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Flora and fauna of the -Walgett district ARI AIRS

JJI Ii O6 88 LAND & WATER CONS LRVAI ION

FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE

COONAMBLE I WALGETT DISTRICT

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Department of Land and Water Conservation FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DISTRICT

November 2001

DARREN SHELLY, ECOLOGIST, DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION, RESOURCE ANALYSIS UNIT, CENTRAL-WEST REGION. .

Crown © 2001 Department of Land and Water Conservation

This book is copyright. Parts may be reproduced for purposes of study and / or research provided acknowledgment of the source is clearly made. Inquiries should be addressed to be Department of Land and Water Conservation.

This document should be cited as: Shelly, D., 2001. Flora and Fauna of the Coonamble / Walgett District. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Dubbo.

ISBN 0 7347 51974 FOREWORD

The semi-arid zone of is a large area, where changes in vegetation and fauna communities can be gradual compared to the forested slopes and coast, which receive high rainfall. The semi-arid zone is being impacted on by continuing expansion of agricultural development but there is a recognised lack of even basic information with regards to existing biodiversity that would allow for planned development with minimal environmental impact. It is only recently that semi-arid NSW is getting the recognition it deserves via funding for environmental inventories.

Throughout the state there is a general recognition that the maintenance of biodiversity must not rely on the conservation reserve system alone but needs to incorporate areas outside nature reserves (Hale and Lamb 1997). Research and knowledge are needed to show that conservation and primary production are not mutually exclusive, and that a sensible combination of the two can lead to ecologically sustainable land management.

Surveys such as this are needed to provide the baseline information from which management decisions can be made.

Darren Shelly, Ecologist - Central West Region (DLWC).

11 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to the families of the six properties that kindly provided sites for survey, assistance and accommodation (participating landholders preferred to remain anonymous).

Department of Land and Water Conservation officers who assisted in fieldwork were Christine Duncan, Sarah Munro and Sonia Bazzacco (Vegetation Management Officers - Dubbo). Robert Baun kindly volunteered his time to assist in fieldwork on two surveys.

Information was provided and drafts edited by Steven Lewer (Botanist, Centre for Natural Resources Vegetation Mapping - Dubbo), Robert Gibson (Vegetation Mapping Ecologist, Centre for Natural Resources - Dubbo), Bill Semple (Vegetation Ecologist - Orange) and Terry Mazzer (Regional Ecologist, Far West - Dubbo).

External review was conducted by Murray Ellis (Zoologist) and Carl Gosper (Fauna Survey Project Officer) of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Directorate - Dubbo

Nicole Payne (Vegetation Planning Officer - Dubbo) formatted the document.

Finally, the degree of effort and subsequent findings in each survey period could not have been accomplished without the assistance of Cohn Shelly.

lii SUMMARY Data on flora and fauna species were collated at a district scale for use in the Lower Macquarie - Castlereagh and the Walgett Regional Vegetation Management Plans. The Coonamble / Walgett district covers the land encompassed within both 1:100 000 scale topographic mapsheets and has an area of 522,500 hectares. Six properties were surveyed within the district. Within each property the survey effort was directed at vertebrate fauna within the maj or vegetation communities / alliances present. The overall aim was to survey the vegetation types most representative of the Coonamble / Walgett district from which landholders can then determine what wildlife they may have present on their own properties. The vegetation communities surveyed were Open grassland - isolated trees. Poplar Box open woodland / woodland Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland Poplar Box / Wilga woodland Black Box woodland Gum / White Cypress Pine woodland Coolibah open woodland / woodland

Fauna surveys were carried out between November 2000 and March 2001, as warmer months are when movement (especially reptiles) is optimal. The more fauna I that move around in an area the higher the probability of detection. Due to time and financial constraints the surveys were not spaced in an attempt to get seasonal variation in vegetation growth and flowering as well as nomadic / migratory fauna movements. I Flora species lists for each vegetation type were compiled by merging lists from properties within the district in addition to limited surveys during each fauna survey I period. Habitat information at each fauna survey site was also collected. Survey results recorded 298 flora species [27 tree / understorey, 18 shrubs, 190 non- grass groundcover, 54 grasses, 9 mistletoe / vines]. Flora species diversity was highest I in Coolibah open woodland / woodlands (159 species) and lowest in the Poplar Box / Wilga vegetation type (54 species). More comprehensive flora surveys are expected to I significantly increase the number of species found within each vegetation type. A total of 193 fauna species were recorded during the surveys [15 , 31 reptiles, 28 mammals, 119 birds]. Further species were added from database searches and landholder observations. Vertebrate fauna species diversity was highest in the Coolibah woodlands (115 species) and lowest in the Open Grassland - isolated trees (66 species).

Nine species that are listed in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 were recorded during the surveys. One of the detected threatened species, the Bush Stone- curlew (Burhinus grallarius) is considered "endangered". "Vulnerable" species recorded were: Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii), Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), Brolga (Grus rubicundus), Barking Owl (Ninox connivens), Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobuspicatus), Yellow-bellied Sheath-tail Bat (Saccolaimusfiaviventris) and Inland Forest Bat (Vespadelus baverstocki).

I!4 Detailed information on each of the above species is presented in Threatened Species Profiles in Chapter Four.

Three additional species recorded in these surveys have received preliminary determinations supporting their listing as vulnerable species in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. They are the Brown Treecreeper - eastern subspecies (Climacteruspicumnus victoriae), Hooded Robin - south-eastern form (Melanodryas cucullata cucullata) and the Grey-crowned Babbler - eastern subspecies (Pomatostomus temporalis temporalis).

Based on the findings of the surveys, examples of habitat management issues that should be considered by landholders in the Coonamble / Walgett district, and elsewhere on similar country, are given below. Retention of hollow-bearing dead trees. Retention of hollow-bearing live trees, plus allowance for recruitment. Location of areas of retained native vegetation. The importance of vegetation around dams to wildlife. The importance of vertical tree stumps and bark-shedding trees as reptile habitat. Permanent and ephemeral wetlands and watercourses as high priority habitats for retention. All vegetation structural elements need to be considered as habitat. Pest animal control is vital to maintain biodiversity.

In any area (either on an individual property, within a landcare group or in a district) there is a need for a balance between native vegetation and agricultural development / landuse. Information provided by the surveys can be incorporated into the planning and knowledge required to have ecologically sustainable development in the district.

VA TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY .IV

CHAPTER1: INTRODUCTION ...... 1 11 Background to survey site selection 1.2 Location of the Coonamble / Walgett District 1.3 Other Fauna Surveys in Western New South Wales CHAPTER 2: THE COONAMBLE I WALGETT DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT...... 4 2.1 Topography 2.2 Bioregions - provinces 2.3 Climate 2.3.1 - Rainfall 2.3.2 - Temperature CHAPTER 3: SURVEYS IN WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES...... 7 3.1 \Vhy conduct these surveys? 7 ' 3.2 What we surveyed 8 3.3 When we surveyed 8 3.4 How we surveyed 9 3.5 The Survey Results 10 I 3.5.1-Flora 10 3.5.2-Fauna 11 3.5.3 - Comparison of Coonamble I Walgett survey results to other surveys in western New South Wales 11 I 3.6 Some additional survey results 12 3.7 Threatened species and species of conservation concern 13 3.8 Species at or near the edges of their known distribution 14 3.9 Records of recognised 'decliner' bird species within the wheat-sheep belt of New South Wales 15 CHAPTER 4: VEGETATION AND FAUNA UN THE COONAMBLE I WALGETT DISTRICT.....17 4.1 Biodiversity of Open Grassland - isolated trees 18 4.1.1 Vegetation 20 4.1.2 Vertebrate Fauna 24 4.1.3 Threatened species profile 27 4.2 Biodiversity of the Poplar Box open woodland / woodlands 29 4.2.1 Vegetation 30 4.2.2 Vertebrate Fauna 34 4.2.3 Threatened species profile 37 4.3 Biodiversity of the Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland 39 4.3.1 Vegetation 40 4.3.2 Vertebrate Fauna 43 4.3.3 Threatened species profile 46 4.4 Biodiversity of the Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands 48 4.4.1 Vegetation 49 4.4.2 Vertebrate Fauna 51 4.4.3 Threatened species profile 55 4.4.4 Threatened species profile 58 4.5 Biodiversity of the Black Box woodlands 61 4.5.1 Vegetation 61 4.5.2 Vertebrate Fauna 64 4.5.3 Threatened species profile 67 4.5.4 Threatened species profile 69 4.6 Biodiversity of the Baradine Gum I White Cypress Pine woodlands 71 4.6.1 Vegetation 71 4.6.2 Vertebrate fauna 73 4.6.3 Threatened species profile 76

vi 4.7 Biodiversity of the Coolibah woodlands 78 4.7.1 Vegetation 79 4.7.2 Vertebrate Fauna 82 4.7.3 Threatened species profile 86 CHAPTER 5: ECOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FROM FAUNA SURVEYS IN THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DISTRICT ...... 88 5.1 Amphibians 88 5.2 Reptiles 89 5.3 Mammals 90 5.4 Birds 91

CHAPTER 6: MANAGING FAUNA WITHIN THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DISTRICT ...... 93 6.1 Habitat Management Examples 95 CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION...... 98

REFERENCES...... 100 I APPENDIX 1: SURVEY TECHNIQUES...... 104 1 APPENDIX 2: FLORA OF THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DISTRICT...... 109

APPENDIX 3: FAUNA OF THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DISTRICT...... 115 1

vii I FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DISTRICT

I CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to survey site selection I The Coonamble and Walgett 1:100 000 topographic mapsheet areas were selected for survey by examination of the Western Data Audit and Gap Analysis report funded by the Resource and Conservation Division of the Department of Urban Affairs and I Planning (DUAP 1999). This report identified mapsheets where little or no wildlife records have been submitted into the NPWS Wildlife Atlas. The Atlas is the main information database holding fauna sighting records for the state of New South Wales I and is administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This paucity of records in the western portions of central-west New South Wales, combined with the clearing of native vegetation as the wheat belt expands westward, adds to the need to obtain I biodiversity information for use in regional vegetation management planning.

The limited extent of Wildlife Atlas data from these mapsheets is shown in that for the Coonamble sheet area there are a total of 62 records of 49 species. Of those, 46 (74%) records are birds. There are only eight records of threatened species, one of the Magpie Goose, two of the Australian Bustard and Barking Owl, and three of the Brolga. For the Walgett sheet there are a total of 229 records covering 112 species. Of these, 170 (74%) records were birds. There are fourteen records of threatened species, with one record of the Five-clawed Worm Skink, Little Pied Bat, Silky Mouse, Long-haired Rat, Koala and Western Barred Bandicoot, two records of the Superb Parrot and six records of the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. To put these records in perspective, the total area encompassed by the two mapsheets is 5,225 sq. kilometres.

1.2 Location of the Coonamble / Walgett District The district is that encompassed by the Coonamble (8536) and Walgett (8537) 1: 100 000 topographic mapsheets. The largest townships within the district are Coonamble and Walgett, located approximately one hundred and sixty kilometres and two hundred and seventy kilometres respectively, north of Dubbo in central-west New South Wales (see Diagram 1).

The Coonamble / Walgett district straddles several administrative boundaries. The southern three-quarters of the area is situated within the , with the I remainder in the . The boundary bisects the district in a wavy east-west line. All of the properties in the district are located in the Central Division of New South Wales. The bulk of the district occurs within the administrative boundaries of I the Central-West Catchment Management Board with the north-east portion in the Namoi Catchment Management Board. I 1.3 Other Fauna Surveys in Western New South Wales Most of the fauna and flora surveys conducted within Western New South Wales have been conducted by government agencies that are responsible for managing 1 conservation and rangeland condition. Surveys have often targeted specific communities or areas of high vegetation quality to ascertain their conservation status. Examples of such surveys include the Brigalow Belt north-east of Bourke (Ellis and I Wilson 1992), the Culgoa and Birrie River Floodplains (Dick and Andrew 1993), the Narran River Floodplain (Smith 1993), and the Great Anabranch of the Lower (Read 1994). More recently surveys have been conducted over larger areas and regions to ascertain relative biodiversity levels and formulate regional vegetation management strategies that will balance agricultural and pastoral development with the maintenance of biodiversity. Examples of these regional surveys in western New South Wales include the Southern Mallee Region (Mazzer et al. 1998), the associated survey of the Northern Floodplains Region (Smith et al. 1998) and a recently completed survey of the bioregion that is yet to be published. Surveys of the Brigalow Belt South and the Darling Riverine Plains biogeographic regions being conducted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service are still underway.

In addition, there are collaborative efforts in conducting biodiversity surveys between landcare groups and agencies. For instance, the Bourke Rangelands Liaison Group and the Cuttagoa Catchment Landcare Group in 1995 combined with government agencies to produce a book The Ledknapper Spinfex, Its People, and . This publication was used to promote awareness of diversity in an unusual habitat and collate current management procedures. More recently, the Coolabah Landcare Group has instigated a survey to provide a more detailed picture of the flora and vertebrate fauna diversity in the district in order to develop a local vegetation management plan (Shelly 2000).

2 8

Diagram 1. The Coonamble I Walgett District

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2.1 Topography There are two main watercourses traversing the Coonamble / Walgett district, the Castlereagh and the Namoi river systems. The runs diagonally south- east to north-west across the district, entering near Coonamble on the southern boundary and exiting approximately thirty-two kilometres south of Walgett at the northern end of the district. Ephemeral creeks drain into the Castlereagh River at intervals with the major ones being Nebea Creek in the south-east and Mowima Creek in the central section. Several minor tributaries drain into these creeks.

Towards the northern end of the district, both the Castlereagh River and Mowlma Creek lose their distinct channel formation and break up into areas of many small, multi-branching channels. The Castlereagh River re-forms again before exiting the district but the many ephemeral channels of Mowima Creek re-enter the Castlereagh over a width of several kilometres just before the rivers exit point. Both these areas of anastomosing channels form extensive ephemeral wetlands during periods of high flow.

The second main watercourse in the Coonamble / Walgett district is the Namoi River, which flows diagonally across the northern quarter of the district, entering from the east approximately twelve kilometres north of Come-by-Chance and joining the Barwon River at Walgett on the northern boundary. The main arterial flowlines for the Namoi within the district are portions of Baradine Creek in the north-east, Dead Bullock Warrambool which parallels the Namoi River further north and Pian Creek which joins in the centre of the northern boundary.

There are several ephemeral lakes and claypans in the north-west corner of the district, ' varying in size from 20 ha to 200 ha, which are several kilometres from the nearest watercourse. Most likely these are formed at the interface between soil types where infiltration rates vary dramatically. These features rely on local rainwater or maj or flooding for any periods of inundation. I Topographic relief over the Coonamble / Walgett district varies from 180-190 metres in the south-east corner of the district, gradually decreasing to around 130 metres along the western boundary and in the north along the Namoi River. There are no distinct hills or ridges within the district, reflecting the dominance of the floodplains of the Castlereagh and Namoi Rivers.

Heavy clay soils dominate the district. The majority of these floodplain soils are grey clays, often cracking, with smaller areas of brown clays generally along soil change boundaries or near edges of prior streams and channels. These floodplain clays typically support Coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) and Black Box (E. largZorens) woodlands with Myall (Acaciapendula) woodlands on portions more prone to severe cracking and gilgai formation. Smaller areas of red sandy loam soils occur sporadically throughout the district, usually along the outside edges of the main floodplains or between old channels where prior stream deposition has taken place. The vegetation of these sandy lenses is typically Poplar Box (E. populnea) with or without White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla). In the south-west corner of the district is a portion of a ridge of deeper sandy loam soils formed by deposition of a prior stream. The distinct difference in both soils and vegetation of the ridge from the surrounding floodplains is highlighted in that it is locally known as the "Monkey Scrub". The portion of Monkey Scrub located within the district is characterised by woodlands of Baradine Gum (E. chioroclada), Poplar Box and White Cypress Pine. The cypress presence has been known for some time as several State Forests exist along the Monkey Scrub with one, Narraway State Forest, being the only one within the district.

2.2 Bioregions -provinces All of the Coonamble / Walgett district lies on the flat alluvial country of the Darling Riverine Plains Interim Biogeographic Region of (IBRA).

Morgan and Terrey (1992) described the natural environments of most of western New South Wales. They classified the area into twelve natural regions, comprising fourteen sub-regions and fifty-six provinces "delineated on the basis of differences in zoology, climate, landform, soils, vegetation and, by inference, fauna."

The Darling Riverine Plains is divided into four sub-regions and eleven provinces, reflecting differences due largely to climate and geology. The Coonamble / Walgett district is located within the Castlereagh-Barwon Province of the Northern Alluvial Fans Sub-region. This province contains large areas of sandstones, basalts and Palaeozoic rocks, and has a high and relatively reliable rainfall. It has the most fertile soils of the five provinces within the sub-region and is the most developed for agriculture.

Morgan and Terrey (1992) stated that dry land cropping is widespread, particularly on the grey soils. The rapid development of cropping during recent years has left few large areas intact.

For conservation purposes, the seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands on the Castlereagh River are likely to be of greatest conservation value, since the flows are not manipulated by major reservoirs, and there is little irrigation development. The conservation significance of these wetlands, and also those of other maj or tributaries, should be closely investigated as a matter of priority so that riverine corridors and wetlands can be incorporated within provincial land management strategies before continued large scale disruption and contamination by unplanned cropping occur. In addition, Morgan and Terrey (1992) recommended that the area incorporating several state forests along a corridor of red rises in the far south of the province be stopped from further development, have grazing intensity reduced and that forestry activities should be restricted to the thinning of cypress regrowth. This area is that known as the "Monkey Scrub" and is represented by the Narraway State Forest within the survey district. 2.3 Climate 2.3.1 - Rainfall Within the district, meteorological stations for which records are available are located at the townships of Coonamble (on the southern boundary) and Walgett (the northern boundary).

The average yearly rainfall recorded at Coonamble Comparison for the years 1878 - 2000 was 504.0 mm. In comparison, the average yearly rainfall recorded at Walgett for the years 1878 -1999 was 478.0 mm. The district is regarded as being in a semi-arid region.

Detailed meteorological data is provided in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1: Average monthly rainfall for Coonamble Comparison.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Av. rainfall I 62.3 53.6 45.5 35.4 41.0 35.7 36.3 33.2 32.7 41.6 41.7 44.9 Median 42.7 38.8 35.0 20.5 31.9 28.2 29.2 24.8 23.5 34.1 29.7 33.9 No. raindays 5.5 5.2 4.5 4.0 4.8 5.7 5.7 5.5 5.0 5.5 5.0 5.2 Highest rainfall 294.4 198.0 215.4 186.8 229.7 166.2 160.6 106.2 127.4 177.6 241.3 144.4 I Lowest rainfall 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - the median is the mid-point rainfall and falls of this magnitude or less can be expected in half the years. I Source: Bureau of Meteorology (10/08/2000). I TABLE 2: Average monthly rainfall for Walgett. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Av. rainfall 63.3 57.0 40.4 34.9 40.5 35.9 32.7 28.2 27.4 37.7 39.0 41.0 I Median 45.0 37.2 27.7 21.6 32.0 28.5 22.1 21.3 18.7 28.7 30.8 36.0 No. raindays 5.2 4.8 4.5 3.7 4.4 5.2 4.9 4.3 4.1 4.8 4.6 4.7 Highest rainfall 345.4 238.9 216.1 233.2 181.6 125.0 177.5 137.1 190.9 231.2 169.2 200.8 Lowest rainfall 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 I 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 - the median is the mid-point rainfall and falls of this magnitude or less can be expected in half the years. I Source: Bureau of Meteorology (10/08/2000).

The rainfall data in Tables 1 and 2 show that there is a summer dominant rainfall I regime, which generally occurs as higher intensity falls compared to the rain events during the cooler months (see number raindays). Rainfall in the district is also shown to be highly variable which will impact on any long-term regular cropping activity I being undertaken.

2.3.2 - Temperature I Seasonal temperature variations for Coonamble and Walgett are given in Tables 3 and 4 respectively. The similarity in general elevation and topography between the townships located on the southern and northern boundaries indicate that these values I would be comparable to those found across the Coonamble / Walgett district. I

6 TABLE 3: Mean monthly temperatures for Coonamble Comparison.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Maximum 34.9 33.9 31.5 26.7 21.8 18.0 17.0 19.3 23.3 27.5 31.0 33.7 Minimum 18.9 18.6 16.3 11.6 7.8 5.0 3.7 4.6 7.3 11.5 14.9 17.7 Highest max. 47.8 45.6 44.4 39.4 32.8 27.8 26.7 33.3 37.2 41.1 46.1 46.1 Lowestmin. 10.6 9.5 6.8 0.5 -1.7 -3.9 -4.4 -3.7 -0.4 2.2 4.2 9.0

Source: Bureau of Meteorology (10/08/2000).

TABLE 4: Mean monthly temperatures for Walgett.

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Maximum 35.5 34.1 31.5 26.9 21.9 18.2 17.5 19.9 24.0 28.3 32.0 34.8 Minimum 20.5 20.1 17.3 12.7 8.5 5.6 4.4 5.7 8.8 13.0 16.4 19.1 Highestmax. 48.0 46.9 43.1 37.8 32.8 29.4 28.9 34.4 37.2 42.6 45.6 46.9 Lowestmin. 10.6 10.0 2.8 2.1 -1.1 -3.3 -3.8 -2.2 -1.1 1.1 6.6 10.0

Source: Bureau of Meteorology (10/08/2000).

The temperatures given in Tables 3 and 4 would have only a slight effect on pasture growth, mainly in June, July and August due to the shortness of the winter. This influence decreases from south to north in the region as the length of winter shortens. In contrast, moisture can be expected to be a limiting factor during any time of the year in the Coonamble / Walgett district (see Tables 1 and 2).

CHAPTER 3: SURVEYS IN WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES

3.1 Why conduct these surveys? As demonstrated in Chapter 1, there has been very few surveys in this part of New South Wales. The aims and outcomes of conducting these surveys are listed below. Increase basic knowledge of the local environment, both for local landholders and the general public via the publication of results. Add to the biodiversity knowledge in the district. Identifi which threatened species are in the district and what habitats they are found in. Make recommendations on maintaining vertebrate fauna diversity within the district while at the same time achieving a balance between conservation and development. Provide valuable information about the Coonamble / Walgett district which can be incorporated into both the Lower Macquarie - Castlereagh and the Walgett Regional Vegetation Management Plans that incorporate this area. Provide species records to add to the existing fauna and flora databases held by government agencies.

7 3.2 What we surveyed Six different properties were surveyed within the district. Within each property the survey effort was directed at the major vegetation communities/alliances present. The overall aim was to survey the vegetation types that cover most of the Coonamble / Walgett district from which landholders can then determine what wildlife they may have present on their own properties. The communities surveyed were:

Poplar Box open woodland / woodland Poplar Box! White Cypress Pine woodland Poplar Box / Wilga woodland Black Box woodland Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodland Coolibah open woodland / woodland

In recognition that the district is a mixed farming area with significant cropping development taking place alongside of more traditional grazing enterprises, a further vegetation type was surveyed: Open Grassland - isolated trees

3.3 When we surveyed

TABLE 5: Summary of survey effort and timing for Coonamble / Walgett district.

Vegetation type Survey Dates

Open Grassland isolated trees 13-19 Nov 2000 Poplar Box woodlands 13-19 Nov 2000; 5-6 Dec 2000; 15-19 Jan 2001 Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodlands 6-11 Feb 2001; 21-25 Feb 2001 Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands 6-11 Feb 2001 Black Box woodlands 16-20 Dec 2000 Coolibah woodlands 23-2 8 Oct 2000; 16-20 Dec 2000; 15-19 Jan 2001 Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodlands 21-25 Feb 2001

The surveys were timed to cover the warmer months of the year (Nov. - March) when I animal movement (especially reptiles) is optimal (see Table 5). The more fauna move around in an area the higher the probability of detection.

Due to time and financial constraints there were no additional surveys in the cooler months (Aug./Sept.), which would be required in order to catch migratory or nomadic species using differing vegetation, flowering times, etc, or to cover breeding seasons of species which are more mobile and hence more observable!trappable. Surveying over an extended length of time may also catch a rainfall event in dry times or a dry period in wet times - both of which can increase fauna activity levels.

Each survey period was designed to cover an interval of five nights in order to allow time for the pitfall traps and Elliott small mammal traps to have a greater chance of capturing the fauna species present in each site. 3.4 How we surveyed Several techniques were used in order to enhance the opportunity of capturing and!or recording as many of the vertebrate fauna species as possible within each vegetation type. An explanation of each technique listed below is given in Appendix 1.

The flora survey did not follow standard techniques as required in comprehensive inventories of vegetation communities. Our intention was to provide an initial list of species diversity within the various vegetation types surveyed, as the main priority of this exercise was the recording of the vertebrate fauna diversity within the district. Therefore, it is expected that many more flora species will be recorded within the Coonamble I Walgett district if detailed survey techniques are used.

Within each property visited, three sites were selected. At each survey site the following was conducted: Fauna: Elliott Small Mammal Traps - minimum 15 traps for five nights. Pitfall Traps - minimum of 3 lines, each line of 3 pits along 15 metres of fencing. Bird Observation periods - 45 minutes each morning and late afternoon. Ground Searches for reptiles - 1 hour Watersource searches for amphibians / Recording of calls for identification. Harp Traps - 2 harp traps set each night for two sites, one trap for one site - minimum of four nights per site. Scat collection and analysis - when conducting bird census and ground searches. Spotlighting/ nocturnal searches and call recording - averaging 2 hours per site.

Additional survey effort was conducted within similar vegetation types to the sites each day. This consisted mainly of bird observations and ground searches for reptiles and amphibians. Ultrasonic bat call detection was usually conducted offsite on nearby watersources, which attract bats to drink and feed. Bat recording totalled minimum 2 hours / property or 1 hour / vegetation type.

Flora: General area species collection and identification - initial collection period of one hour per site plus additional species collection while conducting bird censuses and ground searches.

Vegetation habitat information - conducted in an area of one hectare around a trapping site.

In some instances, detailed flora lists were obtained from plot surveys. Additional flora species information was obtained from other DLWC surveys of similar vegetation types within the district.

Invertebrates: Invertebrates were not surveyed as part of the inventory of biodiversity within the Coonamble / Walgett district. The survey time required to do justice to even a partial invertebrate inventory of the area is beyond the scope of most researchers due to the large number of species involved, many of which are not identified, and the sheer variety of habitats they may appear in. In a review of invertebrate research within western New South Wales, Greenslade and Crawford (1994) stated that" it is not I possible to take a species by species approach to the conservation of the invertebrates of the region because of our lack of knowledge. Effective conservation of invertebrates I must rely on conservation of habitat." However, Lunney and Ponder (1999) advised caution when they stated that" There is a I strong link between vegetative cover and maintaining invertebrate diversity but conserving vegetation alone is neither a sufficient nor reliable means of conserving our invertebrate fauna intact. Indeed there is evidence that plants or communities are I not effective substitutes for many invertebrates."

At this stage very little is known concerning the biodiversity of invertebrates in remnant vegetation in Australia. At present there are no effective surrogate models for prediction. Work at Macquarie University indicates that vegetation structure may not be as useful an indicator for invertebrate diversity as it is for vertebrates but floristic diversity and structural diversity combined may be significant (Turner and Smith 1998).

- 3.5 The Survey Results Flora and vertebrate fauna species recorded throughout the Coonamble / Walgett I district were divided into those found in each of the general vegetation communities. Fauna records were taken from seven distinct vegetation types. These were: I 1. Open Grassland - isolated trees 2. Poplar Box open woodland /woodland 3. Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland I Poplar Box / Wilga woodland Black Box woodland 6. Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodland I 7. Coolibah open woodland / woodland

3.5.1- Flora Overall district total of records - 298 species [27 tree/understorey, 18 shrubs, 190 non- grass groundcover, 54 grasses, 9 mistletoe/vines]. Flora species diversity of each vegetation community is given below in Table 6.

TABLE 6: Flora species diversity of the Coonamble / Walgett district according to vegetation type.

