Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey

MAMMALS D. Armstrong1

Records Available Prior to the 2008 Survey data was available from four earlier traps (Elliots were not used during the first year), Department of Environment and Natural Resources compared to the two trap lines of six pitfalls and 15 (DENR) surveys which had some sampling effort Elliots, as is the standard for DENR surveys. within the Marqualpie Land System (MLS). These sources provided a total of 186 records of 16 mammal The three Stony Deserts Survey sites were located species (Table 18). These surveys were: peripheral to the MLS and in habitat that is unrepresentative of the dunefield, which dominates the • BS3 – Cooper Creek Environmental Association survey area. Therefore, only data collected at the 32 Survey (1983): 9 sites. Due to the extreme comparable effort survey sites sampled in 2008 is variability in sampling effort and difficulty in included in this section. All other data is treated as identifying site boundaries, this is simply the supplementary and discussed in later sections. number of locations for which mammal records were available. The 24 species recorded at sites consisted of five • BS41 – Della and Marqualpie Land Systems’ native rodents, five small dasyurids (carnivorous/ Fauna Monitoring Program (1989-92): 10 sites. insectivorous ), five insectivorous , the • BS48 – Rare Rodents Project: one opportunistic Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), Red sighting record from 2000. Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) and Dingo (Canis lupus • BS69 – Stony Deserts Survey (1994-97): 3 sites. dingo), and six introduced or feral species. As is the case throughout much of , particularly the An additional 20 records of seven mammal species arid zone, critical weight range (35g – 5.5kg) native were available from the SA Museum specimen mammal species, are now largely absent (Morton collection. Amongst these were three records of 1990). The one exception in the MLS is the single Rattus villosissimus (Long-haired Rat), which was not record of the Short-beaked Echidna. recorded during the above early biological surveys. Therefore, a total of 206 records of 17 mammal species were obtained from within the MLS prior to this survey (Table 18).

The location of all sites sampled on these and the 2008 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey are shown in Figure 75.

2008 Survey - Site Based Data This survey collected 330 records of 24 mammal species (Table 18) from 32 standard DENR format survey sites (Owens 2000). Despite much of the data from earlier surveys being collected at fixed trap sites, Figure 74. Sandy Inland Mouse (Pseudomys the sampling effort at these sites was variable and not hermannsburgensis) was the most frequently directly comparable to that of this survey. For recorded species on the 2008 survey (Photo: P. example, the 10 sites used from the Della and Canty). Marqualpie Land Systems’ Survey were sampled annually at various times during four consecutive years, with two trap lines of five pitfall and 10 Elliot

Table 18. Summary of all Marqualpie Land System mammal records and their sources.

Rare 2008 2008 Cooper Della and Stony SA Source Rodents Survey Survey Total Creek Marqualpie Deserts Museum (OP) (Sites) (OP) Records 27 85 1 73 20 330 48 584 Species 7 5 1 11 7 24 9 24

1 Science Resource Centre, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001.

55 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey

Figure 75. Location of survey sites where have been sampled in the Marqualpie Land System.

The average number of mammal records per site was The average number of identified mammal records at 13.8. By far the most frequently encountered species sites was 10.3. The lowest was two at MON00501, was Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland described above. The highest was 32 records at Mouse), which was recorded at 24 of the 32 (75%) KES00301 on a sandy dune crest vegetated with survey sites and accounted for 117, or over one third basedowii (Hard Spinifex) Open Hummock (35.5%), of identified mammal records at sites. The Grassland. However, these records were largely of the native P. hermannsburgensis and the similar looking two most abundant species, both small rodents, 18 introduced Mus musculus (House Mouse) accounted Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse) for 52.4% of all mammal records at sites, with both and 10 Mus musculus (House Mouse). occurring at over half of the 32 survey sites. The only other species recorded at more than half of all sites In evaluating the mammal records collected at sites was the Dingo, at 17 sites. In most instances Dingo and the subsequent statistics calculated and shown presence was based on sightings of their tracks rather above, it should be taken into consideration that than of the themselves. More than half (15 of another 60 records were collected which were not 24) the species at sites were recorded at five or less identified to species. These were 56 small rodents, sites, mostly by single records at each site, two small bats and two other small mammals that were representing a total of only 38 or 11.5% of all records either rodents or dasyurids. In the case of the bats this (Table 19). Seven species were recorded at only one situation was created by failure to collect specimens site each and by only one or two individual records. that could be later examined to confirm identity. The rodents were attributed to Pseudomys bolami (Bolam’s The average number of species recorded at survey sites Mouse), a species that was several hundred kilometres was 4.5. The lowest was two at MON00501 on a out of its known distribution, and none of the stony plain in Maireana astrotricha (Low Blue-bush) specimens collected and attributed to this species were Low Very Open Shrubland on sandy clay loam. The correctly identified in the field. The seven specimens highest was eight species (four feral and four native) at collected were in fact all later identified as Pseudomys BLO00701. This was in an interdune corridor of hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse), but due to Corymbia terminalis (Bloodwood) Low Open other misidentifications in the field of P. Woodland with Aristida contorta (Curly Wire-grass) hermannsburgensis with Leggadina forresti (Forrest’s dominated understorey, on loamy sand. Mouse) and potentially Mus musculus (House Mouse), the remaining records of the anomalous species could

56 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Table 19. Summary of mammal records at sites in descending frequency order.

Species Name Common Name Sites Records Pseudomys hermannsburgensis Sandy Inland Mouse 24 117 Mus musculus * House Mouse 18 56 Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced 13 31 Canis lupus dingo Dingo 17 20 geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared 4 17 Oryctolagus cuniculus * Rabbit (European Rabbit) 12 15 Pseudomys desertor Desert Mouse (Brown Desert Mouse) 10 15 Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart 8 13 Leggadina forresti Forrest's Mouse 6 8 Vulpes vulpes * (Red Fox) 5 6 Felis catus * Cat () 5 5 Camelus dromedarius * One-humped Camel (Arabian Camel) 3 4 ridei 4 4 ingrami Long-tailed Planigale 3 3 Bos taurus * Cattle (European Cattle) 2 2 Macropus rufus Red Kangaroo 2 2 Rattus villosissimus Long-haired Rat (Plague Rat) 1 2 Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat 1 2 Scotorepens greyii Little Broad-nosed Bat 1 2 Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat 2 2 gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat 1 1 Notomys alexis Spinifex Hopping-mouse 1 1 Planigale gilesi Giles' Planigale () 1 1 Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna 1 1 Total 32 330 Note: * Indicates introduced or feral species.

not be directly attributed to this most common species. They have therefore been excluded from any further evaluation of the available mammal data for the MLS.

Opportunistic Data Although there were only 48 opportunistic records of nine mammal species collected during the 2008 survey (Table 18), they include a significant contribution to the information available on Macropus rufus (Red Kangaroo). Opportunistic records provided the majority (22 of 27) of all records for the species in the MLS, including sightings of four separate small groups. All nine species recorded opportunistically were also recorded at survey sites.

Combined Site and Opportunistic Data The combined site and opportunistic data from this survey provided 378 of 584 (65%), or just under two thirds, of all available mammal records for the MLS. It also provided a disproportionately greater amount of records of several larger species, in particular Canis lupus dingo (Dingo), Macropus rufus (Red Kangaroo), Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) and most feral species, including Camelus dromedarius (One-humped Camel), Felis catus (Feral Cat), Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit) and Vulpes vulpes (Fox). The 2008 survey included the only record of Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) and Figure 76. The majority of Red Kangaroo the first records of Camelus dromedarius (One- (Macropus rufus) records for the area were humped Camel) and Vulpes vulpes (Fox) for the MLS. collected opportunistically away from sites during the 2008 survey (Photo: DENR).

57 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey It appears that more effort was made in recording tracks and traces of larger animals than in previous visits to the area, as the vast majority of records of these larger species were of scats, tracks or diggings. Unfortunately, the increased effort in this method of data collection was restricted to only one of the two field groups. Therefore, data relating to the species named immediately above, for which tracks and traces are likely to be a significant proportion of records, must be interpreted with this bias in mind, as they are likely to under-represent the situation. In total, seven mammal species, including two introduced or feral species, previously unrecorded within the MLS were recorded during the 2008 survey (Table 20). Figure 77. The first records of Inland Broad-nosed Bat (Scotorepens balstoni) in the Marqualpie Land System were collected on the 2008 survey (Photo: A. Robinson).

Table 20. Summary of records of species first recorded for the Marqualpie Land System during the 2008 survey.

Species Name Common Name OP Recs SU Recs Total Records Camelus dromedarius * One-humped Camel 4 4 Planigale gilesi Giles' Planigale (Paucident Planigale) 1 1 Planigale ingrami Long-tailed Planigale 3 3 Pseudomys desertor Desert Mouse (Brown Desert Mouse) 15 15 Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat 2 2 4 Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna 1 1 Vulpes vulpes * Fox (Red Fox) 1 6 7 Note: * Indicates introduced or feral species.

