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Home , Brown songlark, Corowa, Culcairn, Curl snake, Deniliquin, Eastern brown snake

Central Wildlife

Matthew Herring Hugh McGregor Jessica Herring David Webb Alexandra Knight INTRODUCTION

Publication Details

Published by the Murray Catch- ment Management Authority and Murray Wildlife Pty. Ltd. © 2008. This booklet is copyright.

ISBN: 978-0-9775829-5-2

Matthew Herring Hugh McGregor Jessica Herring David Webb Alexandra Knight

Central Riverina Wildlife

For any further information contact Why we did a wildlife 2) To raise awareness about wild- in the , together with reveg- [email protected] survey? life ecology and promote conser- etation on previously cleared land. or to obtain additional copies con- vation of the remaining tact the Murray CMA. One of the best things about liv- Methods used to survey wildlife ing in the Murray region is all the What methods did we use? included: wildlife that we share our land- scape with. Unfortunately we have A total of 70 sites were estab- • 420 x 20 minute Surveys lost several species since lished across the Central Riverina (Two surveys in each of three sea- European settlement, such as the and West Corurgan areas. Formal sons at all 70 sites) White-footed Rabbit-Rat and East- surveys were conducted over the ern Hare-wallaby, and many others 14-month period at the sites, with • 30 x 1 hour Active Searches for are in serious danger of becoming an additional 20 sites surveyed and frogs (e.g. log rolling) extinct as well. Fortunately though, incidentally. The sites were spread • 30 x 1 hour Spotlighting surveys there is a growing commitment in across 28 farms and were surveyed for mammals, reptiles and noctur- the country to wildlife conserva- between September 2006 and Oc- nal tion on the farm. As we improve tober 2007. The sites incorporated • 6000 x Elliot trap-nights for small Acknowledgements our knowledge of the local land- the range of broad vegetation types mammals and reptiles scape and the and plants • 120 x Harp trap-nights for bats. The West Corurgan/Central Riverina that live in it we will be in a much • Opportunistic Anabat bat call re- Wildlife Survey was funded and sup- better position to ensure our natu- cording, Pitfall trap-nights for rep- ported by the NSW Murray Catch- ment Management Authority. Special ral heritage is maintained for future tiles and frogs and call broadcasting thanks to all the farmers for support- generations. to attract birds. ing the project so enthusiastically, with access to your properties, help during This wildlife survey was an initiative Surveying over the entire West trapping sessions, strong attendance at of the Murray Catchment Manage- Corurgan and Central Riverina ar- the field days and seminars, and amaz- ment Authority (CMA) and is the eas involved over 60 days of field ing hospitality. Rosie Smith, Shanna largest and most extensive ever work, usually with at least two Rogers, Natasha Lappin and Sue Logie undertaken in the local area. It people. from the Murray CMA made a signifi- cant contribution to the project – their builds on three previous studies in efforts are greatly appreciated. The the catchment: the Murray LWMP Red Kangaroo work by Gary Herring, Jamie Jackson Wildlife Survey conducted in the and Scott Lucas during the field work Berriquin, Cadell, , and was first class. Thanks also to David Les- Denimein areas from 2005-2006; lie, Dean Metcalfe, Jack Chubb, Katrina the Murrakool Wildlife Survey Grundy, Anthony Couroupis (Murray conducted around Barham, Swan CMA) and Ian Davidson for reviewing Hill and in 2003-2004 an earlier draft and for general support throughout the project. We are indebt- and; the Heartlands Eastern Billa- ed to the graphic design, IT and - bong Wildlife Survey conducted lishing expertise of Dylan O’Donnell around Holbrook, and who enabled our visions to materialise in 2001-2002. These into this booklet. Thanks also to the Ru- projects have two broad aims: ral Lands Protection Boards and NSW for access to TSR’s and State 1) To determine the distribution, Forests, and to University and local status of birds, and the Department of Environment & Climate Change for scientific permits reptiles, mammals and frogs and equipment hire.

