Birds Australia Conservation Statement No. 1

NATIVE AND THE PLAINS- WANDERER

by David Baker-Gabb

SUMMARY: Lowland native grasslands are among the most depleted ecosystems in south-eastern Australia, and contain a dispro- portionately large number of threatened plant species. Threatened fauna such as the Plains-wanderer have suffered a similar decline. Plains-wanderers are permanent residents in their favoured patches of sparse native grassland. However, they cannot survive where these grasslands are converted to crops or dense introduced pasture, or are overgrazed by stock. In the five years since the publication of the first RAOU Plains-wanderer Conser- vation Statement in 1993, considerable effort has been expended in surveying and studying the temperate native grasslands of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. This work has revealed that the status of the Plains-wanderer is worse than previously thought. A very significant new threat has emerged from an expanding rice industry in the Plains-wanderer’s stronghold, the Riverina of New South Wales. The situation for Plains- wanderers in Queensland remains unclear, but there is no reason to suspect that it is improving given the expansion of the cotton industry and conversion of native grasslands to introduced pasture there. On the positive side, recent studies have provided refined information on managing native grasslands to maintain their biodiversity, and they provide some clear targets for urgent conservation action.

High quality native grassland with sparse open structure, NSW Riverina – typically favoured Plains- wanderer . Photo by Marianne Porteners/ Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

Female Plains-wanderer. Photo by Tom Wheller

Supplement to Wingspan, vol. 8, no. 1, March 1998 ii Australia Conservation Statement 24 WINGSPAN / December 1997

THE DESTRUCTION OF LOWLAND NATIVE GRASSLANDS is not unique to temperate south-eastern Australia. The pampas of Argentina, the prairies of North America and the chalk grasslands of Europe have all been drastically altered and depleted, owing to their suitability for – and sensitivity to – agriculture. As their have been changed or lost, threatened grassland fauna such as the Plains- wanderer Pedionomus torquatus have declined as well. The Plains-wanderer is a small ground-dwelling of sparse native grasslands.1 It is an inland shorebird that superficially resembles button- (Turnix spp.). Both the male and female have cryptic plumage, with the female being larger and more brightly coloured than the male.2 The Plains-wanderer is of great scientific interest, being the sole member of a family of birds found only in south-eastern Australia, the Pedionomidae. It may be an ancient member of Australia’s avifauna, and its closest relatives are seedsnipe ( spp.), which are South American inland shorebirds.3, 4 The first RAOU Conservation Statement on Plains-wanderers and native grasslands5 was published in 1993. This revised Plan, appearing only five years later, has been necessary because this period has seen the development of significant new findings and threats to the species.

Plains-wanderers’ The many achievements of those working for the PLAINS-WANDERER BIOLOGY nesting site: there is a conservation of Plains-wanderers over the past five well-camouflaged nest years include four outstanding results: Population status and distribution (inset) in the centre of the picture. Note the structure (i) identification of, and the stimulus to purchase, The Plains-wanderer has declined greatly in numbers 6, 7, 8 of the vegetation and the the last remaining area of significant native and distribution since European settlement. amount of bare ground in grassland in north-central Victoria, adjacent to Areas where the species was formerly common and is this sparse native grassland Terrick Terrick State Park; now effectively extinct include south-western on a Riverina grazing (ii) provision of an excellent regional conservation Victoria, south-eastern South Australia and eastern property. Plains-wanderers 7, 9, 10 can co-exist with domestic planning tool for south-west New South Wales New South Wales. Its current stronghold is the 1, 7 stock in such paddocks, grasslands through the identification and Riverina of south-western New South Wales. Areas providing grazing pressure mapping of much of the Plains-wanderer of secondary importance include north-central is not too high. If habitat there; Victoria and central-western Queensland.1, 7 overgrazing occurs during (iii) provision of information that assisted in the A viable Plains-wanderer population is not known drought, then Plains- wanderers are eliminated decision to purchase Astrebla National Park in to occur in any reserve. However, the reserve most from such areas. central-western Queensland; and likely to contain a viable population is the 200,000 ha Photos by Tom Wheller (iv) a significant increase in awareness of the value of Astrebla National Park, about 200 km west of native grasslands among land owners, wildlife Windorah, in central-western Queensland. Over 20 agencies, politicians and community groups. Plains-wanderers were located in this former section of Native Grasslands and the Plains-wanderer iii December 1997 / WINGSPAN 25

