update

Volume 10, Issue 2

MALLEE

10 Year Celebrations
This year marks the Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association's 10 year anniversary. To help the LAP celebrate this
momentous occasion we are inviting all Murray Mallee landholders and their families to attend our day long celebrations.
th th
The event will be held at the Perponda Sports Club on either Saturday the 7 or 14 of September (dates to be confirmed at
the end of July). The day will start at 12:30 pm with a fully catered B.B.Q lunch. There will be memorabilia displays
showcasing the achievements of the MMLAP over the past 10 years and a number of short presentations following lunch.

At around 2 pm the group will be heading off on a tour to the Underground Bottle Tanks, before returning to the Perponda
Sports Club around 4pm for afternoon tea and the close of the event.
Please R.S.V.P or register your interest to the Murray Mallee LAP for catering
purposes on either 8531 2066 or 8531 3075.

What's inside
Department for Environment
and Heritage
S o u t h Au s t r a l i a n M u r r a y - D a r l i n g

Malleefowl mounds inactive Government

of South Australia
Basin Natural Resources
Management Board

Malleefowl monitoring in the SA

Murray Darling Basin is undertaken by
volunteers and coordinated by the Birds guiding habitat restoration in
Conservation Programs Unit, DEH in Murray Mallee
Berri. The Malleefowl are monitored by
walking grids in the mallee and Wedge-tailed eagle
locating Malleefowl mounds (where
they incubate their eggs). The Coordinated pest control gets results
breeding activity of the mounds is
recorded and this information is Calling SA's sheep “young guns”
entered into a national database.
Donna takes on new roles
Over the 2007/08 season 18 grids were monitoring, including 7 on Gluepot
station. The numbers of active Malleefowl mounds is down on previous years (or Mallee Futures Stories
remaining at zero). This is probably due to the drought, as like many birds, they
tend not to breed in dry conditions with little food resources. No breeding at all Join us on a visit to Gluepot Reserve
was recorded north of the Murray River in SA. This is most likely due to drought.
Revegetation workshop second of a
Results did show that the birds are breeding at Peebinga and Karte. Thirteen series
active mounds were recorded here out of a total of 16 active mounds recorded in
the entire survey. Good winter rains in 2007 are likely to have caused the
favourable breeding conditions there. Further work is continuing in assembling
fox baiting data for the monitored areas as well as rainfall data.

304 volunteer hours were generously given to do this monitoring, plus 120 hours
spent resurveying two grids at Gluepot. More volunteers are needed for the
surveys for 2008/09, and to keep rainfall measurements in the vicinity of
Malleefowl grids. If you would like to be involved in Malleefowl monitoring or
recording rainfall measurements within the grids contact the Bush Management
Advisor Chris Grant in Berri 8595 2174.

Photo and article courtesy of DEH

www.malleefutures.org.au
Birds guiding habitat restoration in Murray Mallee Department for Environment
and Heritage
S o u t h Au s t r a l i a n M u r r a y - D a r l i n g
Basin Natural Resources
Government Management Board
The Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) and the Murray Mallee LAP of South Australia
have been trialling a process in the northern Murray Mallee for collecting information
to enable management priorities to be set to prevent further losses of species.

A study conducted in 2006 and 2007 investigated the distribution of birds in relation
to the remaining vegetation types in an area north of Billiatt and south of the Murray
River. Three reasonably distinct bird groups were distinguished amongst the
vegetation types of that area (all with open mallee overstorey):
1) Southern Scrub-robin, Shy Heathwren and Inland Thornbill associated with
patches of dense shrub understorey on deep sands;
2) Mallee Emu-wren, Striated Grasswren and Red-lored Whistler associated with
Triodia understorey on shallow sands; and
3) Restless Flycatcher, Hooded Robin and Brown Treecreeper associated with very
open understorey on plains and swales with only occasional patches of shrubs.
Nigel Willoughby is a
Distribution information for the bird groups showed a strong pattern of decline in dune associated Habitat Management and
species. The Mallee Emu-wren, Striated Grasswren and Red-lored Whistler have completely Restoration Ecologist and
disappeared from the study area and the Southern Scrub-robin, Shy Heathwren and Inland Thornbill is trialling a process to
have contracted to just one or two localities (depending on species) within the study area. In contrast, assist setting management
Restless Flycatcher, Hooded Robin and Brown Treecreeper remain widespread. priorities for restoring and
protecting landscapes
This information has been used to inform strategies to increase the amount of habitat available for the (Article and photo courtesy
declining birds. of Department for
Environment and
Small habitat restoration projects are planned for the Autumn 2008 planting season, and more Heritage)
substantial plans are being developed for future restoration. The aim is to restore the declining
vegetation types to eventually see an improvement in the distribution and abundance of these birds.

Wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax)

The wedge-tailed eagle is Australia's largest bird of prey and one of the most powerful raptors in
the world. Common throughout the continent, they prefer wooded and forested land and open
country. At a metre long and with a wingspan of over 2 metres, it can be seen soaring on up-
curved wings at altitudes up to 2,000 metres. The adults are dark in colour with a long, wedge-
shaped tail and legs that are feathered all the way to the base of the toes. The immature birds are
paler with golden or tawny highlights.

At breeding time, pairs of eagles circle high over their territories in a display of ownership
defending the area around their nests from other Wedge-tailed eagles. They build their nest in a
prominent location (usually the tallest tree) with a good view of the surrounding countryside.
However, if trees are absent, they will use small trees, shrubs, cliff faces and even the ground.
Photo by Alan Fletcher
The nest is a large structure comprised of dead sticks lined with green leaves which are added
regularly when young are present. Wedge-tailed eagles are sensitive to forestry operations with extensive clearing reducing nesting
resources. If the pair are disturbed while they are preparing to lay eggs, they may abandon the nest.

Most eggs are laid in June- August in southern Australia; however, breeding times vary from location to location and from year to
year according to the local availability of food. A clutch consists of one to three white eggs with varying amounts of reddish-brown
spots and blotches. Both parents share in the duties of nest building, incubation and feeding the young. The chicks are born with a
covering of white down; however, their survival rates depend on local conditions, including prey abundance and the amount of
disturbance. The young birds fledge when they are 80-90 days old, but usually only one survives especially if food is scarce for the
oldest and largest chick will kill and eat its smaller siblings.

Carrion is an important part of the birds' varied diet while live prey ranges in size from lizards to kangaroos. These birds favour
rabbits when they are available while reptiles are an important food source in arid areas. Pairs or groups of eagles may join forces
to attack large prey such as wallabies. Indirect poisoning through Dingo baits and pesticides continue to be a major hazard.

The belief that this eagle is a significant killer of lambs and sheep has led to its destruction in large numbers by farmers and hunters
in the past. A study by CSIRO into the deaths of 12,000 lambs clearly showed that with rare exception, eagles were not to blame.
Only 2% of lambs born had been killed by predators of which foxes were the main culprit. As most landholders know, the main
cause of death in lambs is starvation and exposure to the elements resulting from the lack of bonding between the lamb and its
mother. If the lamb carcass is relatively fresh, a simple examination can usually determine the cause of death.
continued on page 3
continued from page 2

If birds are nesting on your property, try to protect the site by minimising disturbance in the area during nesting periods and
encourage regeneration of nesting habitat by fencing around those areas. If you think eagles are bothering your stock, contact the
Department of Environment and Heritage for advice. The Wedge-tailed eagle is fully protected in South Australia and severe
penalties apply to people found interfering with these magnificent birds.

Signs for landholders to look for on fresh lamb carcasses to determine cause of death:
Look for punctures or bruising from talons by skinning back the head and shoulders. No bruising means the lamb was dead
anyway. Little bruising means it was near death and if there was considerable bruising means the lamb was active.
Check the hooves. If the lamb had not walked, a membrane should still cover them.
Check the lungs. If the lamb had breathed, it would be pink and spongy; if not, they will be a deep claret colour.
Check its gut to see if it had drunk.
A healthy lamb will have solid white fat attached to its heart and kidneys. This fat is red and jelly-like in starving lambs.
A lamb covered in a bright yellow meconium died during or just after birth.

Sheep are an important component of the fox's diet.

