Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus

Key Findings

Plains-wanderers were once widespread across south‑ east Australia, but have declined following overgrazing during droughts and predation by introduced carnivores and native birds of prey. Habitat loss and degradation also remain key threats, exacerbated by a warming climate and small population size. Plains-wanderers are difficult to find, so population trends are hard to measure. Ongoing decline is likely, but recovery efforts in habitat management, including improved grassland stewardship and fox control should lead to an improved trajectory over the next few years. Photo: Taronga Zoo

Significant trajectory change from 2005-15 to 2015-18? No significant change likely.

Priority future actions

• Continue supporting landowners to appropriately manage Plains-wanderer habitat • Expand captive breeding program, use to reintroduce the birds to suitably restored habitat • Continue fox control program • When conditions appropriate, undertake trial releases

Full assessment information Background information 2018 population trajectory assessment

1. Conservation status and taxonomy 8. Expert elicitation for population trends 2. Conservation history and prospects 9. Immediate priorities from 2019 3. Past and current trends 10. Contributors 4. Key threats 11. Legislative documents 5. Past and current management 12. References 6. Support from the Australian Government 13. Citation 7. Measuring progress towards conservation

The primary purpose of this scorecard is to assess progress against achieving the year three targets outlined in the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy, including estimating the change in population trajectory of 20 bird species. It has been prepared by experts from the National Environmental Science Program’s Threatened Species Recovery Hub, with input from a number of taxon experts, a range of stakeholders and staff from the Office of the Threatened Species Commissioner, for the information of the Australian Government and is non-statutory. It has been informed by statutory planning documents that guide recovery of the species, such as Recovery Plans and/or Conservation Advices (see Section 11).

The background information aims to provide context for estimation of progress in research and management (Section 7) and estimation of population size and trajectories (Section 8).

1 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

1. Conservation status and taxonomy Taxonomy: Conservation status 2018 No infraspecific taxa recognised. The Plains- IUCN Critically Endangered wanderer is ranked No. 1 in the world on the Zoological Society of London's Evolutionarily EPBC Critically Endangered Distinct and Globally Endangered bird list in 2018 (Zoological Society of London 2018). NSW Endangered

QLD Vulnerable

SA Endangered VIC Threatened

2. Conservation history and prospects Once widespread across south-east Australia, the Plains-wanderer was first recognised as declining in the 1960s, making it the focus of searches in the 1970s (Bennett 1983). Detailed knowledge of their ecology was obtained in the 1980s which identified that they had been severely affected by overgrazing of the sparse native grasslands that are their favoured habitat, or by the cultivation of native grasslands for agriculture (Baker-Gabb et al. 1990). A set of reserves was established in Victoria and , but the species is still affected by overgrazing during droughts, a lack of grazing during very wet periods and possibly predation by feral carnivores and native birds of prey. In the last decade in particular there have been rapid declines in detectability in parts of both Victoria (Baker-Gabb et al. 2016) and New South Wales (Local Land Services 2017) and an insurance population has been established in New South Wales and Victoria (Zoos Victoria 2017). The Plains-wanderer is extremely secretive, and until recently only detectable at night, but song meters have recently been shown to be effective for finding birds with the hope that greater knowledge of their distribution and abundance will soon be forthcoming.

3. Past and current trends In northern Victoria, an apparent stronghold for the species in the absence of systematic surveys across the full range of the species’ documented range, a 90% drop in numbers detected was recorded between 2010 and 2012 (Baker-Gabb et al. 2016) but the numbers detected recovered to pre-2011 levels by 2018. It is likely that this recent increase was due to some local breeding, augmented by immigration from drought affected further inland. Nineteen (50%) of 38 sites with active song meters recorded 25 calling territorial female Plains-wanderers in autumn 2018, and birds were recorded at half of 20 long-term nocturnal monitoring sites (Baker-Gabb 2018). In New South Wales, an analysis of monitoring data collected between 2001 and 2014 suggested a substantial decline across sites in the Riverina (Wilson et al. 2014) although Songmeter surveys during 2017-2018 detected plains-wanderers at sites within Oolambeyan, Kalyarr and Willandra National Parks (D. Egan, NSW NPWS pers comm.).

