This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 11 April 2014

Approved Conservation Advice for Pedionomus torquatus (plains-wanderer)

(s266B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)

This Conservation Advice has been developed based on the best available information at the time this Conservation Advice was approved; this includes existing and draft plans, records or management prescriptions for this species.

Description

Pedionomus torquatus (plains-wanderer), family Pedionomidae, is a quail-like terrestrial bird that stands 15–19 cm tall, weighs 40–95 g and has a wing-span of 28–36 cm (Marchant & Higgins, 1993). Compared to a quail, it is more slender, has a finer bill and far longer legs (Woinarski, 2006). The bill and legs are straw-yellow coloured and their plumage is mainly fawn with fine black rosettes (Parker & Oliver, 2006). The larger female is easily distinguishable with a prominent white-spotted black collar above a rich rufous breast patch (Parker & Oliver, 2006). The species is sedentary (Baker-Gabb et al., 1990) and usually solitary, especially during the non-breeding season (Marchant & Higgins, 1993), but can occur in pairs or family parties (Bennett 1983), of up to five birds (Lawler, pers. comm., cited in Bennett, 1983). Breeding may be aseasonal and opportunistic (Woinarski, 2006).

Conservation Status

The plains-wanderer is listed as vulnerable under the name Pedionomus torquatus Plains- wanderer. This species is eligible for listing as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) (EPBC Act) as, prior to the commencement of the EPBC Act, it was listed as vulnerable under Schedule 1 of the Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth).

The species is also listed as endangered under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (New South Wales), vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Queensland), endangered under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (South ), threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Victoria) and endangered under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.1 (BirdLife International, 2012).

Distribution and Habitat

The plains-wanderer has a very patchy distribution in arid, semi-arid and temperate areas of central and south-east Australia. It occurs in low open grassland/forbland (with 50% bare ground and 40% grass/forb cover) (Baker-Gabb et al., 1990) and a site’s floristics are less important than its vegetation structure (Parker & Oliver, 2006). Suitable habitat tends to be restricted to small patches (50–300 ha) (Baker-Gabb, 2002a, cited in Garnett et al., 2011).

The plains-wanderer has an extent of occurrence of 930 000 km2 (excluding records from southern and western ), an area of occupancy of 330 km2 and occurs at more than ten locations (Garnett et al., 2011). Population numbers fluctuate greatly and after successive seasons of favourable conditions, the population may be 7000 (Barker-Gabb, 2002a, cited in Garnett et al., 2011), but during drought the population falls to 2000 individuals (Garnett et al., 2011) and significant localised declines have been observed after biomass increases following prolonged wet conditions (Foreman, 2013).

In New South Wales, 99% of plains-wanderer records since 1980 are from the in an area bounded by Hay and Narranderra in the north, Cobb Highway in the west, Billabong Creek in the south and Urana in the east (OEH, 2012), but recent records have also been made to the north (ALA, 2013). In Victoria, most recent sightings are from an area bounded by Echuca, Swan Hill, Birchup and Bendigo, although there are occasional records from the south (e.g. Werribee) and west of the state (ALA, 2013). In South Australia, most recent

Pedionomus torquatus (plains-wanderer) Approved Conservation Advice Page 1 of 6 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 11 April 2014 records are from north-east of Quorn and west of Broken Hill (Webster, 1996, cited in Bellchambers & Baker-Gabb, 2006), but there are also records from west of Witjira National Park, north-western , southern and eastern Nullabor Plain (ALA, 2013). In Queensland, recent records are from the , particularly Diamantina National Park and north of the Simpson Desert (ALA, 2013).

In 2010–12, there was a 90% decline in area of suitable habitat in north-central Victoria due to excessive grass growth and plains-wanderer encounter rates on Patho Plains and Avoca Plains were very low during the period (Radford et al., 2013, cited in Foreman, 2013). Similarly in the Riverina, encounter rates during this wet period remained very low following the prolonged very low encounter rates of the 2000s (Parker & Baker Gabb, 2013, cited in, Foreman, 2013).

The species is described as “effectively extinct” in eastern New South Wales, south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia (NSW NPWS, 2002). Formerly, the species range extended to the (), eastern Queensland (Darling Downs, west of Rockhampton and possibly Hushenden), eastern New South Wales (Sydney, the slopes and the tablelands), southern Victoria (volcanic plains) and southern South Australia (Bennett, 1983; ALA, 2013).