Vegetation Type* 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

TREE/UNDERSTOREY 4 16 17 7 9 12 11 SHRUBS 4 9 3 3 5 6 7 GROIJNDCOVER 70 84 47 33 65 25 112 GRASSES 26 22 16 11 14 12 26 MISTLETOE/VINES 0 6 0 0 3 3 3

TOTAL 104 137 83 54 96 58 159

EXOTICS 30 24 12 6 18 8 38 * = see section 3.5 for identification of vegetation types.

10 3.5.2 - Fauna Overall district total of records - 193 species [15 amphibians, 31 reptiles, 28 mammals, 119 birds]. The species totals do not include additional records from other surveys and NPWS Wildlife Atlas database. Fauna species diversity of each vegetation community is given in Table 7 below. A total of 6788 individual animal records were made, including 1300 amphibians, 255 reptiles, 931 mammals and 4302 birds.

TABLE 7: Fauna species diversity of the Coonamble / Walgett district according to vegetation type.

Veg. Type* Arnph. Rept. Mam. (bats) Birds Total 1. 7 15 9 (3) 35 66 2. 9 14 17 (6) 68 108 3. 10 11 15 (7) 55 91 4. 11 10 21 (10) 68 110 5. 6 12 16 (8) 59 93 6. 7 8 18 (9) 67 100 7. 7 15 16 (7) 77 115

* = see section 3.5 for identification of vegetation types.

3.5.3 - Comparison of Coonamble / Walgett survey results to other surveys in western New South Wales Results from several other surveys conducted in the northern half of western New South Wales, indicate that vertebrate fauna species diversity in the Coonamble / Walgett district is as high or higher than most areas (see Table 8). Some of the vegetation types in this survey are similar to those present on the other survey sites (particularly the Dungalear mapsheet) and therefore comparisons of relative diversity can be made between surveys for these vegetation types. It should be noted that the level of comparison between surveys can only be done superficially as there was a wide variety of techniques and effort utilised across all the surveys which would result in varying numbers of species being recorded at each site.

The closest of the other surveys geographically to the Coonamble / Walgett district is the Dungalear Mapsheet survey which is the adjacent 1:100 000 mapsheet to the north. This area incorporates the floodplains of the Namoi and Barwon Rivers, both of which are represented within the Coonamble/Walgett District. To the east, sites from the Pilliga West State Forest survey are within 20 kilometres from the easternmost survey site in the Coonamble / Walgett District.

With the exception of the Pilliga West State Forest survey, all the other vertebrate fauna surveys (including the Coonamble / Walgett district), are located within the Darling Riverine Plains bioregion. A broad-scale regional assessment of fauna diversity within the Darling Riverine Plains is currently underway. A total of 323 fauna species were recorded across the bioregion during surveys in spring / summer 1999 and 2000 (208 birds, 39 mammals, 60 reptiles, 16 amphibians).

Preliminary data analysis shows that approximately 60 % of the species recorded for the Darling Riverine Plains field survey were also noted from the Coonamble / Walgett district. This high percentage reflects the similarity in topography, soils and vegetation that is present even though the size of the study area (530,000ha) is only 5.7 % of the area of the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion (9,257,800ha).

11 A second regional assessment, that of the Northern Floodplains Region, incorporates the alluvial floodplains of the Barwon River and those further west. These floodplains are adjacent to the western boundary of the Coonamble / Walgett district and contain many similar vegetation types. Comparison of the two surveys showed that 67 % of the vertebrate species diversity recorded during the fieldwork surveys of the Northern Floodplains were also noted within the Coonamble / Walgett district (Smith et al. 1998).

The high representation of fauna species diversity from region-wide surveys within a significantly smaller district shows the value of intensive surveys of large vegetation remnants at a local district scale and suggests that the Coonamble / Walgett district has a diverse vegetation that could support a wide variety of fauna species.

TABLE 8: Comparison of the Coonamble / Walgett district survey to other surveys conducted in western New South Wales.

Narran R. Culgoa- Lower Pilliga West Dungalear Coonamble / Birrie R. Macq. R. State Forest Mapsheet Walgett District

Amphibians 3 6 5 12 13 15 Reptiles 21 23 13 20 32 31 Mammals 23 26 21 28 26 28 Birds 85 113 78 106 139 119

TOTAL 132 168 117 156 210 193

Vegetation types: CW CW LS PB/CP PB BB RRG RRG CW BW CW PB/W LS LS RGW C/G PB/CP C/U I/CP RRG CW PP/CP C/U BG/CP

Source: Smith Dick and D. Shelly NPWS (2000) NPWS Shelly (1993) Andrew(1993) unpubi. (1995) (2001)

CW = Coolibah Woodland; RRG = River Red Gum; LS = Lignum Shrubland; C/U = Cultivated / Grassland; PB/W = Poplar Box/Wilga; BB Black Box; PB/CP = Poplar Box/White Cypress Pine; BG/CP = Baradine Gum/Cypress Pine; BW Belah Woodlands; RGW = Red Gum Woodlands; I/CP = Ironbark/Cypress Pine; PP/CP = Pilliga Box/Cypress Pine

3.6 Some additional survey results In addition to those flora and fauna species recorded during the property surveys, several other sources of information were utilised to further enhance knowledge of the known diversity within the Coonamble / Walgett district. These were: - previous opportunistic survey records from within the district by Department of Land and Water Conservation staff. - NPWS Wildlife Atlas search of records for the region [Coonamble, Walgett 1:100 000 topographic mapsheets]. - additional records from landholders within the mapsheet areas. A full listing of the flora and fauna species known to be in the Coonamble / Walgett district is given in Appendices 2 and 3.

12 3.7 Threatened species and species of conservation concern Nine species that are listed in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 were recorded during the surveys. One of the detected threatened species, the Bush Stone- curlew (Burhinus grallarius) is considered "endangered". 'Vulnerable' species recorded were: Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii), Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), Barking Owl (Ninox connivens), Australasian Bittern (Botauruspoiciloptilus), Brolga (Grus rubicundus), Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobus picatus), Yellow-bellied Sheath-tail Bat (Saccolaimusfiaviventris) and Inland Forest Bat (Vespadelus baverstocki). Detailed information on each of the above species is presented in Threatened Species Profiles in Chapter Four.

The occurrence of detected threatened species with vegetation type and the abundance of each species throughout the survey period is given in Table 9. Threatened species were recorded in all vegetation types surveyed with the highest diversity (5 species) within Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodland and the lower diversity (2 species) within open grasslands. Given the variation in both topography and vegetation types within the Coonamble / Walgett district, it can be assumed that several other threatened species would have potential habitat present. However, this report will only detail those species actually recorded during the survey periods.

TABLE 9. Threatened species occurrence with vegetation type for the Coonamble / Walgett district.

TSC Act listed species Vegetation type* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 No. records

Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius - - - - - 2 Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus- - - - - - 6 Brolga Grus rubicundus • - - - - - 6 Barking Owl Ninox connivens - - - - - 3 Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii - - • • - - - 124 Glossy Black Cockatoo - • • - - 14 Calyptorhynchus lathami Little Pied Bat Chalinolobuspicatus • • • • • 11 Inland Forest Bat Vespadelus baverstocki - - - - 4 - • 12 Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat - - - - - 4 4 2 Saccolaimusfiaviventris

Threatened species diversity 2 3 4 4 3 5 3

* = 1. Open Grassland / isolated trees 2. Poplar Box woodlands 3. Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodlands 4. Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands 5. Black Box woodlands 6. Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine 7. Coolibah woodlands

13 3.8 Species at or near the edges of their known distribution All 196 vertebrate fauna species recorded during the six surveys had their known distributions checked via literature references and any recent survey results that were known. A more accurate determination of species distribution would be obtained by checking the NPWS Wildlife Atlas database as references can become out of date with new survey findings. Atlas searches were only conducted for a few selected species that were considered significantly outside their current known distribution.

Thirteen species (3 amphibians, 1 reptile, 4 mammals, 5 birds) are considered to be either at or near their current range limits within the Coonamble / Walgett district (see Table 10).

TABLE 10. Species at or near limits of their distribution in the Coonamble / Walgett district.

Amphibians: Burrowing (Cyclorana cultripes) - near the eastern and southern limit of its distribution. Waterholding Frog (Cyclorana platycephala) - near eastern limit of distribution. Warty Waterholding Frog (Cyclorana verrucosa) - near southern limit of distribution.

Reptiles: Tessellated Gecko (Diplodaczylus tessellatus) - at eastern limit of known distribution.

Mammals: Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) - near western limit of distribution. Narrow-nosed Planigale (Planigale tenuirostris) - near eastern limit of distribution. Inland Forest Bat (Vespadelus baverstocki) - eastern limit of distribution. Chocolate Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus mono) - at western limit of distribution.

Birds: Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) - near western limit of distribution. Eastern Rosella (Plalycercus eximus) - western limit of distribution. Pale-headed Rosella (Plalycerus adscitus) - near western and southern limit of distribution. Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) - near western limit of distribution. Forest Kingfisher (Todirhampus macleayii) - at western limit of distribution.

References used in checking distributions include Churchill (1998), Cogger (1994), I Cooper and McAllan (1995), Pizzey and Knight (1997), Robinson (1998), Schodde and Tidemann (1997), Strahan (1995) and Swan (1990).

The number of vertebrate species at or near distribution limits within the survey region is a reflection of the paucity of survey information from the region rather than an accurate indication of the boundaries of habitats for each species. Further refinement of this list is expected with additional surveys further east and west of the district.

14 3.9 Records of recognised 'decliner' bird species within the wheat-sheep belt of New South Wales Reid (1999) conducted a literature review to identify the threatened and declining birds in the New South Wales sheep-wheat belt. Species were identified by reviewing primary ornithological literature with particular attention given to authoritative reviews of a district avifauna. Unpublished expert opinion was also solicited from regional authorities. Recent, quantitative and stratified surveys were also consulted. From the above, eleven primary studies and sources of expert opinion were designated as comprehensive. Bird species, which were noted as being at risk in three or more studies, were designated as 'decliner' species. Analysis of the data gave a list of 22 birds known as declining in distribution and / or abundance in addition to the 38 species already listed as threatened and vulnerable in the Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995).

Table 11 lists the 'decliner' species and the vegetation types that each was recorded in from the surveys of the Coonamble and Walgett mapsheets. TABLE 11: Habitat preferences of 'decliner' bird species (as per Reid 1999) within the Coonamble I Walgett district.

Species Vegetation type* % types surveyed Emu (Drornaius novaehollandiae) 2,3,4,5,6,7. 86 Painted Button-quail (Turnix varia) - 0 Brown Treecreeper (Climacterispicumnus) 2,5,7 43 Speckled Warbler (Chthonicola sagittata) - 0 Chestnut-rumped Thornbill 3 14 (Acanthiza uropygialis) Southern Whiteface 2,4 29 (Aphelocephala leucopsis) Jacky Winter (Microecafascinans) 2,5,6,7 57 Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii) 6 14 Hooded Robin (Melanodiyas cucullata) 6 14 Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis) - 0 Grey-crowned Babbler 2,3,4,5,6,7 86 (Pornatostomus temporalis) - White-browed Babbler 7 14 (Porn atostomus superciliosus) Varied Sitella (Daphoenositta ch,ysoptera) 6 14 Crested Shrike-tit (Falcunculus cristata) - 0 Crested Beilbird (Oreoica gutturalis) 7 14 Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris) 2,3,4,6 57 Restless Flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta) 3,6,7 43 White-browed Woodswallow 3 14 (Artarnus superciliosus) Dusky Woodswallow - 0 (Artarnus cyanopterus) Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) - 0 Black-chinned Honeyeater - 0 (I%>Ielithreptus gularis) White-browed Treecreeper - 0 (Clirnacteris affinis)

* = see section 3.5 for identification of vegetation types.

15 Fourteen out of the twenty-two (64%) of the identified decliner species in the sheep- wheat belt were recorded from the Coonamble and Walgett mapsheets. Of the fourteen recorded species, seven were observed within a single vegetation type only with only I four being located in four or more of the seven vegetation types surveyed. The above species presence related to vegetation type must be seen in the context of the size of the area of vegetation surveyed. Sites were selected on the basis of being the I largest areas of vegetation in the mapsheets as well as representing the majority of vegetation types present. Current studies suggest 'decliner' species presence/absence will significantly change with decreases in remnant vegetation size (Briggs and Seddon I 2000).

16 CHAPTER 4: VEGETATION AND FAUNA IN THE COONAMBLE I WALGETT DISTRICT The general history of vegetation modification in western New South Wales is described by Cunningham et al. (1992). The statements made also pertain to the Coonamble / Walgett district. "Settlement began in the 1830's when cattle were first introduced to the area. These were substantially replaced by sheep, and wool production became the major industry. It was this introduction of domestic stock that brought about major changes in the structure of native vegetation. The appearance of the rabbit after the 1870's heralded another era of change. Now, the vegetation not only had to contend with droughts and continual grazing by domestic animals but it also had to contend with countless hordes of rabbits that devastated the pastures and ringbarked shrubs and small trees."

John Oxley first explored up the Castlereagh River in 1818 but it was not until 1840 that the first settlers arrived in the Coonamble district. By 1848 all the land along the full course of the Castlereagh River and its tributaries as well as westwards towards the had been taken up by squatters (McKenzie 1988). All the initial runs were for cattle grazing. Sheep first appeared in the 1 850's and became the more common livestock by the 1860's, reaching a peak in numbers during the 1890's just before a drought and the onset of the rabbit plague. McKenzie (1988) stated "the arrival of large sheep numbers in the district as having a great impact on the ecology of the region. Some native grasses were eaten out in the dry years and never re-appeared. Seeds and burrs were carried around on the wool of the sheep from one place to another. Bathurst Burr was first identified as a noxious weed in 1860 when it began to spread throughout the land."

Cereal cropping in the Coonamble district was only of very limited extent in the late 1890's but began a steady increase in response to the linking of Coonamble by rail to the shipping ports and markets of the larger centres of population. The finding of artesian water in the district allowed initial investigation into irrigation uses in 1911 and an influx of chinese workers from the expiring goldfield rush further east meant that there was a labour source to employ in the clearing of land. By 1925, agriculture was still looked on as a hobby within a sheep breeding and wool growing district (McKenzie 1988). It was not until the 1950's when land prices were held steady by the government to allow for purchase in soldier settlement blocks, that graziers resorted to improving their holdings rather than buying additional land. It was then that both fodder and cereal cropping became common. Areas under cultivation continued to expand in the late 1970's when sheep prices collapsed and graziers needed to diversify in order to maintain income levels. When cattle prices also fell, the level of farming in the district helped to buffer the loss of income (McKenzie 1988). The clearing of land for agriculture probably reached a peak in 1978 when there was a bumper wheat harvest in the Coonamble district. McKenzie (1988) concluded that it was the emergence of the wheat industry which led to land clearing for paddocks and an increase in infrastructure to service it (eg. silos, machinery). This is despite it being estimated that only one year in every 2-3 years provides a reasonable yield in this district.

Ringbarking and clearing for grazing and cultivation also changed the structure of many vegetation communities. The composition of the pastures, and in some cases the shrub layer, has been changed through invasion by exotics, many of them weeds,

17 introduced accidentally or by design. The timber over much of the eastern fringe of western NSW has been killed to increase pastoral production, or cleared for cropping. In the mid-1960's, with booming wheat sales, the clearing of land supporting mallee, Poplar Box and White Cypress Pine was a feature of development. These areas have I been sown to cereal and other crops (Cunningham et al. 1992).

Throughout western New South Wales the composition and productivity of vegetation communities fluctuate with changes in climate and it is often difficult to separate climatically induced changes from those brought about by man. Unquestionably U though, most of the native vegetation has undergone substantial change and it is doubtful if any community is still in its pristine state. In some areas regeneration of palatable tree and shrub species has been reduced or eliminated by grazing. In others, I due to the impact of domestic stock and/or a reduction in fire frequency, unpalatable woody shrubs have made dramatic increases, reducing pastoral production and baring the soil of ground cover (Cunningham et al. 1992). I The degree of contemporary vegetation modification in the Coonamble / Walgett district can be seen in the area of non-woody vegetation that is mapped in the National I Parks and Wildlife Service wheat-belt vegetation map (Sivertsen 2000). This shows that 84 % of the district is now either cleared for agriculture, natural grasslands or is I open woodland with a tree cover of less than 5 %. - 4.1 Biodiversity of Open Grassland - isolated trees This vegetation type was included in recognition of the degree of clearing that has been conducted in the district as landholders move toward farm diversification to hedge against low stock commodity prices. Large, open paddocks mostly devoid of trees and shrubs will only be used by certain fauna species adapted to open habitats compared to adjacent blocks of the original vegetation, thus these areas should be treated as a separate vegetation unit within the district.

Open grasslands are either naturally treeless or sparsely treed and have historically been used for grazing of native grasses and forbs, or consist of rotational and opportunistic cropping paddocks which are now under pasture. Open areas that had a crop growing on them were not surveyed, nor were any paddocks sown down to improved pasture as these areas are not dominated by native vegetation. The defining characteristic of this vegetation type is the lack of trees and shrubs and the dominance of grasses and forbs.

It should be noted that the species composition of this community will vary considerably throughout the district as the groundcover species will be related to soil type and rainfall. The following fauna and flora species were taken from an area of cracking grey clay soils which had not been cultivated. Historically, these areas were mostly described as Mitchell Grasslands (Beadle 1981).

Cunningham et. al (1992) stated that these grasslands are found on grey clay soils of floodplains occurring between the 375 and 500 mm rainfall isohyets and are usually dominated by Curly Mitchell Grass (Astrebla lappacea). Unmodified grasslands can be quite diverse, usually containing around 100 species, many of which are perennial (Beadle 1981). These perennial grasslands are usually treeless although often intergrade with Black Box and Coolibah communities or are dissected with drainage

18 lines along which these trees occur in ribbon stands. In good condition, associated perennial species are uncommon unless the community has been seriously modified by grazing (SCS 1982). Associated with mitchell grasses are Neverfail (Eragrostis setifolia), Coolah Grass (Panicum coloratum) and Queensland Bluegrass (Dichanthium sericeum), as well as perennial forbs and many annuals such as Small Flinders Grass (Iseilema membranaceum) and Button Grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) after wet seasons. In winter, pastures comprising largely trefoils, Barley Grass (Hordeum leporinum), Australian Carrot (Daucus glochidiatus) and Rigid Panic (Panicum prolutum) are evident (SCS 1982). The perennial grass component of these floodplain communities varies with seasonal rainfall incidence. In addition, composition may be greatly altered by heavy grazing, which reduces the abundance of mitchell grasses and allows invasion by other species.

If the Astrebla species are removed by heavy grazing and/or a succession of very dry years the perennials are removed and annuals dominate (Beadle 1981). Winter rains under such conditions can lead to perennial species of Sclerolaena sometimes become prominent and locally dominant in these degenerate swards, especially Black Roly-poly (S. muricata), Brigalow Burr (S. tetracuspis) and Goathead Burr (S. bicornis) (Beadle 1981).

A study of pasture areas in the 400-600 mm rainfall zone of north-western NSW showed that, of the sites located within the Coonamble / Walgett district, the perennial Curly Windmill Grass (Enteropogon acicularis) was widespread (Bowman 1996). Mitchell Grass was found primarily in the district. Of the undesirable perennial grasses, Stipa species were widespread, although they occurred less frequently in the Coonamble district. Eragrostis species was prevalent. Of the annual grasses, those most prevalent in the Coonamble district were annual Windmill Grass (Chioris truncata) and Barley Grass. Other frequent, undesirable species recorded in the district were Black Roly-poly and Galvanised Burr. Bowman (1996) found that 53% of property owners in the study area had some of their land pasture improved, with the percentage increasing with smaller properties and those to the east (the Coonamble sites being along the eastern border). In a questionnaire on pasture management, most respondents indicated they sowed lucerne or other improved pasture species after their cereal cropping rotation (Bowman 1996).

Given the above information, it can reasonably be concluded that only a relatively small proportion of open grassland in the Coonamble / Walgett district is either uncultivated or unimproved.

Based on the NPWS wheatbelt mapping, all non-woody vegetation is in one category with no distinction as to cultivated / uncultivated, natural or improved pastures (Sivertsen 2000). This non-woody vegetation alliance is assessed as covering approximately 85 % (444,364ha) of the Coonamble / Walgett district.

19 4.1.1 Vegetation 104 species of plant were recorded in the Open grassland - isolated trees vegetation type. These are listed below.

[* = introduced species] Tree species: Acacia- pendula Myall Alectryon olefolius Rosewood Eremophila mitchell!! Budda Eucalyptus coolabah Coolibah

- Vines / Mistletoe: No species recorded

- Shrub species: Eremophila maculata Spotted Fuschia Lyciumferocissimum * African Boxthorn* Maireana aphylla Cottonbush Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saitbush

- Groundcover species : Grass species. Agrostis avenacea Blown Grass Aristida ramosa var. scaberula Purple Wiregrass Austrostipa aristiglumis Plains Grass Austrostipa scabra Rough Speargrass Austrostipa verticilliata Slender Bamboo Grass Avenafatua * Wild Oats* Bromus cartharticus * Prairie Grass* Chioris truncata Windmill Grass Cynodon dactylon Couch Grass Dicanthium sericeum Queensland Bluegrass Echinochloa colona Awniess Barnyard Grass Elymus scaber var. plurinervis Common Wheatgrass Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill Grass Eragrostis brownii Lovegrass Eriochloa australiensis Australian Cupgrass Hordeum leporinum * Barley Grass* Lolium perrene * Perennial Ryegrass* Lolium rigidum* Wimmera Ryegrass* Pan icum coloratum * Coolah Grass* Pan icum decompositum Native Millet Pan icum effusum Hairy Panic Paspalidium constrictum Box Grass Paspalidiumjubflorum Warrego Summer Grass Phalaris paradoxa * Paradoxa Grass* Sporobolus carol! Fairy Grass Sporobolus mitchell! Rats-tail Couch

20 Groundcover species: Other groundcover. Alternanthera nana Hairy Joyweed Amaranthus macrocarpus Dwarf Amaranth Atriplex leptocarpa Slender-fruited Saltbush Atriplex spinibractea Spiny-fruited Saltbush Atriplex suberecta Lagoon Saltbush Boerhavia dominii Tarvine Bulbine bulbosa Native Leek Carthamus lanatus * Saffron Thistle* Chamaesyce drummondii Caustic Weed Chenopodium melanocarpum Black Crumbweed Citrillus lanatus* Camel melon* Citrillus myriocarpus* Paddy Melon* Convolvolus erubescens Australian Bindweed Conyza bonariensis * Flax-leaf Fleabane* Crinumfiaccidum Darling Lily Cullen tenax Emu-foot Cyperus alternjflorus Sedge species Cyperus bfax Downs Nutgrass Echium plantagineum * Pattersons Curse* Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Climbing Saltbush Eliocharis pallens Pale Spike-rush Erodium crinitum Blue Crowfoot Euchiton sphaericus Japanese Cudweed Euphorbia plan iticola Plains Spurge Glycine tab icina species complex Variable Glycine Goodeniafascicularis Silky Goodenia Heliotropium supinum* Spreading Heliotrope* Lactuca serriola* Prickly Lettuce* Lepidium africanum* Peppercress* Lepidiumfasciculatum Bundled Peppercress Leptorhynchus panaetio ides Woolly Buttons Maireana sp. Fissure-weed Malva parvflora * Small-flowered Mallow* Malvastrum americanum * Malvastrum* Marsilea drummondii Common Nardoo Medicago laciniata * Cut-leaf Medic* Medicago polymorpha* Burr Medic* Minuria denticulata Woolly Minuria Minuria integerrima Smooth Minuria Neptunia gracilis forma gracilis Sensitive Plant Nicotaina megalosiphon Long-flowered Tobacco Osteocarpum acropterum var. deminuta Waterweed Oxalis perennans Yellow Wood-sorrell Plantago cunninghamii Sago-weed Polygonum aviculare Wireweed Polygonum plebeium Small Knotweed Portulaca oleracea Common Pigweed Proboscidea louisianica* Purple-flowered Devils Claw* Rapistrum rugosurn * Turnip Weed* Rhynchosia minima Rhyncho Rumex crystallinus Shiny Dock Rumex sp. Dock Sclerolaena birchii Galvanised Burr Sclerolaena calcarata Red Copperburr

21 Sclerolaena diacantha Grey Copperburr Sclerolaena muricata Black Roly-poly Sidafibulfera Pin Sida Sisymbrium orio * London Rocket* Solanum esuriale Quena Solanum nigrum* Blackberry Nightshade* Sonchus oleraceus * Common Sowthistle* Swainsona swainsonioides Downy Darling Pea Tetragonia tetragono ides New Zealand Spinach Tribulus terrestris * Cathead* Verbena bonariensis * Purple Top* Verbena gaudichaudii Common Verbena Verbena supina* Trailing Verbena* Vittadinia sp. Fuzzweed Xanthium occidentale * Noogoora Burr* Xanthium spinosum * Bathurst Burr*

22 Flora species typical of Open Grassland - isolated trees vegetation. Figure 1. Native Leek (Bulb me bulbosa)

Figure 2. Quena (Solanum esuriale).

23 - Typical Site Habitat Description - canopy layer <1 % - understorey layer <1 % - shrub layer 0 % - groundcover 95 % - bare soil 5 % - leaf litter 20 % - rocks 0 % - No. hollow-bearing trees / ha: 0 - No. standing dead timber with hollows / ha: 0 - No. hollow logs / ha: 0

Figure 3. Vegetation typical of open grasslands - isolated trees.

I

I V

I V V . •

V

VV I V V • VVV• I 4.1.2 Vertebrate Fauna 66 species of animal were recorded in the Open grassland - isolated trees vegetation I type. These are listed below. = TSC Act 1995 listed species] [* = introduced species] I - Amphibians: Waterholding Frog Cyclorana platycephala Warty Waterholding Frog Cyclorana verrucosa Barking Marsh Frog Limnodynastesfietcheri I Spotted Marsh Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Green Tree Frog Litoria caerulea Desert Tree Frog Litoria rubella I Sudells Burrowing Frog Neobatrachus sudelli

- Reptiles: I Long-necked Tortoise Chelodina longicollis Carnaby's Skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyi Tree Skink Egernia striolata I Tree Dtella Gehrya variegata I 24 Prickly Gecko Heteronotia binoei Dwarf Skink Menetia greyii Boulengers Skink Morethia boulengeri Eastern Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata Mulga Snake Pseudechis australis Western Brown Snake Pseudonaja nuchalis Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis Blind Snake Rampholyphiops weidii Curl Snake Suta suta Shingleback Tiliqua rugosus Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard Tiliqua scincoides

- Mammals: -Non-flying: Brown Hare* Lepus capensis * Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus House Mouse* Mus musculus* Narrow-nosed Planigale Planigale tenuirostris Feral Pjg* Sus scrofa* European Fox* Vulpes vulpes *

- Flying: Little Pied Bat # Chalinolobuspicatus # White-striped Freetail-bat Tadarida australis Unidentified forest bat Vespadelus sp.

- Birds: - parrots: Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Blue Bonnet Northiella haematogaster Cockateil Nymphicus hollandicus Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus

- waterbirds: Grey Teal Anas gracilis Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae Pacific Heron Ardeapacflca Yellow-billed Spoonbill Plataleaflavipes Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles

- birds of prey: Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris Brown Falcon Falco berigora Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides

- night birds: Barn Owl Tyto alba

- pigeons and doves: Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera - landbirds: Richards Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Brown Songlark Cinclorhamphus cruralis Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum Australian Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Fairy Martin Hirundo ariel Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopteruc Yellow-throated Miner Manorinaflavigula House Sparrow* Passer domesticus * Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Common Starling* Sturnis vulgaris * Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata

Figure 4. Warty Waterholding Frog (Cyclorana verrucosa) is typically found within grassland habitats.

26 4.1.3 Threatened species profile Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobuspicatus) TSC Act Status: Vulnerable

1. Description: The distinguishing feature of this species is its glossy black fur on the back which extends onto the tail membrane. It is dark grey below with white fur along the flanks forming a V-shape in the pubic region (Strahan 1995).

Figure 5. Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobuspicatus).

