture after the breeding season to ensure that a) breeding birds are not disturbed, b) the amount of time wearing the tag is minimised, c) ensure the best chance an individual is wearing the tag while undertaking the northbound migration