Species Summary Discussion of Combined Mammal Records Prior to this survey of the MLS, the available records Based on the higher taxonomic groupings of Order or for the area provided evidence of the occurrence of 17 Family the 24 species of mammals recorded for the mammal species, 13 native and four introduced. The MLS can be divided into eight major taxonomic 2008 survey obtained a far greater number of groups (Table 21). Three of these groupings contain additional records, representing 65% of those currently only introduced or feral species that arrived in available, and increasing the known mammal species Australia in recent times. for the MLS to 24 (Appendix 7). Of these, 18 are native and six are introduced or feral species. Artiodactyla (Even-toed ungulates) Based on the meagre number of records available, The native species consisted of:- neither of the two introduced ungulate species • one monotreme, recorded for the MLS appears to be at all common. • five species of dasyurid (carnivorous/insectivorous However, significant rain prior to the 2008 survey, ), producing multiple watering opportunities is expected • one species of macropod, to have resulted in the dispersal of these large mobile • five species of rodent, species, resulting in few sightings. • five species of insectivorous bats, and • the dingo. Under the multiple use management framework of the Innamincka Regional Reserve, pastoral production is The introduced feral mammal species groupings were:- one of several ongoing economic activities. As such, • two ungulates, Bos taurus (Cattle) are expected to be encountered • two carnivores, within the MLS, although they would generally be more numerous around the artificial watering points in • one rodent, and the peripheral areas than within the dunefield which • one lagomorph. dominates the area.

A list of all mammal species recorded at sites during There are only five available records of the species the 2008 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey within the area, mainly of tracks and scats, including is provided in Appendix 8. records of tracks at two survey sites during the 2008

survey. These records are from three separate surveys

58 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Table 21. Mammal species groups (Order or Family) for the Marqualpie Land System, showing proportion from each group, in descending order of frequency.

Number of Records Mammal Group Pre 2008 2008 Survey Total Rodentia (Rodents) 111 53.9% 203 53.7% 314 53.8% (Carnivorous marsupials) 41 19.9% 52 13.7% 93 15.9% Chiroptera (Bats) 41 19.9% 30 7.9% 71 12.2% Carnivora (Carnivores) * 4 1.8% 45 11.9% 49 8.4% Macropodidae (Kangaroos, wallabies and tree-kangaroos) 3 1.5% 24 6.4% 27 4.6% Lagomorpha * (Rabbits, hares and relatives) 3 1.5% 17 4.5% 20 3.3% Artiodactyla (Even-toed ungulates) * 3 1.5% 6 1.6% 9 1.6% Monotremata (Platypus and echidnas) 0 0% 1 0.3% 1 0.2% Total 206 100% 378 100% 584 100% Note: * Indicates introduced or feral species.

extending back to 1983, but their low recording rate could easily be the result of survey members failing to record them, as they could be ignored as domestic stock, rather than recorded as wild or feral species.

On the other hand Camelus dromedarius (One-humped Camel) appear to be in genuinely low numbers within the MLS and may be a relatively recent arrival there. The four records collected during the 2008 survey were of tracks at three survey sites, and were the first records of the species from within the MLS. Management of their numbers is mentioned as an action in the Innamincka Regional Reserve Management Plan (National Parks and Wildlife Figure 78. One-humped Camels (Camelus Service 1988) and the 10 year review of Innamincka dromedarius) appear to occur in relatively low Regional Reserve (Department for Environment, numbers in the Marqualpie Land System (Photo: Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs [DEHAA] 1998). A. Robinson). However, they do not appear in sections of these documents that detail problems created by other During early 2009 an aerial control program of large significant feral pest species. feral species encountered few camels within the Innamincka Regional Reserve. In addition to being Badman (1989) stated that small mobs of camels close to the eastern extreme of their current inhabited the sand hills of the Strzelecki and Tirari distribution, it is likely that camel numbers in the area Deserts and sometimes along the Cooper Creek, but are kept low by pastoralists as a measure to protect were too few to have any significant effect on the fencing and other infrastructure from damage (T. vegetation at that time. Kemper (1990), citing Fraser, pers comm, 2009). information from and Plant Control SA, stated that within the north-eastern deserts, the Camel was Carnivora (Carnivores) restricted to sandy areas of the western Simpson Although there is some dispute as to whether the dingo Desert, extending down to Lake Eyre, and the should be considered a native or introduced Australian Strzelecki Desert around Moomba and Innamincka. species, having arrived in pre-European times 3,500- This description appears to exclude the Marqualpie 4,000 years ago, all three carnivore species recorded Land System. within the MLS (Dingo, Fox and Feral Cat) are widespread throughout the arid zone and were The Nature Conservation Society of deliberately introduced to the continent by humans. conducted a biological survey of the far north east of Small numbers of sightings of each of the three species the state from 2nd to 30th August 1975. Despite were made during the 2008 survey, but the majority of visiting several pastoral properties in the area, records were of tracks and traces. As stated earlier, including apparently travelling from Cordillo Downs only one of the two field groups made a concerted Station to the north, through the MLS to Innamincka to effort to collect this type of data, so statistics quoted the south, the report on this survey contains regarding these and other species for which tracks and observations of other feral species, but no mention of traces are likely to be a significant proportion of sightings of camels (Foale 1975). records, although giving a generally accurate reflection, may be an under-representation of the situation, and must be interpreted with this bias in mind.

59 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey The presence of Canis lupus dingo (Dingo) was recorded at 17 of the 32 survey sites during the 2008 survey; by tracks at 16 and a sighting at one. Similarly, Vulpes vulpes (Fox) was recorded at five sites, four by tracks and one by sighting of an animal. Felis catus (Feral Cat) was recorded at five sites; four by tracks and one was trapped at a separate site.

No records of had been made during earlier surveys. That this is an accurate reflection of their abundance is unlikely, due to an apparent lack of effort in searching for tracks and other traces and similarly low numbers of records of the other two carnivores (three Dingos and one Feral Cat) during earlier surveys. However, based on the site-based information available from the 2008 survey, Dingos appear relatively more abundant in the area than Foxes and Feral Cats. It is possible that the same Dingo may have visited more than one site, though the 16 sites searched for tracks extended over a range of 30 kilometres. This may also be the case for Fox and Feral Cat records.

Opportunistic observations reflect the same pattern, with 10 of Dingos (four seen, three heard, two tracks, one seen spotlighting), three Feral Cats (all tracks) and one Fox (tracks). Figure 79. Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) presence was detected at 17 of the 32 survey sites sampled for the 2008 survey (Photo: D. Hopton).

Chiroptera (Bats) four opportunistic locations. All five bat species Trapping for bats at survey sample sites is not possible recorded for the MLS by these methods are Australian in a standardised manner, nor is it comparable between endemic species, roosting principally in tree hollows, sites. Specific locations are targeted at which the and are widespread, particularly within the arid zone. chances of catching bats are maximised. These may be amongst trees in flower (particularly eucalypts), A summary of bat species records in the MLS is which attract the insects upon which bats feed; small provided in Table 22. Thirty nine of the 41 bat records bodies of water in creeks, dams or open topped tanks; collected within the MLS prior to the 2008 survey flyways through denser vegetation; or trees with came from site PC00601, one of three sites within the multiple hollows in which bats may shelter. Not all survey area which were part of the Stony Deserts survey sites have such features. Where possible, these Biological Survey during November 1996. These features are sampled at survey sites, but when such were 24 records of (Lesser features are encountered away from sites, they are Long-eared Bat), 10 of Chalinolobus gouldii (Gould’s sampled opportunistically using harp traps and mist Wattled Bat) and five of Scotorepens greyii (Little nets. Broad-nosed Bat). This site was in atypical habitat for the MLS, near its eastern edge in Eucalyptus During this survey bats were trapped or identified by camaldulensis (River Red Gum) Open Forest along a their distinctive audible calls at seven survey sites and sandy stream channel.

Table 22. Summary of bat species records for the Marqualpie Land System.

Species Name Common Name Pre-2008 2008 Survey Total Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat 10 1 11 Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat 24 17 41 Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat 4 4 Scotorepens greyii Little Broad-nosed Bat 6 3 9 Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat 1 5 6 Total 41 30 71 Total as % of all records 19.9% 7.9% 12.2%

60 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Scotorepens balstoni (Inland Broad-nosed Bat) was the only species recorded in 2008 that had not been recorded by earlier surveys within the MLS. Two specimens were collected at site KEN00501, in Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah) Low Open Woodland along a creekline with a shrubby understorey of Acacia spp. and Senna spp. Another two were collected at a flood-out area with emergent Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah), approximately five kilometres north of KEN00501. Both locations are within a few kilometres of Cuttapirie Waterhole.

Anabat bat detectors (Titley Electronics) were used to record high frequency bat calls at 13 of the 32 survey sites. These were BLO00101-0601, BLO00801 and MON00201-00701 (Table 23). Recordings were collected for a single night at each of these sites. A total of 5,724 calls were recorded. Of these only 396 (6.9%) were adequately identifiable to be allocated to a particular bat species. Almost 80% of all calls were recorded at two sites. The massive number of calls at these sites resulted from the recorder sensitivity level being set too high, which subsequently created difficulties in separating out and identifying individual calls.