2 CENTRAL RIVERINA / WEST CORURGAN - SPECIES LIST

Galah C Olive-backed Oriole R Little Corella R Masked Woodswallow R Sulphur-crested Cockatoo C White-breasted Woodswallow R Cockatiel R White-browed Woodswallow R Superb Parrot R (t) Black-faced Woodswallow R Eastern Rosella C Dusky Woodswallow R Yellow Rosella R Grey Butcherbird C Ringneck R Pied Butcherbird C Ground Cuckoo-shrike Wrinkled Toadlet Birds Blue Bonnet R Australian Magpie C Frogs Red-rumped Parrot C Pied Currawong R Emu R Pallid Cuckoo R Little Raven C Peron’s Tree Frog R Stubble Quail R Horsfields Bronze-cuckoo R White-winged Chough C Froglet C Brown Quail R Southern Boobook R Apostlebird R Common Froglet C Pacific Black Duck R Barn Owl R House Sparrow R # Spotted Marsh Frog C Wood Duck R Powerful Owl R (t) Red-browed Finch R Barking Marsh Frog R Black Swan R Tawny Frogmouth R Zebra Finch R Wrinkled Toadlet R Magpie Goose R (t) Australian Owlet-nightjar R Diamond Firetail R (t) Australian Shelduck R Fork-tailed Swift R Mistletoebird R Grey Teal R White-throated Needletail R Welcome Swallow C Reptiles Chesnut Teal R Laughing Kookaburra C Tree Martin U Hardhead R Azure Kingfisher R White-backed Swallow R Eastern Long-necked Turtle R Australasian Grebe R Sacred Kingfisher R Clamerous Reed-warbler R Southern Marbled Gecko R Hoary-headed Grebe R Rainbow Bee-eater R Little Grassbird R Wood Gecko R Darter R Dollarbird R Rufous U Tree Dtella R Great Cormorant R White-throated Treecreeper R Australian Pipit R Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko R Little Black Cormorant R Brown Treecreeper U Singing Bushlark R Lace Monitor R Little Pied Cormorant R Striated Pardalote C Brown Songlark R Sand Goanna R Australian Pelican R Spotted Pardalote R Silvereye R Carnaby’s wall C White-faced Heron R White-browed Scrubwren R Common Blackbird R # Wood Mulch Slider R White-necked Heron R R (t) Common Starling R # Boulengers Skink C Royal Spoonbill R Weebill C Dwarf Skink R Yellow-billed Spoonbill R Western Gerygone U Southern Rainbow Skink R Great Egret R Brown Thornbill R Spotted-backed Ctenotus R White Ibis R Inland Thornbill R Bronze-blazed Wedgesnout R Straw-necked Ibis R Chestnut-rumped Thornbill R Tree Crevice Skink R Black-shouldered Kite R Yellow-rumped Thornbill C Robust Ctenotus R Black Kite R Yellow Thornbill C Yellow-bellied Water Skink R Swamp Harrier R Buff-rumped Thornbill R Dwyer’s R Spotted Harrier R Southern Whiteface R Inland Bat R Whistling Kite R R U Brown Goshawk R Painted Honeyeater R (t) Mammals Red-bellied Black Snake R Wedge-tailed Eagle R Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater R Bearded Dragon R White-breasted Sea Eagle R Striped Honeyeater R Short-beaked Echidna R Prong-snouted Blind Snake R Little Eagle R Noisy Friarbird R Squirrel Glider R (t) Nobbi Dragon R Brown Falcon R Little Friarbird R R Australian Hobby R Noisy Miner C Black Wallaby R Black Falcon R Blue-faced Honeyeater R Eastern Grey Kangaroo C Key Peregrine Falcon R White-plumed Honeyeater C Red Kangaroo R Australian Kestrel R Black-chinned Honeyeater R (t) Ring-tailed Possum R R - Rare (1-10% of sites) Brolga R (t) Brown-headed Honeyeater R Common Brushtail Possum C U - Uncommon (11-25% of sites) Dusky Moorhen R White-fronted Chat R Gould’s Long-eared Bat R C - Common (26% sites or more) Purple Swamphen R Jacky Winter R Lesser Long-eared Bat U # Introduced Eurasian Coot R R White-striped Freetail Bat R (t) Threatened Black-tailed Native Hen R Red-capped Robin R Southern Freetail Bat R Bush Stone-curlew R Hooded Robin R (t) Inland Freetail Bat R Painted Button-quail R Grey-crowned Babbler C (t) Goulds Wattled Bat U Marsh Sandpiper R White-browed Babbler R Chocolate Wattled Bat R Common Greenshank R Varied Sittella R Inland Broad-nosed Bat R Sharp-tailed Sandpiper R Crested Shrike-tit R Inland Forest Bat R (t) Black-winged Stilt R Golden Whistler R Little Forest Bat C Red-necked Avocet R Rufous Whistler U Large Forest Bat R Red-kneed Dotterel R Grey Shrike-thrush C Southern Forest Bat R Black-fronted Dotterel R Restless Flycatcher U Feral Cat R # Masked Lapwing R Leaden Flycatcher R House U # Banded Lapwing R Australian Magpie-lark C Black Rat R # Australian Pratincole R Grey Fantail U Rabbit C # Peaceful Dove R Willie Wagtail C Brown Hare U # Common Bronzewing U Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike C Fox U # Crested Pigeon C Ground Cuckoo-shrike R Feral Pigeon R # White-winged Triller R Dwyer’s Snake 3 GRASSY BOX WOODLAND

