sign in sign up
<<
Home , Flock bronzewing, Fuscous honeyeater, Inland thornbill, Leaden flycatcher, Little crow (bird), Masked woodswallow

Australian Field 2021, 38, 66–77 http://dx.doi.org/10.20938/afo38066077

Birds of Edgbaston Reserve, central-western Queensland, including notes on significant and threatened species

P.L. Kern1,2* and A.S. Kutt1,3,4,5

1Bush Heritage , P.O. Box 329, Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 8009, Australia 2School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4067, Australia 3Tasmanian Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 2112, Lower Sandy Bay TAS 7005, Australia 4School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia 5School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart TAS 7005, Australia *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract. Localities at the intersection of bioclimatic zones can produce interesting -community assemblages. Edgbaston Reserve, in central-western Queensland, known for the high biodiversity of its artesian springs complex, sits within the intersection of the Torresian, Bassian and Eyrean bioclimatic zones and straddles the intersection of two bioregions on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range. Here we present bird records accumulated through standardised surveys and opportunistic observations. A total of 143 species of was detected on Edgbaston Reserve. From these data we report on notable species recorded and the significance of the avifauna community found on this Reserve. In addition to Edgbaston conserving artesian-spring habitat and threatened aquatic species, we highlight the importance of this Reserve for the preservation of woodland and arid birds.

Introduction invertebrates, and plants (Ponder et al. 2010; Faulks et al. The Great Dividing Range that bisects eastern Australia 2017; Fahey et al. 2019). The springs have likely persisted is one of the most significant biogeographical features for many tens of thousands of years or longer, providing on the continent and it forms a boundary that has a regular water source and, therefore, are a refuge for broadly separated the Torresian, Bassian and Eyrean species during fluctuating climates both historically and bioclimatic zones (Schodde & Mason 1999). Many during the current period of rapid environmental change congeneric species, subspecies and hybrids overlap or (Reside et al. 2019). intersect at this landscape feature, often demarcated by In this study, we report on the first bird surveys carried out the Burdekin–Lynd divide (Ford 1986, 1987). Some bird on Edgbaston Reserve. We describe significant bird records species represented by southern and northern subspecies collected through standardised surveys and opportunistic (demarcated along this divide) have threatened southern observations, a component of bi-annual wildlife monitoring. populations but secure northern populations (i.e. Squatter We report on recorded and potential threatened species Pigeon Geophaps scripta scripta/G. s. peninsulae, Black- listed under national and state legislation, as well as other throated Finch Poephila cincta cincta/P. a. atropygialis), significant species considered to be declining in south- largely because of extensive clearing and intensive eastern Australia. We highlight the importance of this agriculture in south-eastern Australia (Bradshaw 2012). In reserve in central-western Queensland for the preservation central and northern Australia, land clearing has been less of birds in a matrix of pastoral rangelands (Figure 1) that extensive, and much of the tropical savannas remain intact have continued to be developed, intensified, and managed (Woinarski et al. 2007), yet clearing in Australia continues for production rather than conservation, and for species seemingly unabated (Reside et al. 2017). undergoing extensive declines elsewhere in their range. Edgbaston Reserve (owned and managed by Bush Heritage Australia) is in central-western Queensland at the headwater of the Pelican Creek catchment and on the Method eastern boundary of the Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion, which adjoins the western boundary of the Desert Uplands Edgbaston Reserve (–22.7309, 145.4147) is 8074 ha, bioregion and western fall of the Great Dividing Range. located 160 km north-east of Longreach, Queensland. Thus its location is at the intersection of the three bioclimatic This region is semi-arid in climate (annual rainfall zones mentioned above, and potentially has the presence ~450 mm, derived from the modelled surface in SILO, of a range of tropical, subtropical and arid species (Kutt Jeffrey et al. 2001), and the vegetation consists largely 2003). The Reserve contains the northern section of the of grasslands (dominated by Mitchell grass Astrebla spp. Pelican Creek spring complex, the most diverse Great and spinifex spp.), open woodlands (dominated by Artesian Basin spring complex in Australia (Fensham et al. , Eucalyptus or species) and vegetated 2011; Rossini et al. 2018). The native species dependent on swamps and clay pans associated with the artesian spring natural discharge of groundwater from the Great Artesian complex and the ephemeral Lake Mueller. Edgbaston Basin form a threatened ecological community (under the Reserve was purchased by Bush Heritage Australia in Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 2008, converting the land use from pastoral rangelands to 1999) and exhibit incredibly high endemism including fish, wildlife conservation. Birds of Edgbaston Reserve, central-western Queensland 67

kilometres

Figure 1. Edgbaston Reserve (black filled area) is one of few protected areas (grey shaded areas) in central-western Queensland.

Records of birds on the Reserve were collected from two the Reserve. Three of the species recorded are listed as major sources (i) systematic surveys conducted between threatened under national and state legislation: Australian 2018 and 2020 across six major vegetation communities Painted-snipe Rostratula australis (Endangered), Squatter (Mitchell Astrebla spp. grasslands, Spinifex Triodia spp. Pigeon southern subspecies Geophaps scripta scripta grasslands, Gidgee Acacia spp. woodlands, White’s (Vulnerable) and Painted Grantiella picta Ironbark Eucalyptus whitei woodlands, escarpment (Vulnerable). Yapunyah E. thozetiana woodlands and spring woodland We reviewed published bird data for the Desert Uplands complexes), and (ii) opportunistic observations during and Mitchell Grass Downs bioregions to identify which these surveys and other land-management activities on species are expected to occur at Edgbaston (DERM 2009; the Reserve since 2018. Fraser et al. 2019; eBird 2020). The proposed Australian During each of the four survey periods (October 2018, Temperate and Subtropical Woodland Bird Community March–April 2019, October 2019, and March 2020), for Queensland (Fraser et al. 2019) has been nominated systematic bird surveys were conducted at 24 independent for listing as a Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) sites (four sites within each of the six major vegetation under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and communities). Every site was surveyed for birds using a Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. We used this proposed 10-minute, 2-ha (100 × 200 m) area count repeated six TEC to assess the significance of the woodland bird species times per survey (adjusted from Eyre et al. 2012). Surveys recorded at Edgbaston Reserve as a benchmark that occurred on three mornings between dawn and 3 hours includes the Desert Uplands and adjacent bioregions to the after dawn and on three occasions during other times of the north and south and provides a peer-reviewed published day. In the standardised surveys, corvids were grouped as source for identifying species considered representative of corvid spp. because of the uncertainty identifying the three intact eastern Australian woodlands. Of the 88 bird species potential species ( orru, Little Crow included under the nominated TEC (Subtropical 72, and C. bennetti and C. coronoides) within South-eastern Queensland 88), a total of 56 is expected to survey time constraints. We assessed the conservation occur on Edgbaston, and to date 42 species (75%) have significance of species via the following sources (Garnett been recorded (Table 1). et al. 2015; Fraser et al. 2019; IUCN 2020). Discussion Results This short paper highlights the significance of Edgbaston A total of 143 species of birds was detected at Edgbaston Reserve for woodland and semi-arid birds. The high Reserve, 118 species during the systematic bird surveys, number of threatened or significant species, the presence and an additional 25 via opportunistic observation of nationally listed spring complexes, and the location of (Appendix 1). Although corvids were grouped as corvid spp. the Reserve on the cusp of arid, tropical, and subtropical during systematic surveys, Torresian Crow, Little Crow and biogeographic zones suggest that this reserve is of Australian Raven were all recorded opportunistically on very high value for the conservation of biodiversity in 68 Australian Field Ornithology P.L. Kern & A.S. Kutt

Table 1. Significant bird species recorded at Edgbaston Reserve, Queensland, between 2018 and 2020. Subtropical (ST) and South-east (SE) = bird species included in the subtropical and south-eastern areas, respectively, of the proposed Australian Temperate and Subtropical Woodland Bird Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) (Fraser et al. 2019). Expected (E) = TEC species expected to occur at Edgbaston Reserve. Recorded (R) = TEC species recorded at Edgbaston Reserve during systematic surveys and opportunistic observations in 2018–2020; IUCN 2020 = species listed under IUCN Red List assessment as at 2020; Aust. 2020 = species listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Protection Act 1999 as at 2020; Qld. 2020 = species listed under Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 as at 2020; C = Of concern, En = Endangered, V = Vulnerable. Nomenclature and follow BirdLife Australia’s Working List on Australian Birds v 3.

