sign in sign up
<<
Home , Australasian bittern, Australian bustard, Balonne River, Barmah National Park, Diamond dove, Edward River

of the Murray–Darling Basin

Edited by Richard Kingsford, Jenny Lau and James O’Connor

TABLE OF CONTENTS Birds of the Murray–Darling Basin:

2 Birds of the Murray–Darling Basin: Overview Overview Jenny Lau

4 Introduction Richard Kingsford

8 Boom-and-bust cycles of waterbirds Richard Kingsford

9 Counting the continent’s waterbirds Richard Kingsford, John Porter and Stuart Halse

10 The enigmatic travels of Australian waterbirds David Roshier and Richard Kingsford

12 Ramsar of the Murray–Darling Basin Richard Kingsford

14 Waterbird communities of the Living Murray Icon Sites John Porter and Richard Kingsford

16 and floodplain IBAs of the Murray– Darling Basin Jenny Lau

18 The Coorong, Lower and Murray Mouth— an important and complementary habitat in the Murray–Darling Basin Daniel Rogers and David Paton

22 The Paroo: the last free-flowing in the Murray–Darling Basin Richard Kingsford The declining state of the and wetlands 24 Australasian in the Murray–Darling Basin of eastern , particularly those of Andrew Silcocks, Rick Webster and Matt Herring the Murray–Darling Basin, was brought into sharp focus during the Millennium Drought 27 Painting the picture: identifying key habitat for the Australian Painted Snipe (1997–2009). The failure of the ‘Mighty Murray’ Chris Purnell, Janelle Thomas and James O’Connor to break through to the sea from 2001 until 2010 sent a clear message that Australia risked 30 Egrets, and… Brown Treecreepers? losing its beloved river to the ravages of water The importance of flooding and healthy floodplains over-extraction and the salinity, toxic acid for woodland birds soils, algal blooms and other environmental James Fitzsimons, Chris Tzaros, James O’Connor, problems resulting from low river flows. Many Glenn Ehmke and Kerryn Herman media stories used declining waterbird numbers, 34 Grey-crowned Babblers on ’s lower Loddon particularly in the Coorong, as a call for urgent River floodplain action. While water management issues in Chris Tzaros, Ian Davidson, Doug Robinson and Ashley Herrod the Murray–Darling Basin are complex, the community understood that waterbirds were 36 A changing woodland bird community in the the ‘canary in the coal mine’ for the Murray– Darling Basin. Four years on, the mouth of the Alice Blackwood remains open and the controversial 37 Impact of dams and river regulation on colonially Basin Plan has been passed into law. But it breeding waterbirds will be 10 years before the Basin Plan will be Kate Brandis and Richard Kingsford fully implemented and doubts remain over its capacity to restore the wetlands, floodplains and 38 Environmental water planning rivers of the Murray–Darling Basin (see page 44). Kathryn Stanislawski The Murray–Darling Basin contains nearly 40 Colonial waterbird breeding in –Millewa half of all wetlands where colonial waterbirds and the use of environmental water breed in Australia. The devastating impacts Keith Ward of the over-extraction and regulation of water 43 Maximising ecological returns from environmental water on our birds are most evident in some of the at the Hattah Lakes Icon Site Murray–Darling Basin’s most important wetlands Jenny Lau and Andrew Greenfield such as Macquarie Marshes, Narran Lakes, the Lowbidgee wetlands and Barmah–Millewa 44 Policy migration in the Murray–Darling Basin Forest (see page 37). For example, Barmah– Jamie Pittock Millewa Forest, which was once celebrated as 46 Waterbird conservation in 2050 the largest egret colony in Victoria, did not Richard Kingsford Jenny Lau BirdLife Australia.

host a successful egret breeding event from impacts on wetland-dependent such important habitat for Australasian Bitterns and 1969–2010 (see page 40). In the Coorong, as Australasian poiciloptilus Australian Painted Snipe (see pages 26, 29). the total number of migratory shorebirds (see page 24) and Australian Painted Snipe declined by 60 per cent between the early Rostratula australis (see page 27) can be dire. This Conservation Statement is not all doom 1980s and early 2000s, while Grey Teal Data from BirdLife Australia’s Atlas of Australian and gloom. It also celebrates the wonder of gracilis, Red-necked Avocets Recurvirostra Birds shows a decline of more than 50 per cent Australia’s waterbirds by exploring boom- novaehollandiae and Australian in the number of records of Australasian Bitterns and-bust species that track changing Pelecanus conspicillatus declined by 85 per in the Murray–Darling Basin between the first environmental conditions across the continent, cent, 75 per cent and 77 per cent, respectively, Atlas period (1977–81) and subsequent Atlas particularly following flooding rains (see page between 1985 and 2007 (see page 18). periods (2000–04 and 2005–09). Similarly, 8). The mobility and flexibility of these species reporting rates for Australian Painted Snipe have presents researchers with a major monitoring While the decline of waterbirds and wetlands declined steadily since the 1950s. Both species challenge across the vast expanse of Australia’s across the Murray–Darling Basin is well are now listed as nationally Endangered. inland lakes and wetlands (see page 10). recognised, relatively few people appreciate how reductions in river flows and frequency of To address these declines, our waterbirds The Conservation Statement also highlights flooding degrade floodplain woodlands and require a network of well connected, resilient what can be achieved when environmental impact on woodland birds. In the Macquarie and healthy wetlands. This is particularly water is used to support breeding birds and Marshes, the declining health and death of important in the Murray–Darling Basin where the restoration of wetlands and floodplains large numbers of River Red Gums has led weather and available wetland habitat is (see page 40). The overdevelopment and to a decline in populations of foliage and spatially and temporally variable. Through decline of ecosystems in the Murray–Darling understorey specialists, such as Striated its Important Bird and Areas Basin should act as a salutary warning against Pardalotes Pardalotus striatus and Crested program, BirdLife Australia has identified sites rampant development of our Shrike-tits Falcunculus frontatus, while species within the Murray–Darling Basin that could (see page 46). Recent political debate about more typical of open agricultural areas, such form the basis of such a network (see page the need for Australia to develop northern as Crested Pigeons Ocyphaps lophotes, have 16). It is essential that sufficient resources are Australia as the ‘food bowl of ’ must be increased (see page 30). Similar changes have committed to the restoration and protection of accompanied by a rigorous, science-based probably affected woodland bird communities these areas. Most importantly, the critical input assessment of the potential environmental throughout the Murray–Darling Basin wetlands. for resilient wetlands — water — needs to be impacts of such schemes. It would be protected and returned to its natural regime tragic if an affluent nation like Australia The decline of a single wetland or river wherever possible. However, conservation repeated the mistakes of its very recent past, catchment may not have a significant impact reserves are only part of the solution, and it particularly in the Murray–Darling Basin. on individual species whose populations are has long been recognised that agricultural highly dispersed. However, when multiple land can play a role in bird conservation. For rivers are degraded across a system as large example, BirdLife Australia’s ‘Bitterns in Rice’ as the Murray–Darling Basin, the cumulative project has shown that rice crops can provide Above: The Coorong has long been a stronghold for Banded Stilt. Photo by Glenn Ehmke

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 3 Introduction Richard Kingsford Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW

With a catchment of over 1 million km2 The floodplains and wetlands of the Murray– (around 14 per cent of the Australian continent), Darling Basin provide some of the most the Murray–Darling Basin holds more than important habitat in Australia for around 98 30,000 wetlands covering 62,164 km2, almost species of waterbirds. Large concentrations 6 per cent of the land area of the Basin. These of waterbirds feed and breed on the extensive include 16 of the 65 Australian wetlands listed floodplains associated with the 23 river systems. under the (the Convention After extensive flooding, dense colonies of on Wetlands of International Importance) tens of thousands of waterbirds occur on the and more than 200 listed in A Directory of Macquarie Marshes, Narran Lakes and the Important Wetlands in Australia. The two , Gwydir and Lowbidgee wetlands. main rivers, the Murray River (2,508 km) and Other wetlands, most notably the Coorong, the (1,545 km) which form the are critical for migratory shorebirds, terns and southern and northern parts of the Basin, Banded Stilts Cladorhynchus leucocephalus. respectively, are fed by 23 individual river catchments. The Murray–Darling Basin produces The spectacular colonies and high $15 billion of agricultural produce each year, concentrations of waterbirds on many of including $5 billion from irrigated agriculture. the Basin’s wetlands were the catalyst for their nomination as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

4 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN However, from the 1980s, when most of the environmental water was delivered to Above: The sun rises on the peaceful Winton Swamp in north- wetlands were listed, until the breaking of the historically important breeding sites, such east Victoria. The restoration of these wetlands following the decommissioning of Mokoan is the largest project of its kind Millennium Drought in 2010, many of these as the Barmah-Millewa Forest, thousands in the Southern Hemisphere. Photo by Chris Tzaros important wetlands underwent a significant of waterbirds, including colonially breeding decline as a result of over-extraction of water , ibis and egrets, bred successfully. and altered flood regimes. Waterbird populations suffered a massive collapse in numbers, with These responses give us reason to hope that total waterbird abundance falling by 80 per cent the Murray–Darling Basin and its populations of between 1983 and 2006. Over the same period, waterbirds can be restored. However, long-term migratory shorebird populations plunged by 73 recovery will require a coordinated and sustained per cent and Australia’s 15 species of resident program to reinvigorate wetlands throughout shorebirds declined by 81 per cent across the Murray–Darling Basin, including increased south-eastern Australia (Nebel et al. 2008). water allocations for wetlands and an increased frequency of watering wetlands and floodplains The flooding rains of 2010 and 2011 provided to mimic the natural water regimes of these sites. a welcome reprieve from the Millennium Drought. Total waterbird abundance increased across the Murray–Darling Basin, and where

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 5 Murray–Darling Drainage Division River Basins r e iv R

o g e r r a

W

r e iv C r R o e n d v e i n a m R n

o

l i n

o a e

o B

r a P R r iv ie Rive e on r o M

er iv R

n o G arw wyd B ir R iv er r ve C N i a a R m g s n t oi li l r e a r D R e a i g v e h r M

a R q i q v u e a r r ie

R iv er lan R Lach ive r

Murrum bid ge e Ri M ve u r rr ay R CONDAMINE r iv e e iv r R GOULBURN-LODDON

Wi a c

o G r o

m v e u

A l

LACHLAN e b v i

m p u B

R s r r e n

ra a o

p k

n R R e LOWER MURRAY

ive o m

r d i

a n

d v

o C e L r MACQUARIE

MENINDEE LAKES

MID-MURRAY

MURRUMBIDGEE

NAMOI-GWYDIR

UPPER MURRAY

WARREGO

WIMMERA-

Waterbirds — flagships for wetland Waterbirds are a useful ‘flagship’ or ‘indicator’ A range of wetland habitat features is also conservation group for the condition of wetlands, as different needed to support waterbird breeding. species utilise different parts of a wetland Cormorants, egrets and herons usually build Waterbirds are one of the most conspicuous for feeding and breeding. A diverse wetland stick nests in beside or overhanging groups of that use our wetlands supports birds from a range of feeding guilds: water. Ibis build their nests in lignum thickets, — the lakes, swamps, floodplains and -eating birds such as the Australian or sometimes they trample vegetation such as . Different species of waterbirds Pelecanus conspicillatus and cormorants; rushes and reeds to form nesting platforms. often feed and breed in different types of herbivores such as the Black Swan Cygnus Australian Pelicans often build their nests wetlands, and this habitat specialisation atratus; small- feeders such as the on land that is less accessible to predators, may require them to use wetlands over a Pink-eared Malacorhynchus membranaceus usually on islands surrounded by deep water. large scale, sometimes even on a continental and migratory shorebirds; and large wading scale. This makes effective conservation birds that feed on a range of and Despite these differences in their feeding and of waterbirds particularly challenging, as vertebrates, such as the White-faced breeding biology, many colonially breeding widely dispersed networks of wetlands are Egretta novaehollandiae, waterbirds have one thing in common — they often needed to provide sufficient habitat. Threskiornis molucca and Great Egret Ardea alba. require a flood to initiate and complete breeding.

6 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Murray–Darling Drainage Division River Basins r e iv R o g e r r a Water regulation in the Murray–Darling Basin

W

r e iv C r R o The widespread building of dams, diversion e n d v e i n a m of water and floodplain development in R n o

l i n o a

e the Murray–Darling Basin has affected the o B r a P R r iv condition of many of the Murray–Darling Basin’s ie Rive e on r o major wetland systems. The building of large M dams peaked between the 1950s and 1970s. er These dams, along with weirs, block banks iv R n and levees, severely altered flows to prime o rw Gw waterbird habitats across the Murray–Darling a ydir B R Basin, capturing the floods that would have iv er r reached major wetlands and floodplains. ve C N i a a R m g s n t oi li l r e a r Since the late 1970s, the critical impacts of D R e a i g v e water-resource developments on waterbird h r M

a R habitat have become increasingly obvious, q i q v u e a r as prime habitat no longer floods as often or r ie extensively as it has in the past. These changes R iv er have been exacerbated by the conversion of lan R Lach ive r some inland lakes into water storages (e.g.

Menindee Lakes, Euston Lakes, ). Paradoxically, while the floodplains have been drying out, these wetlands have too much water. u M rrum The maintenance of high water levels has led to bid ge e a loss of productivity because these systems no Ri M ve BORDER RIVERS u r rr longer undergo a drying phase. A drying phase ay R CONDAMINE r iv is required for nutrients to build up in vegetation, e e iv r R GOULBURN-LODDON both living and dead, that will be flushed into

Wi a c o G r o the wetland in the next flood. As this vegetation

m v e u

A l

LACHLAN e b v i

m p u B breaks down it creates large amounts of food for R s r r e n

ra a o

p k

n R R e LOWER MURRAY

ive o m invertebrates and microorganisms, supporting r d i

a n d v o C

e waterbirds at the top of the food web. L r MACQUARIE

MENINDEE LAKES The declining state of waterbirds in the Murray– MID- Basin and its floodplains provides a

MURRUMBIDGEE strong indication of the major impacts of water- resource developments in the Murray–Darling NAMOI-GWYDIR Basin over the last 100 years. Today, the rivers UPPER MURRAY supply about 30,000 wetlands covering around WARREGO 6.2 million hectares. These were once much more extensive, as most of the large wetlands used -MALLEE by waterbirds are reliant on rivers to provide was signed into law in 2012. These actions aimed terms of different wetlands and organisms, their water. Many of the large floodplain areas to return environmental flows and provide a and it is essential that we invest in ecological of the Murray–Darling Basin, such as Macquarie framework which considered the long-term monitoring that will improve our understanding Marshes, Lowbidgee wetlands, Great Cumbung sustainability of the rivers and wetlands, of the impacts of returning environmental flows Swamp, the Lower Lakes and the Coorong, given various socio-economic constraints. to rivers. The Commonwealth Environmental have been denied their natural frequency and Water Holder is investing in the monitoring Many questions remain unanswered in relation extent of flooding. Consequently, the extent, of key sites across the Murray–Darling Basin, to the adequacy of this significant investment condition and value of these large wetlands but it is not clear if there will be sufficient in the return of environmental flows (more than as waterbird habitat have all declined. funding to measure changes adequately $3.1 billion in the buy-back of irrigation licences and produce the tools to allow managers to The declining condition of these wetlands and $5.8 billion improving the efficiencies of manage environmental flows properly. and the state of their waterbird communities irrigation and the river and returning flows to the Reference was a powerful driving force for increasing environment). This important initiative began in environmental flows to major wetlands. 2008–09 and, by February 2014, amounted to Nebel, S., Porter, J.L. & Kingsford, R.T. 2008. Long-term trends Governments acted to redress the declining 1,703 gigalitres (GL). Under the Basin Plan, there of shorebird populations in eastern Australia and impacts of freshwater extraction. Biological Conservation 141: 971-980. state of the Murray–Darling Basin, buying back is a commitment to reach 2,750 GL. Most of the water for the environment and establishing the environmental water is now held in upstream Commonwealth Water Act 2007 that legislated dams, necessitating management. The questions for the development of the Basin Plan, which are when to release, how much and where? Above: A Great Egret comes into land. There will inevitably be winners and losers in Photo by Georgina Steytler

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 7 Boom-and-bust cycles Richard Kingsford Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of waterbirds of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW

Droughts and floods define the climatic flood to move quickly through the system comprising tens of thousands of waterbirds and hydrological cycles of our continent. and extend even further, both laterally and became established in the Macquarie Marshes Their powerful influences are particularly longitudinally. Similarly, there was widespread and Lowbidgee, Booligal and wetlands important for waterbird populations, with flooding of rivers and wetlands across a large after widespread flooding. Some of the breeding droughts marking the ‘bust’ periods and part of the Murray–Darling Basin in 2010. These in 2010 extended for more than 5 months, floods defining the ‘boom’ periods. Australia sequences of flood years are boom years for with waves of separate breeding occurring recently experienced one of its most serious waterbirds, stimulating widespread breeding. on the same wetland. Although there is some droughts, the Millennium Drought, broken by anecdotal evidence, there is little published data widespread flooding in 2010. During widespread Like all organisms, waterbirds rely on an on whether the same waterbirds produce more droughts, many wetlands across the continent abundant food supply for breeding, and than one brood in a season — only observations will dry out, limiting the habitat available this is highly correlated with flooding and of marked individuals will settle that question. for waterbirds to feed and breed. Declining rainfall. The capacity to breed quickly when availability of wetlands (both in extent and conditions are appropriate was known from As has always occurred with Australia’s river location) is exacerbated by the over-allocation early research, extending back to the late cycles, a bust followed the boom, and 2011 of water in the Murray–Darling Basin. The 1950s. Many species of waterbirds maintain a and 2012 were dry years with no significant diversion of water for irrigation has reduced state of readiness for reproduction (unlike their flooding on any of the rivers in the Murray– the frequency and extent of flooding of major counterparts whose Darling or Lake Eyre Basins. Many of the wetland systems (e.g. Macquarie Marshes, gonads regress significantly during the non- large lakes also dried out and waterbirds Lowbidgee wetlands). Generally, waterbirds breeding season). The floods bring abundant concentrated in large numbers on lakes with have few options as the habitat dries. They need food, driven by invertebrates which hatch from water remaining. These sequences of drought to find the few remaining alternative habitats sediments and proliferate as the flooding arrives. and flood drive the variability in waterbird or they will die. It is probable that during the Similarly, aquatic germinate with water. populations across the continent, but this Millennium Drought there was a high mortality This abundance of food in low levels of the natural cycle is increasingly artificially skewed of waterbirds unable to find sufficient habitat. food web inevitably leads to large increases in by the imposition of longer dry periods as a Many species also forgo opportunities to breed. the numbers of and fish, which form the result of over-allocation of water supplies and food of many waterbirds. At such times, most climate change in the Murray–Darling Basin. After its wettest period since the mid-1990s, waterbirds colonise productive inland areas, floods arrived in the between rapidly gaining weight and then breeding. Further reading 2009 and 2011, flowing from Kingsford, R.T., Curtin, A.L. & Porter, J.L. 1999. Water flows on and the Georgina and Diamantina Rivers, For example, large breeding colonies of ibis, Cooper Creek determine ‘boom’ and ‘bust’ periods for waterbirds. Biological Conservation 88: 231–48. and reaching Lake Eyre three times. Such a egrets, herons, cormorants and Australian sequence of flooding is particularly important, Pelicans Pelecanus conspicillatus usually only given the extensive floodplains and lakes in become established when there is extensive flooding on the rivers of inland Australia. Above: Australian Pelicans gather in the Lower Lakes of the the Lake Eyre Basin. The first flood ‘primes’ Coorong. Population studies of the area show that their numbers the river, filling up waterholes and lakes and The size of the colony is usually positively declined by 77 per cent between 1985 and 2007. inundating floodplains. This allows the next associated with the extent of flooding. Colonies Photo by Richard Kingsford

8 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Counting the Richard Kingsford1, John L. Porter1,2 1Centre for Ecosystem Science, School and Stuart A. Halse3 of Biological, Earth and Environmental continent’s Sciences, University of NSW; 2NSW Office of Environment and Heritage; waterbirds 3Bennelongia Environmental Consultants

In 2008, we surveyed waterbirds across all major wetlands in Australia — the largest field survey of wildlife attempted in Australia. It took 2 months and three aircraft to collect the data, an undertaking not achieved on any other continent. The project was funded primarily by the National Water Commission and supported by the Commonwealth and state governments. We surveyed most of the major sites for waterbirds in Australia, providing data to inform national water-resource assessments and water-management planning as well as conservation of waterbirds and wetlands.

The first aim of the survey was to identify all major wetlands of importance for waterbirds, including those listed under the Ramsar Convention, in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia and additional wetlands that waterbird experts identified as important. Not all of these wetlands held water in 2008, so we used a combination of local knowledge and satellite imagery to determine which wetlands had water and should thus be surveyed. The aerial survey was timed to coincide with the end of the in , when wetlands had contracted and most waterbirds were concentrated in relatively small areas. In addition to the pre-selected wetlands, we be another effort making sure breeding areas This national waterbird survey showed that such randomly sampled a further 2,000 wetlands and many small wetlands are also included. a survey was achievable and could potentially to provide more comprehensive information be implemented regularly. Under the National on waterbird numbers and distribution. As well as identifying key wetlands for Biodiversity Strategy, Australia is committed to waterbirds, the survey was able to rank the long-term surveys of biodiversity and a regular Overall, we surveyed a total of 4,858 wetlands more numerous waterbirds. The Magpie national survey of waterbirds would provide across Australia in October–November 2008. Goose Anseranas semipalmata was the most valuable information on international, national We estimated that 4.6 million waterbirds of abundant species, accounting for 19.5 per cent and state responsibilities for aquatic biodiversity. more than 100 species occurred across these of all waterbirds. The top ten ranked species or Importantly, separating waterbirds into different wetlands, which represent a significant portion groups of species (, small waders, functional groups (e.g. fish-eating, herbivores, of all wetlands. Of the wetlands surveyed, Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni, invertebrate feeders) can provide valuable few supported large numbers (>10,000) of Grey Teal Anas gracilis, large waders, egrets, information on the effects of changes to rivers waterbirds, with most supporting fewer than Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus leucocephalus, on entire ecosystems. There is community- 1,000. The top 20 wetlands — 0.4 per cent of Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna wide understanding and appreciation that all the wetlands surveyed — held about 40 per arcuata, Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus the status of waterbird communities on cent of all the waterbirds estimated during membranaceus and terns) accounted for more wetlands are indicative of their condition and the survey, and about half of all the waterbirds than 72 per cent of total waterbird abundance. sustainability of natural resource management. estimated occurred on only 41 wetlands. There are some clear implications for long- Further reading term conservation of waterbirds in Australia. Wetlands that supported high or extremely high Kingsford, R.T., Porter, J.L. & Halse, S.A. 2012. National Waterbird concentrations of waterbirds (25,001–300,000) We need to ensure that wetlands which Assessment. Waterlines Report Series No. 74, National Water were mainly in northern Australia, Western provide habitat for waterbirds are protected Commission, . http://www.nwc.gov.au/__data/ Australia, central and western NSW. from threatening processes. Many of them are assets/pdf_file/0012/21720/Waterlines-74-National-waterbird- assessment.pdf These included , Roebuck already within the network but Bay and Lakes Gregory, Argyle and MacLeod in their flow regimes are not always adequately ; the Coorong, Lower Lakes protected (e.g. the Coorong and Lower Lakes). and Murray Mouth in ; and There are also likely to be a few wetlands of Nanjbagu Billabong in Kakadu National in critical importance for waterbirds that must the . There were also important be managed either primarily for conservation complexes of wetlands which included some of or in a way that is sympathetic with waterbird these highly ranked sites. We could not survey all use. Finally, although the distribution of of the small wetlands that may have supported a waterbirds may change as the climate fluctuates, few birds, but cumulatively they could contribute the habitats in northern Australia are very Above: Grey Teal, and Hardhead are some of significantly to Australia’s waterbirds. The important for waterbirds and should be a the many duck species counted during the 2008 aerial survey wetlands we surveyed primarily provided habitat focus for understanding and management. of Australia’s major wetlands—the largest survey of wildlife outside the breeding season, and there should attempted in this country. Photo by Andrew Silcocks

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 9 David Roshier1 and Richard The enigmatic 2 Kingsford travels of Australian 1Australian Wildlife Conservancy; 2Centre for Ecosystem Science, School waterbirds of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW.

Many Australian waterbirds face the daunting resemble one another, as the options for Waterbirds’ capacity to respond to changing challenge of finding mostly temporary movement to alternative wetlands are fewer. distribution of wetlands on broad scales is wetland resources, widely dispersed in time evident across a range of species. Surveys of and space over the continent. Their ability The long-distance movements of some Grey wetlands in the western Murray–Darling Basin to find wetlands in time to capitalise on the Teal Anas gracilis have been tracked, and showed that waterbird abundance was positively pulse of productivity that follows inundation many of their movements are associated with correlated with changes in wetland area in to allow them to breed is amazing. Pelicans, weather and flooding events, often hundreds the Lake Eyre Basin, hundreds of kilometres ibis, ducks and other waterbirds sometimes of kilometres away. However, not all long- away. Some ducks responded immediately, travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres distance movements of Grey Teal were related while numbers of fish-eating species, such as in response to distant cues or when local to contemporary weather patterns. It seems that the Pelecanus conspicillatus conditions deteriorate during dry periods. exploration and memory of past events help and cormorants, declined only after a time- birds find opportunities to breed. One bird in lag sufficient for fish-stocks to build up. While The irregular floods that pulse down our northern New South flew 600 kilometres newly flooded wetlands attract waterbirds, inland rivers may attract tens of thousands of west into an area in the grip of drought, and those breeding on temporary wetlands are birds. These nomadic movements are often then returned via southern Queensland over time-constrained, as evaporation and changes described as ‘erratic’ or ‘unpredictable’, but the next 10 days — a round trip of nearly 1,270 in abundance of prey restrict their access to this is a function of our lack of understanding kilometres. In the initial stage of its journey, food and the time available to fledge young. of their sensory capacities and motivations. the Teal flew more than 500 kilometres in a Researchers tend to concentrate on the little over 6½ hours, at an average speed of Precisely how birds sense the presence of distant outcome of observed movements (classifying nearly 100 km/h for half that period. Over wetlands can only be speculated. Waterbirds species as sedentary, migratory or nomadic) a year, this bird travelled more than 4,800 may be able to see distant wetlands, perhaps up rather than the means by which birds find the kilometres and, extraordinarily, mostly at night. to tens of kilometres away. Some species may resources they need to survive and reproduce. even be able to smell highly productive wetlands Remarkable journeys across Australia are not from great distances — we are increasingly In Australia, patterns of resource distribution confined to ducks. Two Straw-necked Ibis aware that many birds use olfactory cues. They are pulsed, and habitat for waterbirds is Threskiornis spinicollis, fitted with satellite-tags may also respond to low-frequency sound or highly variable, producing individualistic in the Macquarie Marshes, remained within 20 temperature or pressure gradients that are movements. Tracking studies of ducks have kilometres of their colony for 98 per cent of their associated with passing weather systems, but shown that individual birds differ markedly time while they were breeding. In the 2 months we cannot explain how birds find temporary in their patterns of movements when after breeding finished, one bird flew to a site wetlands long after the weather systems have unconstrained by availability of wetland 1,230 kilometres away, while the other remained passed. Some long-distance movements of habitat. Only in arid and semi-arid ecosystems within 200 kilometres of Macquarie Marshes. Grey Teal may be the result of exploration and do the patterns of movement begin to memory of past events, helping them to find

10 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Left: Pelicans fly thousands of kilometres to ephemeral inland wetlands like the Paroo Overflow in to reproduce. How they sense the presence of these wetlands from so far away remains a mystery. Photo by Richard Kingsford

Top right: The Australian Pelican is a remarkable long-haul traveller. Photo by Chris Tzaros

Bottom right: An aerial photo of a huge flock of pelicans breeding in the Paroo Overflow is evidence of the importance of free flowing rivers—and floods—to Australia’s wetland birds. Photo by Richard Kingsford

opportunities to breed. Memory in old birds, combined with contemporary cues such as awareness of a strong , may explain how Australian Pelicans respond to flooding at Lake Eyre and start breeding, sometimes years after previous flooding. Further, breeding sites are often returned to repeatedly (for example, Intermediate Egrets Ardea intermedia at the Macquarie Marshes), suggesting that common social or environmental signals may allow exploitation of infrequently inundated wetlands.

There is still much to learn about the sensory capacities and behavioural strategies used by waterbirds to find and exploit widely dispersed, temporary wetlands. Those means may provide an insight into how birds respond to change. Understanding those means will be critical to understanding which species are vulnerable to the range of threats, including development of water resources and climate change.

Further reading

Kingsford, R.T., Roshier, D.A. & Porter, J.L. 2010. Australian waterbirds — time and space travellers in dynamic desert landscapes. Marine and Freshwater Research 61: 875–84.

Roshier, D.A., Asmus, M.W. & Klaassen, M. 2008. What drives long-distance movements in nomadic Grey Teal Anas gracilis in Australia? Ibis 150: 474–84.

Roshier, D.A., Doerr, V.A.J. & Doerr, E.D. 2008. movement in dynamic landscapes: interaction between behavioural strategies and resource distributions. Oecologia 156: 465–77.

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 11 Richard Kingsford Ramsar wetlands of Centre for Ecosystem Science, School the Murray–Darling of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW Basin

There are 16 wetlands in the Murray–Darling Basin listed under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, otherwise known as the Ramsar Convention. Under this Convention, countries are obligated to maintain the ecological character of their listed wetlands, and also promote the wise use of wetlands more broadly. The states are primarily responsible for the management of these areas, although the needs to report to the international community on their ecological character. Of the 16 Ramsar wetlands in the Murray–Darling Basin, nine are reliant on rivers that are heavily regulated by dams and diversions: Barmah Forest; the ; the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert; Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes; Gunbower Forest; ; ; the Macquarie Marshes; and Narran Lake . Two others rely on one of the Murray– Darling’s large rivers, the , but this is a free-flowing river, with virtually none of its flow diverted or regulated. The remaining wetlands mainly rely on local catchments. The nine large wetland systems that rely on water from heavily regulated rivers are all in various states of ecological degradation, despite the floods of 2010 and 2011. Already, Australia has had to officially notify the international Ramsar Bureau that there is a likelihood of change in ecological character for the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert, the Gwydir Wetlands and the Macquarie Marshes.

For many of these major wetlands, there are clear lines of evidence of degradation of their ecological condition, from waterbird populations to declining native fish numbers and deterioration in the condition of floodplain eucalypts (River Red Gum camaldulensis, Coolibah E. coolabah and Black Box E. largiflorens). Changes to the flow (compared to natural flows) are often used as

Currawinya Lakes () a proxy for the health of these major wetlands, Gwydir Wetlands: Gingham and Lower Gwydir with the hydrological modelling underpinning Narran Lake (Big Leather) Watercourses Nature Reserve Paroo River the Basin Plan showing that flows to some of Wetlands these wetlands have decreased by more than 50 The Macquarie Marshes per cent. The worst decline was in the Coorong and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert where the flow was reduced by 79 per cent compared to Banrock Station Riverland Wetland Complex Hattah-Kulkyne its natural median annual flow. Catastrophic Lakes Fivebough & Tuckerbil changes began to occur to this system as Kerang NSW Central Swamps Wetlands Murray State it dried during the Millennium Drought. The Ginini Flats The Coorong, Lake Albacutya Wetland Complex and Lakes Alexandrina Gunbower Barmah levels of water in the freshwater lakes fell to and Albert Forest Forest below sea level, exposing soils which produced sulphuric acid when exposed to air, causing Top: Great Cormorants nest at Lake Numulla in the Currawinya Lakes Ramsar many parts of the lakes to become acidic. site in south-west Queensland. The South Australian government built levee 0 100 200 300 400 500 km Photo by Damien Cook banks to contain water so that soils were not

Below: This map shows the Ramsar-listed wetlands of exposed and acidification was localised, but the Murray–Darling Basin. this fragmented the system. An impending

12 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN ecological disaster was avoided when the flood on how much environmental water is returned occurred in 2010, filling Lakes Alexandrina and to their inflowing rivers through the Basin Plan Albert and then pushing through to the Murray and also how this will be managed in the long Mouth. Other long dry periods, exacerbated term. It will require active adaptive management by climate change, are sure to follow and it is of environmental water with clear measurable critical that future water planning avoids this objectives. Short-term monitoring should be potential problem. The ecological condition of linked to long-term modelling to determine other sites is also reasonably well known, with the most effective and beneficial options for widespread evidence of declining health. environmental flow management. For example, it would be advantageous to try to reinstate Much of our understanding of the impacts on the boom-and-bust cycles in rivers again; this waterbird populations comes from wetlands may mean not releasing the environmental such as the Barmah Forest, the Macquarie flow each year but managing the system to Marshes and Lowbidgee wetlands. The deliver a larger flood every few years. Such Lowbidgee wetlands are not Ramsar-listed, but a management regime would be particularly have most of the values that would qualify them important for waterbird populations which for listing. Various studies show that the decline are so reliant on extensive wetland areas that in the extent and frequency of flooding of large provide suitable feeding and breeding habitat. wetlands as a result of river regulation and Further reading diversions is the single greatest threat to these ecosystems and their waterbird populations. Kingsford, R.T., Walker, K.F., Lester, R.E., Young, W.J., Fairweather, The building of dams and diversion of water P.G., Sammut, J. & Geddes, M.C. 2011. A Ramsar wetland in crisis — the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth, Australia. Marine upstream has also reduced the frequency and and Freshwater Research 62: 255–65. size of breeding events for colonial waterbirds. Pittock, J. & Finlayson, C.M. 2011. Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin: freshwater ecosystem conservation options in an era of climate The long-term future of the major wetland Nankeen Night Herons and Straw-necked Ibis fly over the flooded change. Marine and Freshwater Research 62: 232–43. systems on regulated rivers is heavily reliant Gywdir Wetlands in early 2012. Photo by Daryl Albertson

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 13 Waterbird communities John Porter1,2 and Richard Kingsford2 1NSW Office of Environment and of the Living Murray Icon Sites Heritage; 2Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW

Flooding is a compare among Icon Sites. The Lower Lakes potentially suitable and Coorong supported more waterbirds than index of ecosystem any other Icon Site, with more than 89 per health for water cent of all waterbirds surveyed. The next most management but it important sites were Chowilla-Lindsay-Walpolla needs to be better (5.4 per cent), Barmah-Millewa Forest (2.7 per linked to biological cent), and Hattah Lakes (1.6 per cent). Sites with outcomes. Waterbird the lowest cumulative waterbird abundances and Lindsay-Walpolla communities are a were Gunbower-- Forest Islands Hattah useful indicator of the with 0.9 per cent and the Murray River with Lakes relative importance of different 0.2 per cent. The Lower Lakes and Coorong wetlands, their functionality also had the highest mean species richness The Coorong, and Lakes Alexandrina Gunbower- Barmah– and Albert Koondrook- Millewah Forest and their long-term condition. (41), followed by Chowilla-Lindsay-Walpolla Pericoota Forest Waterbirds are readily identifiable, (28), Hattah Lakes (15), Barmah-Millewa widespread, highly visible and Forest (15), Murray River (15) and Gunbower- responsive to changes in wetland Koondrook-Perricoota Forest (7). This does not extent and condition. Waterbirds measure actual numbers of species because 0 100 200 300 400 500 km can also be separated into different not all species (e.g. migratory shorebirds) functional groups (e.g. fish-eating birds, can be differentiated during aerial surveys. herbivores), which allows some assessment of the entire ecosystem. We surveyed the Trend analyses were not reliable, with only The six Living Murray Icon Sites were identified composition, distribution and abundance 7 years of data, but some limited patterns can as important areas for conservation primarily of the Icon Site waterbird communities be described. Waterbird abundance in the because most of them are Ramsar-listed each November (2007–13), supported by Lower Lakes and Coorong fluctuated from year wetlands. They are the Murray River channel the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. to year, with high numbers recorded in 2007, and five large wetlands: Barmah-Millewa 2009, 2011 and 2012 (Table 1, Fig.1). Hattah Forest, Gunbower-Koondrook-Pericoota Forest, Total abundance of waterbirds (summed over Lakes was highest in 2007, before declining Hattah Lakes, the Chowilla Floodplain and all Icon Sites) in 2007 was the highest recorded steeply in 2008 and then remaining low in Lindsay-Walpolla Islands (Chowilla-Lindsay- during the survey period (Fig. 1), with a mean subsequent years. Abundance at Chowilla- Wallpolla) of the lower Murray and the Lower total of about 271,200 waterbirds, comprising Lindsay-Walpolla was moderate from 2007–10, Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth (Lower 46 species or groups of species of waterbirds. then increased in 2011 before peaking in 2012 and Lakes and Coorong). These five large wetlands There was no clear trend over time, with overall then declining. Abundances in Barmah-Millewa are a key focus for water management, abundance fluctuating considerably from year Forest were moderate, with low numbers in particularly as natural inundation of floodplains to year. Sites with high abundance consistently 2008 and an increase in 2011. Abundances in is considerably reduced in frequency and extent. had high species richness. We ranked cumulative Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest were total abundances (sum of all years 2007–13) to low, except for moderate increases in 2010–11.

14 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Mean abundance and number Chowilla Table 1. Floodplain Gunbower- of species of waterbirds on The Lower Lakes, and Lindsay- Barmah- Koondrook- Living Murray Icon Sites in November, Coorong and Hattah Wallpolla Millewa Murray Pericoota 2007–13 (see Kingsford & Porter a Waterbirds Murray Mouth Lakes Islands Forest River Forest Total 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012). Abundance 2007 249146 16097 3859 1368 739 31 271240 2008 134645 1476 3549 21 193 43 139904 2009 234254 248 4119 1556 36 3 247923 2010 64919 264 2559 7930 206 8334 84339 2011 166778 1198 9856 16,729 345 2465 197371 2012 172677 943 24961 3498 322 118 202519 2013 80240 125 15932 1893 379 18 98586 Species richness 2007 42 23 20.5 14 16.5 4 46 2008 37 13.5 24 4 6.5 7 45 2009 43.5 20.5 27.5 15 5 1 51 2010 35 10 26 10 14.5 14 45 2011 44 16 30 22 17 15 51 2012 40 13 33 20.5 31 6 47 2013 44 5.5 32 19.5 13.5 3.5 46 aFive 2-minute transects

The Murray River had consistently low waterbird 300000 abundance throughout the study period. Gunbower-Perricoota

Widespread flooding throughout the Murray– Darling Basin in 2010 and 2011 provided wetland habitat over large parts of normally dry areas, River Murray such as Barmah-Millewa Forest and Gunbower- Koondrook-Pericoota Forest, potentially drawing waterbirds away from the large lake complex of Barmah-Millewa the Lower Lakes and Coorong. It was also likely 200000 that by 2011, previous flooding in the Lake Eyre

Basin was beginning to abate and waterbirds Chowilla-Lindsay-Wallpolla started to recolonise major coastal habitats, including the Lower Lakes and Coorong.

References Hattah Lakes

Kingsford, R.T. & Porter, J.L. 2008. Survey of Waterbird Communities of the Living Murray Icon Sites — November 2007. School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University Waterbird Abundance Waterbird Lower Lakes & Coorong of NSW, . Report to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. 100000 Kingsford, R.T. & Porter, J.L. 2009. Survey of Waterbird Communities of the Living Murray Icon Sites — November 2008. School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of . Report to Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

Kingsford, R.T. & Porter, J.L. 2010. Survey of Waterbird Communities of the Living Murray Icon Sites — November 2009. School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University Figure 1. Annual aerial survey of New South Wales. Report to Murray-Darling Basin Authority. estimates of total waterbird

Kingsford, R.T. & Porter, J.L. 2011. Survey of Waterbird abundance on the Living Murray Communities of the Living Murray Icon Sites — November 2010. 0 Icon Wetland sites 2007–13 School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 of New South Wales. Report to Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Year

Kingsford, R.T. & Porter, J.L. 2012. Survey of Waterbird Communities of the Living Murray Icon Sites — November 2011. Australian Wetlands, Rivers and Landscapes Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New Opposite top: Great Egrets, , Chestnut Teal and Opposite below: The stars on this map mark the Living Murray South Wales. Report to Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Black-winged Stilts enjoy the bounty of this flooded wetland. Icon Sites. Photo by Andrew Silcocks

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 15 Jenny Lau Wetland and floodplain IBAs BirdLife Australia of the Murray–Darling Basin

• they have are already listed as Ramsar sites, Living Murray significant Icon Sites and/or Hydrological Indicator sites for numbers of one the Basin Plan (Table 1). While some wetlands in the Murray–Darling Basin met IBA criteria for Narran or more globally Wetlands IBA multiple species (e.g. the Coorong), others were Gwydir

Paroo Floodplain & Wetlands IBA Currawinya IBA • they are one found to be important for one or two species Macquarie (e.g. Fivebough and Tuckerbil Swamps). Menindee Marshes IBA of a set of sites that Lakes IBA together hold a suite The consistent overlap between IBA, Ramsar, Lakes Gri th Alexandrina Wetlands IBA Fivebough & of restricted range or & Albert IBA Tuckerbil Living Murray Icon and Hydrological Indicator Swamps IBA biome-restricted species Lowbidgee sites is unsurprising, given the capacity for Floodplain IBA • they have exceptionally wetlands to support high numbers of waterbirds. North Murrumbidgee Victorian Red Gums IBA large numbers of migratory Wetlands IBA This was a key criterion in the designation Coorong IBA Barmah- Millewa IBA or congregatory species. of many Ramsar and Living Murray Icon sites. Waterbird communities are also useful These criteria are internationally indicators as the complexity and diversity agreed, standardised, quantitative and of wetland ecosystems. It is of concern that scientifically defensible. Importantly, 0100 200300 400500 Gunbower Floodplain and a number of lakes km IBAs must be amenable to conservation in the Kerang Wetlands Ramsar site (North action and management, and of an appropriate Victorian Wetlands IBA) were rejected as IBAs. size to be conserved in their entirety. Many are At both sites, there was evidence of permanent already part of a network of protected areas. Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) changes to the hydrology of the wetlands, leading to a long-term decline in numbers are areas recognised as internationally Between 2005 and 2009, BirdLife Australia of waterbirds, meaning that these sites no important for bird conservation. They assessed hundreds of sites across Australia longer met IBA criteria. The demise of these provide habitat for key bird species that are against these criteria to determine their wetlands should act as a salutary warning vulnerable to global extinction or whose suitability for designation as IBAs. Numerous of what we stand to lose if sufficient secure populations are otherwise irreplaceable. Each wetlands and floodplains of the Murray–Darling water is not allocated to important wetlands. IBA meets one or more of three criteria: Basin met IBA criteria, and many of these IBAs

16 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Wetland Key IBA Values

Supports a large population of the Vulnerable Polytelis swainsonii and small numbers of the Near Threatened Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata and (non-breeding) Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea. When flooded, it also supports Barmah-MillewaRLH the Endangered Botaurus poiciloptilus and regionally important numbers of breeding waterbirds.

The Coorong has regularly supported more than 1 per cent of the world population of Australian Shelducks Tadorna tadornoides, Chestnut Teal Anas castanea, Red-necked Stints Calidris ruficollis, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers C. acuminata, Australian Pied Oystercatchers Haematopus longirostris, Banded Stilts Cladorhynchus leucocephalus, Red-necked Avocets Recurvirostra novaehollandiae and Red-capped Plovers Charadrius ruficapillus, and significant numbers of the Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster, Vulnerable Fairy Tern Sternula nereis and Near Threatened Hooded Plover Thinornis rubricollis, although many are in steep decline from reduced freshwater inflows. Two sightings of the Endangered The CoorongRLH Australasian Bittern were reported in Atlas of Australian Birds surveys undertaken between 1998 and 2008.

Regularly supports the Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parrot, the Endangered Australasian Bittern, the Vulnerable Fairy Lakes Alexandrina Tern, and more than 1 per cent of the world population of Cape Barren Geese Cereopsis novaehollandiae, Australian Shelducks, and AlbertRL Great Cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers among about 100,000 waterbirds in 2007.

Supports up to 400,000 waterbirds and more than 1 per cent of the world population of Black Swans Cygnus atratus, Freckled Ducks Stictonetta naevosa, Pink-eared Ducks Malacorhynchus mambranaceus, Grey Teal Anas gracilis, Australasian Shovelers A. rhynchotis, Hardheads Aythya australis, Red-necked Avocets, Black-winged Stilts Himantopus leucocephalus, Paroo Floodplain Banded Stilts, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Red-capped Plovers, as well as the Near Threatened Australian and CurrawinyaR australis, Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos and Painted Grantiella picta and six biome-restricted species.

Supports more breeding waterbirds than any other site in Australia when adequate water inflows are received. Over half a million nesting waterbirds have been estimated including more than 1 per cent of the world’s Nankeen Night-Herons Nycticorax caledonicus, Intermediate Egrets Ardea intermedia, Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca and Straw-necked Gwydir WetlandsRH Ibis T. spinicollis. The Endangered Australasian Bittern has been recorded there but the current status is unknown.

Supports exceptional numbers of nesting waterbirds when water conditions are suitable. This includes the largest colony of Straw-necked Ibis (up to 200,000 pairs), more than 1 per cent of the world population of Australian Pelicans Pelecanus Narran WetlandsRH conspicillatus and Black-fronted Dotterels Elseyornis melanops and small numbers of the Endangered Australasian Bittern.

Supports more than 1 per cent of the global populations of the Endangered Australasian Bittern and the congregatory Macquarie White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica, Intermediate Egret, Nankeen Night-Heron, Australian White Ibis, Straw-necked MarshesRH Ibis and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. The IBA also supports a population of the Near Threatened Diamond Firetail.

Fivebough and Supports significant numbers of the Endangered Australasian Bittern and regularly supports Tuckerbil SwampsR more than 1 per cent of the global population of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers.

Supports populations of the Endangered Australasian Bittern and the Near Threatened Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis. The Northern Victorian wetlands have supported more than 1 per cent of the world populations of Freckled Ducks, Straw-necked Ibis, Black-fronted WetlandsR Dotterels, Banded Stilts and Red-necked Avocets, but only the last two species occur regularly in these numbers.

Regularly supports small numbers of the Endangered Australasian Bittern. Previously supported more than 1 per Griffith Wetlands cent of the world population of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Red-necked Avocets and Chestnut Teal.

Has supported 222,000 waterbirds, including more than 1 per cent of the world populations of the congregatory Freckled Menindee LakesH Duck, Grey Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Red-necked Avocet, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red-capped Plover.

Lowbidgee Has supported up to 650,000 waterbirds, and regularly more than 1 per cent of the world populations of Black Swans, Freckled Ducks, FloodplainH Pink-eared Ducks, Grey Teal, Australasian Shovelers, Straw-necked Ibis, Yellow-billed Spoonbills Platalea flavipes and Black-winged Stilts.

Murrumbidgee Supports nesting Superb Parrots. This is one of three discrete breeding areas for this threatened species. Red GumsH

Note: IBA boundaries do not necessarily coincide with boundaries of Ramsar, Living Murray Icon or Hydrological Indicator sites.

Table 1: Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of the floodplains and wetlands of Above left: A perches in a gum . the Murray–Darling Basin. Superscripts The Gwydir wetlands IBA in NSW is important for this indicate whether IBAs are also Ramsar species. Photo by Dean Ingwersen (R), Living Murray Icon (L) or Hydrological Above right: The Coorong regularly supports more than Indicator (H) sites for the Basin Plan. one per cent of the world population of Red-capped Plovers. Photo by Chris Tzaros

Below: This map shows Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas in the Murray–Darling Basin

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 17 Daniel J. Rogers1 and David C. Paton2 The Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth 1Department of Environment, Water and – an important and complementary bird Natural Resources, South Australian Government; 2School of Earth & habitat in the Murray–Darling Basin Environmental Sciences, The University of .

18 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Together, the Coorong and Lower Lakes (Lakes The importance of the Coorong and Lower Left: Australian Pelicans congregate in the Lower Lakes Alexandrina and Albert) form the of the Lakes to waterbird populations is not limited near the mouth of the Murray River in South Australia. Murray–Darling Basin, connecting the Murray to migratory shorebirds, as large numbers Photo by Richard Kingsford and Darling Rivers to the sea through the of endemic Australian waterbirds also use Below: The Coorong and Lower Lakes provide important Murray Mouth. These wetland systems support the system. Some of these species, such as feeding grounds for migratory shorebirds such as the a spectacular diversity and abundance of Chestnut Teal Anas castanea, the threatened Curlew Sandpiper. Photo by Chris Tzaros waterbirds. Annual counts of waterbirds of the Australian Fairy Tern Sternula nereis nereis Coorong (since 2000) and Lower Lakes (since and Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus, 2008) have revealed just how spectacular this probably use these wetlands within a relatively diversity and abundance is. During this period, local context. However, the Coorong and Lower the Coorong regularly supported at least 85 Lakes play a critical role in the of some species of waterbirds, with a total abundance species with continental-scale movements. of between 76,000 and 337,000 birds (Paton Species such as Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus & Bailey 2012). Among these species is a range leucocephalus and Grey Teal Anas gracilis of migratory shorebirds, including Curlew typically breed during large flooding events in Sandpipers Calidris ferruginea, Red-necked inland Australia, then descend on the Coorong Stints C. ruficollis and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Lower Lakes in large numbers as inland C. acuminata. Up to about 21 per cent of the Australia dries out. During the recent Millennium estimated global population of Sharp-tailed Drought, for example, up to 270,000 Banded Sandpipers occur in the Coorong during the Stilts were recorded in the Coorong — more austral summer (Paton et al. 2009) – which than the previous global population estimate is interesting considering that the species is for this species! Aerial surveys conducted typically thought to have a dispersed distribution during the Millennium Drought highlighted the during the non-breeding season. In 1985, the importance of the Coorong and Lower Lakes system incorporating the Lower Lakes, the for waterbirds in the Murray–Darling Basin Coorong and Murray Mouth was recognised as a (Kingsford & Porter 2008, 2009). In 2008, 96 Wetland of International Importance under the per cent of all waterbirds surveyed among the Ramsar Convention, primarily for its importance six Living Murray Icon Sites were recorded in the to international migratory shorebirds. Coorong and Lower Lakes at a time when they were subject to unprecedented environmental degradation (Kingsford & Porter 2008, 2009).

