Life in the Darling Riverine Plains · Diverse Woodland Remnants 14 The habitat: Looking after our...
Transcript of Life in the Darling Riverine Plains · Diverse Woodland Remnants 14 The habitat: Looking after our...
If you live in the Darling Riverine
Plains you live in the largest and
probably the flattest bioregion in
NSW. You live in the land of
contrasts; of droughts and flooding
rains; of flood loving eucalypts;
River Red Gum, Coolibah,
Black Box and Carbeen; and of
vast open plains.
Hopefully, after you have read this
booklet you will live in a place
that you know more about. You
will know more about over four
hundred species of native fauna
that make their home in the
Darling Riverine Plains, and you
will know more about how to look
after their habitat.
About the cover: The poster featured here on the cover illustrates the connections between the cultural andnatural environments within the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion. It depicts the land uses, typical plants andanimals and some cultural values of the area. All these features depend on the riverine environments.
Life in the Darling Riverine Plains 2
Knowing what’s on your place: How the Camerons are looking
after their place
The Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion 4
Knowing what’s around you: Map of the Darling Riverine
Plains Bioregion
Native fauna in the Darling Riverine Plains 6
Native fauna: Native habitats
About this report 8
About this report: What is habitat? Looking after habitat on
your place
Northern Riverine Woodlands 10
The habitat: The importance of size: Typical species:
Threatened species
Southern Riverine Corridor 12
The habitat: Looking after a most important corridor: A whole
lot of holes: Typical species: Threatened species
Diverse Woodland Remnants 14
The habitat: Looking after our woodland birds: Disappearing emus:
Typical species: Threatened species and declining woodland birds
Simple Woodland Remnants 16
The habitat: Rehabilitating remnants: Typical species: Threatened
species: Declining woodland birds: How the Yates family are looking
after remnants: The benefits of not tidying up
Grasslands and Shrublands 18
The habitat: The hunting grounds: Typical species:
Threatened species: Outfoxed on Kalyanka
Red Country Woodlands 20
The habitat: Reptiles and refuge: Typical species: Threatened species
Wetlands 22
Wetland habitat: Wetlands of International Significance:
The Southerons and their wetland
Where to From Here? 24
Knowing you’re not alone: Where to get help: How biodiversity
information helps: Contacts and further information
Species Lists: fauna recorded since 1970 26
References and Acknowledgments 29
KNOWING WHAT’S ONYOUR PLACE
For many farmers and graziers knowing
what’s on their place not only makes them
better managers, it also makes them happier.
A recent personal experience highlighted
the importance of knowing what’s on your
place. Just as I was asked to complete writing
this my father-in-law died. He was much
loved by both his family and his community.
He had been a farmer all his life and proud
of his achievements. He inherited nothing
and worked hard to own his own farm.
Like many men of his generation he loved
being in the bush and spent as much time
there as a farm and a family would allow.
He was a skilled observer of nature. He
would often ask me about animals and
plants he had seen either around the farm
or on one of his bush trips. Many of the
animals he saw such as hopping mice and
small snakes are animals that you are
unlikely to find in that area today.
After his death I wished I had recorded
more of his nature observations. Their
importance to him and his family seemed
obvious. They had been part of the reason
he loved the bush and in particular his
farm. They had given him a sense of place
that many of us can only hope for. He knew
where he would be happy to live and happy
to die.
I have found many farmers and graziers to
have these same qualities. They have a
sense of place defined by family, community
and environment. They like knowing what
lives on their place and are happy and
proud to look out for them.
Hopefully this booklet will give you
some ideas on how to look after your
native fauna, many of which you may
never see or only see once in a lifetime but
you will know they are there. And
hopefully it will enable you and your
children and grandchildren to share in that
sense of place. – Jo Smith
We are certainly not your conventional farming family. We have resisted the urge to have that big ‘tidy up’.
We retain all of our standing dead timber and any fallen logs because we know how valuable these elements
are in the whole ecological and economical system. We have a whole farm plan and we have just begun to
implement the first stages. Retaining the existing vegetation and habitat areas is one of the key elements and
is our starting point.
We have identified the most valuable areas and we are fencing them out so they can be retained and regenerate.
These areas are still small when you consider the total size of the farm. It has taken hundreds, even thousands
of years for nature to create such a diverse, unique environment with so many tree hollows and such a variety
of plants. It is a beautiful spot to find hidden treasures such as sugar gliders, owls, birds, bats, lizards and frogs.
How can we ever hope to recreate such magnificence once it is removed. Such a powerful decision cannot be
made lightly.
We have begun to enhance the remnant vegetation with new tree plantings. We have been particular to choose
species that are appropriate to the local area and where possible we use seed of local provenance to keep the
local gene pool viable. This is not a simple concept to implement but not impossible. We see the need to plant
new trees on a property that already has an abundance of trees for many reasons. There are still areas with
inadequate shelter for crops and stock.
It is well known that increased production levels are achieved when systems have protection from adverse wind
conditions. Our farm plan has areas devoted to wind breaks and shelter areas for this purpose, a very long-
term plan but by tackling one stage at a time we are beginning to make a noticeable difference.
Ultimately, we anticipate our sustainability is improved by all of this groundwork. We intend to continue to focus
on our farming and grazing enterprises by producing and marketing our quality produce. By incorporating the
native environment we see that we are enhancing the whole property but immediately there is something
special when you have just sighted a special bird catching a meal or knowing a rare animal is comfortably going
about its business amongst your farming enterprise. The native flora and fauna are really not the threat we
sometimes can perceive them to be.
Carbeen woodland near Wee Waa
HOW THE CAMERONS ARE LOOKING AFTER THEIR PLACE –
Jim and Rhonda Cameron
We have a whole
farm plan – retaining
the existing
vegetation and
habitat areas is one
of the key elements
Darling
War
rego
Rive
r
Lake Denman
Lake Burkanoko
Lake NichebullaMurphys Lake
UtahLake
Paro
o
River
Tongo LakeMullawoolkaBasin
Yantabangee Lake
Poloko LakeGilpoko Lake
Peri Lake
Nine Mile Lake
Kopago Lake
Wongalara Lake
Poopelloe LakeGunyulkaLake
LakeWoytchugga
Crowl
Cr
Lake Cullamulcha
Lake Altiboulka
Lake YantaraLake Ulenia
Salt Lake
Bullea LakeLake Muck
Bancannia Lake
Coogee Lake
Willandra Creek
BOURKE
C
Wilcannia
BROKENHILL
Menindee
WhiteCliffs
Ivanhoe
Tibooburra
Milparinka
Wanaaring
Packsaddle
Tilpa
Coombah
E
Louth
STURT NATIONAL PARK
PINDERA DOWNSABORIGINAL AREA
MUTAWINTJIHISTORIC SITE
MUTAWINTJINATIONAL PARK
COTAURANDEENATURE RESERVE
PEERYNATIONALPARK
NOCOLECHENATURE RESERVE
GUNDABOOKANATIONAL PARK
YATHONATURRESERV
MOUNT GRENFELLHISTORIC SITE
KAJULIGAHNATURE RESERVEKINCHEGA
NATIONAL PARK
KNOWING WHAT’S AROUND YOU
When it comes to conserving native fauna, knowing what is around you is almost as
important as knowing what is on your own place. The Darling Riverine Plains is one of 80
different bioregions in Australia. Each bioregion has its own distinctive climate, geology,
landform, vegetation, fauna and land use.