The average number of identified calls per site was 30.5 (Table 23), but varied from one at MON00501 to 76 at BLO00101. The average number of identified calls for the four bat species recorded at sites was 99, Figure 80. Ten of the 11 records of Gould’s Wattled and varied very little, from the lowest of 82 across Bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) were recorded at one nine sites for Scotorepens greyii (Little Broad-nosed Red Gum site peripheral to the dunefields of the Bat) to the highest of 111 across 10 sites for Marqualpie Land System (Photo: A. Robinson). Nyctophilus geoffroyi (Lesser Long-eared Bat).

All records of Tadarida australis (White-striped The Anabat recordings confirmed the presence of an Freetail-bat) were of their audible call, whereas the additional species, Mormopterus sp.3 (Inland Free- other four species were recorded as caught in traps or tailed Bat). Although it was recorded at 10 sites and nets. The White-striped Freetail-bat is rarely caught, accounted for over a quarter (26.5%) of all identified as they do not manoeuvre very well, so tend to forage calls, it was not caught in traps. This is probably due in open areas and above the canopy (Churchill 1998), to its limited manoeuvrability in flight, which causes it where they are out of reach of both harp traps and mist to forage high in the air and also on the ground, nets. placing it generally out of range of traditional bat trapping methods. This additional bat species has not As with the pre-2008 survey records, Nyctophilus been included in any other statistics or tables within geoffroyi (Lesser Long-eared Bat), was again the most this report due to its currently unclear taxonomical frequently recorded bat species during this survey. It status. Biochemical study of Mormopterus by Adams was recorded at four survey sites and accounted for et al. (1988) revealed several as yet not fully described over half (17 of 30) of all bat records collected. species. Work towards this process is currently nearing completion (T. Reardon, pers comm, 2009).

Table 23. Anabat records at survey sites during the Marqualpie Land System Survey 2008.

Bloodwood Bore Sites (BLO) Montkeleary Creek Sites (MON) Total Species Name 01 02 03 04 05 06 08 02 03 04 05 06 07 Calls Chalinolobus gouldii 14 17 8 15 4 6 10 16 1 7 98 Nyctophilus geoffroyi 42 15 4 4 13 4 8 11 1 9 111 Scotorepens greyii 4 26 4 3 1 22 3 7 12 82 Mormopterus sp.3 16 7 13 29 4 9 5 4 13 5 105 No. of calls identified 76 65 29 51 14 4 10 45 32 23 1 41 5 396 Total no. of calls 152 168 133 142 76 40 34 130 142 1453 3033 164 57 5724 % calls identified 50 39 22 3 18 10 29 35 23 1.6 0.03 25 8.8 6.92 Note: No calls recorded at sites BLO00701, MON00101 and MON00801. Number of calls cannot be used as a guide to abundance as one animal could be responsible for many calls. These figures are therefore only useful as a guide to activity in an area.

61 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Dasyuromorphia (Carnivorous marsupials) prefer clay soils with deep cracks in which they shelter Five species of small insectivorous native marsupials during the day. Individual Planigale ingrami (Long- of the family Dasyuromorphia, often referred to as tailed Planigale) were trapped at two sites in floodouts dasyurids, are known from within the MLS. They and one in a playa/pan, all on clay soils, while the represent 15.9% of all mammal records from the area single Planigale gilesi (Giles’ Planigale) record was (Table 24). The two smallest species, both , also from a playa/pan with clay soil. Planigale gilesi had not been recorded prior to the 2008 survey. remained relatively unknown until pitfall trapping was introduced and was not described as a species until Planigales and Ningaui were basically unknown 1972. Planigale ingrami is the smallest of all species until the advent of pitfall trapping in the 1960s marsupials. Adult males, the larger of the sexes, (Kemper 1990). In fact, Ningaui ridei (Wongai weigh an average of just 4.6 grams (Fisher 2008). In Ningaui) was not described as a species until 1975, South Australia the ranges of the two species overlap and not recorded from the north-east of SA until the only in the far north-east. This probably also applies work of Reid and Gillen (1988), who trapped it on the to adjacent areas of south-west Queensland where western side of the Coongie Lakes, about 50 km west similar suitable habitat occurs. Whilst P. gilesi is of the MLS during the summer of 1986-87. At this found throughout south-western Queensland, western time it had a conservation rating of Rare in South New South Wales and north-eastern South Australia, Australia (Kemper 1985). Triodia spp. (Spinifex) P. ingrami is a northern species which is at the hummocks (which provide diurnal shelter) on sandy southern extreme of its range within the MLS. soils are a key habitat component of the three currently recognised Ningaui species. Ningaui ridei is The remaining two Dasyurid species are relatively widespread in such habitats throughout arid central common, and the most widespread of the 20 members Australia. Single specimens were trapped at four sites of the sub-family ( and during this survey. Three of these were in Triodia ). Both species inhabit a wide variety of basedowii (Hard Spinifex) Hummock Grassland, vegetation associations and soil types. This is clearly whilst the fourth was in Zygochloa paradoxa (Sandhill illustrated by the variation in the landform element of Canegrass) Open Hummock Grassland. Hard Spinifex the sites at which the two species were recorded during was also dominant at the six Della and Marqualpie the 2008 survey (Table 25). However, Sminthopsis Land Systems’ Fauna Monitoring sites (1989-92) at crassicaudata (Fat-tailed Dunnart) has a preference for which Ningaui ridei was recorded. open grasslands and shrublands mainly over the southern half of the continent, and has adapted to farmland habitats in southern parts of its range. On the other hand, Sminthopsis macroura (Stripe-faced Dunnart) occupies the broadly arid regions of central and northern Australia.

Figure 81. Wongai Ningaui (Ningaui ridei) were trapped at four sites during the 2008 survey, all in either Hard Spinifex (Triodia basedowii) or Sandhill Canegrass (Zygochloa paradoxa) (Photo: P. Canty).

Conversely, the two species of Planigale, which were Figure 82. The Stripe-faced Dunnart (Sminthopsis first recorded for the MLS during the 2008 survey, macroura) was recorded at 13 of the 32 survey sites sampled on the 2008 survey (Photo: P. Canty).

Table 24. Summary of dasyurid records for the Marqualpie Land System.

Species Name Common Name Pre-2008 This Survey Total Records Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced Dunnart 6 31 37 Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart 19 13 32 Ningaui ridei Wongai Ningaui 16 4 20 Planigale ingrami Long-tailed Planigale 3 3 Planigale gilesi Giles' Planigale 1 1 Total 41 52 93 Total as % of all records 7% 8.9% 15.9%

62 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Their relative abundance is clear from the numbers of within the MLS during the Stony Deserts Survey records of the two species obtained during the 2008 (Brandle 1998). This was in spongiosa (Pop survey. There were 13 records of S. crassicaudata Saltbush), Neobassia proceriflora (Desert Glasswort) from eight (25%) of the 32 survey sites and 31 of S. Low Very Open Shrubland on clay loam soil on a clay macroura from 13 (40%) sites. The two species were plain. Only one of the 2008 survey sites (KES00101), recorded together at five sites. Interestingly, 16 of the which was also one of the five sites where both 19 records of S. crassicaudata for the MLS prior to dunnart species were recorded, was located in a similar this survey were from one of three sites sampled landform element (Table 25).

Table 25. Presence of Sminthopsis species by landform element at Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey sites.

No. of sites at which S. No. of sites at which S. Landform Element Total Sites crassicaudata present macroura present Dune/consolidated dune 8 1 2 Dune crest 3 1 Swale 6 2 2 Interdune corridor 1 Sandy plain 3 1 Plain (inc undulating plain) 1 1 1 Stony plain 2 Flood out 3 Playa/pan 4 3 3 Swamp 1 1 Total Sites 32 8 13

Lagomorpha (Rabbits, hares and relatives) in traps during the earlier visits to the MLS. Only It appears that Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit) occurs two of the 20 records (including 17 from the 2008 in relatively low numbers within the MLS. Based on survey) were observations of live animals. The data from earlier surveys it would seem this has been remainder were mainly of droppings or burrows. the case for some time. Certainly the scarcity of records, even prior to the outbreak of Calici Virus or Rabbits have contributed significantly to the total Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) in the mid- grazing pressure of the region over the last century. 1990s suggests this. However, this is highly unlikely. Although significant populations survive in some At that time, observations in the Simpson Desert to areas of the Innamincka Regional Reserve and have the west, showed a dramatic crash in rabbit numbers. recolonised sand dune areas in the reserve since the Badman (1989) stated that Rabbits had adapted initial impact of RHD, rabbit numbers within the arid particularly well to the sandhill country of the Cooper and semi-arid parts of Australia are being maintained Creek area, and described in detail the devastating at levels of 70% to 80% below those prior to the virus effect on the vegetation of the severe plagues that outbreak (DEHAA 1998). have occurred. The lack of records within the MLS more likely reflects the lack of effort in recording Macropodidae (Kangaroos, wallabies and rabbits and other species that were simply not caught tree-kangaroos) Macropus rufus (Red Kangaroo) is the only macropod species known to currently inhabit the north-east of South Australia, where it is generally uncommon (Kemper 1990). It was poorly recorded in previous surveys in this part of the state. Although scats and tracks were observed, no kangaroos were sighted during the Cooper Creek Environmental Association Survey (Mollenmans et al. 1984), whilst the Coongie Lakes Survey recorded sighting only two (Reid and Gillen 1988). Tracks were recorded at two survey sites during the 2008 survey, but it was the opportunistic records collected at this time which provided the majority (22 of 27) of all records for the species in the MLS, including sightings of four Figure 83. Few Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) separate small groups of between two and six were observed during this survey, though their animals. burrows and dung were regularly detected (Photo:

T. Naismith).

63 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Monotremata (Platypus and echidnas) nocturnal, further reducing potential for it being Of the three surviving species of monotremes, only recorded by sighting. Within the MLS its presence Tachyglossus aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna) is was confirmed by one observation of its capable of living in the central Australian arid zone, characteristic and untidy diggings in a termite mound where even it is uncommon and rarely seen. at survey site BLO00601. This apparent scarcity Although found in a wide variety of habitats, in arid (based on signs of activity) may be misleading, as regions it appears to favour stony ground or hilly tracks and even diggings do not persist as well in country, probably as these areas provide better sandy habitats (such as the dunefield which opportunities for escaping extreme temperatures. dominates the MLS) as they do in harder ground. With the same objective, its activity becomes more

Rodentia (Rodents) Six of the 24 mammal species recorded for the MLS were rodents, but these species account for 53.8% of all mammal records for the area (Table 26). Five of these are native species. The single introduced species is Mus musculus (House Mouse).

