Surveys of the Vertebrate Fauna in Native Grasslands of the Riverine Plain, New South Wales

2009·1.9 MB·English

by  David G Parker

Research Reports
Surveys ofthe vertebrate fauna in native grasslands
ofthe Riverine Plain, New South Wales
DavidG Parker
NSWDepartmentofEnvironmentandClimateChange,POBox397,Griffith,NSW2680
Email:[email protected]
Abstract
SurveysofnativegrasslandsforthePlains-wandererPedionomustorquatuswereconductedat 12surveysites
on eight properties over five years on the Riverine Plain ofsouthern New South Walesbetween November
2001 and December 2006. The main focus ofthese surveys was to undertake population monitoring ofthe
threatened Plains-wanderer; however, all othervertebrate species detected, excluding macropods, also were
recorded.Atotalof4863faunalobservationsweremade,encompassing35nativespecies:24speciesofbird,six
reptiles,threeamphibiansandsixmammals,ofwhichfourwereintroduced. Plains-wandererswererecorded
at 11 ofthe 12surveysites.(TheVictorianNaturalist126(4)2009, 128-134)
Keywords: nativegrasslands,fauna, Riverine Plain, Plains-wanderer, conservation
Introduction
The Riverine Plain of New South Wales con- of land managers, to ensure that the status
tains a diverse range of habitats, including of wildlife populations and their habitats are
riverine forests, box eucalypt and cypress maintained and improved (Baker-Gabb 1998;
pine woodlands, acacia and chenopod shrub- Bennett et al 1998). The principal aim ofthe
lands and native grasslands (Eardley 1999). Of study presented in this paper was to monitor
these,thenativegrasslandsareamongthemost changes in the population of the endangered
threatenedandpoorlyconservedecosystemsin Plains-wandererinnativegrasslandsoftheRiv-
south-eastern Australia (McDougall and Kirk- erine Plain, NSW, but the sampling technique
patrick 1994; Baker-Gabb 1998; Eardley 1999). also allowed detailed counts ofothergrassland
Grasslands mayappeartobesimple-structured fauna to be conducted. Thus, this paper also
communities (Lunt 1991) but their floristic documents the vertebrate species, except ma-
diversity, faunal composition and the interac- cropods, recordedinthesenativegrasslands.
tionsbetween the two illustratetheir complex-
Methods
ity(Baker-Gabb 1998;Luntetal. 1998; Hadden
Studysites
2002
). Twelve monitoring grids were established in
Since European settlement, native grasslands NSW
nativegrasslandsontheRiverine Plainof
have been greatly altered in extent by agricul- between Conargo (35o18'09" S, 145°10'43" E)
tLuurneta1n9d91;liMvecsDtoouckgaplrlodauncdtiKoinrk(pBaetnriscokn11999941);. asonudtJhearinlddebreietw(e3e5°n2H1'a3y6"(3S,4°13405'°5413M'S3,71n4E4)°5i0n'4t4h"e
lNaartgievneugmrbasesrlaonfdtshrceoantteaniendapldainstpraonpdorftaiuonnaastpeel-y E()souatnhdoCfatrhreatShtuorotlH(i3g4h°w36a'y2)5"inS,th1e4n5o0r2t5h'.33F"ouE)r
cdtieoecrslqiusnauetcuihsnag(srBaatshkselearnP-dlGaasibpnebsc-iew1sa9,n9d8se)u.rcehrAasPetsdihgienoiBnfroiocmawunnst gPrairdks,woenreeoenstaabtlriasvheeldlionngOstoolcakmrboeuyteananNadtsieovneanl
on privateproperty. Selectionofsites forplace-
Songlark Cincloramphus cruralis Australasian
, ment ofgrids was determined using historical
(Richard’s) PipitAnthusnovaeseelandiae,Hors- information on Plains-wanderers contained in
fBiaelndd’sed(SLinagpiwnig)ngBuVsanhellalruksMtirircaoflorra,jhaavsabnieceanaonbd- aMnadheRrob(e1r9t9s7)(,2v0e0g1)e,tapteirosnomnaalppoibnsegrvbaytiRoonbearntds
servedinrecentyears (Barrettetal. 2003). landowner consent. These sites were located in
Effective long-term conservation of these grasslands with different floristic composition,
grasslands requires clear objectives, strategic physical structure and grazing management
planning, and active management by a range
regimes.
