Wakool Wildlife

Murray Land & Water Management Plan Wildlife Survey 2005-2006

Matthew Herring David Webb Michael Pisasale INTRODUCTION Why do a wildlife survey? area with 37 of these in . One of the great things about The sites were spread across living in rural is all the 106 farms and were surveyed wildlife that we share the land- between June 2005 and March scape with. Historically, humans 2006. They incorporated a range have impacted on the survival of of vegetation types (e.g. Black many native plants and . Box Woodland) as well as reveg- Fortunately, there is a grow- etation on previously cleared ing commitment in the country land and constructed wetlands. to wildlife conservation on the Methods used to survey wildlife farm. As we improve our knowl- included: edge and understanding of the local landscape and the animals - Bird surveys and plants that live in it we will - Log rolling for and be in a much better position to frogs conserve and enhance our natu- - Spotlighting for mammals, rep ral heritage for future genera- tiles and nocturnal birds tions. - Elliot traps for small mammals and reptiles This wildlife survey was an initia- - Pitfall trapping for reptiles and tive of the Wakool Land & Water frogs Management Plan (LWMP) Work- - Harp traps for bats P.Merritt ing Group and is the largest and - Using the “Anabat” to record One of 87 Freckled Duck most extensive ever undertaken bat calls in a flock near Noorong, an in the area. Wakool was one of - Call broadcasting to attract excellent find! four LWMP areas that took part birds in the project. This project had three aims: Other targeted methods were used opportunistically and sig- CONTENTS 1 To determine the distribution, nificant species seen incidentally Pg. 2 Introduction habitat and local status of (e.g. when traveling between Pg. 3 Reptiles & Frogs birds, reptiles, mammals and sites) were also recorded. Sur- Pg. 4 Birds & Mammals frogs veying over the entire Murray Pg. 5 Birds 2 To raise awareness about LWMP area involved over 120 Pg. 6 Black Box Woodland wildlife ecology days of field work, usually with Pg. 7 Red Gum Forest 3 To promote conservation of at least two people. Pg. 8-9 Wakool Highlights remaining species Pg. 10 Woodland Front cover: Migratory shorebirds at Tullakool (D. Webb), High quality sandhill woodland near Pg. 11 Sandhill Woodland What methods did we use? (M. Herring), Locals on a wildlife Pg. 12 Constructed Wetlands walk during Wakool field day at “North Dale” A total of 150 sites were es- (M. Herring). Pg. 13 Chenopod Shrubland tablished in the Murray LWMP Back Cover: Carpet Python (D.Webb), Sunrise Pg. 14 Revegetation over (M.Herring). Pg. 15 What Can I do to Help?

The Wakool LWMP covers an area of 210,694ha and has 381 landholdings

D.Webb The Western Grey Kanga- roo is one of three large local kangaroo species.

2 REPTILES & FROGS Summary of Results There were 273 species (203 Birds, 33 Reptiles, 28 Mammals and 9 Frogs) found across the entire study area. Of these, 226 species were found in Wakool.