The native species include Pseudomys desertor (Desert Mouse) which was first recorded in the MLS during this survey, with 15 records across 10 (31%) of the 32 survey sites. That it was not recorded earlier may reflect variations in habitat at sites selected between earlier sampling and the 2008 survey. Such variation Figure 84. The first records of Desert Mouse in capture rate is most likely the result of the dramatic (Pseudomys desertor) in the Marqualpie Land fluctuations in population size and area of distribution System were collected during this survey (Photo: A. which are characteristic of many Australian arid zone Robinson). rodent species in response to rainfall events and subsequent prolonged periods of drought. It is The most frequently recorded mammal species within generally less frequently encountered than other arid the MLS was Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy zone rodents as the most important habitat feature for Inland Mouse), which accounted for 117 of the 330 P. desertor is dense groundcover. It is therefore more (35%) mammal records at sample sites during the 2008 prone to disturbance by fire and heavy grazing than survey, and 191 of 584 (32.7%) of all mammal records other arid zone rodent species. for the area. If the majority of the more than 50 small

mammal records from the 2008 survey incorrectly Due to the previous lack of captures of this species attributed to P. bolami (mentioned earlier in this (despite considerable trapping effort) in the region, P. report) were actually P. hermannsburgensis (which is desertor had been thought to be possibly absent from likely), and were re-included in this analysis, then P. the north-east of South Australia (Read et al. 1999) hermannsburgensis would account for an even greater until 2002 when a pregnant female specimen was portion (up to 44%). It was also recorded at all 10 trapped on the Koonchera Dune (R. Brandle, pers sites sampled during the Della and Marqualpie Land comm, 2010). A 10 year monitoring program begun in Systems’ Fauna Monitoring Program (1989-92), 1993 in adjacent south-west Queensland first recorded accounting for 57 of the 85 (67%) captures of the five P. desertor in 1998 (Moseby et al. 2006). All records species of small mammals trapped during that survey. of this species in this region have followed the reduction in rabbit numbers resulting from the effect of RHD in the mid-1990s.

Table 26. Summary of rodent species records for the Marqualpie Land System.

Species Name Common Name Pre 2008 2008 Survey Total Records Pseudomys hermannsburgensis Sandy Inland Mouse 74 117 191 Mus musculus * House Mouse 22 56 78 Pseudomys desertor Desert Mouse 15 15 Leggadina forresti Forrest’s Mouse 5 8 13 Notomys alexis Spinifex Hopping-mouse 7 5 12 Rattus villosissimus Long-haired Rat (Plague Rat) 3 2 5 Total 111 203 314 Total as % of all records 53.8% 61.5% 53.8% Note: * Indicates introduced or feral species.

64 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey It is widely distributed over much of the arid and semi- mesic locations and exist in low numbers during arid parts of central, southern and drought periods. Suitable refuge locations for this and is a common species on both sandy and heavier species would be considered unrepresentative or soils. As these figures indicate it is also one of many peripheral to the dunefield that dominates the MLS. species of small arid mammals which are subject to rapid increase in numbers and subsequent crashes following significant rainfall, such as that experienced in the MLS in June 2008 (see below).

Leggadina forresti (Forrest’s Mouse) is generally sparsely distributed and prefers heavier soil with tussock grasses or low chenopod shrubs. Four specimens were recorded at one site during the Stony Deserts Survey (Brandle 1998) at a typical site for the species, on a clay plain vegetated by a low very open shrubland of Atriplex spongiosa (Pop Saltbush) and Neobassia proceriflora (Desert Glasswort). One or two specimens were recorded at six sites during the 2008 survey. All but one site was also on clay soils in Figure 86. Two Long-haired Rats (Rattus low vegetation including Aristida contorta (Curly villosissimus) were captured in a swamp at site Wire-grass), Sclerolaena lanicuspis (Spinach Bindyi) KEN00601 (Photo: A. Robinson). and Eragrostis setifolia (Bristly Love-grass). The remaining site was in Triodia basedowii (Hard The high numbers (relative to Notomys alexis) of two Spinifex) on a sand dune crest, but it was adjacent to a other irruptive rodent species, Pseudomys clay pan. Although occasionally locally plentiful in hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse) and Mus response to rainfall, it does not appear to reach the musculus (House Mouse), encountered during the high numbers or plague proportions which many other 2008 survey may be explained by their different arid rodent species are capable of (Reid 2008), reproductive potentials. Mus musculus tends to probably due to its solitary existence which is become abundant sooner after rain than the native presumably maintained by aggressive territorial mice (Breed and Ford 2007). Presumably in this case behaviour. this also applies to Pseudomys hermannsburgensis.

The MLS area experienced a significant rainfall event in June 2008 (three months prior to the survey), with a smaller follow up fall in August, providing suitable conditions for a major breeding response by these species. At Innamincka, to the south, there was 35.8mm on one day in June and 9.6mm on one day in August. To the north, at Cordillo Downs, the corresponding figures were 76.2mm and 7.2mm. Possibly the two species with the highest reproductive potential monopolised the increased food resources before Notomys alexis could respond. It is also worth considering that within the MLS Notomys alexis is at the eastern extreme of its distribution where there is Figure 85. Forrest’s Mouse (Leggadina forresti) some evidence of a range contraction (Breed 2008). were recorded at six sites during the 2008 survey, mostly on clay soils with tussock grasses and low chenopod shrubs (Photo: P. Canty).

The remaining two native rodent species are known to be amongst those which can plague in response to favourable conditions brought on by extreme rainfall events, but at this stage evidence of their presence within the MLS is largely reliant on a small number of SA Museum records. Despite considerable trapping effort during several surveys, less than a handful of other records have been obtained. This survey recorded only one capture of Notomys alexis (Spinifex Hopping-mouse) and four other records of tracks or burrows. Two Rattus villosissimus (Long-haired Rat) Figure 87. Only a single Spinifex Hopping-mouse were caught at KEN00601, the only site of 32 which (Notomys alexis) was captured on the 2008 survey, was in a swamp. This situation is to be expected for though tracks or burrows were observed at four Rattus villosissimus, as it is known to retreat to such other locations (Photo: A. Robinson). 65 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey The second most frequently recorded mammal species Eleven species are exclusively arid adapted Eyrean during this survey, after P. hermannsburgensis, was bioregion specialists. One of these is the introduced the introduced Mus musculus (House Mouse). It Camelus dromedarius (One-humped Camel), accounted for 56 of the 330 (17%) mammal records at internationally known as a desert specialist. The feral sites and was recorded at 18 of the 32 survey sites. It camels in the Australian arid lands are the only is common and widespread throughout all but the currently existing wild populations of this species. tropical north of the continent. Well known for The native species in this group consist of all five periodic plagues in agricultural lands, it also has the native rodents and three of five dasyurid species ability to respond to rainfall events and subsequent recorded for the MLS, plus Scotorepens balstoni food flushes in the arid zone in the same manner as (Inland Broad-nosed Bat) and Macropus rufus (Red native rodent species, as is evident from the numbers Kangaroo). recorded by the 2008 survey. Seven other species are widely distributed across all Significant Species three major biogeographic zones. Three of these are None of the 24 mammal species recorded for the MLS introduced: Bos taurus (Cattle) which exists as has any threat classification under national or South domestic stock over much of the country, with isolated Australian State legislation. Most have broad feral populations in some areas; Felis catus (Feral Cat) distributions in appropriate habitats throughout the arid which is common over the whole continent including zone, with many extending into other parts of the Tasmania and many larger off-shore islands; and Mus country. musculus (House Mouse) which is ubiquitous throughout the arid and temperate regions, but in the There are two possible exceptions to this lack of tropical north appears to exist only around larger outstanding characteristics amongst the MLS mammal human population centres. Canis lupus dingo (Dingo) species. Planigale ingrami (Long-tailed Planigale) has inhabited the whole country except Tasmania prior to a fragmented distribution with a possibly isolated European settlement, but is now excluded from most population in north-east SA. Rattus villosissimus of the Bassian (temperate) biogeographic zone in the (Long-haired Rat) is an infrequently irruptive species south-west and south-east of the continent. The native with a reputation for massive population increases species in this group are two bats, Chalinolobus over large areas when conditions are favourable, but gouldii (Gould’s Wattled Bat) and Nyctophilus exists in relatively small mesic refuge areas between geoffroyi (Lesser Long-eared Bat), and Tachyglossus these spectacular events. aculeatus (Short-beaked Echidna).