Grassy Box Woodland includes found in these woodlands usually any stands of White Cypress-Pine, consists of common species like Yellow Box, Grey Box or Buloke, the Australian Magpie, Noisy that aren’t on sandhills. Prior to Miner, Red-rumped Parrot, Galah, European settlement this was the Eastern Brown Snake and Eastern most widespread vegetation type Grey Kangaroo, all of which are across the NSW Murray Catch- associated with relatively open ar- ment with large expanses in the eas and can persist in landscapes Central Riverina. that are mostly cleared.

From a conservation perspective, At times it was very dishearten- the few remaining stands of high ing for us to survey these sites quality Grassy Box Woodland are and record the same dozen or so like gold. When in good condition, species again and again. The good these beautiful woodlands contain news is that many special species a great variety of understorey like the Red-capped Robin and shrubs such as wattles, saltbushes Speckled Warbler are capable of returning to Grassy Box Wood- It is vital that we land sites that have been restored rest areas from and now support plenty of young trees, shrubs, native grasses, fallen to allow timber and other habitat. young trees and shrubs to Thankfully there are at least some high quality patches of Grassy Box regenerate. Woodland remaining in the Cen- tral Riverina, such as those around The Allan Carroll Flora & Fauna Reserve at Boree and hopbushes, together with a Lake Uranagong, the western side wide range of native grasses and of Lake and Galore Hill, Creek is a highly significant patch of bush. It sup- wildflowers. together with the Buckingbong, ports many species like the Inland Thornbill that are Cullival and Brookong State The soils found in Grassy Box Forests. Restored areas of Grassy now restricted to large, high quality remnants. Woodland have been favoured for Box Woodland are able to attract agriculture and more than 95% the surplus of wildlife produced of the original area has disap- at these hotspots as the animals A Real Winner: The Noisy Miner peared from the NSW Murray disperse through the landscape Catchment. Today, the wildlife looking for places to live. One native species that has done especially well since European settlement is the Noisy Miner. It was one of the most abundant bird species recorded during the surveys, and is often indicative of The Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko is real jewel of the small, degraded and fragmented woodland patches that have widely bush. It is mostly nocturnal but can be found during spaced Eucalypts. It is quite aggressive to other native birds, and the only small woodland bird that seems to tolerate them in large the day hiding under logs, rocks or bark on trees. densities is the Striated Pardalote.

The orange throat of this Boulenger’s Skink identifies it as a breeding male. When there is good habitat this species can be abundant and is probably the region’s most common .

4 Direct-seeding or planting local The discovery of the Bronze- shrubs that have disappeared blazed Ctenotus (Ctenotus al- from an area is another easy lotropis), a small skink not thought way to reinstate the understorey. to occur as far south as the NSW A good cover of native peren- Murray Catchment, in the Allan nial grasses is also an important Carroll Flora & Fauna Reserve habitat feature to aim toward and at , was a major these can also be reintroduced highlight of the study. Other high by spreading seed and managing quality Grassy Box Woodland weeds. sites like Galore Hill and Buck- ingbong State Forest supported Native grasses not only reduce additional uncommon to rare erosion and improve the overall reptiles species, such as the Nobbi ecological health of a site, but also provide seeds for species like the beautiful Diamond Firetail (see Retaining fallen front cover), which is only rarely timber benefits recorded in the region and con- many wildlife spe- sidered a threatened species in NSW. Native grass tussocks also cies. Piling it up and provide cover from predators for burning it wastes a several reptiles. valuable resource.

The appropriately named Superb Parrot was closely associated Dragon, Tree Dtella, Wood Gecko, with Grassy Box and Sandhill Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko, Curl Woodlands, and although they Snake and Dwyer’s Snake. The Buckingbong State Forest is a biodiversity breed in the red gum forests hotspot of immense regional significance. It is the along the Murray and other major At isolated revegetation sites waterways, they rely on other and restored remnants it may be largest remaining patch of Grassy Box Woodland in vegetation types to feed in. The necessary and desirable to rein- the entire NSW Murray Catchment. retention of remnant vegetation troduce some of these species to along roadsides helps facilitate areas that are once again capable Grassy Box Woodland sites that young trees is to avoid continuous the movement of this species of supporting viable populations. have a good cover of native grazing regimes and ensure the between its breeding and feeding shrubs supported a number of area is rested for long enough to sites throughout the landscape. important species like the Black allow regeneration. Sites can be Wallaby, White-browed Babbler strategically grazed once shrubs and Speckled Warbler. One of and young trees have become the simplest ways to reinstate a established. The Superb Parrot (below) and Grey-crowned Bab- patchy understorey of shrubs and bler (bottom left) are among the last woodland birds The tiny Speckled Warbler was only found at two to hang on in heavily cleared areas, long after most sites, both large (300+ hectares) Grassy Box Wood- of the smaller species like robins and thornbills have land patches, but can readily colonise revegetation. become locally extinct.