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 19 While the Coorong and Lower Lakes remain Millennium Drought, this reflected the inexorable Darling Basin. For the Coorong, river flows are critical wetland habitats for Australian long-term reductions in flow (Kingsford et al. the strongest determinant of the salinity and waterbirds, their value as waterbird habitat 2011). Furthermore, the return of flow, particularly water-level regimes. This, in turn, affects whether has changed significantly. Anecdotal reports since 2010, did little to restore these waterbird are suitably inundated for recruitment from the 1960s suggested that up to 250,000 populations, with the total abundance of birds of Ruppia, while also providing suitable habitat shorebirds used the northernmost 20-kilometre in 2012 barely reaching the average number of for shorebirds (Rogers & Paton 2009a,b; estuarine section of the Coorong. Given that the birds recorded between 2000 and 2009, after Paton 2010). Modification of hydrological estuary currently supports around 5 per cent of an initial and dramatic decline immediately regimes has occurred through extraction and the total migratory shorebird population of the after the return of flow (Paton & Bailey 2012). regulation of water, risking the ecosystem as Coorong, the total number in the 1960s may have waterbird habitat. For example, Ruppia was been more than a million birds. By 1985, when What has driven these long-term declines? For largely eliminated from the Coorong during the wetlands were recognised under the Ramsar a system that supports such a high diversity the Millennium Drought because of long-term Convention, the total number of shorebirds had and abundance of waterbirds, the ecology modifications to river flows into the system. declined to between 100,000 and 150,000 for that supports these waterbird communities the entire Coorong (Gosbell & Grear 2005; Paton is relatively simple. In the southern Coorong, The key driver of the persistence of waterbird 2010) — still a significant number, but a fraction the range of waterbirds relies on one or two populations in the Coorong and Lower Lakes is of their former numbers. Between 2000 and prey species of fish (particularly Smallmouth the adequate delivery of water to these wetlands 2005, the total number of migratory shorebirds Hardyhead Atherinosoma microstoma), up to via the upstream rivers of the Murray–Darling in the Coorong ranged from 34,000 to 63,000 three aquatic macroinvertebrates (particularly Basin. Much has been made of the availability (Rogers & Paton 2009b), a 60 per cent decline the larvae of a midge Tanytarsus barbartus) of water in the Murray–Darling Basin under from the early 1980s. These declines were not and a single aquatic , Ruppia tuberosa future climates, with significant reductions restricted to shorebirds: between 1985 and 2007, (Rogers & Paton 2009b; Paton 2010). This in Basin inflow predicted (Jones et al. 2002). Grey Teal declined by 85 per cent, Red-necked simple ecology supports a high diversity and However, even in the face of significant climate Avocets Recurvirostra novaehollandiae by 75 abundance of waterbirds, but is sensitive to change, water delivery depends on the rules per cent, and Australian Pelicans Pelecanus adverse changes, as it contains little redundancy. under which water is distributed to current conspicillatus by 77 per cent (Paton et al. 2009; These ecosystems rely on particular hydrological users and the environment (CSIRO 2008). Rogers & Paton 2009b). While the Coorong and conditions, largely driven by the volume and These are codified in the Basin Plan (Murray– Lower Lakes were impacted significantly by the timing of water delivery from the Murray– Darling Basin Authority 2012), with a key driver

20 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN of improving water delivery to environmental CSIRO. 2008. Water availability in the Murray-Darling Basin. Paton, D.C., Rogers, D.J., Hill, B.M., Bailey, C.P. & Ziembicki, assets. However, the current Basin Plan will not Report to the Australian Government from the CSIRO Murray- M. 2009. Temporal changes to spatially stratified waterbird Darling Basin Sustainable Yields Project. CSIRO, Canberra. communities of the Coorong, South Australia: implications for the be fully implemented until 2024, and even then, management of heterogenous wetlands. Animal Conservation Gosbell, K. & Grear, B. 2005. The importance of monitoring it is unlikely to provide the volumes of water 12: 408–17. needed to maintain ecological function in the shorebird utilisation of the Coorong and surrounding wetlands in South Australia. pp. 52-61. In P Straw (Ed.) Status and Rogers, D.J. & Paton, D.C. 2009a. Changes in the distribution and Coorong. Key species such as Ruppia tuberosa Conservation of Shorebirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. abundance of Ruppia tuberosa in the Coorong. CSIRO: Water for are yet to recover, and so the Coorong is no Wetlands International, Sydney. a Healthy Country National Research Flagship, Canberra. longer the same ecological system as when it Jones, R., Whetton, P., Walsh, K. & Page, C. 2002. Future impacts Rogers, D.J. & Paton, D.C. 2009b. Spatiotemporal Variation in was first declared a Wetland of International of climate variability, climate change and land use change on the Waterbird Communities of the Coorong. CSIRO: Water for a Importance. In 2008, the Australian government water resources in the Murray Darling Basin: overview and draft Healthy Country National Research Flagship, Canberra. admitted this to the international Ramsar Bureau program of research. CSIRO, Canberra. when it agreed to a likely change in ecological Kingsford, R.T. & Porter, J.L. 2008. Survey of waterbird character resulting from human impacts. communities of the Living Murray Icon Sites — November 2007. Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Canberra. A key lesson learnt from the Millennium Drought Kingsford, R.T. & Porter, J.L. 2009. Annual survey of waterbird was that the functions supporting waterbirds in communities of The Living Murray Icon Sites. Murray-Darling the Coorong and Lower Lakes are most critical Basin Commission, Canberra. when water is most scarce. These functions Kingsford, R.T., Walker, K.F., Lester, R.E., Young, W.J., Fairweather, need to be maintained during droughts, as P.G., Sammut, J. & Geddes, M.C. 2011. A Ramsar wetland in crisis the Coorong and Lower Lakes are critically — the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth, Australia. Marine important when Australia is undergoing dry and Freshwater Research 62: 255–65. conditions. They are particularly important for Murray-Darling Basin Authority. 2012. Basin Plan. Murray-Darling waterbirds whose inland habitats have dried Basin Authority, Canberra. out. If they cannot function as a drought refuge Opposite: Although the Coorong boasts over 85 species of Paton, D.C. 2010. At the End of the River. The Coorong and Lower waterbirds, it is the Australian Pelican that defines this region of during these times, the long-term persistence Lakes. ATF Press, Hindmarsh, SA. of these waterbird species will be threatened, South Australia in the nation’s mind. Photo by Glenn Ehmke Paton, D.C. & Bailey, C.P. 2012. Condition Monitoring of the Lower well beyond the scale of the Coorong and Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth Icon Site: Waterbirds using Above: The threatened Fairy Tern is one of the many endemic Lakes, or even the Murray–Darling Basin. the Coorong and Murray Estuary 2012. School of Earth and waterbirds to call the Coorong and Lower Lakes home. Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide. Photo by Glenn Ehmke

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 21 Richard Kingsford The Paroo: the last free-flowing river in the Centre for Ecosystem Science, School Murray–Darling Basin of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW

22 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN The Paroo River is the last major free-flowing dark-red patched trunk, which is found river in the Murray–Darling Basin, and is the almost exclusively along the Paroo River. most westerly river flowing from Queensland into New South Wales. The conservation This biodiversity and the many landholders values of the system are now well recognised. that live along the Paroo River depend on its It has two wetland complexes that are part of unpredictable flooding regimes. Unlike most the protected areas network: the Paroo River other rivers in the Murray–Darling Basin, the Wetlands Ramsar site in New South Wales and floodplains and flow regimes of the Paroo the Currawinya Lakes Ramsar site in Queensland. River remain largely intact, exhibiting high The Paroo River Wetlands Ramsar site includes variability and still reaching the furthest extent and the Peery of its floodplain. The river is protected by the Lake section of Paroo-Darling National Park, historic Paroo River Agreement, signed by where the Paroo overflow lakes are located. the Governments of New South Wales and Queensland in 2003, as well as assessment of The site boasts a wide array of habitats, any development that may affect the Ramsar- supporting large concentrations of waterbirds listed sites. Unfortunately, the agreement is during dry periods, and in boom times, colonies not an iron-clad protection for the river, and of Australian Pelicans Pelecanus conspicillatus, could be altered if there was an appetite for Plegadis falcinellus and spoonbills water resource development by government. Platalea. The most spectacular ecosystem There still remains a real need to provide more that is dependent on the Paroo River is the effective protection for this river system. It will Currawinya Lakes, comprising two magnificent require strong national legislation to protect lakes — one freshwater (Lake Numalla) and the such important rivers and their wetlands, other saline (Lake Wyara) — supporting some of as threats to the river system persist. the highest densities of waterbirds in Australia, sometimes with up to 250,000 waterbirds on Lake Wyara. Australian Pelicans also breed in large numbers on the islands in the lake, and occasionally also on Lake Numalla. All the wetlands in the Paroo River catchment depend on the natural flow regime of the Paroo River.

The Paroo River generally only reaches the Opposite top: Unobstructed by dams, the Paroo is the last free-flowing river in the Murray–Darling Darling River once every 10–20 years. During Basin. Photo by Richard Kingsford large floods the river inundates some of the more extensive floodplains in the Murray–Darling Opposite below: Seen from above, the interweaving patterns of birds and water of the Paroo Overflow Basin. Its network of channels is extended by look like an abstract painting. water contributed by Cuttaburra Creek, after Photo by John Porter flowing through Yantabulla Swamp, which is a Below: This map shows the Paroo River system. biodiversity hotspot for waterbirds. Cuttaburra Creek receives flows from the , which wash down from the Carnarvon Range. Myriad channels eventually join up to take water into the lakes of the Paroo River Overflow. The largest lake, Peery Lake, is more than 20 kilometres long and holds water for a few years once it fills. This lake system depends mainly Charleville on large floods from Queensland, with water eventually passing into the Darling River. Currawinya Lakes (Lake Wyara & Lake Numalla) Populations of fish, frogs and invertebrates explode during floods on the Paroo River, Paroo River providing a huge food source for waterbirds, Brisbane which are at the top of the food web. There Nocoleche Nature are also many different species of plants River Warrego Reserve which are the primary-production drivers for Yantabulla Swamp the diversity of these ecosystems. The more Lake Peery obvious floodplain eucalypts include River Bourke Red Gums , Coolibah E. coolabah and Black Box E. largiflorens, all of which have life cycles that depend on Darling River Paroo-Darling flooding regimes. There is also the impressive National Park Yapunyah E. ochrophloia, with its characteristic

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 23 Andrew Silcocks1, Rick Webster2 Australasian Bitterns 3 and Matt Herring in the Murray–Darling Basin 1BirdLife Australia; 2NSW National & Wildlife Service; 3Murray Wildlife.

The Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilis is a shy, reclusive waterbird inhabiting shallow freshwater wetlands in south-eastern and south-western Australia. Bitterns hide among tall emergent vegetation, especially reeds, rushes and sedges, as well as in rice crops. In this tall vegetation, their cryptic behaviour makes them difficult to detect, with their presence often signalled by a resonant booming call used by males to advertise their territories during spring and early summer.

Data from BirdLife Australia’s Atlas of Australian Birds indicates that the Murray–Darling Basin is an important region for this species, with Figure 1a. 1977–81 around 30 per cent of all Australian records from the three 5-year periods covered by the Atlas coming from the region (Table 1). However, Australasian Bitterns are not evenly distributed throughout the Murray–Darling Basin — they mostly occur in the Murray and catchments within the , and further north in the Macquarie Marshes (Figs 1a–c). Birds do not use habitat in the Darling River system regularly.

Between Atlas 1 (1977–81) and the two subsequent periods covered by Atlas data (2000–04 and 2005–09) there was a decline of more than 50 per cent in the number of records of Australasian Bitterns in the Figure 1b. 2000–04 Murray–Darling Basin (Table 1), despite an increase in the number of surveys within the region. A similar decline was recorded across the species’ range. This is undoubtedly a reflection of changes in the suitability and condition of wetlands, exacerbated by the Millennium Drought. Many of the shallow ephemeral wetlands favoured by this species have been lost due to reclamation for farming and reductions of flows by river regulation, with dams and diversion of water leading to increasing terrestrialisation and degradation in the health of wetlands (e.g. Macquarie Marshes).

Total number of records % records in MDB Total number of 10’ grids % grids in MDB Period MDB Australia MDB Australia Figure 1c. 2005–09 1977–81 139 480 28.9 69 252 27.4 2000–04 66 342 19.3 28 111 25.2 Figures 1a–c. Reporting Reporting Rate 2005–09 65 500 13.0 26 92 28.2 rates of Australian Bitterns in 10-minute grids from <1 Table 1. Total number of records and three 5-year periods within 1-6 10-minute grids where Australasian Bitterns the Murray–Darling Basin: were recorded during three 5-year periods a. 1977–81, b. 2000–04 and 6-10 for the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) and the c. 2005–09, using data rest of Australia, using data from BirdLife from the BirdLife Australia 10-20 Australia’s Atlas of Australian Birds. Atlas of Australian Birds. >20

Major rivers

Rice growing areas

24 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Below: This Australasian Bittern nest was discovered in early 2014 in a rice crop in the NSW Riverina. Rice crops are thought to provide breeding habitat for this . Photo by Matt Herring

Atlas data show a decline of more than 50 per habitat for Australasian Bitterns — males Australasian cent in the total number of 10-minute grids regularly call from rice crops during summer, Bittern Facts where Bitterns have been recorded, both in indicating that they hold territories there. the Murray–Darling Basin and nationally. This indicates that Australasian Bittern habitat is While rice crops provide important, man- EPBC Status being lost across the species’ range. Importantly, made habitat for Bitterns, rice cropping also Endangered records for the Murray–Darling Basin show that requires water to be diverted from major rivers, which can reduce natural Bittern habitat Australasian Bitterns were consistently recorded IUCN Status in four 10-minute grids during each Atlas period: (e.g. Lowbidgee wetlands). It is not known Endangered one in the Macquarie Marshes, one in the whether the habitat provided by rice crops fully Riverina and two at the Murray Mouth. While this mitigates the loss of natural Bittern habitat. Distribution may reflect Bitterns’ preference for ephemeral In rice-growing areas of northern Italy, about Endemic to south-eastern and south-western Australia wetlands, it also highlights the importance of 25 per cent of Eurasian Bitterns B. stellaris (a and New Zealand; historical these areas for the conservation of the species. species similar to the Australasian Bittern) records in . feed and breed in rice crops (Longoni 2010). Atlas data indicate that the Australasian Bittern Population abundance In spring 2012, BirdLife Australia and the Rice is mostly a summer visitor to the Murray– In Australia, probably 500–800 Darling Basin (Fig. 2). While this might be Growers’ Association, in partnership with partly explained by Bitterns being easier to state government agencies and volunteer Non-breeding habitat detect in summer when they are calling, the organisations, initiated a project to assess Freshwater wetlands, occasionally number of sightings is also much higher in the value of rice crops in the Riverina for the in estuarine habitats summer than winter. Many suitable wetlands Australasian Bittern. An engagement component Breeding habitat may dry out towards the end of summer, raises awareness among the farmers and the broader community about Bitterns, encouraging Shallow ephemeral wetlands with forcing Bitterns to seek more reliable water dense emergent vegetation sources, especially near the coast. Monthly people to record their presence and pass the surveys at coastal wetlands around details onto BirdLife Australia. The research Breeding ecology (Fig. 2) and at estuaries in aspect of the project focuses on population Poorly known. It is thought that and around Sydney indicate an influx of estimates, collecting habitat data related to rice the male sets up and defends a Bitterns between May and October, with birds management and studying the birds’ biology. territory, leaving the female to departing in late spring to seek breeding sites. build the nest, lay and incubate Results indicate that a large population of the eggs and raise the young. It Bitterns in Rice Bitterns moves into rice crops once they is possible that more than one provide a reasonable degree of cover. Surveys brood can be raised in a season Up to 145,000 hectares of rice is grown in study sites, comprising 4 per cent of when conditions are suitable. annually on the Murray and Murrumbidgee the area of rice grown in 2012–13, revealed River floodplains (see Figs 1a–c). Rice crops 59 birds (plus another 11 nearby), while in are flooded to c. 30 centimetres deep during 2013–14, more than 50 birds were recorded summer, and the crops grow up to a metre in a small sample of sites. Distribution across tall. This reliable combination of water and the region is patchy, with some areas, such vegetation provides extensive areas of potential as areas around Colleambally and Griffith on

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 25 Left: Many of the ephemeral wetlands favoured by Australasian Bitterns have been claimed by agriculture or lost due to river regulation. Photo by Peter Merritt

the Murrumbidgee floodplain, supporting 25 good numbers, while birds are more scattered

in areas associated with the Murray River. s 20 The focus of the 2013–14 season was to cord determine the extent to which Bitterns breed in rice crops. Evidence of four nests was found, 15 with young recorded in two nests, illustrating that Bitterns can breed successfully in rice crops. We urgently need to continue the 10 research into all aspects of the life history of Australasian Bitterns in rice crops and re site entage of total rc

work with the rice industry to implement Pe 5 Bittern-friendly rice-growing practices.

In February 2011, the Australasian Bittern was listed as Endangered under the Commonwealth 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Environment Protection and Biodiversity Month Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), consistent with its global status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This recognition of Reference Figure 2. Seasonal trends in Australasian Bittern the recent, sharp population decline may Longoni, V. 2010. Rice fields and waterbirds in the Mediterranean records in the Murray–Darling Basin (green provide greater protection for freshwater region and the Middle East. Waterbirds 33: 83–96. line) and Edithvale–Seaford Wetlands (blue wetlands and promote understanding of line). Site totals for each month expressed as the ecological needs of the species. The a percentage of total site records. Murray– Australasian Bittern is the second freshwater- Darling Basin data (n=123) from BirdLife wetland bird species to be listed under the Australia’s Atlas of Australian Birds (1998–2011). EPBC Act (the other is the Australian Painted Edithvale–Seaford Wetland data (n=335) from Snipe), potentially forming flagship species monthly surveys of Edithvale (Sep 1989–2011) for wetland conservation in Australia. These and Seaford Wetlands (Mar 1994–2011). species are now in urgent need of Recovery Plans, as required under the EPBC Act.