Common name Scientific name ST SE E R IUCN Aust. Qld. 2020 2020 2020

Brown Quail Synoicus ypsilophorus X X X Southern Squatter Pigeon Geophaps scripta scripta X X V V Common Bronzewing chalcoptera X X X X Flock Bronzewing Phaps histrionica X X Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus X X X X Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites basalis X X X X Black-eared Cuckoo Chalcites osculans X X X Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites lucidus X X X Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis X X X X Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius X X X Australian Painted-snipe Rostratula australis X En En V Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii X X Painted Button-quail Turnix varius X X X Barking Owl Ninox connivens X X X Southern Boobook Ninox boobook X X X Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura X X X X Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus X X X X Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii X X X Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami X X V Mulga Parrot Psephotellus varius X Australian Ringneck Barnardius zonarius X X X X Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor X X En C En Elegant Parrot Neophema elegans X Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella X X Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla X Purple-crowned Lorikeet Glossopsitta porphyrocephala X Spotted Bowerbird Chlamydera maculata X X X X White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaea X X White-browed Treecreeper Climacteris affinis X X X X Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus X X X X Crescent Honeyeater Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus X White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus X X Scarlet Honeyeater Myzomela sanguinolenta X X Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis X X X Brown-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris X X White-eared Honeyeater Nesoptilotis leucotis X X X X Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata X X X X Grantiella picta X X X X V V V Little Philemon citreogularis X X X Noisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatus X X X Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris X X Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Glyciphila melanops X Anthochaera phrygia X X C C En Birds of Edgbaston Reserve, central-western Queensland 69

Table 1 continued

Common name Scientific name ST SE E R IUCN Aust. Qld. 2020 2020 2020

Yellow-plumed Honeyeater ornata X Fuscous Honeyeater Ptilotula fusca X X X Yellow-faced Honeyeater Caligavis chrysops X X Yellow-tufted Honeyeater melanops X X Spotted Pardalotus punctatus X X White-throated Gerygone Gerygone olivacea X X X X Western Gerygone Gerygone fusca X X X Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris X X X X Speckled Warbler Pyrrholaemus sagittatus X X X Chestnut-rumped Heathwren Calamanthus pyrrhopygius X X White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis X X Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis X X nana X X X Acanthiza lineata X X Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis X X X X Acanthiza pusilla X X Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis X X X X Buff-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza reguloides X X X Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis X X X X White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus X X Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera X X X X Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus X X X Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis X X X X Spotted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma punctatum X X Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castaneothorax X X Eastern Shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatus X X Gilbert’s Whistler Pachycephala inornata X X Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris X X X X Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis X X Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica X X X X White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis X X X White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor X X X Masked Artamus personatus X X X X Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus X X X Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus X X X X Grey Rhipidura albiscapa X X X X Leaden Flycatcher rubecula X X X X Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca X X Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta X X X Scarlet Robin Petroica boodang X X Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii X X X X Jacky Winter Microeca fascinans X X X Southern Scrub-robin Drymodes brunneopygia X Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis X X Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata X X X X Dicaeum hirundinaceum X X X X Red-browed Finch Neochmia temporalis X X Southern Black-throated Finch Poephila cincta cincta X X X En En Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii X X X X 70 Australian Field Ornithology P.L. Kern & A.S. Kutt

