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🇦🇺 Australia /Environment & Climate

What happened when a rare bird found a place to nest near a logging coupe

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Critically endangered swift parrots have nested in a native forest area in Lonnavale, Tasmania, near a planned logging site.
  • The discovery prompted regulators to assess logging coupes for critical habitat, straining staff resources and raising concerns about sustainability.
  • The presence of the parrots highlights the conflict between forestry jobs and the protection of endangered species' habitats, with millions of dollars at stake.

The presence of critically endangered swift parrots nesting in native forests near Lonnavale, Tasmania, has created a complex situation, pitting conservation needs against the economic realities of the logging industry. The discovery of these parrots, whose population is estimated at just 500, has forced regulators to re-evaluate logging plans in the area.

Ecologists, including forest ecologist Matt Webb, have identified the Lonnavale area as crucial habitat for the migratory birds. Swift parrots rely on flowering eucalypts and the availability of tree hollows in old-growth forests for successful breeding. This particular season, the parrots found suitable conditions in a patchwork of foraging habitat and old trees that had survived previous logging.

However, the area also includes coupes designated for logging, with more planned. The confirmed sightings of over 100 parrots, including new nests, triggered an assessment by the Forest Practices Authority (FPA). The FPA was directed to scrutinize logging coupes in Lonnavale to identify and protect critical habitat.

They require flowering of a few key tree species, mainly blue gum, black gum and Brookers gum. But then they also need co-occurrence of really old-growth trees with hollows.

— Matt WebbForest ecologist Matt Webb explains the specific habitat requirements for swift parrots.

This increased scrutiny has placed a significant strain on the FPA's biodiversity staff, leading to what the regulator described as "decision fatigue" and a lack of sustainability in their workload. The state government had previously considered designating the area as an important breeding zone for swift parrots in 2017, but this initiative never materialized.

The conflict is further intensified by the economic stakes involved. Three of Tasmania's five wood supply contract holders operate in the region, representing millions of dollars. Despite the ecological concerns and the presence of the endangered parrots, logging has continued in some coupes, including DN023H, as of June 2026. The situation underscores the ongoing tension between resource extraction and biodiversity conservation in Tasmania.

[This] places a heavy demand on FPA's biodiversity staff and has led to 'decision fatigue'

— Forest Practices Authority (FPA)The FPA describes the impact of increased habitat assessments on its staff.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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