26 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Painting the picture: identifying key habitat for Chris Purnell, Janelle Thomas and James O’Connor the Australian Painted Snipe BirdLife Australia

Above: Wetlands throughout the Murray–Darling Basin The Australian Painted Snipe Rostratula Basin is the species’ stronghold (Lane & provide refuge for the Endangered Australian Painted australis is one of Australia’s most cryptic and Rogers 2000; BirdLife Australia’s Atlas of Snipe—34 per cent of all sightings originate from the region. unpredictable endemic wetland birds. Until the Australian Birds) — 34 per cent of all sightings Photo by Chris Tzaros early 2000s, the Australian Painted Snipe was originate from the region and many records considered a subspecies of the widespread are of multiple birds. In total, 39 per cent of all Greater Painted Snipe R. benghalensis. As recorded individuals have been from the Murray– a consequence, little was known about the Darling Basin, with regular flocking events at species’ ecology, abundance and distribution. historically significant sites in the Riverina and So in 2001, BirdLife Australia’s Threatened Bird in floodplain wetlands. A record 57 birds were Network and the Australasian Wader Studies recorded at the Macquarie Marshes in 2011. Group initiated targeted studies to address this knowledge gap. Twelve years later and, There is a strong seasonal trend in Australian with valuable contributions from experts Painted Snipe records in the Murray–Darling around Australia, we continue to identify Basin, with 81 per cent of records made between conservation priorities for the species. October and February (Fig. 1). It is thought that many birds leave other parts of Australia Although the Australian Painted Snipe occurs (particularly northern Australia) during this across much of Australia, the Murray–Darling period to seek feeding and breeding habitat in 30 the fertile ephemeral wetlands of the Murray– Darling Basin. Most breeding records (89 per cent) occur during spring and summer, when 25 birds utilise abundant invertebrate communities s as floodwaters drop and vegetation decays.

cord 20

15

entage of all re 10 rc Figure 1. Proportion (%) of Australian Painted Pe Snipe records (1998–2013) by month within 5 the Murray–Darling Basin (blue line) and northern Australia (<23°S, green line). BirdLife

0 Australia Australian Painted Snipe Database. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 27 Although there is some evidence of north–south Legend seasonal movements, the population is also highly nomadic and opportunistic, moving in ! DROUGHT response to habitat condition and resource Legend availability. During the drought of 2002–09, ! NON-DROUGHT a large proportion of Australian Painted Snipe ! DROUGHT

(58 per cent of individuals) were observed ! NON-DROUGHT RIVERINA IBRA at coastal and near coastal wetlands, where permanent (often artificial) water sources RIVERINA IBRA provided key drought refugia (Fig. 2). Crucial MURRAY–DARLINGMURRAY–DARLING BASIN BASIN refugia such as the Macquarie Marshes and the Riverina were also utilised (15 per cent of individuals), and some remained in the monsoon-fed wetlands of northern Australia during the drought (23 per cent of individuals). By comparison, in the years following the drought (2010–present), only 25 per cent of individuals have been observed in coastal and near coastal wetlands.

Following these years of severe drought, successive La Niña events spanning 2010–12 were associated with record rainfall over much of Australia, with 2010 the wettest year on record for the Murray–Darling Basin (Bureau of Meteorology 2013). As a result, relatively high numbers of Australian Painted Snipe, including breeding birds, were recorded between October 2010 and July 2011. Many (31 per cent) were on inland wetlands in the Murray–Darling Basin (Fig. 3). The second La Niña event, in October 2011, provided a second opportunity for sexually mature birds to breed and increased the likelihood of survival for first- year birds fledged in the previous year’s event.

Figure 2. Australian Painted Snipe records in the Murray–Darling Basin during the non-drought periods of 1998–2001 and 2010–13 (blue), and the drought of 2002–09 (red). BirdLife Australia Australian Painted Snipe Database. Sources: Esri, GEBCO, NOAA, National Geographic, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, Geonames.org, and other contributors

800 250

700

200 Number of Individuals 600

500 150

400 Figure 3. Annual records of Australian 100 Painted Snipe (blue line) and average 300 annual rainfall (green line – July of previous 200 year to June of year shown) in the Murray– 50 Average Annual Rainfail (mm) Annual Rainfail Average Darling Basin 1998–2012. BirdLife Australia 100 Australian Painted Snipe Database and Bureau of Meteorology (2013). 0 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Year

28 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN

Sources: Esri, GEBCO, NOAA, National Geographic, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, Geonames.org, and other contributors Table 1. Reporting rates for the Australian Painted Snipe in 10 year periods based on historical records and all surveys submitted to BirdLife Australia’s First Atlas of Australian Birds and New Atlas of Australian Birds.

Period Total No. Surveys *No. of Surveys with Australian Painted Snipe Australian Painted Reporting Rate Snipe Records (per cent of Total Surveys) With significant landholder Historical Records and First Atlas engagement throughout the 1800–1849 3142 10 0.318 Riverina region of NSW, the 1850–1859 311 2 0.643 Bitterns in Rice Project has recently identified several groups of 1860–1869 693 5 0.722 Australian Painted Snipe utilising 1870–1879 853 2 0.234 rice crops, associated levees and 1880–1889 2761 5 0.181 overflow paddocks early in the rice-growing period (September to 1890–1899 6943 15 0.216 November). It is not clear whether 1900–1909 10647 18 0.169 rice crops have always provided Australian Painted Snipe with 1910–1919 12416 17 0.137 habitat or whether it is a recent 1920–1929 6469 13 0.201 association brought about by a 1930–1939 4366 18 0.412 decline in appropriate habitat elsewhere in the region. However, 1940–1949 3274 13 0.397 given that rice crops provide 1950–1959 6915 28 0.405 habitat on a relatively reliable, seasonal basis, it is perhaps more 1960–1969 19667 62 0.315 likely that Australian Painted 1970–1979 93935 208 0.221 Snipe have been overlooked due 1980–1984 38015 33 0.087 to restricted access to farms. New Atlas 1998–2007 463188 457 0.099 2008–2013 178933 265 0.148

*Records may include more than one individual. Australian Painted Snipe Facts The population ‘spike’ observed in recent years Commonwealth Environment Protection and must be considered over a longer timescale. Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. With Typical of many boom–bust species, the the relative level of surface-water regulation EPBC Status Australian Painted Snipe is polyandrous, enabling and diversion in the Murray–Darling Basin at Endangered female Snipe to maximise their breeding output around 42 per cent (Minister for Sustainability, during times of abundance. Significant recovery Environment, Water, Population and IUCN Status Endangered of the population will require several more Communities 2012) and predicted effects of good breeding seasons to increase resilience to climate change on inflows and evaporation, the Distribution future droughts and halt any overall decline. future of the Australian Painted Snipe depends Endemic to Australia. All states — on careful management of the species’ wetland most common in eastern Australia A steady decline in reporting rates since the habitats. Increased environmental flows and 1950s indicates that the Australian Painted Snipe timely allocation of water to restore and maintain Population abundance has suffered a substantial decline across its the natural wetting and drying of temporary <2500 (most likely 1000–1500) range (Table 1). This is particularly evident in the wetlands will be vital in protecting this species Non-breeding habitat Murray–Darling Basin where reporting rates are from further declines and possible extinction. closely related to the frequency of inundation Freshwater or brackish References wetland habitats of floodplain wetlands. Over-allocation of water (particularly for irrigation), the construction Lane, B.A., & D.I. Rogers. 2000. The Australian Painted Snipe Breeding habitat Rostratula (benghalensis) australis: an Endangered species? Stilt of levees, dams and weirs, drainage of Shallow ephemeral wetlands 36, 26-34. wetlands and the removal of vegetation have with complex shorelines, areas all contributed to a dramatic reduction in the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and of exposed mud and small number and extent of wetland habitats in Communities. 2012. Water Act 2007. Basin Plan. Commonwealth islands and low, patchy to of Australia, Canberra. the Murray–Darling Basin that provide critical dense vegetation cover. foraging and breeding resources for this species Rogers, D., I. Hance, S. Paton, C. Tzaros, P. Griffioen, M. Herring, R. Breeding ecology (Rogers et al. 2005). Analysis of current survey Jaensch, L. Oring, A. Silcocks, & M. Weston. 2005. The breeding bottleneck: breeding habitat and population decline in the Polyandrous — the female may data indicates a severe reduction in the species’ Australian Painted Snipe. Pp. 15-23. In: Straw, P. (Ed.). Status and breed with several males and area of occupancy, a low total population and Conservation of Seabirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. produce several clutches of eggs a large decline over the past three decades. Proceedings of the Australasian Shorebirds Conference 13-15 if conditions are suitable. The male December 2003, Canberra, Australia. Wetlands International is then left to brood and raise the Global Series 18, International Wader Studies 17. Sydney, Australia. In 2013, the Threatened Bird Network precocial young while the female successfully nominated Australian Painted Bureau of Meteorology. 2013. Australian Water Resources seeks further mating opportunities. Snipe for an upgrade in its national status, Assessment 2012. Bureau of Meteorology, Commonwealth of from Vulnerable to Endangered, under the Australia, Canberra.

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 29 James Fitzsimons1,2, Chris Tzaros3, Egrets, ducks and… Brown Treecreepers? 4 4 James O’Connor , Glenn Ehmke and The importance of flooding and healthy Kerryn Herman4 1The Nature Conservancy; 2School of floodplains for woodland birds Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University; 3Birds, Bush and Beyond, Melbourne; 4BirdLife Australia.

Above: Floodplain woodlands throughout the The floodplains, rivers, and As much of the Murray–Darling Basin falls Murray–Darling Basin provide vital habitat for wetlands of the Murray–Darling Basin support within a low-rainfall region, rivers that carry woodland species such as Brown Treecreeper. significant riparian forests and woodlands, water and thus enhance productivity are the Photo by Chris Tzaros typically comprising River Red Gum Eucalyptus lifeblood of these flood-dependent woodlands, camaldulensis and fringing Black Box E. especially during dry times when such areas can largiflorens communities. These woodlands form act as critical habitat refuges. The contiguous an essential part of the floodplain ecosystem and pattern of riparian woodlands through the Basin provide habitat for a wide range of woodland connects the landscape for woodland birds, as bird species, particularly those dependent on well as providing core habitat for the numerous tree-hollows and woody debris. These birds resident species that exist on the floodplains. include resident species such as the Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus and Striated The decline of woodland bird populations in Pardalote Pardalotus striatus, nomadic species the Murray–Darling Basin has been attributed such as Diamond Dove cuneata, to factors such as broad-scale habitat seasonal migrants such as Sacred Kingfisher clearing, fragmentation and degradation. Todiramphus sanctus and Rufous Whistler Dryland vegetation communities have Pachycephala rufiventris, several threatened been particularly affected by this pattern of and declining species, including Diamond landscape modification. The floodplain forests Firetail Stagonopleura guttata and Grey- and woodlands dominated by River Red crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis, Gum (and to a lesser extent Black Box and and hollow-nesting species which are totally Coolibah E. coolabah) have not suffered the reliant on these woodlands, such as Regent same pattern and intensity of clearing, and Polytelis anthopeplus and Superb P. swainsonii now comprise some of the largest and most Parrots and Yellow Rosella Platycercus elegans continuous remnant woodland habitat in the flaveolus. Many of these and other terrestrial Basin. Although these floodplain communities birds are dependent on River Red Gum remain relatively well-connected, they have woodlands, Black Box woodlands or both. been significantly affected by changes to the flooding regimes (and reductions in water availability) upon which these vegetation types

30 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN 0.65 depend. Such changed flood regimes, and the upon by woodland birds. For example, River Red associated loss of floodplain productivity, impact Gums typically grow in areas that are naturally 0.60 on woodland bird populations by affecting the flooded every 1–3 years for around 1–7 months.

0.55 very condition and structure of the vegetation. Black Box is generally found in areas flooded naturally every 3–10 years for 2–6 months 0.50 A decline in the condition of floodplain (Johns et al. 2009; Roberts & Marston 2011). woodlands through altered flood regimes 0.45 affects their ability to support a full assemblage Few areas, even Icon Sites along the Murray of woodland birds. Given the importance of River, have received this frequency of natural 0.40 these woodlands, this could be catastrophic flooding, either through natural flooding or

0.35 for many species, and could potentially environmental watering. Woodland areas that

White-plumed Honeyeater White-plumed exacerbate population declines of species have been subjected to inadequate natural 0.30 already showing stress. For many such species, flood regimes or environmental watering are tracts of floodplain woodland provide vital therefore vulnerable to considerable decline 0.25 source populations that can disperse throughout in tree condition (affecting processes such as 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 surrounding non-floodplain woodlands. flowering, production and recruitment), Year changes in understorey structure, floristic A reduction in diversity and abundance, even composition and productivity, and reduced rates of the more common and resident species, will of soil and leaf litter decomposition (McGinness 0.5 lead to simplified bird communities which may et al. 2010), affecting a large proportion of the exacerbate a decline in vegetation condition. constituent woodland-dependent bird fauna. For example, a reduction in nectivorous and

0.4 insectivorous birds may disrupt the important There has been a strong focus within the Murray– ecological role they play in maintaining tree Darling Basin on water management in relation health and regeneration. This problem could to colonially nesting waterbirds and waterfowl. extend into adjacent non-floodplain vegetation A recent innovative approach, arising from the 0.3 if the population source is adversely affected. Victorian Environmental Assessment Council’s (VEAC) River Red Gum Forests Investigation, An initial analysis of data from the Atlas of

Striated Pardalote Striated enables the transparent tracking of ‘winners 0.2 Australian Birds from the floodplain forests and losers’ in any environmental watering event. woodlands of the Murray and Murrumbidgee A key plank in this approach is the systematic Rivers in Victoria, New South Wales and South identification of flood requirements for a wide 0.1 Australia (1998–2011) revealed some preliminary range of ecosystems and species. Before VEAC’s trends. Of the 47 species with appropriate 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 work, this had only been possible for a handful available data (>10 survey records in at least 9 Year of species and vegetation types. Fitzsimons years out of 13), 13 showed a decline, six were et al. (2011) identified flood requirements considered stable and the remaining 28 were (natural flooding frequency, maximum period 0.38 highly variable. No species were found to have without flooding and minimum duration of each increased (see Fig. 1 for examples: White- flooding event before significant deterioration) 0.36 Plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus, for 62 species of threatened fauna in the Striated Pardalote and Brown Treecreeper). Victorian floodplains of the Murray River and 0.34 However, finer-scale analysis of reporting rates its tributaries, including 34 bird species. at particular locations is required to better 0.32 determine the influence of local environmental The habitats of most fauna were defined as one

0.30 flow or rainfall events on bird populations and or more ecological vegetation classes around the effects of survey effort along the system. Atlas records within its known geographic 0.28 distribution. Natural flood frequency, critical Brown Treecreeper Brown Large overbank flood events maintain large- interval and minimum flood duration estimates 0.26 scale ecological processes and connectivity for these vegetation types (also identified as across the floodplains in the Murray–Darling part of this research) were then assigned to 0.24 Basin. However, regulation of river flows means these mapped habitats. For some species, that extensive overbank flooding now occurs notably colonially nesting waterbirds, more 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 rarely. Recent environmental water allocations specific information was available (e.g. Year have focused on the largest floodplain blocks in previously known and mapped breeding Living Murray Icon Sites (Icon Sites) and a small sites) and used to refine site mapping. set of specific values (e.g. colonially nesting waterbirds), as well as on trialling fine-scale In dry temperate woodlands, aspects of Figure 1. Reporting rates of three manipulation of infrastructure (e.g. pumping) landscape context (such as remnant size and (White-plumed Honeyeater, Striated Pardalote, to water relatively small areas. However, it is not connectivity) strongly influence presence Brown Treecreeper) typical of the floodplain just the watering event itself which is important and persistence for a range of birds (e.g. Mac forests and woodlands of the southern Murray– for birds — it is the role these events have in Nally et al. 2009). The dilemma remains that Darling Basin, 1998-2010, showing declining maintaining the health of flood-dependent current environmental watering regimes focus trend and fitted at 95% confidence limits. forests and woodlands which are, in turn, relied on Icon Sites, usually large forest sites that

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 31 are relatively easy to get water to, while the Species Area of Per cent of mapped Ecological connecting riverine corridor vegetation often habitat (ha) Vegetation Class or habitat gets nothing. This vegetation is under severe covered by three flood extents stress and habitat quality is diminishing. While Very small Moderate Large the number of sites to receive environmental Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora 35 0 0 0 water increases under the Basin Plan, explicit plans for maintaining the condition of the Biziura lobata 592 0 0 0 connecting floodplain vegetation are lacking. The Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa 2,700 0 2 3 functional connectivity of floodplain woodlands Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis 434 0 0 0 is therefore being compromised by inappropriate water management, leading to fragmentation Hardhead Aythya australis 592 0 0 0 of contiguous pathways of riparian vegetation. Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata 168 0 0 0 Nankeen Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus 1,690 0 4 6 Information about the location, water requirements and extent of coverage by White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 550 0 0 0 potential floods for specified flora, fauna and Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides 321 1 29 49 vegetation types can be used to build adaptive Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis 215 0 0 0 watering strategies for areas as large as the Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea 6,746 0 3 7 whole floodplain. Peake et al. (2011) showed how spatial biotic data could be combined with Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata 121 0 2 6 floodplain inundation modelling to compare the outcomes of real or planned environmental Table 1. Area and proportion (%) of threatened watering events, potentially providing tools bird habitat in the region inundated for management agencies to conserve a wider by the three flood extents shown in Figure range of floodplain values. The approach 2 (adapted from Peake et al. 2011). allows water managers and the public to see what ecosystems and threatened species are intended to be maintained by environmental Above: Black Box woodland near Barmah National watering and what values are abandoned across Park in northern Victoria. Photo by Chris Tzaros

32 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Examples of coverage of flood- Frequency of Extent of flooding Figure 2. flooding required (with flows of 20, 81 or 159 GL/day) (years) dependent natural values for three flood Very small flood Not flooded Flooded scenarios (very small, moderate, large) in the (20 gigalitres per day) 1 in 2-5 Robinvale area (adapted from Peake et al. 2011). 1 in 7