Queensland. Furthermore, as it is relatively intact (despite Bullawarra in Queensland) and the most recent (i.e. within some historic clearing in the Gidgee woodlands) and can 20 years) to be recorded breeding at such a low latitude. be managed for the persistence of native species free of The Painted Honeyeater is a nomadic and migratory the threats more typical in the surrounding pastoral and species associated with habitats (often Acacia woodlands) agricultural landscapes (i.e. overgrazing and associated containing mistletoe, the fruit of which forms a major pervasive impacts including altered fire regimes and component of its diet (Higgins et al. 2001). It is considered vegetation structure: Prowse et al. 2019), the importance uncommon and declining throughout its range (Higgins of this protected area in the future is undeniable. et al. 2001) and is listed as Vulnerable to extinction nationally. It is threatened by extensive land clearing and Australian temperate and subtropical persecution by Noisy Miners (Department of Environment & Energy 2015). woodland bird community A single Australian Painted-snipe was observed in one Australian woodland birds have been severely affected by of the artesian-spring wetlands, on three occasions during land clearing and associated cascading threats (e.g. decline February 2018. It was detected and confirmed through in condition of remnant vegetation, loss of small-bodied visual observation. This species is endemic to Australia, birds because of despotism by Noisy Miners and its distribution is patchy and unpredictable. Historical melanocephala) consequential of this transformation declines are because of changes in land use in the (Fraser et al. 2019). At Edgbaston, woodlands are Murray–Darling Basin via the loss of temporary wetlands, represented by White Ironbark communities on the northern and through drainage and diversion for agriculture and plateaus, Yapunyah and locally endemic Acacia microcybe reservoirs. More recently, ongoing population declines are on the escarpments, Gidgee A. cambagei and Black Gidgee thought to be because of reduction in flooding and rainfall, A. argyrodendron at the foot of the escarpment and increased irrigation diversion and impoundment, grazing, western section of the Reserve, and Coolabah E. coolabah, clearing of vegetation and increased climate variability River Red Gum E. camauldulensis, Black Teatree (Department of Agriculture, Water & the Environment Melaleuca bracteata communities associated with the 2019). riparian, and spring and floodplain areas. The woodland The southern subspecies of the Squatter Pigeon has bird community recorded includes a high proportion been observed on four occasions at Edgbaston in Ironbark of the species from the nominated TEC expected to woodland and Mitchell grassland habitats. Though occur in the region (75%), which suggests an intact and the southern subspecies is reasonably common in the reasonably healthy avifauna. Notable components of northernmost regions of its distribution, and causes some this community recorded to date include species that consternation regarding its vulnerable status (and even are more enigmatic or unexpected in this region (i.e. prompting recommendation for its delisting: TSSC 2015), Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis, White- the status was upheld due to ongoing decline in its southern eared Honeyeater Nesoptilotis leucotis) and many range, continued tree clearing and land degradation in species that are exemplar decliners of the extensive box– south-eastern Australia and its probable extinction in New ironbark woodlands of south-eastern Australia (i.e. Brown South Wales. Locations that are managed for conservation Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus, Grey-crowned Babbler within its key remaining distribution are critical for this Pomatostomus temporalis, Hooded Robin Melanodryas species’ persistence. cucullata: Ford 2011). More species are expected to be added to this group via future surveys and opportunistic observations, including some recorded at other nearby Species of biogeographic or other locations (i.e. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Zanda significance funerea, Speckled Warbler Pyrrholaemus sagittatus, Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla, Eastern Shrike-tit Falcunculus Several species more typically associated with the arid frontatus: Kutt et al. 2005). A sighting of the White-browed inland and Lake Eyre Basin have been recorded at Treecreeper Climacteris affinis needs further verification, Edgbaston Reserve. The Spinifexbird carteri but the presence of records of this species near Barcaldine, is distributed in the extensive and long-unburnt Giant 100 km to the south, suggests that this woodland bird could Grey Spinifex Triodia longiceps grasslands in western be expected because of suitable habitat being present on Queensland and central Australia and is at the eastern the Reserve (eBird 2020). edge of its extensive inland distribution (Kutt 2003). This species is commonly recorded in the Giant Grey Spinifex grasslands associated with the spring complex. Significant species In March 2020, after substantial summer rains, small A pair of Painted was nesting in pendulous groups of Flock Bronzewings Phaps histrionica were Gidgee foliage in late October 2019. The birds were recorded consistently across the central-southern portion detected from calls and confirmed through visual of Edgbaston Reserve. This species is associated with observation. They were observed over the following the extensive Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion, with its 3 weeks; both adults attended to the single chick until it core in western Queensland and the central Northern fledged in early November, when it was seen for the last Territory, and its distribution across central Australia time perched in the Gidgee above the nest. Interrogation of fluctuates with rainfall. Other nomadic resource-trackers available data (Higgins et al. 2001; eBird 2020) suggests (i.e. of , seed)—including the Plum-headed Finch that this is only one of very few scattered northern Neochmia modesta, Sugomel nigrum, Australian breeding records (i.e. Arnhem Land in the Certhionyx variegatus and Northern Territory; Chinchilla, Meandarra, Longreach, and Epthianura tricolor—have also been recorded on one or Birds of Edgbaston Reserve, central-western Queensland 71