Distribution: Ayers et al. (1996) stated that this species is distributed across western NSW with 30-40% of the Australian distribution occurring in the western division of New South Wales. It has been recorded from the Willandra Lakes region, areas of woodland between the Warrego and Culgoa Rivers, in Gunderbooka National Park south of Bourke, the Macquarie Marshes region, Yathong State Forest and Miandetta State Forest some 20 kilometres west of Nyngan. Recent records close to the eastern limits of its distribution have been made on the Macquarie River at Geurie and in Goonoo State Forest near Dubbo in central-west New South Wales (DLWC 2000). Surveys by the National Parks and Wildlife Service recorded the Little Pied Bat in Pilliga West State Forest (NPWS 2000).

Diet: Feeds on insects and requires access to free-standing water.

Ecology: (a) General: Little is known about this species which is one of the few bats to occur exclusively in the and and semi- arid areas of eastern Australia. Thought to be a cave and rock-outcrop roosting species but recent captures suggest it also uses tree hollows, mine shafts and tunnels, and abandoned buildings (Ayers et al. 1996). The Little Pied Bat has been found in a wide variety of woodland and forest habitats in western NSW and needs ready access to water in a creek andlor tank (Smith el al. 1998). It is known from Brigalow, riparian and Poplar Box woodlands as well as mallee areas.

Recorded from Coolibah woodland in the Macquarie Marshes; Poplar Box/Red Box with a cypress understorey at Miandetta State Forest; River Red Gum woodland at Geurie; from rocky ridges of

27 Mallee/Currawang at Yathong ; Poplar Box with Wilga understorey at Gunderbooka National Park; from cypress pine/ironbark forest at Goonoo State Forest near Dubbo and from Poplar Box woodland and River Red Gum woodland along the lower Macquarie River below Carinda. In the Pilliga region bats have been caught foraging in Poplar Box and Pilliga Box woodlands. I Within the Coolabah district, landholders found a small colony of bats roosting under a sack that had been thrown over a rafter in a toolshed. The bats have been known to be there for some time and have previously been observed with young, indicating that breeding has taken place. Bat calls attributed to this I species were also recorded along a nearby cowal which is vegetated with Black Box and River Red Gum as well as from dams located within Poplar Box/White Cypress Pine woodlands. Calls were also recorded from around buildings located in LeopardwoodlWilga woodland and from Black Box I woodland surrounding an ephemeral swamp on the floodplain of the Bogan River (DLWC 2000).

In the Tottenham and Bobadah districts the Little Pied Bat was recorded from Poplar Box open woodland / woodland, Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland, Black Box woodland, Red Box / White Cypress Pine woodland, Mugga Ironbark / Green Mallee / Hill Red Gum woodland and Green Mallee / White Cypress Pine woodland (Shelly 2001 in press).

(b) This survey in the Coonamble / Walgett District: On three occasions, calls attributed to this species were recorded from dams within Coolibah open woodland and woodland and also from a dam in Poplar Box open woodland. The Coolibah sites were characterised by containing a high percentage of mature aged trees with multiple hollows per tree. The Poplar Box site contained several nearby buildings which could provide roost sites for this species in addition to trees with hollows. One of these buildings contained several bats of different species. Calls were also detected from some buildings located in a large area of open grassland with only isolated, small trees present. In this case it was assumed that the bats were roosting in the buildings or in disused Fairy Martin nests and were hawking insects attracted around the buildings by the lights at night.

Three Little Pied Bats were trapped in Black Box open woodland with no understorey or shrub layer. All trees in this area were mature age and contained multiple hollows. A single male bat was trapped in a small patch of Belah within a larger area of Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland.

5. Habitat Management Options: It seems to be a species that prefers old buildings and sheds to roost in and hence any such disused farm structures, especially those close to native vegetation and/or watersources should be left unless they become a danger to people and stock. Retention of hollow-bearing trees (both living and dead) within areas of native vegetation is important to maintain potential roost site choices. Retention of native vegetation adjacent to waterpoints such as dams, cowals and rivers will maintain insect abundance near drinking sites.

6. References: Ayers, D., Nash, S. and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville. DLWC., 2000. Threatened Species Records Database. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Central-west Region. Dubbo. NPWS., 2000. Brigalow Belt South: Regional Assessment (Stage 1), Report on Preliminary Fauna Survey of Pilliga and Goonoo Forests, November 1999 to January 2000. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Directorate, Dubbo.

Shelly, D., 2001 in press. Flora and Fauna of the Tottenham /Bobadah District. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Dubbo.

Smith, J., Ellis, M., Ayers, D., Mazzer, T., Wallace, G., Langdon, A., and Cooper, M., 1998. The Fauna of Western NSW: The Northern Floodplains Region. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

Strahan, R., (ed) 1995. The Mammals ofAustralia. Reed Books. Chatswood, NSW.

28 4.2 Biodiversity of the Poplar Box open woodland/woodlands

Beadle (1981) stated that Poplar Box or Bimble Box (E. populnea ssp. bimbil) is a tree 12-23 metres high, that is dominant in woodlands over a vast area between 300 and 500 mm isohyets. It is a vigorous species that has a remarkable range of edaphic tolerance, occurring on soils of any texture, from gravelly sands to clays, covering the pH range from 5 to 8.5. Since E. populnea is dominant in such a variety of habitats, it is associated with a very large number of species which have narrower ecological tolerances, many being restricted to specific soil types. This leads to the occurrence of fairly well defined assemblages of species which have been given the rank of sub- alliances. The Poplar Box woodlands are one of these sub-alliances.

The Poplar Box woodlands are generally found on the level country eastward of the 350 mm rainfall isohyet. This alliance is limited in its distribution by the nature of the soil, being confined to areas of finer textured soils than those normally carrying Poplar Box and other associated tree species. In such areas the tree rarely exceeds 10 metres in height. With the increase in the fineness of the soil texture there is a decrease in the frequency of Poplar Box and the appearance of trees 6 to 9 metres high, such as Belah (Casuarina cristata) and Rosewood (Alectryon olefolius). On the coarser soils the density of Poplar Box increases with dense clumps occurring in extreme cases. Such communities are transitional between the Poplar Box alliance and the Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine alliance (SCS 1982).

Within the Coonamble / Walgett district the denser woodland vegetation typically occurs along the eastern fringe at the interface between the sandstone derived soils on slightly higher ground and the heavy alluvial clays of the floodplains. Within the floodplains Poplar Box woodland is generally found in pockets on brown clays and red-earth soils between larger areas of grey clays where prior stream deposits and infrequent flooding have taken place. Beadle (1981) stated that E. populnea forms open grassy woodlands 1 0-20m high throughout the area of the species on light clay soils on higher floodplains or along minor flattish watercourses. Biddiscome (1963) stated that the E. populnea association is typically a savannah woodland on silty clay loams of higher floodplains bordering the Macquarie River. It is also prominent along Ewenmar Creek and in the beds of shallow cowals or lagoons. In the north-west a more open savannah woodland formation recurs on small areas of slightly elevated, compact clay loams within extensive belts of self-mulching clay.

In all areas shrub species are uncommon and in no case is a distinct shrub layer present (SCS 1982). The majority of vegetation within the shrub layer (<2m high) is typically juvenile Poplar Box. In the more open woodland situations, the herbaceous layer is well developed. Windmill Grass and Fairy Grass (Sporobolus carob) are commonly found throughout the area and in many cases these two species form the conspicuous part of the herbaceous layer. The annual grasses, Stink Grass (Eragrostis cilianensis), Small Burr Grass (Tragus australianus), trefoils (Medicago sp) and Small Flinders Grass are often present (SCS 1982). In the summer rainfall zone (of which the survey district is a part), Bothriochloa, Dicanthiurn, Heteropogon and Themeda species occur as local dominants or mixtures. Additional species which occur in localised areas are Slender Bamboo Grass (Austrostipa verticillata) and Warrego Summer Grass (Paspalidiumjubflorum). These two grasses are invariably associated with depressions or gilgais which, although not a regular feature of the country, are frequently encountered (Beadle 1981). In the virgin community it is probable that the density of herbage species was low, mainly because the dense sward of grass would suppress herbage competitors. Even in winter the dried mass of grass cuims would have this effect. Today, however, many areas have been completely denuded of their perennial grass cover and the natural consequence is the dominance of rapidly-growing herbage plants. In the summer Cat- head (Tribulus terrestris) and Pigweed (Portulaca oleracea) are present in abundance and are sometimes dominant. In the winter the common species include the three trefoils, Burr Medic (Medicago polymorpha), Cut-leaf Medic (M laciniata) and Woolly Burr Medic (M minima), together with Small-flowered Mallow (Malva parviflora) and members of the Compositae and Crucferae families (SCS 1982).

Groundcover in denser woodland situations and areas of regeneration such as drainage lines is often at low levels with the majority of soil cover being from leaf litter accumulation rather than living material (SCS 1982).

This particular vegetation type has not been specifically mapped on the only vegetation mapping that covers the district (NPWS wheatbelt mapping). Categories mapped incorporate three of the vegetation types surveyed within the district (Poplar Box woodlands, Poplar Box / Cypress Pine woodlands, Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands). Based on local knowledge, the proportion of total mapped area attributed to each surveyed vegetation type was assessed as 25% for Poplar Box woodlands, 25% Poplar Box / Cypress Pine woodlands and 50% for Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands.

Based on the NPWS wheatbelt mapping, the Poplar Box open woodland / woodland vegetation alliance is assessed as covering approximately 0.5% (2424ha) of the Coonamble / Walgett district.

4.2.1 Vegetation 137 species of plant were recorded in the Poplar Box open woodland / woodlands vegetation type. These are listed below. introduced species] - Tree species: I Acacia homalophylla Yarran Acacia oswaldii Miljee Alectryon olefolius Rosewood Aistonia constricta Quinine Bush I Apophyllum anomalum Warrior Bush Atalaya hemiglauca Whitewood Callitris glaucophylla White Cypress Pine I Canthium olefolium Wild Lemon Capparis mitchellii Wild Orange Casuarina cristata Belah I Eremophila mitchellii Budda Eucalyptus populnea ssp. bimbil Poplar Box Ge/eraparvflora Wilga Hakea leucoptera Needlewood Myoporum montanum Western Boobialla Ventilago viniinalis Supplejack I

30 - Vines / Mistletoe: Amyema cambagei Needle-leaf Mistletoe Amyema lucasii Yellow-flowered Mistletoe Amyema rniquelii Box Mistletoe Jasminum lineare Native Jasmine Korthalsellajaponica ssp. gerjericola Jointed Mistletoe Parsonsia eucalyptophylla Gargaloo

- Shrub species: A triplex spinibractea Spiny-fruit Saltbush Afriplex vesicaria Bladder Saltbush Eremophila deserti Ellangowan Poison-bush Lyciumferocissimum * African Boxthorn* Maireana aphylla Cottonbush Meuhienbeckiaflorulenta Lignum Opuntia stricta* Common Prickly Pear* Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saltbush Templetonia egena Desert Broombush

- Groundcover species : Grass species: Agrostis avenacea Blown Grass Amphibromus neesii Swamp Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia richardsonii Wallaby Grass Austrostzpa setacea Corkscrew Grass Austrostipa verticillata Slender Bamboo Grass Chioris truncata Windmill Grass Chloris ventricosa Tall Windmill Grass Dactylocteniun2 radulans Button Grass Digitaria divaricatissima Spreading Umbrella Grass Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill Grass Eragrostis cilianensis * Stink Grass* Eragrostis elongata Clustered Lovegrass Eragrostis lacunaria Purple Lovegrass Eragrostis set (folia Neverfail Eragrostis sp. Unidentified Lovegrass Eriochloa australiensis Australian Cupgrass Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha Early Spring Grass Hordeum leporinum * Barley Grass* Panicum effusum Hairy Panic Paspalidium constrictum Box Grass Sporobolis caroli Fairy Grass Tragus australianus Small Burr Grass

Groundcover species: Other groundcover. Abutilon oxycarpum Straggly Lantern-bush Alternanthera denticulata Lesser Joyweed Alternanthera nana Hairy Joyweed Asperula conferta Common Woodruff A triplex leptocarpa Slender-fruited Saltbush A triplex spinibractea Spiny-fruited Saltbush Boerhavia dominii Tarvine Brachyscome melanocarpa Black-seed Daisy Bracteantha bracteata species complex Golden Everlasting Bulbine bulbosa Native Leek Calotis hispidula Bogan Flea

31 Calotis lappulacea Yellow Burr-daisy Carex inversa Knob Sedge Cent ipeda cunninghamii Common Sneezeweed Chamaesyce drummondii Caustic Weed I Cheilanthes austrotenufolia Rockfern Chenopodium melanocarpum Black Crumbweed Chenopodium pumilio Small Crumbweed I Cirsiurn vulgare * Spear Thistle* Citrillus lanatus * Camel Melon* Citrillus myriocarpus * Paddy Melon* Convolvolus erubescens Australian Bindweed Conyza bonariensis* FlaxleafFleabane* Crassula colorata Dense Stonecrop I Cyperus alternflorus Sedge species Cyperus bfax Down's Nutgrass Damasonium minus Star-fruit I Dichondra repens Kidneyweed Echium plantagineum * Pattersons Curse* Einadia hastata Saloop I Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Climbing Saltbush Eliocharis pallens Pale Spike-rush Eliocharis plana Ribbed Spike-rush I Glycine sp. Glycine species Goodenia cycloptera Serrated Goodenia Goodeniafascicularis Silky Goodenia Hedypnois rhagodioloides * Cretan Weed* I Juncus aridicola Tussock Rush Lactuca serriola* Prickly Lettuce* Lepidium africanum * Peppercress* l Lepidium bonariense * Cut-leaf Peppercress* Lepidiumfasciculatum Bundled Peppercress Lepidium pseudohyssopfolium Peppercress I Lepidium sp. Unidentified Lepidium Leptorhynchos panaetioides Woolly Buttons Malva parvflora * Small-flowered Mallow* Marsilea drummondii Common Nardoo Medicago laciniata Cut-leaf Medic* Medicago polymorpha* Burr Medic* I Mimulus gracilis Slender Monkey-flower Mimulus prostratus Small Monkey-flower Minuria integerrima Smooth Minuria I Myriocephalus rhizocephalus Woolly-heads Nicotaina megalosiphon Long-flowered Tobacco Oxalis perennans Yellow Wood-sorrell I Plantago cunninghamii Sago-weed Portulaca oleracea Common Pigweed Ptilotus atriplicfolius var. atriplicfolius Crimson Foxtail * eed* I Rapistrum rugosum Turnip W Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saltbush Rhodanthefloribunda Common White Sunray Rostellularia adscendens ssp. adscendens Pink Tongues I Rumex crystallinus Shiny Dock Salsola tragus var. tragus Buckbush Schoenus apogon Common Bog-rush I Sclerolaena birchii Galvanised Burr Sclerolaena diacantha Grey Copperburr Sclerolaena muricata Black Roly-poly I 32

Scolyrnus maculatus * Spotted Golden Thistle* Sida corrugata Corrugated Sida SidaJil?formis Fine Sida Sisymbrium irio * London Rocket* Solanum esuriale Quena Solanum nigrum * Blackberry Nightshade* Soliva anthem folia* Dwarf Jo jo* Stuartina muelleri Spoon Cudweed Tetragonia tetragonoides New Zealand Spinach Trib u/us terrestris * Cathead* Verbena gaudichaudii Common Verbena Verbesina encelio ides * Crownbeard* Vittadinia sp. Fuzzweed Wahienbergia communis Tufted Bluebell Xanthium spinosum * Bathurst Burr* Zaleya galericulata ssp. australis Hogweed

Figure 6. Flora species typically found in Poplar Box woodlands. Silky Goodenia (Goodeniafascicularis).

- Typical Site Habitat Description* - canopy layer 10-15 % - understorey layer 5-15 % - shrub layer 5-15 % - groundcover 95 % - bare soil 5 % - leaf litter 15 % - rocks 0 % - No. hollow-bearing trees I ha: 3-29 - No. standing dead timber with hollows I ha: 0-1 - No. hollow logs / ha: 0-1

* = the range in the vegetation structural layers reflects the differences between open woodland and the more dense woodland communities.

33 Figure 7. Vegetation typical of Poplar Box woodlands.

4.2.2 Vertebrate Fauna 108 species of animal were recorded in the Poplar Box open woodland / woodlands vegetation type. These are listed below.

[# = TSC Act 1995 listed species] [* = introduced species] - Amphibians: Waterholding Frog Cyclorana plalycephala Barking Marsh Frog Limnodynastesfietcheri Spotted Marsh Frog * Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Green Tree Frog A Litoria caerulea Perons Tree Frog Litoriaperonii Desert Tree Frog* Litoria rubella Sudells Burrowing Frog Neobatrachus sudelli Crucifix Toad bennettii Eastern Burrowing Toadlet Uperolia rugosa A = from dams within the vegetation type.

- Reptiles: Nobby Amphibolurus nobbi ssp. coggeri Carnaby's Skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyi Ctenotus Skink Ctenotus sp. Wood Gecko Diplodactylus vittatus Tree Skink Egernia striolata Tree Dtella Gehrya variegata Prickly Gecko Heteronotia binoei Boulengers Skink Morethia boulengeri Eastern Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis Blind Snake Ramphotyphiops bituberculata Shingleback Tiliqua rugosus Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard Tiliqua scincoides Lace Monitor Varanus varius

34 - Mammals: - Non-flying: Feral Cat* Felix catus* Brown Hare* Lepus capensis* Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus House Mouse* Mus musculus* Rabbit* Oryctolagus cuniculus * Feral Pjg* Sus scrofa* Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula European Fox* Vulpes vulpes* Swamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolor

- Flying: Goulds Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldi Little Pied Bat # Chalinolobus picatus # Southern Freetail Bat Mormopterus plan iceps - large penis Inland Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens baistoni Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii Unidentified forest bat Vespadelus sp.

- Birds: - parrots: Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi Galah Cacatua rose icapilla Glossy Black Cockatoo # Calyptorhynchus lathami # Blue Bonnet Northiella haematogaster Cockateil Nymphicus hollandicus Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus

- waterbirds: White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae Pacific Heron A Ardea pacfica Maned Wood Duck A Chenonettajubata Brolga # Grus rub icundus # Australasian Grebe A Tachybaptus novaehollandia A = from dams within the vegetation type. - birds of prey: Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris Australian Kestrel Falco cenchro ides Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides Black Kite Milvus migrans

- night birds: Australian Owlet-nightj ar Aegotheles cristatus Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides Barn Owl Tyto alba

- pigeons and doves: Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes 35 1 - landbirds: Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis I Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Richards Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis I Rufous Songlark Cinclorhamphus mathewsi Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis Spotted Bowerbird Clamydera maculata I Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picun2nus Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica Ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima I Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Stubble Quail Cot urn ix pectoralis Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis Australian Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Faiiy Martin Hirundo ariel Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena White-winged Triller La/age tricolor White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus Variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti Yellow-throated Miner Manorinaflavigula Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Jacky Winter Microeca leucophaea Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rujIventris Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Common Starling* Sturnis vulgaris* Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii Sacred Kingfisher Todirhampus sancta Little Button-quail Turnix velox

36 Figure 8. Fauna species typical of Poplar Box woodlands. Tree Dtella (Gehrya variegata).

4.2.3 Threatened species profile Brolga (Grus rubicundus) TSC Act Status: Vulnerable

1. Description: A tall, stately, long-legged crane standing up to 1.4 metres. The head is bare with the skin on the front of the crown pale grey. It is scarlet on the rear of the head and nape. The neck, back, wings and underparts are grey. Legs are dark brown to black (Simpson and Day 1993).

Figure 9. Brolga (Grus rubicundus).

.4

4, 4

1'

2. Distribution: This species is distributed across swamplands in coastal and sub-coastal areas of tropical Australia and into the interior in the east. It is most commonly seen in the northern part of the western zone of NSW, with the creeks of the Warrego River being particularly important (Ayers et al. 1996). The birds are frequently seen near wetlands associated with the Narran, Paroo and Bulloo Rivers, and less so along the Culgoa River.

The Brolga has been recorded throughout the Macquarie Marshes, Narran Lake and on the Paroo River, in the Riverina and on the Lachlan River. Noted as present in the Culgoa National Park.

37 3. Diet: Feeding mostly occurs near water and consists of seeds, roots, sedge tubers, aquatic plants, invertebrates and their larvae and small vertebrates such as lizards and . Grains such as wheat and rice are also eaten.

4. Ecology: (a) General: The Brolga occurs on extensive open wetlands, particularly shallow swamps, their margins and floodplains. It can also be found on grasslands, paddocks, ploughed fields, irrigated pastures, stubble crops and salt flats (Ayers et al. 1996). A pair of Brolga usually bond for life and may defend breeding territories of up to 2.5 square kilometres, often covering several marshes. The same pair may remain in the same area for years if undisturbed and breeding is stimulated by flooding. Brolgas have a very high nest site fidelity with large platforms being built in sheltered sites, primarily on small islands in canegrass, lignum or sedge swamps.

Brolgas have been noted in Belah woodland with water-filled gilgais to the south-east of Nyngan, on the edge of a sedge-lined lake bordered with River Red Gum and Black Box on the Paroo River as well as in areas of flooded lignum shrubland. This species is common on flooded water couch areas throughout the Macquarie Marshes region as well as on shallow lagoons located inside reedbeds. Breeding pairs have been observed in the backed-up water behind a weir near Goodooga and from a River Red Gum watercourse lined by reeds and lignum with lush grass and sedge growth in the Macquarie Marshes. Birds have been recorded from flooded cut-off meanders of the Bogan River near Tottenham and also feeding on freshly ploughed ground adjacent to a cowal lined with Poplar Box and Grey Box to the south-west of Trangie (DLWC 2000).

In the Coolibah district, Brolgas were noted in River Red Gum /Black Box woodlands, as well as feeding I on a flooded open scald after heavy rain and along the margins of a cowal off the Bogan River which is lined with River Red Gum. A pair of Brolgas were noted as having bred and stayed in the area around an ephemeral swamp lined by Black Box and well vegetated with sedges as well as on the margins of an I adjacent ephemeral lake which was lined by Poplar Box (Shelly 2000). (b) This survey in the Coonamble / Walgett District: To the south of Come-by-chance, Brolgas were heard calling from a large flooded depression I surrounded by open grassland as well as from a nearby area of water filled gilgais that were lined with sedges and rushes. The gilgai area was within a Poplar Box woodland. The depression and gilgais were noted to contain an abundance of aquatic insects, tadpoles and frogs due to prior rain events and several I continuous days of rain during the survey period. A pair of birds were seen standing in a small, shallow swamp alongside the Coonamble - Pilliga Road. The swamp was full of sedges and water couch grass and was lined with mature Poplar Box. In this case I a nearby landholder stated that the birds had been seen in this swamp many times and were also - commonly found in the adjacent cultivation paddock.

5. Habitat Management Options: The retention of shallow, ephemeral wetlands, lakes and cowals and their associated vegetation is critical to the breeding success of the Brolga in the Coonamble / Walgett district. Areas of vegetation should be retained around the outside of such features to provide a small buffer zone to any openlcultivated areas. Little development or vegetation management should occur that impedes or diverts water runoff into these wetlands as breeding will only occur when such areas are flooded. Because the Brolga's diet is quite broad and includes both grain and insects/animals which can be found in crop and grassland paddocks, future plaimed development/management of non-wetland vegetation may not significantly impact on the food resources of this species.

6. References: Ayers, D., Nash, S., and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

DLWC., 2000. Threatened Species Records Database. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Central-west Region. Dubbo.

Shelly, D., 2000. Flora and Fauna of the Coolabah District. Department of Land and Water Conservation and the Coolabah Landcare Group. Dubbo.

Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1993. Field Guide to the Birds ofAustralia. Viking O'Neil. Victoria. 38 4.3 Biodiversity of the Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland

Beadle (1981) stated that Poplar Box is a tree 12-23 metres high, that is dominant in woodlands over a vast area between 300 and 500 mm isohyets. It is a vigorous species that has a remarkable range of edaphic tolerance, occurring on soils of any texture, from gravelly sands to clays, covering the pH range from 5 to 8.5. Since Poplar Box is dominant in such a variety of habitats, it is associated with a very large number of species which have narrower ecological tolerances, many being restricted to specific soil types. This leads to the occurrence of fairly well defined assemblages of species which have been given the rank of sub-alliances. The Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine vegetation type is one of these sub-alliances.

The White Cypress Pine / Poplar Box alliance extends over more than half of the prior Nyngan Soil Conservation Service District [which incorporates most of the Coonamble / Walgett district]. The vegetation is typically found on the red-brown clay loam to sandy loam soils between the 350 and 450 mm rainfall isohyets. The country is level to undulating or (less commonly) hilly. The whole area is used for sheep grazing with part of the eastern (Coonamble / Walgett) and southern portions being cultivated for wheat, barley and oats (SCS 1982).

The structure of this vegetation alliance varies from shrub woodland in the western areas to a tall woodland towards the east. In the virgin community the box and pine probably reach 12 metres in height but the removal of pine for timber together with the conical shape of these trees gives the impression that the box is the dominant species and the pine a member of the lower stratum (SCS 1982). Within western New South Wales the relative abundance of Poplar Box and White Cypress Pine varies from almost pure stands of each to co-dominant populations (Cunningham et al. 1992).

Tall shrub species are usually abundant, their density increasing from east to west. The most common are Budda (Eremophila mitchelliz), Wilga (GeUeraparvflora), Yarran (Acacia homalophylla) and Rosewood. Some of these shrubs are palatable to stock with the result that they are usually preserved by the grazier when this timber is thinned to produce more pasture. For this reason many areas now support shrubs of varying density in lieu of the original woodland (SCS 1982).

A dense stratum of small shrubs has taken over extensive areas in the western regions of this alliance, with Turpentine (E. sturtil), Punty Bush (Cassia eremophila), Silver Cassia (C. artemesio ides) and hopbush (Dodonaea sp) commonly occurring. The majority of these small shrubs are unpalatable. Because of their ability to sucker from roots, they are difficult to eradicate (SCS 1982).

In the virgin community the herbaceous stratum was probably very sparse but the clearing and thinning of timber has led to an increase in the density of grasses with the production of continuous dense swards. In the eastern portion of the red-brown earths, the dominant species is Variable Speargrass (Austrostipa variabilis) while towards the west on the red earths, the dominant species is Wiregrass (Aristida sp). On soils with a clay loam or loam surface Windmill Grass becomes dominant, while in depressions Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis), Tall Oat Grass (T avenacea), Queensland Blue Grass and Weeping Lovegrass (Eragrostis parvflora) are abundant and even dominant. Numerous other herbaceous species occur (SCS 1982).

39

Beadle (1981) stated that floristically the communities are rich, containing 30-40 I common shrub or small tree species and at least 130 herbaceous species. Several of the larger species become local co-dominants in shrub woodlands, giving distinctive associations, usually with a decrease in abundance of Callitris, especially Bulloke I (Allocasuarina luehmannii) and Wilga (Gejeraparv?fiora). The herbaceous layer in the virgin condition was probably dominated by grasses. Ground cover is determined largely by the density of the tree and tall shrub canopies. Callitris, in particular, I suppresses the growth of herbs, and in undisturbed woodlands grass density is considerably reduced under the crown of Poplar Box. I This particular vegetation type has not been specifically mapped on the only vegetation mapping that covers the district (NPWS wheatbelt mapping). Categories mapped I incorporate three of the vegetation types surveyed within the district (Poplar Box woodlands, Poplar Box / Cypress Pine woodlands, Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands). Based on local knowledge, the proportion of total mapped area attributed to each I surveyed vegetation type was assessed as 25% for Poplar Box woodlands, 25% Poplar Box / Cypress Pine woodlands and 50% for Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands.

Based on the NPWS wheatbelt mapping, the Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine vegetation alliance is assessed as covering approximately 0.5% (2424ha) of the Coonamble / Walgett district.

4.3.1 Vegetation 83 species of plant were recorded in the Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland vegetation type. These are listed below.