4 5 SANDHILL WOODLAND

High quality Sandhill Woodland Remaining stands of native pine is outstanding for native wildlife are examples of remnant sandhill and supports a plethora of native woodland that are excellent start- plants, however these days it is ing blocks for future restoration. hard to find good quality patches. This can be done by fencing out It includes vegetation capable of stock, controlling common weeds growing in sandy soils and often (e.g. Patterson’s Curse, Cape merges with Grassy Box Wood- Weed and Barley Grass) and land. Large trees include White replanting with shrubs. Controlling Cypress-Pine, Buloke, Yellow Box, rabbits, hares, foxes and cats will Grey Box and Needlewood. also make a site more attractive to native wildlife. Parts of the Central Riverina have extensive sandhills but when the area was first settled in the Sandhill Woodland 1800s they were heavily cleared sites dominated by for grazing and then later for cropping. Fortunately, there are native pines are un- still a handful of significant Sandhill attractive to Noisy Woodland remnants like those Miners because of around the eastern and southern edges of Lake Urana. the lack of Euca- lypts and higher Sandhills originally had a very tree density. diverse shrub layer with species such as Emu Bush, Quandong and various Acacias and saltbushes. Nocturnal birds of prey like the Sandhill Woodland supports a particularly unique Reinstating this understorey into Barn Owl, Boobook Owl, and stands of trees on sandhills will Tawny Frogmouth were frequently suite of wildlife and high quality sites are hotspots help to bring this beautiful vegeta- detected at Sandhill Woodland for reptile diversity. tion back from the brink of local sites. and many other parts of the extinction. landscape. Along with Brush- tailed and Ring-tailed Possums, Maintaining healthy remnant vegeta- Good quality sandhill woodland is these species rely on old trees tion on sandhills is great news for a haven for reptiles and woodland with hollows. birds. The sandy soils allow move- wildlife and helps stabilise the fragile ment of underground animals like soils from wind and rain. blind , and provide ideal nesting sites for Rainbow Bee- eaters and Sand Goannas. The loose soil of Sandhill Woodland enables the Sand Goanna (also called a Gould’s Monitor) to eas- The Prong-snouted Blind Snake is easily recognised ily dig its burrows. It differs from the Lace Monitor by it’s distinctive tri-lobed snout. It spends much of by being much smaller and having distinctive cream its time underground. Blind Snakes feed on termites stripes behind the eye. and ants, their and larvae.

6 BOREE WOODLAND

Boree Woodland is dominated fallen logs, branches, shrubs, sheets by Boree (Acacia pendula) and of corrugated iron, old fence posts originally covered large areas of or other habitat contained healthy the Central Riverina. It was the reptile and bird assemblages. Such dominant vegetation throughout “messy” areas are good habitat the central and western parts of for the Dwyer’s Snake and Curl the region. Today, there are just a Snake, as well as many of the few scattered stands remaining, small, insectivorous woodland representing a small fraction of birds that are declining. the original area. Conservation of the remain- One of the single ing stands of Boree is crucially important for the Central Riverina most important and the NSW Murray Catchment things that can be as a whole. Fortunately, Boree can done for wildlife in usually regenerate easily if stock grazing is controlled to allow the Central Riveri- regrowth of young Boree trees. na is protecting the remaining stands of These new trees not only provide a future for the site but also act Boree. as an understorey while they are young. Shrubs will also have a much better chance of reestab- A well-managed Boree remnant lishing if the area is rested from with good habitat can support grazing. dozens of bird species and around 10 reptile species, even if the site Retaining fallen timber and Young Boree trees have regenerated at this site is only a hectare or two in area. encouraging native grasses can It doesn’t take long to enhance a make a huge difference as well so because it has been rested from grazing for long stand of Boree trees into an oasis if you’re lucky enough to have a enough to allow young trees to become established. for wildlife. stand of Boree consider giving it a future by taking up the incentives As a result of this the trees here are no longer the All sites, irrespective of their veg- offered by the Murray CMA to “living dead”. Well managed Boree also supports a etation type, that have old grass, improve habitat for native wildlife. range of native shrubs, ground covers and wildflow- ers, such as saltbushes and rare Swainsona Peas. When Grey Mistletoe (inset) is present in a Boree Boree often supports Grey Mistletoe so it is a great site it can attract the threatened Painted Honeyeat- place to see the Mistletoebird. This male has been er (see front cover), which is dependent on mistletoe, munching on ripe mistletoe fruits. Within half an and was found near Lake Urana. hour or so these will pass through the bird and potentially germinate if they attach to a suitable Like so many of our wildlife species, this Blue Bonnet branch. depends on old trees with hollows.