1 in 15-30

Lake Powell

Lake Carpul

Moderate flood (81 gigalitres per day)

Large flood (159 gigalitres per day)

the floodplain, rather than simply focusing of the response of bird species to short- and Mac Nally, R., Bennett, A.F., Thomson, J.R., Radford, J.Q., Unmack, on the small subset of values and Icon Sites. long-term flood events (or lack thereof) at G., Horrocks, G. & Vesk, P. 2009. Collapse of an avifauna: climate change appears to exacerbate habitat loss and degradation. Analysis included the nationally Vulnerable both a local and a landscape level are urgently Diversity and Distributions 15: 720–30. eastern subspecies of the Regent Parrot, a large needed. What is clear is that, without adequate majority of whose breeding sites are along watering, floodplain forests and woodlands are McGinness, H.M., Arthur, A.D. & Reid, J.W. 2010. Woodland bird declines in the Murray-Darling Basin: are there links with the Murray River and highly dependent on degrading and so are the associated habitats floodplain change? Journal 32: 315–27. riverine flooding (Peake et al. 2011). Relatively for birds that rely on this floodplain vegetation. few of its known breeding sites existed within Peake, P., Fitzsimons, J., Frood, D., Mitchell, M., Withers, N, References White, M. & Webster, R. 2011. A new approach to determining priority Icon Sites for environmental watering, environmental flow requirements: sustaining the natural values Fitzsimons, J.A., Peake, P., Frood, D., Mitchell, M., Withers, and they were unlikely to be flooded regularly of floodplains of the southern Murray-Darling Basin. Ecological N., White, M. & Webster, R. 2011. Flooding requirements for Management & Restoration 12: 128–37. without intervention; only 49 per cent of sites biodiversity values along the Victorian floodplain of the Murray in the Robinvale district would be inundated Valley. Victorian Naturalist 128: 48–85. Roberts, J. & Marston, F. 2011. Water Regime for Wetland and by a large flood, predicted to occur once every Floodplain Plants: A Source Book for the Murray-Darling Basin. Johns, C., Reid, C.J., Roberts, J., Sims, N., Doody, T., Overton, I., National Water Commission, Canberra. several decades (Peake et al. 2011; see Fig. 2 McGinness, H.M., Rogers, K., Campbell, C. & Gawne, B. 2009. and Table 1). More needs to be known about Native Trees of the River Murray Floodplain: Literature Review and the watering requirements of Regent Parrot Experimental Designs to Examine Effects of Flow Enhancement breeding sites and those of other bird species. and Floodwater Retention. Final Report prepared for MDBA. Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Wodonga. There is still much to be learnt about the status of species dependent on the floodplain forests of the Murray–Darling Basin. Empirical studies

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 33 Chris Tzaros1, Ian Davidson2, Grey-crowned Babblers on Victoria’s lower 3 4 Doug Robinson and Ashley Herrod floodplain 1Birds, Bush and Beyond, Melbourne; 2Regeneration Solutions, Wangaratta; 3Trust for Nature; 4School of Biological Sciences, Monash University.

The Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus remnants on agricultural plains, roadsides and Valley is strongly influenced by the amount, type temporalis is a communally breeding species public land reserves, but these are mostly small. and configuration of woodland in the landscape. of woodland bird that is listed as Endangered A threshold of about 23 per cent total woodland in Victoria and Vulnerable in New South In a randomly chosen survey grid of 5×7 km, cover is required to support 8–10 groups of Wales. Since European settlement, the Tzaros (2001) recorded 95 Grey-crowned Grey-crowned Babblers per 50 km2, representing population of Babblers in Victoria is estimated Babblers in 18 family groups, with a mean group a ‘high’ population density. However, the type of to have declined by about 90 per cent, with size of 5.3 birds. The survey was repeated woodland is also important. A 50 km2 landscape significant range contractions (Robinson et al. in 2010, when 120 birds were recorded in 20 covered by 25 per cent total woodland with 2006). It is now mostly confined to six major family groups, with a mean group size of six 10 per cent Black Box woodland may support populations on the northern plains. One of birds (C. Tzaros, unpubl. data). A third survey 6–7 groups of Babblers; by comparison, the strongest remaining populations (in terms conducted in July 2011 recorded 166 birds in 29 the same area with 80 per cent Black Box of total number of individuals, mean group family groups, with a mean group size of 5.7 may support 29–30 groups of Babblers. size and density) occurs on the floodplain birds (C. Tzaros, unpubl. data). The third survey of the lower Loddon River in the Kerang followed record floods that had inundated Landscapes with more dispersed woodland district — a landscape profoundly modified much of the survey area. These results indicated also support more groups of Babblers (Radford by both dryland and irrigated agriculture. that, despite a record 14-year drought followed 2008). It is possible that areas of riparian Black by a record flood, the population of Grey- Box may have greater functional connectivity, An assessment of the Loddon population in crowned Babblers along the Loddon River had with more linear habitat, stepping stones and 2001 identified that many birds occupied grassy increased by 74 per cent between 2001 and smaller gaps between remnants. This may Black Box and River 2011, with birds occurring at 11 more sites. allow Babblers to move through the landscape, Red Gum E. camaldulensis woodland, which is enabling them to access more resources quite distinct from the Grey Box E. macrocarpa So why are Grey-crowned Babblers doing so and maintain and forge social bonds. dominated habitat of other major populations well in this intensively farmed district with little (Tzaros 2001). In the Loddon region, the only remnant native vegetation? The answer probably Black Box woodlands have abundant coarse large Black Box and River Red Gum woodland lies in the configuration and habitat structure woody debris and an open grassy ground- remnants are found on the 70 kilometre riparian of remnant vegetation in the landscape. layer, habitat features preferred by these corridor of the Loddon River between Boort ground-foraging insectivorous species. Radford (2008) found that the abundance of and the Murray River. There are a few other Unlike other eucalypts (e.g. Grey Box and Grey-crowned Babblers in the lower Loddon River Red Gum), Black Box woodlands have

34 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN MURRAY RIVER WYAM CREEK BULLOCKHIDE CREEK

BUNNA CREEK

BARBER CREEK MERRIBIT CREEK REEDY CREEK RIVER PORTHOLE CREEK

BARR CREEK

SHEEPWASH CREEK RIVER

KERANG

PYRAMID CREEK

BANNACHER CREEK

BULLOCK CREEK

BOX CREEK

NINE MILE CREEK

LODDON RIVER 084K16 ilometers CALIVIL CREEK

low, spreading crowns which, together with lignum. Areas of habitat need to be expanded Figure 1. Areas with high concentrations of Grey- saplings, provide a mixed habitat structure and constructed on the floodplain, away from crowned Babbler groups (hatched areas) in the which is ideal for Babblers to nest in. the riverine corridor, to improve the mobility of Black Box and River Red Gum woodlands (green species through the landscape, especially where areas) of the lower Loddon River in northern The contiguous belt of woodland along the existing roadside vegetation can be connected Victoria. These provide a well-connected habitat Loddon River supports high densities of family with habitat on private land. Negotiations with supporting some of the highest densities of groups of Grey-crowned Babblers whose landholders around strategic covenants and land Grey-crowned Babblers in their southern range. territories often abut each other, facilitating purchase would also permanently secure the dispersal (see Fig. 1). These riparian woodlands of some high-priority sites. are in the lowest and most fertile part of the References floodplain, so Babblers occupy the richest available sites that are likely to provide a rich Davidson, I. & Robinson, D. 2010. Conservation Plan for the source of invertebrates, close to permanent Grey-crowned Babbler Population in the Boort-Loddon District. A report to Department of Sustainability and Environment water. Such sites also provide drought refugia (), Department of Primary Industries (Kerang) and North for birds, as invertebrate food resources are Central Catchment Management Authority. likely to be higher in these relatively mesic sites. Radford, J. 2008. Influence of Landscape Characteristics on the Abundance of the Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus The protection and management of this temporalis in the Loddon Valley, northern Victoria. Unpublished significant population of Grey-crowned Babblers, report for the North Central Catchment Management Authority and their Black Box woodland habitat, should and Department of Sustainability and Environment. be among the highest conservation priorities Robinson, D., Davidson, I. & Tzaros, C. 2006. Grey-crowned for the region. This would also benefit other Babbler: Conservation in Victoria — Fifteen Years on. Wingspan threatened and declining woodland species, 16: 14–16. including the Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus Tzaros, C. 2001. Field Surveys and Population Monitoring of grallarius and Carpet Python Morelia spilota the Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis) in the (Davidson & Robinson 2010). Appropriate Loddon and Murray Valley regions, north-west Victoria. A report water regimes are critical for tree health, while to Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Bendigo. Opposite: Victoria’s Grey-crowned Babbler population maintaining viable native grass cover without has declined by about 90 per cent since European the encroachment of a dense understorey of settlement. The species is now listed as Endangered in Victoria. Photo by Chris Tzaros

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 35 Alice Blackwood A changing woodland bird community Centre for Ecosystem Science, School in the Macquarie Marshes of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW

The importance of floodplain health and were linked with the flood history of each site, complexity for woodland birds is evident in the reflecting long-term degradation. The habitat Macquarie Marshes, where a decline in River Red quality of sites with poor health will probably Gums Eucalyptus camaldulensis has been linked degrade further as dead trees fall over, reducing with a changing woodland bird community. Bird the availability of perches and nesting hollows. surveys in River Red Gum habitats in various states of decline showed that composition of The Macquarie Marshes comprise a unique the woodland bird community changed with wetland consisting of a mosaic of complex woodland health. Bird communities in River Red vegetation communities including Water Gum sites that were in poor health were similar Couch Paspalum distichum, reedbeds, River to ‘terrestrial’ sites of Black-box E. largiflorens Red Gum, Black Box and Coolibah Eucalyptus woodland further out on the floodplain, coolabah communities. They are losing their indicating a terrestrialisation of the system. unique ecological value and this is reflected not only in declining 100 The patterns of the bird community were also aquatic biota but also in a changing Understorey correlated with changes in the health of trees woodland bird community. As River specialists 90 and habitat structure. Sites in good health Red Gum decline is a widespread supported trees with a dense canopy, more leaf phenomenon, it is likely that litter and low, green, herbaceous understorey, similar changes to woodland 80 Live trunk specialists while highly degraded sites had trees with a bird communities are occurring sparse canopy or none at all, large areas of bare throughout the Murray–Darling 70 ground and a tall, dry, shrubby understorey. Basin. Increases in environmental Live tree branch specialists flows are therefore a key part of the 60 The River Red Gum forests and woodlands conservation of woodland birds. surveyed were severely degraded. An index of 50 Ground tree health indicated that no sites were in truly For full report go to specialists good condition. An average of 44 per cent of the www.ecosystem.unsw.edu.au/files/ abundance Average tree basal area was dead, increasing to 95 per Woodland-Birds-Report.pdf 40 cent at the sites in the poorest health. Foliage Further Reading Generalists specialists, such as Striated Pardalote Pardalotus 30 striatus, Weebill Smicornis brevirostris, Grey Briggs, S.V., Thornton, S.A. & Lawler W.G. 1997. Relationships between hydrological control of Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa and Crested Shrike- River Red Gum wetlands and waterbird breeding. Foliage 20 tit Falcunculus frontatus, were most affected by 97: 31–42. specialists a decline in River Red Gum health, decreasing Cunningham, S., Read, J., Baker, P. & Mac Nally, R. in abundance with the declining canopy cover. 2007. Quantitative assessment of stand condition 10 Dead tree They were replaced by species more typical of and its relationship to physiological stress in specialists open agricultural areas, such as Rufous Songlark stands of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae). 0 Australian Journal of Botany 55: 692–9. Cincloramphus mathewsi, Southern Whiteface Good Int Poor Aphelocephala leucopsis and Crested Pigeon Ford, H.A., Barrett, G.W., Saunders, D.A. & Recher, Year Ochyphaps lophotes. Generalist species, such as H.F. 2001. Why have birds in the woodlands of southern Australia declined? Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca, Willie Wagtail Figure 1. Relative abundance of bird guilds Biological Conservation 97: 71–88. Rhipidura leucophrys and Jacky Winter Microeca in the three health categories of River Red fascinans, were most resilient to decline, while Jansen, A. & Robertson, A.I. 2001. Riparian bird communities in Gum woodland (poor, intermediate, good). understorey specialists, particularly fairy- relation to land management practices in floodplain woodlands of south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 100: 173–85. wrens Malurus, were most abundant at sites of intermediate health, probably due to the Kingsford, R.T. & Thomas, R.F. 1995. The Macquarie Marshes in arid Australia and their waterbirds — a 50 year history of decline. combination of a shrubby understorey with Below, from left: Images of River Red Gum habitat in the Environmental Management 19: 867–78. some live trees and herb cover (Fig. 1). These Macquarie Marshes in good, intermediate and poor condition. changes in the bird community and vegetation Photos by Alice Blackwood

36 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Kate Brandis Impact of dams and river regulation Centre for Ecosystem Science, School on colonially breeding waterbirds of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW.

Many of Australia’s river systems, particularly in Declining frequencies of breeding of colonial the Murray–Darling Basin, are impacted by water waterbird populations across eastern Australia resource development, with diversions of water highlight the need for environmental flows in (mainly for irrigated agriculture) sometimes rivers and active management of river systems exceeding 60 per cent of natural flows. Water and their associated wetlands. There is a need resource development on many Australian rivers to maximise the opportunities presented by has altered natural flow regimes, significantly environmental flows, not simply reflecting reducing flooding to wetlands, altering their inflows into a dam but actively ensuring ecology and reducing habitat for many wetland- that as much flow as possible is directed to dependent species. This has reduced breeding major breeding sites to increase breeding frequency of colonial waterbirds (ibis, egrets, opportunities and waterbird populations. herons and spoonbills), potentially affecting the viability of species and populations. Key aspects of the hydrological regime that are important for providing breeding habitat and Colonially nesting birds need a minimum of 5–6 triggering waterbird breeding responses are months of flooding to reproduce successfully. timing, duration and volume. Across a range of Breeding habitat is determined by flow volume, wetlands in the Murray–Darling Basin, there are flood extent, duration and rate of fall. The area thresholds of daily volumes of water, varying of inundation and water depth at wetlands among wetlands, which need to be exceeded are primarily determined by total flow volume. for 30–50 days to achieve successful breeding For many species of colonially breeding thresholds of colonial waterbirds. This probably waterbirds, nests need to be surrounded by allows sufficient habitat to be created for water. There seems to be a threshold effect: adults to feed their young for up to 4 months. if flow volumes are insufficient to provide References and Further Reading long-term nesting habitat, breeding may be initiated but reproductive success compromised. Arthur, A.D., Reid, J.R.W., Kingsford, R.T., McGinness, H.M., Ward, K.A. & Harper, M.J. 2012. Breeding flow thresholds of colonial Reductions in flow can cause water levels to breeding waterbirds in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. drop, reducing the duration of flooding and Wetlands 32(2): 257–265. triggering desertion by adults, resulting in high Brandis, K., Kingsford, R.T., Ren, S. & Ramp, D. 2011. Crisis water chick mortality, particularly in ibis. Australian management and ibis breeding at Narran Lakes in arid Australia. Pelicans Pelecanus conspicillatus also desert Environmental Management 48: 489–98. DOI 10.1007/s00267- their nests when water levels change. 011-9705-5

Kingsford, R.T. & Auld, K.M. 2005. Waterbird breeding and The Murray–Darling Basin contains 46 per cent environmental flow management in the Macquarie Marshes, arid of all wetlands where colonial waterbirds breed Australia. Rivers Research and Applications 21: 187–200. in Australia, and over half of these are floodplain Kingsford, R.T. & Johnson, W. 1998. Impact of water diversions wetlands. It also has the largest and most on colonially nesting waterbirds in the Macquarie Marshes in arid species-diverse breeding colonies in Australia. Australia. Colonial Waterbirds 21: 159–70. However, it is also the country’s most regulated Leslie, D.J. 2001. Effect of river management on colonially-nesting , with the greatest number waterbirds in the Barmah-Millewa forest, south-eastern Australia. of diversions and the largest dam storage Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 17: 21–36. capacity, and colonially breeding waterbirds are particularly vulnerable to the effects of river regulation and the diversion of water.

The impacts of water resource development have been recorded at several key breeding sites in the Murray–Darling Basin. These impacts, including reductions in colony size, species abundance, species diversity and breeding frequency, have been recorded in the Macquarie Marshes, Narran Lakes, Lowbidgee wetlands and the Barmah-Millewa Forest From top: The Collins regulator on the in the after reduced flows. For example, modelling western Riverina region of NSW. indicated that over 11 years, river regulation in Photo by Callie Nickolai the Macquarie Marshes reduced breeding across all species by an estimated 100,000 pairs and Pumping water at Lake Kramen in Hattah-Kulkyne National Park in Victoria. Photo by Callie Nickolai also reduced the number of breeding events by 30 per cent (Kingsford & Johnson 1998). The Boals Regulator in , Victoria. In the Barmah-Millewa Forest, the frequency Photo by Keith Ward of successful breeding was estimated to be Pictured in 2009, the Sandspit Regulator in Barmah– reduced by 80 per cent (Leslie 2001). Millewa National Park is now connected to the Murray River. Photo by Keith Ward

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 37 Kathryn Stanislawski Environmental water planning North Central Catchment Management Authority, Huntly, Victoria.