Bioregions are considered to be ‘natural regions’ which are important for determining land
management and nature conservation needs on both a national and regional basis.
Your place lies within the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion. It is surrounded by six
other bioregions.
Sev
LakeCopeton
GwydirRiver
Hor
ton
Riv
er
River
Bundarra
Namoi River
LakeKeepit
Mooki
River
GwydirRiver
Moomin
Creek
Gil GilCreek
Croppa
CreekM
acintyreRiver
NamoiRiver
Boh
ena
Cre
ek
Barwon
Riv
er
Castlereagh
RiverM
erri Merri
Creek
Macquarie
River
RiverTalbragar
Macquarie
River
River
Turon
Nar
ran
Riv
er
Bokhara
Riv
er
Culgoa
River
Bogan
River
River
River
LakeBurrendong
SINGLETON
INVERELL
Bendemeer
TAMWORTH
Manilla
Barraba
Bingara
WarialdaMOREE
Boggabilla
NARRABRI
GUNNEDAH
Boggabri
COONABARABRAN
Baradine
Pilliga
WeeWaa
Walgett
Collarenebri
Coonamble
GilgandraWarren
Nyngan
DUBBO
Dunedoo
Narromine
Peak Hill
PARKES
WELLINGTON
Molong
Trundle
Condobolin
Kandos
Rylstone
MUDGEE
Gulgong
Coolah
Merriwa
MUSWELLBROOK
SCONE
Murrurundi
Quirindi
WerrisCreek
Cessnock
Binnaway
Gulargambone
Trangie
Brewarrina
Ashford
Byrock
LightningRidge
CULGOANATIONALPARK
NARRAN LAKENATURE RESERVE
KAPUTARNATIONALPARK
MIDKINNR
CAREUNGANATURERESERVE
BOOMI, BOOMI WEST,BORONGA NRs
PLANCHONELLANATURE RESERVE
ARAKOOLANATURERESERVE
GAMILAROINATURERESERVE
PILLIGANATURERESERVE
BRIGALOWPARK NR
WARRUMBUNGLENATIONALPARK
BINNAWAYNATURE RESERVE
WEETALIBAHNATURE RESERVE
DAPPERNATURE RESERVE
GOOBANGNATIONAL PARK
WOOGOONNATURE RESERVE
TOLLINGONATURE RESERVE
QUANDANATURE RESERVE
NNIEEE
ROUND HILLNATURERESERVE
MACQUARIEMARSHESNATURERESERVE
St George
WESTERNDIVISION
CENTRALDIVISION
THE DARLING RIVERINE PLAINS BIOREGION (*shaded green in the above map)
The Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion covers 10,550,000 hectares, which is approximately
1.4% of Australia. Most of the bioregion (88%) is located within NSW with two small lobes
extending into Queensland. The bioregion is characterized by extensive floodplains of 10
major rivers: the Barwon-Darling, Culgoa, Birrie, Bokhara, Narran, Gwydir, Namoi,
Castlereagh, Macquarie and Bogan. In 1884 the bioregion in NSW was divided into the
Central and Western Divisions. It essentially divides freehold land (Central Division) from
leasehold (Western Division). This line has had enormous consequences for biodiversity
conservation. Within the bioregion more than 60% of native vegetation in the Central
Division has been cleared, while in the Western Division it is estimated that 10 – 20% of
native vegetation has been cleared.
the
bioregion is
characterised
by extensive
floodplains of
ten major river
NATIVE FAUNA
Historical records (not including
archaeological records) of native animals
from the Darling Riverine Plains go back
about 150 years giving us some idea of the
species that have and still live in the
bioregion. But most of the information on
fauna of the bioregion has come from
surveys conducted in the last 20 years.
Surveys were specifically designed for the
Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion Project
so as to complement existing information.
Since 1970 there have been 435 native
animal species including 47 threatened
species and 18 introduced animal species
recorded in the bioregion. The results
show that the bioregion has a real mix of
eastern and western fauna. That is, species
commonly found in the eastern woodlands
and those more often found in inland areas.
The other general result is the difference
in biodiversity between the Central and
Western Division. The link between the
presence of native vegetation and native
fauna is critical so the loss of
native vegetation in the Central Division
has resulted in a decline in fauna.
NATIVE HABITATS
The survey results show that within
the bioregion seven major habitat types
are important for fauna:
• Northern Riverine Woodlands
• Southern Riverine Corridor
• Diverse Woodland Remnants
• Simple Woodland Remnants
• Red Country Woodlands
• Grasslands and Shrublands
• Wetlands
There are likely to be other habitat
types that are important for native fauna
but they are likely to be small and have
not yet been surveyed.
FAT TAILED DUNNART (M P )
EGRETS (B. Johnson)
BANDY BANDY (M. Ellis)
BROAD-BANDED SAND SWIMMER (A. Dudley)
SMOOTH KNOB-TAILED GECKO (M. Maher)
BLACK-FRONTED DOTTEREL (M. Maher)
HOLY CROSS TOAD (A. Dudley)
TAWNY FROGMOUTH (M. Maher)
CARPET PYTHON (M. Maher)
WOOD GECKO (J. Little)
EURO (M. Cooper)PINK COCKATOO
GREEN TREE FROG (M. Pennay)
COMMON DUNNART (D. Paull)
GILBERT’S DRAGON (A. Dudley)
BROLGA (M. Maher)
DE VIS BANDED SNAKE (J. Little)
LESSER LONG-EARED BAT (A. Dudley)
EASTERN BLUE-TONGUED LIZARD (A. Dudley)
SALMON STRIPED FROG (A. Dudley)
ABOUT THIS REPORT
The rest of this report will provide
information for each of the habitat types
listed on page 6. It will include a general
description of the habitat and some
information on how to look after that
habitat type. There are lists of the
typical and threatened fauna species found
in each habitat as well as lists of the
declining woodland birds found in the
woodland remnants.
The typical fauna list includes species that
are commonly encountered and occur in
more than 65% of sites in that habitat
type. The threatened species are those
listed under the NSW Threatened Species
Conservation Act (1995). The declining
woodland birds are those listed by Reid
(2000). A full list of fauna found in the
Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion since
1970 can be found in the species lists
starting on page 26.
This report has highlighted the major
habitat types and fauna found in the
Darling Riverine Plains. There is more
information on the bioregion, its flora and
vegetation communities. This will be
available in subsequent reports from the
Dubbo office of the NSW National Parks
and Wildlife Service.
WHAT IS HABITAT?
Habitat is most simply defined as the place
where an animal or plant lives. Habitat
conservation aims to look after an animal
or plant’s natural habitat so that they may
continue to live in the place where they
naturally occur.
Many native animals, particularly birds
and bats, complicate this rather simple
concept by living in many places. For
instance, Red-tailed Black-cockatoos roost
and breed in large old River Red Gums
along the Darling River, however they
most often feed on the open plains and
grasslands several kilometres from the river.
Little Pied Bats are known to roost in trees,
caves and old buildings and feed in a range
of vegetation types including woodlands,
shrublands, cypress pine forests and mallee.
The Narrow-nosed Planigale (a small
marsupial, pictured below) lives
underground in the heavy, cracking grey
clays of floodplains and lakebeds feeding
both under and on the surface, mostly on
insects and spiders. In the Darling Riverine
Plains, healthy and diverse native
vegetation will provide the most important
habitat for native fauna.
COOLIBAH WOODLAND (A Fox) NARROW NOSED PLANIGALE (M Pennay) SOIL CRACKS (J Smith)
CO
MM
ON
RIN
GTA
IL P
OSS
UM
(J.