128 TheVictorianNaturalist
Research Reports
Surveymethod Amphibians
Although there was some variation in shape Frogs were not detected in anygreat numbers,
and size, a typical grid measured 50 ha in size with only three species encountered. Frogs
andwas 1000mlongand500mwide.Thegrids were detected at six of the 12 sites, with two
m
wereformedbyplacing1.5 flexiblepoleseve- or three individuals of each species being re-
ry200malongparalleltransectsthatwere50m corded in total (Table 2). Small swampy areas
apart. The flexible poles were spring-loaded to ordepressions occurred on ornearto (<200m)
prevent them being damaged by stock or used five ofthe twelve grids. These were dry on the
asperchesbyraptors. Eachpolewas fittedwith surface during most of the survey period and
a band ofreflective tape that was detectable at held water only after significant rains during
night by spotlight from 200 m away. Noctur- two survey rounds (Spring/Summer 2004 and
nal fauna surveys were conducted bydriving a Winter2005).
vehicle at <5 kph along the transects and spot-
Reptiles
lightingtoadistanceof15-20m, dependingon
the height and density ofthe grass. Field sur- Six species ofreptile were recorded from 10 of
veys were conducted twice yearly from the ve- the 12 surveysites, with a total of65 individu-
hicle from November 2001 to December 2006, als observed (Table 3). Three species were re-
typically during June (Winter) (i.e. Round 1) corded during spotlight events: the Curl Snake
aEnadchNogrviedmbwears (sluarteveSyperdintgw)ic(ei.e.duRrionugndea2c)h. eSurtnaHsouotdaewdasScraelcy-orfodoetdPaytgeoipguhstsscithersa,dtehreiaEtassti-x
round. Thiswas on consecutive nights; howev- sites and the Tessellated Gecko Diplodactylus
er,weatherconditions (rain, strongwinds, dust tessellatus at three sites. Three other reptiles
storms etc.) and/or accessibility meant some also were recorded: the Shingleback Lizard
Trachydosaurus rugosus and Eastern Bearded
siteswere notsurveyedduringaround.
Dragon Pogona barbata were both observed
Althoughthemain purposeofthesurveywas
to detect and monitor the number of Plains- fromtwositeseach,roostingatthebaseofthick
wanderers at each site, the presence and abun- grass tussocks, while an Eastern Brown Snake
dance of other vertebrate species inhabiting Pseudonaja textilis was observed from one site
the grasslands also were recorded. Only those andwasin theprocessofenteringaburrow.
species observed on the grid were recorded, One additional reptile species, the Red-naped
SnakeFurinadiadema wasobservedopportunis-
though opportunistic (off-grid) observations ,
also were noted. Occasional hand-capturing of tically at one site during vegetation sampling in
thedaytime.
individualswas requiredtoaid identification.
Birds
Results
A total of35 native species (three amphibians, A total of24 species ofbird, all ofwhich were
scilxudrienptgilmesa,cr2o4pboidr)dsiancnldudtiwnog moanemmtahlresat-eneexd- rnaitoidve(,Tawbelree4)r.ecOofrdtehdedbuirridngspetchieessurrevceoyrdepde,-
species, the Plains-wanderer, and four intro- six (Stubble Quail, Little Button-quail Turnix
duced species (all mammals), were recorded velox, Plains-wanderer, Banded Lapwing, Aus-
during eleven rounds of monitoring between tralasianPipitandBrownSonglark)constituted
November 2001 and December 2006. In total, approximately95% ofall individuals observed.
4865 individualswere recorded from 245 spot- The Australasian Pipit was the most abundant
lighting sessions over a total of631 hours and species encountered (42.5%), recorded from
covering3675 km (Table 1). Mostobservations all study sites, and at one or more sites during
(83%; 3968) wereofbirds, particularlyAustral- all survey rounds. Similarly, the Stubble Quail
asian Pipit (35% ofall animals observed). Five and Banded Lapwing were recorded from all
speciesaccountedfor83%ofobservations:Aus- 12studysites.Theendangered Plains-wanderer
tralasian Pipit, Fat-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis was detected at eleven ofthe twelve study sites
crassicaudata Stubble Quail Coturnixpectora- and was observed within sparse native grass-
lis, Banded La,pwingand Brown Songlark. olatnhdesrsdpuerciinegs mteandeofutpheles1s1tshuarnve1y%reoaucnhdso.ftAhlel
totalbirdsobserved.