Victoria’s rivers and wetlands receive Decisions about where environmental environmental water to maintain their unique water is to be delivered are influenced by values. To maximise ecological outcomes, the relative health of wetlands and rivers, environmental water managers must undertake which is related to previous inundations from robust planning to ensure that water is available environmental water or natural flooding. to allow waterbirds to breed, fish to spawn and the health of vegetation to improve. Variation in flow is critical for the life cycles of many plants and animals. A watering regime In Victoria, the annual plan for environmental that includes periods of both wet and dry, or water use is written into a Seasonal Watering high and low flows, stimulates key life cycle Proposal for each site. This is developed for events and increases system productivity the Victorian Environmental Water Holder and food availability. Ecological monitoring by environmental water managers (usually provides critical information about the health of Catchment Management Authorities) in vegetation communities and status of bird and collaboration with the community, ecological fish populations — when monitoring is resourced experts and other agencies responsible for and implemented, environmental water can be land and water management. This ensures that delivered to areas where it is needed most. environmental water planning is scheduled by the responsible agencies, that there is Water managers must manage risks associated community support for the plans, and that with the timing of environmental flows. For decisions are informed by the best science. example, unseasonal flooding can favour some species of weeds or lead to a deterioration in Seasonal Watering Proposals provide scenarios water quality. Pest species such as European for environmental water use under various Carp Cyprinus carpio are difficult to manage climatic conditions, ranging from dry to very because they tolerate a wide range of conditions, wet. Under each scenario, managers outline and unseasonal flooding may allow them how environmental water may be used to to breed in competition with native fish. meet key ecological objectives for individual wetlands, including rivers, to improve the health The rate and duration of environmental water of vegetation, fish and bird communities. Few flow assist risk management. Manipulation Above: Gunbower Forest near Kerang ecological objectives are likely to be achieved of water levels can provide a stimulus in northern Victoria has benefited from under scenarios for dry conditions, except to for native fish to leave wetlands, moving environmental water planning. maintain refuge areas, such as places for birds through natural floodways or constructed Photo by David Kleinert to feed or wetlands with good water quality for fishways into more permanent waterways. Opposite top: A waterbird breeding colony fish. As more water becomes available, larger Similarly, maintenance of water levels in thrives above a flooded wetland. areas can be inundated, increasing the scope of breeding colonies of waterbirds is critical to Photo by David Kleinert the ecological objectives that can be met. This ensuring that they don’t desert their nests. Opposite below: Little Pied Cormorant scenario planning enables environmental water nestlings at War Plain in Barmah Forest. managers to adapt their management decisions Photo by Keith Ward to water availability as the season progresses.

38 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Environmental watering of Gunbower Forest

Environmental water planning has achieved good environmental outcomes in Gunbower Forest, a 20,000-hectare floodplain dominated by River Red Gums Eucalyptus camaldulensis, bounded by the Murray River and Gunbower Creek in northern Victoria. Gunbower Forest contains many wetlands and an extensive River Red Gum floodplain that supports waterbirds of conservation significance. It is a designated Ramsar site and a Living Murray Icon Site.

Like much of eastern Australia, Gunbower Forest experienced the prolonged Millennium Drought, which broke with flooding in 2010. Before the floods, little environmental water was available. Small volumes of environmental water maintained aquatic vegetation communities and provided a refuge for waterbirds (though waterbird breeding was not the main objective, as there was insufficient water available to maintain water levels for birds to complete their breeding cycles). Following the natural flood peaks in 2010, environmental water was used to maintain water levels in late spring–early summer to surround colonial waterbird breeding colonies, and thousands of egrets, cormorants, ibis and herons bred in Gunbower Forest. Management was targeted at the recovery of vegetation communities to increase the habitat available for birds, fish and other animals that use Gunbower Forest.

Many of the wetlands remained full for nearly 2½ years following the floods, receding over summer 2011–12 before unseasonal refilling in autumn 2012. By summer 2013–14, water levels had dropped dramatically and ecological monitoring indicated little growth of aquatic vegetation. This was due to a combination of a blackwater event (see page 41) and an explosion in populations of European Carp. A drying phase over 2013–14 will allow the health of the wetlands to recover in this respect, as it will allow aeration of the soil and can be used to manage populations of carp, as many can be trapped in the wetlands.

Environmental water planning is a complex process. It is done well in advance of environmental water delivery to allow consultation and approvals, ensuring that water can be sourced and allocated to the sites that need it most. Climatic conditions, such as temperature, rainfall, floods or drought, are key influences and planning links the ecological objectives with potential climatic conditions, allowing authorities to adapt their management strategies. This ensures that environmental water is delivered at the right time, for the right duration and in the right volumes to best suit the needs of the ecosystems.

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 39 Keith A. Ward Colonial waterbird breeding in Goulburn Broken Catchment Barmah–Millewa Forest and the Management Authority, Shepparton, Victoria. use of environmental water

Introduction , which was used to adorn ladies’ hats. capacity, meaning that the forest did not flood. Egrets were shot while nesting, leaving the However, some environmental water was used The use of environmental water is a critical young abandoned (Mattingley 1907b). On his during this period, particularly in 2005–06, tool in the management of our floodplain visit to the Barmah and Moira Lakes, Barrett with good outcomes for nesting waterbirds. environments. The Barmah–Millewa Forest (1931) reported bird numbers as ‘more than a has regularly received environmental water million… the great majority consisted of ibises’, Recent flooding, environmental since the establishment of the Barmah–Millewa and thousands of Whiskered Terns Chlidonias water and waterbird breeding Environmental Water Allocation (EWA) in 1993. hybrida as the next most abundant species. The 66,000-hectare floodplain forest, dominated 2010–11 by River Red Gums Eucalyptus camaldulensis, is River management, including the construction Major flooding in September and December a designated Ramsar site and one of six Living of the Reservoir (1936) and Dartmouth 2010 marked the end of the longest drought Murray Icon Sites. The majority of the forest was Dam (1979), led to the loss or significant decline in 105 years of records. Peak flows exceeded recently (June 2010) proclaimed as a National in breeding colonies of at least 19 species of 100,000 megalitres per day (ML/day), 10 Park by the Victorian and NSW governments. waterbirds in the forest (Leslie 2001). Some times the capacity of the Murray River at the of the greatest declines were recorded in Barmah Choke and floodwater covered more Among a suite of ecological objectives for species that nest or feed in non-emergent than 90 per cent of the floodplain. Unusually, the forest, the waterbird objective of the macrophytes (submerged and floating aquatic the flooding persisted for the entire year, with Environmental Water Management Plan plants), such as Whiskered Terns, Black Swans significant late-summer–early-autumn flooding. is to ‘Promote and/or sustain successful Cygnus atratus and Eurasian Coots Fulica atra. breeding events for thousands of colonial and Between late spring 2010 and early autumn migratory waterbirds in at least three years While tree-nesting waterbirds still breed in the 2011, 428 gigalitres (GL) of environmental water in ten by inundating selected floodplain and forest, their numbers have generally declined by was delivered to the Barmah-Millewa Forest in wetland areas to provide suitable nesting at least an order of magnitude, and successful four ‘parcels’ that maintained the water level and feeding habitat’ (MDBA 2012). breeding has become less frequent and more above channel capacity between flood peaks unreliable. It is notable that the forest, described (Fig. 1). This permitted continuous inundation of Waterbirds, floods and the by Jones (1940) as supporting ‘whole armadas… the floodplain, which is particularly important Barmah-Millewa Forest of swans’ and ‘the largest known egret rookery for waterbird breeding (see page 37). The in Victoria’, did not support a successful egret hydrograph shown in Figure 1 illustrates how Historical records of waterbirds in the Barmah– breeding event from around 1969 to 2010. environmental water was used to: bridge Millewa Forest described ‘great heronries’, successive flood peaks to maintain flooding with ‘nests visible in every tree… for about 1½ Between 2005 and 2009, at the height of and prevent nest abandonment; extend flood miles [along a stream]’ (Mattingley 1907a). the Millennium Drought, regulated flows duration; accentuate small flood peaks; and Hunters targeted egrets for their breeding in Barmah Forest did not exceed channel target key flood level thresholds and timing.

Above: A grassy wetland in flood at Steamer Plain in Barmah– Millewa National Park. Photo by Damien Cook

40 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN 220000 Channel Capacity Modelled Natural flow Actual flow Expected flow without EWA

200000

180000

160000

140000

120000

100000

80000

60000

40000 Flow Downstream of Yarrawonga (ML/day) of Yarrawonga Downstream Flow 20000

0 Jul-10 Aug-10 Sep-10 Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10 Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11

Date

Figure 1: The 2010–11 hydrograph for Barmah– in various wetlands with ready food supply Spiny Freshwater Crayfish Euastacus armatus Millewa Forest (blue line) measured downstream of yabbies Cherax destructor and young- emerged from the water for many weeks before of the Yarrawonga Weir (Murray–Darling Basin of-year European Carp Cyprinus carpio. also dying. European Carp, which are tolerant Authority data), showing the effect of the of low levels of dissolved oxygen, became the environmental water allocation (EWA) relative Ibis and Royal Spoonbills formed colonies in primary food of cormorants, which bred until to natural flows (green line) and flows that would treeless wetlands on platforms of bent and June 2011, probably with multiple clutches. have occurred without EWA release (yellow intertwined stems of Giant Rush Juncus ingens, line). Flows above the channel capacity (straight egrets built precarious stick nests in tall River 2011–12 orange line) provide flooding in the forest. EWA Red Gums and the bred in a nest Natural flood events in late winter and volumes and timing: 68.9 GL in Sept.–Oct., 23 formed by mounding aquatic vegetation on early spring, peaking at 50,000ML/day GL in Nov.–Dec. and 306.1 GL in Jan.–Feb. a shallowly flooded plain dominated by Moira in August, were followed by slightly drier Grass . Cormorants than forecast conditions for the remainder formed large gregarious nesting colonies at of spring in 2011–12. A total of 428.1 GL of all strata in closed-canopy River Red Gum environmental water was used to maintain About 50 species of waterbirds bred in the thickets which were standing in and surrounded flows at or above channel capacity between Barmah–Millewa Forest in 2010–11, including by floodwater. Interestingly, while egrets and natural flood peaks to maintain water the largest heron breeding event in the forest herons have nested in trees directly above under colonially nesting waterbirds. for around 40 years. About 2,800 Nankeen the water in the past, in 2010–11 they nested Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus nests, 75 in trees over dry ground along the banks of A pulse was also delivered in late November– Great Egret Ardea alba nests, 85 Intermediate the Murray River, where adjacent shallow early December for native fish spawning, before Egret A. intermedia nests and 22 wetlands provided ideal feeding areas. regulated flows were delivered to specific Egretta garzetta nests were recorded in Barmah waterbird colonies over summer to ensure Forest. This was complemented by about 250 The 2010–11 floods also resulted in two major fledging success. Six species of colonial-nesting Nankeen Night-Heron nests and 300 Great negative ecological impacts: a severe blackwater waterbirds successfully bred in Barmah Forest, Egret nests in Millewa Forest on the other side event and the proliferation of introduced with more than 2000 nests that averaged 2–3 of the Murray River. Of particular note was European Carp and Eastern Gambusia Gambusia successful fledglings per nest. An estimated the successful fledging of two Grus holbrooki. The blackwater event stemmed from 9,500 colonial-nesting waterbirds were rubicunda chicks, the species’ first breeding record December flood levels in Barmah-Millewa present at the end of the breeding season. record in Barmah Forest for around 60 years. Forest following a decade of drought on the higher floodplain. The warm, early-summer Little Bitterns Ixobrychus minutus were heard Thousands of Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis floodwaters increased the rate of decomposition calling in Barmah Forest for the first time in 16 spinicollis and Australian White Ibis T. of accumulated organic matter that had been years (they were also recorded in the Millewa molucca nested in intermingled colonies with flushed from the floodplain, depleting dissolved- Forest) and egrets, cormorants, ibis, spoonbills approximately 140 Royal Spoonbill Platalea oxygen levels in the water more quickly than and Australian Darters all nested in Barmah regia nests sprinkled on the outer edges. could be naturally replenished. For the Murray Forest. The floodplain was then allowed to Hundreds of Little Pied Cormorants Microcarbo River, this was compounded downstream of dry out during summer and autumn. melanoleucos and Little Black Cormorants Barmah Forest as blackwater also flowed in from Numbers of colonially nesting waterbirds Phalacrocorax sulcirostris, with smaller numbers the flooded Goulburn and Loddon Rivers. Large were lower in 2011–12 than in 2010–11, despite of Australian Darters Anhinga novaehollandiae, numbers of native fish died and thousands of formed large gregarious nesting colonies abundant habitat and food resources following

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 41 18 months of continuous flooding. Land 2013–14 drought on record, but careful use of managers expected that late-nesting species, After natural flooding of about 60 per cent of environmental water during the Millennium such as egrets and Nankeen Night-Herons, Barmah Forest in July, August and September Drought, along with high flows in the might nest earlier in the 2011–12 season than in 2013, a total of 362.7 GL of environmental water ensuing seasons that were augmented 2010–11, as hundreds of birds had overwintered was released in late spring and summer to with environmental water, have helped in the forest and conditions appeared to be extend flooding until early December. Flooding support breeding waterbirds and the suitable for breeding. However, egrets began was maintained in one wetland until the end of recovery of other ecological values. breeding in late November 2011 (similar January to ensure successful completion of ibis timing to 2010) and Nankeen-Night Herons nesting. Of significance was the late discovery Climate change may increase the frequency unexpectedly left the forest without nesting. of a Great Egret nesting colony comprising 30 and severity of droughts in the future. active nests with advanced chicks in an area However, altered flood regimes due to river The lower-than-expected numbers of colonially where they have nested in recent years. This may regulation and potential new incursions of nesting waterbirds and the departure of the be a sign that Barmah Forest will once again pest plants and animals remain the greatest Nankeen Night-Herons from the forest raises become Victoria’s key egret breeding location. threat to the Barmah Forest wetlands. questions about the extent to which water Fortunately, the challenge is being met regimes can be manipulated to promote Other bird-related objectives of via the provision of increasing volumes of waterbird breeding. It also highlights that environmental water management environmental water and an increased range of there is still much we do not know about complementary land-management activities. broad-scale breeding cues and birds’ Environmental water may be used to achieve References responses to environmental conditions. a range of ecological objectives, including maintenance of key habitat features during Barrett, C. 1931. Among the Marsh Terns. Victorian Naturalist 48: 2012–13 drought and recovery from disturbance. 138–39. A brief drying regime in late-autumn and For example, in 2009–10, at the height to Jones, J. 1940. A day with the egrets. Bird Observers Club early-winter 2012 was broken by a return to the Millennium Drought, environmental Monthly Notes October–November 1940: 1–3. flooding in mid-winter 2012 that persisted until water was (controversially) used to revive Leslie, D.J. 2001. Effect of river management on colonially-nesting mid-spring 2012. The flood subsidence occurred Giant Rush in an important waterbird waterbirds in the Barmah-Millewa forest, south-eastern Australia. a time when colonial waterbirds (predominantly breeding wetland, enabling thousands of Regulated Rivers: Research & Management 17: 21–36. Australian White and Straw-necked Ibis) were waterbirds to nest in the rushes in 2010–11. Mattingley, A.H.E. 1907a. A visit to heronries. Emu 7: 65–71. nesting, so supplementary environmental water Mattingley, A.H.E. 1907b. Plundered for their plumes. Emu 7: 71–3. (0.3 GL) was supplied to one wetland until In 2009–10, small, targeted environmental nesting successfully concluded in January 2013. water deliveries were made to an important MDBA. 2012. Barmah-Millewa Forest Environmental Water nesting site in Barmah Forest to aid its recovery Management Plan. Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Canberra. Much lower numbers of waterbirds bred in from a fire in 2006, which rejuvenated the Barmah Forest in 2012–13 than in 2010–11 and wetland sufficiently to allow Australian White 2011–12. This could be due to a combination Ibis and Royal Spoonbills to breed there in of factors, including smaller flows, alternative 2011–12. Environmental water allocations have breeding sites in a regional context and reduced also specifically targeted the maintenance wetland productivity due to a lack of a drying of shallow flooded conditions in wetlands to phase in 2011–12. Despite the lower numbers, provide suitable feeding sites for egrets at a Top left: A native aquatic plant, Upright Milfoil (Myriophyllum crispatum) creates a spectacular green carpet across flooded the species diversity recorded during the time when fledglings were leaving nests. sections of Barmah–Millewa National Park. Photo by Keith Ward seasonal surveys of 2012–13 was typical of seasonal surveys conducted since 1999. Barmah-Millewa Forest has not yet fully Top right: A Great Egret in breeding plumage is one of Barmah– recovered from the impact of the longest Millewa’s most magnificent sights. Photo by Keith Ward

42 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Jenny Lau1 and Andrew Greenfield2 Maximising ecological returns 1BirdLife Australia; 2Mallee Catchment from environmental water at the Management Authority, , Vic. Hattah Lakes Icon Site

The Hattah Lakes Living Murray Icon Site in north-western Victoria is a large floodplain- MURRAY RIVER and-wetland system within a semi-arid mallee landscape. The system consists of shallow lakes, creeks and temporary swamps bordered by riverine woodland. With a median annual rainfall of 270 mm, the main source of water for the Oatey's Regulator lakes is the Murray River (via Chalka Creek). ! ! Cantala Regulator The Icon Site forms part of the Hattah- Bitterang Stop Bank Kulkyne National Park, and 12 of the 19 lakes Cantala Stop Bank on the floodplain comprise the Hattah- Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar site, listed in 1983. Breakout Stop Bank River regulation and a drier climate have CHALKA CREEK severely restricted the volume of water )" Pump Station flowing in the Murray River, with a consequent reduction in the frequency and size of floods Lake Little Hattah Regulator H! in the Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes system. As a consequence, the lakes are now rarely filled and the wetland communities, including River Red Gums Eucalyptus camaldulensis and waterbirds, are under serious threat.