The damage associated with foxes is:
removal of the tongue, lower jaw, and/or tail,
the thighs and neck are commonly bitten, and
occasionally, the chest and abdomen cavities are opened up.
Gayle Drabsch
References:
Egerton, L. (ed.), 2005, Encyclopedia of Australian Wildlife,
Revised edition, Reader's Digest, Sydney.
Falkenberg, I., 2007, Wedge-Tailed Eagles – Farmers Friends,
unpublished.
Frith. H.J. (Editor), 1976, Reader's Digest Complete Book of
Australian Birds Reader's Digest Services Pty Ltd, 26-32 Waterloo
Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
Pizzey, G. & Knight, F., 2003, The Field Guide to the Birds of
Australia, 7th edition, HarperCollinsPublishers, Sydney.
Australian Museum, 2003, Fact sheets: Wedge-tailed Eagle,
http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/wedge_tailed_eagle.htm

Coordinated pest control gets results

Groups of landowners in the Mallee are getting together to coordinate their fox and rabbit control to increase the effectiveness
of their efforts in the local area. Currently the MMLAP, DEH and SAMDBNRM Board are working together with three groups
who are coordinating their pest control and have had successful outcomes in their local areas through this approach.

A total of 51 landholders are involved in these three groups giving considerable coverage and effective results. The Mantung
Maggea Land Management Group, Browns Wells Landcare Group and a group of landholders in the hundreds of Ettrick,
Burdett and Younghusband have covered a total of more than 100,000 hectares in their programs this year.

Many of the properties involved in the programs contain large areas of remnant vegetation with 32,000ha under Heritage
Agreement. The coordination of pest control in these areas contributes, not only to decreasing the loss of lambs but to the
protection of Mallee Fowl and other native fauna. It also assists in maintaining and improving local native plants through the
reduction of damage caused by rabbits to understorey species and recruitment of young trees and shrubs. Over grazing
disturbs cryptogams such as lichens, mosses and fungi and can lead to erosion of soils, especially when combined with the
effects of warrens.

Results show that the coordination of pest control is not only more effective than individual property programs, but has
economic benefits as warren ripping, mixing of poison oats and fox bait production can be done in bulk. Other benefits of this
approach include sharing techniques and results with neighbours and learning, as a group, the most effective methods of pest
control.

The Murray Mallee LAP, SAMDBNRM Board and DEH are keen to assist more groups like these in getting together to
coordinate their pest control works. Funding and technical support is available (through NHT community grants, SAMDBNRM
Board and Heritage Agreement funding) to assist groups in the Mallee to coordinate their rabbit and fox control.

For more information or support in coordinated pest control please contact;

MMLAP mmlap@internode.on.net or 8531 2066,
DEH (native vegetation/ heritage agreement) 8595 2174
NRM offices: Lameroo 8576 3400, Murray Bridge 8532 1432, Mid Murray 8564 5154, Berri (for Loxton Waikerie area)
8582 4477, Karoonda 8578 1493
Calling SA's sheep “young guns”
An exciting new initiative for South Australia's sheep industry is enlisting
young producers to be part of “Young Guns”.

The South Australian Lamb Development Team (SALDT) has launched the
project to establish a network of young sheep and lamb producer groups
across the state. The groups will be based in key sheep regions around
the state – Upper South East, Mallee, Yorke Peninsula, Riverland, Mid
North, Eyre Peninsula and Pastoral.

SALDT consider this to be a very important initiative to protect the long-

term future of South Australia's sheep industry. They have secured
funding for the project from South Australia's Sheep Industry Fund, the
Federal Government's AgFund and Primary Industries and Resources, SA.
SALDT Chairman Glen Tilley says the industry needs to foster the
development of its young producers and encourage them to stay in the Young Guns local coordinators (left
industry. to right) Jaynelle LeFeurve – Yorke
Penisula, Tiffany Munro – Upper SE,
“We are aiming to provide young producers the opportunity to network and Jo Linn – Eyre Penisula, Hamish
socialise with other young people, explore their interests, develop their knowledge Dickson – Riverland & Pastoral,
and business skills and encourage adoption of innovation,” Glen says. “Young Casey Pfeiffer - Mallee (absent Kate
people need to be challenged, stimulated and have the opportunity to become Ridgway – Mid North).
involved in the industry in a friendly and like-minded environment.”

”I would encourage any young sheep or lamb producer, aged 18-35 years, to
become involved. The opportunity is open to everyone, not only those people who
have been involved in extension programs or industry groups before.”

A Field Day will be held in each region as the first event to kick off the Young Guns group. It will be an opportunity for young
people to meet, explore regional issues and determine interest in forming a young producer group. A series of five workshops are
built into the first year of the program to help groups get started. Outside of this the opportunities are open to the group to set their
own agenda to meet the individual needs of members. A local coordinator who will organise and facilitate meetings and manage
the group's operational requirements will support the group.