Vol 126 (4) 2009 129
Research Reports
Table 1.Surveyeffortacrossthestudysites.
SiteNo. Averagelength No.survey Totaldistance Totaltime TotalNo.of
ofgrid(km) nights (km) (hrs:mins) individuals
1 7.1 20 142.4 23:05 130
2 11.6 20 232.1 43:10 230
3 16.8 20 337.0 57:39 294
4 12.1 22 267.9 48:20 317
5 18.4 21 387.1 63:06 262
6 18.3 22 402.3 69:17 464
7 16.8 22 369.6 65:05 1067
8 16.3 22 358.8 63:09 671
9 15.3 22 336.0 58:43 515
10 18.5 22 408.4 68:28 302
11 14.2 16 226.8 38:36 350
12 12.9 16 206.8 32:35 261
Table2.AmphibianspeciesrecordedfromnativegrasslandsoftheRiverinePlain.
CommonName ScientificName Total Totalsites
count wherespecies
recorded
GiantBanjoFrog Limnodynastesinterioris 2 2
SpottedMarsh Frog Limnodynastestasmaniensis 2 2
CommonSpadefootToad Neobatrachussudelli 3 2
Unidentifiedfrog 2 1
Table3. ReptilespeciesrecordedfromnativegrasslandsoftheRiverinePlain.#=incidentalrecord.
CommonName ScientificName Totalcount Totalsites
wherespecies
recorded
TessellatedGecko Diplodactylustessellatus 5 3
Eastern HoodedScaly-foot Pygopusschraderi 27 6
EasternBeardedDragon Pogona barbata 2 2
ShinglebackLizard Trachydosaurusrugosus 2 2
Red-napedSnake* Furinadiadema 1 1
EasternBrownSnake Pseudonaja textilis 1 1
CurlSnake Sutasuta 27 8
Three species ofnocturnal bird ofprey were Individual or small clumps of Boree Acacia
recorded. The Eastern Barn Owl Tytojavanica pendula in some grids provided roost and/or
wasthemostcommon,andwasobservedatten nestingsitesforfivediurnalbirdspecies:Black-
of the 12 study sites. Birds were typically ob- shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris (roosting and
servedflyingoverthesite;however,individuals nesting), Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides
were seentoland on thegroundwithin thesite (roosting and nesting), Crested Pigeon Ocyp-
on several occasions. The Southern Boobook haps lophotes (roosting), Willie Wagtail Rhipi-
Ninox novaeseelandiae and Tawny Frogmouth duraleucophrys(roosting)andAustralianMag-
Podargus strigoides also were recorded only on pie Cracticus tibicen (roosting). The grassland
one occasion each. The former was observed habitat also provided ground roosting sites for
flying over the site, while the latter was ob- the Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis, Wedge-
servedperchedon fallendeadtimber. tailed Eagle Aquila audax, Nankeen Kestrel,
TheVictorianNaturalist
130
Research Reports
Table4. BirdsspeciesrecordedfromnativegrasslandsoftheRiverinePlain,+=presentbutexactnumbers
notrecorded;#=incidentalrecord.
