Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
This IBA includes all the box-ironbark woodland remnants that are significant for Swift Parrots in the Maryborough-Dunolly region of central Victoria (as defined by Kennedy and Tzaros 2005). This is situated between the St Arnaud and the Bendigo Box-Ironbark Region IBAs. Where only one area within a forest patch is known to be significant the whole patch is taken, as this is the usual management unit and Swift Parrots are likely to use the remaining woodland in smaller numbers or less regularly. This IBA ranges from Dalyenong in the west to Maryborough in the east, including the following remnants (with land-ownership status): Dalyenong (NCR), Tunstalls (NCR), Dunolly (Waanyarra NCR, Dunolly-Tarnagulla SF and Mt Hooghly SF), Kooyoora (SP and Kingower SF) and Maryborough (Paddys Ranges SP, Bung Bong NCR, Talbot NCR, Caralulup NCR, Dunach NCR, Timor NCR, Havelock NCR and SF). Other adjacent areas of woodland are dominated by trees less suitable for these bird species and are excluded from the IBA, although these areas are still important for other woodland birds and support small numbers of the key IBA species. Most of the IBA is within protected areas or state forests, with only small forest blocks on private land.
The vulnerable Painted Honeyeater is a rare breeding visitor to the Maryborough-Dunnolly region (Atlas of Australian Birds database); it is uncommon at Kooyora and at other woodlands remnants outside of the IBA (Tzaros 2005; Starr 2006). Other declining woodland birds including Brown Treecreeper, Speckled Warbler, Hooded Robin, Crested Bellbird and Gilbert's Whistler; and occasional records of migrant Black Honeyeaters and Pink Robins. Also 45 records of Flame Robin, 12 records of Bush Stone-curlew and one record of Purple-gaped Honeyeater in 1585 Atlas of Australian Birds surveys undertaken from 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds database).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Investigate conservation partnerships with land-owners of box-ironbark remnants on private land, especially seeking to link remnants with larger patches of woodland and forest. Investigate habitat restoration and creation on more fertile land close to remnants. Advocate for protection of the 23% of priority box-ironbark sites that are still unprotected.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
77% of priority box-ironbark sites in central Victoria are now protected following an investigation by the Environment Conservation Council in 2001.
Numerous - see text and separate section.
Protected areas and state forests are owned and managed by state government; the IBA also contains small areas of private land.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Some of the forest remnants are on private land without public access.
Gary Cheers, Ian Davidson, Simon Kennedy and Chris Tzaros provided data and comments.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Maryborough-Dunolly Box-Ironbark Region (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/maryborough-dunolly-box-ironbark-region-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.