Mor
ris)
LOOKING AFTER HABITAT ON YOUR PLACE
There are many management changes you can make on your place that will benefit native
fauna. Some of these are relatively simple and others require more effort and motivation.
Here are some habitat conservation tips.
• Retain native vegetation. Aim for 10 – 30% local native
vegetation cover on your property. Keep this vegetation in
patches as large as possible, at least 10ha. If possible link
smaller patches with wide strips of vegetation, particularly
along watercourses.
• Fence areas you want to conserve. This allows greater
control over the frequency, intensity and duration of grazing,
improves pest species management and increases the chance
for natural regeneration.
• Conserve areas that represent the range of habitat types on
your property (e.g. wetlands, grasslands and woodlands) and
provide the greatest diversity of habitat (e.g. tree hollows,
fallen timber and shrubs).
• Find out what species live on your property and research their habitat requirements.
The more you know about these species, the more appropriate habitat you can provide
for them.
• Monitor and record your conservation efforts so that you and others can learn from
the experience. Document what rehabilitation methods work and what doesn’t. Take
photographs at fixed points to monitor changes, compile species lists and record any
changes as the area regenerates.
• There are many more things you can do to conserve habitat for native animals. Some
specific points are included in the remainder of this report, but if you want more help,
then look on page 24 – ‘Where to from here’.
PIED CORMORANTS NESTING
habitat is a
simple concept
made complex by
an animal’s need
to do different
things in
different places
THE HABITAT
The Northern Riverine Woodlands are
found throughout the northwest of the
bioregion north of Bourke and the Barwon
River. They are only found in the Western
Division.
This habitat type includes the River Red
Gum woodlands and the extensive
Coolibah – Black Box woodlands on the
floodplains on the Barwon-Darling, Narran
and Culgoa Rivers. They are different from
all other woodlands in the bioregion
because they are large and relatively intact
tracts of native vegetation. In fact the
riverine woodlands on the Culgoa River
floodplain are the largest and least disturbed
area of contiguous Coolibah woodland left
in NSW.
TYPICAL SPECIES
Galah
Willie Wagtail
Grey Shrike-thrush
Magpie Lark
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
White-plumed Honeyeater
Pied Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Australian Raven
THREATENED SPECIES
Barking Owl
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Stripe-faced Dunnart
Koala
Little Pied Bat
Large areas of
native
vegetation are
essential for the
survival of
native species
CU
LGO
A R
IVER
(A
. Fox
)
LITTLE PIED BAT (M. Ellis)
THE IMPORTANCE OF SIZE
When it comes to biodiversity
conservation, size is important. Large areas
of native vegetation (>1000ha) are essential
for the survival of native fauna species.
Research on woodland birds has shown
that large areas of native vegetation now
bear the responsibility for the survival of
many declining bird species in the wheat-
sheep belt of southeast Australia.
The home range or territory of an animal
can give an indication of the size a
vegetation remnant needs to be for
providing habitat. For example, Grey-
crowned Babblers’ home range size varies
from 2 – 53 hectares depending upon its
family group size. Bush Stone-curlews utilise
home ranges of between 250 – 500 hectares
and defend nest territories of 10 – 25
hectares, while Barking Owls range up to
five kilometres from their roost site when
searching for food.
THE HABITAT
Below Bourke, the Darling Riverine Plains
Bioregion follows the Darling River down
to the Menindee Lakes. Compared to the
rest of the bioregion it is a narrow corridor
down the floodplain. River Red Gum line
the banks of the river, major channels and
billabongs. Black Box woodlands dominate
the floodplain. There are extensive areas
of Lignum swamp as well as many red sandy
rises on the floodplain. Small ephemeral
lakes are common along with the
Menindee Lakes system consisting of ten
large lakes.
LOOKING AFTER A MOSTIMPORTANT CORRIDOR
There has been much written about the
importance of wildlife corridors, some of
which has overrated their value, but in the
Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion none is
more important than the riverine corridor.
It is important for the maintenance of
river health, for the migration and
breeding of many native fauna and for its
cultural significance.
You can look after your riverine corridor
by ensuring it is a minimum of 50 metres
wide or 3–5 trees wide on either side of
the river. It should contain a range of shrub
species of varying sizes and it should ideally
link up with large areas of native vegetation
on the floodplain.
DARLING RIVER (M. Maher)
A WHOLE LOT OF HOLES
Hollows form in dead and living trees and
can take more than 100 years to form, which
means they are not quickly replaced. Selection
of hollows varies from species to species
depending on entrance size and shape.
Red-tailed Black-cockatoos and Common
Brushtail Possums need a hollow entrance
around 15cm in diameter, while 3cm is enough
to keep a Sugar Glider happy.
Hollow depth and height above the ground also
influence hollow use, while the degree of insulation
is especially important for reptiles and bats. Research
indicates around 3-10 hollow-bearing trees, with as
many as 30 different sized hollows per hectare, are
sufficient to sustain a diverse wildlife population.
of all the wildlife
corridors, none is more
important than the
riverine corridor
GOULD’S WATTLED BAT (A. Dudley)
TYPICAL SPECIES
Peaceful Dove
Crested Pigeon
Little Corella
Galah
Red-rumped Parrot
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Rainbow Bee-eater
Sacred Kingfisher
Willie Wagtail
Grey Shrike-thrush
Magpie Lark
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
White-plumed Honeyeater
Yellow-throated Miner
Australian Raven
Lesser Long-eared Bat
Gould’s Wattled Bat
Little Broad-nosed Bat
Little Forest Bat
Tree Dtella
Bynoe’s Gecko
Boulenger’s Skink
THREATENED SPECIES
Black-breasted Buzzard
Masked Owl
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Pink Cockatoo
Stripe-faced Dunnart
Inland Forest Bat
Little Pied Bat
THE HABITAT
The diverse woodland remnants occur in
the Central Division of the bioregion and
are essentially the remnants that provide
good quality habitat for a range of native
species, particularly woodland birds. They
occur on a variety of soil types ranging
from clays to sandy soils and include canopy
trees such as Bimble Box, Baradine Red
Gum, Cypress Pine, Belah, Coolibah and
Black Box.
The presence of shrubs in the understorey
is one of the main reasons they are good
quality habitat. The shrub species include
Emu-bush, Deane’s Wattle, River Cooba,
Western Boobialla and Wilga.
LOOKING AFTER OURWOODLAND BIRDS
Numerous studies in the past decade have
shown a rapid decline in many of the once
common woodland birds. A recent study
in the NSW wheat-sheep belt (which
includes a large part of the Darling Riverine
Plains Bioregion) found 20 species were
in serious trouble. Some of these included
Red-capped Robin, Hooded Robin, Eastern
Yellow Robin, Jacky Winter, Restless
Flycatcher and Brown Treecreeper.
Diversity of woodland birds is related to
remnant area, shrub cover and density of
tree hollows, the more of each the better.
Looking after woodland birds means
looking after remnants that are larger than
10 hectares. Ensure such remnants have
more than 20% shrub cover, leave fallen
trees and branches and avoid heavy
continuous grazing.
SPOTTED GRASS FROG (A D dl ) PALE HEADED SNAKE (A D dl )
DISAPPEARING EMUS
It is hard to believe, but emus are now
declining in numbers in the wheat-sheep
belt of NSW. Although they are still found
in good numbers in the west of the Darling
Riverine Plains Bioregion, they are being
recorded from fewer areas and in lower
numbers in the eastern sections of the
bioregion. Emus have completely
disappeared from some agricultural lands
in Victoria and now only occur in farmland
where patches of woodland remain.