more occasions at Edgbaston Reserve. The location of the Significant species likely to occur Reserve on the western fall of the Great Dividing Range, and the woodlands and springs on the Reserve, provide The southern subspecies of the Black-throated Finch a reliable resource for these species with ephemeral Poephila cincta cincta (Endangered: Federal Environment occurrence patterns, especially as it is managed for its Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) has conservation values alone. been recorded on neighbouring properties, and north near Torrens Creek, over the past decade (Mula Laguna et al. Several migratory waterbirds have been recorded 2019). This subspecies has disappeared from its southern from the springs and ephemeral waterbody within the range in Queensland and northern New South Wales and Pelican Creek system, Lake Mueller. Latham’s Snipe is now restricted to two main populations on the Townsville Gallinago hardwickii, listed as a marine and migratory coastal plains, and areas associated with the Galilee Basin wader under international treaty obligations and the coal reserves (Vanderduys et al. 2016). This subspecies Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is likely to occur at Edgbaston, possibly using the springs 1999, was recorded using spring wetlands in February and associated woodlands on a seasonal basis, as there is and October 2019. Permanent and seasonal wetlands suitable habitat and resources for foraging and nesting (e.g. are an important resource for migratory waders and presence of Ghost Gums Corymbia aparrerinja, ironbarks waterbirds, illustrated by long-term monitoring of wetlands Eucalyptus spp. and Desert Oaks Acacia sericophylla). across eastern Australia, which includes Lake Dunn 30 km north-east of Edgbaston (Porter et al. 2019). Long- The Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos (Vulnerable: term monitoring at Lake Dunn has recorded 27 species of Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992) is an elusive waterbird using the wetland (Kingsford et al. 2013), and species that occurs in low densities in arid and semi-arid Lake Mueller on Edgbaston will provide complementary Australia, including the Lake Eyre Basin. It frequents habitat for these species in periods of high rainfall. A lowland grasslands and plains, Acacia shrublands and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata (Special Least tree-lined water courses, hunting mainly small birds (Olsen Concern, Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992) was & Olsen 1986). Edgbaston Reserve lies on the eastern recorded on a single occasion at the springs in October limit of its range, and it is possible that it would sometimes 2018. be observed here. A single Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura was observed flying over the Mitchell grasslands in March Conclusion 2020, though this species is more likely to be associated with the riparian and escarpment woodlands in the The value of Edgbaston Reserve for the conservation of a district. This raptor was previously considered rare diverse and biogeographically significant bird community under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992, is highlighted in this paper. The protection and careful though subsequently removed from listing. However, it is ongoing management of this landscape, free of the threats enigmatic and naturally sparsely distributed, and certainly associated with pastoralism, especially with the spectre still under threat and decline (Debus 1998). Other species of ongoing agricultural intensification and climate change, previously considered threatened in Queensland, such as increases the importance of these small refuges in a matrix the Ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima in Mitchell of other land uses. Long-term monitoring will likely increase and spinifex grasslands and around the springs, also occur the number of species recorded, including other significant at Edgbaston Reserve. and threatened birds; coupled with focused conservation One species, the White-eared Honeyeater, which has a land management, this will ensure that this property disjunct distribution through the Desert Uplands (Kutt et al. remains a significant sanctuary for Australian birds in an 2005), was recorded in Gidgee woodlands in October 2018 era of ongoing global environmental change. in the present study. Several bird species occur in disjunct and unusual distributions along the Great Dividing Range, often within more complex sandstone features (dissected Acknowledgments gorges, or outcrops) along this feature. Some of these This project was funded by Bush Heritage Australia. Several might be expected at Edgbaston Reserve (e.g. Eastern people helped with the surveys and we particularly thank Rebecca Shrike-tit), whereas others might not, being restricted Diete (Bush Heritage Australia), Gabrielle Lebbink (University of to the more complex, uplands sandstone regions (e.g. Queensland), Gina Barnett and Anders Zimney. We also thank Brown Thornbill) that are not a feature of this conservation Nigel Jackett for help with interrogation of the eBird database and Russell Pinney for additional records. This study was conducted reserve. under Queensland Scientific Purposes Permit WISP18503317 The intersection of multiple biogeographic zones across and Ethics approval CA 2019/07/1304. We declare no Edgbaston Reserve is well illustrated by the presence of conflicts of interest. We acknowledge the Iningai people as the Traditional Owners of Edgbaston Reserve and recognise and congeneric species with more typical northern, southern respect their enduring relationship with their lands and waters, and western distributions. These include the co-occurrence and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. of Diamond Geopelia cuneata and Peaceful Doves G. striata; Variegated Malurus lamberti, Red-backed M. melanocephalus and White-winged Fairy-wrens References M. leucopterus; and Dusky Artamus cyanopterus and Bradshaw, C.J.A. (2012). Little left to lose: Deforestation and Little A. minor. The presence of the White- forest degradation in Australia since European colonization. winged Corcorax melanorhamphos is notable as Journal of Plant Ecology 5, 109–120. this species is more typical of south-eastern Australian Debus, S. (2019). Birds of Prey of Australia: A Field Guide. CSIRO woodlands. Publishing, Melbourne. 72 Australian Field Ornithology P.L. Kern & A.S. Kutt