This species occurs within the Riverina, NSW South Western Slopes, Murray Darling Depression, Victorian Volcanic Plain, , Victorian Midlands, , Channel Country, , Flinders Lofty Block, , Mitchell Grass Downs, Nullarbor and South East Coastal Plain IBRA Bioregions and within the Desert Channels, Alinytjara Wilurara, South Australian Arid Lands, Eyre Peninsula, Northern and Yorke, Western, Lachlan, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Mallee, North Central, Wimmera, Goulburn Broken and Port Phillip and Western Port Natural Resource Management Regions.

The distribution of this species overlaps with the following EPBC Act-listed threatened ecological communities:

 Grassy Eucalypt Woodland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain  Iron-grass Natural Temperate Grassland of South Australia  Natural Grasslands of the Murray Valley Plains  Natural Temperate Grassland of the Victorian Volcanic Plain  White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland.

The Department of the Environment has prepared survey guidelines for Pedionomus torquatus. The survey guidelines are intended to provide guidance for stakeholders on the effort and methods considered appropriate when conducting a presence/absence survey for species listed as threatened under the EPBC Act. http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/survey-guidelines-australias-threatened-birds- guidelines-detecting-birds-listed-threatened

Threats

The main identified threats to plains-wanderer are:

 Clearing, conversion and cultivation of native grassland, which has almost eliminated the species from southern South Australia and southern Victoria (Garnett et al., 2011) and significantly reduced available habitat in north-central Victoria (DSE, 2010, cited in Foreman, 2013) and the Riverina (NSW NPWS, 2002). Recovering grassland is unsuitable as habitat for decades (Garnett et al., 2011).  Inappropriate grazing regimes that leads to overgrazing, particularly during drought (Garnett et al., 2011), and biomass build-up after prolonged rain (Radford et al., 2013, cited in Foreman, 2013).

Pedionomus torquatus (plains-wanderer) Approved Conservation Advice Page 2 of 6 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 11 April 2014

 Inappropriate fire regimes, particularly too intense fire (OEH, 2012) that destroys preferred vegetation structure.  European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cat (Felis catus) predation, the risk of which increases when paddocks are overgrazed (Baker-Gabb et al., 1990). The risk of predation is greatest when crops are within 2 km of known habitat due to the greater prevalence of house mice (Mus musculus) in such areas (Baker-Gabb, 1998, cited in Garnett et al., 2011).

The main potential threats to plains-wanderer include:

 direct or indirect poisoning caused by chemicals used to control locust (Garnett et al., 2011).  habitat disturbance by rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (OEH, 2012).

Research Priorities

Research priorities that would inform future regional and local priority actions include:

 Determine the impacts of different land management regimes and site characteristics to the species, food availability and habitat quality. Aspects that could be investigated include grazing styles (light/heavy, periodic/continual, cattle/sheep), reserve sizes, predator control regimes, fragmentation and the distance of nearby irrigated cropping (NSW NPWS, 2002; OEH, 2012).  More precisely assess: o population size o distribution, particularly in South Australia and Queensland, including via molecular ecological analysis o movement patterns o relative impacts of threatening processes (such as locust spraying).  Identify fire regimes that maintain suitable vegetation structure and disseminate information on findings to relevant land managers.

Priority Actions

The following priority recovery and threat abatement actions can be done to support the recovery of the plains-wanderer:

Habitat Loss, Disturbance and Modification  Ensure that suitable habitat is not cultivated and has a 2 km buffer from cultivated land wherever possible (Garnett et al., 2011).  Ground-truth existing habitat quality mapping and map habitat quality in other areas.  Decommission artificial watering points, especially in arid areas, to reduce the risk of predation.  Establish the conservation priorities of the species to identify populations of high conservation priority.  Integrate suitable habitat into regional conservation plans.  Continue the existing Riverina monitoring program (OEH, 2012) and establish monitoring programs in other areas.  Monitor the progress of recovery, including the effectiveness of management actions and the need to adapt them if necessary.  Undertake survey work in suitable habitat and potential habitat to locate any additional populations/occurrences/remnants.  Minimise adverse impacts from land use at known sites.