2 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Birds are also present on Boolcoomatta Station Reserve in South Australia (Bush Heritage Australia 2017).

Monitoring (existing programs): Population monitoring has been undertaken in Victoria since 2009 (Baker-Gabb et al. 2016) and by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage in the Riverina area since 2001. Song meters have been deployed at 60 sites in northern Victoria (Baker-Gabb 2018), at 30 sites on and adjacent to Boolcoomatta Station Reserve in South Australia (Bush Heritage Australia 2017) and at 15 long-term monitoring sites on private land and at six sites on in NSW (D Parker pers. comm.). See below for more information.

Vehicle-based monitoring: • Six sites across the NSW Riverina (three times per year) during 2001-2018, on established grids mainly on red soil with some areas of grey soil (David Parker, NSW OEH) • 12 sites per year in Terrick Terrick NP (one weekend every two months) during 2009-2018 across all soil types (dense and sparse grass) to monitor all fauna on the NP in addition to Plains- wanderers (M. Antos and volunteers) • 20 sites (10 reserves, 10 private land) on the Patho (14) and Lower Avoca (6) Plains on Victoria’s Northern Plains during 2010-2018, concentrating on red soil, though some grey soil is included (D. Baker-Gabb for DELWP and the Vic Plains-wanderer Ops Group • c.12 recently established transects on Boolcoomatta Reserve in north-east SA (c.60km south- west of Broken Hill; Graeme Finlayson, Bush Heritage Australia)

Song meter deployment: • 60 across the Patho and Lower Avoca Plains on both public and private land of which 55 will be permanent monitoring sites, with the remainder being shifted from time to time to sample new sites (DELWP and the Northern Plains CMN) • 30 across its Boolcoomatta reserve and neighbouring grazing properties in north-east SA (Bush Heritage) • 15 at all NSW OEH grids (except one on a roadside) that are also monitored by vehicle and 10 on Oolambeyan NP (NSW OEH). During 2016 and 2017, 8 were deployed in Oolambeyan National Park in 12 different paddocks; 6 were deployed at Kalyarr National Park and 3 at , targeting potential habitat with no or few previous surveys (Kalyarr NP; NSW NPWS).

Population trends: Tables 1 and 2 summarise the overall trend and status of the Plains-wanderer. The information provided in these tables is derived from the recovery plan and conservation advices with some amendments made by contributing experts based on new information.

3 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Table 1. Summary of the available information on Plains-wanderer distribution and population size, and (where possible) trend estimates between 2015 and 2018 for each parameter. Published 2015 2018 Population parameters Confidence in estimates baseline Estimate estimate

WILD

Extent of Occurrence 930,000 km2 526,000 km2 526,000 km2 High

Area of Occupancy 330 km2 330 km2 330 km2 Low

As per Bird Action Dates of records and methods used plan

No. mature individuals 2000 500-1000 500-1000 n/a

Any other measure of relative Song meters n/a n/a n/a abundance (specify) deployed

No. of subpopulations 1 1 1 Medium

No. of locations >10 n/a 11-100 Low

High, based on global Generation time 3.0 n/a n/a modelling by BirdLife International

CAPTIVE BREEDING

No. mature individuals 0 0 21 High

No. locations 0 0 4 High

4 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Table 2. Estimated recent (2005-2015) and current (2015-2018) population trends for the Plains- wanderer

Est. % of Est. % of total 2005- Confidence in 2015- Confidence in Sub- total pop’n 2015 2005-2015 2018 2015-2018 Details population pop’n (pre- trend trend trend trend (2018) 2015)

Low detection rates during monitoring suggest NSW 50 High n/a 50 ? decline but no analysed data on actual numbers

At 20 sites detection rates were higher in 2015 than 2012-2014, fell in 2016, slightly increased in 2017, then rose greatly in 2018. Song meter data from 38 sites also showed Vic 30 High High 30 evidence of recent population increase (Baker-Gabb 2018). This increase likely to be at least in part due to immigration from drought-affected parts on inland eastern Australia.