Reptiles A total of 26 reptiles were found in the Wakool LWMP area, more Peron’s Tree Frog P.Merritt Curl D.Webb than any other area, highlighted REPTILES by the discovery of the first Eastern Long-necked Turtle R Chelodina longicollis Beaked Gecko and Gibber Gecko Murray Turtle R Emydura macquarii populations south of the Mur- • Olive Legless Lizard R Delma inornata rumbidgee River. A Carpet Py- • Southern Marbled Gecko C Christinus marmoratus thon found on the Niemur River • Gibber GeckoR Diplodactylus byrnei was the only one for the entire • Tessellated Gecko R Diplodactylus tessellatus study but based on observa- • Wood Gecko R Diplodactylus vitattus tions from local landholders the • Beaked Gecko R Rynchoedura ornata Wakool LWMP area is one of the • Carnaby’s Wall Skink C Cryptoblepharus carnabyii few remaining strongholds for • Regal Skink R Ctenotus regius the Murray-Darling form. Mallee • Robust Ctenotus U Ctenotus robustus and Sandhill Woodland patches Spotted-backed Ctenotus U Ctenotus orientalis west of Moulamein had the rich- • Tree-crevice Skink R Egernia striolata est diversity. The Regal Garden Skink R Lampropholis guichenoti Skink, Eastern Robust Slider, South-eastern Slider R Lerista bougainvillii Sand Goanna and Prong-snouted • Wood Mulch Slider U Lerista muelleri Blind Snake were highlights. The • Eastern Robust Slider R Lerista punctatovittata most common reptiles recorded • Dwarf Skink U Menetia greyii in Wakool were the Boulenger’s • Chenopod Morethia R Morethia adelaidiensis Skink and Carnaby’s Wall Skink, • Boulenger’s Skink C Morethia boulengeri sometimes occurring in densities • Shingleback R Tiliqua rugosa over 100 per hectare in good • Common Blue-tongue Lizard U Tiliqua scincoides habitat. Sandhill and Mallee • Eastern Bearded Dragon U Pogona barbata Woodland were the most impor- • Sand GoannaR Varanus gouldii tant vegetation types for reptiles • Lace Monitor U Varanus varius across the four Murray LWMP Southern Blind Snake R Ramphotyphlops bicolor areas but all sites that were • Prong-snouted Blind Snake R Ramphotyphlops bituberculatus messy with old grass, fallen Woodland Blind Snake R Ramphotyphlops proximus logs, branches, shrubs, sheets of • Carpet Python R Morelia spilota corrugated iron, old fence posts • Tiger Snake R Notechis scutatus or other habitat were rich in rep- • Red-bellied Black Snake R Psedechis porphyriacus tile diversity. • Eastern Brown Snake C Pseudonaja textilis • U Suta suta Frogs By far the most common frogs FROGS recorded during the entire study • Peron’s Tree Frog U Litoria peroni were Plains Froglet, Common • Southern Bell Frog R (t) Litoria raniformis Froglet and Spotted Marsh Frog • Plains Froglet C Crinia parinsignifera but the Wakool LWMP area also • Common Froglet C Crinia signifera had Barking Marsh Frog and • Pobblebonk U Limnodynastes dumerillii Peron’s Tree Frog at a relatively • Spotted Marsh Frog C Limnodynastes tasmaniensis large number of sites. They • Barking Marsh Frog U Limnodynastes fletchori were frequently recorded in Common Spadefoot R Neobatrachus sudelli large numbers near water, along • Wrinkled Toadlet R Uperoleia rugosa , creeks and in flooded wetlands including rice. The The beautiful Southern Bell Frog R - Rare (1 - 10% of sites) adults and tadpoles of these was recorded in large numbers U - Uncommon (11-25% of sites) common frogs provide a great at some sites. The popula- C - Common (26% sites or more) food source for waterbirds like tions in the Wakool LWMP area • - Found in Wakool the Great Egret and reptiles like are one of very few remaining # - Introduced species the Tiger Snake. strongholds for the species. (t) - Listed as threatened in NSW

