The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria Conversations and Conservation Citation: Sleigh, S., Williams, L. and Stothers, K. (2010) The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria – Conversations and Conservation. Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Shepparton. Funding for this book was provided through the Natural Heritage Trust, the Goulburn Broken This book was produced Catchment Management Authority, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment. with the assistance of: First published, 2010. Copyright of photographs remains with the photographers mentioned. Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance, but the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose and therefore disclaim all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise for you relying on any information in this publication. Acknowledgements This book has been compiled by: Susan Sleigh (Department of Primary Industries), Lance Williams (Trust for Nature) and Kate Stothers (Department of Primary Industries), and was made possible by the generous contributions of all the landholders who gave their time, their stories and their photographs. The idea for this book was initially proposed by Mark Sheahan (then Department of Sustainability and Environment). Quotations from landholders came out of conversations with Susan Sleigh, (then) Project Officer for the Bush Stone-curlew Project. Special thanks also to those who have provided support for this project and/or commented on previous drafts of this book: Jim Castles, John Clarke, Vanessa Keogh, Glen Johnson, Don Hunt, Tony Kubeil, Janice Mentiplay-Smith, Judy Nixon, Barry Oswald, Doug Robinson, Dave Smith, Elisa Tack, Leanne Wheaton. Designed and printed by Goulburn Valley Printing Services: special thanks to Chris Moloney. Printed on 100% recycled paper. ISBN: 978-1-920742-19-5 Cover (main photo): Bush Stone-curlews at their day roost in a paddock at Upotipotpon Contents
Introduction ...... 2 Identification ...... 4 Distribution and Conservation Status ...... 6 Stories from the Past ...... 8 The Unforgettable Call ...... 10 Ecology Social Organisation, Habits and Behaviour ...... 12 Habitat and Range ...... 16 Feeding and Diet ...... 20 Nesting and Breeding ...... 22 Major Threats Land Clearing, Land Intensification and Foxes ...... 26 Conservation The Miepoll Story—Successful Breeding ...... 30 A Surprising Find ...... 32 What we can do to help ...... 34 For Further Information ...... 36 Photograph Credits ...... 37
1 Introduction
Wary and elusive, the Bush Stone-curlew of south- eastern Australia is a largely unseen dweller of treed farmland and woodland remnants. Its eerie call, coming on dusk or during the night, its rather curious physical appearance, and its very elusiveness all contribute to the fascination this bird holds for many. On the plains of north-central and north-eastern Victoria occur the most substantial populations of this species in the State. They hold on to a precarious existence in a landscape very heavily modified for agriculture and populated with introduced predators. There is much we don’t understand about the and what its habits are. This information comes in the Bush Stone-curlew, both regarding its habits and its form of both the more formal ‘scientific’ descriptions, ecological requirements. But it is also true that we as well as the observations, experiences and recollections know enough about their needs that, with the requisite directly gleaned from people living on the land. will, we can greatly assist them to be able to survive The intention of this book is to raise the profile of the and thrive in this landscape. Bush Stone-curlew, and inform and inspire landholders This book provides an overview of what we know about to act to help ensure these birds continue to be part of our the Bush Stone-curlew: what it looks like, where it lives surrounding landscape.
2 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation ““You’veYou’ve reallyreally gotgot ttoo llookook hhardard bbecauseecause tthey’rehey’re eexactlyxactly tthehe ssameame ccolourolour aass tthehe timbertimber andand ddryry ggrass.”rass.”
3 Identification
If the Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus 'Bush Thick-knee'), and large grallarius appears somewhat like a feet. Its plumage gives the overall large shore or wading bird, it’s no effect of streaked greys, browns coincidence - it is taxonomically and creams, which provide it with classified with the order of camouflage amongst the grasses, birds that includes the plovers, leaf litter and fallen timber of its lapwings, stilts, sandpipers, etc. habitat. It has a stout, dark bill Ecologically, however, it behaves (Burhinus is Greek for ox nose) like a woodland bird. on a relatively large head; Almost always observed on the a thick black strip through the eye ground, the Bush Stone-curlew and down the neck; and piercing stands tall - about 55 cms - with yellow eyes. Bush Stone-curlews long legs (grallarius is Latin for may be observed squatting or stilt, referring to the long legs) laying down or, much less often, that have thickened knee joints flying, when white wing bars may (hence an alternative name be observed.
4 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation ““CurlewsCurlews typicallytypically sspreadpread themselvesthemselves acrossacross tthehe groundground toto hidehide aandnd I don’tdon’t knowknow whywhy theythey ddon’ton’t shutshut theirtheir eyeseyes bbecauseecause ttheirheir bbig,ig, bbright,right, yyellowellow eyeseyes aarere ooftenften wwhathat ccatchatch youryour eyes.”eyes.”