No data on trends but recently found on both Qld 10 Low n/a 10 ? ? Diamantina NP and Pullen Pullen Reserve

No data on trends but recently found on SA 10 Low n/a 10 ? ? Boolcoomatta Station Reserve

Whole Large area of habitat with 100 High n/a 100 population ? no trend data

KEY: Improving Stable Deteriorating Unknown Confidence Description High Trend documented Medium Trend considered likely based on documentation

? Low Trend suspected but evidence indirect or equivocal

5 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

4. Key threats The threats listed here are derived from the Commonwealth of Australia (2016) with some amendments from contributing experts based on new information. Note that this is not a list of all plausible threats, but a subset of the threats that are likely to have the largest impact on populations. Agro-industry farming Habitat loss is an ongoing threat for the Plains-wanderer, both as a direct result of continued conversion of native grasslands for the cultivation of crops and an indirect result of the legacy of habitat fragmentation that has resulted from past land conversion. The replacement of native grasslands with introduced pasture or crops can impact the Plains-wanderer in a variety of ways (Baker-Gabb et al. 1990). Livestock grazing Both overgrazing and insufficient grazing has the potential to negatively impact this species because the Plains-wanderer requires sparse grass that is neither too short nor too long and rank. Thus grazing management can help maintain high quality habitat, provided it is not excessive (Baker-Gabb et al. 1990). Predation Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), feral Cats (Felis catus) and native birds of prey such as the Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) and Black Falcon (Falco subniger) may be significant predators of the Plains-wanderer (Commonwealth of Australia 2016). Small population size The small population may be constraining productivity. Given that there are now insurance populations in captivity, it will be important that they contain the full range of genetic variation still in the wild population. Inappropriate fire regimes There is not enough evidence to support the use of fire in flammable Plains-wanderer habitat, although trials are being undertaken by Victorian Government agencies. High-intensity, large-scale fires can degrade or destroy habitat, particularly following high rainfall when grasslands have become dense and tall and can provide increased fuel loads. It may take many years for grassland fauna to recover post high-intensity fire. A lack of an appropriate burning regime may also be impacting upon the availability of suitable habitat. However, controlled low intensity fire may be a useful tool to manage grassland composition by reducing the dominance of weeds and short-lived, winter-growing native species, in particular spear grass, removing dead plant material and allowing longer-living summer growing species to flourish (Commonwealth of Australia 2016). Threat minimisation should be based on assessing past and present fire risk from which to plan a strategy. The lowest impact strategy may be by controlling the risk of fire incursion from higher risk areas.

The impacts of the major threats are summarised in Table 3.

6 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Table 3. The major threats facing the Plains-wanderer and their associated impact scores.

CURRENT THREAT IMPACT (five greatest threats)

Threat Timing Extent Severity

1. Inappropriate grazing Continuing/ongoing >90% of range 50-100%

2. Cultivation of native Continuing/ongoing 1-50% of range 50-100% grasslands

3. Predation Continuing/ongoing >90% of range 20-39%

4. Small population size Continuing/ongoing >90% of range 50-100%

5. Inappropriate fire Continuing/ongoing 50-90% of range 20-29% regimes Timing: continuing/ongoing; near future: any occurrence probable within one generation (includes former threat no longer causing impact but could readily recur); distant future: any occurrence likely to be further than one generation into the future (includes former threat no longer causing impact and unlikely to recur). Extent: <1% of range; 1-50%; 50-90%; >90%. Severity: (over three generations or 10 years, whichever is sooner) Causing no decline; Negligible declines (<1%); Not negligible but <20%; 20-29%; 30-49%; 50-100%; Causing/could cause order of magnitude fluctuations. 5. Past and current management Recent and current management actions thought to have contributed to the conservation of Plains- wanderers are summarised in Table 4. This information is a collation of material provided by experts. A Recovery Plan (2016) and Conservation Advice (2015) are in place, guiding recovery action (see Section 11). Table 4. Management actions thought to have contributed to the conservation of the Plains- wanderer.