3 BIRDS & MAMMALS Birds Banded Stilt. MAMMALS

A total of 167 bird species were Mammals • Platypus R found in Wakool. The Wakool • Yellow-footed Antechinus U area is fortunate in that it sup- A total of 25 mammal spe- • Common Brushtail Possum C ports species typically found well cies were found in Wakool. The • Common Ringtail Possum U inland like Chestnut-crowned majority of these were bats and • Sugar Glider R Babbler and Black Honeyeater marsupials. The bats included a Squirrel Glider R (t) but also species only found in range of wattled, freetail, long- • Eastern Grey Kangaroo C south-eastern Australia like eared, forest and broad-nosed • Western Grey Kangaroo R Flame Robin and Superb Fairy- bats. The greatest number and • Red Kangaroo R wren. Sites along major water- diversity of bats were recorded • Black Wallaby R ways like the Wakool, Edward in wetlands and along rivers. Common Wombat R and Niemur Rivers that con- These fascinating creatures • Gould’s Wattled Bat C tained high habitat diversity had consume up to half their body Little Pied Bat R (t) the highest bird diversity. They weight in insects every night! • Chocolate Wattled Bat U exclusively supported species During the day they roost in tree • Lesser Long-eared Bat U like the Azure Kingfisher and hollows and under bark. • Southern Forest Bat R Sugar Glider. However, large • Little Forest Bat C patches of Mallee and Sandhill The only common native mam- • Inland Broad-nosed Bat U Woodland, as well as Cheno- mals, apart from bats, were • Inland Freetail Bat U pod Shrubland also supported the Eastern Grey Kangaroo and • Southern Freetail Bat C a unique suite of birds, includ- Brush-tailed Possum. The most • White-striped Freetail Bat U ing many that are not found in exciting species found was the • Water Rat U floodplain vegetation types. Platypus, recorded in the Edward •#House Mouse U River east of Moulamein. Ob- •#Fox C Sites dominated by common servations by local landholders •#Cat R species had poor habitat diver- indicate there at least several •#Rabbit C sity and were typically subject in that area. The Yellow-footed •#Hare C to continuous grazing, removal Antechinus, a small carnivorous •#Pig R of fallen timber and a lack of marsupial, was found in densi- flooding. The 14 most common ties up to 24 per hectare at sites R - Rare (1 - 10% of sites) birds for the entire Murray LWMP that had numerous large, old U - Uncommon (11-25% of sites) study (recorded at 75 or more logs. This species is well known C - Common (26% sites or more) sites) were the Australian Mag- for its bizarre breeding habits • - Found in Wakool pie, Galah, Striated Pardalote, where all males die of exhaus- # - Introduced species Willie Wagtail, Crested Pigeon, tion after a frantic two-week (t) - Listed as threatened in NSW Superb Fairy-wren, Red-rumped mating season. Good quality red Parrot, Noisy Miner, Australian gum also supported the Sugar Raven, Eastern Rosella, Yellow Glider and Black Wallaby but no Thornbill, White-plumed Hon- Echidnas or Feathertail Glid- eyeater, Magpie-lark and White- ers were recorded for the entire winged Chough. Many of these study, reflecting their rarity and bird species occur in open farm- concerning local status. Histori- land and are ‘winners’, having cally, early settlers recorded the benefited from changes to the Eastern Quoll, Rufous Bettong, landscape since European settle- Bilby, Northern Hairy-nosed ment. Wombat and White-footed Rab- bit Rat, now all extinct in the Some of the rarest woodland Murray region. birds found in the Wakool LWMP area were the Gilbert’s Whis- There were six introduced mam- tler, Varied Sittella and Crimson mals recorded in Wakool dur- Chat, all only present at the best ing the study. In a joint effort quality remnants. The Wakool- with the Rural Lands Protection Tullakool Evaporation Ponds and Board, many landholders in Wa- other constructed wetlands like kool have been extremely proac- irrigation storage dams that had tive in eradicating feral animals good habitat were rich in water- especially the fox and this will birds with rarities like Black- have enormous benefits to the tailed Godwit, White-winged local wildlife. Black Tern, Gull-billed Tern and Common Ringtail Possum P. Merritt