CommonName ScientificName Totalcount Totalsites
wherespecies
recorded
Emu Dromaiusnovaehollandiae 2 2
StubbleQuail Coturnixpectoralis 783 12
PacificBlackDuck Anassuperciliosa 4 1
Black-shoulderedKite Elanusaxillaris 1 1
Spotted Harrier Circusassimilis 1 1
Wedge-tailedEagle Aquilaaudax 1 1
BlackFalcon" Falcosubniger + 3
Nankeen Kestrel Falcocenchroides 15 3
LittleButton-quail Turnixvelox 280 11
Red-chestedButton-quail Turnixpyrrhothorax 4 1
Plains-wanderer Pedionomustorquatus 172 11
InlandDotterel Charadriusaustralis 31 3
BandedLapwing Vanellustricolor 543 12
AustralianPratincole Stiltia isabella 29 3
CrestedPigeon Ochyphapslophotes 2 1
SouthernBoobook Ninoxnovaeseelandiae 1 1
EasternBarnOwl Tytoalba 28 11
TawnyFrogmouth Podargusstrigoides 1 1
SouthernWhiteface Aphelocephalaleucopsis 1 1
OrangeChat" Epthianuraaurifrons + 1
WillieWagtail Rhipiduraleucophrys 1 1
AustralianMagpie Cracticustibicen 32 3
HorsfieldsBushlark Mirafrajavanica 33 6
AustralasianPipit Anthusnovaeseelandiae 1688 12
RufousSonglark Cincloramphusmathewsi 2 2
BrownSonglark Cincloramphuscruralis 313 12
Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis Discussion
andAustralian Magpie. The Pacific BlackDuck All species recorded during this study con-
Anas superciliosa was recorded once on a sec- formed to previouslyknown distributions. The
tion offloodedfarm track. Plains-wanderer,thetargetspeciesofthisstudy,
Two additional bird species were observed is of state and national conservation signifi-
opportunisticallywhile undertakingvegetation cance (Baker-Gabb 1998; Bennett et al. 1998).
sampling during the day. These species were: Severalothergrasslandspeciesrecordedduring
Black Falcon Falco subniger (three sites) and this study also are considered to be in decline
Orange ChatEpthianura aurifrons (onesite). intheRiverinaBioregion,whichincludesNSW
Mammals and Victoria, and include the Brown Songlark,
Two nativemammalspecies (excludingmacro- Australasian Pipit, Horsfields Bushlark, and
pods) were identified from the 12 study sites Banded Lapwing (Barrettetal 2003). Fivespe-
(Table5). The Fat-tailed Dunnartwasrecorded ciesrecordedduringthisstudyarelistedwithin
at all 12 study sites, while the Common Dun- Victorian State Threatened Species legislation:
nart Sminthopsis murina was recorded at three tawnod cGriiatinctallByanejnodanFgreorgedLi(mnHoodoydneadstSecsaliyn-tfeoroit-
sites.
Four introduced species were recorded: the ors); one endangered (Plains-wanderer); and
Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Feral Cat Felis catus twovulnerable (Red-chested Button-quail Fur-
House Mouse Mus mu,sculus and European, nixpyrrhothoraxand Curl Snake).
Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus. T,he Red Foxwas Thesurveytechniquelimited thedetection of
recorded at 10 ofthe 12 study sites, while the most reptile and amphibian species; however,
Feral Catwasencountered at onlyonesite. tfohre dseutrevcetyinmgetthwoodsspeacdioeps,tetdheweHroeoadpepdropSrciaalyt-e
Vol 126 (4) 2009 131
Research Reports
Table 5. Mammal species, excluding macropods, recorded from native grasslands ofthe Riverine Plain. * =
introducedspecies;+=presentbutexactnumbersnotrecorded.
CommonName ScientificName Total Totalsites
count wherespecies
recorded
CommonDunnart Sminthopsismurina 8 3
Fat-tailedDunnart Sminthopsiscrassicaudata 708 12
HouseMouse* Musmusculus 72 10
RedFox* Vulpesvulpes 34 10
FeralCat* Feliuscatus 1 1
EuropeanRabbit* Oryctolaguscuniculus + 1
foot and the Curl Snake. These species are ter- ‘Plains-wanderers and Richards Pipit were al-
restrial and nocturnal and utilise a range of wayspresent. BandedLapwingswereabsentfor
habitats including grasslands (Cogger 1992; up to three months, while the Stubble Quail,
Swan et al. 2004). Both ofthese species are of- Brown Songlark and Singing [Horsfields]
ten associated with fallen timber, and surface Bushlarkwereabsentforuptofivemonths,and
rocks, but also ant and termite nests and deep Little Button-quail were away for much longer
earthcracks (Swan etal. 2004). Alloftheseref- periods’. Baker-Gabb et al. (1990) encountered
uges,exceptsurfacerocks,werepresentatthose 401 Horsfields Bushlarks over a total driven
sites where these species were recorded. The distance of2121 km (665 hrs), whilethis study
Tessellated Gecko, though considered cryptic encountered only 33 individuals over a total
(Brown and Bennett 1995), was recorded dur- driven distanceof3675 km (631 hrs). Barrettet
ingthisstudy. Thisspeciesiswidelydistributed al. (2003) noted a20% declinein the reporting
throughout dry regions ofcentral and eastern rate ofthe Horsfields Bushlark in the New At-
Australia (Cogger 1992). The studyarea repre- las ofAustralian Birds (1998-2002) compared
sents the eastern limit ofits range (Swan et al. tothe Atlas ofAustralian Birds (1977-81), with
2004; Atlas ofNSW Wildlife 2007). The Giant theRiverinaBioregionbeingoneoftheareasin
Banjo Frog and the Common Spadefoot Toad which this declinewasevident.