Est. % Action Location Timing Contributors and partners pop’n

Conservation breeding program. Captive population currently Taronga ; NSW Office of Environment and includes 18 wild-caught birds and Taronga Western Plains Heritage (OEH); Dept of three captive-bred birds. Taronga Zoo; Featherdale 2016- Environment, Land, Water and 2 Western Plains Zoo = 6, Taronga Wildlife Park; Werribee 2018 Planning (DELWP); Taronga Zoo; Sydney = 6, Featherdale Wildlife Open Range Zoo; Zoos Victoria; Zoos South Australia; Park = 2, Werribee Open Range Monarto Zoo Featherdale Wildlife Park Zoo = 7

Habitat management programs: Plains-wanderer stewardship program (includes habitat and NSW Riverine Plain 2016- OEH; Riverina LLS; Murray LLS; OEH threat management actions and (including Oolambeyan 20 2018 (National Parks and Wildlife) active grazing management of NP) plains-wanderer habitat at Oolambeyan National Park

7 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Fox control (including ground NSW Riverine Plain OEH; Riverina LLS; Murray LLS; OEH baiting; aerial baiting and ground 2016- (including Oolambeyan 30 (National Parks and Wildlife with shooting – cats also targeted 2018 NP) funding provided by NSW OEH) during ground shooting)

Rabbit control near areas of 2016- Oolambeyan NP 10 OEH Plains-wanderer habitat 2018

Boxthorn control in areas of Oolambeyan NP and 2015- 5 OEH Plains-wanderer habitat private land 2018

Acquisition of the Western Grassland Reserves, 15,000 hectares of critically endangered Werribee, Vic. 2017- 2 Victorian Govt. native grassland. Of which 12% currently acquired and being managed.

Monitor and manage grassland structure on public and private reserves in Victoria.

PV has employed two dedicated grassland staff resulting in much improved grazing control on reserves. Plains-wanderers have been consistently recorded in one reserve for six years and Parks Victoria, Trust for Nature, recently in five others where they Patho Plains, Terrick Dept Environment Land Water and have not been recorded since Terrick NP, Lower Avoca 2016- 15 Planning, private landholders with 2010. Plains, Bael Bael NCR 18- covenants and private grazing Two late autumn, ‘cool’ mosaic and private land. contractors. burns were conducted in on PV grassland reserves by DELWP and PV. PV and TfN monitor grassland structure on public and private reserves and there is much- improved liaison with farmers contracted to undertake biomass control through grazing.

All TfN reserves and Parks Vic reserves have been assessed for fencing to soil type. Two North Central CMA, DELWP, PV, blocks fenced to soil Trust for Nature, Northern Plains Fencing to soil type to facilitate type (4.6km) by TfN and Conservation Management better grazing management of 2017- 15 Barapa Land and Water, Network, Barapa Land and Water native grasslands in Victoria PV replaced 3km of (Traditional Owner consulting fence at Bael Bael group). Grasslands NCR and the NP CMN fenced (1.2km) in one private paddock to soil type.

8 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Four covenants secured Develop strategy and programs by TfN through NLP1 to protect and enhance habitat in funding for known and 2016- 2 Trust for Nature Victoria suspected Plains- wanderer habitat.

Remove threat posed by Pv and TfN have introduced trees and large removed boxthorns 2018- 2 Parks Victoria and Trust for Nature from six priority boxthorns in Victoria reserves Improve understanding of the distribution and population trends (Victoria)

30 adults and 17 chicks recorded Dept Environment, Land, Water and on Patho Plains in 10 out of 20 Patho and Lower Avoca 2009- 30 Planning, Parks Victoria, private monitored blocks in 2018; higher Plains 2018 contractors than in all previous years since 2010.