During the Millennium Drought, environmental water was supplied to the Hattah-Kulkyne 052.5 10 Kilometers Lakes as an emergency measure to maintain the character of some wetlands. However, the lower Murray seldom reaches the threshold level that allows the to flow to the lakes and At other Icon Sites, Living Murray Works the existing infrastructure limited the extent to have been designed to meet other which water could be distributed and retained environmental objectives. For example, within the system. These major constraints regulators being installed on Lindsay Island limited managers’ capacity to maximise will improve flow through the Mullaroo A total of 70 species of waterbirds ecological benefits from the water, including and Lindsay Rivers to improve fish habitat, (including 12 species of migratory maintaining water levels to support waterbird rather than flooding the floodplain. shorebirds) have been recorded breeding, requiring radical engineering solutions. within the Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes The Living Murray Works at the Hattah Lakes Ramsar site, with 40 species Under the Living Murray Works Program, three Icon Site will allow water delivery that mimics recorded breeding in the lakes regulators and three levees were constructed to more extensive floods, restoring floodplain or on the associated floodplains retain environmental water within the lakes and habitat and reconnecting the higher floodplain (DSE 2010). Like many ephemeral surrounding floodplain. An existing regulator to the lakes, wetlands and streams of the wetland systems, the abundance was also refurbished to provide some flexibility system. Restoring floodplain inundation and of waterbirds in the lakes varies in management of smaller volumes of water in the associated increase in productivity will depending on water levels in the system. Flooding is a major the southernmost lakes, and a pumping station provide improved habitat for a range of breeding stimulus for many was built near the of the Murray waterbirds. The radical engineering approach waterbirds (e.g. Australian Darter River and Chalka Creek to deliver water to and its cost demonstrate the challenges Anhinga melanogaster, Black-tailed the lakes during extended periods of low river in restoring wetlands affected by low river Native-hen Tribonyx ventralis, flow using a large pump on the Murray River. flows and altered flooding regimes. Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus), with other species The newly-constructed infrastructure will References responding to both season and perform three core functions to increase the DSE. 2010. Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar Site Ecological flooding (e.g. Australasian Grebe frequency, duration and extent of watering Character Description. Department of Sustainability and Tachybaptus novaehollandiae, events at the Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes by: Environment, Melbourne. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax 1. making it possible to top up natural floods carbo). Successful waterbird to increase water levels in the system breeding requires the inundation of wetlands or floodplains for a 2. allowing water to be pumped into the minimum of 4 months to allow system when river flows are unable to for the breeding cycle to be reach the lakes under regulated flows completed, from pair formation 3. holding water in the system to maximise Top: Map showing the location of Living Murray Works in through to raising young to independence (DSE 2010). the ecological benefits of watering events. Hattah-Kulkyne National Park.

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 43 Policy migration in the Murray–Darling Basin Jamie Pittock Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University

The Murray–Darling Against a backdrop of extensive water extraction Basin contains the and manipulation, the ecological health of longest rivers in wetlands depends on the delivery of adequate Currawinya Lakes (Currawinya National Park) Gwydir Wetlands: Gingham Australia and covers water to mimic the volume, timing and quality and Lower Gwydir Narran Lake (Big Leather) Watercourses 2 Nature Reserve over one million km . of natural flows. As a region with scarce water Paroo River Wetlands Large floodplain resources, the contested management of water The Macquarie forests and other has dominated management institutions in the Marshes wetlands occur along Murray–Darling Basin. In 2007, a new national the 23 major river Water Act was adopted with bipartisan support Chowilla Floodplain and Lindsay-Walpolla Banrock Station Islands Wetland Complex systems of the Murray– that extended the Federal Government’s Hattah Riverland Lakes Fivebough & Darling Basin, including control over water use in the Murray–Darling Tuckerbil Kerang NSW Central Swamps Wetlands Murray State 16 sites (636,300 hectares) Basin, and required the development of a Forests Ginini Flats The Coorong, Lake Albacutya designated as Ramsar Wetlands of Basin Plan with sustainable diversion limits Wetland Complex and Lakes Alexandrina Gunbower- Barmah– and Albert Koondrook- Millewah Forest Pericoota International Importance (Kingsford for water extraction. The Water Act 2007 Forest et al. 2004; MDBA 2010; Pittock et largely draws its constitutional mandate al. 2010). These wetlands are vitally for Commonwealth control from Australia’s important bird habitats, with their obligations to implement the Convention on

0 100 200 300 400 500 value as refugia and habitat corridors Biological Diversity and Ramsar Convention on km likely to increase in the face of climate change. Wetlands, and thus requires conservation of key environmental assets, ecosystem functions Above: This map shows the location of Ramsar The water of the Murray–Darling Basin is and services (MDBA 2010; Pittock et al. 2010). (dots) and Living Murray Icon Sites (stars) in the exploited extensively for human use. Median Murray-Darling Basin. annual end-of-system flows have fallen to 29 On average, about 11,000 gigalitres per year per cent of the levels before development, and (GL/yr) of water is diverted from the Basin. Top left: Over 235 species of birds have been the Murray Mouth was closed between 2002 In late 2010, in Guide to the Proposed Basin observed in the Gywdir wetlands in northern NSW, including the Endangered Australasian and 2010 due to over-extraction and climatic Plan, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority Bittern and Australian Painted Snipe. variability. Vast areas of wetlands have suffered proposed reallocating 3,000–4,000 GL/yr Photo by Daryl Albertson from reduced water flows and desiccation, with (27–37 per cent of diverted water), even though consequent loss of floodplain forests and other it acknowledged that sustainability would Top right: Listed as a Ramsar site in 1986, wetland vegetation, destruction of wetlands only be achieved with 7,600 GL/yr (MDBA the Macquarie Marshes are one of the largest remaining inland semi-permanent wetlands in through salinity and acid-sulphate generation, 2010). Subsequent political controversy and south-eastern Australia. and degradation of internationally significant opposition from the irrigation industry and Photo by Richard Kingsford waterbird feeding habitats in the Coorong state governments saw the adoption of a Basin (Pittock & Finlayson 2011). Climate change Plan that may see up to 3,200 GL returned threatens to further alter water flows in the to the environment each year (Minister for Murray–Darling Basin; in particular, inflows are Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population at great risk from increased temperatures and and Communities 2012). However, increased evapotranspiration in the south (CSIRO 2008). groundwater diversions and environmental works and measures may result in an even lower volume of water for the environment.

44 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN Further, the Basin Plan is not scheduled to be 37 per cent by 2030 have been modelled (CSIRO As we have seen in the forest sector, in failing fully implemented until 2024 (WGCS 2012). 2008). While instituting adequate environmental to achieve an ecologically sustainable outcome, flows is a primary measure for conserving the such half-hearted reforms have costs for The Murray–Darling Basin Authority has Murray–Darling Basin’s wetlands, there are both the environment and local communities. assessed data from around 30,000 wetlands other important actions that lie outside the This approach generates uncertainty and in the Murray–Darling Basin and identified Authority’s mandate or have been overlooked. these measures will inevitably be revisited — 2,442 of them as ‘key environmental assets’. These include restoration of riparian forests, perhaps at the time of the next drought. A subset of 18 ‘hydrologic indicator sites protection of remaining free-flowing rivers (e.g. References: for environmental assets’ is proposed for ) and re-engineering thousands of determining environmental flow requirements dams and weirs that fragment the Basin’s rivers Connell, D. 2011. The role of the Commonwealth Environmental (MDBA 2010). While welcome, the Authority’s Water Holder. Pp. 327–38 in Basin Futures: Water Reform in the to eliminate cold-water pollution and provide Murray–Darling Basin. D. Connell and R.Q. Grafton (Eds), ANU E assessment did not apply all Ramsar criteria passage for native fish (Pittock & Finlayson 2011). Press, Canberra. for identifying wetlands of international importance, omitting representativeness, However, many measures are welcome. The CSIRO. 2008. Water Availability in the Murray–Darling Basin. A report from CSIRO to the Australian Government. CSIRO, for instance. This means that the Authority buy-back of water entitlements from irrigators Canberra. has not targeted some wetland types in the for environmental flows — by 1 February 2014 Murray–Darling Basin for conservation. Further, the Federal Government had purchased 1,703 Kingsford, R.T., Brandis, K., Thomas, R.F., Crighton, P., Knowles, E. & Gale, E. 2004. Classifying landform at broad spatial scales: the the systems approach to allocating water may GL in average annual entitlements. Significantly distribution and conservation of wetlands in New South Wales, not always adequately prioritise the habitat of for the environment, these water entitlements Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research. 55: 17–31. a particular threatened or migratory species. are now owned and independently managed MDBA. 2010. Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan: Overview. Designation of wetlands as environmental assets for conservation by the Commonwealth Murray–Darling Basin Authority, Canberra. or indicator sites does not attract more legal Environmental Water Holder. This makes protection for these habitats, although half of this environmental water a legal entitlement Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. 2012. Water Act 2007. Basin Plan. Commonwealth the hydrologic indicator sites already had some equal to commercial holdings rather than the of Australia, Canberra. legal protection as Ramsar-listed wetlands. previous approach by the states where the Pittock, J. & Finlayson, C.M. 2011. Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin: environment was supposed to be supplied by There are other important flaws and omissions freshwater ecosystem conservation options in an era of climate ‘rules based’ (that is, leftover) water that largely change. Marine and Freshwater Research 62: 232–43. in the Authority’s proposals. Reduced allocations disappeared through administrative reallocation Pittock, J., Finlayson, C.M., Gardner, A. & McKay, C. 2010. Changing of water for the environment are being justified in times of scarcity (Connell 2011). It is also character: the Ramsar convention on wetlands and climate in part on the notion of ‘environmental works important that the Basin Plan will be revised at change in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia. Environmental and and measures’ or ‘environmental water demand least every 10 years, enabling adaptation that Planning Law Journal 27: 401–25. management’ — engineering measures using incorporates experience and new knowledge. Pittock, J., Finlayson, C.M. & Howitt, J.A. 2012. Beguiling and risky: pumps, levees and weirs that aim to save more “Environmental works and measures” for wetlands conservation wetland biodiversity with less water. This has There is no doubt that more water is being under a changing climate. Hydrobiologia 708: 111–31. great risks, for instance, in breaking habitat returned to the rivers and other wetlands of WGCS. 2012. Does a 3,200Gl Reduction in Extractions Comnined connectivity, in concentrating salt on wetlands the Murray–Darling Basin, which will improve with the Relaxation of Eight Constraints Give a Healthy Working and relying on timely state government their condition as vital bird habitat. However, Murray-Darling Basin River System? Wentworth Group of operations and maintenance (Pittock et al. 2012). the narrow scope of the measures proposed Concerned Scientists, Sydney. No reallocation to reduce the impact of climate in the Basin Plan, political compromises and change on water availability has been proposed, delayed implementation will greatly reduce the even though climate-induced reductions of up to effectiveness of these reforms for conservation.

BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN I 45 Richard Kingsford Waterbird conservation in 2050 Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW

The effective conservation of Australian The most serious threat to the viability of waterbirds depends on the successful mitigation waterbirds in 2050 is continued development of threats to their habitats and survival. The of rivers and wetlands. The story so far for threats are well known and understood. The waterbirds and their wetlands in Australia’s most most significant factor causing waterbird developed river basin, the Murray–Darling Basin, declines is the loss of wetland habitats, usually is similar to that for many of the world’s rivers supplied by rivers. Freshwater ecosystems and wetlands. Building dams and diverting water around the world are degrading at an reduces the extent, frequency and duration of increasingly rapid rate — often at a greater rate the availability of habitat for waterbirds, leading than declining terrestrial or marine ecosystems. to reduced opportunities to feed and breed. This The preferred approach to arresting the decline problem was identified nearly 50 years ago, after of the biodiversity of an area usually involves the height of water resource development on the the identification and protection of areas of high Murray River, yet decisions continue to be made conservation value as reserves or national parks. to develop water resources around Australia. Above from left: This process may also involve the nomination However, the loss of biodiversity, reflected in Australian Reed Warblers live among tall reeds in a of Wetlands of International Importance under declining waterbird populations, is clearly not variety of wetlands throughout the Murray–Darling, the Ramsar Convention, often focusing on considered to be of sufficient importance to plucking invertebrates, mainly , from the foliage. waterbirds. Important Bird and Biodiversity halt the development of water resources. Photo by Andrew Silcocks Areas also provide a way of identifying areas Australian Spotted Crake is the only crake to utilise of high conservation importance. While Despite good knowledge of the impacts, there is both fresh and saltwater wetlands, though much of identification and protection of wetlands is increasing momentum to develop rivers across its preferred habitat has been destroyed by wetland critical for their conservation, it is not enough Australia. Governments are promoting the reclamation across the Murray–Darling Basin. — the protection and conservation of wetlands development of tropical rivers (e.g. the Flinders Photo by Glenn Ehmke requires secure river flows in perpetuity, long River, which flows into the ) to provide irrigated produce in a bipartisan effort With less than 2,500 individuals left in the wild, the after reservation or Ramsar nomination. Australian Painted Snipe is one of the Murray–Darling to develop tropical northern Australia as the Basin’s most endangered birds. Photo by Chris Tzaros

46 I BIRDS OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN ‘food bowl of Asia’. This will result in two types Australian public has invested more than $12 We can protect waterbirds and their wetland of water development: (1) building large dams billion in returning water to the rivers of the habitats in the next 40 years, but this will in the headwaters of rivers; and (2) building Murray–Darling Basin, producing protracted not happen if we continue to develop our large dams on the floodplains into which water and acrimonious debate. While it is hoped rivers and wetlands. This will be particularly can be pumped during different-sized flow that this will arrest the long-term decline challenging, given that the world population is events. Either way, the outcomes for wetlands in the Basin, the effects of climate change projected to exceed nine billion people, each of and waterbird habitat will be same — reduced may deliver further challenges. It would be a whom requires food, fibre, energy and water frequency, extent and duration of flooding. The tragedy if, by 2050, we had added others to generated by the rivers that supply wetlands is also promoting small- the list of rivers which are adversely affected and waterbird habitats. There continues to be scale irrigation in the river systems that flow by development of water resources. an urgent need to ensure that the community into Lake Eyre (e.g. Cooper Creek), an important and our governments are aware that developing wetland site for many Australian waterbirds. There will also be other threats which will our rivers will have long-term impacts on compound the impacts from development wetlands and waterbird habitats, and also on Once development starts, it generates its own of water resources. Climate change will ecosystem services. Ultimately, people need to economic and political momentum. Many increase evaporation rates, and sea level rise live more sustainably within the natural resource irrigation developments began as ‘small scale’, will threaten low-lying wetlands, particularly constraints required for ecosystem function if but rapidly ‘ratcheted up’ into large-scale in tropical Australia. There is increasing we are going to be able to show our wetlands developments with considerable impact on concern about the impacts of on and their waterbirds to our grandchildren wetland and river habitats. The most rapidly water resources, particularly for coal seam and to continue to provide food security for developed river system in Australia was the gas. Such developments may occur across ourselves in the long term. If these systems Condamine- system in southern floodplains, affecting connectivity, and collapse then they won’t be good for either. Queensland, where off-river storages on Cubbie contaminated groundwater produced by Station and other irrigation developments coal seam gas or shale gas development captured a large proportion of floods that represents another potential impact on would previously have inundated wetlands wetlands and waterbird habitats. Invasive downstream. Recognising the considerable species may also have an impact on wetlands. ecological impacts of such developments, the BirdLife Australia is committed to the conservation of Australia’s birds and their habitat, recognising that conservation decisions and actions must be based on the best available science. To support this mission, BirdLife Australia is committed to producing an occasional series of Conservation Statements which summarise current knowledge on issues of relevance to the conservation of Australia’s birds. This series builds on those produced by BirdLife Australia’s predecessor organisations, the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union and Birds Australia.

This first Conservation Statement focuses on current knowledge about the birds of the Murray–Darling Basin and the imperative to manage the Basin’s water resources to improve the health of its rivers, wetlands and floodplains so they can continue to support a diverse array of organisms, including our birdlife. The Basin is of national importance for waterbird and woodland bird conservation. As Australia’s most developed river basin, it also represents much of our understanding of the current threats and impacts of human development on natural freshwater ecosystems, which is reflected in major changes to waterbird communities.

Acknowledgements BirdLife Australia would like to thank the many authors and photographers who contributed to this report as well the editors, Richard Kingsford, Jenny Lau and James O’Connor. Thanks also to John Peter and Cara Schultz for their editorial and production support and Glenn Ehmke and Kerryn Herman for compiling the maps.

Cover: The spectacular Red-necked Avocet is one of the many bird species that rely on the wetlands of the Murray– Darling Basin. Photo by Dean Ingwersen

ISSN 0815-5208 Copyright: Reproduction in whole or in part may only occur with the written permission of the Editors Printed on recycled FSC paper

BirdLife Australia Conservation Statement No. 16, May 2014