TYPICAL SPECIES
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Willie Wagtail
Magpie Lark
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Weebill
Yellow Thornbill
Mistletoebird
Striped Honeyeater
White-plumed Honeyeater
Grey Butcherbird
Striated Pardalote
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
Gould’s Wattled Bat
Little Forest Bat
Tree Skink
Boulenger’s Skink
Spotted Grass Frog
THREATENED SPECIES
Barking Owl
Glossy Black-Cockatoo
Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat
Little Pied Bat
Pale-headed Snake
Grey-crowned Babbler
Diamond Firetail
DECLINING WOODLANDBIRDS
Emu
Painted Button-quail
Restless Flycatcher
Jacky Winter
Red-capped Robin
Hooded Robin
Eastern Yellow Robin
Rufous Whistler
Crested Bellbird
White-browed Babbler
Southern Whiteface
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
White-browed Woodswallow
Dusky Woodswallow
Varied Sitella
Brown Treecreeper
looking after
woodland birds
means protecting
remnants that
are larger
than 10ha
GREY-CROWNED BABBLER (L. Kelly)
YELLOW-BELLIED SHEATHTAIL-BAT (M. Maher)
THE HABITAT
The simple woodland remnants mainly
occur within the Central Division and are
the most common habitat type in the
bioregion. They are described as simple
because they often have little or no shrub
layer due to either clearing or grazing for
long periods of time. As a result they are
missing many of the woodland birds that
inhabit the diverse woodlands. The birds
that dominate these woodlands are those
that cope well with disturbance such as
Noisy Miners, Crested Pigeons and Galahs.
The canopy trees include Coolibah, Belah,
Bimble Box, Cypress Pine and Wilga.
The shrub understorey is often absent or
may contain some Lignum, Budda or
Warrior Bush.
REHABILITATING REMNANTS
Although the simple woodlands do not
provide habitat for many woodland birds
now, they can be rehabilitated. By
removing stock and allowing natural
regeneration, bird diversity can be re-
established, although this may take 15–25
years. By planting local native shrubs
(particularly wattles), leaving fallen dead
trees and branches and allowing natural
regeneration, woodland birds will return
more quickly. If you do want to
rehabilitate a remnant, make it a big one.
It should be at least 10 hectares (25 acres)
to be worthwhile.
THE BENEFITS OF NOT TIDYING UP
The urge to tidy up a paddock full of shrubs
and dead timber is often very strong but
there are good reasons to leave it alone.
Shrubs and grasses can form effective
windbreaks that help reduce erosion,
provide shade and shelter for both stock
and wildlife and stabilise banks in riparian
zones. Some wattle (Acacia) species help
to fix nitrogen into the soil. Small
insectivorous birds such as the Red-capped
Robin and Crested Bellbird prefer areas
with shrubs for nesting and avoiding
predators. Dead and fallen timber provide
homes and food for small animals such as
the Stripe-faced Dunnart, ground dwelling
birds such as the Bush Stone-curlew and
reptiles such as Boulenger’s Skink.
Woodland birds such as the Crested Shrike-
tit prefer foraging for insects under the bark
of standing timber, while Hooded Robins
prefer to forage among dead and fallen
timber. All these insectivorous species
contribute to the control of pasture pests.
TYPICAL SPECIES
Crested Pigeon
Galah
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Noisy Miner
Apostlebird
Australian Magpie
Boulenger’s Skink
THREATENED SPECIES
Bush Stone-curlew
Black-breasted Buzzard
Barking Owl
Masked Owl
Glossy Black-Cockatoo
Superb Parrot
Stripe-faced Dunnart
Koala
Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat
Little Pied Bat
Inland Forest Bat
Pale-headed Snake
Diamond Firetail
Grey-crowned Babbler
DECLINING WOODLAND BIRDS
Emu
Painted Button-quail
Restless Flycatcher
Jacky Winter
Red-capped Robin
Hooded Robin
Eastern Yellow Robin
Rufous Whistler
Crested Shrike-tit
Crested Bellbird
Southern Whiteface
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
White-browed Woodswallow
Brown Treecreeper
HOW THE YATES ARE LOOKING AFTER THEIRVEGETATION REMNANTS –Bill and Anne Yates
The Yates family manages 8000 ha of cropping and grazing
land northwest of Moree. The family first arrived in 1899
and any development for grazing and latterly for broadacre
cropping, has had an emphasis on the retention of native
vegetation for windbreaks and pasture stability. As the
enterprise has switched to farming, less productive land on
sandy ridges has been left with trees (also serving as valuable
stock refuges in time of wet cultivations) and corridors have
been left adjoining public land and around all cultivated
paddocks to include all vegetation types.
Currently Bill is involved with regional planning through the
Moree Regional Vegetation Committee and sees that as an
important way of heightening awareness of the need to
retain vegetation. He believes planning to retain a proportion
of all vegetation types (including grasslands), in corridors, on
both private and public land will enhance biodiversity and
ecosystem stability. No longer is it adequate to leave small
fragmented pieces of vegetation completely devoid of native
species or habitat (including dead or fallen material) on the
basis that they are least productive to cropping or pasture
or whether trees are small or large. The Yates have found
that short duration grazing favours native vegetation retention
and regeneration.
YATES’ PROPERTY ‘DELVIN’
LINED EARLESS DRAGON (M. Cooper)
THE HUNTING GROUNDS
It has been estimated that 99% of original
grassland vegetation in NSW has been
cleared, cultivated or altered by heavy
grazing. Very few remaining native
grasslands exist in large patches
(>500 hectares); most are small areas such
as cemeteries and roadside reserves.
The grasslands were once important
hunting and gathering grounds for
Aboriginal people.
THE HABITAT
The grasslands and shrublands occur
throughout the bioregion on soils ranging
from cracking grey clays to red sands. Typical
species are native grasses such as Mitchell
Grass, Spear Grass and Warrego Summer
Grass and shrubs such as Old Man Saltbush,
Bluebush, Lignum and Canegrass. They are
the extensive areas of open country naturally
lacking trees and not the patches of
grassland created through clearing the
woodlands. Many of the fauna species found
in this habitat type are specialists at
surviving on the open plains.
TYPICAL SPECIES
Brown Songlark
Golden-headed Cisticola
Richard’s Pipit
Singing Bushlark
Narrow-nosed Planigale
Thick-tailed Gecko
Lined Earless Dragon
THREATENED SPECIES
Forrest’s Mouse
THE HUNTING GROUNDS (cont’d)
Yam Daisies were common grassland plants
and a major part of the aboriginal diet.
Aboriginal women would collect up to
2000 plants or 8 kilograms of tuber a day.
Today this plant is almost absent from the
grasslands. The high level of disturbance
in this habitat type has resulted in the fox
being one of the most common species
found in the grasslands and shrublands.
They have become the hunting grounds
of a different sort!
Very few remaining
native grasslands
exist in large
patches greater
than 500ha
OUTFOXED ON KALYANKA –Mark Etheridge and Mog Davies
We began 1080 meat baiting for foxes soon after Mog and
I took over Kalyanka in 1995. We commenced baiting
knowing that there were large numbers of foxes on the
property, counts of 50 foxes during a 2 hour spotlighting stint
were not uncommon. We know that foxes readily take new
lambs especially the first born of a set of twins. We also
anticipated a positive effect on small wildlife presuming that
less foxes and cats mean more small animals on the property.