6 7 Locals brave a cold winters morning at a field day on the western edge of Lake Urana.

This Curl Snake and the Dwyer’s Snake (see p3) differ from a juvenile Eastern Brown Snake (inset) mainly by the Black Wallaby. absence of a neck band.

These locals were among more than 450 people who attended the 12 West Corurgan and Central Riverina field days and seminars. Local kids eagerly answer questions about bats at the Galore Hill field day.

Brolga pair with two freshly hatched chicks in tow.

The at “Bogandillan” was an- other well attended Central Riverina field day. RIVER RED GUM

River Red Gum ( eyeaters, lorikeets and numerous camaldulensis) is one of the most other birds. The abundant leaf lit- intact vegetation types in the ter produced by River Red Gums NSW Murray Catchment. The red is another valuable resource for gum forests of the Murray region wildlife. are one of ’s greatest ecological assets. The value of Some species strongly associated major waterways and wetlands in with red gums and creeklines in- the Central Riverina such as the clude the Pacific Black Duck, Nan- Billabong Creek and Lake Urana- keen Night Heron, Yellow Rosella, gong cannot be overemphasised. Sacred Kingfisher, White-throated Good quality red gum habitat Treecreeper, Little Friarbird, booms with wildlife, particularly Restless Flycatcher, Sugar Glider, birds and mammals. Tree-crevice Skink and a range of bats and frogs. Some birds like the Large, old River Red Gums, some colorful Dollarbird migrate all the of which were around long before way from Northern Australia and European settlement, are the beyond during summer to use these River Red Gum forests.

River Red Gum The Billabong Creek and other waterways like the major waterways in the Central Billabong Creek Riverina act as wildlife ‘highways’ through the landscape, enabling facilitate wildlife wildlife populations to intermix. movement through Intermittent flooding of red gum the landscape, en- directly benefits waterbirds, frogs and bats but also maintains the abling populations overall health of the system. to intermix. Restoring flows to waterways and wetlands that are dying of thirst is clearly a priority. equivalent of Hollywood mansions for wildlife because they are filled A total of twelve bat species Large, old River Red Gums like this one are home with a range of hollows and crev- were recorded for the West to Sugar Gliders and Squirrel Gliders, and numerous ices. Bats, possums, gliders, parrots, Corurgan and Central Riverina pardalotes, owls, various reptiles surveys, many of which were most species of birds and bats shelter and breed in the and numerous others all shelter abundant in River Red Gum. All hollows and crevices. and nest in red gums. these bat species are insectivo- rous and play an important role in Shedding bark is important for controlling insects, consuming up invertebrates like mosquitoes are as a threatened species in NSW, treecreepers, the Crested Shrike- to half their body weight in insects most abundant. Some of the more were found along the Billabong tit, the Southern Marbled Gecko every night! special bats trapped included the Creek in between Rand and and Peron’s Tree Frog. Fallen logs Inland Broad-nosed Bat, Inland Urana, a long way westward of provide homes for the Yellow- During the day these bats roost in Forest Bat, Gould’s Long-eared their previously confirmed sight- footed Antechinus, Bush Stone- tree hollows, crevices and under Bat and Southern Forest Bat. ings on this waterway. Waterways Curlews and various species of bark. The greatest number and like the Billabong Creek, as well reptile. River Red Gums attract a diversity of bats were recorded in Squirrel Gilders, which are listed as continuous stands of roadside myriad of insects, as well as hon- wetlands and along rivers, where The White-plumed Honeyeater is characteristic of The nocturnal Southern Marbled Gecko is common- River Red Gum but does not survive in open areas ly found under the bark of River Red Gums. Peron’s with poor habitat that are dominated by Noisy Min- Tree Frogs also favour red gum bark to shelter ers and other large, aggressive species. under.

