1. HIE Home
  2. People
  3. Research Fellows
  4. Doctor Flossy Sperring

Doctor Flossy Sperring

Dr Flossy SperringI am passionate about ecological research for conservation of small and isolated populations. Much of my work has involved investigating the ecology of top predators with small, isolated populations, and using this research to directly inform management actions. Ecological insights include habitat suitability modelling using GPS tracking devices and LiDAR-derived habitat variables, and dietary analysis using visual and eDNA techniques. My research also involves investigating genetic diversity and biogeography as well as population monitoring programs utilising citizen scientists, acoustic recording units, and call-broadcast surveys.

I am currently working on the threatened Christmas Island Hawk-owl and Goshawk. Little is currently known about the ecology of these species, impeding effective conservation management. The main objectives of my current research are to determine the status, health, diet, habitat requirements, and genetic diversity of the species, and develop a robust population monitoring design.

Areas of research/teaching expertise

Conservation biology; ecology; threatened species; island conservation; population monitoring.

Grants and awards

  • Port Phillip Bay Fund 2020 ($42,000)
  • Coastcare community Grant 2019 ($10,000)
  • Macnamara Community Environment Program 2018 ($5,000)
  • Monash University Faculty of Science Award for Research Impact by a Graduate Research Student (2023)

Selected publications

Sperring VF, Weeks AR, Webster W, Macgregor NA, Wilson M, Isaac B, Clarke RH (2024). Diet breadth of a critically endangered owl presents challenges for invasive rodent management: a conservation conundrum. Emu-Austral Ornithology 124, 187-198

Sperring VF, Bradsworth N, Isaac B, Brown S, Wilson M, Macgregor N, Clarke RH (2024). Habitat requirements of a Critically Endangered Ninox hawk-owl: implications for island-wide restoration. Restoration Ecology 32(8), e14284.

Sperring VF, Wilson M, Isaac B, Macgregor NA, Clarke RH (2025). Call broadcast surveys monitor owls with more precision than passive citizen scientists and acoustic recoding units. Wildlife Research. Accepted for publication

Zhou J, Sperring VF, Allen P, Clarke RH (2025) 'Satellite-tracking provides first description of migration in Tasmanian Boobooks Ninox leucopsis'. Emu. Accepted for publication

Sperring VF, Brown S, Macgregor N, Olsen P, Clarke R, Wilson M, Greenup N, Weeks A, Ward R, Greenwood D, Christian M, Garnett S (2021). Norfolk Island Morepork Ninox novaeseelandiae undulata. In 'The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2020. Vol. 1'. (Eds S. Garnett,G. Baker.) pp. 360-363.  (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.) doi: 10.1071/9781486311910