Designing fit-for-purpose monitoring – A case study of a cryptic songbird

Monitoring threatened species is essential for understanding their conservation needs and developing effective recovery strategies. However, designing and implementing monitoring programs can be challenging in resource-constrained environments, where conservation practitioners must balance the need for detailed information with limited resources. We present a case study focusing on the design of a range-wide monitoring program for the Endangered rufous scrub-bird (Atrichornis rufescens) in the mountain forests of eastern Australia. We first developed a ‘wish list’ of monitoring questions and then trialed the methods needed for answering them using sequence of pilot studies. We implemented a phased approach comprising (i) a study of whether individuals could be identified by their songs, (ii) identification of a ‘core range’ using species distribution models to refine the search area, and (iii) a trial of the efficacy of a preferred feasible monitoring approach. We offer a practical pathway for designing question-driven monitoring programs for threatened species. Our study highlights the importance of clarifying explicit monitoring goals and tailoring methods to suit species' ecological and life history characteristics. By following this systematic approach, conservation efforts can obtain valuable information for effective management, even with limited resources and prevailing uncertainty about species ecology.