Four species have distributions extending across the Eyrean (arid) and Bassian (temperate) biogeographic zones. These include two introduced species that share a strong predator/prey relationship, in that it has been suggested that the distribution of Vulpes vulpes (Fox) is largely dependent on the availability of Oryctolagus cuniculus (Rabbit) as their principle prey. Native species in this group are Tadarida australis (White-striped Freetail-bat) and Sminthopsis crassicaudata (Fat-tailed Dunnart).

Figure 88. The Long-tailed Planigale (Planigale ingrami) recorded at three sites in the Marqualpie Land System in 2008 are a part of a possibly isolated population of this species in north-east SA (Photo: A. Robinson).

Biogeography All of the 24 mammal species recorded from the MLS have broad distributions in appropriate habitats throughout the Eyrean bioregion (which extends over the arid and semi-arid lands covering the majority of Figure 89. The Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis the continent), but many extend significantly into other crassicaudata), which was recorded at eight sites in biogeographic zones. They can be loosely divided into 2008, has a distribution extending across arid and four groups: Eyrean specialists (11 species), temperate Australia (Photo: P. Canty). widespread generalists (seven species), Eyrean/ Bassian species (four species) and Eyrean/Torresian (two species) (Table 27).

66 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Figure 90. The Little Broad-nosed Bat (Scotorepens greyii) was detected at nine sites in 2008 using Anabat call recording equipment. It is a species that occurs in both arid and tropical areas of Australia (Photo: SA Museum).

The remaining two species are found in both Eyrean (arid) and Torresian (tropical) parts of the continent. They are Scotorepens greyii (Little Broad-nosed Bat) and Planigale ingrami (Long-tailed Planigale).

Table 27. Biogeographical affinities of the mammal species recorded within the Marqualpie Land System.

Biogeographical Affinities Species Name Common Name Eyrean Widespread Eyrean/Bassian Eyrean/Torresian specialists generalists species species Bos taurus * Cattle (European Cattle) X One-humped Camel Camelus dromedarius * X (Dromedary, Arabian Camel) Canis lupus dingo Dingo X Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat X Felis catus * Cat (Feral Cat) X Leggadina forresti Forrest's Mouse X Macropus rufus Red Kangaroo X Mus musculus * House Mouse X Ningaui ridei Wongai Ningaui X Notomys alexis Spinifex Hopping-mouse X Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat X Oryctolagus cuniculus * Rabbit (European Rabbit) X Giles' Planigale (Paucident Planigale gilesi X Planigale) Planigale ingrami Long-tailed Planigale X Desert Mouse (Brown Desert Pseudomys desertor X Mouse) Pseudomys Sandy Inland Mouse X hermannsburgensis Rattus villosissimus Long-haired Rat (Plague Rat) X Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat X Scotorepens greyii Little Broad-nosed Bat X Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart X Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced Dunnart X Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna X Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat X Vulpes vulpes * Fox (Red Fox) X * Feral or introduced species

67 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey

68 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey

BIRDS D. Armstrong1

Background The literature contains no specific publication on any The records of Australia also made a significant Marqualpie Land System (MLS) wildlife contribution to this earlier data, providing 168 records group. However, there are a variety of publications of 57 species. This is the most species records relating to the north-east of South Australia, available from these earlier sources, including 26 that particularly the Cooper Creek area, containing were not listed by any of the others. The remaining significant sections on the birds of the area, e.g. Cox four sources - the SA Museum specimen collection; and Pedler (1977), Foale (1982), Mollenmans et al. South Australian Ornithologists Association (1984), Reid (1984), Reid and Gillen (1988), Badman newsletters; Birds SA records; and general (1989), Reid et al. (1990), Badman (1991), Gillen and opportunistic sightings in the Biological Database of Drewien (1993) and Reid (2000). These authors SA (BDBSA) - provided much smaller quantities of repeatedly emphasise the nomadic and irruptive nature records, but all made a significant contribution in that of many of the species recorded throughout arid they each contained one species not available from the Australia, as a response to the availability of water in other sources, including the 2008 survey. ephemeral lakes and streams following localised heavy rainfall and flooding events. This applies not just to Unfortunately some data sources, in particular Birds water dependant species, such as ducks, pelicans and Australia, only provide information regarding the ibis etc., but also to many of the species inhabiting species observed and do not include the number of woodland and other terrestrial habitats. each individual species present. For the purposes of this report, where a species database record did not The MLS is adjacent the north-east boundary of the include the number of individuals recorded, it was Coongie Lakes ‘Wetland of International Importance’ assumed that a single bird was observed. Therefore under the Ramsar Convention (Department of these records are not always directly comparable to Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and DENR data and may under-represent the number of Communities 2010). This proximity to one of South individuals observed. Australia’s, and arid Australia’s, most significant waterbird and general arid bird species refuge areas Not included in the above summary (Table 28) were has a significant effect on the number and variety of the 16 bird species recorded within the MLS across the species which have been recorded within the MLS. 10 sites sampled during the Della and Marqualpie Land Systems’ Faunal Monitoring Program (Gillen Summary of Records Available Prior to 2008 and Reid 1990). Bird records were only collected Prior to this survey of the MLS during September during one (in January 1989) of four visits to these 2008, a total of 672 records from a variety of sources, sites. Unlike site data from other surveys there is no representing 79 bird species, were available for the indication of the number of birds observed, only those area (Table 28 and Appendix 9). These sources present. These records were incidental to the primary included two earlier DENR surveys which had a purpose of that survey, which focused on the portion of their sampling effort within the MLS. quantifiable trapping results for reptiles and mammals. These were:- • BS3 – Cooper Creek Environmental Association All 16 bird species were included amongst the data Survey (1983): 13 sites. Due to the extreme obtained from other sources available for the MLS. variability in sampling effort and difficulty in The majority were frequently observed common identifying site boundaries this is simply the species. The one exception and significant species number of locations for which bird records were amongst these was Ardeotis australis (Australian available. Bustard), which was recorded at three of the 10 sites. • BS69 – Stony Deserts Survey (1994-97): 3 sites.

Table 28. Summary of the Marqualpie Land System bird records collected prior to 2008 and their sources.

General Birds Birds SA Cooper Stony Deserts Total Source SAOA OP Aust SA Museum Creek (BS3) (BS69) Records Records 2 168 12 4 7 171 308 672 Species 1 57 1 1 6 44 27 79

1 Science Resource Centre, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, GPO Box 1047, Adelaide SA 5001.

69 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey This survey recorded 72 species at survey sites and a total of 106 species recorded during this survey 104 species opportunistically. Thirty four of the (Table 29 and Appendices 10 and 11), of which 40 opportunistic species were not recorded at sites. All were new records for the MLS (Appendix 12). but two of the species recorded at survey sites, Pomatostomus superciliosus (White-browed Babbler) The distribution of survey sites where birds have been and Accipiter cirrocephalus (Collared Sparrowhawk), sampled on this and earlier surveys is shown in Figure were also recorded opportunistically. This resulted in 91.

Table 29. Summary of bird records collected during the Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey.

Site Records Opportunistic Sightings Total Records Records 16,018 11,401 27,419 Species 72 104 106

Figure 91. Location of survey sites where birds have been sampled in the Marqualpie Land System.

Site Based Records sites. Even these figures are likely to be an under- The average number of individuals of the 72 bird estimate as the sheer abundance of this species made species recorded at sites was 222.5. This was heavily accurate counts extremely difficult. biased by the two most abundant species, Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerigar) and, to a lesser Artamus personatus (Masked Woodswallow) had the extent, Artamus personatus (Masked Woodswallow), second most records, with 1,740 (10.9%), but was which together provided the vast majority of site recorded at fewer sites. In fact, the 13 species which records (88%). If these species are removed from were recorded at half (16 of 32) or more sites, calculations, the average number of records per species accounted for 15,262 (95.3%) of all 16,018 bird drops to 27.3. Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerigar) records at survey sites (Table 30 and Appendix 13). was clearly the most abundant and frequently recorded However, this is again heavily biased due to the species, with 12,365 of the 16,018 (77%) records at inclusion of the two numerous flocking species 70 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey mentioned previously. If they are excluded the other 11 species recorded at 16 or more sites still account for 1,157 of the remaining 1,913 (60.5%) of records at sites (Table 30).

Figure 92. Crimson Chats (Epthianura tricolor) were one of the most regularly encountered bird species on the 2008 survey, being recorded at all but one of the 32 sites (Photo: A. Clarke).

Figure 93. The Black Kite (Milvus migrans) was the most frequently recorded raptor species on the 2008 survey (Photo: P. Canty).

Table 30. Most frequently recorded bird species at Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey sites.