= introduced species] I - Tree species: Acacia homalophylla Yarran Acacia oswaldii MiIjee I Acaciapendula Myall Alectryon olefolius Rosewood Allocasuarina luehrnannii Bulloke I Aistonia constricta Quinine Bush Apophyllum anon2alum Warrior Bush Atalaya hem iglauca Whitewood I Callitris glaucophylla White Cypress Pine Canthium olefolium Wild Lemon Casuarina cristata Belah I Eremophila mitchellii Budda Eucalyptus populnea ssp. bimbil Poplar Box Flindersia maculosa Leopardwood I GeUera parvflora Wilga Grevillea striata Beefwood Ventilago viniinalis Supplejack I - Vines / Mistletoe: No species recorded I - Shrub species: Acacia deanei Deane's Wattle Lyciumferocissitnum * African Boxthorn* I Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saltbush

I 40

I - Groundcover species: Grass species. Aristidajerichoensis Jericho Wiregrass Aristida ramosa var. scaberula Purple Wiregrass Austrostipa scabra Rough Speargrass Austrostipa verticillata Slender Bamboo Grass Chioris ventricosa Tall Windmill Grass Dactylotenium radulans Button Grass Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill Grass Eragrostis cilianesis * Stink Grass* Eragrostis lacunaria Purple Lovegrass Eriochloapseudoacrotricha Early Spring Grass Hordeum leporinum* Barley Grass* Panicum subxerophilum Cane Panic Paspalidium constrictum Box Grass Sporobolus actinocladus Katoora Sporobolus caroli Fairy Grass Triraphis mo/us Purple Plume Grass

Groundcover species: Other groundcover. Abutilon leucopetulum Lantern-bush Abutilon otocarpum Desert Chinese-lantern Alternanthera pungens * Khaki weed* Air iplex semibaccata Creeping Saltbush Atriplex spinibractea Spiny-fruited Saltbush Boerhavia dominii Tarvine Bracteantha bracteata species complex Golden Everlasting Calotis cunefolia Purple Burr-daisy Ca/otis lappulacea Yellow Burr-daisy Carthamus lanatus * Saffron Thistle* Chamaesyce drummondii Caustic Weed Chenopodium pumilio Small Crumbweed Chondrillajuncea * Skeleton Weed* Convolvulus erubescens Australian Bindweed Conyza bonariensis* FlaxleafFleabane* Cucumis myriocarpus ssp. leptodermis * Paddy Melon* Dichondra repens Kidneyweed Einadia hastata Saloop Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Climbing Saltbush Glycine sp. Glycine species Glycine tab icina species complex Variable Glycine Goodenia cycloptera Serrated Goodenia Lepidium africanum* Peppercress* Maireana decalvans Black Cottonbush Malvastrum americanum * Malvastrum* Marrubium vulgare * Horehound* Mimulus prostratus Small Monkey-flower Nicotiana megalosiphon Long-flowered Tobacco Nicotiana simulans Native Tobacco Oxalis perennans Yellow Wood-sorrell Portulaca oleracea Common Pigwccd Salsola tragus var. tragus Buckbush Sclerolaena birchii Galvanised Burr Sclerolaena diacantha Grey Copperburr Sclerolaena muricata Black Roly-poly Sida corrugata Corrugated Sida Sida cunninghamii Ridge Sida 41 Solanum ellipticum Velvet Potato Bush Solanum esuriale Quena Solanum nigrum* Blackberry Nightshade* Spartothamnella puberula Red-berried Stick Plant Tetragonia tetragonioides New Zealand Spinach Tribulus terrestris * Cat-head Verbena gaudichaudii Common Verbena Vittadinia cuneata Fuzzweed Vittadinia sp. Fuzzweed species Wahienbergia sp. Bluebell species

- Typical Site Habitat Description* - canopy layer 5-20 % - understorey layer 13-35 % - shrub layer 5-10 % - groundcover 80-90 % - bare soil 10-20 % - leaf litter 20 % - rocks 0 % - No. hollow-bearing trees / ha: 2-8 - No. standing dead timber with hollows / ha: 0-8 - No. hollow logs / ha: 0-3

* = the range in the vegetation structural layers reflects the differences between open woodland and the more dense woodland communities.

Figure 10. Vegetation typical of Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodlands.

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42 4.3.2 Vertebrate Fauna 91 species of animal were recorded in the Poplar Box I White Cypress Pine woodland vegetation type. These are listed below.

= TSC Act 1995 listed species] [* = introduced species] - Amphibians: Waterholding Frog Cyclorana platycephala Barking Marsh Frog Limnodynastes fletcheri Ornate Burrowing Frog Limnodynastes ornatus Salmon-striped Frog Limnodynastes salmini Spotted Marsh Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Green Tree Frog Litoria caerulea Perons Tree Frog Litoriaperonii Desert Tree Frog Litoria rubella Crucifix Toad Notaden bennettii Eastern Burrowing Toadlet Uperolia rugosa

- Reptiles: Carnaby?s Skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyi Ctenotus Skink Ctenotus allotropis Yellow-faced Whip Snake Demansia psammop his Tree Skink Egernia striolata Tree Dtella Gehrya variegata Prickly Gecko Heteronotia binoei Eastern Robust Slider Leristapunctatovittata Dwarf Skink Menetia greyii Boulengers Skink Morethia boulengeri Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis Beaked Gecko Rhynchoedura ornata

- Mammals: - Non-flying: Feral Cat* Felix catus* Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus House Mouse* Mus musculus* Rabbit* Oryctolagus cuniculus * Feral Pig* Sus scrofa* Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus * European Fox* Vulpes vulpes Swamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolor

- Flying: Goulds Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldi Little Pied Bat # Chalinolobus picatus # Inland Freetail Bat Mormopterus plan iceps - small penis Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi Inland Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens balstoni Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnis

- Birds: - parrots: Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi White Cockatoo Cacatua galerita 43 Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Glossy Black Cockatoo # Calyptorhynchus lathami # Blue Bonnet Northiella haematogaster Cockateil Nymphicus hollandicus Pale-headed Rosella Platycerus adscitus Eastern Rosella Platycerus eximus Superb Parrot # Polytelis swainsonii # Red-rumped Parrot Psepholus haematonotus

- waterbirds: White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae Maned Wood Duck Chenonettajubata Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus

- birds of prey: Brown Falcon Falco berigora

- night birds: Australian Owlet-nightj ar Aegotheles cristatus Barking Owl # Ninox connivens # Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides Barn Owl Tyto alba

- pigeons and doves: ' Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera

- landbirds: Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Little (Yellow) Thornbill Acanthiza nana Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus Spotted Bowerbird Clamydera maculata Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica Ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Australian Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus Variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rujIventris 44 Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii

Figure 11. Fauna species typically found in Poplar Box I White Cypress Pine woodlands. Beaked Gecko (Rhynchoedura ornata).

I

45 4.3.3 Threatened species profile Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) TSC Act Status: Vulnerable

Description: A medium sized owl with the upper parts mid to dark grey or grey-brown with some white blotches on the wings. The tail and flight feathers are grey-brown with grey-white bars and tip. Underparts are white, I boldly shaft-streaked dark grey-brown or russet-brown. The face mask is obscure and the eyes are yellow (Schodde and Tidemann 1997).

Rather than its appearance, the easily distinguishing feature of this species is its call. As its name suggests, the main calls are dog-like barks. No other owl in western NSW calls in such a fashion.

Distribution: The Barking Owl occurs across northern, eastern and south-west Australia. In NSW it occurs almost statewide but is most abundant west of the Great Dividing Range. The owl tends to avoid areas of high altitude and dense, wet escarpment forests (Debus 1997).

Recent surveys have recorded owls from West Pilliga State Forest near Baradine and Goonoo State Forest north of Dubbo (NPWS 2000). Pairs of owls have been observed from the lower Macquarie River below Carinda, the Macquarie Marshes and mid-catchment at Geurie as well as outside the catchment at Bobadah (DLWC 2000). Records also exist from Walgett, Baradine, Gilgandra, Warren, and Coonamble (Debus 1997).

Diet: Mammals and birds are the chief prey of the Barking Owl, but it also takes insects and invertebrates. Rabbits form a diet staple in southern Australia but it is also known to take young hares, rats, mice, small bats and possums. Birds up to the size of Magpies and Tawny Frogmouths are also taken (Schodde and Tidemann 1997). A pair of owls was noted taking rabbits and a feral cat from around shearer's quarters at a property near Carinda in central-west NSW (DLWC 2000).

Ecology: (a) General: The Barking Owl inhabits open forest and woodland but can also be found in paperbark swamps. It roosts by day in dense streamside vegetation of Casuarina, Acacia and rainforest species as well as eucalypts and forages by night in adjacent woodlands (Ayers et al. 1996). An analysis of records indicates that the owl is most common on the coast in open forests of Forest Red Gum; on the western slopes and plains in boxlironbarklcypress woodlands and on the plains in River Red Gum woodlands (Debus 1997).

Surveys by the NPWS inPilliga and Goonoo State Forests located Barking Owls in Narrow-leaf and Blue-leaf Ironbark, box and red gum communities (NPWS 2000). A pair of owls were found roosting in a large River Red Gum on the lower Macquarie River below Carinda but hunted each night around the shearer's quarters which was located about one kilometre away in Black Box open woodland. In the Macquarie Marshes two owls flew out of a patch of dense River Red Gum on dusk to hunt in open woodland dominated by Coolibah. At Geurie a pair of owls hunted along the riverside vegetation of River Red Gum but most likely roosted in large, densely vegetated willow trees (DLWC 2000).

Near Bobadah, a pair of owls was recorded in the vicinity of a dam within an open woodland of Red Box and White Cypress Pine. Interestingly, this was the only farm dam on the property which did not support a pair of Barn Owls. This could suggest that there is direct competition for resources between the owl species as each pair had a dam within their territory.

In the south-west of the western division (southern mallee region) it has been recorded from Scotia Mallee and riverine woodlands (Mazzer at al. 1998). Surveys from the northern floodplains region of western NSW also recorded the Barking Owl in riverine woodlands (Smith at al. 1998).

me (b) This survey in the Coonamble / Walgett District: A single bird was heard calling on dusk from Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland. This owl responded immediately to the call playback technique and was observed by spotlight. Further call playback's approximately 3 kilometres north of that site elicited responses from two birds within an area of Baradine Cam / White Cypress Pine woodland. Due to the relative proximity of the sites it is assumed that a single pair occupy the whole area as a territory.

5. Habitat Management Options: Due to the high degree of historical ringbarking throughout the district, virtually any existing mature eucalypt bearing large hollows (particularly River Red Gum, Coolibah and Poplar Box) - whether living or dead - needs to be conserved. It would be best to keep these trees within larger blocks if possible, such as the treelines around boundary fences which often escaped the early ringbarking.

Hollow-bearing trees in existing or proposed cultivation paddocks are useful to this species and should be retained. Owls hunt by observing prey from high vantage points. The Barking Owl will hunt several hundred metres out into open fields if a suitable perch can be utilised. In order to protect such trees it would be best to include at least a lOm radius of vegetation around the tree base to keep some shrubs, allow for possible tree replacement at a later date but more importantly, to protect the tree from accidental damage by farm machinery.

Retention of native vegetation adjacent to waterpoints such as dams, cowals and rivers. Such vegetation is most likely to contain mature trees capable of bearing large hollows for roosting and nesting. In addition, retained vegetation will maintain habitat for mammals such as possums and gliders which are preferred prey species for the owl.

6. References: Ayers, D., Nash, S. and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

Debus, S.J.S., 1997. The Barking Owl in New South Wales. Australian Birds Vol.30, No.3. pp. 53-80.

DLWC., 2000. Threatened Species Records Database. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Central-west Region. Dubbo.

Mazzer, T., Ellis, M., Smith, J., Ayers, D., Cooper, M., Wallace, G. and Langdon, A., 1998. The Fauna of Western NSW: The Southern Mallee Region. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

NPWS., 2000. Brigalow Belt South: Regional Assessment (Stage 1), Report on Preliminary Fauna Survey of Pilliga and Goonoo Forests, November 1999 to January 2000. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Directorate, Dubbo.

Schodde, R. and Tidemann, S.C., 1997. Reader's Digest Complete Book ofAustralian Birds. Reader's Digest. .

Smith, J., Ellis, M., Ayers, D., Mazzer, T., Wallace, G., Langdon, A. and Cooper, M., 1998. The Fauna of Western NSW: The Northern Floodplains Region. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

47 4.4 Biodiversity of the Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands U Beadle (1981) stated that Poplar Box is a tree 12-23 metres high, that is dominant in woodlands over a vast area between 300 and 500 mm isohyets. It is a vigorous species that has a remarkable range of edaphic tolerance, occurring on soils of any texture, I from gravelly sands to clays, covering the pH range from 5 to 8.5. Since Poplar Box is dominant in such a variety of habitats, it is associated with a very large number of species which have narrower ecological tolerances, many being restricted to specific I soil types. This leads to the occurrence of fairly well defined assemblages of species which have been given the rank of sub-alliances. The Poplar Box / Wilga vegetation type is one of these sub-alliances, which is typically described with the addition of I Budda.

These communities are found together as well defined areas within the county of I Gregory where the mean rainfall ranges from 375 to 425mm, on soils with a deep, sandy surface layer and clay sub-soil (SCS 1982). This vegetation alliance rarely extends over an area of more than a few hundred hectares and has not previously been I mapped separately as it is usually included within the larger Poplar Box/ White ' Cypress Pine alliance. In structure the community is a shrub woodland. Both Wilga and Budda form a well developed tall shrub/tree stratum, either in pure stands or in association. This shrub stratum is commonly so dense that herbaceous species are ' excluded. Additional tall shrubs occurring include Miljee (Acacia oswaldii), Warrior Bush (Apophyllum anomalum), Wild Orange (Capparis mitchelli), Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis), Myall, Supplejack (Ventilago viminalis), Leopardwood (Flindersia maculosa) and Whitewood (Atalaya hemiglauca). Towards the west of its I distribution, remnants of a low shrub layer composed of saltbushes can be found. The herbaceous layer was, in the virgin state, poorly developed owing to the density of the shrub canopy. Thinning of the timber has led to the establishment of a sward of grasses I of which Windmill Grass, Spear Grass and Bandicoot Grass (Monochather paradoxa) are the most important for stock grazing. In the summer the herbage plants Tarvine, Pigweed, Cat-head and Stink Grass are usually present. In the winter, native trefoil, I crowfoot, Australian Carrot and various plants of the family make up the bulk of the herbaceous layer. Galvanised Burr is common or dominant in parts of these I areas (SCS 1982). Beadle (1981) described these communities as shrub woodlands, the spaces between tree-crowns being occupied by tall shrubs, which may occur also as an understorey I below the trees. Other tall shrubs include Whitewood, Wild Lime (Eremocitrus glauca) . and Rosewood. Shrubs 1-2 in high are sometimes locally abundant. The grass layer is usually very discontinuous and variable, possibly as a result of grazing. Genera I represented commonly are Aristida, Bothriochloa, Chioris, Chrysopogon, Eragrostis, Enneapogon and Heteropogon. I This particular vegetation type has not been specifically mapped on the only vegetation mapping that covers the district (NPWS wheatbelt mapping). Categories mapped I incorporate three of the vegetation types surveyed within the district (Poplar Box woodlands, Poplar Box / Cypress Pine woodlands, Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands). Based on local knowledge, the proportion of total mapped area attributed to each I surveyed vegetation type was assessed as 25% for Poplar Box woodlands, 25% Poplar Box / Cypress Pine woodlands and 50% for Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands. The I reasoning for this allocation is that in addition to natural areas of Poplar Box / Wilga, 48

significant areas of this vegetation type in the district were derived from Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine vegetation in which historical logging has removed the cypress allowing Wilga to proliferate.

Based on the NPWS wheatbelt mapping, the Poplar Box / Wilga vegetation alliance is assessed as covering approximately 0.9% (4847ha) of the Coonamble / Walgett district.

4.4.1 Vegetation 54 species of plant were recorded in the Poplar Box / Wilga vegetation type. These are listed below.

introduced species] - Tree Species: Acacia homalophylla Yarran Alectryon oleifolius Rosewood Apophyllum anomalum Warrior Bush Casuarina cristata Belah Eucalyptus populnea ssp. bimbil Poplar Box Gejera parvfiora Wilga Myoporum montanum Western Boobialla

- Vines / Mistletoe: No species recorded

- Shrub species: Lyciumferocissimum * African Boxthorn* Meuhienbeckiaflorulenta Lignum Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saitbush

- Groundcover species: Grass species. Agrostis avenacea Blown Grass Austrodanthonia b lpartita Wallaby Grass Chioris ventricosa Tall Windmill Grass Cynodon dactylon Couch Grass Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill Grass Eragrostis lacunaria Purple Lovegrass Eriochloapseudoacrotricha Early Spring Grass Leptochloa digitata Umbrella Canegrass Pan icum buncei Native Panic Paspalidium constrictum Box Grass Sporobolus caroli Fairy Grass

Groundcover species: Other groundcover. Abutilon otocarpum Desert Chinese-lantern Alternanthera denticulata Lesser Joyweed Airiplex spin ibractea Spiny-fruited Saltbush Boerhavia dorninii Tarvine Calostemmapurpureum Wilcannia Lily Carex inversa Knob Sedge Carthamus lanatus * Saffron Thistle* Chamaesyce drummondii Caustic Weed Chenopodium pumilio Small Crumbweed Conyza bonariensis * Flaxleaf Fleabane* Cyperus concinnus Trim Sedge

49 Eclipta platyglossa Yellow Twin-heads Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Climbing Saitbush Eleocharis pusilla Small Spike-rush Erernophila debilis Amulla Haloragis glauca Grey Raspwort Juncus aridicola Tussock Rush Lepidium africanuni * Peppercress* Maireana aphylla Cottonbush Maireana decalvans Black Cottonbush Malvastrum americanum * Malvastrum* Marsilea drurnmondii Common Nardoo Mimulus prostratus Small Monkey-flower Oxalis perennans Yellow Wood-sorrell Portulaca oleracea Common Pigweed Pratia concolor Poison Pratia Sclerolaena birchii Galvanised Burr Sclerolaena niuricata Black Roly-poly SidaJulformis Fine Sida Solanurn esuriale Quena Verbena gaudichaudii Common Verbena Xanthium occidentale * Noogoora Burr* Zaleya galericulata Hogweed

Figure 12. Flora species typically found in Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands. Thorny Saitbush (Rhagodia spinescens).

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I

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S .. ell

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911 - Typical Site Habitat Description - canopy layer 15-20 % - understorey layer 15-25 % -shrub layer 5-10% - groundcover 30-50 % - bare soil 5 % - leaf litter 15-20 % - rocks 0 % - No. hollow-bearing trees / ha: 5 - No. standing dead timber with hollows / ha: 0 - No. hollow logs I ha: 0-1

* = the range in the vegetation structural layers reflects the differences between open woodland and the more dense woodland communities.

Figure 13. Vegetation typical of Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands.

- - -

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I-L - --- - - -• - .. * ---'i' - '- • -• - ----• - 1-

4.4.2 Vertebrate Fauna 110 species of animal were recorded in the Poplar Box / Wilga vegetation type. These are listed below.

[# = TSC Act 1995 listed species] [ * = introduced species] - Amphibians: Eastern FrogletA Criniaparinsignfera Warty Waterholding Frog A Cyclorana verrucosa Barking Marsh Frog Limnodynastesfietcheri Ornate Burrowing Frog A Limnodynastes ornatus Spotted Marsh Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Green Tree Frog A Litoria caerulea Broad-palmed Frog A Litoria latopalmata Perons Tree Frog A Litoriaperonii Desert Tree Frog A Litoria rubella Crucifix Toad A Notaden bennettil Eastern Burrowing Toadlet Uperolia rugosa A = from dams within the vegetation type.

51 - Reptiles: Nobby Amphibolurus nobbi ssp. coggeri Long-necked Tortoise Chelodina ion gicollis Tree Skink Egernia strioiata Tree Dtella Gehrya variegata Prickly Gecko Heteronotia binoei Boulengers Skink Morethia boulengeri Eastern Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata Red-bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus Blind Snake Ramphotyphiops bituberculata Sand Monitor Varanus gouidii

- Mammals: - Non-flying: Feral Cat* Felix catus* Brown Hare* Lepus capensis * Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus House Mouse* Mus musculus* Rabbit* Oryctolagus cuniculus * Narrow-nosed Planigale Plan igale tenuirostris Feral Pjg* Sus scrofa* Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus European Fox* Vulpes vulpes * Swamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolor

- Flying: Goulds Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldi Chocolate Wattled Bat Chalinolobus mono Little Pied Bat # Chalinolobuspicatus Southern Freetail Bat Mormopterus planiceps - large penis Inland Freetail Bat Mormopterusplaniceps - small penis Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi Little Red Flying-fox Pteropus scapulatus Inland Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens baistoni Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnis

- Birds: - parrots: Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi White Cockatoo Cacatua galerita Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Glossy Black Cockatoo # Calyptorhynchus lathami # Blue Bonnet Northiella haematogaster Cockateil Nymphicus holiandicus Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus

52 - waterbirds: Grey Teal A Anas gracilis Pacific Black Duck A Anas superciliosa Australian Darter A Anhinga melanogaster White-faced Heron A Ardea novaehollandiae Pacific Heron A ArdeapacijIca Little Egret A Ardea garzetta Maned Wood Duck A Chenonettajubata Nankeen Night Heron A Nycticorax caledonicus Little Pied Cormorant A Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Yellow-billed Spoonbill A Plataleaflavipes Royal Spoonbill A Platalea regia Australasian Grebe A Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Straw-necked Ibis A Threskiornis spin icollis Masked Lapwing A Vanellus miles A = from dams within the vegetation type.

- birds of prey: Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris Brown Falcon Falco berigora Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

- night birds: Australian Owlet-nightj ar Aegotheles cristatus Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigo ides

- pigeons and doves: Feral Pigeon* Columba livia* Peaceful Dove Geopeliaplacida Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera

- landbirds: Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Little (Yellow) Thornbill Acanthiza nana Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus Bush Stone-curlew # Burhinus grallarius # Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Stubble Quail Coturnixpectoralis Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis Australian Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena Tree Martin Hirundo nigrans White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor

53 White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus pen icillatus White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Rufous Whistler Pachycephala ruJlventris Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus Little Friarbird Philenion citreogularis Striped Honcycater Plectorhyncha lanceolata Grey-crowned Babbler Pornatostomus temporalis Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Common Starling* Sturnis vulgaris * Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii Forest Kingfisher Todirhampus n2acleayii

Figure 14. Fauna species typically found in Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands. Narrow-nosed Planigale (Planigale tenuirostris).

54 4.4.3 Threatened species profile Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsoni,) TSC Act Status: Vulnerable

1. Description: The male Superb Parrot is one of the most distinctive of the parrot family. The general plumage is brilliant green. The fore-crown, throat and cheek patches are rich yellow and there is a wide crescent of scarlet across the throat. The long, tapering tail is green above and black below (Schodde and Tidemann 1997). The females lack the yellow face and scarlet throat and the plumage is a duller green.

Figure 15. An adult male Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii).

Distribution: The natural range of the Superb Parrot is limited to New South Wales and northern Victoria, with the current distribution covering eastern inland NSW and north-central Victoria (Webster and Ahern 1992). Within NSW, the bird's distribution is generally confined to the woodlands of the western watershed of the Great Dividing Range. The western limit is the eastern edge of the Hay Plains, south to the Murray- Murrumbidgee Rivers, east to Canberra and Gunnedah and north to the Barwon Catchment (Schodde and Tidemann 1997).

This species is generally regarded as migratory and nomadic with breeding areas in the southern portions of its range and birds dispersing northwards during the winter months. During the winter dispersal period, birds have been recorded in the Namoi Valley, along the Castlereagh River near Gilgandra, along the Barwon River near Walgett and on the Darling River near Bourke (Ayers et al. 1996). In the local region, sightings have occurred at/near Parkes, Trangie, Alectown, Bogan Gate, Tottenham, Hermidale, Narromine, Gilgandra, Gin Gin, Gulargambone and Baradine (Schrader 1980). In recent years additional records have been made at Nyngan, Dandaloo, Warren and Bugaldie (DLWC 2000).

Diet: This species forages on a wide variety of plant species, both on the ground and in tree foliage. Commonly utilised plants include Wallaby Grass, Barley Grass, wheat and oats. Seed pods of numerous wattle species which form part of the woodland understorey, are also taken. Within the trees, all stages of the flowers and fruits of eucalypt species are eaten. Berries of Box Mistletoe and Grey Mistletoe are also consumed (Webster and Ahern 1992).

Ecology: (a) General: There are two distinct breeding ranges in the southern parts of New South Wales, the River Red Gum forests of the Murray-Riverina and the forests and woodlands of the south-west slopes.

Schrader (1980) stated that whenever the Superb Parrot is encountered in the central-west region, the associated habitat has been savannah woodland. The main eucalypt species associated with this habitat are Poplar Box, Blakely's Red Gum, Yellow Box and River Red Gum along watercourses. In addition to eucalypts, birds have been noted feeding on Yarran (Schrader 1980) and Myall (Webster and Ahern 1992). 55 Observations of the Superb Parrot have been made in Yellow Box / Blakely's Red Gum vegetation at I Boorowa and in Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland at Warren , Miandetta, Nyngan, Nevertire and Tottenham. Birds have also been observed roosting in Rosewood within Poplar Box I White Cypress Pine open woodland at Nyngan; feeding on berries and seeds of Creeping Saltbush at Dandaloo; feeding on buds of Black Box near Warren; feeding on Poplar Box buds at Nevertire and Tottenham and feeding I on a patch of Grey Copperburr at Weethalle (DLWC 2000).

Within the Tottenham district, small flocks were seen travelling from dams within Poplar Box woodland I and an open woodland of Grey Box / White Cypress Pine / Budda towards adjacent wheat crops. Landholders in the locality noted that this species was a regular visitor to the wheat crop areas. A large flock (40 birds) was seen in a large patch of Poplar Box open woodland over several days, feeding on I the unopened buds in the canopy as well as on Buckbush fruit on the ground. (b) This survey in the Coonamble / Walgett District: A large flock of over 60 birds was observed on the ground in a cultivated field where the wheat stubble I had recently been ploughed in. The birds split up into several small flocks to roost in surrounding woodlands of Poplar Box / Wilga. The landholder in this particular area reported that Superb Parrots were always present there during the winter months but that numbers varied between years. I A flock of five birds were noted feeding on the growing leaf shoots in the canopy of Poplar Box near a dam at mid-morning and several flocks of two to six birds were observed flying through or roosting in I woodlands of Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine. 5. Habitat Management Options: (a) Retention of large diameter, mature eucalypt trees wherever possible. I Currently, there is no indication that the Superb Parrot breeds in the northern portions of its range. Therefore, there is no priority to retain hollow-bearing trees solely as potential nesting habitat as it is unlikely that this will occur in the Coonamble-Walgett district. However, it should be recognised that eucalypt blossom, buds and fruit are a major food source for this species and that the oldest, largest trees I usually provide more blossom than smaller, younger trees.

(b) Retention of areas consisting of Poplar Box and Black Box open woodland/woodland as these are the I preferred habitat types during the winter migratory period. Such areas should include the natural groundcover species and not be pasture improved as many of the birds food plants are native grasses and forbs. I (c) Retention of corridors of trees adjacent to cropping fields will provide roosting sites from which the Superb Parrot can feed out onto the cereal crops or fallow areas. I 6. References: Ayers, D., Nash, S. and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. NSW National parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville. I DLWC., 2000. Threatened Species Records Database. Department of Land and Water Conservation, ' Central-west Region. Dubbo.

Schodde, R. and Tidemann, S.C., 1997. Readers Digest Complete Book ofAustralian Birds. Reader's Digest. Sydney.

I Schrader, N. W., 1980. A Review on the Distribution of the Superb Parrot in Central New South Wales. Australian Birds. Vol. 14, No.3. I Webster, R. and Ahern, L., 1992. Management for Conservation of the Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) in New South Wales and Victoria. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Victoria. I

56 Figure 16. Flock of Superb Parrots.

57 4.4.4 Threatened species profile Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorliynchus latIzanü) TSC Act Status: Vulnerable

1. Description: The smallest of the black cockatoo family, an adult bird having a length of 460-500mm with the long, rounded tail being about half the body length. Both sexes have a body plumage that is dusky brown and a tail which has a broad band of bright red through the centre. The male has a small crest while the females are identified by generally being marked with yellow patches on the head and sides of the neck (Schodde and Tidemann 1997).