Neobatrachus sudelli are burrowing fossorial TheInland DotterelandAustralianPratincole
species that spend much oftheirlife concealed arespring/summervisitorsto nativegrasslands
underground, emerging only after substantial on the Riverine Plain. Their movements often
rains (Hero et al. 1991; Bennett et al. 1998). It correlatedwith annual summerrainfall,escape
was onlyafter such events that all three species fromdryperiodselsewhere,ormigration(Hig-
offrog were encountered during this study. It gins and Davies 1996). During the survey pe-
is very likely that many more reptile and am- riod, these two species were irregular visitors
phibian species would have been recorded if and werepresent onlywhen habitat conditions
a greater range of survey methods had been were suitable. The Red-chested Bu—tton-quail
applied. was recorded on only one occasion an adult
Birds were the most diverse group ofverte- with three chicks—during spring 2003. Native
brate fauna recorded in native grasslands. The grasslandsappeartobethepreferredhabitatof
results ofthis study concur with those ofoth- thespecies(Bennettetal. 1998);however,ithas
ers examining bird communities in Riverina beenrecordedfromothervegetationtypessuch
grasslands in NSW (Baker-Gabb et al. 1990; as grassy woodlands (Marchant and Higgins
Maher 1997) and in northern Victoria (Maher 1993). This species is regarded as being gener-
and Baker-Gabb 1993). While the commonly allyuncommon acrossAustralia, but apparent-
recorded Australasian Pipit is sedentary or lysecure (Marchantand Higgins 1993). Maher
locally nomadic, both the Stubble Quail and (1997) recorded the Red-chested Button-quail
Banded Lapwingareconsidered nomadic,with only twice in native grasslands on the Riverine
movements influenced by rainfall (Marchant Plainduringsurveysbetween 1995 and 1997.
and Higgins 1993). In a descriptive account The Fat-tailed Dunnart was the most com-
of grassland birds from two Riverina proper- mon nativemammalrecordedduringthestudy
ties, Baker-Gabb et al. (1990: 164) stated that: and occurs mostly in open vegetation on a
TheVictorianNaturalist
132
Research Reports
variety ofsoil and vegetation types, including National Parks and Wildlife Service. Sincere thanks
open woodlands, low chenopod shrublands, go to the landholders and managers who kindly al-
tussockgrasslandsand gibberplains (Dickman lowedaccesstotheirproperties. DamonOliver,Matt
and Read 1992; Morton 1995). It is regardedas CBaalmleesrtornin,aRnodssMiMcckDoDnonmealilll,eCporloivnidKeidllilcokg,istMiiccahlealnlde
themostwidespread and abundantdasyurid in on-groundsupportaswellasaccommodationatOol-
western NSW (Dickman and Read 1992). Re- ambeyanNationalPark.Thanksalsotothenumerous
cent faunal studies in native grasslands ofthe volunteers who shared the sunsets, the night skies,
Northern ‘Riverine Plains of Victoria (Had- andfreezingcoldnights. DavidBaker-Gabb, Damon
den 2002; Michael et al. 2003) also found this mOlainvuesrcrainpdt.Rick Webster kindly commented on the
species to be common in sites that were lightly
grazed and contained open vegetation cover. References
The Common Dunnart was irregularly recorded AtlasofNewSouthWalesWildlifedatabase(2007).Depart-
mentofEnvironmentandClimateChange,Hurstville.