Species Name Common Name Sites Records Melopsittacus undulatus Budgerigar 31 12,365 Epthianura tricolor Crimson Chat 31 228 Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch 23 150 Milvus migrans Black Kite 22 62 Lalage sueurii White-winged Triller 21 77 Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon 21 56 Eolophus roseicapillus Galah 20 101 Artamus cinereus Black-faced Woodswallow 20 80 Artamus personatus Masked Woodswallow 19 1,740 Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove 18 128 Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella 17 79 Nymphicus hollandicus Cockatiel 16 161 Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater 16 35 TOTAL 32 15,262

Two species were recorded at 31 of 32 sites (Table 30 and Figure 95). These were the highly abundant Melopsittacus undulatus (Budgerigar) and the far less numerous, but obviously just as widespread, Epthianura tricolor (Crimson Chat). At the other end of the scale, 11 species were recorded at only one site (Figure 95) and six of these by an observation of a single bird. In fact 33 (46%), almost half of the 72 species recorded at sites, were recorded at three or less of the 32 sites. Details of the number of records and the number of sites at which species were recorded during this survey are provided in Appendices 10 and 11. Figure 94. Little Corellas (Cacatua sanguinea) were recorded at 17 sites on this survey (Photo: P. Canty).

71 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey

14

12

10

8

6

4 Number of Species 2

0 1 3 5 7 9 1113151719212325272931 Number of Sites

Figure 95. Site diversity of bird species for the 2008 survey.

The average number of bird species recorded per flowered Rattle-pod) Open Hummock Grassland over survey site was 16.6. The highest were 33 species at Triodia basedowii (Hard Spinifex). MON00201 and 31 species at MON00401 (Figure 96), identical habitats about 2.5 kilometres apart of These extremes agree with the assessment of Reid and Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah) Low Woodland over Gillen (1988) who described five main habitat types Sclerolaena bicornis var. bicornis (Goat-head Bindyi) within the nearby Coongie Lakes Study area, and Eragrostis setifolia (Bristly Love-grass) on clay indicating that after Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River flood-outs. The lowest was seven species at Red-gum) dominated riparian woodlands along the KEN00701 (Figure 96) on a sand dune vegetated with major creeklines (which do not occur within the MLS), Zygochloa paradoxa (Sandhill Cane-grass) and the Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah) Woodland on Crotalaria eremaea ssp. eremaea (Downy Loose- floodplain areas support the highest diversity of bird species, whilst the dunefields have the lowest.

4

3

2

Number of Sites 1

0 1 3 5 7 9 111315171921232527293133 Number of Species

Figure 96. Bird species diversity at sites for the 2008 survey.

72 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Opportunistic Sighting Records species recorded for the MLS which fit into this Records collected opportunistically during this survey category (Appendix 14). As the location of survey made a highly valuable and significant contribution to quadrats was based on terrestrial vegetation the overall information available on the birds of the association types and the traplines established to MLS. In total 11,401 opportunistic records were record terrestrial vertebrate species, many water-based obtained of 104 species. This represents 41.6% of all bird species are unlikely to have been recorded at birds observed throughout the survey and all but two survey sites except by observations of them flying of the species observed at survey quadrats. This total overhead. Opportunistic observations along creeklines is heavily biased towards Melopsittacus undulatus and in flooded swales were therefore clearly important (Budgerigar) (as it is for survey sites) by the presence for these species. of large flocks which provided 6,550 or 57% of all opportunistic bird sightings. All five of the SA conservation rated bird species recorded by the survey were recorded opportunistically Thirty four of the 106 bird species recorded for the and three of these were only recorded in this manner. MLS were only recorded opportunistically (Table 31). Seventeen of 22 MLS records available from all These included 19 of the 40 species which were first sources for the Vulnerable Ardeotis australis recorded within the MLS during this survey (Appendix (Australian Bustard), 10 of 12 for the Vulnerable Grus 12). Twenty two of the 34 species only recorded rubicunda (Brolga) and the only record, one sighting opportunistically were aquatic or species usually of 14, of the Rare Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis) encountered in the vicinity of water, as defined by were obtained opportunistically during the survey. Reid et al. (1990). This is the majority of the 28

Table 31. Frequency and South Australian conservation status of bird species only recorded opportunistically during the 2008 survey (* = species first recorded for the MLS during this survey).

Species Name Common Name SA Status OP Records Acanthiza uropygialis Chestnut-rumped Thornbill 1 Australian Reed Warbler, (Clamorous Acrocephalus australis * 2 Reed-Warbler) Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar 3 Anas gracilis Grey Teal 119 Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck 1 Aphelocephala nigricincta * Banded Whiteface 4 Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard V 17 Aythya australis * Hardhead (White-eyed Duck) 35 Charadrius australis Inland Dotterel 24 Charadrius ruficapillus * Red-capped 12 Circus approximans * Swamp Harrier 1 Coracina novaehollandiae * Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 2 Dendrocygna eytoni * Plumed Whistling-Duck 60 Dicaeum hirundinaceum * Mistletoebird 6 Erythrogonys cinctus * Red-kneed Dotterel 44 Falco subniger * 1 Geopelia striata Peaceful Dove 2 Grus rubicunda Brolga V 10 Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle 4 Himantopus himantopus * Black-winged Stilt 500 Malacorhynchus membranaceus Pink-eared Duck 298 Nycticorax caledonicus * Nankeen Night Heron 1 Platalea flavipes Yellow-billed Spoonbill 9 Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill 1 Plegadis falcinellus * Glossy Ibis R 14 Poliocephalus poliocephalus Hoary-headed Grebe 2 Recurvirostra novaehollandiae Red-necked Avocet 395 Rhipidura albiscapa * Grey Fantail 1 Tachybaptus novaehollandiae * Australasian Grebe, (Little Grebe) 2 Threskiornis spinicollis * Straw-necked Ibis 5 Tribonyx ventralis Black-tailed Native-hen 602 Tringa nebularia * Common Greenshank 2 Tyto javanica * Eastern Barn Owl 1 Vanellus miles * Masked Lapwing 2 SA Status: As per the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (2007 update of Schedules 7, 8 and 9). V = vulnerable: R = rare. 73 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Significance of Data Collected Prior to the these 13 species are known only from Birds Australia 2008 Survey records, one from the Cooper Creek Environmental There were 672 records of 79 bird species known for Association Survey, one from the Stony Deserts the MLS prior to this survey. Thirteen of these species Survey, one from the former DENR Opportunistic were not recorded during the 2008 survey (Table 32). Sightings database records, and one (presumably) from Only one or two records represent these 13 species, both the Cooper Creek EA Survey and the specimen two have a threatened status within South Australia. records of the South Australian Museum. It is These are Anhinga novaehollandiae (Australasian probable that this last species record, Mirafra javanica Darter) and Aprosmictus erythropterus (Red-winged (Horsfield's Bushlark), is a duplication, but Parrot), both rated Rare and both with single Birds unfortunately there is insufficient information Australia records within the MLS. In total, nine of associated with either of the two records to be certain.

Table 32. Sources of records for bird species recorded for the Marqualpie Land System but not encountered during the 2008 Survey.

SA General Birds SA Cooper Stony Species Name Common Name Status OP Aust Museum Creek Deserts Total Acanthiza apicalis Inland Thornbill 1 1 Anhinga novaehollandiae Australasian Darter R 1 1 Aprosmictus erythropterus Red-winged Parrot R 1 1 Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret 2 2 Ashbyia lovensis Gibberbird 1 1 Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper 1 1 Lichenostomus ornatus Yellow-plumed Honeyeater 1 1 Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin 1 1 Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter 1 1 Mirafra javanica Horsfield's Bushlark 1 1 2 Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook 2 2 Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican 1 1 Purnella albifrons White-fronted Honeyeater 2 2 Total Records 2 10 1 2 2 17 Total Species 1 9 1 2 1 13 SA Status: As per the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (2007 update of Schedules 7, 8 and 9). R = rare.

Discussion of Combined Records Australia (Department of Sustainability, Environment, As stated above, 13 bird species recorded within the Water, Population and Communities 2010). The MLS from earlier sources were not recorded during importance of the proximity of these wetlands, and this survey. When added to the 106 species recorded indeed the remainder of the Cooper and Diamantina during the 2008 survey, this produces a total of 119 Creek systems, to the MLS should not be under- bird species recorded in the MLS. This compares estimated. They are a major bird refuge area within favourably with the species counts for often larger and the arid zone and in times of flood are nationally generally more habitat diverse areas of north-eastern important waterbird breeding areas. The drainage South Australia. lines also provide critical woodland and other habitat types which shelter a wide variety of other bird May (1986) recorded 177 species over eight years on species, many of which disperse into surrounding Innamincka Station. During three visits to the north- areas, such as the MLS, when conditions are suitable. east Cox and Pedler (1977) recorded 146 species. During the Coongie Lakes Survey from November Significant Species 1986 to September 1987 Reid (1988) observed 169 Seven of the bird species recorded for the MLS have bird species. Reid (1988) also summarised that there conservation ratings within South Australia, but none had been 205 bird species recorded in the section of are listed as threatened nationally (Table 33). Two the north-east bounded on the west by the Diamantina species are rated Vulnerable, whilst the remaining five River and Birdsville Track, in the north and east by the species are rated as Rare in the state. Two of the Rare Queensland border and south to the bottom of the species, Falco hypoleucos (Grey Falcon) and Plegadis Strzelecki Desert, and added that the region has a falcinellus (Glossy Ibis), were first recorded within the higher bird species diversity than any other truly arid MLS during this survey. Two other species, region in Australia. considered Rare in SA, Anhinga novaehollandiae (Australasian Darter) and Aprosmictus erythropterus The MLS is adjacent to the north-east boundary of the (Red-winged Parrot), were not recorded during this Coongie Lakes Wetlands. Proclaimed in 1987, it is survey, and are included on the basis of single Birds currently one of five ‘Wetlands of International Australia records from 1998 and 2001 respectively. Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention in South

74 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Table 33. Bird species of conservation significance recorded within the Marqualpie Land System.