The Glossy Black Cockatoo is often confused with the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, but it can be distinguished by its soft, drawn-out call and the absence of a distinctive crest.

Figure 17. Adult male Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami).

Distribution: The eastern subspecies of Glossy Black Cockatoo has a patchy distribution from Eungella, Queensland to Mallacoota, Victoria. In New South Wales the populations in the northern Riverina and to the south of Boggabilla appear to be isolated, as does that at Eungella in central eastern Queensland. Within the remainder of the range the distribution appears to be continuous (Gamett 1992). In NSW the western boundary of the distribution extends from around Inverell to Warrumbungle National Park and the hills west to around Cobar, to the Harvey Ranges, Mt. Hope, Hiliston and Griffith, and south to the Narrandera Range south-west of Ardlethan (Ayers et al. 1996).

Diet: The diet of the Glossy Black Cockatoo consists almost exclusively of she-oak seeds, although acacia, angophora and eucalypt seeds have occasionally been recorded. On the central western slopes of NSW Allocasuarina leuhmannii, A. diminuta and A. gymnanthera are known food plants with A. verticillata being taken in the Narrandera Ranges (Ayers et al. 1996). The choice of feeding site appears to be related to the amount of viable seed in each casuarina cone, which is in turn related to soil type and rainfall.

Ecology: (a) General: The Glossy Black Cockatoo normally occurs in coastal woodlands and forests, open inland woodlands or timbered watercourses where casuarinas are common. Within inland NSW and Queensland it inhabits brigalow scrub, or hilly rocky ridge country where casuarinas occur (Ayers et al. 1996). A large population of between 150-300 birds is centred on Goonoo State Forest to the north of Dubbo, primarily in ironbark / cypress pine forests (J. Peetpers. comm.). The cockatoo has been recorded in Goobang National Park (Faulkner et al. 1997) as well as in ironbark / Bulloke forest in Beni State Forest east of Dubbo and Pilliga East State Forest north-west of (NPWS 2000). Records have also been made of birds feeding on Belah cones north of Yeoval on the Dubbo Road and east of Tomingley.

58 At Mount Arthur Nature Reserve near Wellington, cockatoos were observed feeding on Drooping She- I oak cones in an area dominated by cypress pine (DLWC 2000).

Hollows in mature or dead trees, usually on the flatter ground at the base of hills, are used by these birds for nesting. Nest sites are usually high in available trees within a fairly large tree hollow. A single egg is I laid in March or April with some chicks fledging as late as October if the female nests a second time due to the loss of the first chick. After breeding the small family groups gather in flocks of up to 50 birds before dispersing again in early summer (Ayers et al. 1996). Nest trees found in Goonoo State Forest I were located in dead ironbarks with diamcters over 80 cm. One nest was in a normal, large tree hollow, the other in a large split in the side of the tree.

(b) This survey in the Coonamble / Walgett District: In Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodland to the west of Coonamble, two birds were seen flying with a flock of galahs just after dawn. They landed in the top branches of a tall Baradine Gum and began preening. Evidence of cockatoo presence (chewed seed cones on the ground) was found nearby in a small patch of Belah standing in gilgais. This patch was in an area of Poplar Box! White Cypress Pine woodland.

Several cockatoos were seen feeding on Belah cones over consecutive days in small patches of Belah to the east of Coonamble. This Belah was within a larger area of Poplar Box! Wilga woodland. Three birds were seen feeding on Belah cones from a line of Belah trees growing along a road to the south of Come- by-Chance. Chewed cones were found under several trees indicating that the birds had been utilising the entire treeline. Still in the same general locality, a pair of cockatoos were heard calling from a small patch of Belah in gilgais within a large paddock of Poplar Box woodland.

5. Habitat Management Options: It seems that Belah and Bulloke seed cones are of particular importance as a food source within the district. Therefore, the retention of existing patches of these trees should be encouraged. In the case of Belah, the majority of small patches were located in areas of gilgais, often at the junction of two soil types. These gilgai areas are of additional importance for their waterholding ability creating ephemeral wetland situations in times of heavy rain.

Large tree hollows in both mature trees and dead standing trees are required for nesting. Most nesting records are from ironbark / cypress forests that occur to the east of the Coonamble / Walgett district. On the alluvial plains country, the highest probability for nest sites would be in areas of mature, hollow- bearing trees that are in close proximity to patches of Belah and/or Bulloke. It is also unlikely that isolated hollow-bearing trees would be utilised as the cockatoo is mostly found in large areas of intact forest or woodland. Therefore, any areas of intact woodland of mature, hollow-bearing size, which includes patches of Belah or is near to Belah patches should be retained.

6. References: Ayres, D., Nash, S. and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

DLWC., 2000. Threatened Species Records Database. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Central-west Region. Dubbo.

Faulkner, W., LeBreton, M., and Ellis, M., 1997. Fauna ~urvey of Goobang and Nangar National Parks. Autumn 1997. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Garnett, S., 1992. Threatened and Extinct Birds ofAustralia. RAOU Report No. 82. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. Victoria.

NPWS., 2000. Brigalow Belt South: RegionalAssessment (Stage I), Report on Preliminary Fauna Survey of Pilliga and Goonoo Forests, November 1999 to January 2000. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Westem Directorate, Dubbo.

Schodde, R. and Tidemann, S.C., 1997. Reader's Digest Complete Book ofAustralian Birds. Reader's Digest. Sydney. Figure 18. Male (right) and female (left) Glossy Black Cockatoo feeding in Belah.

mel 4.5 Biodiversity of the Black Box woodlands These communities are most frequently associated with the broad flats and depressions in treeless plains. Black Box (Eucalyptus largifiorens) is the dominant species on the heavy grey and brown alluvial clay soils to the northeast of Nyngan, whilst River Red Gum is found in areas subject to more frequent flooding along the rivers and creek banks (SCS 1982). Black Box communities are also common as fringing vegetation around ephemeral lakes (Cunningham et al. 1992).

The vegetation alliance is a woodland. Trees may be widely separated or massed in narrow belts separated by areas of treeless country, or they may occur as isolated trees in almost open plains. Owing to the nature of the canopy, herbaceous plants form a continuous and very dense sward except where tree density is such as to reduce growth (SCS 1982).

Associated tree species occurring are Myall which forms small, often monospecific communities, River Cooba (A. stenophylla) and Belah. Native Cherry, Miljee and Warrior Bush may also occur. Many herbaceous species occur throughout the community irrespective of the total rainfall or its seasonal incidence. The most conspicuous of these are Black Roly-poly, Fairy Grass, Windmill Grass, Sneezeweed (Centipeda cunninghamii), Desert Sneezeweed (C. thespidioides), Quena (Solanum esuriale), Lignum (Meuhienbeckiaflorulenta), Slender-fruited Saitbush (Atriplex leptocarpa) and Native Millet (Panicum decompositum). Neverfail and Curly Mitchell Grass are also common in areas which have been more lightly stocked (SCS 1982).

This particular vegetation type has only been partially mapped on the only vegetation mapping that covers the district (NPWS wheatbelt mapping). Categories mapped incorporate two of the vegetation types surveyed within the district (Black Box woodlands, Coolibah woodlands). The Coolibah woodlands are described as having near-equal abundance of Coolibah and Black Box as a tree canopy. Based on local knowledge, the proportion of mapped Coolibah woodlands was assessed as 65% for Coolibah dominated woodlands and 35% for woodlands dominated by Black Box.

Based on the NPWS wheatbelt mapping, the Black Box woodland vegetation alliance is assessed as covering approximately 2.5% (12933ha) of the Coonamble / Walgett district.

4.5.1 Vegetation 96 species of plant were recorded in the Black Box woodlands vegetation type. These are listed below.

= introduced species] - Tree species: Acacia pendula Myall Acacia stenophylla River Cooba Alectryon olefolius Rosewood Apophyllum anomalum Warrior Bush Casuarina cristata Belah Eremophila mitchell/i Budda Eucalyptus coolabah Coolibah Eucalyptus largflorens Black Box Myoporum montanum Western Boobialla

61 I - Vines / Mistletoe: Amyema nnquelii Box Mistletoe Amyema miraculosum ssp. boormanii Fleshy Mistletoe I Lysiana exocarpi ssp. exocarpi Harlequin Mistletoe - Shrub species: Chenopodium nitrariaceum Nitre Goosefoot I Ereinoph i/a inaculata Spotted Fuschia Lyciumferocissimum * African Boxthorn* Meuhienbeckiaflorulenta Lignum I Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saltbush

- Groundcover species: Grass species. Agrostis avenacea Blown Grass Astrebla lappacea Curly Mitchell Grass Chloris truncata Windmill Grass Cynodon dactylon Couch Grass Echinochloa colona Awniess Barnyard Grass Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill Grass Eragrostis setifolia Neverfail Eragrostis sp. Lovegrass Eriochloa australiensis Australian Cupgrass Hordeum leporinum * Barley Grass* Paspalidium constrictum Box Grass Paspalidium jubflorum Warrego Summer Grass Sporobolus caroli Fairy Grass Sporobolus mitchelli Rats-tail Couch

Groundcover species: Other groundcover. Abutilon otocarpum Desert Chinese-lantern Alternanthera denticulata Lesser Joyweed Alternanthera nana Hairy Joyweed Amaranthus macrocarpus Dwarf Amaranth Asperula conferta Common Woodruff Atriplex leptocarpa Slender-fruited Saltbush Atriplex muelleri Meuller's Saltbush Boerhavia dominii Tarvine Brachyscome heterodonta Lobed-seed Daisy Brachyscome sp. Daisy Brassica tournefortii * Wild Turnip* Calendula arvensis * Field Marigold* Capsella bursa-pastoris * Shepherd's Purse* Chamaesyce drummondli Caustic Weed Chenopodium pumilio Small Crumbweed Citrullus lanatus * Camel Melon* Convolvulus erubescens Australian Bindweed Conyza bonariensis * Flaxleaf Fleabane* Cucumis myriocarpus ssp. leptoderinis * Paddy Melon* Cyperus bfax Downs Nutgrass Daucus glochidiatus Australian Carrot Einadia nutans ssp. lin?folia Climbing Saltbush Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Climbing Saltbush Eleocharis pa/lens Pale Spike-rush Erodiun2 cicutarium Common Crowfoot Erodium crinitun2 Blue Crowfoot Euphorbia p/anticola Plains Spurge

62 Goodeniafascicularis Silky Goodenia Goodenia sp. Goodenia Lepidiumfasciculatum Bundled Peppercress Maireana aphylla Cottonbush Maireana coronata Crown Fissure-weed Maireana decalvans Black Cottonbush Malva parvflora * Small-flowered Mallow* Malvastrum arnericanum * Malvastrum* Mars ilea drummondii Common Nardoo Medicago laciniata * Cut-leaf Medic* Medicago polymorpha* Burr Medic* Neptunia gracilis forma gracilis Sensitive Plant Oxalis perennans Yellow Wood-sorrell Portulaca oleracea Common Pigweed Proboscidea louisianica * Purple-flowered Devils CIaw* Ptilotus atriplicfolius var. atriplicfloius Crimson Foxtail Raphanus raphanistrum * Wild Radish* Rapistrum rugosum * Turnip Weed* Salsola tragus var. tragus Buckbush Scieroblitum atriplicinum Purple Goosefoot Sclerolaena birchii Galvanised Burr Sclerolaena calcarata Red Copperburr Sclerolaena diacantha Grey Copperburr Sclerolaena muricata Black Roly-poly Senecio daltoni Dalton's Groundsel Senecio glossanthus Slender Groundsel Sidafibulfera Pin Sida Sida trichopoda High Sida Sisymbrium orientale * Hedge Mustard* Solanum esuriale Quena Swainsonaphacoides Lilac Darling Pea Tetragonia tetragonoides New Zealand Spinach Teucrium racernosum var. racemosum Grey Germander Tribulus terrestris * Cathead* Verbena gaudichaudii Common Verbena Vittadinia cuneata Fuzzweed Xanthium spinosun2 * Bathurst Burr* Zygophyllum iodocarpum Violet Twinleaf

63 - Typical Site Habitat Description - canopy layer 15 % - understorey layer 5 % - shrub layer 1 % - groundcover 50 % - bare soil 50 % - leaf litter 5 % - rocks 0 % - No. hollow-bearing trees / ha: 45 - No. standing dead timber with hollows / ha: 0 - No. hollow logs / ha: 0-1

Figure 19. Vegetation typical of Black Box woodlands.

,

4.5.2 Vertebrate Fauna 93 species of animal were recorded in the Black Box woodlands vegetation type. These are listed below.

[# = TSC Act 1995 listed species] [* = introduced species] - Amphibians: Burrowing Frog Cyclorana cultripes Barking Marsh Frog Limnodynastesfietcheri Salmon-striped Frog Limnodynastes salmini Spotted Marsh Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Green Tree Frog Litoria caerulea Perons Tree Frog Litoriaperonii

- Reptiles: Nobby Amphibolurus nobbi ssp. coggeri Carnabys Skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyi Striped Skink Ctenotus robustus Tree Skink Egernia striolata Tree Dtella Gehrya variegata Prickly Gecko Heteronotia binoei 64 Boulengers Skink Morethia boulengeri Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis Blind Snake Ramphotyphiops ligatus Curl Snake Suta suta Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard Tiliqua scincoides Lace Monitor Varanus varius

- Mammals: - Non-flying: Feral Cat* Felix catus* Brown Hare* Lepus capensis* Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus House Mouse* Mus musculus* Feral Pig* Sus scrofa* European Fox* Vulpes vulpes * Swamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolor

- Flying: Goulds Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldi Little Pied Bat # Chalinolobus picatus # Inland Freetail Bat Mormopterus planiceps - small penis Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi Inland Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens baistoni Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii Inland Forest Bat # Vespadelus baverstocki # Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnis

- Birds: - parrots: Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Blue Bonnet North/ella haematogaster Cockateil Nymphicus hollandicus Pale-headed Rosella Platycerus adscitus Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus

- waterbirds: Grey Teal Anas gracilis Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Great Egret Ardea alba White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae Pacific Heron Ardeapacfica Australasian Bittern # Botaurus poiciloptilus # Maned Wood Duck Chenonettajubata Black-fronted Plover Elseyornis melanops Black-tailed Native Hen Gallinula ventralis Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus Yellow-billed Spoonbill Plataleaflavipes Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles birds of prey: Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax Brown Falcon Falco berigora Australian Kestrel Falco cenchro ides Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

-night birds: I Australian Owlet-nightj ar Aegotheles cristatus Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides U Barn Owl Tyto alba - pigeons and doves: Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes I Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera

- landbirds: Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Little (Yellow) Thombill Acanthiza nana I Rufous Songlark Cinclorhamphus mathewsi Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Australian Raven Corvus corono ides Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis Australian Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor Yellow-throated Miner Manorinaflavigula Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala Jacky Winter Microeca leucophaea Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Common Starling* Sturnis vulgaris * Sacred Kingfisher Todirhampus sancta

Me 4.5.3 Threatened species profile Inland Forest Bat ( Vespadelus baverstocki) TSC Act Status: Vulnerable

1. Description: The Inland Forest Bat has only recently been described (1987) and little is known of its ecology. In south-east Australia its external appearance is virtually indistinguishable from that of other species of Vespadelus and reliable identification at present requires close examination of the morphology of the skull or glans penis (Menkhorst 1996). In the central-west of NSW this species cannot be reliably distinguished from the Little Forest Bat (Vespadelus vulturnis) in the field (Ayers et al. 1996).

This species is a small bat generally with pale sandy brown dorsal fur but it can be light grey. The skin of the ears and wing membranes is pale grey rather than dark grey in other species (Strahan 1995).

Figure 20. Inland Forest Bat (Vespadelus baverstocki).

Distribution: Present throughout most of South Australia, southern , western and central Queensland, north-western Victoria, southern Northern Territory and western New South Wales (Ayers et al. 1996). In NSW it has been recorded from several scattered localities, mainly within the western land division. However, further surveys are expected to lead to increased distribution of this species both in the western division and eastwards into the central division. Records have been made from near Bourke, the Tarawi Nature Reserve in the south-west of the western division and from several localities across the Cobar Peneplain (Ayers et al. 1996). The Inland Forest Bat has also recently been recorded (1997) along the lower Macquarie River in the Macquarie Marshes area (Gee 1997) and from several sites around Tottenham and Bobadah (Shelly 2001).

Diet: There is no published information on the diet of this species. It is presumed to feed on small flying invertebrates in a similar manner to other species of Vespadelus (Menkhorst 1996). Strahan (1995) stated that the bat is known to fly rapidly, covering a broad search area, but is sufficiently manoeuvrable to pursue moths that may attempt to avoid capture.

Ecology: (a) General: Throughout its main range in central Australia, this species occurs in grassland, savanna and shrublands. Roosts can be in extremely small hollows and in trees only a few metres high (Strahan 1995). Abandoned buildings can sometimes be used for roost sites. In Victoria the Inland Forest Bat has been recorded from a range of habitats including grassland, mallee scrub and Mulga and River Red Gum woodlands (Menkhorst 1996).

67 This species has been recorded in New South Wales from Brigalow woodlands north-east of Bourke (Ayers et al. 1996). In the south-west of the western division (southern mallee region) it has been recorded from riverine woodlands and Belah woodlands (Mazzer et al. 1998). Surveys from the northern floodplains region of western NSW also recorded the Inland Forest Bat in riverine woodlands, Belah woodlands and Brigalow woodlands (Smith et al. 1998).

In the Tottenham I Bobadah district, this species was trapped at low levels of abundance in Grey Box / White Cypress Pine I Budda open woodland, Black Box woodland, Hill Red Gum / White Cypress Pine woodland and Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland (Shelly 2001).

(b) This survey in the Coonamble I Walgett District: Several bats were trapped in Black Box woodland to the south of Walgett. This vegetation type had no understorey or shrub layer and the groundcover was dominated by Black Roly-poly. The vast majority of trees were mature and supported several tree hollows of small to medium size. Such vegetation is typical of outer floodplain situations where there is little natural regeneration occurring.

Calls were also recorded from a Vespadelus species from a dam within a large paddock of Coolibah open woodland. Whilst calls of this usually cannot be reliably differentiated to species level, in this case the calls were noted as being different from the only other Vespadelus species present in the local region - the Little Forest Bat. Therefore, it is confident to assume the calls were made by the Inland Forest Bat. In this situation the majority of Coolibah trees were advanced regrowth that were not hollow- bearing. The main source of tree hollows in this area was from standing dead timber after prior ringbarking episodes.

5. Habitat Management Options: It seems to be a species can utilise old buildings and sheds to roost in and hence any such disused farm structures, especially those close to native vegetation and/or watersources should be left unless they become a danger to people and stock.

Retention of hollow-bearing trees (both living and dead) within areas of native vegetation is important to maintain potential roost site choices. Areas for retention should include vegetation such as old growth Coolibah and Black Box which tends to provide an abundance of small hollows which this species prefers.

Retention of native vegetation adjacent to waterpoints such as dams, cowals and rivers will maintain insect abundance near drinking sites.

6. References: Ayres, D., Nash, S. and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

Gee, D., 1997. Bat Fauna Survey for 'Pillicawarrina' via Warren. Appendix N2 in: Waterman Agriculture Pty. Ltd. Nov. 1999, Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan for Extensions to the Irrigated Cotton Development on "Pillicawarrina" via Warren. NSW. Vol. 2.Appendices.

Mazzer, T., Ellis, M., Smith, J., Ayers, D., Cooper, M., Wallace, G. and Langdon, A., 1998. The Fauna of Western NSW: The Southern Mallee Region. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

Menkhorst, P.W., (ed) 1996. Mammals of Victoria: Distribution, Ecology and Conservation. Oxford University Press. Melbourne.

Shelly, D., 2001. Flora and Fauna of the Tottenham /Bobadah District. Department and Land and Water Conservation, Dübbo.

Smith, J., Ellis, M., Ayers, D., Mazzer, T., Wallace, G., Langdon, A. and Cooper, M., 1998. The Fauna of Western NSW: The Northern Floodplains Region. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

Strahan, R., (ed) 1995. The Mammals ofAustralia. Reed Books. Chatswood, NSW.

68 4.5.4 Threatened species profile Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) TSC Act Status: Vulnerable

1. Description: The largest of the bittern species, (standing 650-750mm) with both sexes having similar plumage (Schodde and Tidemann 1997). It is a secretive, heavy set heron-like bird that is distinguished by its camouflage patterned plumage. The upperpaIts are patterned dark brown, buff and black like old leaves; the underparts streaked brown and buff. The legs and feet are a dull, pale green (Pizzey and Knight 1997).

2. Distribution: Predominantly located in wetlands across south-eastern and south-western mainland Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. Recorded in wetlands along the Murrumbidgee and Lachian Rivers, on the Darling River near Bourke and Menindee and on the Narran River (Ayers et al. 1996). Records have been made from near Tottenham, south of Come-by-Chance, the Macquarie Marshes area and on the Narran River (DLWC 2000).

3. Diet: Diet comprises medium-sized aquatic animals, including frogs, fish (especially eels), crustaceans, insects, aquatic snails, other small vertebrates including snakes and other reptiles, mammals and birds, as well as leaves and fruit (Ayers et al. 1996).

4. Ecology: General: InJiabits dense vegetation surrounding wetlands such as swamps, lakes, sluggish rivers and streams. Vegetation utilised includes reed beds, sedges, rushes, Cumbungi, Canegrass, Cutting Grass and occasionally Lignum. The bittern can also be found in tussocky wet paddocks, drains and rice fields (Ayers ci' al. 1996). It is a solitary species that tends to keep to cover and mostly feeds at night. Nests are a well constructed platform of broken off and trampled weeds, rushes and Cumbungi, usually located about 30cm above water level in heavy cover around freshwater swamps and pools (Ayers et al. 1996).

Habitats in the central-west of NSW in which the bittern has been recorded include a wetland adjacent to the Bogan River which contained shallow water and was vegetated with Water Couch, patches of Cumbungi and surrounded by Lignum. In the Macquarie Marshes area, birds were noted in small flooded openings within large reedbeds covered in Water Couch and rushes. Water levels were between 20- 40cm. Along the Narran River, bitterns were noted in an area lined by River Red Gum and River Cooba which had large Lignum bushes growing on the riverbank, in some cases going down to the water (DLWC 2000).

This survey in the Coonamble / Walgett District: Only one sighting was made of this species during the survey period. A flock of six birds were seen at night feeding on a flooded road crossing to the south of Come-by-Chance. The birds were wading in the shallow water (20-40 cm) flowing across the gravel road. The crossing cut through a warrambool lined with scattered Black Box and vegetated with recently inundated grassland and Black Roly-poly. It was assumed that the bitterns were foraging on the open gravel area where they could easily see any prey items washed out of the vegetation in the clear water.

5. Habitat Management Options: Wetlands (both permanent and ephemeral) are a critical habitat component for this species. The retention of any wetland area with the presence of reeds and Lignum is necessary to conserve potential nesting sites.

Retaining a buffer of vegetation around stock dams will also provide foraging and nesting habitat as well as aiding in improving water quality, providing shade for stock and reducing dam evaporation rates.

Property management practices in areas outside wetlands need to be conducted in such a way that maintains the potential for flows to continue to reach any ephemeral drainages.

6. References: Ayers, D., Nash, S. and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville. Me DLWC., 2000. Threatened Species Records Database. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Central-west Region. Dubbo.

Pizzey, G. and Knight, F., 1997. The Field Guide to the Birds ofAustralia. Angus and Robertson, Australia.

Schodde, R. and Tidemann, S.C., 1997. Reader's Digest Complete Book ofAustralian Birds. Reader's I Digest. Sydney.

70 Biddiscome (1963) described this vegetation alliance as being a subset of the Poplar Box - Red Gum association. Within the Macquarie Region this vegetation type is most prominent on low sand ridges forming the west bank of the Castlereagh River below Gilgandra. This community is known locally as the "monkey scrub" and is repeated on mounds of loose, deep sand near Marthaguy, Bullagreen, and other creeks. With the two eucalyptus species there is a constant and abundant development of White Cypress Pine, Bulloke and Deane's Wattle.

Cunningham et. a! (1992) stated that Baradine Gum (Eucalyptus chioroclada) is found on deep sandy soils and along watercourses, in association with Poplar Box and White Cypress Pine. Baradine Gum is restricted to relatively small areas in the north-east of western NSW. The timber is useful for fencing and fuel and the canopy provides shade for stock. Its prolific flowering and nectar production make it a useful species for beekeepers in areas in which it occurs more extensively.

The only vegetation mapping that covers the survey district (NPWS wheatbelt mapping) does not identify any Baradine Gum associations. The likely explanation of this lack of mapping is that the actual areas of this vegetation type were so small they were incorporated into another vegetation class due to the broad-scale nature of the mapping. Based on local knowledge it is estimated that the total area of woodlands within this district dominated by Baradine Gum would not exceed 1000ha. Most of this would be concentrated in the south-west corner of the Coonamble / Walgett district along the northern end of the sand ridge termed the "Monkey Scrub". In addition, there are small, isolated patches of Baradine Gum on sandy lenses to the east and north-east of Coonamble.

Based on estimated aerial extent, the Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine vegetation alliance is assessed as covering approximately 0.2% (1000ha) of the Coonamble / Walgett district.

4.6.1 Vegetation 58 species of plant were recorded in the Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodlands vegetation type. These are listed below.

= introduced species] - Tree species: Acacia salicina Cooba Alectryon olefolius Rosewood Allocasuarina luehinannii Bulloke Aistonia constricta Quinine Bush Callitris glaucophylla White Cypress Pine Capparis mitchellii Wild Orange Eucalyptus chioroclada Baradine Gum Eucalyptus populnea ssp. bimbil Poplar Box GeUera parvflora Wilga Hakea leucoptera Needlewood Myoporum montanum Western Boobialla Ventilago viminalis Supplejack

71 - Vines / Mistletoe: I Amyema miquelii Box Mistletoe Jasminum lineare Native Jasmine Lysiana exocarpi ssp. exocarpi Harlequin Mistletoe I - Shrub species: Acacia deanei Deane!s Wattle I Acacia melvillei Wattle species Dodonaea viscosa ssp. spatulata Broad-leaf Hopbush Lycium ferocissimum* African Boxthorn* I Maytenus cunninghamii Yellow Berry Bush Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saitbush

I - Groundcover species: Grass species. Aristidajerichoensis Jericho Wiregrass Austrodanthonia sp. Unidentified Wallaby Grass I Austrostipa scabra Rough Speargrass Austrostipa verticillata Slender Bamboo Grass Elymus scaber var. plurinervis Common Wheatgrass I Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill Grass Eragrostis cilianesis * Stink Grass* Eragrostis lacunaria Purple Lovegrass I Pan icum subxerophilum Cane Panic Paspalidium constrictum Box Grass Sporobolus actinocladus Katoora I Triraphis mo//is Purple Plume Grass ' Groundcover species: Other groundcover. Abutilon otocarpum Desert Chinese-lantern Boerhavia dominii Tarvine Bracteantha bracteata species complex Golden Everlasting Brassica sp . Unidentified Rape species* I Calocephalus sonderi Pale Beauty Heads Ca/otis cunefolia Purple Burr-daisy Chamaesyce drummondii Caustic Weed I Chenopodium pumilio Small Crumbweed Chondrilla juncea* Skeleton Weed* Cucumis myriocarpus ssp. leptodermis * Paddy Melon* I Conyza bonariensis* Flaxleaf fleabane* Einadia nutans Climbing Saltbush Glycine tabicina species complex Variable Glycine I Goodenia glabra Smooth Goodenia Lactuca serriola * Prickly Lettuce* ATjcotiana simu/ans Native Tobacco I Oxalis perennans Yellow Wood-sorrell Portulaca oleracea Common Pigweed Sa/so/a tragus var. tragus Buckbush I Sciero/aena birchii Galvanised Burr Solanum el/ipticum Velvet Potato Bush Tetragonia lelragonioides New Zealand Spinach I Verbesina ence/ioides * Crownbeard* Vittadinia cuneata Fuzzweed Wah/enbergia sp. Unidentified Bluebell

I 72 I - Typical Site Habitat Description - canopy layer: 10 % - understorey layer: 35-40 % - shrub layer: 15-20% - groundcover 75-85 % - bare soil 15-25 % - leaf litter 30 % - rocks 0 % - No. hollow-bearing trees I ha: 5 - No. standing dead timber with hollows / ha: 6-18 - No. hollow logs / ha: 5-8

Figure 21. Vegetation typical of Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodlands.