5 Distribution and Conservation Status
The Bush Stone-curlew is patchily in this area has occurred over the operate. Studies have shown that the distributed over eastern, northern, last 50 years. In southern Victoria threatened Australian bird species western and central Australia. the species is almost extinct, and its most at risk are woodland birds Only in northern Australia has the stronghold in this State is now on the weighing more than 500 grams, Bush Stone-curlew maintained a plains of central, north and north-east ground-feeders, and ground-nesting distribution and abundance somewhat Victoria — in an area roughly bounded birds - the Bush Stone-curlew fits comparable to that of pre-European by Seymour, Wodonga and Kerang. into all of these categories. settlement. Elsewhere in Australia The Bush Stone-curlew continues to The overwhelming majority of this bird has undergone a substantial decline in northern Victoria; surveys Bush Stone-curlews in south-eastern decline in range and abundance. in the mid 1980s and early 1990s Australia occur in agricultural In the early days of European paint a picture of a reduction in landscapes, utilising habitat on settlement the Bush Stone-curlew numbers of around 50 percent over private land and on minor country occurred across much of western, that interval. Its official conservation road roadsides. Relatively few birds central and northern Victoria, as well status in Victoria is “Endangered”, are found within the conservation as the plains around Melbourne and that is, it is considered to be in reserves occurring within this Geelong. Its range in Victoria has danger of extinction in this State, species' range. These generally small retracted to the north and north-west, if the present conditions that areas don’t contain much suitable and a significant part of the decline threaten its survival continue to habitat for Bush Stone-curlews.
6 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation Bush Thick-knee (Victoria) Current stronghold Previous main distribution since 1980 + before 1980
Endangered in Victoria (Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988) Vulnerable in South Australia (National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972) Endangered in NSW (Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995)
breeding recorded no breeding recorded occurrences on islands
Victorian map from G. Johnson & D. Baker-Gabb 1994. The Bush Thick-knee - Conservation and Management, Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. Australian map from S. Marchant & P.J. Higgins (Eds) 1993. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol 2: Raptors to Lapwings. © Reproduced with permission from Oxford University Press.
7 ““DadDad usedused toto ttellell sstoriestories tthathat tthehe Stories from the Past ccurlewsurlews werewere soso tthickhick aandnd ssoo nnoisyoisy oonn mmoonlitoonlit nnightsights tthathat hhee usedused toto ““YouYou wwouldould sseeee ttwowo oorr tthreehree pairspairs ““II wwentent ttoo sschoolchool aatt MMoglonembyoglonemby hhaveave ttoo ggetet uupp aandnd bbeltelt a kkeroseneerosene ffromrom thethe schoolschool busbus becausebecause theythey fforor ssixix yyearsears fromfrom 11945945 uuntilntil ttinin ttoo ddriverive tthemhem aaway.”way.” wwereere llivingiving iinn tthehe roadroad vverges.erges. 11950950 andand theythey wwereere aalwayslways iinn tthehe Miepoll South, 1940s TThathat pperioderiod waswas 19761976 toto 11981.”981.” uunusednused roadsroads thatthat ranran northnorth aandnd Tarnook ssouthouth ffromrom thethe school.”school.” ““InIn tthehe 11960s960s Raandnd 770s0s youyou wouldwould hhearear R TThosehose bbirdsirds wwereRere nnothingothing special,special, tthehe curlewscurlews quitequite commonlycommonly oonn oourur ffarm.”arm.” ““MyMy ffirstirst recollectionrecollection ooff ccurlewsurlews wwasas Longwood wwhenhen I wwasas a kkidid iinn bbeded aatt nnightight aandnd ttheyhey wwereere jjustust aanothernother ppartart ooff wwhathat llisteningistening ttoo tthehe eeerieerie soundsound ttheyhey mmake.”ake.” wwasas hhere.ere. WhatWhat I dodo rememberremember isis Whroo, 1940s tthathat theythey wwereere ssoo qquiet.uiet. IIff yyou’dou’d ““II wwouldould ccomeomeR hhomeome fromfrom boardingboarding aapproachpproach tthemhem ttheyhey wwouldould ffreezereeze sschoolchool aandnd iitt wwasas oneone ooff thethe callscalls yyouou aandnd theythey wwouldould allowallow youyou toto ppickick wwouldould looklook forwardforward toto listeninglistening tto.”o.” ““TheyThey werewere justjuRst ccurlewsurlews ttoo uus.s. WWee tthemhem up.”up.” Miepoll, 1950s Tamleugh, 1960s and 70s ddidn’tidn’t taketake particularparticular notice,notice, notnot llikeike now.now. BecauseBecause theythey aarere rrare,are, wwee ttakeake nnotice.otice. IInn thosethose ddaysays theythey ““CurlewsCurlews wwereereR wwidelyidely sspreadpread iinn tthehe ““II rrememberemember hhearingRearing tthehe eeerieerie crycry ofof wwereere justjust ppartart ooff tthehe landscape.”landscape.” PPranjipranjip areaarea whenwhen wewe werewere children.”children.” tthehe curlewscurlews inin thethe swampswamp aroundaround Goomalibee, 1950s 1940s and 50s 11940940 toto 1945.”1945.” Wahring