4 BIRDS BIRDS • Black-fronted Dotterel R • Hooded Robin R (t) • Emu R • Masked Lapwing R • Grey-crowned Babbler U (t) Brown Quail R Banded Lapwing R • White-browed babbler R • Stubble Quail R Inland Dotterel R • Chestnut-crowned Babbler R • Plumed Whistling-duck R • Silver Gull R • Varied Sittella R • Australian Wood Duck U • Whiskered Tern R • Eastern Shrike Tit R • Freckled Duck R (t) • White-winged Black Tern R • Gilbert’s Whistler R (t) Blue-billed Duck R (t) • Caspian Tern R • Golden Whistler R Musk Duck R • Gull-billed Tern R • Rufous Whistler C • Black Swan R #Spotted Turtle-dove R • Grey Shrike-thrush C • Australian Shelduck R •#Feral Pigeon R • Restless Flycatcher U • Hardhead R Diamond Dove R • Willie Wagtail C • Pacific Black Duck U • Peaceful Dove U • Grey Fantail C • Australasian Shoveler R • Common Bronzewing C • Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike C • Pink-eared Duck R • Crested Pigeon C Ground Cuckoo-shrike R • Grey Teal U • Galah C • White-winged Triller U • Chestnut Teal R • Long-billed Corella U Olive-backed Oriole R Magpie Goose R (t) • Little Corella R • White-breasted Woodswallow R Great Crested Grebe R • Sulphur-crested Cockatoo C • White-browed Woodswallow R • Hoary-headed Grebe R Rainbow Lorikeet R • Masked Woodswallow R • Australasian Grebe R Musk Lorikeet R • Black-faced Woodswallow R • Darter R Superb Parrot R (t) • Dusky Woodswallow R • Great Cormorant R • Cockatiel U • Grey Butcherbird C • Little Pied Cormorant R • Eastern Rosella C • Pied Butcherbird C • Little Black Cormorant R • Yellow Rosella C • Magpie-lark C • Australian Pelican R • Australian Ringneck R • Australian Magpie C • White-necked Heron R • Blue Bonnet U Pied Currawong R • White-faced Heron U • Red-rumped Parrot C • Australian Raven C Cattle Egret R • Budgerigar R • Little Raven C Little Egret R • Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo R Apostlebird R • Great Egret R Fan-tailed Cuckoo R • White-winged Chough C Intermediate Egret R • Australian Owlet Nightjar R • Richards Pipit R • Nankeen Night Heron U • Tawny Frogmouth R • Singing Bushlark R Glossy Ibis R • Southern Boobook R • Zebra Finch U • Straw-necked Ibis R • Barn Owl R • Red-browed Finch R • Australian White Ibis R • Azure Kingfisher R • Diamond Firetail R (t) • Royal Spoonbill R • Laughing Kookaburra C •# House Sparrow R • Yellow-billed Spoonbill R • Sacred Kingfisher C • Mistletoebird U • Black-shouldered Kite R Red-backed Kingfisher R • Welcome Swallow C • Black Kite R • Rainbow Bee-eater R • White-backed Swallow R • Whistling Kite U Dollarbird R • Tree Martin U • Collared Sparrowhawk R • White-throated Treecreeper U • Fairy Matrin R Brown Goshawk R • Brown Treecreeper C • Clamorous Reed Warbler R White-bellied Sea-eagle R • Superb Fairy-wren C • Little Grassbird R • Little Eagle R • Variegated Fairy-wren R Golden-headed Cisticola R • Wedge-tailed Eagle U • White-winged Fairy-wren R • Brown Songlark R • Swamp Harrier R • Spotted Pardalote U • Rufous Songlark C • Spotted Harrier R • Striated Pardalote C • Silvereye R • Black Falcon R White-browed Scrubwren R •# Common Blackbird R • Brown Falcon U • Western Gerygone C •# Common Starling U • Nankeen Kestral U • Chestnut-rumped Thornbill C • Peregrine Falcon R • Buff-rumped Thornbill U R - Rare (1 - 10% of sites) • Australian Hobby R • Yellow-rumped Thornbill C U - Uncommon (11-25% of sites) Brolga R (t) • Yellow Thornbill C C - Common (26% sites or more) Buff-banded Rail R • Striated Thornbill U Australian Spotted Crake R • Weebill C • - Found in Wakool Spotless Crake R • Southern Whiteface U # - Introduced species • Dusky Moorhen R Red Wattlebird R (t) - Listed as threatened in NSW • Purple Swamphen R • Little Friarbird U • Eurasian Coot R Noisy Friarbird R • Black-tailed Native-hen R • Noisy Miner C Bush Stone-curlew R (t) • Yellow-throated Miner R • Painted Button-quail R • Blue-faced Honeyeater R • Little Button-quail R • Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater R • Latham’s Snipe R • Striped Honeyeater R • Black-tailed Godwit R (t) Painted Honeyeater R (t) • Common Greenshank R • Singing Honeyeater R • Marsh Sandpiper R • White-plumed Honeyeater C Wood Sandpiper R • Black-chinned Honeyeater R (t) • Red-necked Stint R • Brown-headed Honeyeater U • Curlew Sandpiper R • Black Honeyeater R • Sharp-tailed Sandpiper R • Crimson Chat R • Black-winged Stilt R • Orange Chat R • Banded Stilt R • White-fronted Chat R • Red-necked Avocet R • Jacky Winter U • Red-capped Plover R • Flame Robin R • Red-kneed Dotterel R • Red-capped Robin U Spotted Harrier D.Webb

5 BLACK BOX WOODLAND There are five main vegetation types in Wakool. These include River Red Gum Forest, Black Box Woodland, Mallee Wood- land, Sandhill Woodland and Chenopod Shrubland. Together with Revegetation and Con- structed Wetlands, these are P.Merritt D.Webb covered in the following sec- tions. The tiny Weebill is the smallest bird found in the region and is most common in healthy remnant bush like high Black Box Woodland is domi- nated by Black Box (Eucalyptus quality Black Box Woodland. The Chestnut-crowned largiflorens) and is often found Babbler was closely associated with Black Box that had on heavier floodplain soils, along a dense understorey of shrubs like Lignum, Old Man Salt- creeks and in wetland depres- bush and Nitre Goosefoot. sions. Good quality Black Box woodland also has a range More than 100 species of ani- of understorey shrubs such mals were found in Black Box as Lignum, Nitre Goosefoot, across the 11 Wakool sites, Miljee, Thorny Saltbush, Leaf- including many regionally rare less Cherry, Native Willow and species like the Wrinkled Toad- a variety of grasses. Black Box let, Tessellated Gecko, Varied with an understorey is ideal for Sittella, Budgerigar and Black many woodland birds like the Wallaby. The number of spe- Red-capped Robin and Chest- cies found at each site varied nut-crowned Babbler, and when considerably, depending on how flooded it teems with frogs, isolated the site was, the size of bats and a spectacular range of the site and the quality of habi- waterbirds. tat. Many Black Box remnants are missing an understorey of shrubs and provide habitat for

only a handful of species like N. Lazurus the Eastern Rosella, Noisy Miner, Grey Butcherbird, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Eastern Brown The stunning Variegated Snake. Increasing the cover of Fairy-wren was exclu- native perennial grasses, retain- sively found in the Wak- ing fallen timber and reinstating ool LWMP area and was native shrubs will benefit the also closely associated more sensitive species like Dia- with Black Box that had mond Firetail and Yellow-footed a dense understorey. The Antechinus. Fencing off remnant rare Diamond Firetail stands and controlling grazing to allow young trees, shrubs and feeds on grass seeds and various ground covers to regen- usually nests in shrubs or erate is usually the most practi- mistletoe clumps. cal first step.

Many of the remaining stands of Black Box are disconnected from the floodplain and show signs of thirst. The wetlands watering project that local landholders, the NSW Murray Wetlands Work- ing Group and Murray Irrigation have implemented since 2001 has been a great success in bringing many of these systems High quality Black Box-Lignum back to life. habitat M.Herring P.Merritt

6 RIVER RED GUM FOREST

D.Webb P. Merritt D.Webb

Locally, Carpet Pythons The elusive Yellow- The Wakool LWMP area are largely restricted to footed Antechinus was is an important strong- River Red Gum areas with found in densities up to hold for the beautiful good habitat along major 24 per hectare in red gum Southern Bell Frog, also waterways like the Ed- areas that had numerous known as the Growling ward, Niemur and Wakool large, old fallen logs. Grass Frog. Rivers. River Red Gum (Eucalyptus ca- sums, gliders, parrots, pard- The rare Gilbert’s Whis- maldulensis) is one of the most alotes, owls, the Tree-crevice tler depends on dense intact vegetation types in the Skink and numerous others all shrubs like this Dwarf NSW Murray Catchment. The shelter and nest in red gums. Cherry in red gum on the red gum forests of the Murray Shedding bark is important near Wakool. region are among Australia’s for treecreepers, the Southern greatest ecological assets. Good Marbled Gecko and Peron’s Tree quality red gum habitat booms Frog. Fallen logs and branches with wildlife, particularly birds are home to an array of reptiles and mammals. Large, old River and are a favourite place for the Red Gums are the equivalent of Yellow-footed Antechinus and 5-star hotels for wildlife because Bush Stone-curlew. Thickets of they are filled with a range of young red gums and shrubs like hollows and crevices. Bats, pos- Silver Wattle and Dwarf Cherry also increase habitat diversity in red gum forests and support The Platypus was a additional species like the Black great find in the Edward Wallaby, Gilbert’s Whistler and River near Moulamein. White-browed Babbler. Additional observations from local landholders in- More than 110 species were dicate there are at least found in red gum across the several of them in the 11 Wakool sites. Across all four LWMP areas, some of the spe- area. cies most strongly associated with red gum were Azure King- fisher and Black Wallaby. The Wakool, Edward and Niemur Riv- ers, together with other major waterways in the Wakool LWMP area act as wildlife ‘highways’ through the landscape, enabling wildlife populations to intermix. Intermittent flooding of red gum directly benefits waterbirds, frogs and bats but also main- tains the overall health of the system. J.Harris M.Herring / D.Webb (inset)

7 WAKOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Involving the community… The six Wakool field days and seminars were well attended with an average of over 50 people attending each event. We received a great deal of support and positive feedback from the community, with particular ap- preciation of the family-focused barbecues, novelty prizes, in- volvement in the surveying and the opportunity to see some of the more unusual local critters like blind , long-eared bats and antechinus. A total of 1293 people attended the 24 field days and seminars held across the four LWMP areas, testimony to the strong inter- est that irrigation farmers in the Murray region have in their local wildlife.

Photo Captions and Credits Top Left: Jess Herring showing kids one of the bats found during a Wak ool field day MIL( ) Top Right: Locals searching for reptiles in Black Box during field day at “Kuringle” (MIL) Middle: Male Black Honeyeater (P.Mer- ritt) Bottom Right: Wakool field day at “Nyang” (MIL) Next Page, Top Left: Black Wallaby (D. Webb) Top Right: Platypus (P. Ryan) Middle Left: Crimson Chat at nest (P. Merritt) Middle Right: Michael Pisasale with Carpet Python (MIL) Bottom Left: Locals gather to inspect reptiles found in a pitfall trap during field day in the Jimarin gle area (MIL) Bottom Right: Shingleback Lizard (M. Herring)

8 9 MALLEE WOODLAND Mallee Woodland once covered large areas west of Moulamein but today less than 5% of this remains. The region once sup- ported species like Malleefowl that are now restricted to large mallee reserves to the west.

Both Mallee and Sandhill Wood- land have a particularly unique suite of wildlife, very different to what we find in other vegeta- tion types like River Red Gum. A third of the 33 reptiles found across the Murray LWMP area were either exclusively found on sandhills (including mallee) with good quality remnant vegeta- tion or were only rarely found in M.Herring D.Webb other vegetation types.

A well-managed sandhill or mal- The Eastern Robust Slider was exclusively lee remnant with good habitat found at three Mallee Woodland sites west of supports around 10 reptile spe- Moulamein. It relies on deep sandy soils for life cies, even if the site is only a as a slider, is almost limbless, and could easily hectare or two in area. Two of be confused as a snake. the most interesting birds found in Wakool Sandhill and Mallee The Hooded Robin is one of the rarest wood- Woodland were the Black Hon- land birds in the region and is usually only eyeater and Crimson Chat. The found in the best quality patches of bush that Yellow-footed Antechinus, usu- remain. This male is about to pounce on an ally only found in red gum, was recorded in Sandhill Woodland unsuspecting insect. near Moulamein because the site was located near the floodplain.

This high quality Mallee Woodland site on “Chah Singh” illustrates the importance of resting remnant vegetation from grazing. This site has been rested from grazing for the past five years, allowing shrubs, grasses and ground covers to regenerate, benefiting a whole range of wildlife like the Red- capped Robin and Olive Legless Lizard. An increasing number of landholders in the Wakool LWMP area are using fencing incentives to manage grazing and encourage regrowth of native vegetation.

M.Herring 10 SANDHILL WOODLAND

M. Herring This Sandhill Woodland site has been rested from grazing and an understorey of shrubs is regenerating, greatly ben- efiting the local wildlife.

Sandhill woodland includes D.Webb White and Murray Cypress-Pine, Buloke, Yellow Box and Nee- dlewood and often merges with This young Sand Goanna Grassy Box Woodland. Sandhills was found in mallee west of originally had the most diverse Moulamein. They build dis- shrub layers with species such tinctive oval-shaped burrows as Moonah, Rosewood, Butter- into the sand where they bush, Native Willow, Emu Bush, shelter and breed. Hopbush, Quandong and various species of saltbush. The rare Wood Gecko is Good quality sandhill wood- nocturnal like most geckos land is a haven for reptiles and and is easily identified by the woodland birds. The sandy soils markings along the middle of allow movement of underground its back. It was found under animals like blind snakes and a log in high quality Sandhill excavation of nesting burrows Woodland. by Rainbow Bee-eaters and D.Webb Sand Goannas.

The magnificent Beaked Gecko was found at the Buloke site above and had never been recorded south of the before. It was a major highlight of the entire study. The Inland Broad-nosed Bat, like all insectivorous bats, uses echolocation (high frequency pulses of sound that humans usually can’t hear) to navigate and catch flying prey like moths and mosquitoes.

D.Webb

11 CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS

D.Webb

P.Merritt D.Webb P.Merritt

The Red-necked Avocet, with its distinctive Most constructed wetlands, upturned bill, relies on open mudflats and shal- whether for irrigation storage low water, which are lacking in most constructed or stock water, are steep-sided wetlands. This Whiskered Tern is about to feed deep dams with insufficient its chick a leech and was one of over 200 pairs habitat for most waterbirds, frogs and bats. However, simple found nesting on a well managed constructed changes to constructed wetlands wetland near several years ago. The can dramatically increase their Water Rat is now the only native rodent found wildlife carrying capacity. in the region. A Great Egret, only rarely seen feeding on the wing, snaps up a little redfin to Earthworks to create seasonally feed chicks back at the nest. flooded shallows that support waterplants and mudflats will attract a wide range of new spe- cies like egrets, herons, crakes, Pictured below are several thousand shorebirds sandpipers, spoonbills, stilts and at the Wakool-Tullakool Evaporation Ponds, the Southern Bell Frog. Avoiding where ground water is being extracted to re- constant grazing pressure from duce the impact of salinity. Amongst the 40-odd stock will also enable mudflats waterbird species recorded here during the study and waterplants to flourish were 6 migratory shorebird species. They es- resulting in a greater range of wildlife utilising your farm dam. sentially live their lives in an endless summer, migrating between the northern and southern hemispheres. These species rely on mudflats and breed in Europe, Siberia, Japan, China and other parts of the northern hemisphere.

M.Herring

12 CHENOPOD SHRUBLAND

P.Merritt M.Herring / D.Webb (inset)

The Orange Chat is often seen perched on top of shrubs. This stunning male is in breed- ing plumage. High quality Chenopod Shrubland like this site west of Moulamein supports numerous breeding groups of the White-winged Fairy-wren that avoids areas with trees but relies on shrubs for cover and nest sites.

For many people Chenopod wren, Orange Chat and White- Chestnut-crowned Babblers were Shrubland is simply a shrubby fronted Chat. Many other birds closely associated with Black Box paddock. Cottonbush, Old Man can only take advantage of the Woodland but made wide use Saltbush, Mat-rush, bluebushes, shrubs when they are associated of Chenopod Shrubland when it Dillonbush and other shrubby with trees. On the other hand, was adjacent to the floodplain. It plants found in Chenopod many reptiles do well in treeless enables them and other cover- Shrubland offer many wildlife habitats like Chenopod Shrub- dependant species to move species with habitat that isn’t land, providing there is some between timbered areas without available in a normal paddock or cover from native shrubs, grass making themselves too vulnera- a crop. tussocks or cracking soils. Spot- ble to predators like the powerful lighting on warm evenings is one Black Falcon. The Narrow-nosed Some birds are closely associ- of the best ways to find reptiles Planigale, a tiny marsupial, is ated with Chenopod Shrubland in Chenopod Shrubland. a crack dwelling specialist that like the White-winged Fairy- may be found in the future.

The Chenopod More- The nocturnal Curl Snake The Gibber Gecko was thia, as its name sug- is often confused with a major highlight of the gests, is closely asso- juvenile Eastern Brown study and was found in ciated with Chenopod Snakes but lacks the addi- Chenopod Shrubland west Shrubland. This species tional neck band. It hides of Moulamein. It hadn’t was recorded at three in the soil cracks that form previously been recorded sites west of in Chenopod Shrubland. south of the Murrumbidg- including one in the Wak- A Boulenger’s Skink is ee River before. No other ool LWMP area. It hadn’t paralysed before being local gecko has small previously been found in devoured head first. prickles on its body. the region.

D.Webb D.O’Donnell D.Webb 13 REVEGETATION

M.Herring P. Merritt

This Revegetation site on “Ramley” near Wakool has helped to mitigate salinity, offers a valuable resource for stock and also provides habitat for many small woodland birds like the Red-capped Robin, various thornbills, honeyeaters and whistlers. It was pre- viously a degraded, saline paddock with little value for agriculture or wildlife.

Over the last decade it has more wildlife than single-species Old sheets of corrugated iron, become clear that many wildlife plantings in thin strips in iso- fence posts and roofing tiles species, particularly birds and lated paddocks. can provide homes for a range bats, are readily able to return of skinks, geckos and legless to suitable revegetation patches Eucalypt plantations for timber lizards that will otherwise have that landholders have planted. or firewood and Old Man Salt- to wait many decades for fallen Other less mobile species, like bush plantings for grazing value logs and branches to accu- many reptiles and small mam- and salinity mitigation are a mulate. Similarly, nest boxes mals will only benefit from much better ‘crop’ for most wild- designed for bats, possums, revegetation that is situated life than conventional agricul- gliders, parrots, owls or other adjacent to existing remnants. ture. Some large farm forestry hollow-nesting wildlife can pro- Large plantings greater than sites in the Cadell LWMP area vide shelter and nest sites well five hectares that have a mix that incorporated an Old Man before hollows form in trees, of tree and shrub species and Saltbush understorey were out- which takes place decades down are located adjacent to good standing for bird diversity with a the track. remnant vegetation are the best range of thornbills, honeyeaters, and provide habitat for much whistlers, robins and other small birds. For information on the range of incentives available for manag- ing, restoring and establishing native vegetation, please contact your Wakool LWMP officer on The Lesser Long-eared 5887 0411. Bat is one of the first wildlife species to respond to revegetation because it is highly mobile. The Olive Legless Lizard prefers areas with thick grass so revegetation sites are often ideal be- cause they are ungrazed.

