Needles in a haystack: using expert opinion and scientific consensus to guide management of Swift Parrot habitat in coastal New South Wales

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The use of scientific consensus, informed by available evidence, is a method that can be used to identify the conservation requirements for threatened species. Drawing on expert knowledge, we examined questions relating to the management and conservation of the critically endangered Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor). The questions focused on the coastal forests of New South Wales (NSW), where habitat is under high development pressure. A questionnaire was sent to a panel of experts, and responses were discussed until a consensus was reached. From our discussion, we considered that habitat for the Swift Parrot in coastal NSW is well understood and that the species often occurs in isolated trees or small patches. Negative consequences of competitive exclusion by the Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) and Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) were noted. We recommend that habitat loss from development is avoided as much as possible, with less reliance on mitigation and offsetting. Government impact assessment material, including habitat maps require updating to incorporate current scientific data and to enable the effective monitoring and evaluation of cumulative impacts. If impacts are unavoidable, ecological offsets must provide a net benefit to the species by protecting and expanding habitats at high risk of decline.