8 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation (Photo taken in 1965)
9 The Unforgettable Call
For many who have had contact with Bush Stone-curlews it is often their call that has caught the attention and held the imagination. Frequently, the bird is not sighted. The ‘classic’ Bush Stone-curlew call is a strident, whistled wailing, rising with a slight waver, and dropping at the end, usually repeated a number of times in quick succession. These series of calls can be repeated a number of times, with pauses of varying length in between. In field guides and other texts the call is usually verbalised as ‘weer-loo’. The call is far-carrying, coming from across the paddock at the onset of dusk or dawn or during the night. The call is given by both sexes, and sometimes several birds call in chorus, or choruses can develop between neighbouring pairs. Calling occurs on most nights and the birds become more vocal as the breeding season approaches, and on moonlit nights, or when rain or storms are approaching. Calls are rarely made during the day. Bush Stone-curlews make other, much less well-known, vocalisations: when feeding and resting together, they are said to "The curlews are vocal croon or pipe softly. Other calls are variously described as whistles, when the moon is full." shrieks, growls, gurgles, clucks and chuckles.
10 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation ““II rememberremember bbeingeing iinn tthehe ssleep-outleep-out ““WeWe hhaveave hhadad ttimesimes hhereere whenwhen thethe ““II rrememberemember tthehe ffirstirst ttimeime I hheardeard tthehe wwithith mymy brother,brother, whichwhich hadhad flywireflywire nnoiseoise hhasas bbeeneen ddeafeningeafening aandnd you’reyou’re ccurlews;urlews; I wwonderedondered wwhetherhether someonesomeone aaroundround iitt oonn ttwowo ssides,ides, aandnd tthehe aawakewake halfhalf thethe nightnight becausebecause theythey wwasas ddyingying ddownown aatt tthehe ccreek.”reek.” ccallsalls wwouldould eechocho aroundaround outsideoutside atat jjustust ggoo fflatlat oout.”ut.” nnight.ight. We’dWe’d duckduck ddownown uundernder aallll R tthehe blanketsblankets becausebecause they’dthey’d makemake a ““There’sThere’s nothingnothing likelike tthathat bblood-lood- rreallyeally bloodcurdlingbloodcurdling noise.”noise.” ““ToTo hhearear themthem Rstartstart uupp iinn tthehe mmiddleiddle ooff ccurdlingurdling crycry iinn tthehe mmiddleiddle ofof thethe tthehe nightnight - itit wasn’twasn’t goodgood forfor sleeping.”sleeping.” nnight,ight, reallyreally missmiss aallll tthathat iinn ttown.”own.” ““II kknownow ttherehereR aarere ttwowo bbirds,irds, butbut quitequite R ooftenften aatt nnightight whenwhen youyou hhearear themthem ““ForFor manymany yyearsRears wewe thoughtthought wewe onlyonly ““WeWe usedused toto tthinkhink ttheirheir ccallingalling wwasas a ccalling,alling, oorr iitt ccalling,alling, yyouou wwouldn’touldn’t hhadad a singlesingle birdbird becausebecause itit usedused toto ggoodood ssignign ooff rainrain coming.coming. TTwowo oror kknownow thatthat ttherehere wwereere twotwo birds.birds. It’sIt’s ccryry aandnd crycry aandnd cry.cry. ThereThere nevernever tthreehree ddaysays beforebefore rainrain they’dthey’d getget goinggoing nnormallyormally oneone ccallall aatt a ttime.ime. uusedsed ttoo bbee aann aanswer.nswer. TThenhen aaboutbout aandnd you’dyou’d thinkthink 'oh,'oh, tthat’shat’s ggood'.”ood'.” SSoo wwhetherhether oneone birdbird callscalls aandnd tthenhen ffiveive oror sixsix yearsyears ago,ago, I drovedrove intointo tthehe ootherther hashas a go,go, I don’tdon’t kknow.”now.” tthehe ddrivewayriveway llateate aatt nnightight andand therethere ““You’dYou’d ggetet allalRl excitedexcited iiff iitt wwasas a iinn ffrontront ooff usus werewere sixsix birds;birds; twotwo ddryry yearyear becausebecause iitt wwasas ssupposedupposed ““MyMy ttheoryheory iissR yyouou wwouldould hhearear curlewscurlews aadultsdults andand fourfour chickschicks onon tthehe ggravelravel ttoo bbee a ssignign ooff rrainain wwhenhen ttheyhey wwereere aaboutbout tthreehree nnightsights beforebefore thethe rain.”rain.” aandnd wewe nearlynearly fellfell outout ofof thethe car.”car.” hhollering,ollering, butbut itit didn’tdidn’t alwaysalways work.”work.”