Our initial baitings were closely monitored to determine
species coming into the bait trail. Two things became
immediately apparent, firstly that the baits were only taken
by foxes [and some cats]. Secondly, that we had lots of foxes
as initially all baits were taken by daylight. It was going to
take several baitings to get fox numbers under control. We
have now settled into an annual program of two baitings per
year : April – May when young foxes are finding their new
territories and August – September, prior to lambing.
The cost of these baitings is the time it takes to prepare and
lay the baits – approximately 4 person days per year. We find
that meat baits are best laid late in the day and into the night
to improve the chance of a fox taking a particular bait. Baits
are laid along station tracks from a vehicle towing a carcass,
thereby creating a trail. 1000 or so baits are laid at intervals
of 300 – 500 metres, taking approximately 15 hours.
After six years of baiting we now don’t see any foxes or cats,
our kangaroo shooter says that it is rare to see a fox on
Kalyanka, except in autumn when young foxes are on the
move. We were concerned at first that our baiting program
would be ineffective because not all of our neighbours were
baiting, however it would appear that baiting is quite effective
all the same. I’d guess that if all our neighbours were baiting
then we would only have to bait every year or so. The effects
of reducing fox and cat numbers on wildlife populations are
difficult to monitor.
(However, many studies have shown increases in native wildlife
when fox numbers are lowered. Ed.)
BYNOES GECKO (J. Little)
REPTILES AND REFUGE
If you wanted to list the good qualities of
the red country woodlands from a
biodiversity point of view, reptile habitat
and flood refuge would top the list. Thirty-
five species of reptiles (including 13 gecko
species) live in the red country. It is well
known that most reptiles don’t like getting
their feet wet so this habitat is more suitable
than most others in the bioregion. It also
has a diverse understorey often with rocks,
logs and litter, which is good for providing
food and shelter for many native animals
like reptiles and woodland birds. The red
country is flood refuge for both wildlife
and stock. During big floods every patch
of red country is critical for their survival.
The red country woodlands need to be
managed in much the same way as the
diverse woodland remnants.
THE HABITAT
There are many patches of red country
in the vast floodplains of the bioregion
that provide relief in more ways than
one. They include the red ridge country
around Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri
and the sandplains on the western edge
of the bioregion. The habitat they provide
has much in common with the diverse
woodland remnants but they also have
some unique qualities. The canopy trees
include Black and White Cypress Pine,
Bimble Box, Mulga, Brigalow and Gidgee.
They have a good shrub understorey
including Wilga, Mulga, Budda,
Turpentine and Native Cherry.
Retain dead
standing and fallen
timber, as many
species depend on
the leaf litter for
shelter and food
CYPRESS PINE WOODLAND (A, Fox)
TYPICAL SPECIES
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Willie Wagtail
Singing Honeyeater
Striped Honeyeater
White-plumed Honeyeater
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Australian Raven
Tree Dtella
Bynoe’s Gecko
THREATENED SPECIES
Bush Stone-curlew
Pink Cockatoo
Stripe-faced Dunnart
Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat
STRIPE-FACED DUNNART (G. Bywater)
TREE DTELLA (A. Dudley)
SALT
BUSH
AN
D G
IDG
EE C
OU
NT
RY (
A, F
ox)
There are
hundreds of
wetland areas in
the bioregion -
each with its own
habitat value for
native fauna
STRAW-NECKEDIBIS NESTS/MACQUARIEMARSHES(B. Johnson)
WETLAND HABITAT
The wetlands in the Darling Riverine Plains
include rivers, waterholes, billabongs,
anabranches, overflows, channels, swamps,
braids, marshes and lakes, both freshwater
and saline. There are many hundred such
wetlands in the bioregion, some less than
one hectare, with the biggest more than
250,000 hectares. Each one will have its
own habitat value for native fauna.
WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONALSIGNIFICANCE
The largest wetlands in the bioregion are
the Gwydir Wetlands, Narran Lakes,
Macquarie Marshes and Menindee Lakes.
Each of these wetlands regularly support
and provide breeding habitat for more than
100,000 waterbirds. Three of these
wetlands, the Gwydir Wetlands, Narran
Lakes and Macquarie Marshes are listed
under the Ramsar Convention, which
means they are internationally recognised
for their wetland values.
LIGNUM AT NARRAN LAKES (J. Smith)
MACQUARIE MARSHES (B. Johnson)
NARRAN LAKES (J. Smith)
THE SOUTHERON’S AND THEIR WETLAND – Bruce and Jen Southeron
I first came into the watercourse country west of Moree in 1954. To a young stockman’s
eyes it was near to paradise – large mobs of cattle and sheep and waterbirds in countless
flocks.
The Gwydir River was virtually uncontrolled by man, so a flood or fresh in the river came
through and ran on until the river was empty which sometimes took months. Our only
indication of a fresh coming down the river was the number of birds feeding on the lead
of the water. Although we still had droughts, a good fall of rain in the catchment of the
New England would keep the watercourse green and fresh.
In the mid 1970s Copeton Dam was built on the Gwydir River east of Bundarra. Very few
people at the time had any idea of the effect this development would have on the
watercourse country. When the dam was filled there was little call for the water, then the
spillway started to breakdown.
The dam level was soon lowered so that a continual flow of water was poured into the
wetlands for a period of approximately 4 years. This inundation killed thousands of Coolibah
trees, some that were hundreds of years old. The irrigation industry started to grow. In
a very short period of time a wetlands area of well in excess of 100,000 acres died until
no more than 2000 acres remained and this was only when the flow was greater than the
pumps could draw out.
I think I can best describe the effect this had on our own wetlands with the following
figures. This country has been grazed since the 1840s. One paddock when mustered
would produce 1000 head of fat cattle -steers, cows and weaners – with the fats going
straight to market. By the early 1990s after about fifteen years of these changed conditions
the same area was carrying 150 cows and we had to crop to fatten calves.
The same devastation affected the fauna with the
rookeries dying, the Red-bellied Black Snake and
the Water Rat colonies vanishing and the Platypus
at the end of the river gone.
The wetland was a very sorry place. In those
days the environment was a dirty word only
spoken about by mad greenies. Fortunately things
have changed and in 1995 a change of policy and
government thinking has turned the issue around
and we now have a new set of rules that seem
to work for both the environment and the irrigation
industry.
The wetlands will never be as large as it was but
I know what we have now will survive and I feel
proud to think that my family helped to preserve it.
I hope that my great grandchildren will learn to ride through this country as my children
and grandchildren have ridden with me and that we will be able to keep it as it is now for
many generations.
we now have
a set of rules
that seem to
work for both
the
environment
and the
irrigation
industry
KNOWING YOU’RE NOT ALONE
Looking after your place is a job you
shouldn’t have to do alone. The cost of
retaining, managing or rehabilitating native
vegetation for wildlife habitat, shade and
shelter, the prevention and mitigation of
land degradation and the maintenance of
water quality may be greater than the direct
benefit to you but there will almost certainly
be economic benefits for the wider
community. Most landholders recognise
they have a duty of care on their place but
they need financial incentives or assistance
provided by the wider community to meet
the gap.
WHERE TO GET HELP
Long term financial incentives are currently
being discussed and investigated. The
assistance that is currently available is in
the form of government incentive programs
such as the NSW Native Vegetation
Management Fund and the
Commonwealth Natural Heritage Trust.
