In February 2018, conservation scientist Dr. Ray Pierce (www.raypiercepacific.com) and birding & wildlife guide Patrick De Geest (www.eyesonwildlife.com.au) found a significant Gouldian Finch population (100+ birds) in Far North Queensland. Individual birds and small groups had been reported over the last three decades, but a population of this size had not been observed in a long time.

Of course, the find immediately required our attention and there have been many follow-up visits to the site since the population was discovered. The location of this find can’t be made public, but we can confirm that the population is a healthy breeding population.

The Queensland Gouldian Finch Study has been led by Dr. Ray Pierce. In 2018 the study was supported by partners North Queensland Natural History Group (NQNHG), Birdlife Australia (BA), Birdlife North Queensland (BLNQ), Mitchell River Watershed Management Group (MRWMG), Northern Gulf Resource Management Group (NGNRM) and a grant from Wettenhall Environment Trust.

Currently, the Gouldian Finch Project is funded by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science via a citizen Science Grant administered by North Queensland Natural History Group.

Our current partners for this project: