Welcome to the project page for malleefowl monitoring in the Murraylands and Riverland!

The Murraylands and Riverland is one of the most important regions in Australia for malleefowl conservation, with more active monitoring sites than anywhere else in the country. These shy, ground-dwelling birds are nationally listed as vulnerable, and while they can be difficult to spot, their large nesting mounds make it possible to track their breeding activity.

For over 30 years, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board has been part of the National Malleefowl Monitoring Program, contributing vital data that helps us understand how the species is faring and what factors influence its survival. This work is only possible thanks to dedicated volunteers, who are the backbone of the program.

Every mound checked and every bit of data collected is a valuable piece of the puzzle – helping to protect one of Australia’s most iconic birds and contributing to nationally significant research.

During the 2025 monitoring season, 20 malleefowl mound monitoring field trips were completed.

Working with a team of 35 passionate volunteers was a key highlight, as was learning about each volunteer and their motivations for contributing their time. Several volunteers attended more than once, and overall, they contributed more than 425 hours.

By the end of the season, around 782 mounds were monitored, with 18 active mounds recorded.

Another standout moment was the first visit to Peebinga, where 19 mounds were monitored, including 3 active mounds. A malleefowl was observed working one of the active mounds during this trip!

Malleefowl monitoring takes place from mid-October until December at sites near Murray Bridge, through the Murray Mallee to Lameroo and north to the Riverland and beyond. Click ‘follow’ for updates on future monitoring dates, sites and when volunteer registrations open.