You can contact your local National Parks
and Wildlife Service or Department of
Land and Water Conservation office about
these schemes or contact Greening
Australia (a non-government organisation)
to find out more about financial
assistance for establishing and maintaining
native vegetation.
HOW BIODIVERSITYINFORMATION HELPS
The information collected throughout the
Darling Riverine Plains Project will benefit
both individuals and organizations.
Examples of how this information is being
used include:
• By Regional Vegetation Committees
who are preparing regional vegetation
management plans.
• By River Management Committees
who are preparing river
management plans.
• By Catchment Management
Boards who are preparing
catchment blueprints.
• For a conservation assessment of the
Darling Riverine Plains under the
guidance of the NSW State
Biodiversity Strategy.
• By individual landholders who are
undertaking farm plans or property
management plans.
• For use in threatened species
recovery plans.
• For on ground native vegetation and
wildlife protection work.
The more we know about where native
species are found and the habitats they use,
the better. The Atlas of NSW Wildlife is
a statewide database of plants and animals
managed by the NSW National Parks and
Wildlife Service. You can contribute to the
database by keeping accurate records of
plants and animals you observe on your
place and submitting these to the Atlas.
For more information on the Atlas, contact
your local NPWS office or visit the website
at:www.wildlifeatlas.npws.nsw.gov.au/about.html
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you want information or advice on
managing native vegetation for native
animals in the Darling Riverine Plains, or
if you want further reports from the Darling
Riverine Plains project, then contact:
NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Western Directorate
48 – 52 Wingewarra St.
PO Box 2111 DUBBO NSW 2830
Phone: (02) 6883 5330
OTHER CONTACTS
Greening Australia
PO Box 307, COBAR NSW 2835
ph (02) 6836 1575
PO Box 1305, BATHURST, NSW, 2795
ph (02) 6332 9488
Nature Conservation Council of NSW
NSW Environment Centre, Lvl 5,
362 Kent St, SYDNEY, NSW, 2000
ph (02) 9279 2466
Community Biodiversity Network
PO Box Q995
QVB Post Office, SYDNEY, NSW, 1230
ph (02) 9262 4743
FIND OUT ABOUT PLANTS AND ANIMALS ON YOUR PLACE(M. Cooper)
(RLPB: F. Lawrence)
(D. Geering)
FENCING REMNANTS OF NATIVE VEGETATION AND HABITAT
FROGS AMPHIBIATree Frogs HylidaeWaterholding Frog Cyclorana platycephalaWarty Waterholding Frog Cyclorana verrucosaGiant Waterholding Frog Cyclorana novaehollandiaeStriped Burrowing Frog Litoria alboguttataGreen Tree Frog Litoria caeruleaBroad-palmed Frog Litoria latopalmataPeron's Tree Frog Litoria peroniiDesert Tree Frog Litoria rubella
Southern Frog MyobatrachidaeBrown Froglet Crinia deserticolaPlains Froglet Crinia parinsigniferaCommon Eastern Froglet Crinia signiferaSloane’s Toadlet Crinia sloaneiBarking Marsh Frog Limnodynastes fletcheriGiant Pobblebonk Limnodynastes interiorisOrnate Burrowing Frog Limnodynastes ornatusSalmon Striped Frog Limnodynastes salminiSpotted Grass Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensisCommon Spadefoot Toad Neobatrachus sudelliCrucifix Frog (Holy Cross Toad) Notaden bennettiiSmall-headed Toadlet Uperoleia capitulataWrinkled Toadlet Uperoleia rugosa
REPTILES REPTILIATurtles ChelidaeBroad-shelled River Turtle Chelodina expansaLong-necked Tortoise Chelodina longicollisSaw-shelled Tortoise Elseya latisternumMurray Turtle Emydura macquarii
Geckoes GekkonidaeMarbled Gecko Christinus marmoratusGecko Diplodactylus byrneiSpiny-tailed Gecko Diplodactylus ciliarisEastern Spiny-tailed Gecko Diplodactylus intermediusSteindachner’s gecko Diplodactylus steindachneriTessellated Gecko Diplodactylus tessellatusWood Gecko Diplodactylus vittatusSoft-tailed Gecko Diplodactylus williamsiNorthern Dtella Gehyra dubiaTree Dtella Gehyra variegataBynoe's Gecko Heteronotia binoeiBeaded Gecko Lucasium damaeumSmooth Knob-tailed Gecko Nephrurus levisMarbled Velvet Gecko Oedura marmorataOcellated Velvet Gecko Oedura monilisBeaked Gecko Rhynchoedura ornataThick-tailed Gecko Underwoodisaurus milii
Legless Lizards PygopodidaeLegless lizard Delma tinctaBurton's Legless Lizard Lialis burtonisCommon Scaly-foot Pygopus lepidopodusHooded Scaly-foot Pygopus nigricepsOlive Legless Lizard Delma inornata
Dragons AgamidaeJacky Lizard Amphibolurus muricatusNobbi Amphibolurus nobbiCentral Netted Dragon Ctenophorus nuchalisPainted Dragon Ctenophorus pictusGilbert's Dragon Lophognathus gilbertiEastern Water Dragon Physignathus lesueuriiBearded Dragon (Jew Lizard) Pogona barbataCentral Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticepsLined Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis lineataEarless dragon Tympanocryptis tetraporophora
Goannas VaranidaeGould's Goanna (Sand Monitor) Varanus gouldiiBlack-headed Monitor Varanus tristisLace Monitor Varanus varius
Skinks ScincidaeFive-clawed Worm-skink Anomalopus mackayiSouthern Rainbow Skink Carlia tetradactylaCarnaby’s Wall Skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyiWall Skink Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalusStriped skink Ctenotus allotropisStriped skink Ctenotus ingramiStriped skink Ctenotus leonhardiiRoyal Skink Ctenotus regiusStriped Skink Ctenotus robustusStriped skink Ctenotus schomburgkiiStriped skink Ctenotus strauchii varius
Skink Egernia modestaTree Skink Egernia striolataNarrow-banded Sand Swimmer Eremiascincus fasciolatusBroad-banded Sand Swimmer Eremiascincus richardsoniiEastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyiiBarred-sided Skink Eulamprus tenuisDelicate Skink Lampropholis delicataBurrowing skink Lerista labialisMueller’s Skink Lerista muelleriSpotted Burrowing Skink Lerista punctatovittataBurrowing skink Lerista xanthuraGrey's Skink Menetia greyiiSkink Morethia adelaidensisBoulenger’s Skink Morethia boulengeriSkink Proablepharus kinghorniWestern Blue-tongued Lizard Tiliqua occipitalisEastern Blue-tongued Lizard Tiliqua scincoidesShingle-back Lizard Trachydosaurus rugosus
Blind snakes TyphlopidaeBlind snake Ramphotyphlops bituberculatusBlind snake Ramphotyphlops ligatusBlind snake Ramphotyphlops proximusBlind snake Ramphotyphlops wiedii
Pythons BoidaeWoma Aspidites ramsayiStimson's Python Liasis stimsoniCarpet Python Morelia spilota variegata
Rear-fanged Snakes ColubridaeGreen Tree Snake Dendrelaphis punctulata
Front-fanged Snakes ElapidaeCommon Death Adder Acanthophis antarcticusYellow-faced Whip Snake Demansia psammophisDe Vis Banded Snake Denisonia devisiSnake Drysdalia rhodogasterRed-naped Snake Furina diademaGrey Snake Hemiaspis dameliiPale-headed Snake Hoplocephalus bitorquatusEastern Tiger Snake Notechis scutatusMulga (King Brown) Snake Pseudechis australisSpotted Black Snake Pseudechis guttatusRed-bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacusRinged Brown Snake Pseudonaja modestaWestern Brown Snake (Gwardar) Pseudonaja nuchalisEastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilisCoral Snake Simoselaps australisBlack-headed Snake Suta spectabilis spectabilisSnake Suta spectabilis dyweriCurl (Myall) Snake Suta sutaBandy-bandy Vermicella annulata
MAMMALS MAMMALIAEgg-laying Mammals MonotremataPlatypus Ornithorhynchus anatinusShort-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus
Marsupials MarsupialiaYellow-footed Antechinus Antechinus flavipesSpotted-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatusBrush-tailed Phascogale Phascogale tapoatafaPaucident Planigale Planigale gilesiNarrow-nosed Planigale Planigale tenuirostrisFat-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudataStripe-faced Dunnart Sminthopsis macrouraCommon Dunnart Sminthopsis murinaKoala Phascolarctos cinereusCommon Wombat Vombatus ursinusSugar Glider Petaurus brevicepsSquirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensisCommon Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinusCommon Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpeculaFeathertail Glider Acrobates pygmaeusWestern Grey Kangaroo Macropus fuliginosusEastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteusEuro Macropus robustusRed-necked Wallaby Macropus rufogriseusRed Kangaroo Macropus rufusSwamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolour
Placentals EutheriaLittle Red Flying-fox Pteropus scapulatusYellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat Saccolaimus flaviventrisBat Mormopterus species 3Bat Mormopterus species 4White-Striped Mastiff-bat Tadarida australis
