Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA is identical to Palmgrove National Park (Scientific), which is located approximately 185 km north-north-east of Roma in south-central Queensland. This IBA is designated on the basis of more than 10 pairs of Black-breasted Button-quail in a significant location - this is the western-most population, isolated from all other populations, and although numbers of this species are poorly-known, there are large tracts of suitable habitat. Palmgrove is situated in moderately dry, dissected sandstone country. The vegetation is moderately diverse, hosting a variety of eucalypt woodland and forest types as well as vine thicket and acacia thicket communities. These thickets, which comprise the habitat of the Black-breasted Button-quail, occur in very small pockets in other nearby protected areas and State Forests, all of which have been logged, and are not known to support populations of the button-quail.
Glossy Black-Cockatoo, listed as vulnerable in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1994).
Non-bird biodiversity: Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucattus), listed nationally as endangered (EPBC 1999), have been recorded in the IBA (EPA 2007). Four ecosystems listed as "endangered" and one listed as "of concern" under Queensland's Vegetation Management Act 1999 occur within the IBA. These are: 11.9.1 (endangered) - Acacia harpophylla Eucalyptus cambageana open forest to woodland on fine-grained sedimentary rocks; 11.9.4 (Endangered) - Semi-evergreen vine thicket on fine grained sedimentary rocks; 11.9.5 (Endangered) - Acacia harpophylla and/or Casuarina cristata open forest on fine-grained sedimentary rocks; 11.9.8 (Endangered) - Macropteranthes leichhardtii thicket on fine grained sedimentary rocks; 11.10.8 (Of concern) - Semi-evergreen vine thicket in sheltered habitats on medium to coarse-grained sedimentary rocks. All listed above are known or likely Black-breasted Button-quail habitats.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The site is largely inaccessible. Management considerations are yet to be assessed fully although threats are considered to be minor.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The area is listed as National Park (Scientific) under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and as such, is granted the highest level of protection possible under the Act. It is preserved for the protection of species and ecosystems that are of exceptional scientific value. In this case, the area contains tracts of well-preserved threatened ecosystems.
The IBA is identical to the Palmgrove National Park (Scientific).
This IBA lies entirely within Queensland State Government estate.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Access is extremely difficult and, as the area is listed as National Park (Scientific), public access is not generally allowed.
Thanks to Michael Mathieson as compiler with assistance from Craig Eddie.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Palmgrove (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/palmgrove-iba-australia on 23/11/2024.