Department of Agriculture, Water & the Environment (2019). Kutt, A.S. (2003). The Spinifexbird Eremiornis carteri in the Desert Draft National Recovery Plan for the Australian Painted Snipe Uplands bioregion, north-central Queensland: A geographic (Rostratula australis). Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. isolate or a nomadic metapopulation? Australian Zoologist 32, Department of Environment & Energy (2015). Threatened 246–251. Species Scientific Committee, Conservation Advice Grantiella Kutt, A.S., Kemp, J.E., McDonald, K.R., Williams, Y., picta Painted Honeyeater. Australian Government, Canberra. Williams, S.E., Hines, H.B., Hero, J.-M. & Torr, G. (2005). DERM (2009). Biodiversity Planning Assessment, Mitchell Grass Vertebrate fauna survey of White Mountains National Park, Downs Bioregion Fauna Expert Panel Report, Central West Desert Uplands Bioregion, Queensland. Australian Zoologist Region. Department of Environment & Resource Management, 33, 17–38. Queensland Government, Brisbane. Mula Laguna, J., Reside, A.E., Kutt, A., Grice, A.C., eBird (2020). eBird: An online database of bird distribution and Buosi, P., Vanderduys, E.P., Taylor, M. & Schwarzkopf, L. abundance (web application). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, (2019). Conserving the endangered Black-throated Finch Ithaca, New York. Available online: http://www.ebird.org southern subspecies: What do we need to know? Emu – Austral (accessed 7 June 2020). Ornithology 119, 331–345. Eyre, T.J., Ferguson, D.J., Hourigan, C.L., Smith, G.C., Olsen, P.D. & Olsen, J. (1986). Distribution, status, movements Mathieson, M.T., Kelly, A.L., Venz, M.F. & Hogan, L.D. (2012). and breeding of the Grey Falcon, Falco hypoleucos. Emu 86, Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Survey Assessment Guidelines for 47–51. Queensland. Department of Science, Information Technology, Ponder, W., Vial, M., Jefferys, E. & Beechey, D. (2010). The Innovation & the Arts, Queensland Government, Brisbane. Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in the Springs on Edgbaston Fahey, P.S., Fensham, R.J., Laffineur, B. & Cook, L.G. (2019). Station, Queensland. Australian Museum, Sydney. Chloris circumfontinalis (Poaceae): A recently discovered Porter, J.L., Kingsford, R.T. & Brandis, K. (2019). Aerial Survey species from the saline scalds surrounding artesian springs of Wetland Birds in Eastern Australia – October 2019 Annual in north-eastern Australia. Australian Systematic Botany 32, Summary Report. Department of Planning Industry & 228–242. Environment and Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Faulks, L.K., Kerezsy, A., Unmack, P.J., Johnson, J.B. & Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of New Hughes, J.M. (2017). Going, going, gone? Loss of genetic South Wales, Sydney. diversity in two critically endangered Australian freshwater Prowse, T.A.A., O’Connor, P.J., Collard, S.J. & Rogers, D.J. fishes, Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis and Chlamydogobius (2019). Eating away at protected areas: Total grazing pressure squamigenus, from Great Artesian Basin springs at Edgbaston, is undermining public land conservation. Global Ecology and Queensland, Australia. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Conservation 20, e00754. Reside, A.E., Beher, J., Cosgrove, A.J., Evans, M.C., Freshwater Ecosystems 27, 39–50. Seabrook, L., Silcock, J.L., Wenger, A.S. & Maron, M. (2017). Fensham, R.J., Silcock, J.L., Kerezsy, A. & Ponder, W. (2011). Ecological consequences of land clearing and policy reform in Four desert waters: Setting arid zone wetland conservation Queensland. Pacific Conservation Biology 23, 219–230. priorities through understanding patterns of endemism. Reside, A.E., Briscoe, N.J., Dickman, C.R., Greenville, A.C., Biological Conservation 144, 2459–2467. Hradsky, B.A., Kark, S., Kearney, M.R., Kutt, A.S., Nimmo, D.G., Ford, H.A. (2011). The causes of decline of birds of eucalypt Pavey, C.R., Read, J.L., Ritchie, E.G., Roshier, D., Skroblin, A., woodlands: Advances in our knowledge over the last 10 years. Stone, Z., West, M. & Fisher, D.O. (2019). Persistence through Emu 111, 1–9. tough times: Fixed and shifting refuges in threatened species Ford, J. (1986). Avian hybridization and allopatry in the region conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation 28, 1303–1330. of the Einasleigh Uplands and Burdekin-Lynd Divide, north- Rossini, R., Fensham, R., Stewart-Koster, B., Gotch, T. & eastern Queensland. Emu , 87–110. 86 Kennard, M. (2018). Biogeographical patterns of endemic Ford, J. (1987). Hybird zones in Australian birds. Emu , 87 diversity and its conservation in Australia’s artesian desert 158–178. springs. Diversity and Distributions 24, 1199–1216. Fraser, H., Simmonds, J.S., Kutt, A.S., Maron, M. & Strubbe, D. Schodde, R. & Mason, I.J. (1999). The Directory of Australian (2019). Systematic definition of threatened fauna communities Birds: . A Taxonomic and Zoogeographic Atlas of is critical to their conservation. Diversity and Distributions 25, the Biodiversity of Birds of Australia and its Territories. CSIRO 462–477. Publishing, Melbourne. Garnett, S.T., Duursma, D.E., Ehmke, G., Guay, P.-J., Stewart, A., TSSC (2015). Conservation Advice Geophaps scripta scripta Szabo, J.K., Weston, M.A., Bennett, S., Crowley, G.M., Squatter Pigeon (Southern), Environment Protection and Drynan, D., Dutson, G., Fitzherbert, K. & Franklin, D.C. (2015). Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Threatened Species Biological, ecological, conservation and legal information for all Scientific Committee, Canberra. species and subspecies of Australian bird. Scientific Data 2, Vanderduys, E.P., Reside, A.E., Grice, A. & Rechetelo, J. (2016). 150061. Addressing potential cumulative impacts of development Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M. & Steele, W.K. (2001). Handbook of on threatened species: The case of the endangered Black- Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds, Volume 5: Tyrant- throated Finch. PloS One 11, e0148485-e. flycatchers to Chats. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Woinarski, J., Mackey, B., Nix, H. & Traill, B. (2007). The Nature IUCN (2020). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Species of Northern Australia: Natural Values, Ecological Processes Survival Commision, Gland, Switzerland. Available online: and Future Prospects. Australian National University E Press, http://www.iucnredlist.org Canberra. Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. & Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data. Environmental Modelling and Software 16, 309–330. Received 15 June 2020, accepted 9 November 2020, Kingsford, R., Bino, G. & Porter, J. (2013). Waterbirds in the Lake published online 20 May 2021 Eyre Basin (1983-2012) – An Assessment of Wetland Condition at Different Spatial Scales. Report for Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment – April 2013. Australian Wetlands, Rivers and Landscapes Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney. Birds of Edgbaston Reserve, central-western Queensland 73