Gould's Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldiiLittle Pied Bat Chalinolobus picatusInland Eptesicus Vespadelus baverstockiLittle Forest Eptesicus Vespadelus vulturnusLesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyiGould's Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus gouldiWestern Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens balstoniLittle Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyiiWater Rat Hydromys chrysogasterForrest's Mouse Leggadina forrestiPale Field-rat Rattus tunneyi
Introduced Placental MammalsBrown Hare Lepus capensisRabbit Oryctolagus cuniculusFeral Dog Canis familiarisFox Vulpes vulpesFeral Cat Felis catusFeral Horse Equus caballusFeral Pig Sus scrofaFeral Goat Capra hircusFeral Cattle Bos taurusHouse Mouse Mus musculusBlack Rat Rattus rattus
BIRDS AVESFlightless BirdsEmu Dromaius novaehollandiae
WaterbirdsGreat Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatusHoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalusAustralasian Grebe Tachybaptus novahollandiaeAustralian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatusDarter Anhinga melanogasterGreat Cormorant Phalacrocorax carboPied Cormorant Phalacrocorax variusLittle Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostrisLittle Pied Cormorant PhalacrocoraxmelanoleucosRed-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricaudaPacific Heron Ardea pacificaWhite-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiaePied Heron Ardea picataCattle Egret Ardeola ibisGreat Egret Egretta albaLittle Egret Egretta garzettaIntermediate Egret Egretta intermediaRufous Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicusLittle Bittern Ixobrychus minutusBlack Bittern Dupetor flavicollisAustralasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilusBlack-necked Stork Xenorhynchus asiaticusGlossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellusSacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicaStraw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollisRoyal Spoonbill Platalea regiaYellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipesMagpie Goose Anseranas semipalmataWandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuataPlumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoniBlack Swan Cygnus atratusFreckled Duck Stictonetta naevosaAustralian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoidesPacific Black Duck Anas superciliosaGrey Teal Anas gibberifronsChestnut Teal Anas castaneaAustralasian Shoveler Anas rhynchotisPink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceusCotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianusGreen Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellusHardhead Aythya australisManed Duck Chenonetta jubataBlue-billed Duck Oxyura australisMusk Duck Biziura lobata
Birds of PreyOsprey Pandion haliaetusBlack-shouldered Kite Elanus notatusLetter-winged Kite Elanus scriptusPacific Baza Aviceda subcristataBlack Kite Milvus migransSquare-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isuraBlack-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternonWhistling Kite Haliastur sphenurusBrown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatusCollared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus
Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiaeRed Goshawk Ertyhrotriochis radiatusWhite-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogasterWedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audaxLittle Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoidesSpotted Harrier Circus assimilisMarsh Harrier Circus aeruginosusBlack Falcon Falco subnigerPeregrine Falcon Falco peregrinusAustralian Hobby Falco longipennisGrey Falcon Falco hypoleucosBrown Falcon Falco berigoraAustralian Kestrel Falco cenchroides
Mound-building BirdsMalleefowl Leipoa ocellata
QuailStubble Quail Coturnix novaezealandiaeBrown Quail Coturnix australisKing Quail Coturnix chinensisPainted Button-quail Turnix variaLittle Button-quail Turnix veloxRed-chested Button-quail Turnix pyrrhothorax
Grassland BirdsAustralian Bustard Ardeotis australisBush Thick-knee Burhinus magnirostris
Swamp Birds and WadersBuff-banded Rail Rallus philippensisLewin's Rail Rallus pectoralisBaillon's Crake Porzana pusillaAustralian Crake Porzana flumineaSpotless Crake Porzana tabuensisBlack-tailed Native-hen Gallinula ventralisDusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosaPurple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrioEurasian Coot Fulica atraBrolga Grus rubicundusPainted Snipe Rostratula benghalensisMasked Lapwing Vanellus milesBanded Lapwing Vanellus tricolorRed-kneed Dotterel Erythogonys cinctusMongolian Plover Charadrius mongolusDouble-banded Plover Charadrius bicinctusRed-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillusBlack-fronted Plover Charadrius melanopsInland Dotterel Peltohyas australisBlack-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopusBanded Stilt Cladorynchus leucocephalusRed-necked Avocet Recurvirostra vaehollandiaeBlack-tailed Godwit Limosa limosaSanderling Calidris albaAustralian Pratincole Stiltia isabellaSilver Gull Larus novaehollandiaeFranklin’s Gull Larus pipixcanWhiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridaGull-billed Tern Gelochelidon niloticaCaspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Pigeons & DovesPeaceful Dove Geopelia placidaDiamond Dove Geopelia cuneataBar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralisCommon Bronzewing Phaps chalcopteraFlock Bronzewing Phaps histrionicaCrested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes
ParrotsRed-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus magnificusGlossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathamiYellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereusGalah Cacatua roseicapillaLittle Corella Cacatua sanguineaPink Cockatoo Cacatua leadbeateriSulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galeritaRainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodusScaly-breasted Lorikeet Trichoglossus chlorolepidotusLittle Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusillaAustralian King-Parrot Alisterus scapularisRed-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterusSuperb Parrot Polytelis swainsoniiRegent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplusCockatiel Nymphicus hollandicusBudgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus
LEGEND
ThreatenedSpecies
Species ofconservationconcern in theWesternDivision
Decliningwoodland birdsList adapted from DraftDRP Background Report(Kerle et al 2002)
Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegansYellow Rosella Platycercus elegansEastern Rosella Platycercus eximiusPale-headed Rosella Platycercus adscitusMallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardiRed-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotusMulga Parrot Psephotus variusBlue Bonnet Northiella haematogasterBourke's Parrot Neophema bourkiiBlue-winged Parrot Neophema chrysostomaTurquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella
CuckoosPallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidusBrush Cuckoo Cuculus variolosusFan-tailed Cuckoo Cuculus pyrrhophanusBlack-eared Cuckoo Chrysococcyx osculansHorsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalisShining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidusChannel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiaeCommon Koel Eudynamis scolopacea
Night BirdsSouthern Boobrook Ninox novaeseelandiaeBarking Owl Ninox connivensBarn Owl Tyto albaGrass Owl Tyto capensisMasked Owl Tyto novaehollandiaeTawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoidesAustralian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatusSpotted Nightjar Caprimulgus guttatusWhite-throated Nightjar Caprimulgus mysticalis
KingfishersAzure Kingfisher Ceyx azureaLaughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineaeForest Kingfisher Halcyon macleayiiRed-backed Kingfisher Halcyon pyrrhopygiaSacred Kingfisher Halcyon sanctaRainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatusDollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