11 12 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 12 Ecology Social Organisation,Social Habits and Behaviour own, or they may become part of or may they becomeown, part on their may remain pair a breeding season, breeding Outside of the 20 years. around for tolive have known been birds ‘Pet’ wild. the in possibleis for birds maybe up plus, to30 and 20 years for abird; long-lived are They dies. its partner if bird another with up again may bird pair A single year, probably and long-term. held probably all being pair-bond the monogamous, are Stone-curlews Bush offspring. three, ortwo, occasionally one, and pair adult the comprise that groups family or in singly occur also They pairs. in observed commonly most are Bush Stone-curlews of Victoria, plains northern the On it is unlikely such observations such observations it unlikely is although for 30 years, vicinity same the in tolive have known and been sedentary, are Bush Stone-curlews decreased. also has groups family between interaction of have frequency increased), the them between (as distances time over have decreased landscape the in of densities birds As Australia. southern in tooccur used 60 birds of more groups than past, the In established. are territories breeding as separate approaches flocks these season breeding together. the As feeding and toeach other calling of each other, 200 metres within resting families, neighbouring two of may just comprised be flock This toten birds. of five a loose ‘flock’ always so simply and definitively definitively sosimplyalways and not are activities night day and their by day. inactive and However,nights, on moonlit especially nocturnally, active body. usually are their They under legs forward tucked their with ground on the lying spend time also on one leg. They'll resting sometimes eyes half-closed, their with quietly stand will they roost day At their observe. and tosee hard very them make appearance, cryptic their with combined wary. This extremely are Bush Stone-curlews of Australia, part southern the In movement. seasonal of large-scale evidence however no is there not breeding, movements when are they occur pair. Somewere same local of the demarcated; for example, there can a crouched position with their head up to several tens of metres they may be some daytime feeding, and some close to the ground. fly a couple of hundred metres before night-time resting and preening. alighting, in the open or in a wooded They are also strong, but reluctant, area. They may also fly in a circle to Bush Stone-curlews are described flyers. Sometimes when they are alight behind the intruder. Young are as cursorial, i.e. they are adapted to flushed they will take several steps able to fly at about 60 days old. running. Commonly, when disturbed while rapidly flapping their wings, they will run from the intruder, in before taking off. Reaching a height of
13 ““The birds weren’t stressed by calves the cows and around running them. ““They’ll start walking quickly, then running, then flying; ““As kids we always used to like following them they could and ““The flight is very similar toaplover. It’s aconstant, not regular flap; } } } 14 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 14 A IIt was like they didn’t notice.” aalways run like the devil, very fast.” tthey’ll away, fly but very not far, then later and onthat day, usually by tthey seem tohave two or three then abit and flaps ofpause. They normally fly 200 to 400 metres to400 200 ffly at atime. If you disturb them during the day, vvery short fuse, they don’t muck around.” eevening, they’ll be back in their spot again.” T T T t h h v l e l y
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15 16 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 16 Ecology - Day Roost and Night Foraging Areas Habitat and Range landscape to be suitable as habitat as suitable tobe landscape or area habitat.of For suitable an proximity and availability to the according vary sizes home range and areas, sites,of roost foraging of usage patterns and nature The night. the during use they that those day from the during use they that areas separate havecurlews quite Bush Stone- hectares, hundred of several ahomeWith range much home larger. range nocturnal pair, per the upbe to250 hectares to estimated is home range diurnal The courses. golf and creek-lines, timbered roads, country of minor roadsides treed trees, scattered or clumps of trees with farmland forests, and woodlands timbered lightly inhabit Stone-curlews Bush Australia, south-eastern In the base of paddock trees or along or along of paddock base trees the around commonly most farmland, or woodland open grassy in terrain or rolling flat situated in are day roosts Victoria the northern In woodland. open or within paddocks in may be areas foraging Night morning. toit by approaches, returning daylight as site roost again their approach then and areas, feeding site totheir roost on dusk or dark day move their out from will birds of movement pattern that is A typical from day roosts. from may kilometres one be totwo areas Foraging threatened. feel they if sites, for example, between alternate to birds the allows each other. This of to approximately akilometre metres hundred several sites within day roost several tobe needs there or weeks. or sites roost or over four days three between shifting examples of birds other are months; there or several day sites forfavoured every weeks may at roost pairs undisturbed, If pasture. sown at sites with roosting recorded rarely are they areas; surrounding the than disturbance subject toless area an often is site roost water. the paddocks In 250 of metres within occurring as reported Day sites roost are present. timber ground with metres), usually hundred several level at for ground at least visibility require Stone-curlews (Bush shrubs few or no with grassed, sparsely and/or layer of grass short is ground the cases all In roadsides.