duringthisstudyand isconsideredto be sparsely Baker-Gabb DJ, Benshemesh JandMaher,PN (1990) A re-
distributedacrosssouth-easternAustralia, mostly vision ofthe distribution, status and management ofthe
inhabiting woodland, forest and scrub (Dick- Plains-wandererPedionomustorquatus.Emu90,161-168.
manandRead 1992;Fox 1995).Inastudyofthe Bawkaenrd-eGraerb.b SDuJpp(l1e9m98e)ntNattoivWeinggrasspsalnand8s, aRonydalthAeusPtlraailnas--
mammalianfaunaofremnantnativegrasslands sianOrnithologists Union (BirdsAustralia) Conservation
in Victoria, Hadden (2002) recorded the Com- Statement No.l. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union
monDunnartonlyonce,fromnativegrasslands Bar(rBeitrtdsGA,usStirlacloicak)s,AE,astBaMrerlyboS,urCnuen,nViinc.gham R and Poulter
on the Western Basalt Plains. The presence of R (2003) TheNewAdas ofAustralian Birds. (Royal Aus-
Common Dunnartduringthissurveysupports tbroaulranseia)nOrnithologistsUnion(BirdsAustralia):EastMel-
Haddens (2002) suggestion that the species Bennett AF, Brown J, Lumsden LF, Hespe D, KrasnaS and
may occupy grassland habitats, particularly in Silins J (1998) Fragmentsfor the Future: Wildlife in the
closeproximitytowoodlandvegetation. NVaitctuorrailanReRsiovuerrciensaa(ntdheENnovritrhoenrmnenPtl:aiEnsa)s.t(MeDlebpoaurrtnmee)nt of
plDieesdpidtueritnhge lthiimsitsetdudsya,mptlhiengretsuelcthsnihqiugehsliagph-t BemnesnotnoJn(t1h9e91v)egTehtaetieoffneactndoffl2o0r0aoyfeNareswoSfoEuutrhoWpaelaens.seCtutlne--
the NiSmpWortance of the native grasslands on BrnoiwnnghaGmiaan2d,3B4e3n-n3e7t0t.A (1995) Reptiles in Rural Envi-
the Riverina Plains for a range offauna. ronments: The Distribution, Habitat Requirements and
WGhoivleernrmeecnentthaacvqeuisiintciroenassebdystihgneifNicSanWtlySttahtee CDDaaorrnllsiiennrggvaBBtaaissoiinnnSCAtorametumasisionsfiVtoihcnet.oRrDeipae.tpialAretrFmeaepunontratootfofCttohhneeseMMruuvrrarrtaaiyyo--n
amount of native grassland contained within andNaturalResources,Heidelberg.
the reserve system in the Riverina Bioregion, Co6gtgheerd.H(GRee(d19N9e2)wRHeopltlialneds:aSnyddnAemyp)hibians ofAustralia.
most native grasslands occur on privately Dickman CR and Read DG (1992) The biology and man-
owned land. Bennett etal (1998: 74) state, ‘the agement of dasyurids of the arid zone in NSW. NSW
futureofthewildlifeofthe [Victorian] Riverina NRaetpioorntalNoP.alrlk.sNaSndWWiNladtliiofnealSePravrikcseaSpnedciWeisldMlaifneagSeermveicnet,
is not solely the responsibility of government Hurstville,NSW.
tohreacnoynscienrgnleaangdenaccyt:ionitsdoefptehnedswhuollteimcatoemlymuo-n EaaerrndildneaWyiBKlidAolrie(fg1ei9oS9ne9.r)viUAcnepf,uobHuulnridssatthviielodlner,feopNroSrctWo,n.sNeSrvWatNiaotniionnatlhePaRrikv-s
nity.’ The retention and maintenance ofnative FoxBJ(1995)CommonDunnartSminthopsismurina.InThe
grasslandhabitatacrossalltenuresiscriticalfor M(AaumstmraallisanofMAuussterualmiaa.nRdeRveeedd,Bppo.ok1s5:0-N1S51W.)EdRStrahan.
