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 Rushworth region of central Victoria (as defined by Kennedy and Tzaros 2005). This is situated between the Bendigo and the Warby-Chiltern Box-Ironbark Region IBAs and north of the Puckapunyal IBA. 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 includes Cornella (SF), Crosbie (NCR), Heathcote (Spring Plains NCR and SF) and Rushworth (Heathcote-Graytown NP, Whroo NCR, Spring Creek NCR and Rushworth 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.
Other declining woodland birds including Brown Treecreeper, Speckled Warbler, Hooded Robin, Grey-crowned Babbler, Crested Bellbird and Gilbert's Whistler; and occasional records of migrant Black Honeyeater and Pink Robin. The near threatened Bush Stone-curlew was recorded three times in 640 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 separate section.
Protected areas and state forests are owned and managed by the Victorian 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.
Chris Tzaros, Simon Kennedy and Gary Cheers provided data and comments.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Rushworth Box-Ironbark Region (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/rushworth-box-ironbark-region-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.