10 trees, act as corridors and enable In areas where there are numer- populations to intermix, prevent- ous old, hollow logs on the ing inbreeding and local extinction. ground we frequently record Squirrel Gliders feed on insects, them in densities between 4 gum from wattles, sap from euca- and 24 per hectare. Retaining lypts, as well as nectar and pollen. fallen logs in your patch of bush They benefit from having a range and planting woodlots for future of tree and wattle species that of- firewood supply will help ensure fer different resources at different these amazing critters don’t times of year. become another addition to the list of mammals that have disap- Despite 6000 Elliot Trap-nights peared from the Murray region (30 sites x 50 traps x 4 nights) not since European settlement. a single Yellow-footed Antechinus was found, a very disheartening Early settlers in the Central Riv- result. The Yellow-footed An- erina had the pleasure of finding techinus is a small, carnivorous native animals like the Eastern marsupial that is well known for Quoll, Eastern Hare-Wallaby, its bizarre breeding habits where Greater Bilby and White-footed all males die of exhaustion after Rabbit-Rat, now all extinct in the the winter breeding season. Murray region. Today, the only common native mammal species We’re quite confident that the in the region, apart from bats, are complete lack of Yellow-footed the Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Antechinus detection was at least Common Brushtail Possum, which partly due to successive years of are both regularly found in high . With previous surveys densities in River Red Gum areas. across the NSW Murray Catch- ment we have found “Yellow- foots” along major floodplain waterways that have extensive areas of remnant vegetation like the Murray, Edward and Wakool An Australian Owlet Nightjar at the entrance of it’s Rivers, as well as high quality nest. This nocturnal bird has a distinctive call, some- remnants on hills in the South- west Slopes such as those around The amazing Squirrel what similar to that of a Brown Falcon. Holbrook and . Glider, capable of gliding for up to 100 metres, The “Bell’s Form” (below left) of the Lace Monitor (also called Tree Goanna) is is larger and normally very distinctive from the usual form that people normally see (below centre). much rarer than the Lace Monitors are thought to exclusively lay their eggs in termite nests, either Sugar Glider. Squirrel on the ground or in trees. The termites seal the excavation left by the female Gliders would have once so the termite nest acts as an incubator. Once hatched the young goannas dig occurred across most of themselves out and fend for themselves. the Central Riverina.

10 11 OPEN WETLANDS

Much to our disappointment, types of wetlands in the Central the beautiful Canegrass wetlands Riverina so it is not surprising (and other open wetlands) of that the area is one of the most the Central Riverina region didn’t important Brolga breeding fill during our survey period, and remaining in the state. These sites so we didn’t have any sites that also support the Australasian Bit- incorporated them. Undoubtedly, tern and other significant species if we’d had the appropriate rainfall when they are full. and these sites did fill, then we would have recorded many more The Marsh Sandpiper and Sharp- waterbird and frog species. tailed Sandpiper are migratory shorebird species that visit the A number Brolgas were found Central Riverina every Spring in the Central Riverina and West and Summer. They essentially live their lives in an endless summer, Many waterbird migrating between the northern and southern hemispheres. These species prefer tree- species breed in , less wetlands to and China, and in Australia favor feed and breed in. shallow, muddy wetland areas for foraging. Treeless wetlands that support a range of water- The most common frogs re- plant communities with mudflats and shallows, like Corurgan areas during the study. corded during the study were There are fewer than 1000 Plains Froglet, Common Froglet this one in the Urana- area, are often home Brolgas remaining in south-eastern and Spotted Marsh Frog. They to 50 diffferent waterbird species, as well as numer- Australia, with their survival were frequently recorded in large ultimately depending on how wet- numbers near water, along rivers, ous frogs, bats and other wildlife. lands are managed on farms. creeks, and farm dams. The adults and tadpoles of these common is a rare example of a species waterplants and mudflats attract Brolgas breed almost exclusively frogs provide a great food source that has actually benefited from a wide range of new species like in large, ephemeral, open wetlands for waterbirds like Great Egret the proliferation of farm dams. egrets, herons, crakes, sandpip- (usually between 10 and 200 and reptiles like the Tiger Snake. Simple changes to farm dams ers, spoonbills and stilts. Avoiding hectares) that are only flooded for can substantially increase their constant grazing pressure from about 2-6 months at a time, then Most farm dams have insuffi- wildlife carrying capacity. stock will also enable mudflats allowed to completely dry out. cient habitat to support a good and waterplants to flourish variety of waterbirds, frogs and Earthworks that create seasonal- resulting in a greater range of There are a number of these bats. The Australian Wood Duck ly flooded shallows that support wildlife utilising your farm dam.

Royal Spoonbill (left). The Australian Painted Snipe (below) breeds in the Riverina region and is not closely related to the Latham’s Snipe (inset), which only breeds in Japan and migrates to spend the summer ( winter) here in Australia. Both species rely on shallow wetland areas with mudflats and cover from waterplants.

