Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The Holleton IBA is located in the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia, about 290 km east of Perth. It is defined as a contiguous area of habitat supporting Malleefowl, consisting primarily of unallocated Crown Land, including the Welsh Nature Reserve but excluding other neighbouring protected areas, such as Sloss Nature Reserve, which are believed to support smaller numbers of Malleefowl. The IBA was identified from expert opinion that it supports a significant viable population of Malleefowl, as determined by records in relevant databases (notably the Malleefowl Preservation Group database of 1200 sightings over 15 years, WA Dept of Environment and Conservation, WA Museum and Birds Australia Atlas), and other literature and knowledge that population viability is greatest within large areas of contiguous mallee or Acacia shrubland. The IBA represents one of the largest areas of continuous Acacia/Allocasuarina shrubland remaining within the wheatbelt of Western Australia. The area receives approximately 300mm of rainfall a year and experiences cool winters and hot dry summers. The vegetation consists primarily of Acacia and Allocasuarina shrublands but it also contains some eucalypt woodlands.
Other birds have not been documented for this IBA.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Investigate the impact of fire regimes on Malleefowl persistence.
IBA contains the Welsh Nature Reserve and a small unnamed reserve.
Majority of land is vested in state government as unallocated Crown Land, with a small nature reserve within the area (Department of Environment and Conservation) and a Timber Reserve also (vesting unknown at present, potentially Shire of Yilgarn).
Site access / Land-owner requests
Permits are required for access to Welsh Nature Reserve.
Thanks to Blair Parsons for writing the nomination.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Holleton (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/holleton-iba-australia on 22/12/2024.