Davenport Downs Station11 before it was purchased Victoria, with about 25 per cent of these birds on for a reserve in 1996. Plains-wanderers have also been just one property.14 In south-western Victoria and recorded on the 500,000 ha Diamantina Lakes south-eastern South Australia there are no viable National Park, immediately to the north of Astrebla populations, with the plains south and east of the National Park. About 120 Plains-wanderers occur, and Flinders Ranges containing just a few birds.10 some breed, on the 1400 ha native grassland While there have been no surveys for Plains- purchased in late 1997 which is adjacent to (and now wanderers in south-west and central Queensland in part of) the Terrick Terrick State Park in north-central the past decade, past surveys and records are Victoria, 60 km north of Bendigo. insufficient for optimism.11 Nevertheless, these Surveys conducted over the past 15 years have records indicate that inland Queensland is now shown that numbers of Plains-wanderers on the second only to the Riverina in importance for the Riverine Plain can vary by a factor of 10 (one bird conservation of the Plains-wanderer. per 2.2–20 km), depending on seasonal conditions, An accurate total estimate of Plains-wanderer Male Plains-wanderer. stocking rates and the time of year when the survey numbers is difficult to obtain for the whole of Males are smaller and more 12 cryptically coloured than was conducted. Suitable habitat comprises about south-eastern Australia. Nevertheless, recent surveys females, so much so that 5 per cent of 37 large grazing properties surveyed in show that previous estimates, though possibly the sexes were originally the Riverina, covering over 0.5 million hectares.12 accurate when they were made over a decade ago, are described by John Gould in However, the amount of suitable habitat drops to now too optimistic. Habitat destruction has 1840 as two species. Males around 1–2 per cent in very wet or dry years, when continued apace,9, 10 and the total number of birds do most of the incubation and all of the chick-rearing, the grasslands become too dense or are grazed too must be revised down by 30 per cent to a maximum leaving the female free to bare for Plains-wanderers. of about 8000 after several good seasons, and a find a second mate. minimum of 2500 in very dry or wet years. Photo by Tom Wheller

Recent intensive ground surveys indicate that earlier estimates of 5500 Plains-wanderers in the The new IUCN criteria indicate that the Plains- Riverina1 represent the maximum number after wanderer is currently vulnerable nationally,13 but several years of ideal conditions. In very wet or dry recent evidence suggests that it could quickly years, when most birds disperse or perish, the become nationally endangered if appropriate action number in the Riverina could drop below 1000 is not taken soon, particularly in New South Wales. mature individuals. The new IUCN criteria13 determine that the species’ status in New South Habitat requirements Wales is vulnerable, but it will not need to decline Areas favoured by Plains-wanderers are hard, red- much further to become endangered there. brown earths with a sparse covering of native herbs Victoria and South Australia contained perhaps and grasses. Such areas contain about 50 per cent the greatest numbers of Plains-wanderers at the time bare ground, with fallen litter making up a further of European settlement,7, 14 but nearly all native 10 per cent.16, 17 The more robust plants in the flora grasslands in these States have been converted to are generally spaced 10–20 cm apart and rarely dense introduced pasture or croplands. Recent exceed 30 cm in height. The bulk (94 per cent) of comprehensive surveys show that the species is now the vegetation is less than 5 cm, but the small endangered in both these States.9, 10, 14, 15 There are proportion above this height is important for fewer than 500 Plains-wanderers in north-central concealment from predators. iv Birds Australia Conservation Statement 24 WINGSPAN / December 1997

In the Riverina, pairs of Plains-wanderers They may also leave when unusually heavy winter occupy home ranges averaging 18 ha.1 Several pairs rains promote dense growth of introduced and may be found in favoured ‘habitat islands in a sea of native grasses and weeds in native pasture.12 By denser grasslands’ that extend over 50–600 ha each, contrast, heavy summer rains promote the growth of comprise on average 5 per cent of surveyed different species of native grasses which do not properties and rarely exceed 15 per cent of any one become too dense for Plains-wanderers.12 property.1, 12 The grasslands of the Riverine Plain are the Diet consequence of grazing by domestic stock and Plains-wanderers forage during the day for a wide rabbits over the past 150 years.18, 19 The original variety of seeds and ground-dwelling insects.22 Grass plant community was dominated primarily by and saltbush seeds are more important than other boree, old man saltbush and bladder saltbush, with types of plants or seeds. Beetles, ants, sucking bugs grasses in between. Plains-wanderers were and caterpillars are the most frequently taken commonly found in this saltbush habitat in the insects. In all seasons, insects comprise about 40 per 1800s,20 indicating some resilience and flexibility in cent of the diet, except in spring when their contri- their habitat selection. bution is slightly higher. Areas containing Plains-wanderers often include