4.6.2 Vertebrate fauna 100 species of animal were recorded in the Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodlands vegetation type. These are listed below.

[# = TSC Act 1995 listed species] [* = introduced species] - Amphibians: Barking Marsh Frog A Limnodynastesfietcheri Ornate Burrowing Frog A Limnodynastes ornatus Salmon-striped Frog A Limnodynastes salmini Spotted Marsh Frog A Limnodynastes tasnianiensis Green Tree Frog A Litoria caerulea Perons Tree Frog A Litoriaperonii Desert Tree Frog A Litoria rubella A = from dams within the vegetation type.

- Reptiles: Carnaby's Skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyi Tree Skink Egernia striolata Tree Dtella Gehrya variegata Northern Dtella Gehyra dubia 73 Prickly Gecko Heteronotia binoei I Eastern Robust Slider Leristapunctatovittata Dwarf Skink Menetia greyii Boulengers Skink Morethia boulengeri I - Mammals: - Non-flying: I Brown Hare* Lepus capensis * Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus I House Mouse* Mus musculus * Rabbit* Oryctolagus cuniculus * I Feral Pig* Susscrofa* U Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus European Fox* Vulpes vulpes * Swamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolor I - Flying: Goulds Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gould! I Little Pied Bat # Chalinolobus picatus # Inland Freetail Bat Mormopterusplaniceps - small penis Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi I unidentified Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus sp. Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat # Saccolaimusfiaviventris # Inland Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens balstoni I Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens grey!! Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnis

I - Birds - parrots: Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnard! Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Glossy Black Cockatoo # Calyptorhynchus lathami # I Blue Bonnet Northiella haematogaster Cockateil Nymphicus hollandicus I Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus - waterbirds: Grey Teal Anas gracilis I Pacific Black Duck A Anas superc!l!osa White-faced Heron A Ardea novaehollandiae Pacific Heron Ardeapacfica I Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis Masked Lapwing A Vanellus miles I A = from dams within the vegetation type. - birds of prey: Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax I Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides

- night birds: Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus I Barking Owl # Ninox connivens # Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigo ides Barn Owl Tyto alba 74

- pigeons and doves: Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis Peaceful Dove Geopeliaplacida Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera

- landbirds: Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Little (Yellow) Thornbill Acanthiza nana Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus Bush Stone-curlew # Burhinus grallarius # Spotted Bowerbird Clamydera maculata Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica B lack-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae Little Crow Corvus bennetti Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Varied Sitella Daphoenositta chrysoptera Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Australian Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena Tree Martin Hirundo nigrans White-winged Triller La/age tricolor White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus pen icillatus White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus Yellow-throated Miner Manorinaflavigula Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Jacky Winter Microeca leucophaea Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta Rufous Whistler Pachycep ha/a rujIventris Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Grey Fantail Rhipidurafuliginosa Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Common Starling* Sturnis vulgaris * Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii Sacred Kingfisher Todirhampus sancta

75 4.6.3 Threatened species profile Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius) TSC Act Status: Endangered

1. Description: A relatively tall, stately bird up to 60cm high with a wingspan of around one metre. It is characterised by its long legs (similar to an egret or heron), large eyes and its reluctance to take flight if disturbed. The sexes are similar in coloration with the upper parts mid grey-brown that is streaked lightly to heavily I with black. The forehead is white with a conspicuous white streak running over the eye. The Stone- curlew is a secretive bird that relies on camouflage to avoid detection. Its presence is most often recorded via its distinctive wailing call at night (Schodde and Tidemann 1997).

I Figure 22. Bush Sto

2. Distribution: The stronghold of this species is northern Australia but it is present in every state except Tasmania. It is generally absent from southern Australia (in W.A and most of S.A.) and the nullabor region. Within the settled parts of south-east Australia it is rare to extinct (Pizzey 1997).

The Stone-curlew has been recorded from widely distributed localities within the western zone of New South Wales, with most records along the eastern and southern edges. Records have been made from I along the Warrego River, and between Walgett and (Ayers et al. 1996). The species has also been recorded from the Narran River to the north-west of Lightening Ridge, the Bogan River east of Coolabah and a breeding pair is known from a small area of stock reserve to the east of Gin Gin Weir I between Trangie and Collie in the central-west (DLWC 2000).

3. Diet: I This species forages at night on the ground or by wading. Preferred food items include invertebrates (crustaceans, molluscs, dragonflies, cockroaches, mantids, earwigs, grasshoppers, crickets, bugs, beetles, weevils, caterpillars, moths, , centipedes and others) as well as small vertebrates (small rodents, amphibians, lizards, snakes), seeds and fruit when available (Ayers et al. 1996). I 76 I 4. Ecology: General: The Bush Stone-curlew is a ground dwelling bird which prefers grassy open woodlands where the grass is short and patchy and where fallen branches and leaf litter are present. Within inland Australia the bird favours riverine woodlands. They are rare in the more cleared and settled parts of their former range, but still persist in areas where sufficient habitat remains (Ayers et al. 1996). Birds can occur singly or in pairs with nesting pairs regularly returning to the same locality.

The bird is known from river flat areas and Belah-Rosewood-mallee vegetation around Buronga I Mildura. In the survey of the northern floodplains region of NSW it was recorded from mixed Coolibah - Poplar Box - cypress vegetation (ie. the Lightning Ridge Woodlands). Records on the Narran River were from an area of Poplar Box open woodland as was the record from near Gin Gin Weir. Along the Bogan River, repeated sightings were made in the same general locality within Black Box open woodland. The groundcover was noted to be grassy at the time due to the above average seasonal rainfall in the preceding months. Stone-curlews have been noted from this area in previous years in addition to a nest having been found.

This survey in the Coonamble / Walgett District: The Bush Stone-curlew was recorded on two occasions during the survey period. To the east of Coonamble a bird was heard calling just on dark from a Poplar Box / Wilga treeline edging a cultivated field. There was a dense cover of native grasses under the treeline. Later that night a call playback was used to confirm the call and the curlew responded and flew towards the vehicle and landed in another treeline of Poplar Box and Wilga. The landholder advised that the single bird had been calling from the same general locality for around two weeks and that during ploughing of the field he observed two adult birds leading a large chick across the field being ploughed to the nearby treeline.

The second sighting record came from an area west of Coonamble that was vegetated with Baradine Gum and White Cypress Pine. After dark a call was heard in a grassland paddock adjacent to the woodland. After call playback the curlew came towards the vehicle and settled in an area of scattered Baradine Gum and Poplar Box. There was dense grass cover of Slender Bamboo Grass to one metre high around the tree bases in addition to fallen timber and leaf litter - making it ideal daytime roost habitat. As with the other sighting location, the curlews were heard several times from the same area and the landholder stated that he had heard them calling regularly over several years indicating home range fidelity.

5. Habitat Management Options: Limit clearing and cultivation of riverine and floodplain vegetation, particularly those areas with good grass cover and leaf litter accumulations. If development is planned for these habitats, ensure intact woodland areas surround the fields as this species can use cultivated country provided native vegetation is nearby. Grazing of the open riverine woodlands is the best option for the continued presence of the Stone-curlew.

Limit the cleaning up of fallen timber in any retained areas of native vegetation as this provides essential cover for the curlew from predators. Total clearing of ground timber to provide easy mustering from an area will prevent the curlew from utilising native vegetation just as much as would development.

Retention of native vegetation adjacent to waterpoints such as dams, cowals and rivers will maintain insect abundance near feeding habitat.

6. References: Ayers, D., Nash, S., and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

DLWC., 2000. Threatened Species Records Database. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Central-west Region. Dubbo.

Pizzey, G., 1997. Field Guide to the Birds ofAusfralia. Angus and Robertson. Australia.

Schodde, R., and Tidemann, S.C., eds 1997. Readers Digest Complete Book ofAustralian Birds. Readers Digest. Sydney.

77 4.7 Biodiversity of the Coolibah woodlands Coolibah woodlands are common on clay soils in the north of western NSW, in areas subject to flooding on the major river and creek floodplains, along minor watercourses and depressions and, further west, along the channels of sandy ephemeral creeks. These woodlands vary from open to dense almost pure stands of Coolibahs from 10 to 13 metres high, to mixed Black Box - Coolibah communities. Other tree and shrub species are not common but River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), Eurah (Eremophila bignonZora), Belah, River Cooba, Whitewood, Nepine (Capparis lasiantha) and Leafless Cherry may occur. Ground cover varies and may be dominated by perennial or annual grasses and forbs similar to those found in Black Box communities (Cunningham et. al 1992).

SCS (1982) stated that Coolibah is usually found in pure stands and is dominant over hundreds of square kilometres of level grey clay soil country subject to periodic flooding within the prior Nyngan Soil Conservation District (incorporating most of the Coonamble / Walgett district). This vegetation alliance is a typical savannah woodland. Mature trees reach a height of 9 to 12 metres with few associated trees except in the northern portions where a Coolibah / Black Box community exists. The main associated tree species are River Cooba and Whitewood together with several tall shrubs such as Eurah, Native Cherry and Nepine. The herbaceous layer in the virgin woodland was a dense sward of grasses. In the summer, the dominant species are Curly Mitchell Grass, Neverfail and Small Flinders Grass. The dominant species in the winter is the perennial grass Rigid Panic (Panicum prolutum). In the many areas where over-grazing has occurred, Goathead Burr (Sclerolaena bicornis) and Neverfail are now the dominant species (SCS 1982).

Beadle (1981) stated that well defined shrub layers in the Coolibah woodlands are rare, I but many tall shrub or small tree species occur between the Coolibah trees. The herbaceous layers are dominated by grasses with some grass assemblages also I occurring as treeless stands. This particular vegetation type has only been partially mapped on the only vegetation I mapping that covers the district (NPWS wheatbelt mapping). Open woodlands of Coolibah have been identified whereas the denser woodlands have been classed as a mixture of Coolibah and Black Box. Therefore, the woodland mapping category I incorporates two of the vegetation types surveyed for fauna within the district (Black Box woodlands, Coolibah woodlands). Based on local knowledge, the proportion of the total mapped woodland area attributed to each surveyed vegetation type was I assessed as 65% for Coolibah dominated woodlands and 35% for woodlands dominated by Black Box.

Based on the NPWS wheatbelt mapping, the Coolibah woodlands vegetation alliance is assessed as covering approximately 8.7% (45561ha) of the Coonamble / Walgett district.

78 4.7.1 Vegetation 159 species of plant were recorded in the Coolibah woodlands vegetation type. These are listed below.

= introduced species] - Tree species: Acacia oswaldii Miljee Acacia pendula Myall Acacia stenophylla River Cooba Alectryon olefolius Rosewood Apophyllum anomalum Warrior Bush Atalaya heniiglauca Whitewood Capparis lasiantha Nepine Casuarina cristata Belah Eucalyptus coolabah Coolibah Eucalyptus largflorens Black Box Pittosporum angustfolium Butterbush

- Vines / Mistletoe: An2yema miquelii Box Mistletoe Amyema miraculosum ssp. boormanii Fleshy Mistletoe Amyema quandang var. quandang Grey Mistletoe

- Shrub species: Chenopodium nitrariaceum Nitre Goosefoot Eremophila bignonflora Eurah Eremophila maculata Spotted Fuschia Meuhlenbeckiaflorulenta Lignum Muehlenbeckia horrida Spiny Lignum Prosopisjublora * Mesquite* Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saitbush

- Groundcover species: Grass species. Agrostis avenacea Blown Grass Astrebla lappacea Curly Mitchell Grass Astrebla sp. Unidentified Mitchell Grass Austrostipa scabra Rough Speargrass Chioris gayana* Rhodes Grass* Chioris truncata Windmill Grass Cynodon dactylon Couch Grass Dichanthium sericeum Queensland Bluegrass Echinochloa colona* Awnless Barnyard Grass* Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill Grass Eragrostis leptostachya Paddock Lovegrass Eragrostis parvflora Weeping Lovegrass Eragrostis set ?folia Neverfail Eriochloa australiensis Australian Cupgrass Homopholis proluta Rigid Panic Hordeum leporinum* Barley Grass* Lolium perenne * Perennial Ryegrass* Loliurn rigidurn * Wimmera Ryegrass* Panicum coloratum * Coolah Grass* Panicurn decompositum Native Millet Paspalidium constrictum Box Grass

79 Paspalidiuin jub Ulorum Warrego Summer Grass Phalaris paradoxa * Paradoxa Grass* Polypogon monspeliensis* Annual Beardgrass* Sporobolus caroli Fairy Grass Sporobolus mitchelli Rats-tail Couch Groundcover species: Other groundcover. Abutilon oxycarpum Straggly Lantern-Bush Alternanthera denticulata Lesser Joyweed Alternanthera nana Hairy Joyweed Amaranthus macrocarpus Dwarf Amaranth Amaranthus mitchellii Boggabri Weed Asp hodelus fistulosus* Onion Weed* A triplex semibaccata Creeping Saltbush A triplex suberecta Lagoon Saltbush Boerhavia don2inii Tarvine Brachyscome basaltica Swamp Daisy Brachyscome heterodonta var. heterodonta Lobed-seed Daisy Brachyscome melanocarpa Black-seeded Daisy Brassica rapa* Bird Rape* Brassica sp. * Unidentified Brassica* Brassica tournefortii * Wild Turnip* Bulbine bulbosa Native Leek Bulb me semibarbata Leek Lily Calendula arvensis * Field Marigold* Calotis lappulacea Yellow Burr-daisy Calotis scab iosfolia Rough Burr-daisy Calotis scapigera Tufted Burr-daisy Capsella bursa pastoris* Shepherds Purse* Carex inversa Knob Sedge Centaurea melitensis * Maltese Cockspur* Cent ipeda cunninghamii Common Sneezeweed Chamaesyce drummondii Caustic Weed Chenopodium pumilio Small Crumbweed Cirsium vulgare* Spear Thistle* Citrullus lanatus * Camel Me1011* Convolvulus erubescens Australian Bindweed Conyza bonariensis * Flax-leaf Fleabane* Crassula colorata Dense Stonecrop Crinumfiaccidum Darling Lily Cucumis myriocarpus ssp. leptodermis * Paddy Melon* Cullen tenax Emu Foot Cyperus alternfolius Sedge species Cyperus bifax Downs Nutgrass Dauchus glochidiatus Australian Carrot Dichondra repens Kidneyweed Dichopogonjimbriatus Nodding Chocolate Lily Einadia nutans ssp. linifolia Climbing Saltbush Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Climbing Saltbush Enchalaena tomentosa Ruby Saltbush Ereniophila dehilis Amulla Euchiton sphaericus Japanese Cudweed Euphorbiaplanticola Plains Spurge Geranium solanderi var. solanderi Australian Cranesbill Glycine tabacina species complex Variable Glycine Goodeniafascicularis Silky Goodenia Goodenia glauca Pale Goodenia Goodenia heteroinera Spreading Goodenia 80 Goodenia sp. Unidentified Goodenia Haloragis glauca Grey Raspwort Ipomoea lonchophylla Common Cow-vine Ixiolaeana tonientosa Woolly Ixiolaeana Juncus aridicola Tussock Rush Lactuca serriola* Prickly Lettuce* Larnium amplexicaule * Deadnettle* Lepidium africanum * Peppercress* Lepidiumfasciculatum Bundled Peppercress Maireana coronata Crown Fissure Weed Maireana decalvans Black Cottonbush Malva parv flora* Small Flowered Mallow* Malvastrum americanum* Malvastrum* Marsilea drummondii Common Nardoo Medicago laciniata * Cut-leaf Medic* Medicago polymorpha* Burr Medic* Medicago sp. Unidentified Medic* Minuria denticulata Woolly Minuria Minuria sp. Unidentified Minuria Neptunia gracilis forma gracilis Sensitive Plant Nicotaina megalosiphon Long-flowered Tobacco Onopordum acanthium* Scotch Thistle* Opuntia aurantiaca* Tiger Pear* Oxalis perennans Yellow Wood-sorrell Physalis lancefolia * Ground Cherry* Plantago turrfera Small Sago-weed Polygonum aviculare Wireweed Portulaca oleracea Common Pigweed Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Jersey Cudweed Ptilotus atriplicfolius var. atriplicfolius Crimson Foxtail Ptilotus semilanatus Lambs Tails Pycnosorus chrysanthes Golden Billy Buttons Rapistrum rugosum * Turnip Weed* Rostellularia adscendens ssp. adscendens Pink Tongues Rumex brown ii Slender Dock Rumex crystallinus Shiny Dock Salsola tragus var. tragus Buckbush Scieroblitum atriplecinum Purple Goosefoot Sclerolaena birchii Galvanised Burr Sclerolaena muricata Black Roly-poly Sclerolaena stelligera Star Copperburr Sclerolaena tricuspis Streaked Poverty Bush Sida rhombfolia Paddy's Lucerne Sida sp. Unidentified Sida Sisymbriurn irio * London Rocket* Solanurn esuriale Quena Sonchus oleraceus* Common Sowthistle* Sten2odia glabella Smooth Blue-rod Swainsona greyana Darling Pea Swainsona swainsoniodes Downy Darling Pea Tetragonia tetragonioides New Zealand Spinach Teucriurn racemosum var. racemosurn Grey Germander Tribulus terrestris * Cathead* Verbena gaudichaudii Common Verbena Vittadinia cuneata Fuzzweed Wahienbergia sp. Unidentified Bluebells Xanthi urn occidentale * Noogoora Burr* 81 Xanthium spinosum* Bathurst Burr* Zaleya galericulata ssp. gerjericola Hogweed Zygophyllum idiocarpum Violet Twinleaf

- Typical Site Habitat Description* - canopy layer 20-3 5 % - understorey layer <5 % -shrub layer 5-10% - groundeover 70-90 % - bare soil 10-30 % - leaf litter 10-80 % - rocks 0 % - No. hollow-bearing trees / ha: 3-50 - No. standing dead timber with hollows / ha: 0-1 - No. hollow logs I ha: 0-2 * = the range in the vegetation structural layers reflects the differences between open woodland and the more dense woodland communities.

Figure 23. Vegetation typical of the Coolibah woodlands.

4.7.2 Vertebrate Fauna 115 species of animal were recorded in the Coolibah woodlands vegetation type. These are listed below. [# = TSC Act 1995 listed species] [ * = introduced species] -Amphibians: Warty Waterholding Frog A Cyclorana verrucosa Barking Marsh Frog A Limnodynastesfietcheri Spotted Marsh Frog A Limnodynastes tasn2aniensis Green Tree Frog A Litoria caerulea Broad-palmed Frog A Litoria latopalmata Perons Tree Frog A Litoriaperonii Desert Tree Frog A Litoria rubella A = from dams within the vegetation type.

82 - Reptiles: Nobby Amphibolurus nobbi ssp. coggeri Carnaby's Skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyl Tessellated Gecko Dz:plodaclylus tessellatus Tree Skink Egernia striolata Northern Dtella Gehrya dubia Tree Dtella Gehrya variegata Prickly Gecko Heteronotia binoei Gilberts Dragon Lophognathus gilberti Boulengers Skink Morethia boulengeri Eastern Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis Curl Snake Suta suta Shingleback Tiliqua rugosus Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard Tiliqua scincoides Lace Monitor Varanus var/us

- Mammals: - Non-flying: Brown Hare* Lepus capensis* Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus House Mouse* Mus musculus* Rabbit* Oryctolagus cuniculus * Feral Pjg* Sus scrofa* Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula European Fox* Vulpes vulpes *

- Flying: Goulds Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldi Unidentified Freetail Bat Mormopterus sp. Inland Freetail Bat Mormopterusplaniceps - small penis Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi Inland Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens baistoni Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnis

- Birds: - parrots: Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus Mallee Ringneck Barnard/us barnardi White Cockatoo Cacatua galerita Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus Blue Bonnet Northiella haematogaster Cockateil Nymphicus hollandicus Pale-headed Rosella Platycerus adscitus Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus

83 - waterbirds: Grey Teal A Anas gracilis Pacific Black Duck A Anas superciliosa Darter A Anhinga melanogaster Great Egret A Ardea alba Intermediate Egret A Ardea intermedia White-faced Heron A Ardea novaehollandiae Pacific Heron A Ardea pactica Maned Wood Duck A Chenonettajubata Little Pied Cormorant * Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Yellow-billed Spoonbill A Plataleaflavipes Royal Spoonbill A Platalea regia Straw-necked Ibis A Threskiornis spinicollis Masked Lapwing A Vanellus miles A = from dams within the vegetation type.

- birds of prey: Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris Brown Falcon Falco berigora Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

- night birds: Australian Owlet-nightj ar Aegotheles cristatus U Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides Barn Owl Tyto alba

- pigeons and doves: Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera

- landbirds: Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus Rufous Songlark Cinclorhamphus mathewsi Spotted Bowerbird Clamydera maculata Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica Ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Stubble Quail Coturnix pectoralis Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis Australian Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Australian Magpie Gyn2norhina tibicen Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena

84 White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus Yellow-throated Miner Manorinaflavigula Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala Jacky Winter Microcca leucophaea Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta Plum-headed Finch Neochmia modesta Crested Bellbird Oreoica guttural is Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Common Starling* Sturnis vulgaris * Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii Forest Kingfisher Todirhampus macleayii Sacred Kingfisher Todirhampus sancta

85 4.7.3 Threatened species profile Yellow-bellied Sheath-tail Bat (Saccoliamusfiaviventris) TSC Act Status: Vulnerable

1. Description: The contrast between the black dorsal fur and the white to yellowish belly of this bat distinguishes it from most other species in southern Australia (Strahan 1995).

Figure 24. Yellow-bellied Sheath-tail Bat (Saccolaimusfiaviventris)

2. Distribution: Widespread across eastern and northern Australia but rarely trapped because of its high and rapid flight. U Distribution within New South Wales is widespread with the exception of southern NSW inland of the coast and dividing range. This species has been caught around watering points east of Enngonia, and areas between Bourke, Walgett and Collarenebri. Recently recorded 45 kilometres north-west of Nyngan. In the southern portion of its range it is thought to undergo a winter migration to warmer areas I (Ayers et. al. 1996). Records have also been made from the Pilliga West State Forest, Pilliga Nature Reserve (NPWS 2000), Tallegar State Forest near Gulargambone, Gilgandra State Forest (Coles 1995), the Coolabah district, the Tottenham and Bobadah districts, the Macquarie Marshes, Goonoo State I Forest north of Dubbo and the Macquarie River at Geurie (DLWC 2000).

3. Diet: This species forages for airborne insects (largely beetles and moths) above the tree canopy, although in I open woodlands and mallee country it also feeds closer to the ground. Has been recorded and observed feeding out into chenopod shrubland where no trees were present adjacent to the Macquarie Marshes but has not been recorded flying far out into cleared agricultural paddocks to feed, apparently preferring to I stay close to treed areas.

4. Ecology: I (a) General: Little is known of the ecology of this species. The bat occurs in most woodland habitats. During the day it roosts in large tree hollows and sometimes also in the abandoned nests of sugar gliders (Ayers et. al. 1996). The bat is a solitary-roosting species, although small groups of two to six have been observed in I northern Australia (Menkhorst 1996). Roost sites can be in open woodland in cleared grazing areas (Rhodes and Hall 1997) as well as unmodified woodland and forests along the coast. It has been hypothesised, based on flight characteristics, that this species may be restricted to roosts in emergent I trees because it needs a clear space below the roost to gain flight speed (Richards 2000). 86 The Yellow-bellied Sheath-tail Bat's high flying habit makes it a species that is difficult to trap but sonic call recording allows for relatively easy detection. This species has been recorded from Coolibah woodland, Black Box open woodland and River Red Gum woodland at the Macquarie Marshes; from Poplar Box open woodland and areas of Mulga with a Poplar Box overstorey in Gunderbooka National Park 70 kilometres south of Bourke and from River Red Gum woodland on the Macquarie River at (jeurie. Also recorded from cypress pine/ironbark forest near Dubbo and the Pilliga East State Forest south of . Recent surveys by the National Parks and Wildlife Service trapped one individual within Pilliga Box woodland in Pilliga West State Forest and observed flying animals in a woodland of Blakely' s Red Gum / Rough-barked Apple in the Pilliga Nature Reserve (NPWS 2000). Within the Coolabah district, several calls identified as this species were recorded from dams within Poplar Box/White Cypress Pine open woodland on red soil rises as well as from a cowal and nearby shearers quarters on the Bogan River floodplain, vegetated with River Red Gum and Black Box. The early calls detected just on dark came from a woolshed and quarters indicating that buildings are being used as roost sites.

Within the Bobadah district, one individual of this species was trapped on a track through Mugga Ironbark / Hill Red Gum / White Cypress Pine woodland. Several other calls were detected within the same vegetation type at later dates. Calls identified as this species were recorded by the Anabat utrasonic call detector placed within Hill Red Gum / White Cypress Pine woodland.

(b) This survey in the Coonamble / Walgett District: To the south of Walgett, calls were recorded from a dam at the end of a paddock of Coolibah open woodland / woodland. The paddock is surrounded by treeless cultivation country. Within the paddock the majority of trees were not hollow-bearing as they were regrowth of varying ages. The main hollow bearing trees were in standing dead timber from previous ringbarking episodes.

Calls attributed to this species were also recorded to the west of Coonamble on a waterhole located within a woodland of Baradine Gum and White Cypress Pine. In this case most of the trees were mature enough to be hollow-bearing for roost sites.

5. Habitat Management Options: Retention of hollow-bearing trees (both living and dead) within areas of native vegetation is important to maintain roost site choices for this species. Retention of native vegetation adjacent to waterpoints such as dams, cowals and rivers will maintain insect abundance near drinking sites.

6. References: Ayers, D., Nash, S. and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

Coles, R.B., 1995. Results of Bat Survey for the Northwest Cypress - Ironbark FIS. Report to State Forests of NSW, Western Region, Dubbo.

DLWC., 2000. Threatened Species Records Database. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Central-west Region. Dubbo.

Menkhorst, P.W., (ed) 1996. Mammals of Victoria: Distribution, Ecology and Conservation. Oxford University Press. Melbourne.

NPWS., 2000. Brigalow Belt South: Regional Assessment (Stage 1), Report on Preliminary Fauna Survey of Pilliga and Goonoo Forests, November 1999 to January 2000. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Directorate, Dubbo.

Strahan, R., (ed) 1995. The Mammals ofAustralia. Reed Books. Chatswood, NSW.

Rhodes, M.P. and Hall, L.S., 1997. Observations on Yellow-bellied Sheath-tailed Bats Saccolaimus flaviventris (Peters, 1867) (Chiropters: Emballonuridae). Australian Zoologist 30 (3), p.35 1-3 57.

Richards, G. C., 2000. A Report on the Preparation of Threatened Species Profiles and Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines for the Bat Fauna of NSW. National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSW. Hurstville.

87 I CHAPTER 5: ECOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FROM FAUNA SURVEYS IN THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DISTRICT I 5.1 Amphibians

Generally, frogs can be considered in two broad groups - those species that spend all I their life above ground (tree frogs and wetland frogs), and those that spend part of their life-cycle below ground (burrowing frogs). A total of fifteen frog species were recorded within the district, with eight species being burrowers. I The weather conditions over the survey period were considered ideal for recording amphibians. The combination of warm to hot temperatures and a prolonged period of I heavy rainfall leading to local and regional flooding created optimum breeding conditions for frogs. Several days of heavy rain brought burrowing frog species to the surface in addition to the surface frog species. Therefore, frog species diversity was I considered to be very high as conditions for breeding were optimal.