SongbirdsSinging Bushlark Mirafa javanicaWhite-backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosternumWelcome Swallow Hirundo neoxenaTree Martin Cecropis nigricansFairy Martin Cecropis arielRichard's Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiaeBlack-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiaeWhite-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensisCicadabird Coracina tenuirostrisGround Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maximaWhite-winged Triller Lalage sueuriiFlame Robin Petroica phoeniceaScarlet Robin Petroica multicolorRose Robin Petroica rodinogasterRed-capped Robin Petroica goodenoviiHooded Robin Melanodryas cucullataEastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australisJacky Winter Microeca leucophaeaCrested Shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatusGilbert's Whistler Pachycephala inornataGolden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralisRufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventrisGrey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonicaCrested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalisLeaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubeculaSatin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleucaRestless Flycatcher Myiagra inquietaRufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifronsGrey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosaWillie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrysChirruping Wedgebill Psophodes cristatusChestnut-breasted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castaneothoraxGrey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalisWhite-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosusChestnut-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus ruficepsClamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreusTawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensisLittle Grassbird Megalurus gramineusGolden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilisRufous Songlark Cinclorhamphus mathewsiBrown Songlark Cinclorhamphus cruralisSuperb Fairy Wren Malurus cyaneusSplendid FairyWren Malurus splendensVariegated Fairy Wren Malurus lamberti
White-winged Fairy Wren Malurus leucopterusWhite-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalisChestnut-rumped Hylacola Sericornis pyrrhopygiusRedthroat Sericornis brunneusRufous Fieldwren Calamanthus campestrisSpeckled Warbler Sericornis sagittatusWeebill Smicrornis brevirostrisWestern Gerygone Gerygone fuscaWhite-throated Gerygone Gerygone olivaceaInland Thornbill Acanthiza apicaBrown Thornbill Acanthiza pusillaChestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialisBuff-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza reguloidesYellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoaYellow Thornbill Acanthiza nanaSouthern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsisVaried Sittella Daphoenositta chrysopteraWhite-throated Treecreeper Climacteris leucophaeaWhite-browed Treecreeper Climacteris affinisBrown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnusRed Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculataSpiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularisStriped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolataNoisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatusLittle Friarbird Philemon citreogularisBlue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzona cyanotisNoisy Miner Manorina melanocephalaYellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigulaYellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysopsSinging Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescensWhite-eared Honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotisYellow-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus ornatusGrey-fronted Honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulusFuscous Honeyeater Lichenostomus fuscusWhite-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatusBlack-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularisBrown-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostrisWhite-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatusBrown Honeyeater Lichmera indistinctaPainted Honeyeater Grantiella pictaWhite-fronted Honeyeater Phylidonyris albifronsBlack Honeyeater Certhionyx nigerCrimson Chat Ephthianura tricolorOrange Chat Ephthianura aurifronsWhite-fronted Chat Ephthianura albifronsMistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceumSpotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatusYellow-rumped Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus xanthopygusRed-browed Pardalote Pardalotus rubricatusStriated Pardalote Pardalotus striatusSilvereye Zosterops lateralisRed-browed Firetail Emblema temporalisDiamond Firetail Emblema guttataZebra Finch Poephila guttataDouble-barred Finch Poephila bichenoviiChestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothoraxPlum-headed Finch Aidemosyne modestaOlive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatusSpangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottusSpotted Bowerbird Chlamydera maculataWhite-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphosApostlebird Struthidea cinereaAustralian Magpie Lark Grallina cyanoleucaWhite-breasted Woodswallow Artamus personatusMasked Woodswallow Artamus personatusWhite-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosusBlack-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereusDusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterusLittle Woodswallow Artamus minorGrey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatusPied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularisAustralian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicenPied Currawong Strepera graculinaAustralian Raven Corvus coronoidesLittle Raven Corvus melloriLittle Crow Corvus bennettiTorresian Crow Corvis orru
Introduced BirdsMallard Anas platyrhynchosFeral Pigeon Columba liviaSpotted Turtle-Dove Streptopelia chinensisCommon Blackbird Turdus merulaHouse Sparrow Passer domesticusCommon Starling Sturnus vulgaris
LEGEND
ThreatenedSpecies
Species ofconservationconcern in theWesternDivision
Decliningwoodland birdsList adapted from DraftDRP Background Report(Kerle et al 2002)
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DISCLAIMEREvery effort has been made to ensure the information presented
in this publication is accurate and up to date. However the contents
of this publication should not be relied upon as the sole source of
information on the biodiversity of the Darling Riverine Plains and
further advice should be sought from suitably qualified professional
biologists. This publication is provided on the basis that its editors
and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service are not
responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of
information in this publication, nor any error in, or ommission
from this publication. This publication should in no way be regarded
as legal advice. The National Parks and Wildlife Service and the
editor expresly disclaim all liability and responsibility to any person
in respect of anything done or ommitted to be done by any persons
in reliance upon the contents of this publication.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Community members:
Thank you to the following the landholders that supported the Project: Bill & Anne Yates, Andrew & Anne Perry, Bruce & Jen Southeron,Jenny Anderson, John & Jo Searle, Jim & Kayleen Southeron, Jim & Rhonda Cameron, Malcolm & Judith Cameron, Richard Elrington,Trevor and Donna George, Diana Chase, Bruce and Tracey Hunt, Ian & Penny Marr, Mark Etheridge and Mog Davies, Ann & Warren Hull,George Thornton, Peter McLellan, John Baker, Scott Ridley and others. Your contribution has been invaluable, and was vital to the successof the project.
To the many volunteers that assisted the project team during the surveys, both from the community and government agencies, your time andeffort is much appreciated.
Thank you to the Rural Lands Protection Boards (in particular Dubbo, Moree, Narrabri and Nyngan) and State Forests for allowing us toconduct surveys on lands under their management.
Thank you to the NPWS regional staff and DLWC officers in the bioregion for their time, support, encouragement and assistance, and thanksto the Darling Riverine Plains Project Team for the survey work and contributions to this reprt.
Satellite Imagery: Geoimage Pty Ltd
ISBN: 0 7313 6437 6
© National Parks and Wildlife Service 2002
Cover artwork: The cover artwork was painted by Wendy Jennings who, once a medical technologist, progressed to studying nature with acamera and paintbrush. Realism and detail are a feature of Wendy’s work, down to the tiny insect that’s always there. Contact details:[email protected].
Text: Jo Smith Design: Charles Walsh Nature Tourism Services Report Coordination: Michele Cooper, Laura Kelly, Helen Achurch
Funding bodies:
Major funding contribution for community consultation from Natural Heritage Trust Grant. Supplementary funding from the NSW NationalParks and Wildlife Service. Biodiversity assessment funding from the NSW State Biodiversity Strategy.