Della & Cooper Marqualpie Marqualpie SA Birds Total Species Name Common Name Marqualpie Creek Land System Land System Status Aust Records (Sites) (Sites) (Sites) (OP) Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard V 2 3 17 22 Grus rubicunda Brolga V 2 10 12 Anhinga novaehollandiae Australasian Darter R 1 1 Aprosmictus erythropterus Red-winged Parrot R 1 1 Falco hypoleucos Grey Falcon R 1 1 2 Phaps histrionica Flock Bronzewing R 1 27 7 35 Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis R 14 14 Total Number Observed 5 3 2 28 49 87 SA Status: As per the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (2007 update of Schedules 7, 8 and 9). V = vulnerable; R = rare.

Ardeotis australis (Australian Bustard) (SA:V) Generally uncommon but widespread in north-eastern There were two individual birds observed within the South Australia, Grus rubicunda (Brolga) is usually MLS in 1983 (Mollenmans et al. 1984). The Della associated with water. Its presence within the MLS and Marqualpie Land Systems’ Faunal Monitoring during this survey most likely resulted from dispersal Program (Gillen and Reid 1990) recorded the presence into the area to take advantage of localized flooding of this species at three of 10 sample sites. This survey following recent heavy rains. The observations of a recorded opportunistic sightings of a total of 17 birds. pair of birds on four occasions were in the general area The majority of these sightings were of single birds, of the intersection of the Candradecka Creek and the but one group of four and another of three (an adult Keleary Track, where a high proportion of other and two immature birds) were also seen. waterbird observations were made.

Previously widespread and far more abundant than at This species breeds at many of the artesian bores present, this species is now largely absent from the throughout the Lake Eyre Basin (Badman 1987). It is settled south-west and south-east of the continent. It is most frequently seen in pairs, but large accumulations most commonly observed on grassy flats. In north- do occur, particularly as floodwaters recede, including east South Australia it is generally uncommon but 26 on Lake Apanburra in December 1988 (Reid 2000) records are widespread. It is nomadic or mobile in and over 150 at Lake Goyder in September 1982 response to rainfall, creating localised increases in (Badman 1989). numbers. Anhinga novaehollandiae (Australasian Darter) (SA:R) There is a single 1998 Birds Australia record of this species from the south-east corner of the MLS near Policeman Dam on the Cordillo Road. The populations of Anhinga novaehollandiae (Australasian Darter) along the Cooper Creek are significant within South Australia, as it is the only area in the state besides the Murray River and Lower Lakes where it can be encountered in good numbers (Mollenmans et al. 1984).

It is usually seen in small numbers at large waterholes, but occasionally up to 100 or more congregate on floodwaters and at lakes (Badman 1989). Gillen and Drewien (1993) considered it one of the most frequently seen of the 47 waterbird species recorded Figure 97. A total of 17 individuals of the during their survey of the Kanowana Wetlands. Reid Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) were (2000) confirmed small numbers of up to 25 pairs recorded during the 2008 survey (Photo: L. Pedler). nesting at several locations in the Coongie Lakes and

Lake Goyder areas 50 kilometres west of the MLS Grus rubicunda (Brolga) (SA:V) during 1989-90. The single Birds Australia record Records of this species within the MLS consist of one within the MLS is most probably of a bird originating record of a pair during 1983 (Mollenmans et al. 1984), from the lakes, which has dispersed to the survey area and five observations of two birds during this survey, following substantial local rainfall. although four of these are most likely of the same two birds observed within a couple of kilometres on separate days.

75 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Aprosmictus erythropterus (Red-winged Parrot) Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis) (SA:R) (SA:R) The only record of this species within the MLS is the Within the MLS there is a single Birds Australia single opportunistic observation made during this record for Aprosmictus erythropterus (Red-winged survey of a group of 14 standing in water on Parrot) from August 2001, observed along Dripie Candradecka Creek. It is a nomadic and irruptive Creek on the Innamincka to Cordillo Downs Road. species, which is generally uncommon and irregular in The previous most recent records from the area were occurrence along the Cooper Creek system obtained by the Hall Expedition, which collected a (Mollenmans et al. 1984, Badman 1989). The Glossy specimen on Cordillo Downs in 1965, and observed Ibis populations on the Cooper Creek are of state another near Innamincka. significance (Reid and Gillen 1988). Reid (2000) reported 200-300 nests in the Coongie Lakes district in It was once a regular visitor to the upper Cooper Creek December 1989 and a highest count of 140 birds in and extreme north-east of South Australia, sometimes one location there. The birds seen within the MLS occurring in moderately large numbers, but appears to during this survey had most likely dispersed from this have declined during the 1930s (Badman 1989). area some 50-60 kilometres to the west to take advantage of suitable conditions provided by heavy Phaps histrionica (Flock Bronzewing) (SA:R) localised rainfall. Prior to this survey there was only a single 2003 Birds Australia record from the eastern side of the MLS on JAMBA/CAMBA Species the Cordillo Downs road near the Queensland border. The Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement However, they were reasonably frequently (JAMBA) signed in 1974 and the China-Australia encountered during this survey, with 27 individuals Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) formalised in recorded from 5 sites, although 22 of these were from 1988, were established to provide for the conservation one observation of a small flock at site KEN00201. of migratory birds and their habitat. At least 27 bird Another seven were seen across three opportunistic species listed in these agreements occur within the sightings. Coongie Lakes ‘Wetland of International Importance’ adjacent to the south-west of the MLS (Gillen and Phaps histrionica (Flock Bronzewing) once occurred Drewien 1993). Most are species, which are in flocks of hundreds of thousands across much of non-breeding summer visitors to Australia. north-eastern South Australia, south-western Queensland and the Barkley Tableland of the Northern This survey, which provided the majority of the Territory (Badman 1991), but suffered a severe decline available data, probably occurred prior to the annual from the 1920s. As a colonial-breeding ground- arrival of many of these species from their northern nesting species it is particularly susceptible to habitat hemisphere breeding sites, although small numbers of destruction and breeding interruption from livestock some species do over-winter in Australia. It is also trampling or fire (McAllan 1996), as well as predation unlikely, given the difficulty in accessing much of the by foxes and feral cats. area during wet periods, that earlier record collectors were present in the MLS at the right time of year, and Falco hypoleucos (Grey Falcon) (SA:R) in the presence of sufficient surface water, to record The only records of this species within the MLS are these species if present. However, four bird species one site record during this survey at site BLO00201, listed under these agreements are amongst those and one opportunistic record, of the same bird flying recorded for the MLS (Table 34). These are: into this site. • Ardea modesta (Eastern Great Egret) - two Birds Falco hypoleucos (Grey Falcon) is one of the rarest of Australia records from July 1988 and July 1999. Australian raptors. It is generally regarded as rare in • Plegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis) - a single the north-east of South Australia, but is occasionally opportunistic observation of 14 birds during this encountered along the Cooper and Strzelecki Creeks, survey, as described above. where it is known to breed (Badman 1989) and is • Tringa nebularia (Common Greenshank) - single likely to be a stronghold for the species (Reid and opportunistic record of two birds during this Gillen 1988). survey. This is one of the most likely wader species to remain in the area over winter (Badman The rarity of this species can be gauged from the low 1991). number of observations collected by experienced • Merops ornatus (Rainbow Bee-eater) - total of 82 ornithologists in the north-east of the state during records from most available sources, including extensive periods in the area. Reid and Gillen (1988) Birds Australia, Mollenmans et al. (1984), Brandle made only three observations during the 11 months of (1998) and the 2008 survey’s opportunistic the extensive Coongie Lakes Study. Mollenmans et al. observations and records at nine of the 32 survey (1984) recorded it twice during the Cooper Creek sites. Environmental Association Biological Survey, whilst Badman (1989) mentions only a handful of records (from several sources over 25 years) for the north-east.

76 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Table 34. Bird species recorded within the MLS that are listed under the JAMBA or CAMBA agreements.

Species Common Name JAMBA CAMBA Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret X X Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis X Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank X X Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater X

for the MLS, which is a small portion of the region described. However, habitat preference is consistent enough to be similarly applied to the MLS birds (Table 35).

Reid and Gillen (1998) describe five main habitat types within the area of their Coongie Lakes Study, to the west of the MLS, which are generally applicable to the extended region of the north-east of the state. These are: • River Red Gum dominated riparian woodlands, • Coolibah woodlands adjacent to River Red Gum woodlands or on floodplains, • shrublands on floodplains, • open low herblands on floodplains, and • dunefields.