Appendix 1. Bird species recorded on Edgbaston Reserve, Queensland, from bird surveys and opportunistic observations between 2018 and 2020. Names of bird families are shown in bold.

Common name Scientific name Survey Opportunistic

Casuariidae X Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Phasianidae Brown Quail Synoicus ypsilophorus X Anatidae Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa X Grey Teal Anas gracilis X Squatter Pigeon Geophaps scripta scripta X Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera X Flock Bronzewing Phaps histrionica X Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes X Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata X Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida X Podargidae Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides X Eurostopodidae Spotted Nightjar Eurostopodus argus X Aegothelidae Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus X Apodidae Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus X Cuculidae Pheasant Coucal Centropus phasianinus X Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae X Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Chalcites basalis X Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis X Cacomantis variolosus X Heteroscenes pallidus X Rallidae Buff-Banded Rail Hypotaenidia philippensis X Black-tailed Native-hen Tribonyx ventralis X Gruidae Brolga Antigone rubicunda X Otididae Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis X Threskiornithidae Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia X Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis X Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus X Ardeidae White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica X White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae X Pelecanidae Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus X Recurvirostridae Pied Stilt Himantopus leucocephalus X 74 Australian Field Ornithology P.L. Kern & A.S. Kutt

Appendix 1 continued

Common name Scientific name Survey Opportunistic

Charadriidae Black-fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops X Banded Lapwing Vanellus tricolor X Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles X Rostratulidae Australian Painted-snipe Rostratula australis X Scolopacidae Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata X Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii X Turnicidae Painted Button-quail Turnix varius X Red-chested Button-quail Turnix pyrrhothorax X Little Button-quail Turnix velox X Glareolidae Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella X Laridae Australian Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon macrotarsa X Tytonidae Eastern Barn Owl Tyto alba delicatula X Strigidae Southern Boobook Ninox boobook X Accipitridae Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris X Black breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon X Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura X Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax X Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis X Accipiter fasciatus X Accipiter cirrocephalus X White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster X Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus X Black Kite Milvus migrans X Meropidae Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus X Coraciidae Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis X Alcedinidae Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus X Red-backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygius X Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae X Falconidae Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides X Falco longipennis X Brown Falcon Falco berigora X Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus X Cacatuidae Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus X Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii X Birds of Edgbaston Reserve, central-western Queensland 75

Appendix 1 continued

Common name Scientific name Survey Opportunistic

Cacatuidae continued Galah Eolophus roseicapilla X Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita X Psittaculidae Pale-headed Rosella Platycercus adscitus X Australian Ringneck Barnardius zonarius X Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus moluccanus X Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus X Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus X Ptilonorhynchidae Spotted Bowerbird Chlamydera maculata X Climacteridae White-browed Treecreeper Climacteris affinis X Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus X Maluridae Variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti X Red-backed Fairy-wren Malurus melanocephalus X White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus X Meliphagidae Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta X Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis X White-eared Honeyeater Nesoptilotis leucotis X Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata X Painted Honeyeater Grantiella picta X Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis X Noisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatus X Black Honeyeater Sugomel nigrum X Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus X Rufous-throated Honeyeater Conopophila rufogularis X Crimson Chat Epthianura tricolor Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis X Singing Honeyeater Gavicalis virescens X White-plumed Honeyeater Ptilotula penicillata X Grey-headed Honeyeater Ptilotula keartlandi X Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula X Pardalotidae Red-browed Pardalote Pardalotus rubricatus X Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus X White-throated Gerygone Gerygone olivacea X Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris X Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa X Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis X Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis X Pomatostomidae Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis X Neosittidae Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera X 76 Australian Field Ornithology P.L. Kern & A.S. Kutt

Appendix 1 continued

Common name Scientific name Survey Opportunistic

Oriolidae Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus X Oreoicidae Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis X Pachycephalidae Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris X Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica X Campephagidae Ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima X Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae X White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor X Australian Gymnorhina tibicen X Pied Cracticus nigrogularis X Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus X Artamus personatus X White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus X Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus X Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus X Little Woodswallow Artamus minor X White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus X Rhipiduridae Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys X Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa X Monarchidae Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula X Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta X Magpie-lark cyanoleuca X Torresian Crow Corvus orru X Little Crow Corvus bennetti X Australian Raven Corvus coronoides X Corcoracidae White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos X Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea X Petroicidae Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii X Jacky Winter Microeca fascinans X Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata X Alaudidae Horsfield’s Bushlark Mirafra javanica X Cisticolidae Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis X Acrocephalidae Australian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus australis X Brown Songlark Cincloramphus cruralis X Rufous Songlark Cincloramphus mathewsi X Spinifexbird Poodytes carteri X Birds of Edgbaston Reserve, central-western Queensland 77

Appendix 1 continued

Common name Scientific name Survey Opportunistic

Dicaeidae Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum X Estrildidae Plum-headed Finch Neochmia modesta X Taeniopygia castanotis X Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii X Motacillidae Australasian Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae X