If you live in the Darling Riverine Plains you live in the largest and probably the flattest bioregion in NSW. You live in the land of contrasts; of droughts and flooding rains; of flood loving eucalypts; River Red Gum, Coolibah, Black Box and Carbeen; and of vast open plains.

Hopefully, after you have read this booklet you will live in a place that you know more about. You will know more about over four hundred species of native fauna that make their home in the Darling Riverine Plains, and you will know more about how to look after their habitat.

About the cover: The poster featured here on the cover illustrates the connections between the cultural and natural environments within the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion. It depicts the land uses, typical plants and animals and some cultural values of the area. All these features depend on the riverine environments. Life in the Darling Riverine Plains 2 Knowing what’s on your place: How the Camerons are looking after their place The Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion 4 Knowing what’s around you: Map of the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion Native fauna in the Darling Riverine Plains 6 Native fauna: Native habitats About this report 8 About this report: What is habitat? Looking after habitat on your place Northern Riverine Woodlands 10 The habitat: The importance of size: Typical species: Threatened species Southern Riverine Corridor 12 The habitat: Looking after a most important corridor: A whole lot of holes: Typical species: Threatened species Diverse Woodland Remnants 14 The habitat: Looking after our woodland birds: Disappearing emus: Typical species: Threatened species and declining woodland birds Simple Woodland Remnants 16 The habitat: Rehabilitating remnants: Typical species: Threatened species: Declining woodland birds: How the Yates family are looking after remnants: The benefits of not tidying up Grasslands and Shrublands 18 The habitat: The hunting grounds: Typical species: Threatened species: Outfoxed on Kalyanka Red Country Woodlands 20 The habitat: Reptiles and refuge: Typical species: Threatened species Wetlands 22 Wetland habitat: Wetlands of International Significance: The Southerons and their wetland Where to From Here? 24 Knowing you’re not alone: Where to get help: How biodiversity information helps: Contacts and further information Species Lists: fauna recorded since 1970 26 References and Acknowledgments 29 KNOWING WHAT’S ON After his death I wished I had recorded YOUR PLACE more of his nature observations. Their importance to him and his family seemed For many farmers and graziers knowing obvious. They had been part of the reason what’s on their place not only makes them he loved the bush and in particular his better managers, it also makes them happier. farm. They had given him a sense of place A recent personal experience highlighted that many of us can only hope for. He knew the importance of knowing what’s on your where he would be happy to live and happy place. Just as I was asked to complete writing to die. this my father-in-law died. He was much I have found many farmers and graziers to loved by both his family and his community. have these same qualities. They have a He had been a farmer all his life and proud sense of place defined by family, community of his achievements. He inherited nothing and environment. They like knowing what and worked hard to own his own farm. lives on their place and are happy and Like many men of his generation he loved proud to look out for them. being in the bush and spent as much time Hopefully this booklet will give you there as a farm and a family would allow. some ideas on how to look after your He was a skilled observer of nature. He native fauna, many of which you may would often ask me about animals and never see or only see once in a lifetime but plants he had seen either around the farm you will know they are there. And or on one of his bush trips. Many of the hopefully it will enable you and your animals he saw such as hopping mice and children and grandchildren to share in that small snakes are animals that you are sense of place. – Jo Smith unlikely to find in that area today. HOW THE CAMERONS ARE LOOKING AFTER THEIR PLACE – Jim and Rhonda Cameron

We are certainly not your conventional farming family. We have resisted the urge to have that big ‘tidy up’. We retain all of our standing dead timber and any fallen logs because we know how valuable these elements are in the whole ecological and economical system. We have a whole farm plan and we have just begun to implement the first stages. Retaining the existing vegetation and habitat areas is one of the key elements and is our starting point.

We have identified the most valuable areas and we are fencing them out so they can be retained and regenerate. These areas are still small when you consider the total size of the farm. It has taken hundreds, even thousands of years for nature to create such a diverse, unique environment with so many tree hollows and such a variety of plants. It is a beautiful spot to find hidden treasures such as sugar gliders, owls, birds, bats, lizards and frogs. How can we ever hope to recreate such magnificence once it is removed. Such a powerful decision cannot be made lightly.

We have begun to enhance the remnant vegetation with new tree plantings. We have been particular to choose species that are appropriate to the local area and where possible we use seed of local provenance to keep the local gene pool viable. This is not a simple concept to implement but not impossible. We see the need to plant new trees on a property that already has an abundance of trees for many reasons. There are still areas with inadequate shelter for crops and stock.

We have a whole farm plan – retaining the existing vegetation and habitat areas is one of the key elements

It is well known that increased production levels are achieved when systems have protection from adverse wind conditions. Our farm plan has areas devoted to wind breaks and shelter areas for this purpose, a very long- term plan but by tackling one stage at a time we are beginning to make a noticeable difference.

Ultimately, we anticipate our sustainability is improved by all of this groundwork. We intend to continue to focus on our farming and grazing enterprises by producing and marketing our quality produce. By incorporating the native environment we see that we are enhancing the whole property but immediately there is something special when you have just sighted a special bird catching a meal or knowing a rare animal is comfortably going about its business amongst your farming enterprise. The native flora and fauna are really not the threat we sometimes can perceive them to be.

Carbeen woodland near Wee Waa Lake Cullamulcha

E

STURT NATIONAL PARK

River Lake Denman Tibooburra PINDERA DOWNS ABORIGINAL AREA River Wanaaring Paroo Lake Burkanoko

Milparinka Lake Altiboulka Lake Nichebulla Murphys Lake arrego W Lake Yantara NOCOLECHE Lake Ulenia NATURE RESERVE BOURKE Salt Lake

Bullea Lake Utah Lake Muck Lake Darling Tongo Lake Yantabangee Lake Mullawoolka Basin Louth

PEERY Poloko Lake GUNDABOOKA Packsaddle NATIONAL Gilpoko Lake NATIONAL PARK PARK

Bancannia Lake COTAURANDEE Peri Lake NATURE RESERVE White Cliffs Tilpa

MUTAWINTJI NATIONAL PARK Nine Mile Lake MOUNT GRENFELL HISTORIC SITE MUTAWINTJI Kopago Lake HISTORIC SITE

C Wilcannia Wongalara Lake Coogee Lake Lake Gunyulka Woytchugga Lake Poopelloe Lake

Crow l

Cr BROKEN HILL

Menindee

YATHO KAJULIGAH NATUR KINCHEGA NATURE RESERVE NATIONAL PARK RESERV

Ivanhoe Coombah

Willandra Creek

KNOWING WHAT’S AROUND YOU When it comes to conserving native fauna, knowing what is around you is almost as important as knowing what is on your own place. The Darling Riverine Plains is one of 80 different bioregions in Australia. Each bioregion has its own distinctive climate, geology, landform, vegetation, fauna and land use.

Bioregions are considered to be ‘natural regions’ which are important for determining land management and nature conservation needs on both a national and regional basis. Your place lies within the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion. It is surrounded by six other bioregions. St George the bioregion is

Boggabilla characterised

BOOMI, BOOMI WEST, Cropp BORONGA NRs a

River CAREUNGA G M by extensive il Gil NATURE acintyre RESERVE Creek PLANCHONELLA Creek NATURE RESERVE River CULGOA NATIONAL PARK River MIDKIN ARAKOOLA floodplains of Gwydir NR River River NATURE RESERVE Ashford Narran Lightning Gwydir Sev Ridge Collarenebri Moomin Bokhara MOREE Warialda River Creek ten major river NARRAN LAKE River NATURE RESERVE River ulgoa GAMILAROI C NATURE River INVERELL RESERVE Bingara Walgett River Brewarrina Lake Copeton Barwon Wee C astlereagh Waa Bundarra Namoi orton River H WESTERN CENTRAL NARRABRI Pilliga DIVISION DIVISION BRIGALOW KAPUTAR Barraba PARK NR NATIONAL R PARK iver Bogan Creek River Byrock M

erri M River MACQUARIE Boggabri Namoi MARSHES Bohena Manilla NATURE erri Lake RESERVE PILLIGA NATURE Keepit Baradine RESERVE Coonamble Bendemeer Macquarie GUNNEDAH

WARRUMBUNGLE M NATIONAL ooki TAMWORTH Creek PARK COONABARABRAN Gulargambone River Werris Creek BINNAWAY River NATURE RESERVE River Nyngan Binnaway Quirindi WEETALIBAH Warren Gilgandra NATURE RESERVE QUANDA Murrurundi NATURE RESERVE Coolah

Trangie Dunedoo Merriwa Talbragar River DAPPER SCONE NATURE RESERVE Narromine DUBBO Gulgong MUSWELLBROOK Macquarie WELLINGTON TOLLINGO MUDGEE NATURE RESERVE SINGLETON GOOBANG NATIONAL PARK Lake Burrendong WOOGOON Peak Hill Rylstone NATURE RESERVE NNIE E ROUND HILL River Kandos Cessnock E NATURE Trundle RESERVE Molong Condobolin Turon PARKES River

THE DARLING RIVERINE PLAINS BIOREGION (*shaded green in the above map) The Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion covers 10,550,000 hectares, which is approximately 1.4% of Australia. Most of the bioregion (88%) is located within NSW with two small lobes extending into Queensland. The bioregion is characterized by extensive floodplains of 10 major rivers: the Barwon-Darling, Culgoa, Birrie, Bokhara, Narran, Gwydir, Namoi, Castlereagh, Macquarie and Bogan. In 1884 the bioregion in NSW was divided into the Central and Western Divisions. It essentially divides freehold land (Central Division) from leasehold (Western Division). This line has had enormous consequences for biodiversity conservation. Within the bioregion more than 60% of native vegetation in the Central Division has been cleared, while in the Western Division it is estimated that 10 – 20% of native vegetation has been cleared. NATIVE FAUNA Historical records (not including archaeological records) of native animals from the Darling Riverine Plains go back about 150 years giving us some idea of the species that have and still live in the bioregion. But most of the information on fauna of the bioregion has come from surveys conducted in the last 20 years. Surveys were specifically designed for the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion Project so as to complement existing information. BROAD-BANDED SAND SWIMMER (A. Dudley)

Since 1970 there have been 435 native animal species including 47 threatened species and 18 introduced animal species recorded in the bioregion. The results show that the bioregion has a real mix of eastern and western fauna. That is, species commonly found in the eastern woodlands and those more often found in inland areas. SMOOTH KNOB-TAILED GECKO (M. Maher) The other general result is the difference in biodiversity between the Central and Western Division. The link between the presence of native vegetation and native fauna is critical so the loss of native vegetation in the Central Division has resulted in a decline in fauna.

NATIVE HABITATS BANDY BANDY (M. Ellis) The survey results show that within the bioregion seven major habitat types are important for fauna: • Northern Riverine Woodlands • Southern Riverine Corridor • Diverse Woodland Remnants • Simple Woodland Remnants • Red Country Woodlands

• Grasslands and Shrublands EGRETS (B. Johnson) • Wetlands There are likely to be other habitat types that are important for native fauna but they are likely to be small and have not yet been surveyed.

FATTAILED DUNNART (M P ) BLACK-FRONTED DOTTEREL (M. Maher) GREEN TREE FROG (M. Pennay)

GILBERT’S DRAGON (A. Dudley)

SALMON STRIPED FROG (A. Dudley)

BROLGA (M. Maher)

HOLY CROSS TOAD (A. Dudley)

COMMON DUNNART (D. Paull)

TAWNY FROGMOUTH (M. Maher)

WOOD GECKO (J. Little)

CARPET PYTHON (M. Maher)

LESSER LONG-EARED BAT (A. Dudley)

DE VIS BANDED SNAKE (J. Little)

PINK COCKATOO EASTERN BLUE-TONGUED LIZARD (A. Dudley) EURO (M. Cooper) ABOUT THIS REPORT The rest of this report will provide information for each of the habitat types listed on page 6. It will include a general description of the habitat and some information on how to look after that habitat type. There are lists of the COMMON RINGTAIL POSSUM (J. Morris) POSSUM (J. COMMON RINGTAIL typical and threatened fauna species found WHAT IS HABITAT? in each habitat as well as lists of the declining woodland birds found in the Habitat is most simply defined as the place woodland remnants. where an animal or plant lives. Habitat conservation aims to look after an animal The typical fauna list includes species that or plant’s natural habitat so that they may are commonly encountered and occur in continue to live in the place where they more than 65% of sites in that habitat naturally occur. type. The threatened species are those listed under the NSW Threatened Species Many native animals, particularly birds Conservation Act (1995). The declining and bats, complicate this rather simple woodland birds are those listed by Reid concept by living in many places. For (2000). A full list of fauna found in the instance, Red-tailed Black-cockatoos roost Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion since and breed in large old River Red Gums 1970 can be found in the species lists along the Darling River, however they starting on page 26. most often feed on the open plains and grasslands several kilometres from the river. This report has highlighted the major habitat types and fauna found in the Little Pied Bats are known to roost in trees, Darling Riverine Plains. There is more caves and old buildings and feed in a range information on the bioregion, its flora and of vegetation types including woodlands, vegetation communities. This will be shrublands, cypress pine forests and mallee. available in subsequent reports from the The Narrow-nosed Planigale (a small Dubbo office of the NSW National Parks marsupial, pictured below) lives and Wildlife Service. underground in the heavy, cracking grey clays of floodplains and lakebeds feeding both under and on the surface, mostly on insects and spiders. In the Darling Riverine Plains, healthy and diverse native vegetation will provide the most important habitat for native fauna.

COOLIBAH WOODLAND (A Fox) NARROW NOSED PLANIGALE (M Pennay) SOIL CRACKS (J Smith) LOOKING AFTER HABITAT ON YOUR PLACE There are many management changes you can make on your place that will benefit native fauna. Some of these are relatively simple and others require more effort and motivation. Here are some habitat conservation tips. • Retain native vegetation. Aim for 10 – 30% local native habitat is a vegetation cover on your property. Keep this vegetation in patches as large as possible, at least 10ha. If possible link simple concept smaller patches with wide strips of vegetation, particularly along watercourses. made complex by • Fence areas you want to conserve. This allows greater an animal’s need control over the frequency, intensity and duration of grazing, improves pest species management and increases the chance to do different for natural regeneration. • Conserve areas that represent the range of habitat types on things in your property (e.g. wetlands, grasslands and woodlands) and provide the greatest diversity of habitat (e.g. tree hollows, different places fallen timber and shrubs).

• Find out what species live on your property and research their habitat requirements. The more you know about these species, the more appropriate habitat you can provide for them.

• Monitor and record your conservation efforts so that you and others can learn from the experience. Document what rehabilitation methods work and what doesn’t. Take photographs at fixed points to monitor changes, compile species lists and record any changes as the area regenerates.

• There are many more things you can do to conserve habitat for native animals. Some specific points are included in the remainder of this report, but if you want more help, then look on page 24 – ‘Where to from here’.

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U C THE HABITAT TYPICAL SPECIES survival of The Northern Riverine Woodlands are Galah found throughout the northwest of the Willie Wagtail native species bioregion north of Bourke and the Barwon Grey Shrike-thrush River. They are only found in the Western Magpie Lark Division. Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike White-plumed Honeyeater This habitat type includes the River Red Pied Butcherbird Gum woodlands and the extensive Australian Magpie Coolibah – Black Box woodlands on the Australian Raven floodplains on the Barwon-Darling, Narran and Culgoa Rivers. They are different from THREATENED SPECIES all other woodlands in the bioregion because they are large and relatively intact Barking Owl tracts of native vegetation. In fact the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo riverine woodlands on the Culgoa River Stripe-faced Dunnart floodplain are the largest and least disturbed Koala area of contiguous Coolibah woodland left Little Pied Bat in NSW. THE IMPORTANCE OF SIZE When it comes to biodiversity conservation, size is important. Large areas of native vegetation (>1000ha) are essential for the survival of native fauna species. Research on woodland birds has shown that large areas of native vegetation now bear the responsibility for the survival of many declining bird species in the wheat- sheep belt of southeast Australia.

The home range or territory of an animal can give an indication of the size a vegetation remnant needs to be for providing habitat. For example, Grey- crowned Babblers’ home range size varies from 2 – 53 hectares depending upon its family group size. Bush Stone-curlews utilise home ranges of between 250 – 500 hectares and defend nest territories of 10 – 25 hectares, while Barking Owls range up to five kilometres from their roost site when searching for food.

LITTLE PIED BAT (M. Ellis) THE HABITAT LOOKING AFTER A MOST IMPORTANT CORRIDOR Below Bourke, the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion follows the Darling River down There has been much written about the to the Menindee Lakes. Compared to the importance of wildlife corridors, some of rest of the bioregion it is a narrow corridor which has overrated their value, but in the down the floodplain. River Red Gum line Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion none is the banks of the river, major channels and more important than the riverine corridor. billabongs. Black Box woodlands dominate It is important for the maintenance of the floodplain. There are extensive areas river health, for the migration and of Lignum swamp as well as many red sandy breeding of many native fauna and for its rises on the floodplain. Small ephemeral cultural significance. lakes are common along with the You can look after your riverine corridor Menindee Lakes system consisting of ten by ensuring it is a minimum of 50 metres large lakes. wide or 3–5 trees wide on either side of the river. It should contain a range of shrub species of varying sizes and it should ideally link up with large areas of native vegetation on the floodplain.

DARLING RIVER (M. Maher) TYPICAL SPECIES THREATENED SPECIES of all the wildlife Peaceful Dove Black-breasted Buzzard Crested Pigeon Masked Owl corridors, none is more Little Corella Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Galah Pink Cockatoo important than the Red-rumped Parrot Stripe-faced Dunnart Australian Owlet-nightjar Inland Forest Bat riverine corridor Rainbow Bee-eater Little Pied Bat Sacred Kingfisher Willie Wagtail A WHOLE LOT OF HOLES Grey Shrike-thrush Hollows form in dead and living trees and Magpie Lark can take more than 100 years to form, which Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike means they are not quickly replaced. Selection White-plumed Honeyeater of hollows varies from species to species Yellow-throated Miner depending on entrance size and shape. Australian Raven Red-tailed Black-cockatoos and Common Lesser Long-eared Bat Brushtail Possums need a hollow entrance Gould’s Wattled Bat GOULD’S WATTLED BAT (A. Dudley) around 15cm in diameter, while 3cm is enough Little Broad-nosed Bat to keep a Sugar Glider happy. Little Forest Bat Tree Dtella Hollow depth and height above the ground also Bynoe’s Gecko influence hollow use, while the degree of insulation Boulenger’s Skink is especially important for reptiles and bats. Research indicates around 3-10 hollow-bearing trees, with as many as 30 different sized hollows per hectare, are sufficient to sustain a diverse wildlife population. THE HABITAT LOOKING AFTER OUR WOODLAND BIRDS The diverse woodland remnants occur in the Central Division of the bioregion and Numerous studies in the past decade have are essentially the remnants that provide shown a rapid decline in many of the once good quality habitat for a range of native common woodland birds. A recent study species, particularly woodland birds. They in the NSW wheat-sheep belt (which occur on a variety of soil types ranging includes a large part of the Darling Riverine from clays to sandy soils and include canopy Plains Bioregion) found 20 species were trees such as Bimble Box, Baradine Red in serious trouble. Some of these included Gum, Cypress Pine, Belah, Coolibah and Red-capped Robin, Hooded Robin, Eastern Black Box. Yellow Robin, Jacky Winter, Restless Flycatcher and Brown Treecreeper. The presence of shrubs in the understorey is one of the main reasons they are good Diversity of woodland birds is related to quality habitat. The shrub species include remnant area, shrub cover and density of Emu-bush, Deane’s Wattle, River Cooba, tree hollows, the more of each the better. Western Boobialla and Wilga. Looking after woodland birds means looking after remnants that are larger than 10 hectares. Ensure such remnants have more than 20% shrub cover, leave fallen trees and branches and avoid heavy continuous grazing.

SPOTTED GRASS FROG (A D dl ) PALE HEADED SNAKE (A D dl ) TYPICAL SPECIES looking after Australian Owlet-nightjar Willie Wagtail woodland birds DISAPPEARING EMUS Magpie Lark It is hard to believe, but emus are now Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike means protecting declining in numbers in the wheat-sheep Weebill belt of NSW. Although they are still found Yellow Thornbill remnants that Mistletoebird in good numbers in the west of the Darling are larger Riverine Plains Bioregion, they are being Striped Honeyeater White-plumed Honeyeater recorded from fewer areas and in lower than 10ha numbers in the eastern sections of the Grey Butcherbird bioregion. Emus have completely Striated Pardalote disappeared from some agricultural lands Eastern Grey Kangaroo in Victoria and now only occur in farmland Gould’s Wattled Bat where patches of woodland remain. Little Forest Bat Tree Skink Boulenger’s Skink Spotted Grass Frog THREATENED SPECIES Barking Owl Glossy Black-Cockatoo Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat Little Pied Bat Pale-headed Snake Grey-crowned Babbler Diamond Firetail

YELLOW-BELLIED SHEATHTAIL-BAT (M. Maher) DECLINING WOODLAND GREY-CROWNED BABBLER (L. Kelly) BIRDS Emu Painted Button-quail Restless Flycatcher Jacky Winter Red-capped Robin Hooded Robin Eastern Yellow Robin Rufous Whistler Crested Bellbird White-browed Babbler Southern Whiteface Chestnut-rumped Thornbill White-browed Woodswallow Dusky Woodswallow Varied Sitella Brown Treecreeper THE HABITAT THE BENEFITS OF NOT TIDYING UP The simple woodland remnants mainly The urge to tidy up a paddock full of shrubs occur within the Central Division and are and dead timber is often very strong but the most common habitat type in the there are good reasons to leave it alone. bioregion. They are described as simple Shrubs and grasses can form effective because they often have little or no shrub windbreaks that help reduce erosion, layer due to either clearing or grazing for provide shade and shelter for both stock long periods of time. As a result they are and wildlife and stabilise banks in riparian missing many of the woodland birds that zones. Some wattle (Acacia) species help inhabit the diverse woodlands. The birds to fix nitrogen into the soil. Small that dominate these woodlands are those insectivorous birds such as the Red-capped that cope well with disturbance such as Robin and Crested Bellbird prefer areas Noisy Miners, Crested Pigeons and Galahs. with shrubs for nesting and avoiding The canopy trees include Coolibah, Belah, predators. Dead and fallen timber provide Bimble Box, Cypress Pine and Wilga. homes and food for small animals such as The shrub understorey is often absent or the Stripe-faced Dunnart, ground dwelling may contain some Lignum, Budda or birds such as the Bush Stone-curlew and Warrior Bush. reptiles such as Boulenger’s Skink. Woodland birds such as the Crested Shrike- REHABILITATING REMNANTS tit prefer foraging for insects under the bark Although the simple woodlands do not of standing timber, while Hooded Robins provide habitat for many woodland birds prefer to forage among dead and fallen now, they can be rehabilitated. By timber. All these insectivorous species removing stock and allowing natural contribute to the control of pasture pests. regeneration, bird diversity can be re- established, although this may take 15–25 years. By planting local native shrubs (particularly wattles), leaving fallen dead trees and branches and allowing natural regeneration, woodland birds will return more quickly. If you do want to rehabilitate a remnant, make it a big one. It should be at least 10 hectares (25 acres) to be worthwhile. TYPICAL SPECIES HOW THE YATES ARE LOOKING AFTER THEIR Crested Pigeon VEGETATION REMNANTS – Galah Bill and Anne Yates

Australian Owlet-nightjar The Yates family manages 8000 ha of cropping and grazing Noisy Miner land northwest of Moree. The family first arrived in 1899 Apostlebird and any development for grazing and latterly for broadacre Australian Magpie cropping, has had an emphasis on the retention of native Boulenger’s Skink vegetation for windbreaks and pasture stability. As the enterprise has switched to farming, less productive land on THREATENED SPECIES sandy ridges has been left with trees (also serving as valuable Bush Stone-curlew stock refuges in time of wet cultivations) and corridors have Black-breasted Buzzard been left adjoining public land and around all cultivated Barking Owl paddocks to include all vegetation types. Masked Owl Currently Bill is involved with regional planning through the Glossy Black-Cockatoo Moree Regional Vegetation Committee and sees that as an Superb Parrot important way of heightening awareness of the need to Stripe-faced Dunnart retain vegetation. He believes planning to retain a proportion Koala of all vegetation types (including grasslands), in corridors, on both private and public land will enhance biodiversity and Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat ecosystem stability. No longer is it adequate to leave small Little Pied Bat fragmented pieces of vegetation completely devoid of native Inland Forest Bat species or habitat (including dead or fallen material) on the Pale-headed Snake basis that they are least productive to cropping or pasture Diamond Firetail or whether trees are small or large. The Yates have found Grey-crowned Babbler that short duration grazing favours native vegetation retention DECLINING WOODLAND BIRDS and regeneration. Emu Painted Button-quail Restless Flycatcher Jacky Winter Red-capped Robin Hooded Robin Eastern Yellow Robin Rufous Whistler

Crested Shrike-tit YATES’ PROPERTY ‘DELVIN’ Crested Bellbird Southern Whiteface Chestnut-rumped Thornbill White-browed Woodswallow Brown Treecreeper TYPICAL SPECIES Brown Songlark Golden-headed Cisticola Richard’s Pipit Singing Bushlark Narrow-nosed Planigale Thick-tailed Gecko Lined Earless Dragon THREATENED SPECIES Forrest’s Mouse

LINED EARLESS DRAGON (M. Cooper)

THE HABITAT THE HUNTING GROUNDS The grasslands and shrublands occur It has been estimated that 99% of original throughout the bioregion on soils ranging grassland vegetation in NSW has been from cracking grey clays to red sands. Typical cleared, cultivated or altered by heavy species are native grasses such as Mitchell grazing. Very few remaining native Grass, Spear Grass and Warrego Summer grasslands exist in large patches Grass and shrubs such as Old Man Saltbush, (>500 hectares); most are small areas such Bluebush, Lignum and Canegrass. They are as cemeteries and roadside reserves. the extensive areas of open country naturally The grasslands were once important lacking trees and not the patches of hunting and gathering grounds for grassland created through clearing the Aboriginal people. woodlands. Many of the fauna species found in this habitat type are specialists at surviving on the open plains. Very few remaining native grasslands exist in large

patches greater OUTFOXED ON KALYANKA – Mark Etheridge and Mog Davies than 500ha We began 1080 meat baiting for foxes soon after Mog and I took over Kalyanka in 1995. We commenced baiting knowing that there were large numbers of foxes on the property, counts of 50 foxes during a 2 hour spotlighting stint were not uncommon. We know that foxes readily take new lambs especially the first born of a set of twins. We also anticipated a positive effect on small wildlife presuming that less foxes and cats mean more small animals on the property.

Our initial baitings were closely monitored to determine species coming into the bait trail. Two things became immediately apparent, firstly that the baits were only taken by foxes [and some cats]. Secondly, that we had lots of foxes as initially all baits were taken by daylight. It was going to take several baitings to get fox numbers under control. We have now settled into an annual program of two baitings per year: April – May when young foxes are finding their new territories and August – September, prior to lambing.

The cost of these baitings is the time it takes to prepare and lay the baits – approximately 4 person days per year. We find that meat baits are best laid late in the day and into the night to improve the chance of a fox taking a particular bait. Baits are laid along station tracks from a vehicle towing a carcass, thereby creating a trail. 1000 or so baits are laid at intervals of 300 – 500 metres, taking approximately 15 hours.

THE HUNTING GROUNDS (cont’d) After six years of baiting we now don’t see any foxes or cats, our kangaroo shooter says that it is rare to see a fox on Yam Daisies were common grassland plants Kalyanka, except in autumn when young foxes are on the and a major part of the aboriginal diet. move. We were concerned at first that our baiting program Aboriginal women would collect up to would be ineffective because not all of our neighbours were 2000 plants or 8 kilograms of tuber a day. baiting, however it would appear that baiting is quite effective Today this plant is almost absent from the all the same. I’d guess that if all our neighbours were baiting grasslands. The high level of disturbance then we would only have to bait every year or so. The effects of reducing fox and cat numbers on wildlife populations are in this habitat type has resulted in the fox difficult to monitor. being one of the most common species (However, many studies have shown increases in native wildlife found in the grasslands and shrublands. when fox numbers are lowered. Ed.) They have become the hunting grounds of a different sort! REPTILES AND REFUGE If you wanted to list the good qualities of the red country woodlands from a biodiversity point of view, reptile habitat and flood refuge would top the list. Thirty- five species of reptiles (including 13 gecko species) live in the red country. It is well known that most reptiles don’t like getting their feet wet so this habitat is more suitable than most others in the bioregion. It also has a diverse understorey often with rocks, logs and litter, which is good for providing food and shelter for many native animals CYPRESS PINE WOODLAND (A, Fox) like reptiles and woodland birds. The red country is flood refuge for both wildlife THE HABITAT and stock. During big floods every patch There are many patches of red country of red country is critical for their survival. in the vast floodplains of the bioregion The red country woodlands need to be that provide relief in more ways than managed in much the same way as the one. They include the red ridge country diverse woodland remnants. around Lightning Ridge, Collarenebri and the sandplains on the western edge of the bioregion. The habitat they provide has much in common with the diverse woodland remnants but they also have some unique qualities. The canopy trees include Black and White Cypress Pine, Bimble Box, Mulga, Brigalow and Gidgee. They have a good shrub understorey including Wilga, Mulga, Budda, Turpentine and Native Cherry.

BYNOES GECKO (J. Little)

Retain dead standing and fallen timber, as many species depend on the leaf litter for shelter and food TYPICAL SPECIES Australian Owlet-nightjar Willie Wagtail Singing Honeyeater Striped Honeyeater White-plumed Honeyeater Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Grey Butcherbird Australian Magpie Australian Raven

Tree Dtella Fox) (A, AND GIDGEE COUNTRY SALTBUSH Bynoe’s Gecko THREATENED SPECIES Bush Stone-curlew Pink Cockatoo Stripe-faced Dunnart Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat

TREE DTELLA (A. Dudley)

STRIPE-FACED DUNNART (G. Bywater) There are hundreds of wetland areas in the bioregion -

NARRAN LAKES (J. Smith) each with its own

habitat value for LIGNUM AT NARRAN LAKES (J. Smith) native fauna

STRAW-NECKED IBIS NESTS/ MACQUARIE MARSHES (B. Johnson)

MACQUARIE MARSHES (B. Johnson)

WETLAND HABITAT WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE The wetlands in the Darling Riverine Plains include rivers, waterholes, billabongs, The largest wetlands in the bioregion are anabranches, overflows, channels, swamps, the Gwydir Wetlands, Narran Lakes, braids, marshes and lakes, both freshwater Macquarie Marshes and Menindee Lakes. and saline. There are many hundred such Each of these wetlands regularly support wetlands in the bioregion, some less than and provide breeding habitat for more than one hectare, with the biggest more than 100,000 waterbirds. Three of these 250,000 hectares. Each one will have its wetlands, the Gwydir Wetlands, Narran own habitat value for native fauna. Lakes and Macquarie Marshes are listed under the Ramsar Convention, which means they are internationally recognised for their wetland values. THE SOUTHERON’S AND THEIR WETLAND – Bruce and Jen Southeron I first came into the watercourse country west of Moree in 1954. To a young stockman’s eyes it was near to paradise – large mobs of cattle and sheep and waterbirds in countless flocks. we now have The Gwydir River was virtually uncontrolled by man, so a flood or fresh in the river came through and ran on until the river was empty which sometimes took months. Our only a set of rules indication of a fresh coming down the river was the number of birds feeding on the lead of the water. Although we still had droughts, a good fall of rain in the catchment of the that seem to New England would keep the watercourse green and fresh.

In the mid 1970s Copeton Dam was built on the Gwydir River east of Bundarra. Very few work for both people at the time had any idea of the effect this development would have on the watercourse country. When the dam was filled there was little call for the water, then the the spillway started to breakdown.

The dam level was soon lowered so that a continual flow of water was poured into the environment wetlands for a period of approximately 4 years. This inundation killed thousands of Coolibah trees, some that were hundreds of years old. The irrigation industry started to grow. In and the a very short period of time a wetlands area of well in excess of 100,000 acres died until no more than 2000 acres remained and this was only when the flow was greater than the irrigation pumps could draw out. I think I can best describe the effect this had on our own wetlands with the following industry figures. This country has been grazed since the 1840s. One paddock when mustered would produce 1000 head of fat cattle -steers, cows and weaners – with the fats going straight to market. By the early 1990s after about fifteen years of these changed conditions the same area was carrying 150 cows and we had to crop to fatten calves.

The same devastation affected the fauna with the rookeries dying, the Red-bellied Black Snake and the Water Rat colonies vanishing and the Platypus at the end of the river gone.

The wetland was a very sorry place. In those days the environment was a dirty word only spoken about by mad greenies. Fortunately things have changed and in 1995 a change of policy and government thinking has turned the issue around and we now have a new set of rules that seem to work for both the environment and the irrigation industry.

The wetlands will never be as large as it was but I know what we have now will survive and I feel proud to think that my family helped to preserve it.

I hope that my great grandchildren will learn to ride through this country as my children and grandchildren have ridden with me and that we will be able to keep it as it is now for many generations. KNOWING YOU’RE NOT ALONE HOW BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION HELPS Looking after your place is a job you shouldn’t have to do alone. The cost of The information collected throughout the retaining, managing or rehabilitating native Darling Riverine Plains Project will benefit vegetation for wildlife habitat, shade and both individuals and organizations. shelter, the prevention and mitigation of Examples of how this information is being land degradation and the maintenance of used include: water quality may be greater than the direct • By Regional Vegetation Committees benefit to you but there will almost certainly who are preparing regional vegetation be economic benefits for the wider management plans. community. Most landholders recognise • By River Management Committees they have a duty of care on their place but who are preparing river they need financial incentives or assistance management plans. provided by the wider community to meet • By Catchment Management the gap. Boards who are preparing WHERE TO GET HELP catchment blueprints. • For a conservation assessment of the Long term financial incentives are currently Darling Riverine Plains under the being discussed and investigated. The guidance of the NSW State assistance that is currently available is in Biodiversity Strategy. the form of government incentive programs • By individual landholders who are such as the NSW Native Vegetation undertaking farm plans or property Management Fund and the management plans. Commonwealth Natural Heritage Trust. • For use in threatened species You can contact your local National Parks recovery plans. and Wildlife Service or Department of • For on ground native vegetation and Land and Water Conservation office about wildlife protection work. these schemes or contact Greening Australia (a non-government organisation) The more we know about where native to find out more about financial species are found and the habitats they use, assistance for establishing and maintaining the better. The Atlas of NSW Wildlife is native vegetation. a statewide database of plants and animals managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. You can contribute to the database by keeping accurate records of plants and animals you observe on your place and submitting these to the Atlas. For more information on the Atlas, contact your local NPWS office or visit the website at: www.wildlifeatlas.npws.nsw.gov.au/about.html FURTHER INFORMATION If you want information or advice on managing native vegetation for native animals in the Darling Riverine Plains, or if you want further reports from the Darling Riverine Plains project, then contact:

NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service

Western Directorate 48 – 52 Wingewarra St. PO Box 2111 DUBBO NSW 2830 Phone: (02) 6883 5330

OTHER CONTACTS

(M. Cooper) FIND OUT ABOUT PLANTS AND ANIMALS ON YOUR PLACE Greening Australia

PO Box 307, COBAR NSW 2835 ph (02) 6836 1575 PO Box 1305, BATHURST, NSW, 2795 ph (02) 6332 9488

Nature Conservation Council of NSW

NSW Environment Centre, Lvl 5, (RLPB: F. Lawrence) (D. Geering) 362 Kent St, SYDNEY, NSW, 2000 ph (02) 9279 2466

Community Biodiversity Network

PO Box Q995 QVB Post Office, SYDNEY, NSW, 1230 ph (02) 9262 4743

FENCING REMNANTS OF NATIVE VEGETATION AND HABITAT FROGS AMPHIBIA Skink Egernia modesta Tree Frogs Hylidae Tree Skink Egernia striolata Waterholding Frog Cyclorana platycephala Narrow-banded Sand Swimmer Eremiascincus fasciolatus Warty Waterholding Frog Cyclorana verrucosa Broad-banded Sand Swimmer Eremiascincus richardsonii Giant Waterholding Frog Cyclorana novaehollandiae Eastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyii Striped Burrowing Frog Litoria alboguttata Barred-sided Skink Eulamprus tenuis Green Tree Frog Litoria caerulea Delicate Skink Lampropholis delicata Broad-palmed Frog Litoria latopalmata Burrowing skink Lerista labialis Peron's Tree Frog Litoria peronii Mueller’s Skink Lerista muelleri Desert Tree Frog Litoria rubella Spotted Burrowing Skink Lerista punctatovittata Burrowing skink Lerista xanthura Southern Frog Myobatrachidae Grey's Skink Menetia greyii Brown Froglet Crinia deserticola Skink Morethia adelaidensis Plains Froglet Crinia parinsignifera Boulenger’s Skink Morethia boulengeri Common Eastern Froglet Crinia signifera Skink Proablepharus kinghorni Sloane’s Toadlet Crinia sloanei Western Blue-tongued Lizard Tiliqua occipitalis Barking Marsh Frog Limnodynastes fletcheri Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard Tiliqua scincoides Giant Pobblebonk Limnodynastes interioris Shingle-back Lizard Trachydosaurus rugosus Ornate Burrowing Frog Limnodynastes ornatus Salmon Striped Frog Limnodynastes salmini Blind snakes Typhlopidae Spotted Grass Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Blind snake Ramphotyphlops bituberculatus Common Spadefoot Toad Neobatrachus sudelli Blind snake Ramphotyphlops ligatus Crucifix Frog (Holy Cross Toad) Notaden bennettii Blind snake Ramphotyphlops proximus Small-headed Toadlet Uperoleia capitulata Blind snake Ramphotyphlops wiedii Wrinkled Toadlet Uperoleia rugosa Pythons Boidae REPTILES REPTILIA Woma Aspidites ramsayi Turtles Chelidae Stimson's Python Liasis stimsoni Broad-shelled River Turtle Chelodina expansa Carpet Python Morelia spilota variegata Long-necked Tortoise Chelodina longicollis Saw-shelled Tortoise Elseya latisternum Rear-fanged Snakes Colubridae Murray Turtle Emydura macquarii Green Tree Snake Dendrelaphis punctulata

Geckoes Gekkonidae Front-fanged Snakes Elapidae Marbled Gecko Christinus marmoratus Common Death Adder Acanthophis antarcticus Gecko Diplodactylus byrnei Yellow-faced Whip Snake Demansia psammophis Spiny-tailed Gecko Diplodactylus ciliaris De Vis Banded Snake Denisonia devisi Eastern Spiny-tailed Gecko Diplodactylus intermedius Snake Drysdalia rhodogaster Steindachner’s gecko Diplodactylus steindachneri Red-naped Snake Furina diadema Tessellated Gecko Diplodactylus tessellatus Grey Snake Hemiaspis damelii Wood Gecko Diplodactylus vittatus Pale-headed Snake Hoplocephalus bitorquatus Soft-tailed Gecko Diplodactylus williamsi Eastern Tiger Snake Notechis scutatus Northern Dtella Gehyra dubia Mulga (King Brown) Snake Pseudechis australis Tree Dtella Gehyra variegata Spotted Black Snake Pseudechis guttatus Bynoe's Gecko Heteronotia binoei Red-bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus Beaded Gecko Lucasium damaeum Ringed Brown Snake Pseudonaja modesta Smooth Knob-tailed Gecko Nephrurus levis Western Brown Snake (Gwardar) Pseudonaja nuchalis Marbled Velvet Gecko Oedura marmorata Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis Ocellated Velvet Gecko Oedura monilis Coral Snake Simoselaps australis Beaked Gecko Rhynchoedura ornata Black-headed Snake Suta spectabilis spectabilis Thick-tailed Gecko Underwoodisaurus milii Snake Suta spectabilis dyweri Curl (Myall) Snake Suta suta Legless Lizards Pygopodidae Bandy-bandy Vermicella annulata Legless lizard Delma tincta Burton's Legless Lizard Lialis burtonis MAMMALS MAMMALIA Common Scaly-foot Pygopus lepidopodus Egg-laying Mammals Monotremata Hooded Scaly-foot Pygopus nigriceps Platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus Olive Legless Lizard Delma inornata Short-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus

Dragons Agamidae Marsupials Marsupialia Jacky Lizard Amphibolurus muricatus Yellow-footed Antechinus Antechinus flavipes Nobbi Amphibolurus nobbi Spotted-tailed Quoll Dasyurus maculatus Central Netted Dragon Ctenophorus nuchalis Brush-tailed Phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa Painted Dragon Ctenophorus pictus Paucident Planigale Planigale gilesi Gilbert's Dragon Lophognathus gilberti Narrow-nosed Planigale Planigale tenuirostris Eastern Water Dragon Physignathus lesueurii Fat-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis crassicaudata Bearded Dragon (Jew Lizard) Pogona barbata Stripe-faced Dunnart Sminthopsis macroura Central Bearded Dragon Pogona vitticeps Common Dunnart Sminthopsis murina Lined Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis lineata Koala Phascolarctos cinereus Earless dragon Tympanocryptis tetraporophora Common Wombat Vombatus ursinus Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps Goannas Varanidae Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis Gould's Goanna (Sand Monitor) Varanus gouldii Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus Black-headed Monitor Varanus tristis Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula Lace Monitor Varanus varius Feathertail Glider Acrobates pygmaeus Western Grey Kangaroo Macropus fuliginosus Skinks Scincidae Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus Five-clawed Worm-skink Anomalopus mackayi Euro Macropus robustus Southern Rainbow Skink Carlia tetradactyla Red-necked Wallaby Macropus rufogriseus Carnaby’s Wall Skink Cryptoblepharus carnabyi Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus Wall Skink Cryptoblepharus plagiocephalus Swamp Wallaby Wallabia bicolour Striped skink Ctenotus allotropis Striped skink Ctenotus ingrami Placentals Eutheria Striped skink Ctenotus leonhardii Little Red Flying-fox Pteropus scapulatus Royal Skink Ctenotus regius Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat Saccolaimus flaviventris Striped Skink Ctenotus robustus Bat Mormopterus species 3 Striped skink Ctenotus schomburgkii Bat Mormopterus species 4 Striped skink Ctenotus strauchii varius White-Striped Mastiff-bat Tadarida australis Gould's Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae Little Pied Bat Chalinolobus picatus Red Goshawk Ertyhrotriochis radiatus LEGEND Inland Eptesicus Vespadelus baverstocki White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Little Forest Eptesicus Vespadelus vulturnus Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides Threatened Gould's Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus gouldi Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis Species Western Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens balstoni Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii Black Falcon Falco subniger Water Rat Hydromys chrysogaster Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Species of Forrest's Mouse Leggadina forresti Australian Hobby Falco longipennis conservation Pale Field-rat Rattus tunneyi Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos Brown Falcon Falco berigora concern in the Introduced Placental Mammals Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides Western Brown Hare Lepus capensis Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Mound-building Birds Division Feral Dog Canis familiaris Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata Fox Vulpes vulpes Declining Feral Cat Felis catus Quail Feral Horse Equus caballus Stubble Quail Coturnix novaezealandiae woodland birds Feral Pig Sus scrofa Brown Quail Coturnix australis List adapted from Draft Feral Goat Capra hircus King Quail Coturnix chinensis DRP Background Report Feral Cattle Bos taurus Painted Button-quail Turnix varia (Kerle et al 2002) House Mouse Mus musculus Little Button-quail Turnix velox Black Rat Rattus rattus Red-chested Button-quail Turnix pyrrhothorax

BIRDS AVES Grassland Birds Flightless Birds Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae Bush Thick-knee Burhinus magnirostris

Waterbirds Swamp Birds and Waders Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Buff-banded Rail Rallus philippensis Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus Lewin's Rail Rallus pectoralis Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novahollandiae Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Crake Porzana fluminea Darter Anhinga melanogaster Spotless Crake Porzana tabuensis Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Black-tailed Native-hen Gallinula ventralis Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocoraxmelanoleucos Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda Brolga Grus rubicundus Pacific Heron Ardea pacifica Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles Pied Heron Ardea picata Banded Lapwing Vanellus tricolor Cattle Egret Ardeola ibis Red-kneed Dotterel Erythogonys cinctus Great Egret Egretta alba Mongolian Plover Charadrius mongolus Little Egret Egretta garzetta Double-banded Plover Charadrius bicinctus Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus Rufous Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus Black-fronted Plover Charadrius melanops Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Inland Dotterel Peltohyas australis Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Australasian Bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus Banded Stilt Cladorynchus leucocephalus Black-necked Stork Xenorhynchus asiaticus Red-necked Avocet Recurvirostra vaehollandiae Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopica Sanderling Calidris alba Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis Australian Pratincole Stiltia isabella Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Black Swan Cygnus atratus Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa Pigeons & Doves Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides Peaceful Dove Geopelia placida Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata Grey Teal Anas gibberifrons Bar-shouldered Dove Geopelia humeralis Chestnut Teal Anas castanea Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera Australasian Shoveler Anas rhynchotis Flock Bronzewing Phaps histrionica Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Cotton Pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus Green Pygmy-goose Nettapus pulchellus Parrots Hardhead Aythya australis Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus magnificus Maned Duck Chenonetta jubata Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus Musk Duck Biziura lobata Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea Birds of Prey Pink Cockatoo Cacatua leadbeateri Osprey Pandion haliaetus Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita Black-shouldered Kite Elanus notatus Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus Letter-winged Kite Elanus scriptus Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla Black Kite Milvus migrans Australian King-Parrot Alisterus scapularis Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura Red-winged Parrot Aprosmictus erythropterus Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans White-winged Fairy Wren Malurus leucopterus LEGEND Yellow Rosella Platycercus elegans White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius Chestnut-rumped Hylacola Sericornis pyrrhopygius Pale-headed Rosella Platycercus adscitus Redthroat Sericornis brunneus Threatened Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi Rufous Fieldwren Calamanthus campestris Species Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus Speckled Warbler Sericornis sagittatus Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris Blue Bonnet Northiella haematogaster Western Gerygone Gerygone fusca Species of Bourke's Parrot Neophema bourkii White-throated Gerygone Gerygone olivacea Blue-winged Parrot Neophema chrysostoma Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apica conservation Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella Brown Thornbill Acanthiza pusilla concern in the Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis Western Cuckoos Buff-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza reguloides Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Division Brush Cuckoo Cuculus variolosus Yellow Thornbill Acanthiza nana Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cuculus pyrrhophanus Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis Black-eared Cuckoo Chrysococcyx osculans Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera Declining Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis White-throated Treecreeper Climacteris leucophaea woodland birds Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus White-browed Treecreeper Climacteris affinis Channel-billed Cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus List adapted from Draft Common Koel Eudynamis scolopacea Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata DRP Background Report (Kerle et al 2002) Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis Night Birds Striped Honeyeater Plectorhyncha lanceolata Southern Boobrook Ninox novaeseelandiae Noisy Friarbird Philemon corniculatus Barking Owl Ninox connivens Little Friarbird Philemon citreogularis Barn Owl Tyto alba Blue-faced Honeyeater Entomyzona cyanotis Grass Owl Tyto capensis Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus Singing Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens Spotted Nightjar Caprimulgus guttatus White-eared Honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis White-throated Nightjar Caprimulgus mysticalis Yellow-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus ornatus Grey-fronted Honeyeater Lichenostomus plumulus Kingfishers Fuscous Honeyeater Lichenostomus fuscus Azure Kingfisher Ceyx azurea White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis Forest Kingfisher Halcyon macleayii Brown-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris Red-backed Kingfisher Halcyon pyrrhopygia White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus Sacred Kingfisher Halcyon sancta Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus Painted Honeyeater Grantiella picta Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis White-fronted Honeyeater Phylidonyris albifrons Black Honeyeater Certhionyx niger Songbirds Crimson Chat Ephthianura tricolor Singing Bushlark Mirafa javanica Orange Chat Ephthianura aurifrons White-backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosternum White-fronted Chat Ephthianura albifrons Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum Tree Martin Cecropis nigricans Spotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus Fairy Martin Cecropis ariel Yellow-rumped Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus xanthopygus Richard's Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Red-browed Pardalote Pardalotus rubricatus Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Coracina papuensis Silvereye Zosterops lateralis Cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris Red-browed Firetail Emblema temporalis Ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima Diamond Firetail Emblema guttata White-winged Triller Lalage sueurii Zebra Finch Poephila guttata Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea Double-barred Finch Poephila bichenovii Scarlet Robin Petroica multicolor Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax Rose Robin Petroica rodinogaster Plum-headed Finch Aidemosyne modesta Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis Spotted Bowerbird Chlamydera maculata Jacky Winter Microeca leucophaea White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Crested Shrike-tit Falcunculus frontatus Apostlebird Struthidea cinerea Gilbert's Whistler Pachycephala inornata Australian Magpie Lark Grallina cyanoleuca Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus personatus Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica White-browed Woodswallow Artamus superciliosus Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus Leaden Flycatcher Myiagra rubecula Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca Little Woodswallow Artamus minor Restless Flycatcher Myiagra inquieta Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Pied Currawong Strepera graculina Chirruping Wedgebill Psophodes cristatus Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma castaneothorax Little Raven Corvus mellori Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis Little Crow Corvus bennetti White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus Torresian Crow Corvis orru Chestnut-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus ruficeps Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus Introduced Birds Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Little Grassbird Megalurus gramineus Feral Pigeon Columba livia Golden-headed Cisticola Cisticola exilis Spotted Turtle-Dove Streptopelia chinensis Rufous Songlark Cinclorhamphus mathewsi Common Blackbird Turdus merula Brown Songlark Cinclorhamphus cruralis House Sparrow Passer domesticus Superb Fairy Wren Malurus cyaneus Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris Splendid FairyWren Malurus splendens Variegated Fairy Wren Malurus lamberti REFERENCES Seddon, J., Briggs, S. and Doyle, S. 2001. 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An Interim Biogeographic Culgoa and Birrie River Floodplains in NSW 1990-1992. Occasional Regionalisation for Australia. Environment Australia. Canberra Paper No. 14 NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Traill, B. J. and Duncan, S. 2000 Status of Birds in the NSW Dickman, C. R., Pressey, R. L., Lim, L. and Parnaby H. E. 1993. Temperate Woodlands Region. Consultancy report to NSW National Mammals of Particular Conservation Concern in the Western Division Parks and Wildlife Service. Sydney. of NSW. Biological Conservation 65, 219-248. Wade, T. 1992. The Brigalow Outlier: A resource Inventory of the Ellis, M. and Wilson, P. 1992. An overview of the Vertebrate Fauna Brigalow Vegetation Communities West of the Culgoa River. of the Brigalow Belt North-east of Bourke, NSW. Royal Zoological Deptartment of Conservation and Land Mangement: Bourke. Society of NSW Mammal Section: Sydney WMB, Statewide, 1999. Wildlife needs natural tree hollows. Land Kerle, J.A. Gosper, C., Achurch, H and Laity, T. 2002, Draft Darling for Wildlife Notes Series No LW0006. Department of Natural Riverine Plains Background Report. Unpublished report. Western Resources & Environment, Vic. Regional Assessment Unit, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dubbo. DISCLAIMER Kingsford, R., Thomas, R. and Wong, P. 1996. Significant Wetlands Every effort has been made to ensure the information presented for Waterbirds in the Murray-Darling Basin. Murray-Darling Basin in this publication is accurate and up to date. However the contents Commission. Canberra. of this publication should not be relied upon as the sole source of Reid, J. 2000. Threatened and Declining Birds in the NSW Sheep- information on the biodiversity of the Darling Riverine Plains and Wheat Belt: Landscape Relationships – Modelling Bird Atlas Data further advice should be sought from suitably qualified professional against Vegetation Cover. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. biologists. This publication is provided on the basis that its editors Sydney. and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service are not Robinson, D. and Johnson, G., 1992. Flora & Fauna Guarantee: responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of Action Statement 78 – Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius. information in this publication, nor any error in, or ommission Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Vic. from this publication. This publication should in no way be regarded Sadlier, R.A., Pressey, R.L. and Whish, G.L. 1996. Reptiles and as legal advice. The National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Amphibians of Particular Conservation Concern in the Western Divison editor expresly disclaim all liability and responsibility to any person of New South Wales: Distributions, Habitats, and Conservation Status. in respect of anything done or ommitted to be done by any persons Biological Conservation 69, 41-54. in reliance upon the contents of this publication.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Community members: Thank you to the following the landholders that supported the Project: Bill & Anne Yates, Andrew & Anne Perry, Bruce & Jen Southeron, Jenny Anderson, John & Jo Searle, Jim & Kayleen Southeron, Jim & Rhonda Cameron, Malcolm & Judith Cameron, Richard Elrington, Trevor and Donna George, Diana Chase, Bruce and Tracey Hunt, Ian & Penny Marr, Mark Etheridge and Mog Davies, Ann & Warren Hull, George Thornton, Peter McLellan, John Baker, Scott Ridley and others. Your contribution has been invaluable, and was vital to the success of the project. To the many volunteers that assisted the project team during the surveys, both from the community and government agencies, your time and effort is much appreciated. Thank you to the Rural Lands Protection Boards (in particular Dubbo, Moree, Narrabri and Nyngan) and State Forests for allowing us to conduct surveys on lands under their management. Thank you to the NPWS regional staff and DLWC officers in the bioregion for their time, support, encouragement and assistance, and thanks to the Darling Riverine Plains Project Team for the survey work and contributions to this reprt. Satellite Imagery: Geoimage Pty Ltd ISBN: 0 7313 6437 6 © National Parks and Wildlife Service 2002 Cover artwork: The cover artwork was painted by Wendy Jennings who, once a medical technologist, progressed to studying nature with a camera and paintbrush. Realism and detail are a feature of Wendy’s work, down to the tiny insect that’s always there. Contact details: [email protected]. Text: Jo Smith Design: Charles Walsh Nature Tourism Services Report Coordination: Michele Cooper, Laura Kelly, Helen Achurch Funding bodies: Major funding contribution for community consultation from Natural Heritage Trust Grant. Supplementary funding from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Biodiversity assessment funding from the NSW State Biodiversity Strategy.