12 REVEGETATION

involve thin strips generally only Farm forestry plantations of Euca- benefit species already doing well lypts and Old Man Saltbush plant- like Crested Pigeon, Willie Wagtail, ings for grazing value and salinity Red-rumped Parrot and Black- mitigation are a much better ‘crop’ faced Cuckoo-shrike. for most wildlife than conventional agriculture. Old Man Saltbush Some plantings in the Central plantings attract the most birds Riverina and West Corurgan areas when they are situated around that are only 5-10 years old actu- remnant trees. Several species ally had higher bird diversity than like the White-fronted Chat avoid many of the degraded remnants trees and respond well to these that are dominated by large bird sites but most shrub-loving birds species like the Pied Butcherbird, in the region also require tree Australian Magpies and Eastern cover. Rosella. The response of Other less mobile species, like small, insectivorous many reptiles and small mammals will only benefit from revegetation woodland birds that is situated adjacent to existing to revegetation is remnants. Isolated sites of ad- phenomenal. Revegetation helps bring back structural habitat equate size and with appropriate diversity to the landscape. The Spiny-cheeked Hon- habitat that are thought to once again be able to support viable Most revegetation sites are eyeater (inset) is one of dozens of bird species that populations of these immobile ungrazed, at least for the first benefit from revegetation in the Central Riverina. species may make suitable reintro- few years while trees and shrubs duction trial sites in the future. become established. As a result, wildlife species that favour thick For years we’ve had faith that Noisy Miners, opportunities to Old sheets of corrugated iron, grass benefit. Reptiles like the Ol- revegetation would benefit wildlife nest, and places to feed. fence posts and roofing tiles can ive Legless Lizard are attracted by and now it is clear that many spe- provide homes for a range of the cover provided by grass tus- cies, particularly birds, are readily These small birds are even able to , geckos and legless lizards socks. The nests able to colonise suitable revegeta- colonise isolated patches of reveg- that would otherwise have to wait in long grass and is often closely tion patches that landholders have etation, many kilometres from the many decades for fallen logs and associated with ungrazed or lightly planted. nearest remnant but revegetated branches to accumulate. Simi- grazed parts of the landscape. sites attract the most species larly, nest boxes designed for bats, Whistlers, thornbills, fantails, when they are 5 or more hectares possums, gliders, parrots, owls Variation in tree and shrub density warblers, robins, honeyeaters and in area, incorporate a range of or other hollow-nesting wildlife within a large planting will benefit numerous other birds take ad- tree and shrub species and are can provide shelter and nest sites species that prefer dense areas, as vantage of the dense young trees situated adjacent to remnant veg- well before hollows form in trees, well as species that prefer more and shrubs. Here, they have cover etation. The popular ‘wind-break’ which takes place decades down open areas. The key to attracting from predators and aggressive plantings in isolated paddocks that the track. a maximum number of species is habitat diversity. The Weebill is generally considered Australia’s small- est bird. It does not persist in highly fragmented The Rufous Whistler (pictured here is a male at the landscapes with only small, degraded remnants that nest) responds well to revegetation. Young trees and have widely-spaced trees. Despite their small size, shrubs provide cover from predators, a place to nest Weebills readily colonise revegetation. and they support a range of invertebrate food.

12 13 LOCAL HOTSPOTS

Biodiversity hotspots are a priority for conservation. They are reservoirs of life and are the last remaining ‘jewels in the crown’. There is an urgent need for us to target our on-ground conservation efforts towards local biodiversity hotspots in the Central Riverina. By getting the biggest bang for our buck we can ensure as many individuals and species as possible benefit from our efforts. We can increase the wildlife carrying capacity of these HOTSPOTS: Sandhill Woodland around Lake Urana and any high quality stands sites and expand the area of the of Boree Woodland. sites by improving and creating habitat adjacent to them.

The local biodiversity hotspots identified here are characterised by at least one of the following at- tributes: relatively large patch, high habitat diversity, high number of species, high number of threat- ened or locally endemic species, high productivity/fertility or a severely depleted vegetation type. Different vegetation types support different suites of wildlife. Con- servation of all vegetation types across the Central Riverina region is therefore very important. HOTSPOTS: Grassy Box Woodland patches including Buckingbong, Cullival and Brookong State Forests, the Allan Carroll Reserve at Boree Creek, Galore Hill,

Photo Credits adjacent to the western edge of Lake Urana, and around Lake Uranagong.

Peter Merritt: PM, David Webb: DW, Matthew Herring: MH, Sue Logie: SL, Shanna Rogers: SR, Natasha Lappin: NL, Nathan Smith: NS, Gary Herring: GH, Hugh McGregor: HM, Craig Grabham: CG, Paul Scannell: PS.