D. Webb D.Webb

14 WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP How can I attract more wild- Acknowledgements life to my farm? The Wakool LWMP Wildlife Survey was funded and supported by Murray Ir- The most important thing that rigation Limited, the National Action Wakool landholders can do for Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, the wildlife conservation is identify Natural Heritage Trust and the Mur- ray Catchment Management Authority. the most significant remnant This project was based on two previous vegetation sites on their proper- studies in the NSW Murray Catchment; ties and manage them in a way the Murrakool Wildlife Survey conducted that will maintain or improve the around Barham, and in 2003/2004 and the Heartlands East- quality of habitat. Keeping areas ern Billabong Wildlife Survey conducted messy by avoiding continuous Flooding of black box and around Holbrook, and Walbun- grazing pressure, not ‘cleaning red gum is vital for the drie in 2001/2002. Special thanks to all up’ fallen timber and ensuring the Wakool farmers for supporting the health of the floodplain. project so enthusiastically, with access that there is at least some areas to your properties, help during trapping that have shrubs and young sessions, strong attendance at the six trees are three simple ways to Wakool field days and seminars, and improve your wildlife habitat. reporting a multitude of local sightings made over many decades. Hats off to Matt Dean, Wakool LWMP officer, for his For those lucky enough to still significant contribution to the project. have good stands of Mallee, Massive thanks to the talented team of Buloke, Native Pine, Needlewood wildlife surveyors who helped with the field work: Adam Bester, Peter Irish, Jess or other non-floodplain vegeta- Herring, Gary Herring, Hugh McGregor, tion, these are some of the most Terry Korodaj, Daniel Arnold, Cameron valuable assets on your farm. Thomas, Jane Herring, Craig Grabham For those with River Red Gum and Alex Knight. Big thanks to Jess Her- or Black Box along major water- ring and Maree Petrow for tackling the Reducing grazing pressure daunting task of data entry. Thanks also ways like the Niemur River, your to the and Murray Rural Lands sites contribute to important will encourage an under- Protection Boards for access to Travel- wildlife ‘highways’ through the storey of shrubs. ling Stock Reserves, and to University and the Department of landscape. Flooding Black Box, Environment & Conservation for scien- River Red Gum and other wet- tific permits, equipment hire and bat call land sites from time to time will analysis. Thanks to Paul Higgs and Jason help maintain the health of the Tasker for helping to produce the study site map. Lastly, to Dylan O’Donnell for floodplain and greatly improve his outstanding design expertise in help- wildlife habitat. ing to prepare these booklets.

Revegetated sites attract the For further information contact: Murray Irrigation Limited most species when they are 5 443 Charlotte Street or more hectares in area, in- Deniliquin NSW 2710 corporate a range of tree and Phone (BH) 03 5881 9300 shrub species and are situated adjacent to remnant vegetation. Linking patches of bush Simple changes to irrigation and within and between prop- stock water storage dams that erties creates corridors. create shallows with waterplants and mudflats can also dramati- Publication details cally increase wildlife diversity Published by Murray Wildlife and Murray on your farm. On top of im- Irrigation Limited. All text Copyright © proving habitat on your farm, Matthew Herring, David Webb & Michael Pisasale. All photos Copyright © David controlling introduced predators Webb, Peter Merritt, Matthew Herring like feral cats and foxes will also benefit wildlife. ISBN: 0-9775829-1-4

Recommended Reading Date of Publication: August 2006 Michael, D., Crane, M., MacGregor, C. and Cunningham, R. (2003) Wildlife on Farms Author: Herring, Matthew. – how to conserve native animals. CSIRO M.Herring Publishing, . Suggested citation: Kent, K., Earl, G., Mullins,B., Lunt,I & Open mudlfats and shal- Herring, M., Webb, D. & Pisasale, M. Webster,R. Editors. (2002) Native Vegeta- (2006) Wakool Wildlife – Murray Land & tion Guide for the Riverina; notes for land low water are ideal for Water Management Plan Wildlife Survey manag¬ers on its management and revegeta- 2005-2006. Murray Wildlife and Murray tion, , . migratory shorebirds. Irrigation Limited.

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