18 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 18 Ecology ““I’ve curlews seen poking about under ““We’ve heard and seen them north of ““During the daytime they stay in ““We watched apair ofcurlews Box withBBox lots ofsticks debris and YYellow Box trees.” rroam fairly widely, if their calls aare anything togo by. Ithink they tthe house in aseries ofswamps. It’s tthe spot, one but at night-time they W W sstood in the same spot all day.” bbasically gum red with someGrey oon the ground.” ooutside our house they just and ccouple ofkilometres at night.” ccall other toeach move and over a I D ’ a o h h o t a r u n v u o a l e e e e t
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““TheThe curlewcurlew isis Rinin fairlyfairly openopen bushbush thatthat hhasas quitequite a bitbit ofof phalaris,phalaris, butbut itit sortsort ooff keepskeeps outout ofof thethe phalarisphalaris andand usesuses aann areaarea wherewhere therethere areare nativenative grasses.”grasses.”
““MyMy theorytheory Risis thatthat whenwhen thethe woolwool mmarketarket ccrashed,rashed, everyoneeveryone wentwent intointo ccropping,ropping, aandnd thethe curlewscurlews thatthat usedused ttoo bbee aableble ttoo eexistxist uundernder tthehe bbottomottom ““I’veI’ve wwatchedatched tthehe ccurlewsurlews wwithith a ppairair ooff ““TheyThey movemove around,around, they’rethey’re nnotot ooff ppaddockaddock ttreesrees iinn ggrazedrazed ppaddocksaddocks bbinocularsinoculars inin thethe eeveningvening aandnd aallll ooff a aalwayslways iinn tthehe oneone sspot.”pot.” hhadad toto mmoveove oonn aass tthehe ccropsrops wwereere ssuddenudden oneone birdbird wouldwould disappeardisappear ffromrom ttoooo hhighigh aandnd blockedblocked ttheirheir vvision.”ision.” tthehe roostroost ssiteite aandnd yyouou wwouldould sseeee iitt wwellell R iintonto tthehe ppaddock.addock. TThenhen tthehe nnextext oonene ““ToTo mmyy kknowledgenowledge they’vethey’ve ggotot ffiveive oror wwouldould fflyly ooutut ttoo iitt aandnd tthenhen ttheyhey wwouldould ssixix roostingroosting ssitesites aandnd theythey ddoo tthehe ““CurlewsCurlews certainlycertaRinly llikeike ggoodood vvisibility.”isibility.” aallll bebe offoff forfor thethe eveningevening hunting.”hunting.” ccircuitircuit aandnd comecome back.”back.”
19 20 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 20 Ecology Feeding and Diet aieCcrahCccae av Ground Beetle Cockchafer Larva Native Cockroach weevils, ants, and grasshoppers. grasshoppers. and ants, weevils, crickets, beetles, being groups major the with on insects, mainly feed they Victoria northern In grassland. in and timber, litter,leaf around the within occurring invertebrates ground-dwelling on mostly ground, separately. on the feed They feeding of members apair the with solitarily, feed usually Bush Stone-curlews material. of indigestible pellets regurgitated produce birds faeces, well as As the seasons. with little varies diet Their eaten. be may also fruit small and seeds and taken, being as recorded been have Mice snakes. also and lizards frogs, spiders, as well and as include molluscs, crustaceans, items commonly dietary Other ““When Iwas having alot oftrouble ““Probably ofthe the one reasons I used togo tothe oval at night and check the check sprinklers,aand that’s and wwhen Iwould see them.” wwith sprinkler the new system, wwas that it was being watered over mmore insects there”. W ssummer there and would be alot ccurlews shifted tothe golf course P
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Insects Identified in Regurgitated Pellets and Faecal Samples
(from G. Johnson & D. Baker-Gabb (1994); The Bush Thick-knee - Conservation and Management, Department of Conservation & Natural Resources) Most specimens were identified only to Order or Family, however in several cases Genus was identifiable. 1. Wingless Insects Collembola (Springtails): common in damp leaf litter 2. Winged Insects hundreds of individuals; native species Blattidae (Cockroaches): : common in leaf litter and under bark and logs Blattidae - Laxta grandicollis Coleoptera (Beetles) : most terrestrial, many carnivorous, larvae often plant feeders a) Curculionidae (Weevils) ; plant feeders; serious crop pests b) Tenebrionidae (Darling Beetles) ; ground-dwelling c) Scarabaeidae (Cockchafers or Scarab Beetles) d) Carabidae (Ground Beetles) ; found in leaf litter and under logs e) Lucanidae (Stag Beetles) ; ground-dwelling Hemiptera (True Bugs) (Cicadas) ; large flying insects f) Cicadellidae or Eurymelidae (Chinch Bugs) ; grasslands to cultivated crops g) Miridae or Lygaeidae Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps) Camponotus species Formicidae (Ants): mainly Orthoptera (Crickets, Grasshoppers, Locusts): Acrididae (Locusts): mainly ground-dwelling 21 22 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 22 Ecology with usually two eggs (sometimes eggs two usually with ground nest situated on is The the decades. for several reused have been to known sites are level. Nesting at ground directions all in visibility sites