Plains-wanderers were recorded by 19 (50%) of 38 song meters.

6. Actions undertaken or supported by the Australian Government resulting from inclusion in the Threatened Species Strategy In 2015, funding from the ‘Intervening in emergencies’ fund was put towards controlling rabbits and weeds and a workshop to assess the feasibility of captive breeding. In 2018, eight landholders in the Riverina agreed to improve habitat in 25 paddocks covering 4,655 hectares under the National Landcare Programs ‘Paddocks for Plains-wanderers’ programme with incentives such as stock proof fencing, watering points and saltbush plantings that will take some pressure off these patches of Plains-wanderer habitat, at the same time benefiting stock.

9 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

7. Measuring progress towards conservation Table 5. Progress towards management understanding and management implementation for each of the major threats affecting the Plains-wanderer in 2015 (i.e. timing of TSS implementation) and 2018, using the progress framework developed by Garnett et al. (2018).

PROGRESS IN MANAGING THREATS (five greatest threats)

Threat Year Understanding of how to manage threat Extent to which threat being managed

6. Research complete and being applied OR 2. Work has been initiated to roll out 2015 ongoing research associated with adaptive solutions where threat applies across the 1. Inappropriate management of threat taxon’s range grazing 6. Research complete and being applied OR 2. Work has been initiated to roll out 2018 ongoing research associated with adaptive solutions where threat applies across the management of threat taxon’s range 6. Research complete and being applied OR 2. Work has been initiated to roll out 2015 ongoing research associated with adaptive solutions where threat applies across the 2. management of threat taxon’s range Cultivation 6. Research complete and being applied OR 2. Work has been initiated to roll out 2018 ongoing research associated with adaptive solutions where threat applies across the management of threat taxon’s range 4. Trial management under way but not yet 4. Trial management under way but not yet 2015 clear evidence that it can deliver objectives clear evidence that it can deliver objectives 3. Predation 4. Trial management under way but not yet 4. Trial management under way but not yet 2018 clear evidence that it can deliver objectives clear evidence that it can deliver objectives 1. Research being undertaken or completed 2015 but limited understanding on how to manage 0. No management 4. Small threat population size 2. Research has provided strong direction on 2018 1. Management limited to trials how to manage threat 2. Research has provided strong direction on 2015 0. No management 5. Inappropriate how to manage threat fire regimes 3. Solutions being trialled but work only 2018 1. Management limited to trials initiated recently > Green shading indicates an improvement in our understanding or management of threats between years 2015 and 2018, while red shading indicates deterioration in our understanding or management of threats.

KEY: Score Understanding of how to manage threat Extent to which threat is being managed 0 No knowledge and no research No management Research being undertaken or completed but limited 1 Management limited to trials understanding on how to manage threat Research has provided strong direction on how to manage Work has been initiated to roll out solutions where threat 2 threat applies across the taxon’s range Solutions have been adopted but too early to demonstrate 3 Solutions being trialled but work only initiated recently success Trial management under way but not yet clear evidence that it Solutions are enabling achievement but only with 4 can deliver objectives continued conservation intervention Trial management is providing clear evidence that it can deliver Good evidence available that solutions are enabling 5 objectives achievement with little or no conservation intervention Research complete and being applied OR ongoing research 6 The threat no longer needs management associated with adaptive management of threat

10 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

8. Expert elicitation for population trends An expert elicitation process was undertaken to assess population trends for the period 2005-2015 and post-2015 under the following management scenarios. Please note that differences between Management Scenarios 2 and 3 (Fig. 1) are difficult to attribute, as it can be difficult to determine whether actions undertaken after 2015 were influenced by the Threatened Species Strategy or were independent of it (see Summary Report for details of methods). Management Scenario 1 (red line): no conservation management undertaken since 2015, and no new actions implemented.

• Grazing uncontrolled • Privately owned habitat converted to agriculture • No attempt to control predators Under this scenario all current management ceases with most private habitat being ploughed and with no grazing management of conservation lands. Management Scenario 2 (blue line): continuation of existing conservation management (i.e. actions undertaken before implementation of the Threatened Species Strategy or independent of the Threatened Species Strategy).