Ten species of threatened threatened grassland plants as well.14 However, the Breeding plants were found in the grasslands with the most threatened plants often Plains-wanderers’ nests are shallow, grass-lined scrapes same paddocks as occur on roadsides, rail lines and cemeteries which in the sparse grasslands where they forage.21 In the Plains-wanderers during surveys at Terrick Terrick, have had little or no grazing. Although vital for the southern part of their range they lay first clutches north-central Victoria, conservation of grassland plants and invertebrates, mainly between August and early November, and then including (from left) these small, high quality remnants are usually too second clutches in January or later if summer rains Annual Buttons small to support viable populations of Plains- fall.21 In central-western Queensland, Plains-wanderers Leptorhynchos scabrus wanderers. are known to breed in autumn and early winter.1 They (endangered in Vic., formerly thought to be Plains-wanderers are also occasionally found in have the ability to recover quickly from low population 21 extinct in Vic. and NSW) cereal stubble and some low crops. These are similar levels following droughts and fires, and can breed in and Bottle Bluebrush in structure to sparse grasslands, but offer Plains- their first year.1, 23 They lay two to five eggs and raise Maireana excavata wanderers only a temporary sub-optimal refuge until broods of two to four young to independence.7 (vulnerable in Vic.); they are cultivated again. In the 16 years since 1981, Plains-wanderers Murray Swainson Pea Swainsona murrayana failed to breed in the Riverina during two drought (nationally vulnerable, Forced movements years (1982–83 and 1994), and bred with little endangered in Vic.); In areas that are not cultivated, overgrazed or burnt, success in three wet years (1990–92).12 (continued p. v) population turnover is low, with at least some birds Some female Plains-wanderers probably mate being year-round residents. While there is no serially with two males.1, 2 Males do most of the evidence for migration or nomadism by Plains- incubation and all of the brooding and guarding of wanderers, there is clear evidence for mass chicks, which is unusual among birds. Chicks movements forced on Plains-wanderer populations achieve independence about two months after by cultivation and overgrazing.1, 7, 21 Plains- hatching. Adults may nest in the same areas in wanderers that are forced to leave do not return.1 consecutive years.1 Native Grasslands and the Plains-wanderer v December 1997 / WINGSPAN 25

Mortality The recent expansion of cultivation, irrigation

It is not known how long Plains-wanderers survive and the rice industry in the Riverina is a major new (continued from p. iv) in the wild, but they can live for at least eight years threat. The need for fencing to control grazing pales and Fragrant Leek-orchid in captivity.5 Overgrazing, cultivation, dense pasture into insignificance when compared with the threat Prasophyllum suaveolens growth and fires displace large numbers of Plains- of conversion of native pasture to crops. Current (nationally vulnerable, wanderers which either die or disperse, for they do and proposed private and public irrigation endangered in Vic.). 1 Incorporation of the new not return. Some of them may be taken by aerial developments in the Riverina will bring about a 1400 ha reserve on the predators because they are more vulnerable on bare substantial decline in native grasslands and Plains- former Davies property into ground.17, 22 Birds of prey, foxes and quail shooters wanderers. In New South Wales, the Native the Terrick Terrick State are all known to kill Plains-wanderers occasionally,2, 5, 7 Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 requires property Park will hopefully ensure but their impact on Plains-wanderer populations is owners and managers to leave at least 15 per cent of the conservation of both the Plains-wanderers and likely to be small compared with that of habitat change. their native grasslands intact until such time as a threatened plants. Little is known about the impact of pesticides new regional vegetation management plan is Photos: (Annual Buttons such as fenitrothion, which is periodically sprayed written. However, cultivating most of the remaining and Davies’ paddock) from the air onto plague locusts at concentrations 85 per cent will leave many areas of prime Plains- by Paul Foreman/DNRE, that could kill birds in a large portion of the Plains- wanderer habitat isolated and exposed to weed others by Phil Ingamells wanderer’s range.17, 24, 25 invasion, salinity impacts, and increased populations

of predators such as foxes and birds of prey, which CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT will be sustained by higher populations of house mice which feed on grain. The Plains-wanderer and many associated temperate This new threat, coupled with new information grassland plants and have been extirpated gathered from several surveys and studies over the from coastal and sub-coastal regions in all four of past five years, gives rise to a different set of the bird’s range States. The reason for this huge loss recommendations from those listed in the first of biodiversity is cultivation for crops and dense RAOU Conservation Statement.5 Moreover, three- introduced pastures across a vast area of practically quarters of those original recommendations have all suitable native grasslands. Cultivation has forced now been implemented. conservation efforts for the Plains-wanderer to inland grazing areas. Specifically, the focus has ACTION PLAN shifted to relatively small areas on the plains near the southern Flinders Ranges of South Australia and What can private land owners and managers do? around Mitiamo in north-central Victoria, and to much larger areas in the Riverina of New South 1. Develop a whole farm plan which ensures that Wales and central-western Queensland. high conservation areas with Plains-wanderers But for cultivation, inland populations of continue to be well managed and are not Plains-wanderers should remain relatively stable on cultivated. grazing properties, punctuated with declines in These high priority areas have been identified on numbers coinciding with droughts when severe many inland properties,10, 12, 14 but not those in overgrazing is widespread, or with wet winters when Queensland. Areas favoured by Plains-wanderers native pastures can become too dense. averaged 5 per cent of 37 Riverina properties and vi Birds Australia Conservation Statement 24 WINGSPAN / December 1997

rarely exceeded 15 per cent of any property, so it assist such a purchase. Recent and proposed should be possible to leave these areas intact. widespread irrigation and cultivation plans have brought about the need for this new action. 2. Wherever possible, ensure that areas cultivated for crops are 2 km or more from 2. Develop negotiated regional plans to ensure high conservation areas for Plains-wanderers. that high quality grasslands are not left Grain crops increase house mouse populations, isolated by cultivation. which in turn support higher populations of A strong regional plan with landowner partici- foxes which prey on ground-dwelling birds such pation is a more effective long-term conservation as Plains-wanderers. The home ranges of foxes in tool than a disjointed approach wherein every farmland are about 3–7 km2, and most young last small area containing Plains-wanderers must disperse 2 km or less.26 be saved from cultivation, even if left completely isolated. Regional plans and whole farm plans 3. Ensure that the small areas that contain may see the loss of some lesser priority areas for Plains-wanderers are not overgrazed during Plains-wanderers, in order to bring about a spring and prolonged dry spells. negotiated long-term conservation agreement On the Riverine Plain, stocking rates should be kept with land owners.

Juvenile Plains-wanderer. low (e.g. one sheep per 3 acres or 1.2 ha) during the 3. Ensure that native grasslands on public lands, Chicks remain with the Plains-wanderer’s early August to November such as travelling stock routes, are well adult male until they are breeding season, which coincides with peak native managed. about two months old, by which time they have grassland flowering. If a dry spell persists, then Some travelling stock routes containing Plains- moulted into adult grazing pressure should be cut back (e.g. one sheep wanderers are used as a cheap form of agistment plumage. Plains-wanderers per 5 acres or 2 ha), particularly during autumn, to by local dealers and are periodically severely can breed in their first year. ensure that some ground cover remains and Plains- overgrazed. Overgrazing of public land should Photo by Len Robinson/ wanderers are not forced to leave or perish. cease. Where there is a history of intermittent Nature Focus light grazing, and threatened plants co-occur What can government agencies and community with Plains-wanderers, the safest advice that can groups do? be given about grassland management is to maintain the status quo.28, 29 In areas that have NEW SOUTH WALES been managed in this way for decades, the native 1. Establish at least one large conservation species are probably well adapted to these reserve of 20,000 ha or more in the Riverina, management practices. Some small remnants of following voluntary sale. public land are vital for the conservation of Surveys 12, 27 have identified key sites for conser- threatened grassland plants. vation of threatened grassland flora and fauna and the Plains-wanderer in its Australian VICTORIA stronghold. The native grasslands of the Riverine 1. Monitor the structure and composition of any Plain are not adequately represented in the grasslands where grazing regimes are modified. national reserve system and Federal funds could This action is necessary to ensure that Native Grasslands and the Plains-wanderer vii December 1997 / WINGSPAN 25

NATIONAL Morundah Station, in the grasslands do not become too dense for NSW Riverina, recently Plains-wanderers and threatened native plants. 1. Continue to support financially and acquired by the Royal The new 1400 ha reserve at Terrick Terrick, politically the efforts of private land owners, Australian Navy and which contains 25 per cent of the suitable State agencies and community groups to therefore subject to Commonwealth area and number of Plains-wanderers left in conserve native grasslands and Plains- endangered species north-central Victoria, as well as at least wanderers. legislation. The discovery 10 species of threatened plant, is the Federal agencies have been responsible for much of Plains-wanderers on most obvious place for monitoring to of the financial support that has led to the this property, and its take place. achievements already described in this Conser- classification as a high conservation site for vation Statement. threatened plants, 2. Continue the grassland extension programs prompted the RAN to move and provide incentives for land owners in 2. Study the impact of fenitrothion on ground- a planned communications Victoria. dwelling animals. tower from a high conser- These effective programs involving land owners, This pesticide is periodically sprayed from vation to a lower conservation area. government agencies and community groups the air onto plague locusts within a Photo by Marianne provide a model for other States. large proportion of the Plains-wanderer’s Porteners/Royal Botanic range at concentrations that could kill birds. Gardens Sydney

QUEENSLAND 1. Survey native grasslands in central-western Dr David Baker-Gabb is a former Director of, and Queensland for Plains-wanderers and other currently Conservation Adviser to, Birds Australia. threatened animals and plants. Surveys in most other parts of the Plains- Acknowledgements wanderer’s range in the past five years have Many land owners and managers have generously permitted surveys and studies of Plains-wanderers on their properties provided information that has proved pivotal across four States over the past decade. Particular thanks are to the effective conservation of Plains- due to the Nevinson family at the Ranch-Willowgrove and the wanderers and native grasslands. Astrebla managers of Boonoke Station in the Riverina, where intensive and Diamantina Lakes National Parks in studies and many visits by birdwatchers have taken place. For three generations, the Davies family have maintained their central-western Queensland should be native grasslands at Terrick Terrick in wonderful condition. In included in these surveys for Plains-wanderers. late 1997, Dorothy Davies generously sold her 1400 ha property to have it incorporated into the neighbouring State SOUTH AUSTRALIA Park for future generations of Australians to cherish and enjoy.

1. Develop heritage agreements with Phil Maher and Rick Webster conducted the bulk of the field land owners whose properties contain surveys on which much of this revised Conservation Statement remnant native grasslands and Plains- is based. Over the past decade, funding for studies and surveys wanderers. of Plains-wanderers has been provided by the members of Birds Recent surveys found no viable populations of Australia, Perpetual Trustees via World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, the Australian Heritage Commission and Plains-wanderers remaining in this State and so Environment Australia. My grateful thanks to all of these most grassland conservation efforts should centre people and organisations, who have aided the conservation of on other species. native grasslands and Plains-wanderers. viii Native Grasslands and the Plains-wanderer 24 WINGSPAN / December 1997

References 1. Baker-Gabb, D. J., Benshemesh, J. & Maher, P. N. 1990, 23. Ridley, E. 1986, ‘Plains-wanderer Project Report 1985’, ‘A revision of the distribution, status and management of Bird Keeping Aust. 29, pp. 115–18. the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus’, Emu 90, pp. 24. Symmons, P. 1985, ‘Locusts, the plague of ‘84’, Aust. Nat. 161-8. Hist. 21, pp. 327–30. 2. Marchant, S. & Higgins, P. J. 1993, Handbook of 25. Pearce, P. A. 1971, Side effects of forest spraying in New Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, vol. II, Raptors Brunswick, Trans. 36th North American Wildl. Conf., pp. to Lapwings, OUP, Melbourne. 163–70. 3. Olson, S. L. & Steadman, D. W. 1981, ‘The relationships 26. Coman, B. J., Robinson, J. & Beaumont, C. 1991, ‘Home of the Pedionomidae (Aves: )’, Smithsonian range, dispersal and density of Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes in Contr. Zool. 337, pp. 1–25. central Victoria’, Wildl. Res. 18, pp. 215–23. 4. Sibley, G. C., Ahlquist, J. E. & Monroe, J. R. 1988, ‘A 27. Benson, J. S., Ashby, E. M. & Porteners, M. F. 1996, The classification of the living birds of the world based on native grasslands of the southern Riverina, New South DNA-DNA hybridisation studies’, Auk 105, pp. 409–23. Wales, Unpublished report to ANCA, Canberra. 76 pp. 5. Baker-Gabb, D. J. 1993, ‘Managing grasslands to maintain 28. Scarlett, N. H., Wallbrink, S. J. & McDougall, K. 1992, A biodiversity and conserve the Plains-wanderer’, RAOU Field Guide to Victoria’s Native Grasslands,National Trust, Vic. Conservation Statement no. 8, Wingspan 10. 8 pp. 29. Deiz, S. & Foreman, P. 1996. Practical Guidelines for the 6 Llewellyn, L. C. 1975, ‘Recent observations of the Plains- Management of Native Grasslands on the Riverine Plain of wanderer with a review of its past and present status’, Emu South-east Australia, DNRE, Bendigo. 75, pp. 137–42. 7. Bennett, S. 1983, ‘A review of the distribution, status and biology of the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus Gould’, Emu 83, pp. 1–11. 8. Blakers, M., Davies, S. J. J. F. & Reilly, P. N. 1984, The Atlas of Australian Birds, MUP, Melbourne. 9. Webster, R. 1996a, Survey and conservation of the Plains- wanderer Pedionomus torquatus on the Western Plains of Victoria, Unpublished report to RAOU, Melbourne. 14 pp, 11 maps. 10. Webster, R. 1996b, Survey and conservation of the Plains- wanderer Pedionomus torquatus in south-east South Australia, Unpublished report to RAOU, Melbourne. 18 CONSERVATION THROUGH KNOWLEDGE pp, 13 maps. 11. Baker-Gabb, D. J. 1990, ‘An annotated list of records of A.C.N. 004 076 475 Plains-wanderers Pedionomus torquatus, 1980–89’, Aust. 415 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East, Vic. 3123 Bird Watcher 13, pp. 249–52. Tel: (03) 9882 2622; Fax: (03) 9882 2677 12. Maher, P. N. 1997, Survey of Plains-wanderers Pedionomus Email: [email protected] torquatus and native grasslands on the Riverine Plain, New BirdsAustraliaHomePage: http://www.vicnet.net.au/~birdsaus South Wales, Unpublished report to Birds Australia, Founded in 1901, Birds Australia (Royal Australasian Melbourne. 62 pp, 15 maps. Ornithologists Union) is Australia’s oldest national 13. Garnett, S. 1993, Threatened and Extinct Birds of Australia, conservation organisation, dedicated to the study and RAOU Report no. 82, ANPWS & RAOU, Melbourne. conservation of native birds and their habitat. New members 14. Maher, P. N. & Baker-Gabb, D. J. 1993, Surveys and are welcome. Conservation of the Plains-wanderer in Northern Victoria, Birds Australia Conservation Statements provide information ARI Tech. Report no. 132, DCNR, Melbourne. about issues relating to the conservation of Australasian birds 15. Beardsell, C. 1990, Sites of faunal significance in the and their habitat, and suggest solutions to problems. western region of Melbourne, Unpublished report to DCNR, Melbourne. 261 pp. Production of this Conservation Statement was funded by 16. Baker-Gabb, D. J. 1990, The Biology and Management of Environment Australia, and Goolgumbla and Oolambeyan the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus in New South Merino Studs. The views expressed in this Conservation Wales, NSW NPWS Species Management Report no. 3, Statement are the author’s, not necessarily those of these NSW NPWS, Sydney. organisations. 17. Baker-Gabb, D. J. 1987, The Conservation and Management of the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus, World Wildlife FundReport no.49,WWF, Sydney. 140 pp. 18. Moore, C. W. E. 1953a, ‘The vegetation of the south- eastern Riverina, New South Wales. I: The climax Published with the assistance of Bushcare – a program of the communities’, Aust. J. Bot. 1, pp. 485–547. Commonwealth Government’s Natural Heritage Trust. 19. Moore, C. W. E. 1953b, ‘The vegetation of the south- eastern Riverina, New South Wales. II: The disclimax communities’, Aust. J. Bot. 1, pp. 548–67. 20. North, A. J. 1913, Nests and Eggs of Birds Found Breeding in Australia and Tasmania, Australian Museum, Sydney. Goolgumbla Merino Stud, Tel: (03) 5886 7124 21. Harrington, G. N., Maher, P. N. & Baker-Gabb, D. J. 1988, ‘The biology of the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus on the Riverine Plain of New South Wales during and after drought’, Corella 12, pp. 7–13. 22. Baker-Gabb, D. J. 1988, ‘The diet and foraging behaviour Oolambeyan Poll Merino Stud, Tel (02) 6993 5804 of the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus’, Emu 88, pp. 115–18. Wingspan is the quarterly membership magazine of Birds Australia. Additional copies of this Conservation Statement Recent studies have provided refined information on managing are available from the National Office. native grasslands to maintain their biodiversity. Photo by Vanessa Craigie/DNRE Printed on recycled paper.