have good nesting day roosts, their with case the is As paddocks. ploughed recently in nest sometimes and open away trees, the in from nest out usually Bush Stone-curlews November January. and between concentrated usually is breeding although March, and August between anytime occur can Victoria this northern In 10 of order 25 to hectares. of the area defend an Stone-curlews Bush season, breeding the During Nesting and Breeding trees with ground timber present. timber ground with trees nest toasiteaway the under from parents led by their are they hatching of hours one totwo Within after. soon mobile are chicks the hatch, and eggs the weeks tofour three around After feeding. defence and in assisting nearby, remains other the while chicks of the most care ofprovides the However, young. of the one parent rearing defence and incubation, the involved sexes in are Both clearing. asimple or in scrape laid recorded) have been one, even three and eight to ten weeks the chicks are are chicks the toten weeks eight by about and of age weeks by four independent partially are young The are from the first or second brood. first the from are they whether on depending months, to nine three from parents their stay with will few days. Chicks first the within entirely area to leave the Alternatively, have known they been hatching. after few weeks first the nest in the from further venturing progressively families with nest, tothe near forage birds Breeding clutch. first the in success or failure clutch may follow either breeding second The aseason. within laid clutches two are sometimes of eggs toindependence, although raised is oneable only young tofly. Usually
24 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 24 Ecology “Once they’re““Once hatched, they’re only ““You’ll occasionally pick up anadult ““You’ll sitting see one onthe nest ““The are eggs avery motley colour and ““The site nesting is located between the ttwo Grey trees Box onthe ironstone rise.” a ball offluff.” the otheraand will one be guarding.” tthat seems tobe their defence.” ffreezing because they will freeze; blend inbblend very well with the ground cover.” bbe acouple oflittle things fluffy bbird there offand running will T O T Y Y w r h l e i
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““The is purely nest toincubate the ““It was only during the nesting ““I’ve never found cracked or broken eggs, aadults take them straight across to tthe middle ofnowhere others and in a tthe timber. soonas the As chicks tthat we would normally see them.” stock access area tosheepsstock access yards.” eeven though someofthem have been in eggs and what and eeggs Ihave is seen that once the chicksoonce are the hatched pperiod, probably in early spring, hhit the ground they canrun.” T I I t h ’ v h h t g n d i e v t
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26 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 26 Major Threats since European settlement in in settlement European since 175 the Over years agriculture. of impacts the from to suffer Victoria in vegetation types first one was of the woodlands, grassy particularly lowland woodlands, habitat of natural Stone-curlew’s Bush The species. this in decline substantial the factor in greatest single the continues tobe, and habitat been, has Bush Stone-curlew of modification and destruction the of any species, decline the regarding case the most is often As significance. particular of being several with for this, reasons of anumber are There settlement. European since Australia south-eastern in numbers and its range in reduction undergone asubstantial has curlew earlier, Bush Stone- the outlined As Intensification and Foxes Land Clearing, Land recruitment of trees due topersistent of trees recruitment or no little such With cropping. as practices, agricultural intensive advent the of and more trees, around litter leaf and branches timber, of fallen removal the oldloss ‘paddock trees’, of large, ongoing the continues through of habitat degradation ceased, largely has of woodland clearing large-scale Although degraded. and modified cleared, substantially been has vegetation type this Victoria, and Kangaroo Island, off South South off Island, Kangaroo and Queensland, off Island, Magnetic of islands fox-free on found the are of Bush Stone-curlews populations Good on birds. adult occurs but also chicks and on eggs probably greatest is to alesser Predation extent, cats. by foxes, perhaps and particularly on predation birds, is species the of abundance in drop continuing factor the in significant Another is exacerbated. trees existing loss of of the effect the grazing, Australia, and also in northern Australia where climatic conditions ““FallenFallen ttimberimber iiss ccriticalritical are not favourable for foxes. Where ongoing fox and cat control programs hhabitatabitat fforor tthishis ggroundround have been undertaken, such as at Puckapunyal Military Area in ddwellingwelling bbird”ird” central Victoria, populations of Bush Stone-curlews have increased.