With the exception of the River Red Gum Woodland (which is not present in the MLS) these habitat types are similar to the seven Floristic Vegetation Communities described in the Vegetation chapter of this report.

The riparian woodlands are the preferred habitat for the majority of dryland birds, whilst the wetlands associated with the river systems of the north-east (the Cooper Creek and Diamantina-Warburton Creek Figure 98. The Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) systems) support the great majority of the waterbirds is a species listed under the JAMBA agreement that (Reid et al. 1990). Although these River Red Gum has been regularly recorded in the Marqualpie riparian woodlands and wetlands do not occur within Land System (Photo: D. Hopton). the MLS, they do have a highly significant effect on the bird species which have been recorded there. Isolated Sub-species Psephotus haematonotus caeruleus is a very pale sub- Species diversity and abundance declines rapidly with species of the Red-rumped Parrot which is endemic to distance from major channels and fringing woodlands the upper parts of the Cooper and Strzelecki Creeks, (Reid 1984). Close to half of bird species inhabiting where it is very common (Badman et al. 1991). This Australian deserts depend on the availability of free appears to be an isolated population with no evidence water (Reid 1990). Very few species are restricted to of integration in the wild (Higgins 1999). Much paler dunefields, which is the dominant habitat within the sub-species of several other species also occur in the MLS. However, the proximity to the major drainage Lake Eyre Basin in South Australia. Those recorded systems (which act as a refuge for many bird species), within the MLS are Ninox novaeseelandiae (Southern the dispersive and irruptive capabilities of many arid Boobook), Rhipidura albiscapa (Grey Fantail) and and wetland species and localised flooding following Lichenostomus penicillatus (White-plumed heavy rains prior to the 2008 survey all contribute to Honeyeater) (Badman 1991). the species recorded for the MLS.

Habitat Preferences These points are illustrated by a comparison of the In a comprehensive summary of the birds of north-east habitat preferences of the 225 bird species recorded South Australia Reid et al. (1990) list 225 bird species within north-eastern South Australia (Reid et al. 1990) for that part of the state, along with notations on and the 119 recorded for the MLS (Table 35). habitat preference, relative abundance, breeding status and mobility. Most of these details are not available

77 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey Table 35. Habitat preferences for bird species recorded within the north-east of South Australia and the Marqualpie Land System.

Species per Species per Proportion of Species Habitat habitat group - Species MLS habitat group - N-E species in N-E SA N-E SA MLS MLS A 81 25 A (G) 1 AQUATIC 1 AQUATIC A (O) 1 32% AO 2 87 1 28 AW 2 1 D 2 DUNEFIELD 1 DUNEFIELD 67% DS 1 3 1 2 G (S) 1 GIBBER GIBBER GDO 1 1 80% 5 4 GO 3 3 O 4 OPEN PLAINS OPEN PLAINS OA 3 2 25% 8 2 OS 1 P 1 PLAYAS PLAYAS 0% POS 1 2 0 S 4 1 SHRUBLAND SHRUBLAND S (G) 1 43% 7 3 SW 2 2 U 41 35 UBIQUITOUS UBIQUITOUS U (A) 1 1 87% U (A,W) 1 1 45 39 U (W) 2 2 W 40 21 W (A) 1 1 W (G) 1 1 WOODLAND WOODLAND W (O) 1 1 64% WDS 3 3 64 41 WD 1 1 WS 16 12 WSA 1 1 * (unclear) 4 4 0 0 0% TOTAL 225 225 119 119 Note: Habitat preferences as determined by Reid et al. (1990). A = aquatic or usually in the vicinity of water; D = dunefield; G = gibber and stony tableland; O = open plains and swales; P = playas; S = shrubland (e.g. lignum, chenopod, sandhill wattle); U = ubiquitous or present in a wide range of habitats; W = woodland or tall shrubland, often associated with watercourses or floodplain features, including mulga and gidgee stands; * = habitat specialised or poorly known. Note: Where two or more letters appear in the habitat column, this indicates the species occurs in several habitats listed in order of significance. Additional habitats in brackets indicate minor occurrence.

Of the 225 bird species recorded from north-east South Australia, 119 (or 53%) have been recorded within the MLS, which is a relatively small part of the region. Although these is some overlap, a division in to nine groups based on the primary habitat preference as determined by Reid et al. (1990) acts as a useful basis for comparison between the two groups of bird species (Table 35). Individual habitat preferences for MLS species are indicated in Appendix 14.

When viewed in this way, the three largest groups, accounting for 196 of 225 (87%) of north-east SA species and 108 of 119 (91%) of MLS species, are surface water dependant Aquatic species, Ubiquitous (or widespread habitat generalists) or Woodland Figure 99. The Black-fronted Dotterel (Elseyornis species. Amongst these three groups there is melanops) is associated with wetland habitats (Photo: J. Gillen). 78 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey significant variation in the proportion that each has of the state, where there are only a few sparsely been recorded in the MLS compared to that for the scattered records (Badman 1989). broader region. Of the north-east species, the majority of ubiquitous species (39 of the 45 or 87%), two thirds Most aspects of the ecology of this species are poorly of woodland species (41 of the 64 or 67%) and just known and have not been studied. It is a nomadic under one third of aquatic species (28 of 87 or 32%), species, which inhabits shrublands and woodlands in are also recorded for the MLS. arid and semi-arid Australia where it feeds mainly on flowers of Eremophila spp. (Emu-bushes) and Many of the aquatic species and some of both the eucalypts (Higgins et al. 2001). The most observed in woodland and ubiquitous species are unlikely to be one location was 23 at survey site BLO00101. This encountered within the MLS, except during or was in Eucalyptus coolabah (Coolibah) Low following periods of flood of the nearby main river Woodland on a floodout, where Eremophila systems, or following localised heavy rainfall and bignoniiflora (Bignonia Emu-bush) was relatively flooding. Such an event occurred prior to the abundant and flowering. September 2008 survey. In the area of the MLS, with approximately 150mm average annual rainfall, there Himantopus himantopus (Black-winged Stilt) is was significant rain in June, with a smaller amount in seasonally dispersive or nomadic in response to August. At Innamincka, to the south, there was rainfall. It is generally found in coastal areas in dry 35.8mm on one day in June and 9.6mm on one day in summer months before moving inland in response to August. To the north at Cordillo Downs the autumn and winter rains. It feeds on aquatic and corresponding figures were 76.2mm and 7.2mm. terrestrial . Local residents indicated that rainfall was even higher in the area between these two locations, within the One opportunistic observation of approximately 500 MLS. birds was made in July 2008 where the Keleary Track crosses the Candradecka Creek, during a preliminary This is reflected in the list of 40 species, which were site selection trip for this survey. Several other first recorded for the MLS during this survey significant waterbird observations were made at this (Appendix 12). Fifteen of these were aquatic species, location during the survey. whilst a further eight were raptors, which would be expected to be attracted to the area to exploit the increase in prey species diversity and abundance. The three most numerous of these new species, Certhionyx variegatus (Pied Honeyeater), Himantopus himantopus (Black-winged Stilt) and Nymphicus hollandicus (Cockatiel), were there to exploit different ephemeral food resources resulting from the June rainfall event.

Figure 101. The Chestnut-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus ruficeps), a species generally associated with woodland or tall shrubland habitats, was recorded at five sites on the 2008 survey, all in woodlands (Photo: D. Hopton).

It is an outstanding example of the irruptive and nomadic adaptations of arid zone birds that a species as well known and widespread as Nymphicus hollandicus (Cockatiel) was not one of the 79 bird Figure 100. The White-winged Fairy-wren species recorded within the MLS prior to the 2008 (Malurus leucopterus) was recorded at 15 of the 32 survey. Both Reid (1984) and Badman (1989) sites on this survey in a variety of habitats (Photo: considered it generally uncommon in the region, but DENR). nomadic and at times plentiful. It is a seed eater, particularly of grasses, which moves in response to Certhionyx variegatus (Pied Honeyeater) was recorded rainfall. In some areas, such as north-eastern SA, at 12 of the 32 survey sites, where a total of 51 birds where it is common in good seasons, it can be almost were observed. Another 82 birds were seen across 25 entirely absent in dry seasons (Higgins 1999). It was opportunistic sightings distributed throughout the observed at 16 of the 32 survey sites with a total of MLS. It is likely that this is the most significant set of 161 birds seen, from a single bird at three sites to a observations of this species anywhere in the north-east group of 30 at one site. Another 68 were seen opportunistically in five groups of from five to 35. 79 Marqualpie Land System Biological Survey As mentioned earlier, the abundance of Melopsittacus holathera var. holathera (Tall Kerosene Grass), undulatus (Budgerigar) at the time of the 2008 survey Enneapogon polyphyllus (Leafy Bottle-washers) and was staggering, particularly at sites in the vicinity of Triodia basedowii (Hard Spinifex). Nearly 12,000 Bloodwood Bore. There were several abundant grass Budgerigars were recorded at these sites, with the species present in the area that had mostly set seed, observers considering it likely that this was an under- thus providing a plentiful food source for these birds. estimate given the difficulty of providing accurate These grasses included Eragrostis setifolia (Bristly counts of such large and numerous flocks. Love-grass), Aristida contorta (Curly Wire-grass), A.

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