Habitat restoration work at a recognised biodiversity hotspot in Western Australia’s south has proved a big success, bringing back rare species to the area.

Bush Heritage Australia recently conducted a survey of flora and fauna within its Gondwana Link conservation project between the Stirling Range and Fitzgerald River national parks, where a decade of restoration work has created a bush corridor from once-fragmented habitats.

Angela Sanders, a Bush Heritage ecologist, said two carpet pythons that are on the WA threatened species list were observed.

There was also the first sighting in the area of a priority-listed bird, the crested shrike-tit.

“This is a significant finding because this bird is usually only found further south in Karri forest or east in the Great Western Woodland,” Ms Sanders said.

“The survey also recorded honey possums in the middle of revegetated habitat on Monjebup North.

“These tiny creatures are very picky about their food and only live in habitat healthy enough to produce the nectar and pollen they need, so they’re an excellent indicator of bushland health.”

The work is the first stage of a larger plan.

The ultimate aim is to create a belt of native vegetation from the Karri forests of the South West region to the Great Western Woodlands around Kalgoorlie.