27 28 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 28 Major Threats ““Every then you now and find the ““It is important that when the limbs ““The area was originally very thick ““We longer no up clean around those 11950s, when stockgot into it E aaround them. Wechop that corner and then weaand started clearing and ttrees where the curlews are or crop fencing theffencing tea-tree then.” wwings or feathers that ofone has wwith tea-tree right up until the W bbuild let up and it go fromthere.” bbeen taken by a fox.” off and justooff and let the rubbish fall and oof trees fall down people don’t ccultivating. Wenever thought about necessarily go and clean themnnecessarily clean up.“ go and T I t e u r 9 r u f f e n e i i n
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““We’ve always the attitude had TThe fallen timber keeps the sheep and stopsaand the nibbling.” aaway fromthe trunks ofthe trees aas much as you can,obviously you tthat as far as your biodiversity and tthat if you leave your fallen timber W bbut if you leave, Iwould say, 70 ccollect somebits for your firewood, ppercent, you’re going tobenefit from insects and birdlifeiinsects and are concerned. n o h h u s n w e h s l r a a
t d l e e a e m e c
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““Our property was ofthe one ““We live onthe Broken River and II’ve heard curlew; one the have foxes rroadsides; they weren’t deeply into just cleaned them up.”jjust cleaned the paddocks.” tthe ffor the 15 last years Idon’t think W ccurlews were heavily living along the O last ones tobe developed ones llast the and u a ’ u o h o v s s r r a e e e u t t
l
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““TheThe stickstick rrakeake iiss a bbigig eenemynemy ooff thethe ““MyMy approachapproach iiss tthathat aanythingnything uundernder ccurlews.urlews. PPeopleeople aaroundround hhereere justjust tthehe ddriprip llineine ooff tthehe ttreesrees doesn’tdoesn’t posepose ccan’tan’t bbearear ttoo sseeee llimbs,imbs, ssticks,ticks, lleafeaf a pproblemroblem ttoo mmyy ffarming.arming. IIff II’m’m ggoingoing llitteritter llyingying onon tthehe ground.ground. TheyThey rrunun ttoo ccroprop a ppaddockaddock I ddoo ccleanlean uupp a rroundound ttheirheir ttreesrees everyevery yearyear andand llittleittle bitbit butbut I havehave beenbeen knownknown notnot toto bburnurn itit allall upup soso tthehe ccurlews’urlews’ hhabitatabitat ccroprop a ppaddockaddock bbecauseecause tthehe ccurlewsurlews iiss aallll ggone.”one.” wwereere uusingsing iit.”t.” Fox Facts ““WhenWhen wewe boughtbouRght tthehe propertyproperty [[inin ““WeWe hhaveave a ddamRam aboutabout 5050 metresmetres • Introduced into southern 11952]952] ttherehere wwereere ttwowo curlewscurlews inin thethe ffromrom tthehe hhouseouse andand iitt wwasas Australia around 140 years ago sstandtand ooff GGreyrey BBoxox ttreesrees justjust ssouthouth ssurroundedurrounded byby nettingnetting fence,fence, aandnd and now occupy most areas • Average density of 4-8 foxes ooff tthehe hhouse.ouse. TheyThey wwereere aalwayslways iinn tthathat aarearea ooff aboutabout aann aacrecre andand per square kilometre in ttherehere aandnd theythey ggotot rreallyeally qquietuiet aandnd a hhalfalf wwee hhadad ttwowo oorr tthreehree ppairsairs ooff agricultural landscapes ooverver ttimeime ggrewrew ttoo eeightight bbirds.irds. TThenhen ccurlews.urlews. AboutAbout ttenen yyearsears aagogo wewe • Females can produce in iinn 22002002 tthehe foxesfoxes ggotot tthemhem aandnd ttookook tthehe wwireire nnettingetting ffenceence ooutut ttoo excess of 20 young over an wwe’vee’ve nneverever sseeneen themthem ssince.”ince.” eextendxtend tthehe ddamam andand theythey ddidn’tidn’t eeverver average life span of 4 years rreturn.eturn. I havehave nono doubtdoubt theythey wwereere • Consume approximately ssecureecure inin therethere fromfrom foxes.”foxes.” 375 grams of food per day ““WeWe clearedcleared tthehRe rreded ggumum ssuckersuckers aandnd tthehe • Given the above densities of ccurlewsurlews disappeared.disappeared. IInn hhindsightindsight tthishis 4 foxes per km², over half a wwasas probablyprobably tthehe wwrongrong tthinghing ttoo ddo.”o.” tonne of food is consumed each year over a 100 hectare area
29 30 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 30 Conservation bottom section and hinge joint hinge and section bottom on the chickencomprises wire fence The adam. and bushland some grasses, native quality good of reasonably 10 hectares included about area The lived. curlews where14 the hectares of area an around erected fence was afox-proof grant, Species Threatened government of aVictorian assistance the 2004, with autumn In occasionally. them we see only although spend time, most of their where they property on our a pair 10last of we’ve aware been years For the evenings. the in them heard we’ve and frequently 30 years last for the area Miepoll the of in curlews Ihave aware “My and been brother Don’s Story - Successful Breeding The Miepoll Story birds