Young producers who would like more information or to register their interest are encouraged to contact Heidi Goers, SALDT
Executive Officer, 08 8303 7925, goers.heidi@saugov.sa.gov.au

The SA Lamb Development Team (SALDT) is a non-political, whole of industry-focused group that is enthusiastic and passionate
about the lamb industry. In the long term the committee aims to help promote and build a cohesive, profitable, competitive and
sustainable lamb industry that builds on the strengths of component sectors to provide a consistent quality food product, to both
domestic and international consumers.

Donna takes on new roles

Donna Nussio has recently joined the Mallee Coorong

NRM Group as a representative of the Department for
Environment and Heritage (DEH). Donna brings
valuable local knowledge from her four years working
in the Murray (as Senior Ranger) and Riverland regions
(as Senior Ranger, Community Programs). The group
welcomes Donna and thanks her for the contributions
she has already made.

Donna has also recently taken on the role of District Ranger for the Murray Mallee.
The main focus of the role is to lead the range of DEH programs in the district both
in parks and across the broader landscape in conjunction with other landowners
and organisations.
Donna can be contacted at; donna.nussio@saugov.sa.gov.au
ph: 8576 3690 or mob: 428 103 783
Mallee Futures Stories
In recognition of the Murray Mallee LAPs 10 years of operation, the LAP has put together a CD package showcasing its
longest running program the “Mallee Futures Program”.

The CD contains four landholder stories and details their different experiences with on-ground works projects delivered
through the Mallee Futures Program. It provides an interesting insight into just some of the on-ground works' projects that
have been undertaken through the Program and highlights their achievements and the benefits to farming families.

The CD will be available mid July free of charge through the LAP. To register for your free copy please contact Loren Mountain
on 8531 3075 or Rowena Danks on 8531 2066.

Join us on a visit to Gluepot Reserve

Gluepot Reserve, (north of Waikerie), is Birds Australia's first
publicly funded Reserve. Located in the semi-arid South
Australian mallee it is considered by many to be one of the
crown jewels in the nation's reserve system. This 50,000 ha
large area of virgin mallee scrub contains no less than 6
nationally endangered bird species and a unique flora and
fauna adapted to the harsh conditions. Purchased in 1997,
Gluepot is rapidly becoming a centre for scientific research.
Its accessibility means it is one of the few areas in Australia
where birdwatchers can relatively easily observe otherwise
hard-to-find species.
On September 24th and 25th the Murray Mallee LAP will
hold a FREE visit to Gluepot Reserve. The bus will leave
Karoonda early on the 24th for a day trip to the park. From
here a bus will travel back to Karoonda.
For those who would like to stay on for the optional overnight
stay at the reserve where guests will have the option of
participating in a batting workshop with Chris Grant (DEH).
Chris has been researching bats in South Australia for 7
years. Learn bout the amazing lives of bats, how and where
they live, what they eat and how they help us. Get to trap
and see real live bats. You will be amazed at the variety of
bats there are in the mallee.
For more details or to book in, contact the MMLAP on
85312066 or mmlap@internode.on.net RSVP date is 5th
September.
Here is a short history of the reserve to whet your appetite…!
The Black-eared Miner is one of Australia's most endangered
birds. The species looked doomed to extinction, when in
1996 a Birds Australia volunteer reported sighting Black-
eared Miners in the region of Gluepot Station. However, the
owner of Gluepot Station had applied for approval to burn
areas of the extensive mallee to increase fodder for his
sheep. Further surveys by volunteers confirmed that not only
were Black-eared Miners and Malleefowl present in good
numbers, but robust populations of four other nationally
threatened birds occurred on Gluepot Station. The owner of
the property indicated that he was happy to sell what was a
marginal pastoral lease, but he was also happy to burn the
mallee and continue farming for a few more years.
The 54,390 ha (134,000 acres) property measuring 37 x 14
km underwent detailed assessments of its significance in the
landscape, its vegetation communities and its birds, and the
decision to purchase it was made. The effort to raise
$360,000 began. Over 2,400 people and organisations
helped buy Gluepot Station in just ten weeks. Moreover,
Founders pledged over $30,000 per year for the next five
years to assist with management.
As the volunteer Management Committee and first volunteer
Rangers took up office in July 1997, it was time to take stock
of what Birds Australia had purchased. Gluepot Reserve joins
the Bookmark Biosphere Reserve (900,000 ha), an
internationally significant area with direct links to other large
conservation reserves in New South Wales and Victoria. It is
part of the largest block of intact mallee left in Australia and
so the viability of threatened bird populations and other flora
and fauna there is high.
The six nationally threatened species of bird on Gluepot
Reserve include the Black-eared Miner , Malleefowl, Red-
lored Whistler, Regent Parrot, Scarlet-chested Parrot and
Striated Grasswren. A further 17 species of regionally
threatened bird live there (eg Major Mitchell Cockatoo,
Hooded Robin and Redthroat). In all, 190 species of bird
have been recorded on Gluepot Reserve.
Gluepot Reserve has a diversity of vegetation communities
which support important wildlife other than birds. Reptiles are
particularly abundant with 42 species located so far, including
the threatened Bandy Bandy. The last big fire on the actual
Reserve occurred in the 1950s (with a small area burnt in
2006), but many areas were not burnt leaving substantial
areas of mallee and Casuarina woodland with trees that are
hundreds of years old. These old trees have numerous
hollows for nesting birds and deep litter for ground-foraging
species. The vegetation quality is particularly high in the
eastern third of Gluepot because the lack of water for a 10
km radius means that grazing impacts have been minimal.
The property is open to visitors who for a small fee (or by
guided tour) can take advantage of the extensive
improvements and infrastructure that the voluntary
Management Committee and rangers have put in place.
Information courtesy of Gluepot www.riverland.net.au/gluepot
Revegetation workshop second of a series
MMLAP Committee Membership
On the 27th of May the Murray Mallee LAP
assisted students of the East Murray Area
School with the thinning out native Rod Brown (Chairperson/ Public Officer)
seedlings. The seedlings, grown from seed Lameroo ph: 8577 4033
by the students earlier this year, will be
planted in a local revegetation project at Damien Berger (Vice Chairperson)
the Australian Zircon mine at Mindarie. The Karoonda
students have grown a range of plants from
ground covers and grasses to trees and Rex Spinley (Secretary/Treasurer)
shrubs using locally collected seeds and Murray Bridge ph: 8531 3085
cuttings.
Barry Manuel
The workshop is the second of a series of Mindarie ph: 8578 7018
workshops that the students will participate
in throughout 2008. Rowena Danks, Neville Pfeiffer
Project Officer from the MMLAP said 'The Parrakie ph: 8576 2051
series of workshops aims at giving the
students a better understanding of the Andrew Hall
‘Its dirty work' -
whole process of revegetation, including Wunkar ph: 8589 7029
Front row Hayden
species selection, seed collection, preparation and Francis, Patrick
propagation, right through to planting and the Payne, Emily Trevor Schiller
ongoing care that these plants need now and into the Zadow, Adele Waikerie ph: 8541 9096
future. It gives the students the chance to experience Francis, Marissa
all aspects of the project and hopefully encourages Redden, VET Chris Grant
them to learn more about revegetation and instructor Greg Dept Environment & Heritage, Berri
biodiversity'. Griffiths, Kayla Tyler
Malcolm Johns
Funding for the workshops has come through the
National Landcare Program and the NHT Community Adrian Growden
Grants Program.
Jeremy Nelson

Karen Payne

Greg Werner

Monthly NRM office visits finish Stephanie Evans

Lewis Westbrook
In October last year, we started a scheme where Loren worked one day a month
from the Karoonda and Lameroo NRM offices. The aim of this was to make
assistance more accessible to landholders in our region. We hoped that this
would provide an option for landholders to drop in and talk about on ground
works projects they were planning on doing and discuss support available
through the LAP.

Due to a lack of utilisation of this service we have decided not to continue the
monthly visits. We are however available for site visits as per usual and
appointments can be made through our office 8531 3075. Our accessibility to
you is still a high priority so please feel free to call us to discuss your NRM
issues and ideas. hetta designs
08 8531 1131

Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Association Inc.

Murray Bridge Natural Resources Centre
Mannum Road
PO Box 2056, Murray Bridge SA 5253
ph: (08) 8531 2066 fax: (08) 8532 5300
email: mmlap@internode.on.net

This newsletter is printed on 100% Recycled paper - Protecting our Trees and Environment