The highest diversity seemed to be found on the red-earth soils dominated I by Poplar Box rather than the habitats found on the heavy clay floodplains (see Table 7). However, the relative abundances of each species varied dramatically I between vegetation types. Tt was evident that all habitats which charmel or hold water were of particular I importance to amphibians. Permanent dams, no matter where they were located, held several frog species. However, higher frog species diversity was generally found within ephemeral drainage lines, warrambools and creeks due to the increased presence of the I burrowing species. One habitat that was noted to be of particular importance to amphibians was the presence of gilgais. Once the gilgais were filled with water, most frog species could be found there, but they were particularly attractive to burrowing I species. Of the vegetation types surveyed, gilgais were found within the open grasslands, Poplar Box woodlands and Poplar Box / Wilga woodlands.

I Figure 25. Salmon-striped Frog (Limnodynastes salmini) was recorded in Poplar Box! White Cypress Pine, Black Box and Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodlands.

I I

~.

I T! I ( I

88 5.2 Reptiles While the episode of heavy rain and flooding was ideal for amphibian survey, it became evident that it was not optimum for recording reptiles. Across the district a total of 31 reptiles were recorded which compares favourably to the reptile species diversity in several other surveys of similar habitats (see Table 8).

In contrast to a reasonably high species diversity, reptile abundance was consistently low in most vegetation types. This low abundance could be explained by the surveys on the floodplain vegetation (Open Grasslands, Coolibah and Black Box woodlands) taking place not long after major flooding had occurred, with reptiles either forced up in trees, moved to nearby higher ground or swept away. It is more difficult to explain why country that had not been flooded also contained relatively few reptiles as the summer temperatures were conducive to reptile activity making it easier to record them. Given the suitability of reptile habitat available (ie. soil cracks, logs, leaf litter/bark, stumps) it can be assumed that more reptiles would have been recorded with further survey effort if more time was allowed after the flooding for animals to recolonise the area.

Table 7 shows that reptile diversity was higher in both Coolibah woodlands and the open grassland with isolated trees (15 species) and lower in the Baradine Gum / White Cypress Pine woodland (8 species). The high species diversity in the grassland was mainly due to the period of heavy rain which saturated the soil and literally drove all crack dwelling species above ground where they could be caught. This is evidenced in that 33% of the reptile species recorded for this vegetation type were snakes that live underground in soil cracks.

As far as reptiles are concerned, the main point to note is that uncultivated open grassland on cracking clay soils contain a surprising diversity of reptile species (as well as burrowing amphibians) and should not be thought of as less valuable in terms of habitat compared to other, wooded areas.

Figure 26. The Ctenotus Skink (Ctenotus allotropis) was recorded in Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland.

89 I 5.3 Mammals 5.3.1 Non-flying I A total of twelve species were recorded across the district. The majority of records were kangaroos and wallabies which are large and mobile thus making them easier to observe. A result typical of most western NSW fauna surveys was that introduced I animals made up 50% of the non-flying mammal fauna. This percentage would be even higher if the survey included domestic stock animals such as sheep, cattle and horses. I Highest species diversity was found in Poplar Box woodland and Poplar Box / Wilga woodland (11 species) and the lowest was in the open grassland (6 species). A notable record was the Common Brushtail Possum which was found in Poplar Box woodland I and Coolibah woodland at very low densities. Both sites were long distances from watercourses where the possum is known to concentrate in semi-arid areas.

I Given the majority of the district is on cracking clay floodplain soils, it was expected that ground dwelling duimarts and planigales would be trapped. Only one species, the Narrow-nosed Planigale was recorded even though the region could be expected to I have three species of dunnart and two species of planigale. It was assumed that the heavy rain and flooding played some part in reducing numbers of these animals as their I preferred soil crack habitat was inundated. 5.3.2 Flying The bat fauna within the vegetation types in the district constituted between 33% and I 50% of the total mammal species diversity recorded. Bat species diversity was highest in Poplar Box / Wilga woodland (10 species) and lowest in the open grassland (3 species). It is considered that areas away from permanent watersources which contain I around 10 species can be regarded as having high conservation significance for bats.

The number of bats trapped varied significantly between surveys (eg. 16 over five nights to 200 over four nights) but the difference was probably due more to weather differences (rain, cold temperatures), moon phases (bats can see traps better in full moon periods) and trap placement than differences in habitat. While in some surveys the number of bats trapped was low, a truer picture of the level of bat abundance can be gained from the degree of bat passes detected by an electronic recorder placed on local waterholes. For instance, a total of 222 calls were registered on a 60 min tape from a waterhole within the Baradine Gum! White Cypress Pine vegetation just outside the woodland boundary. A second waterhole in a gilgai in the nearby Poplar Box / White Cypress Pine woodland registered 358 calls in the same time period. Both these sites indicate a high level of bat activity. Harp trapping was not conducted on waterholes, but if it was, a much higher number of bats would have been caught.

From the surveys conducted, it was evident that certain habitats had the potential to contain very high numbers and species diversity of bats. Habitat characterised by woodlands of mostly mature aged trees with little to no understorey or shrub layer and a groundcover dominated by Black Roly-poly were of high environmental significance to bat fauna. In these areas most of the old trees are hollow bearing and often there are several hollows of varying sizes in each tree. As such, the area contains a very high density of potential roosting spots for bats. Insect prey densities must still be high in these habitats even though there is no vegetation structure to support insect populations. This could be due to the groundcover being undisturbed by cultivation and insects residing in the dense roly-poly. Old growth open woodland habitats that

off contained high bat densities were found in both Coolibah woodland and Black Box woodland.

Figure 27. The split in the trunk of this standing dead White Cypress Pine contained a colony of Inland Broad-nosed Bat.

- - -,... . .

..

5.4 Birds A total of 119 bird species were recorded throughout the district, which is comparable to other surveys of similar duration and general habitats (see Table 8). An observation common to several of the individual property surveys was that there was a noticeable lack of bird species that mostly rely on the presence of a shrub or understorey layer for food and protection. Groups of species such as the thornbills (up to 4 species), robins (3 species) and finches (5 species) were either absent or detected at low abundance. The scarcity of these species could be related to the lack of vegetation structure that supports these species on some of the vegetation types surveyed in addition to inclement weather delaying their normal migratory / nomadic movements to the district. This could be indicated in that surveys of the same vegetation types conducted later and further south around Coonamble recorded these species whereas those conducted early in the northern half of the district around Walgett rarely detected these species.

On the floodplain woodlands of Coolibah and Black Box there was high densities of both Noisy Miner and Yellow-throated Miner. At the time most of these flocks were breeding and actively defending territories from other birds. Miners have been implicated in other studies of woodland birds as being a cause of lessening species diversity in an area as they are aggressively territorial and continually drive other species away (Ford et al. 2001). Therefore, the vegetation present may have the potential to contain more bird species if the abundance of miners ever decreased.

91 The Coolibah woodlands were found to support a relatively high density of nightbirds. I Numerous pairs of Australian Owlet-nightjars were recorded in addition to several pairs of Barn Owl and Tawny Frogmouth. It was assumed that other owl species also have the potential to be present, however their detection can sometimes be difficult as I they often have large home ranges and may not be present where you are conducting I the survey for them. Areas of heavier clay loam soils that formed gilgais seem to be important for birds. Water-filled gilgais were a common attractant for many bird species as a drinking point I during the sunmier surveys. In addition, the gilgai areas often supported stands of Belah which were consistently noted as essential feed trees for the Glossy Black Cockatoo, a listed threatened species under the TSC Act 1995. Therefore, areas of I gilgai are deemed to be particularly important habitat within the Coonamble / Walgett district as, when water filled, they are prominent breeding grounds for the rarer burrowing frogs, an important drinking site for birds and an important drinking and I feeding site for bats. CHAPTER 6: MANAGING FAUNA WITHIN THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DISTRICT

The best way to manage fauna in any area is to inform the people who manage the vegetation rather than manage the fauna directly. If sufficient habitat is present then there is a fair chance that the fauna will look after themselves. This principle is the basis of ecosystem preservation and biodiversity conservation.

The importance of retaining representatives of all the vegetation types within the district can be seen in that while most fauna species may occupy many areas, there may be some species which are specialists to each different vegetation type and its removal/reduction may cause that particular species to disappear from the district. Such species decline can be over many years due to the gradual restriction of breeding and feeding habitat (Reid 1999). Retaining representative vegetation types needs to be conducted both at the individual property and local region scale. Within any retained vegetation it is important that a variety of topographic elements are included to provide a range of habitat types and access to resources throughout many parts of the landscape (Wilson and Lindenmeyer 1995). Saunders (2000) stated that, in general, the non- random nature of clearing of native vegetation will almost always ensure that the larger privately owned remnants are on the poorer soils and are not representative of the original vegetation associations.

Any area of retained vegetation should be as large as possible. Dividing a large block of vegetation by clearing several small areas within it is called fragmentation. Wilson and Lindenmeyer (1995) described two major consequences of fragmentation as being the disruption of habitat continuity and the creation of small habitat fragments through the removal or alteration of the original vegetation. These factors may influence the persistence of fauna populations due to a reduction in the overall area of habitat, decrease in the size of habitat patches, and the increased isolation of habitat patches. However, what is fragmented habitat for one species is not necessarily fragmented for another. Wilson and Lindenmeyer (1995), in a review of information on vegetation corridors, found that vegetation patch size is a significant factor influencing species richness.

Briggs and Seddon (2000) surveyed 35 woodland remnants of varying size for birds and vegetation throughout the Forbes and Narromine 1:250000 map sheets. The study has shown that a number of woodland birds of conservation concern in the NSW wheat-sheep belt (Reid 1999), plus several other species, only occur in woodland remnants approximately 20 hectares or larger in area. Woodland remnants of over 50 hectares appear to be especially important for some species. These findings are supported by the analysis of fifteen surveys within the central-west of New South Wales [six from Coonamble / Walgett; six from Tottenham / Bobadah; three from Coolabah]. It was found that the area of native vegetation within a five kilometre radius (ie. representing a local area) was positively correlated to both the number of vegetation types present (r = 0.66) and to the total vertebrate species diversity (r = 0.64), bird species diversity (r = 0.61) and the number of non-flying mammals (r 0.62) [P <0.05, d.f. = 14]. This means that as the area of vegetation increases, there is an increase in the different vegetation types encompassed in the area and in the number of vertebrate fauna species (ie. birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians) that the vegetation can support.

93 In addition to the area of retained native vegetation being important, the shape of retained areas also has significance for the long-term viability of both flora and fauna populations. If areas of retained vegetation are too narrow, edge effects may impinge significantly on both corridor effectiveness and, through habitat deterioration, the long- term integrity of small or narrow remnant patches. An edge can be defined as the junction of two different landscapes or habitat types (well-defined boundary or transition zone). The presence of an edge often results in changes in habitat quality at or near the boundary. These changes are often referred to as edge effects. Edge effects include changed microclimatic conditions, increased exposure to wind, changes in water flux, invasion by exotic weeds and increased brood parasitism and nest predation in birds (Wilson and Lindenmeyer 1995).

Within any areas of retained vegetation, all vegetation layers are important as it is the overall community vegetation structure that determines what types of fauna can survive in it. For instance, within the one vegetation community there can be fauna specialised to only use tree canopy habitats, or just the shrub layer and/or groundcover. Other species may occur across all the vegetation structural elements. The study by Briggs and Seddon (2000) has shown that shrubs are a very important component of woodland habitats for most birds, especially for many bird species of conservation concern in the wheat-sheep belt of NSW. Good shrub cover can compensate for remnant area for some of these species, so that small remnants with good understorey provide habitat for some birds which otherwise only occur in large remnants, and which are absent from small remnants with poor or no understorey. Understorey and ground cover are important for reptiles as well as for birds. Therefore, landholders considering thinning shrubs need to make sure there are plants left in order to maintain the diversity of vegetation already present.

Mazzer et al. (1998) found that strips or islands of vegetation less than 500 metres wide no longer supported the full range of fauna species that occurred prior to clearing. In contrast, strips of vegetation greater than 500 metres in width had a similar fauna assemblage to undisturbed vegetation of the same type. This means that the large patches of vegetation are big enough to support permanent populations of species, but areas of less width act more as corridors where species may move along but are unable to survive as a permanent population.

Therefore, planned clearing of vegetation in the district will have less adverse impact on biodiversity if wide (500m) blocks of vegetation are left to connect larger islands of vegetation. This is where discussion and planning between adjoining properties can lead to individual properties sharing in the amount of retained native vegetation across a large strip.

Vegetation corridors can serve four major functions. They can 1. provide habitat; 2. serve as a pathway for dispersal of both flora and fauna; 3. be a source of influence on the surrounding vegetation; and 4. act as a barrier to movement for some species (Wilson and Lindenmeyer 1995).

The concept of vegetation corridors to maintain biodiversity is not just restricted to a continuous strip of vegetation. Some fauna and plant seeds can also move between patches of vegetation isolated by clearing or cultivation provided they have the movement ability to do so. To these species, isolated patches are still linked and this is called a disjointed corridor. Wilson and Lindenmeyer (1995) recognize that some species may move between remnants without using corridors. They also indicated that

HE the use of corridors can be affected by factors like fauna home range size, dispersal ability, the time of year, the quality of the habitat in the corridor and the type of landuse around the corridor.

Connectivity is important for many woodland birds. Some species only occur in remnants in close proximity to other remnants (ie. a number of small remnants acts as a large remnant for some species). As with shrubs, remnant size and connectivity interact, so that small remnants near other remnants provide habitat for some species of woodland birds, while small isolated remnants do not. Remnants that are more than 500-1000 metres from another remnant are not used by several species of woodland birds (Briggs and Seddon 2000).

A further method of maintaining biodiversity in this semi-arid zone is by the manipulation of total grazing pressure, which is a way of managing native vegetation. This means controlling stock levels as well as native and introduced fauna that grazes native vegetation (Lunney 1994; Smith and Smith 1994). For instance, lowering grazing levels immediately after rainfall events can lead to relatively rapid vegetation increases in both biomass and diversity. Unfortunately, this method is very hard to implement in times of economic downturn in stock commodities as lowering stock levels directly impacts on grazier returns.

Research has shown that in agricultural areas, livestock grazing is a major form of habitat disturbance. The effect of grazing by stock was found to be a significant influence on species richness of mammals in forest patches in Victoria and within remnant patches in Western Australia. The grazed patches studied in Western Australia were characterised by less leaf litter, an increased number of dead trees, higher moisture level, denser soils, and elevated levels of soil nutrients (Wilson and Lindenmeyer 1995). A CSIRO survey of relative biodiversity levels (vertebrates, invertebrates, flora) with increasing distance away from water points in the acacia and chenopod rangelands suggest that 15 - 38% of species in different taxonomic groups are at risk of declining substantially throughout those lands (Landsberg et al. 1997). It was concluded that most species of plants and animals show these responses because of the direct and indirect effects of grazing which radiates out from sources of water. Grazing levels have also been implicated in the lack of effective regeneration of many perennial tree and shrub species in portions of western New South Wales (Smith and Smith 1994). It was concluded that if the situation continues, there will be gradual but drastic changes to the vegetation and bird fauna of the region.

6.1 Habitat Management Examples Based on the findings of the several surveys conducted, examples of habitat management that should be considered by landholders in the Coonamble / Walgett district, and elsewhere, are given below.

Retention of hollow-bearing dead trees. Due to the high degree of historical ringbarking throughout the district, a significant proportion of the larger trees are dead. Large dead trees usually provide several hollows of varying size. In regions with limited old growth eucalypts, hollow-bearing dead trees assume a high importance for wildlife. Where possible such dead stags need to be conserved. Optimally, it would be best to keep these stags in larger blocks if possible, such as the treelines around boundary fences which often escaped the early ringbarking.

Dead, hollow-bearing trees in existing or proposed cultivation paddocks are valuable to wildlife. In order to protect such stags it would be best to include at least a 10m radius of vegetation around the

95 tree base to keep some shrubs, allow for a small area for possible tree replacement at a later date but I more importantly, to protect habitat stags from accidental damage by farm machinery.

. Retention of hollow-bearing live trees, plus allowance for recruitment. I Similar to dead stags, hollow-bearing live trees must be recognised as important in maintaining biodiversity within an area. Compared to young trees, mature trees provide hollows for wildlife utilisation, often produce the most pollen and seed, and provide the most bark area as habitat for I small fauna and the insects that they prey on. Mature, hollow-bearing trees should be retained within larger patches of native vegetation. If present in areas intended for thinning or clearing for cultivation, such trees should be situated in small I clumps of vegetation with other nearby species. In the case of isolated trees, a lOm radius of vegetation should be retained around the base to keep some shrubs, allow for possible tree replacement at a later date and to protect the habitat trees from accidental damage by farm I machinery. It is evident that even small clumps representing several trees/shrubs are still useful to wildlife, especially if such clumps are not too far apart.

Landholders should try to resist the urge to only leave fodder trees in any proposed cultivation areas as most of these species do not provide the same number and size of tree hollows compared to mature eucalypts.

El Location of areas of retained vegetation. Larger areas of retained vegetation such as those in corridors, should be placed to take advantage of any existing vegetation and natural features. For example, corridors can be placed along fencelines, inside road reserves and adjacent to existing windbreaks in order to enhance the width, density and diversity of vegetation. Dual purposes of wildlife conservation and land management can occur by retaining vegetation on and around areas of land degradation and on sites to act as water filters for dams. If neighbouring properties both keep corridors either side of a boundary fence then the end result is a corridor of double width compared to one of similar size placed inside the paddock.

In order to maintain the highest degree of biodiversity, all native vegetation within these corridors needs to be retained, right down to fallen logs and leaf litter.

Habitat important to reptiles. Surveys found that the vertical tree stumps of cut cypress pine and the presence of bark shedding trees are important reptile habitat. Most geckoes and skinks were found under bark on vertical trunks rather than on similar fallen trees. Cut stumps at about a metre high in which the bark has slightly peeled back from the trunk usually contained some form of wildlife.

Landholders cutting timber for on farm use should resist the urge to cut trees at near ground level and leave a stump high enough to be useful for reptiles as well as to be easily seen and avoided by stock and humans.

All vegetation elements need to be considered as habitat. In addition to retaining trees, shrubs and groundcover species, it must be recognised that such things as leaf litter and fallen timber play a part in the food chain too. Biodiversity relies on the maintenance of the whole ecosystem. Leaf litter and fallen timber have as much a role to play in an ecosystem as mature, hollow-bearing trees. If one element is totally removed then other elements will be effected resulting in changes to biodiversity over time.

Landholders should leave everything within any areas to be retained under native vegetation. "Tidying up" patches may look nice to humans but it will lessen biodiversity compared to a more natural setting. The importance of vegetation around dams to wildlife. Water is the source of all life. This is particularly so in the semi-arid zone with often unreliable rainfall. Vegetation retained near water provides shelter for stock as well as habitat for wildlife. Shade on dams and the breaking up of air flow across dams will also reduce the levels of evapotranspiration, making water levels stay higher, longer. The larger the patch of vegetation around a water point the greater the degree of biodiversity it will retain. Surveys showed that most birds utilise branches, fallen timber, fenceposts and fencelines that touched the water rather than walk down the bank to drink at the water's edge. This means something as simple as placing a branch into the water along a dam edge can significantly increase usage by wildlife.

Highest priority habitats for retention. Studies in this and other districts show that habitats found to contain the greater diversity of wildlife were watercourse / cowal / ephemeral lake vegetation. These areas should have the highest priority for retention and protection. Recognition of the high conservation value of these areas is shown in that they are discussed in the New South Wales Wetlands Policy which advocates minimal modification of such vegetation.

Pest animal control is vital to maintain biodiversity. Feral animal control is vital to long-term wildlife diversity and sustainability. The primary exotic species that need to be controlled are foxes and cats. These carnivores can breed relatively rapidly and feed on a wide variety of native animals. Foxes are also known to take lambs.

Landholders should undertake annual baiting programmes on their properties. In order to have maximum benefit to wildlife the timing of the baiting should co-incide with the best seasonal growth in vegetation as most wildlife in semi-arid zones will breed in response to rainfall. The best kill rate with baiting is if several adjacent landholders baited at the same time so there are no unbaited "refuges" left in the local area for the vermin to hide in and re-disperse from (eg. in conjunction with the Rural Lands Protection Board etc).

97 CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION

The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified by Australia on 18 th June 1993. Both national and state strategies for the conservation of Australia's biological I diversity have been developed. The Australian Government has adopted a definition of biodiversity which is an inclusive one. It encapsulates species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity (Wilson and Lindenmeyer 1995). In essence I biodiversity is all living individuals in all their associations (Greer 1998). Within these strategies it is recognised that biodiversity loss occurs mainly as a result of habitat I destruction and modification. In a worldwide review of fauna studies Andren (1994) found that 30% habitat retention I was a critical threshold. He verified that some species loss occurs above 30% habitat retention but that below this level the retention of remaining species is more reliant on landscape configuration than habitat loss per Se. Fensham and Wilson (1999) I supported this conclusion when they listed the following examples of species loss with habitat reduction: The extinction rate of mammals in the Central-west of NSW is 31%, rising to 46% if rare species are included, after a 76% habitat loss. The same values for I the wheat belt of NSW are 67% extinction, or 72% including rare species, after 66% of habitat loss. For Queensland, the Eastern Darling Downs is one of the most heavily fragmented regions and natural habitat is currently about 23% of the original area. I Thirty-nine percent of the mammals in the region are presumed extinct. With regard to birds, the Duaringa Shire in Queensland has approximately 42% habitat retention of the original area. A property within the shire has kept long term bird records (1873 I - 1924) showing early records were made of 225 bird species. A current bird survey revealed 150 species, even though there has been little vegetation modification on the property. It was assumed that the decline in bird species was symptomatic of the region as a whole.

In any area (either on an individual property, landcare group or district) there is a need for a balance between native vegetation and agricultural development / landuse. It must berecognised that the Coonamble / Walgett district is a rural region where agriculture is now a routine activity in an area of historical stock grazing. Agricultural development is not going to go away as families need to maintain a living standard that enables them to stay on the land if they choose to do so.

By the same token it must be realised that there are insufficient conservation reserves in the semi-arid lands of NSW to conserve representative communities of existing flora I and fauna. It is up to private landholders and leaseholders outside the public reserve system to help maintain the existing levels of biodiversity. Agricultural development can be balanced with conservation if enough thought and planning is used. I Overclearing in these areas will only lead to short-term increases in economic returns for landholders, but in the long term yields will decline as soil fertility and structure declines and erosion occurs on areas devoid of vegetation. Areas that become badly I degraded may never naturally come back into production.

Research has shown that crop and pasture productivity can also be significantly enhanced by the provision of windbreaks and shelter belts. NSW Agriculture reports yield increases of 44% in lucerne, 25% in barley and 23% in winter wheat from I paddocks where windbreaks and shelter belts are in place, compared to those paddocks where there are none (Sheahan 1998).

I 98 Off-reserve conservation includes both the maintenance of remnant vegetation outside national parks and nature reserves and the revegetation of over-cleared areas. Its I importance is being increasingly recognised by land managers. This is because: 1. the existing conservation reserve network is not sufficient to secure long-term biodiversity conservation and 2. there are diminishing opportunities for the acquisition of large tracts of land for reservation (Wilson and Lindenmeyer 1995). Ecologically sustainable principles need to move toward a more holistic, common view of integrated landscape management. It is in this context of competing management goals that the design, establishment and long term management of wildlife corridors must be considered (Wilson and Lindenmeyer 1995).

Within the district some vegetation types may need to be preserved totally while others may need areas set aside for retention. This does not necessarily mean fencing off from grazing or "locking up" country but rather that this land should be managed to enhance its value for biodiversity. Other vegetation types/areas need active management to prevent that vegetation community from becoming too dense or dominated by one species (eg. White Cypress Pine, Wilga). Other areas can be developed and rotated to grassland without reducing biodiversity provided adequate conservation measures are undertaken. I

Greer (1998) suggested that human influences such as clearing for agriculture will still I provide some level of biodiversity, but at a much lower level than that found in the unmodified state. He stated that "History suggests that natural ecosystems can be wound down to something as simple as these "artificial" systems and continue to support our own and a few other life forms long term, perhaps indefinitely. No matter what the human influence on an area may be, once that influence stabilizes, sooner or later a stable ecosystem will coalesce on the area. It may have low biodiversity, but it will be an ecosystem full of organisms which find the area quite suitable".

The second, related consequence of increasing human influence is that biodiversity will I become increasingly managed. In fact, all aspects of biodiversity are already under some form of management today (Greer 1998). I With planning and knowledge it is possible to have ecologically sustainable development in the district. REFERENCES

Andren, H., 1994. Effects of habitat fragmentation on birds and mammals in landscapes with different proportions of suitable habitat: a review. Oikos 71: 355-366.

Ayers, D., Nash, S. and Baggett, K., 1996. Threatened Species of Western New South Wales. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

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Bourke Rangelands Liaison Group and Cuttagoa Catchment Landcare Group., 1995. The Ledknapper Spinifex - its People, Plants and Animals. Land Information Centre. Bathurst.

Bowman, A., 1996. Grazing Management for the 400 - 600 mm rainfall zone - Part 1 Survey ofpasture condition and producer attitudes. Project DAN 090. Final Report for the Meat Research Corporation.

Briggs, S. and Seddon, J., 2000. Guidelines for vegetation management by Landcare I Groups in the Central Lachlan Catchment. Woodland Birds Seminar, Forbes, 11/4/2000.

Bureau of Meteorology., 2000. Website http://www.bom.,gov.au/climate/averages/tables/ca nsw names. shtml

I Churchill, 5., 1998. Australian Bats New Holland Publishers Pty. Ltd. Sydney.

Cogger, H. G., 1994. Reptiles andAmphibians ofAustralia. Reed Books. Chatswood.

Cooper, R.M. and McAllan, I.A.W., 1995. The Birds of Western New South Wales: A Preliminary Atlas. NSW Bird Atlassers Inc. Albury.

Cunningham, G. M., Muiham, W. E., Milthorpe, P. L. and Leigh, J. H., 1992. Plants of Western New South Wales. Inkata Press. Melbourne.

Dick, R. and Andrew, D., 1993. A Vertebrate Fauna Survey of the Culgoa and Birrie River Floodplains in NSW 1990-1992. Occasional Paper 14. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

DLWC., 2000. Threatened Species Records Database. Department of Land and Water Conservation, Central-west Region. Dubbo.

D.U.A.P., 1999. Western Data Audit and Gap Analysis, 14 May 1999. Department of Urban Affairs and Planning.

I Ellis, M. and Wilson, P., 1992. An overview of the vertebrate fauna of the Brigalow Belt North-east of Bourke, NSW. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. I Mosman.

100 Fensham, R. J. and Wilson, B. A., 1999. Discussion Paper: Habitat retention thresholds and biodiversily conservation. Discussion paper for Queensland Herbarium. June 1999.

Ford, H. A; Barratt, G.W; Saunders, D.A. and Recher, H.F., 2001. Why have birds in the woodlands of Southern Australia declined? Biological Conservation. 97, 7 1-88.

Greenslade, P. and Crawford, I., 1994. A Review of research on the invertebrates of western New South Wales. in Future of the Fauna of Western New South Wales, eds D. Lunney; S. Hand; P. Reed and D. Butcher. Transactions of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. Mosman.

Greer, A. E., 1998. Is the Biodiversity Tail Wagging the Zoological Dog? A Personal Review of Biodiversity and the Issues Raised by the Debate in the Symposium. In Is the Biodiversity Tail Wagging the Zoological Dog? ed. by Daniel Lunney, Terry Dawson and C.R. Dickman, 1998. Transactions of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman.

Hale, P. and Lamb, D., (eds) 1997. Conservation Outside Nature Reserves. Centre for Conservation Biology, University of Queensland.

Landsberg, J., James, C.D., Morton, S.R., Hobbs, T.J., Stol, J., Drew, A. and Tongway, H., 1997. The Effects ofArtfIcial Sources of Water on Rangeland Biodiversity. Final report to the Biodiversity Convention and Strategy Section of the Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia. Environment Australia Biodiversity Group / CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology.

Lunney, D., 1994. Review of official attitudes to western New South Wales 1901-93 with particular reference to the fauna. in Future of the Fauna of Western New South Wales, eds D. Lunney., S. Hand., P. Reed and D. Butcher. Transactions of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. Mosman.