and two chicks. We chicks. two and saw birds them of adult pair the tofind delighted September ofIn 2006 we were oflost them. track when we winter following the until through right its parents stayed with It raised. successfully and born was 2005 achick spring old. In 50 years approximately are which Box trees some Grey in ridge ironstone on the open area an in day roosting and nesting do most curlews The of their ewes. cross-bred and of merino for lambing used is area fenced proof fox- The arefuge. as curlews for the exclude access sheep allow and the to hinge-joint just fenced with is of bush that area an is there area fox-proof the outside.the Within on wire electric an above it, with success.” without for them days looking and Ihadspenta look at hours them. she have and could up instantly roll aloud hailer. would They through she which played call a curlew of arecording up using birds the calling spentUniversity afew nights Sturt Charles student from A PhD again. them wouldn’t find you when dropped, they them you weren’t If hide. watching and move away would drop they then and would firstly they chicks, young you on the put If pressure area. fox-proof tothe so were confined fly, but couldn’t they parents, the with ground on the quickly quite travel could chicks the time this By October. around disappeared they then and progress good making
32 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 32 Conservation site, lookout always on the for the nesting their with who familiar is owner the that is surprising is What heat day. of the the in trees Grey Box the under hadfrozen which chicks two onto their stumbled but we paddock, almost the in grasses native the into disappearing of curlews apair we glimpse did not only Tocurlews. surprise, our absence of the the in area nesting curlew 2008 the tophotograph site February tothe in taken was owner. Aprofessional photographer by the birds of the sightings further were no there and unsuccessful attempt was nesting however this Grey Box two trees, between ridge ironstone nested on the again 2007 curlews the August “In Susan’s Story (Bush Stone-curlew Project Officer) A Surprising Find is to provide an accurate picture picture accurate an toprovide is it how demonstrates difficult This 2008. late August until again seen were not birds the sighting, chance this even after And of chicks. brood hadasecond birds not the know did binoculars, with armed and curlews activity was observed.” was activity but no nesting area, fenced the outside occasions on several sighted 2009, were In birds adult two the ofelusive camouflage. masters and are they as of Bush Stone-curlews,
34 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation and - Conversations Victoria Northern in Stone-curlew Bush The | 34 Conservation populations exist on private land. on land. private exist populations Remember, most Bush Stone-curlew do to help to do What we can • • • • • 5-day-old dead chicks. dead 5-day-old of brains the in found been of organophosphates have up Build to chick death. may contributor abig they be as of use pesticides, the Limit of paddocks middle the in birds of aware be period nesting During dogs domestic wild and Control foxes, cats, grazing strategically cover by short grass Retain no fertiliser and few weeds grasses, native with timbered, lightly is that area an Designate
For further information
The Action Statement for the Bush Stone-curlew can be found on the DSE website. Go to www.dse.vic.gov.au, and then click on 'Plants and Animals', 'Native Plants and Animals', 'Threatened Species and Communities', and 'Action Statements'. Enquiries about Bush Stone-curlews can be made at your local DSE office on the following phone numbers: Benalla: 03 5761 1611; Wodonga: 02 6043 7900; Wangaratta: 03 5723 8600; Tatura: 03 5833 5222; Bendigo: 03 5430 4444. For new records or breeding sites, please contact DSE (on phone numbers above) or Birds Australia on 1300 730 075.
36 | The Bush Stone-curlew in Northern Victoria - Conversations and Conservation Photograph Credits
Front and back covers – Chris Dunster Page 17 Don Hunt Page 31 Don Hunt Page 1 Barry Oswald Page 18 Don Hunt Page 32 John Baker & Department Page 2 Barry Oswald Page 19 Susan Sleigh of Environment, Water, Page 3 Vanessa Keogh Page 20 Alan Yen Heritage & the Arts Page 4 Jonathon Munro, Don Hunt, Page 23 Tony Kubeil, unknown, Page 33 John Baker & Department Barry Oswald (clockwise Elisa Tack, Elisa Tack of Environment, Water, from left) (clockwise from left) Heritage & the Arts Page 5 Elisa Tack Page 25 Don Hunt Page 34 Chris Combes (top), Page 9 John Clarke Page 26 Don Hunt Don Hunt (bottom) Page 10 Chris Findlay Page 27 Susan Sleigh (main), Page 35 Susan Sleigh Page 13 Judy Ormond Kate Stothers (inset photos) Page 36 Don Hunt Page 14 Don Hunt Page 28 Judy Ormond Page 37 Don Hunt Page 15 Jim Castles Page 29 Jim Castles
37 ““WeWe didn’tdidn’t kknownow ttherehere wwasas a cchickhick uuntilntil thethe photophoto wwasas ddeveloped.”eveloped.”