the conservation ofspecies such as the Plains- Hadden SA (2002) The mammal fauna ofremnant native
wanderer, as well as other grassland flora and grasslands of the Western Basalt Plains and Northern
tfiavunea-.baTsehdermeaanraegenmeewnotppaogrrteuenmietnitess ofonrpirnicveant-e HeFPriloealidJn-sGMou,fidLViiecttttoloreijVaoi.hcntToMhreiaaVnincFdtrooMgrasir.aann(tNDeaeltpluairralGtimse(t1n91t9191o,)fC1F4or-no2sg0ew.ravtac-h
land forbiodiversityconservation. tionandEnvironment:EastMelbourne)
Higgins PJ and Davies SJJF (eds) (1996) Handbook ofAus-
Acknowledgements tralian, NewZealandandAntarcticBirds. Vol 3, Snipe to
The author would like to thank David Baker-Gabb Pigeons.(OxfordUniversityPress:Melbourne)
aedndinthtehPeldaienvse-lwoapnmdeenrteroRfetchoivsemroynTietaomri,nwghporoasgsrisatm- LugrnretvaiseIswlD.anT(dh1e9a9nV1di)cgtMroarasinsaayngwNeaomtouedrnlatlainsodtf9f8or,re5mn6na-ta6un6rt.ecloonwslearnvdatinoant:ivae
wfarsomfuwnhdiecdhbythtehseeNrSesWultDsepwaerrtemedenrtivoefdE.nvThiirsonsmteundty LuenxtplIoDr,inBgartlhoewgTrasasnydplRaonstss Jof(1s9o9u8t)h-PelaasitnesrnWaAnudsetrrailniga:.
and Conservation, including the Fox Threat Abate- (Victorian National Parks Association Inc. and Trust For
ment Program. Fieldworkwascarried out under the Nature:Victoria)
relevant permits and licences provided by the NSW McDougall Kand KirkpatrickJB (eds) (1994) Conservation
ofLowland Native Grassland in South-eastern Australia.
Vol 126 (4) 2009 133
Research Reports
(WorldWideFundforNatureAustralia:Australia) NSWNationalParksandWildlifeService(2002)Plains-wan-
MathieonroPfNtheanPdlaBiansk-ewra-nGdaebrberDiJn(n1o9r9t3h)erSnurVviecytosriaan.dAcRoInsTeercvha-- dNearteiron(aPlePdairoknsomaunsdWtiolrdqluiafteusS)erDvriacfe,tHRuercsotvvielrlye,PNlaSnW..NSW
ManhiecarlPReNpo(r19t9N7o).A1s32u.rvDeCyNoRf,PlaMienlsb-owuarnndee.rers(Pedionomus RotboerrqtusatIuasn)dHRaobbietarttsMIa(p2p0i0n1)gPilnacilnusd-iwnagndWeoroerdy(PeVedgieotnaotmiuosn
NtoerwquaStouust)hanWdalensa.tivUenpgurbalssilsahnedds orenpotrht,e RBiivrdesrinAeustPrlaaliinas,, paunbdliosthheedrrLeapnodrst,caNpSeWFeaNtautrieosn,aRliPvearriknsaaPnldaiWnis,ldNliSfWe.SeUrnv--
Melbourne. ice,Hurstville,NSW.
Marchant S and Higgins PJ (eds) (1993) HandbookofAus- SwanG,SheaGandSadlierR(2004)AFieldGuidetoReptiles
tralian,NewZealandandAntarcticBirds. Vol2,Raptorsto ofNewSouthWales.(ReedNewHolland:Sydney,NSW)
Lapwings.(OxfordUniversityPress:Melbourne)
MichaelDR, LuntID, and Robinson WA(2003) Terrestrial
vertebratefaunaofgrasslandsandgrassywoodlandinTer-
rickTerrickNational Park, Northern Victoria. The Victo-
rianNaturalist120,164-171.
MorcombeM (2000)FieldGuide toAustralian Birds. (Steve Received27September2007;accepted10November2008
ParishPublishing:Archerfield,Qld)
MortonSR(1995)Fat-tailedDunnartSminthopsiscrassicau-
data.InTheMammalsofAustralia.Reved,pp.129-131.Ed
RStrahan.(AustralianMuseumandReedBooks:NSW)
Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops. Photo by Heath Maconochie. See
p. 135.
134 The VictorianNaturalist