Lunney, D. and Ponder, W., 1999. Emergent themes from the Other 99%. Pp. 446-54 in The Other 99%. The Conservation and Biodiversity of Invertebrates. ed. by Winston Ponder and Daniel Lunney, 1999. Transactions of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman.

Mazzer, T., Ellis, M., Smith, J., Ayers, D., Cooper, M., Wallace, G. and Langdon, A., 1998. The Fauna of Western NSW: The Southern Mallee Region. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville.

McKenzie, J., 1988. The Vision Splendid. The History of Coonamble Town and District. Macquarie Publications Pty. Ltd. Dubbo.

Morgan, G. and Terrey, J., 1992. Nature Conservation in Western New South Wales. National Parks Association of NSW Inc. Sydney.

N.P.W.S., 1995. Fauna list for the Dungaleer 1.100 000 Mapsheet. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Directorate. Dubbo.

101 N.P.W.S., 2000. Brigalow Belt South. Regional Assessment (Stage 1). Report on Preliminary Fauna Survey of Pilliga and Goonoo Forests, November 1999 to January 2000. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Directorate. Dubbo.

Pizzey, G. and Knight, F., 1997. Field Guide to the Birds ofAustralia. Angus and Robertson. Sydney.

Read, D.G., 1994. Fauna Survey in the Floodplain of the Great Anabranch of the Lower Darling River. Report to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Reid, J. R.W., 1999. Threatened and Declining Birds in the New South Wales Sheep- Wheat Belt: 1. Diagnosis, Characteristics and Management. Consultancy report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology, Canberra.

Robinson, M.,1998. A Field Guide to Frogs ofAustralia: from Port Augusta to Fraser Island including Tasmania. New Holland Publishers. Sydney.

Saunders, D. A., 2000. Notes on the ecological imperatives for conservation and management of woodlands. Woodland Bird Seminar, Forbes, 11/4/2000.

Schodde, R. and Tidemann, S., (eds) 1997. Readers Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. Readers Digest. Sydney.

Sheahan, M., 1998. VegNotes Series 4.2 Indirect Economic Benefits. Murray Catchment Management Committee / Department of Land and Water Conservation.

Shelly, D., 2000. Flora and Fauna of the Coolabah District. Department of Land and Water Conservation and the Coolabah Landcare Group. Dubbo.

U Sivertson, D., 2000. Series 3 draft. Natural Vegetation of the NSW Wheatbelt, Walgett 1:250 000 mapsheet. Internal NPWS publication. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, I Smith, J., 1993. A Report on the Vertebrate Fauna of the Narran River Floodplain in I N.S. W. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville. Smith, J., Ellis, M., Ayres, D., Mazzer, T., Wallace, G., Langdon, A. and Cooper, M., 1998. The Fauna of Western NSW: The Northern Floodplains Region. NSW National I Parks and Wildlife Service. Hurstville. I Smith, P. and Smith, J., 1994. Historical change in the birdfauna of western New South Wales: ecological patterns and conservation implications, in Future of the Fauna of Western New South Wales, eds D. Lunney., S. Hand., P. Reed., and D. Butcher. I Transactions of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. Mosman. Soil Conservation Service of N.S.W., 1982. Nyngan Technical Manual. I Strahan, R., (ed) 1995. The Mammals ofAustralia. Reed Books. Chatswood, NSW.

I Swan, G., 1990.4 Field Guide to the Snakes and Lizards of New South Wales. Three Sisters Publications Pty. Ltd. Winmallee. NSW. I 102 I Turner, K. and Smith, P., 1998. Methodology for the Assessment of Clearing I Applications under the Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997. Working Draft Version 1. June 1998. Department of Land and Water Conservation. Sydney. I Wilson, A. and Lindenmayer, D. B., 1995. Wildlife Corridors and the Conservation of Biodiversity: A Review. Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies. The Australian University.

I

103 I APPENDIX 1: SURVEY TECHNIQUES 1. Elliott traps. Elliott traps are metal box traps with a spring loaded door. Baits such as peanut butter, rolled oats and honey placed inside the traps lure animals into it and the door closes behind them. Traps are often placed in lines throughout the area to be surveyed. Positioning of traps in hollow logs, near shrubs and in leaf litter enhances the chances of trapping animals. Elliott traps are most useful in catching small mammals such as mice and dunnarts as well as large skinks.

Figure 28. Elliott small mammal trap.

[1 I

2. Pit traps. Thirty to sixty centimetre deep pieces of large diameter PVC pipe are sunk into the I ground so as to be flush with the soil surface. Small fences of material such as gauze or shadecloth are positioned along the line of pits. Any animal that runs into the fence moves along it trying to get around the obstacle, eventually falling into a pit that the I fence crosses. This method is very useful in catching the smaller reptiles, frogs and carnivorous marsupials such as dunnarts and planigales. Larger reptiles will I occasionally be trapped but most either go over the top of the pit without falling in or are big enough to actually climb back out. I

104 Figure 29. A pit trap line showing drift fence that guides animals into the pits.

Bird observation. Walking areas of each vegetation type for two hours just after dawn and again just before dusk is the best time to conduct observation periods for birds as this is when they are generally the most active. Observation was conducted with the aid of a pair of binoculars and identification confirmed with the use of a field guide book at the time of observation. Any other fauna besides birds were also noted during this time.

Ground searches. Small animals such as lizards and frogs may not be trapped in an area so time is taken to actively look for them. Generally this was done during the warmer hours through the middle of the day when reptiles are more active. Logs, fallen timber and rocks are overturned and the leaf litter accumulations around trees and shrubs are searched through. All moved timber and rocks were replaced to continue to provide habitat. Loose bark on dead trees, particularly cypress pine, was gently pried out from the trunk to look for geckoes and skinks, before being put back into place.

Bat trapping / call detection. Two methods were used to identify the bat species present. (a) An Anabat sonic bat call detector was used to record the ultrasonic calls emitted by various bat species as they hunt for insects. Most species of bat emit calls at different frequencies thus calls can be recorded and analysed as to frequency range, allowing different species to be identified. The major advantage of this method is that you do not have to actually catch the bats in order to be able to identify them. Up to one hour of calls was recorded by the detector for each vegetation type surveyed.

105 Figure 30. Anabat ultrasonic call detector (right) connected to delay switch (centre) which allows calls to be transferred to a cassette tape recorder (left).

(b) Harp trapping. I A harp trap is basically a frame within which vertical columns of fishing line are strung. Underneath the lines is a holding bag. The idea is that each night the trap is positioned in an area where bats are likely to be flying (ie. dam edges, open tracks in I dense scrub). The bats have trouble detecting the fine fishing line and sometimes fly into the strings, falling down to be caught in the bag underneath. The trapped bats can then be gathered each morning and positively identified. Trapped bats were then kept I in cloth bags in a shady place for the rest of the day and released in the same area that i night.

MU Figure 31. Harp trap set up so as to use a natural archway in vegetation as a funnel to concentrate bat movement and hopefully increase captures.

6. Spotlighting / call playback. Spotlighting. Nocturnal animals generally have large eyes which will reflect light at night. This can give away their position and you can get close enough to either catch or identify the animal. Spotlighting can either be done on foot or from a vehicle.

Call playback. Another technique used in conjunction with spotlighting is to stop at intervals and listen for the calls of night birds. These can be recorded and compared to known calls or used to home in on the maker of the call to observe the animal in the spotlight. In addition to this a tape of known calls can be played at night in an effort to elicit response calls from similar species present in the area. This technique works well with territorial species such as owls who think their habitat is being utilised by newcomers and call back to defend their area.

7. Frog call recording / dam searches. Areas that hold water such as dams, creek lines, cowals, lakes and drainage depressions were searched at night by spotlight when amphibians are calling and are often out in the open where they can be seen.

In the case of frogs calling from deep water or from dense vegetation where it is hard to actually catch them, a tape recording was made of the calls and later compared to a reference tape of frog calls to identify each species. This is especially useful for differentiating similar species whose only reliable differences are in their calls.

107 8. Scat analysis. I During all the observation periods and search times, any unusual scats found were collected and either identified using a reference book or sent off to a consultant for I identification. If the scat was from a carnivore then analysis may tell us what fauna the animal had been feeding on. These could well be small animals which are hard to observe or trap. I

108 APPENDIX 2: FLORA OF THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DIST1UCT

Grass Species: Agrostis avenacea Blown Grass Aniphibromus neesii Swamp Wallaby Grass Aristidajerichoensis Jericho Wiregrass Aristida ramosa var. scaberula Purple Wiregrass Astrebla lappacea Curly Mitchell Grass Astrebla sp. Mitchell Grass Austrodanthonia bipartita Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia richardsonii Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia sp. Wallaby Grass Austrostipa aristiglumis Plains Grass A ustrostlpa scabra Rough Speargrass Austrostipa setacea Corkscrew Grass Austrostipa verticillata Slender Bamboo Grass Avena fatua* Wild Oats* Bromus cartharticus * Prairie Grass* Chioris gayana* Rhodes Grass* Chioris truncata Windmill Grass Chioris ventricosa Tall Windmill Grass Cynodon dactylon Couch Grass Dactyloctenium radulans Button Grass Dichanthium sericeum Queensland Bluegrass Digitaria divaricatissima Spreading Umbrella Grass Echinochloa colona Awnless Barnyard Grass Elymus scaber var. plurinervis Common Wheatgrass Enteropogon acicularis Curly Windmill Grass Eragrostis brown ii Lovegrass Eragrostis cilianensis * Stink Grass* Eragrostis elongata Clustered Lovegrass Eragrostis lacunaria Purple Lovegrass Eragrostis leptostachya Paddock Lovegrass Eragrostis parvflora Weeping Lovegrass Eragrostis setifolia Neverfail Eragrostis sp. Lovegrass Eriochloa australiensis Australian Cupgrass Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha Early Spring Grass Homopholis proluta Rigid Panic Hordeum leporinum * Barley Grass* Leptochloa digitata Umbrella Canegrass Lolium perenne * Perennial Ryegrass* Lolium rigidurn * Wimmera Ryegrass* Panicum buncei Native Panic Panicum coloratum * Coolah Grass* Panicum decompositum Native Millet Panicum effusum Hairy Panic Panicum subxerophilurn Cane Panic Paspalidium constrictuin Box Grass Paspalidiurnjubflorum Warrego Summer Grass Phalaris paradoxa * Paradoxa Grass* Polypogon monspeliensis * Annual Beardgrass* Sporobolus actinocladus Katoora Sporobolus caroli Fairy Grass Sporobolus mitchelli Rats-tail Couch Tragus australianus Small Burr Grass Triraphis mollis Purple Plume Grass 109 Groundcover Species: Other species. Abutilon leucopetulum Lantern-bush Abutilon otocarpuin Desert Chinese-lantern Abutilon oxycarpuin Straggly Lantern-bush Alternanthera denticulata Lesser Joyweed Alternanthera nana Hairy Joyweed Alternantherapungens * Khakiweed* Amaranthus macrocarpus Dwarf Amaranth Amaranthus mitchellii Boggabri Weed Asperula conferta Common Woodruff AsphodelusfIstulosus * Onion Weed* A triplex leptocarpa Slender-fruited Saltbush A triplex muelleri Meuller's Saltbush Atrilex semibaccata Creeping Saltbush Atriplex spin ibractea Spiny-fruited Saltbush A triplex suberecta Lagoon Saltbush Boerhavia dominii Tarvine Brachyscome sp. Daisy Brachyscome heterodonta var. heterodonta Lobed-seed Daisy Brachyscome basaltica Swamp Daisy Brachyscome melanocarpa Black-seed Daisy Bracteantha bracteata species complex Golden Everlasting Brassica rapa* Bird Rape* Brassica sp. * Unidentified Brassica* Brassica tournefortii * Wild Turnip* Bulb me bulbosa Native Leek Bulb me semibarbata Leek Lily Calendula arvensis * Field Marigold* Calocephalus sonderi Pale Beauty Heads Calostemmapurpureum Wilcannia Lily Calotis cuneifolia Purple Burr-daisy Calotis hispidula Bogan Flea Calotis lappulacea Yellow Burr-daisy Calotis scab iosifolia Rough Burr-daisy Calotis scapigera Tufted Burr-daisy Capsella bursa-pastoris * Shepherds Purse* Carex inversa Knob Sedge Cartharnus lanatus * Saffron Thistle* Centaurea melitensis * Maltese Cockspur* Cent ipeda cunninghamii Common Sneezeweed Chamaesyce drummondii Caustic Weed Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Rockfern Chenopodium melanocarpum Black Crumbweed Chenopodium pumillo Small Crumbweed Chondrillajuncea * Skeleton Weed* Cirsiun2 vulgare* Spear Thistle* Citrullus lanatus * Camel Melon* Convolvolus erubescens Australian Bindweed Conyza bonariensis * Flax-leaf Fl eabane* Crassula colorata Dense Stonecrop Crinumfiaccidum Darling Lily Cucumis myriocarpus ssp. leptodermis * Paddy Melon* Cullen tenax Emu-foot Cyperus alternUlorus Sedge species Cyperus bifax Downs Nutgrass Cyperus concinnus Trim Sedge

110 Damasonium minus Star-fruit Daucus glochidiatus Australian Carrot Dichondra repens Kidneyweed DichopogonjImbriatus Nodding Chocolate Lily Echium plantagineum * Pattersons Curse* Eclipta platyglossa Yellow Twin-heads Einadia hastata Saloop Einadia nutans ssp. linfolia Climbing Saitbush Einadia nutans ssp. nutans Climbing Saitbush Eleocharis pallens Pale Spike-rush Eleocharis pusilla Small Spike-rush Eliocharis pallens Pale Spike-rush Eliocharis plana Ribbed Spike-rush Enchalaena tomentosa Ruby Saltbush Eremophila debilis Amulla Erodium cicutarium Common Crowfoot Erodium crinitum Blue Crowfoot Euchiton sphaericus Japanese Cudweed Euphorbiaplanticola Plains Spurge Geranium solanderi var. solanderi Australian Cranesbill Glycine sp. Glycine species Glycine tabacina species complex Variable Glycine Goodenia cycloptera Serrated Goodenia Goodeniafascicularis Silky Goodenia Goodenia glabra Smooth Goodenia Goodenia glauca Pale Goodenia Goodenia heteromera Spreading Goodenia Goodenia sp. Unidentified Goodenia Haloragis glauca Grey Raspwort Hedypnois rhagodioloides * Cretan Weed* Heliotropium supinum * Spreading Heliotrope* Ipomoea lonchophylla Common Cow-vine Ixiolaeana tomentosa Woolly Ixiolaeana Juncus aridicola Tussock Rush Lactuca serriola* Prickly Lettuce* Lamium amplexicaule* Deadnettle* Lepidium africanum* Peppercress* Lepidium bonariense * Cut-leaf Peppercress* Lepidiumfasciculatum Bundled Peppercress Lepidium pseudohyssopfolium Peppercress Lepidium sp. Unidentified Lepidium Leptorhynchos panaetioides Woolly Buttons Maireana aphylla Cottonbush Maireana coronata Crown Fissure Weed Maireana decalvans Black Cottonbush Maireana sp. Fissure-weed Malva parvf1ora * Small-flowered Mallow* Malvastrum americanum * Malvastrum* Marrubium vulgare * Horehound* Marsilea drummondii Common Nardoo Medicago laciniata * Cut-leaf Medic* Medicago polymorpha* Burr Medic* Medicago sp. Medic* Mimulus gracilis Slender Monkey-flower Mimulus prostratus Small Monkey-flower Minuria denticulata Woolly Minuria Minuria integerrima Smooth Minuria 111 Minuria sp. Minuria Myriocephalus rhizocephalus Woolly-heads Neptunia grac ills forma grad/is Sensitive Plant Nicotaina megalosiphon Long-flowered Tobacco Nicotiana simulans Native Tobacco Onopordum acanthium * Scotch Thistle* Opuntia aurantiaca* Tiger Pear* Osteocarpum acropterum var. deminuta Waterweed Oxalis perennans Yellow Wood-sorrell Physalis lanceifolia* Ground Cherry* Plantago cunninghamii Sago-weed Plantago turrfera Small Sago-weed Polygonum aviculare Wireweed Polygonum plebeium Small Knotweed Portulaca oleracea Common Pigweed Pratia concolor Poison Pratia Proboscidea louisianica * Purple-flowered Devils Claw* Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Jersey Cudweed Ptilotus atriplicfolius var. atriplicfolius Crimson Foxtail Ptilotus semilanatus Lambs Tails Pycnosorus chrysanthes Golden Billy Buttons Raphanus raphanistrum* Wild Radish* Rapistrum rugosum * Turnip Weed* Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saltbush Rhodanthefloribunda Common White Sunray Rhynchosia minima Rhyncho Rostellularia adscendens ssp. adscendens Pink Tongues Rumex brownii Slender Dock Rumex crystallinus Shiny Dock Rumex sp. Dock Salsola tragus var. tragus Buckbush Schoenus apogon Common Bog-rush Scieroblitum atriplecinum Purple Goosefoot Sclerolaena birchii Galvanised Burr Sclerolaena calcarata Red Copperburr Sclerolaena diacantha Grey Copperburr Sclerolaena muricata Black Roly-poly Sclerolaena stelligera Star Copperburr Sclerolaena tricuspis Streaked Poverty Bush Scolymus maculatus* Spotted Golden Thistle* Senecio daltoni Dalton's Groundsel Senecio glossanthus Slender Groundsel Sida corrugata Corrugated Sida Sida cunninghamii Ridge Sida Sidafibulifera Pin Sida Sidafilforniis Fine Sida Sida rhomb'folia Paddy's Lucerne Sida sp. Unidentified Sida Sida trichopoda High Sida Sisymbrium irio * London Rocket* Sisymbrium orientale * Hedge Mustard* Sisymbrium orb * London Rocket* Solanum ellipticum Velvet Potato Bush Solanum esuriale Quena Solanum nigrum* Blackberry Nightshade* Soliva anthem folia* Dwarf Jo jo* Sonchus oleraceus* Common Sowthistle* 112 Spartothamnella puberula Red-berried Stick Plant Stemodia glabella Smooth Blue-rod Stuartina muelleri Spoon Cudweed Swainsona greyana Darling Pea Swainsonaphacoides Lilac Darling Pea Swainsona swainsoniodes Downy Darling Pea Tetragonia tetragonoides New Zealand Spinach Teucriuni racemosum Grey Germander Tribulus terrestris * Cathead* Verbena bonariensis* Purple Top* Verbena gaudichaudii Common Verbena Verbena supina* Trailing Verbena* Verbesina encelio ides * Crownbeard* Vittadinia cuneata Fuzzweed Vittadinia sp. Fuzzweed Wahienbergia communis Tufted Bluebell Wahienbergia sp. Unidentified Bluebells Xanthium occidentale * Noogoora Burr* Xanthiuni spinosum * Bathurst Burr* Zaleya galericulata ssp. australis Hogweed Zygophyllum iodocarpum Violet Twinleaf

Mistletoe and Vines: Amyema cambagei Needle-leaf Mistletoe Amyema lucasii Yellow-flowered Mistletoe Amyema miraculosum ssp. boormanii Fleshy Mistletoe Amyema miquelii Box Mistletoe Amyema quandang var. quandang Grey Mistletoe Jasminum lineare Native Jasmine Korthalsellajaponica ssp. gerjericola Jointed Mistletoe Lysiana exocarpi ssp. exocarpi Harlequin Mistletoe Parsonsia eucalyptophylla Gargaloo

Shrubs: Acacia deanei Deane's Wattle Acacia melvillei Wattle species Atriplex spin ibractea Spiny-fruit Saitbush Atriplex vesicaria Bladder Saitbush Chenopodium nitrariaceum Nitre Goosefoot Dodonaea viscosa ssp. spatulata Broad-leaf Hopbush Eremophila bignonflora Eurah Eren2ophila deserti Ellangowan Poison-bush Eremophila maculata Spotted Fuschia Lyciumferocissimum * African Boxthorn* Maireana aphylla Cottonbush Maytenus cunningharnii Yellow Berry Bush Meuhienbeckiaflorulenta Lignum Muehienbeckia horrida Spiny Lignum Opuntia stricta* Common Prickly Pear* Prosopisjubflora * Mesquite* Rhagodia spinescens Thorny Saitbush Templetonia egena Desert Broombush

Canopy and Understorey Trees: Acacia hornalophylla Yarran Acacia oswaldii Miljee Acacia pendula Myall Acacia salicina Cooba 113 Acacia stenophylla River Cooba Alectryon olefolius Rosewood Allocasuarina luehmannii Bulloke Aistonia constricta Quinine Bush Apophyllum anomalum Warrior Bush Atalaya herniglauca Whitewood Callitris glaucophylla White Cypress Pine Canthium olej'olium Wild Lemon Capparis lasiantha Nepine Capparis mitchellii Wild Orange Casuarina cristata Belah Eremophila mitchellii Budda Eucalyptus chioroclada Baradine Gum Eucalyptus coolabah Coolibah Eucalyptus largflorens Black Box Eucalyptus populnea ssp. bimbil Poplar Box Flindersia maculosa Leopardwood Get/era parvflora Wilga Grevillea striata Beefwood Hakea leucoptera Needlewood Myoporum montanum Western Boobialla Pittosporum angusti/olium Butterbush Ventilago virninalis Supplejack

114 APPENDIX 3: FAUNA OF THE COONAMBLE / WALGETT DISTRICT

# Species listed in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1996.

Species listed in bold are additional records from landholders I DLWC staff I other surveys. Species underlined are additional records from NPWS Wildlife Atlas records.

Amphibians: Eastern Froglet Crinia parinsignfera Common Eastern Froglet Crinia signifera Burrowing Frog Cyclorana cultripes Waterholding Frog Cyclorana plalycep ha/a Warty Waterholding Frog Cyclorana verrucosa Barking Marsh Frog Limnodynastes fletcheri Ornate Burrowing Frog Limnodynastes ornatus. Salmon-striped Frog Limnodynastes salmini Spotted Marsh Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Green Tree Frog Litoria caerulea Broad-palmed Frog Litoria /atopa/mata Perons Tree Frog Litoriaperonii Desert Tree Frog Litoria rubella Sudells Burrowing Frog Neobatrachus sudelli Crucifix Toad Notaden bennettii Eastern Burrowing Toadlet Uperolia rugosa

Reptiles: Nobby Amphibolurus nobbi ssp. coggeri Five-clawed Worm Skink Anoma/o pus mackayi Long-necked Tortoise Chelodina longicollis Carnaby's Skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyi Ctenotus Skink Ctenotus allotropis Striped Skink Ctenotus rob ustus Ctenotus Skink Ctenotus sp. Olive Legless Lizard Delma inornata Yellow-faced Whip Snake Demansiapsammophis De Vis' Banded Snake Denisonia devisi Eastern Spiny-tailed Gecko Diplodactvlus intermedius Tessellated Gecko Diplodactylus tessellatus Wood Gecko Diplodaclylus vittatus Tree Skink Egerniastriolata Red-naped Snake Furina diadema Northern Dtella Gehrya dubia Tree Dtella Gehrya variegata Grey Snake Hemiaspis dame/il Prickly Gecko Heteronotia binoei Eastern Robust Slider Leristapunctatovittata Gilberts Dragon Lophognathus gi/berti Dwarf Skink Menetia greyii Carpet Python Morel/a spiota ssp. variegata Boulengers Skink Morethia boulengeri Eastern Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata Central Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps Mulga Snake Pseudechis australis Spotted Black Snake Pseudechis guttatus Red-bellied B lack Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus

115 U Western Brown Snake Pseudonaja nuchalis Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis Hooded Scaly-foot Pygopus niriceps Blind Snake Ramphotyphiops bituberculata I Blind Snake Rarnpholyphlops ligatus Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops weidii Beaked Gecko Rhynchoedura ornata I Coral Snake Sin2oselaps australis Curl Snake Suta suta Shingleback Tiliqua rugosus I Eastern Blue-tongue Lizard Tiliqua scincoides Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis tetraporophora Sand Monitor Varanus gouldii I Lace Monitor Varanus varius Bandy Bandy Vermicella annulata

I Mammals: Non-flying: I Yellow-footed Antechinus Antechinus flavipes Feral Cat Felix cat us Brown Hare Lepus capensis Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus I Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus House Mouse Mus musculus Platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus I Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Western Barred Bandicoot Perameles bougainville Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps I Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Narrow-nosed Planigale Planigale tenuirostris Silky Mouse # Pseudon2ys apodernoides # I Long-haired Rat # Rattus villosissimus # Feral Pig Susscrofa Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus I Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula European Fox Vulpes vulpes I Swamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolor Flying: Goulds Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldi Chocolate Wattled Bat Chalinolobus mono Little Pied Bat # Chalinolobuspicatus # Unidentified Freetail bat Mormopterus planiceps Southern Freetail Bat Mormopterusplaniceps - large penis Inland Freetail Bat Mormopterus plan iceps - small penis Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi unidentified Long-eared bat Nyctophilus sp. Little Red Flying-fox Pteropus scapulatus Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat # Saccolaimusfiaviventnis # Inland Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens baistoni Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii White-striped Freetail-bat Tadarida australis Inland Forest Bat # Vespadelus baverstocki # Unidentified forest bat Vespadelus sp. Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnis

116 Birds: Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Little Yellow Thornbill Acanthiza nana Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus Grey Teal Anas gracilis Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Australian Darter Anhinga melanogaster Magpie Goose # Anseranus semipalmata # Richards Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax Great Egret Ardea alba Cattle Egret Ardea ibis Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae Pacific Heron ArdeapacijIca Little Egret Ardea garzetta Australian Bustard # Ardeotis australis # Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorhynchus Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus Bush Stone-curlew # Burhinus grallarius # White Cockatoo Cacatua galerita Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Little Corella Cacatua san guinea Red-tailed Black Cockatoo # Calyptorhynchus banksii # Glossy Black Cockatoo # Calyptorhynchus lathan'ii # Red-capped Plover Charaadrius rufIcapillus Maned Wood Duck Chenonettajubata Brown Songlark Cinclorhainphus cruralis Rufous Songlark Cinclorhan2phus mathewsi Swamp Harrier Circus approximans Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis Spotted Bowerbird Clamydera maculata Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica Feral Pigeon Columba livia Ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Little Crow Corvus bennetti Australian Raven Corvus corono ides Little Raven Corvus mellon Stubble Quail Coturnix pectoralis Brown Quail Coturnixypsilophora Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis

117 Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus Black Swan Cygnus atratus Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Varied Sitella Daphoenositta chrysoptera Mistletoebird Dicaeurn hirundinaceum Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris Black-fronted Plover Elseyornis melanops Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzon cyanotis Orange Chat Epthianura aurifrons Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis Brown Falcon Falco berigora Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Black-tailed Native Hen Gallinula ventralis Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis Peaceful Dove Geopeliaplacida White-throated Gerygone Gerygone olivacea Australian Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Brolga # Grus rub icundus # Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus Fairy Martin Hirundo ariel Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena Tree Martin Hirundo nigrans White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus Variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus Yellow-throated Miner Manorinaflavigula Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Jacky Winter Microeca leucophaea Black Kite Milvus migrans Whistling Kite Milvus sphenurus Singing Bushlark Mirafra/avanica Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta Plum-headed Finch Neochinia niodesta Barking Owl # Ninox connivens Blue Bonnet Northiella haernatogaster Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus Cockateil Nymphicus hollandicus Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Belibird Oreoica gutturalis Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rujlventris Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus House Sparrow Passer domesticus 118 Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis Noisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatus Yellow-billed Spoonbill Plataleaflavipes Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia Pale-headed Rosella Platycerus adscitus Eastern Rosella Platycerus eximus Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata Glossy Ibis Pleadis falcinellus Papuan Frogmouth Podargus papuensis Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigo ides Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus Grey Fantail Rhipidurafuliginosa Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris Pied Currawong Strepera graculina Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Common Starling Sturnis vulgaris Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spin icollis Forest Kingfisher Todirhainpus macleayii Sacred Kingfisher Todirhampus sancta Red-chested Button-quail Turn ix pyrrhothorax Little Button-quail Turnix velox Barn Owl Tyto alba Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles Banded Lapwing Vanellus tricolor Silvereye Zosterops lateralis

119