• Grazing managed at key sites in Victoria and NSW • Cultivation discouraged in known habitats • Foxes baited • Fire trials extended • Captive population established Under this scenario the grazing regimes established at multiple sites in Victoria and the Riverina would be maintained but there would continue to be little effort applied to the arid part of the species’ range. Management Scenario 3 (green line): continuation of existing management, augmented by support mobilised by the Australian Government under the Threatened Species Stratgey.

• As above but with slightly larger areas under stewardship Under this scenario, there are slightly larger areas where grazing is managed to optimise conditions for the Plains-wanderer. Overall estimated population trajectories subject to management scenarios considered The Plains-wanderer is currently being managed under scenario 3 (green line).

11 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Figure 1. Estimated relative percentage change in population under each of the management scenarios described above. Data derived from 9 expert assessments of Plains-wanderer expected response to management, using four-step elicitation and the IDEA protocol (Hemming et al. 2017), where experts are asked to provide best estimates, lowest and highest plausible estimates, and an associated level of confidence. The dashed line represents the baseline value (i.e. as at 2015, standardised to 100). Values above this line indicate a relative increase in population size, while values below this line indicate a relative decrease in population size. Shading indicates confidence bounds (i.e. the lowest and highest plausible estimates). NB: upper and lower bounds wider than what is shown in top graph.

12 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Improved trajectory (Threatened Species Strategy Year 3 target): The primary purpose of this scorecard is to assess progress against achieving the year three targets outlined in the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Strategy, i.e. a demonstrated improved trajectory for at least half of the priority species (10 birds and 10 mammals). To assess this, we first use the expert-derived trend between 2005-15 (i.e. 10 years prior to implementation of the TSS) as a baseline for assessing whether there has been an improvement in trajectory in the time since implementation of the TSS (i.e. 2015-18). Table 6 below summarises this information, where negative values indicate a declining population, and positive values indicate an increasing population. We used Wilcoxon match-paired tests to compare trajectories for these two periods; a significant result (probability <0.05) indicates that there was a high concordance amongst experts that their trajectory estimates for 2005-15 were different to their estimates for 2015-18.

Table 6. A comparison of the relative annual percentage population change for the periods 2005-2015 and 2015-2018. Year 3 Pre-TSS trend Post-TSS trend Significant concordance among target (2005-2015) (2015-2018) elicitors? met? Annual The population trajectory improved percentage slightly, but there was insufficient -0.45 0.37 population  concordance among elicitors to reach change significance.

Additional actions that could improve trajectory The potential impact of carrying out specific additional conservation measures on the population trajectory of the Plains-wanderer was also evaluated through expert elicitation. Current management includes grazing management at key sites in Vic and NSW; fox control; some fire trials; and captive population establishment. Additional actions that could further improve the population trajectory include:

• Grazing managed at key sites in Victoria and NSW, and eventually at extra sites in the arid parts of the species’ range once resident populations are located • Cultivation discouraged in known habitats • Foxes baited • Fire trials extended • Captive population used to reintroduce the birds to suitably restored habitat With these actions, the grazing regimes established in south-east Australia would be extended to the more arid parts of the species’ range once these are comprehensively surveyed and resident populations are located.

13 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

9. Immediate priorities from 2019 The priorities listed here are derived from Commonwealth of Australia (2016), with some amendments made by contributing experts based on new information. Identification of these priorities in this document is for information and is non-statutory. For statutory conservation planning documents, such as Recovery Plans or Conservation Advices, please see Section 12. Data collection: • Continue monitoring principal locations • Calibrate alternative monitoring and survey approaches against each other Management actions: • Continue to support landowners to appropriately manage Plains-wanderer habitat on their properties, including through climate extremes such as drought and floods, and fencing to soil type • Expand captive breeding program • When conditions appropriate, undertake trial releases

10. Contributors Michelle Ballestrin, David Baker-Gabb, Peter Copley, David Egan, David Parker, Stephen Garnett, Sarah Legge, John Woinarski, Hayley Geyle, Graeme Armstrong, Guy Dutson, Nicholas MacGregor, Peter Menkhorst, Richard Loyn.

