Summary  The Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus) is an endangered endemic passerine of south‐eastern Australia. The re‐establishment of extirpated populations through translocation was identified as a key action in New South Wales to address the threats to this species associated with habitat fragmentation and widespread and frequent fire. At Jervis Bay during 2003–2005, 50 birds were translocated from Bherwerre Peninsula to Beecroft Peninsula. In the Illawarra in 2008, 50 birds were translocated from Barren Grounds Nature Reserve to Cataract. At Jervis Bay, monitoring indicated that after 7 years, (i) there was no detectable impact on the source population from the removal of birds and (ii) the count at Beecroft Peninsula was 94 birds, with dispersal up to 6.3 km from the release point. In the Illawarra, (i) the source population was recovering 3 years post‐removal and (ii) the maximum count at Cataract was 15 birds after 3.5 years, including evidence of breeding, and after 3 years, the maximum dispersal was 7 km from the release point. Both translocations adhered to five key principles as follows. (i) Feasibility analysis prior to each project was favourable. (ii) For 17 pre‐stated criteria for success, 14 and 10, respectively, were met for Jervis Bay and Illawarra. (iii) Financial accountability was achieved with detailed statements showing budgets of $201k and $92k, respectively, for Jervis Bay and Illawarra. (iv) Ecological research was incorporated into both projects. (v) The results of each project are progressively being published. The re‐introduction at Jervis Bay has succeeded, and we are optimistic about the Illawarra re‐introduction.

Translocating birds to a new area of habitat to restore or supplement depleted populations may pose a significant threat to the translocated individuals. While for many species, translocated individuals appear to move larger distances than resident animals, species with poor dispersal capacity may be restricted in movements and translocation methods may need to accommodate differences in movements to ensure success. In this study, designed to provide insights to inform our broader programme of translocations in New South Wales, Australia, we investigated post-release movements in the endangered, semi-flightless Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus). We predicted that movements would be minimal, with few differences between males and females, similar to published information for a resident un-manipulated population. Following the release of 45 birds at a host location at Jervis Bay, NSW, over a 3-year programme, we followed individuals for up to 2 weeks using radio-tracking. The translocated birds had larger maximum movements and moved through much larger home ranges than non-translocated individuals from the resident population. Translocated birds moved 300 m further after release when conspecifics were present. Males moved further than females and tended to have larger home ranges, although average daily displacement did not differ. We concluded that the semi-flightlessness of the species does not result in minimal movements. Release at a small number of locations in the new habitat was considered appropriate for the species, as animals seem to move enough to find new unoccupied areas in a relatively short period. This work provided us with increasing confidence to continue with further translocations. SummaryTranslocating birds to a new area of habitat to restore or supplement depleted populations may pose a significant threat to the translocated individuals. While for many species, translocated individuals appear to move larger distances than resident animals, species with poor dispersal capacity may be restricted in movements and translocation methods may need to accommodate differences in movements to ensure success. In this study, designed to provide insights to inform our broader program of translocations in New South Wales, Australia, we investigated post-release movements in the endangered, semiflightless Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus). We predicted that movements would be minimal, with few differences between males and females, similar to published information for a resident un-manipulated population. Following the release of 45 birds at a host location at Jervis Bay, NSW, over a three-year programme, we followed individuals for up to two weeks using radio-tracking. The translocated birds had larger maximum movements and moved through much larger home ranges than nontranslocated individuals from the resident population. Translocated birds moved 300 m further after release when conspecifics were present. Males moved further than females and tended to have larger home ranges...