Pedionomus torquatus (plains-wanderer) Approved Conservation Advice Page 3 of 6 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 11 April 2014

 Investigate formal conservation arrangements, management agreements and covenants on private land, and for crown and private land investigate and/or secure inclusion in reserve tenure if possible. Trampling, Browsing or Grazing  Develop and implement a management plan for the control and eradication of rabbits in the region.  Ensure land owners/managers use an appropriate grazing regime that does not detrimentally affect the plains-wanderer. Known and suitable habitat should be managed by light to moderate grazing and not overgrazed, especially during drought (Garnett et al., 2011), and grazing intensity should be increased during prolonged wet conditions to reduce biomass (Radford et al., 2013, cited in Foreman, 2013).  Where appropriate, graze reserves to manage biomass following major rainfall events. Impacts from plague locust control  Provide plains-wanderer information and habitat maps to plague locust authorities  Advocate the use of Green Guard® biological control agent for locust control in plains-wanderer habitat (Garnett et al., 2011). Animal Predation or Competition  Develop and implement a management plan to control the adverse impacts of European red foxes and cats in the region. Fire  Develop and implement a suitable fire management strategy for the habitat of plains- wanderer that prescribes fire that is not too intense.  Where appropriate, provide maps of known occurrences to local and state rural Fire Services and seek inclusion of mitigative measures in bush fire risk management plan/s, risk register and/or operation maps. Conservation Information  Raise awareness of the plains-wanderer within the local community and provide information on species identification, appropriate habitat management (e.g. Parker & Oliver, 2006) and incentive-based land management opportunities.  Investigate establishing a ‘Native Grasslands of the Riverine Plain’ Community Management Network (OEH, 2012).  Investigate the cultural significance of the plains-wanderer and its habitat to Aboriginal people (OEH, 2012).  Engage with private landholders and land managers responsible for the land on which populations occur and encourage these key stakeholders to contribute to the implementation of conservation management actions.  Establish a captive breeding program if considered necessary and feasible.  Investigate desirability for linking, enhancing or establishing additional populations.

This list does not necessarily encompass all actions that may be of benefit to the plains- wanderer, but highlights those that are considered to be of highest priority at the time of preparing the Approved Conservation Advice.

Existing Plans/Management Prescriptions that are Relevant to the Species

 Plains-wanderer habitat management guide (Parker & Oliver, 2006)  Threat abatement plans for cats (DEWHA, 2008a), European red foxes (DEWHA, 2008b) and rabbits (DEWHA, 2008c).

Pedionomus torquatus (plains-wanderer) Approved Conservation Advice Page 4 of 6 This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 11 April 2014

 Plains-wanderer action statement (DSE, 2003).

These prescriptions were current at the time of publishing; please refer to the relevant agency’s website for any updated versions.

References

Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) (2013). Atlas of Living Australia. Available on the Internet: http://www.ala.org.au

Baker-Gabb DJ, Benshemesh J and Maher PN (1990). A revision of the distribution, status and management of the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus. Emu 90:161–168.

Bellchambers K and Baker-Gabb D (2006). A survey of plains-wanderer and thick-billed grasswrens in the north-east pastoral zone of South Australia. Prepared for South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board.

Bennett S (1983). A review of the distribution, status and biology of the Plains-wanderer Pedionomus torquatus Gould. Emu 83:1–11.

BirdLife International 2012. Pedionomus torquatus. In: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) (2013). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. Available on the Internet: http://www.iucnredlist.org

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (2003). Plains Wanderer Pedionomus torquatus Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement #66. Victorian Government. Available on the Internet: http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/threatened-species-and- communities/flora-and-fauna-guarantee-act-1988/action-statements

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008a). Threat Abatement Plan for predation by feral cats. DEWHA. Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/cats08.html

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008b). Threat Abatement Plan for Predation by the European red fox. DEWHA. Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/foxes08.html

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) (2008c). Threat abatement plan for competition and land degradation by rabbits. Available on the Internet at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/tap/rabbits08.html

Foreman P (2013). Prolonged population decline in nationally threatened Plains-wanderer. Northern Plains Grassland Technical Advisory Group.

Garnett S, Szabo J and Dutson G (2011). The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. CSIRO Publishing.

Marchant S and Higgins PJ (eds) (1993). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 2 - Raptors to Lapwings. Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press.

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NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW NPWS) (2002). Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) Draft Recovery Plan.

Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) (2012). Plains-wanderer profile. NSW Government. Available on the Internet: http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/profile.aspx?id=1058 8

Parker DG and Oliver DL (2006). Plains-wanderer habitat management guide. A photographic guide for visually assessing the grassland structure of Plains-wanderer habitat. 2nd edition. Department of Environment and Conservation. Available on the Internet: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/threatenedspecies/plains_wanderer_h abitat_mgt_guide.pdf

Woinarski J (2006). Plains-wanderer, Pedionomus torquatus, Threatened Species of the Northern Territory. Parks and Wildlife Commission, Northern Territory. Available on the Internet: http://www.lrm.nt.gov.au/plants-and-animals/home/specieslist

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