11. Legislative documents SPRAT profile: http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=906 Department of the Environment (2015). Conservation Advice Pedionomus torquatus plains-wanderer. Canberra: Department of the Environment. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/906-conservation- advice.pdf. In effect under the EPBC Act from 08-Jul-2015. Department of the Environment and the Government of South Australia Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (2016). National Recovery Plan for the Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus). Canberra, ACT: Commonwealth of Australia. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery-plans/plains-wanderer- 2016. In effect under the EPBC Act from 28-Jun-2016.

12. References Baker-Gabb DJ. (1988). The diet and foraging behaviour of the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus. Emu 88,115-8. Baker-Gabb, DJ. (2018). Plains-wanderer monitoring and song meter surveys on the Northern Plains in 2018. Unpublished report to Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Bendigo. Baker‐Gabb, D., Antos, M. and Brown, G., (2016). Recent decline of the critically endangered Plains‐ wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus), and the application of a simple method for assessing its cause: major changes in grassland structure. Ecological Management & Restoration 17,235-242.

14 Information current to December 2018 Threatened Species Strategy – Year 3 Priority Species Scorecard (2018)

Baker-Gabb, D.J., Benshemesh, J.S. and Maher, P.N. (1990). A revision of the distribution, status and management of the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus. Emu 90, 161-168. Bennett, S., (1983). A review of the distribution, status and biology of the plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus, Gould. Emu, 83, 1-11. Bush Heritage Australia 2017. Close Encounters. https://www.bushheritage.org.au/newsletters/2017/spring/close-encounters. Commonwealth of Australia (2016). National Recovery Plan for the Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus). Department of the Environment, Canberra. Garnett, S.T., Butchart, S.H.M., Baker, G.B., Bayraktarov, E., Buchanan, K.L., Burbidge, A.A., Chauvenet, A.L.M., Christidis, L., Ehmke, G., Grace, M., Hoccom, D.G., Legge, S.M., Leiper, I., Lindenmayer, D.B., Loyn, R.H., Maron, M., McDonald, P., Menkhorst, P., Possingham, H.P., Radford, J., Reside, A.E., Watson, D.M., Watson, J.E.M., Wintle, B., Woinarski, J.C.Z., and Geyle, H.M. (2018) Metrics of progress in the understanding and management of threats to Australian Birds. Conservation Biology https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13220. Hemming, V., Burgman, M.A., Hanea, A.M., McBride, M.F., and Wintle B.C. (2017) A practical guide to structured expert elicitation using the IDEA protocol. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 9, 169-180. Local Land Services Riverina (2017). Saving the plains-wanderer. https://riverina.lls.nsw.gov.au/resource-hub/media-releases/2017/saving-the-plains-wanderer Story, P., Oliver, D.L., Deveson, T., McCulloch, L., Hamilton, G. and Baker-Gabb, D. (2007). Estimating and reducing the amount of Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus Gould) habitat sprayed with pesticides for locust control in the New South Wales Riverina. Emu-Austral Ornithology, 107, 308-314. Wilson C., Ingwersen D. and Parker D. (2014) Review of OEH Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus monitoring data 2001–2014. A report for the Office of Environment and Heritage, NSW. Zoos Victoria. (2017). Plains Wanderer. https://www.zoo.org.au/werribee/animals/plains-wanderer. Zoological Society of London (2018) Top 100 EDGE Birds. https://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/species-category/birds/

13. Citation Please cite this document as:

National Environmental Science Program Threatened Species Research Hub (2019) Threatened Species Strategy Year 3 Scorecard – Plains-wanderer. Australian Government, Canberra. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/20-birds-by-2020/plains- wanderer

15 Information current to December 2018