FRONT COVER: Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko: DW, Field Day: SR, Painted Honeyeater: DW, Local girl looking for geckos: SL, Diamond Firetail: PM, Fenced Boree: MH, Australian Owlet Nightjar: GH, Ring-tailed Possum: NL Page 2: PM. Page 3: Bird: PM, Bat: HM, Frog: MH, Snake: DW. Page 4: All DW HOTSPOTS: River Red Gum along the Billabong and Urangeline Creeks, and except Allan Carroll Reserve: MH. Page 5: Buckingbong: MH, Speckled War- other major waterways, as well as major wetlands like Lake Uranagong and bler and Grey-crowned Babbler: PM, Lake Urana. Superb Parrot: DW. Page 6: All DW. Page 7: All PM except Boree: DW, Grey Mistletoe flower: MH. Pages 8 & 9: Lo- cals at field day near Lake Urana: NS, Black Wallaby: PM, Locals with binocu- lars: NS, Brolgas: PM, Curl Snake and Eastern Brown Snake: DW, Locals at Galore Hill: SR, “Bogandillan” field day: SL. Page 10: All DW except red gum: MH. Page 11: All PM except Bell’s Form Lace Monitor: PS. Page 12: All PM ex- cept Painted Snipe:DW. Page 13: All PM except revegetation: MH. Page 14: All MH except top photo: DW. PAGE 15: All MH except Fox and constructed wetland: PM. BACK COVER: All PM except Bronze-blazed Wedge-snout (skink): DW, locals in mist: NS, Grassy HOTSPOTS: Canegrass Wetlands such as Lake Cullival, parts of the Boree Creek Box Woodland with shrubs: MH, and floodplain and those west of Urana. Gould’s Wattled Bat: CG

14 WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP KNOW YOUR RETAIN FALLEN HABITAT TIMBER

The most important thing that Tidying up the farm by piling up landholders in the Central Riveri- logs and branches and burning na can do for wildlife conserva- them is bad news for wildlife. tion is to identify the significant Retaining fallen timber will benefit remnant vegetation sites on their many species like the Yellow-foot- properties and manage them in a ed Antechinus, Bush Stone-curlew way that will maintain or improve and a whole range of reptiles such the quality of habitat. as geckoes and skinks. Even junk such as old fence posts and sheets of corrugated iron can be valuable habitat.

REVEGETATE REST AREAS FROM GRAZING The response of wildlife to plantings on cleared land is Avoiding continuous grazing phenomenal, especially for birds. pressure and resting areas from Revegetated sites attract the stock dramatically improve wildlife most species when they are 5 or habitat, allowing young trees, more hectares in area (but not in shrubs and grasses to regener- thin strips), incorporate a range ate. Fencing incentives available of tree and shrub species, and through the Murray CMA are en- are situated adjacent to remnant abling landholders to make major vegetation. improvements to wildlife habitat on their farms.

MODIFY YOUR DAM REINSTATE UNDERSTOREY Simple changes to farm dams can also increase wildlife diversity on Reinstating an understorey of your property. Earthworks that shrubs into remnants is another create ephemeral shallows (50 cm easy way to make a big difference and less) and exclusion of stock to wildlife habitat on your farm. promotes waterplant growth and Direct-seeding or planting of a productive mudflats. This results in range of appropriate shrub spe- a wetland oasis for frogs, water- cies, depending on the vegetation birds and bats. Stock water can type, is great news for wildlife. be pumped to a nearby trough if needed.

CONTROL FERALS RESTORE FLOWS On top of improving habitat on Flooding River Red Gum, Black your farm, controlling introduced Box, Canegrass and other wetland predators like Foxes and Feral sites from time to time will help Cats will also benefit wildlife. maintain the health of these Broad-scale baiting programs, like ecosystems and greatly improve those coordinated by the Rural wildlife habitat. Intermittent flood- Lands Protection Board, that in- ing promotes waterplant growth, corporate numerous neighbouring stimulates regeneration and properties are the most effective maintains the health of old trees for fox control. Control of other and waterplant communities, all introduced animals like Rabbits, benefiting wildlife. as well as weeds, is generally also good news for wildlife.

14 15 Berrigan 79-81 Chanter Street 315 Street Murray Catchment BERRIGAN NSW 2712 DENILIQUIN NSW 2710 P: 03 5885 2804 P: 03 5880 1400 Management Authority

Corowa Albury [email protected] 157 Sanger Street 421 Swift Street www.murray.cma.nsw.gov.au NSW 2646 ALBURY NSW 2640 P: 02 6033 0947 P: 02 6051 2200