Forty Years of Change: Flora and Fauna of the Upper Lachlan Shire

The Crested Pigeon is one of the fortunate species to have benefited from our management of the landscape in the Upper Lachlan.  (C)Ian Wilson 2019 birdlifephotography.org.au

This article written by Dr Tony Saunders, President of the Crookwell Native Flora and Fauna Club (CNFFC) with additional contributions from the Gunning and District Historical Society (GDHS).

Forty Years of Change:  Flora and Fauna of the Upper Lachlan

History happens every day.  Its cumulative effect can be significant over a short period, particularly for birds, mammals and reptiles.  Members of the CNFFC have often remarked on the changes we have noticed over the last forty years.  We recently devoted a meeting to discussing and recording the main trends our members have seen over this period.

Changes in wildlife populations can be confined to small areas - just one large farm where the vegetation has changed can show significant differences.  The distribution and population densities of particular species may decline in some areas while increasing in others or vice versa.  Our interest was in those species whose populations we feel have grown or reduced over the whole shire and the possible causes of these changes.

Much of what we saw reflects state and nationwide trends.  We have seen declines, some of them significant and alarming, in many threatened species while others are doing better.  Many of the changes we saw are due to the ways in which we manage the landscape.   A major cause of decline n many woodland faunal species has been native vegetation clearing.  Conversely, regenerative farming practices and large-scale tree planting have provided more habitat for some.  Even changes in garden design and plant choice have had an impact on the fauna we see in urban areas.

Reptiles

The Upper Lachlan is home to a great diversity of reptiles but little is known about populations of most species.  Small reptiles, of which there are many, tend to escape notice during field rambles and the CNFCC has not done any systematic herpetological monitoring studies.  This means we are able to make observations on only a few of the larger species.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Image:  Wikimedia Commons

We think Eastern Blue Tongues (top left) have become more common but we are now seeing fewer Blotched Blue Tongues (top right).  Are we right about this and, if so, why the varied fortunes of these two lizards?

According to Ross Bennett's "Reptiles and Frogs of the Australian Capital Territory", Eastern Blue Tongues are found in open valleys and cleared hillsides in the warmer parts of the ACT.  At higher levels they are replaced by the Blotched Blue Tongue which is adapted to life in the coldest parts of south-eastern Australia.

Climate science tells us that Australia is clearly becoming warmer.  The colder parts of the country, the preferred habitat of the Blotched Blue Tongue, are shrinking in size.  Perhaps we really are seeing a decline in the numbers of this lizard with warming temperatures being at least one of the causes.  The Eastern Blue Tongue, a warmer climate reptile, may not be affected or, indeed, even benefiting.

A shingleback coping with conditions in a Gunning district farm garden.  

We think Shinglebacks have increased their range.  They eat a wide range of vegetable matter including fruit, berries and flowers so we may be seeing them more often as they benefit from the gardens in urban areas.

This species may also be a beneficiary of climate change.  Shinglebacks are primarily inhabitants of the arid and semi-arid parts of southern Australia.  The hotter, dryer climate we are now experiencing here, and which is emerging as the new future for much of Australia, may be more to the Shinglebacks liking than ours.

Birds - Victims of Progress

 

The most notable changes have been with bird species.  Habitat clearing has caused many small woodland species to decline - both in the Shire and around much of Australia.

Habitat loss has forced species like the Scarlet Robin, Brown Treecreeper, Hooded Robin, Flame Robin and Speckled Warbler into more restricted ranges.  We also think the more frequent droughts and increasingly warm temperatures we are experiencing have been detrimental to these birds.

Above left:  Scarlet Robin (C) Emmy Silvius 2019 birdlifephotography.org.au
Above right: Speckled Warbler(C) Brian O'Leary 2017 birdlifephotography.org.au

Birds - Fighting Back with Our Help

There is good news.  While there has been a net decline in populations, some are benefitting from corridors of native tree planting and other regenerative farming practices being undertaken by Upper Lachlan land managers.  This has allowed birds to recolonise areas where they have not been recorded for many years.  This shows we can reverse many species losses.  With regenerative farming and public understanding of the vital importance of biodiversity increasing, the future of these threatened birds is not so bleak.

Above:  Sheep and lambs in a Greening Australia Whole of Paddock Rehabilitation Paddock at Lade Vale.  Good for stock, good for birds and other wildlife.

And the Winners Are…..

Ian Wilson 2019 birdlifephotography.org.au

(C) William Hall 2019 birdlifephotography.org.au

A few species seem to have benefited from local landscape changes.  Some parrots have become very common in the last 40 years.  The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Little Corella and Galah (above left) are examples.  They have benefitted from open pasture with scattered trees and supplementary grain feeding in periods of drought.  

The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo is much more common now as it feeds on the pine nuts from Radiata Pine which was planted extensively during the 60's and 70's for windbreaks on farms.

King Parrots (above right) have also increased within urban areas such as Crookwell because they have adapted to introduced plants that produce seeds as well as supplementary feeding.

Image:  Gladstone Weatherstone

Image: Gladstone Weatherstone

Over the last 40 years there has also been a shift towards planting dense areas of native shrubs in our gardens and this has benefitted several smaller bird species such as the Superb Fairywren (above left), Grey Shrike-Thrush, Grey Fantail and Eastern Spinebill (above right). 

Also, organisations managing environmental and agricultural restoration projects such as Local Land Services and Greening Australia often included shrub layers in their tree planting projects – deliberately to help bring back smaller birds and other beneficial species

The area devoted to lawn in many gardens has declined.  This has probably impacted how common the Willie Wagtail, a bird of open habitats, is seen in our gardens compared to earlier times.  It remains a common species with its conservation status still rated as secure.

Mammals

Many mammal species have also become much more common in the Upper Lachlan over the last 40 years.  Some of them were rarely seen but are now recorded regularly.  The most noticeable increases have been with the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (pictured left).  It is easy to see how this species has benefitted from clearing and provision of extra water via farm dams.

 

All mammal images Wikimedia Commons

 More difficult to explain is the increase in Echidnas (above left) and Wombats (above right).  Several farmers have reported they seldom say either species in earlier times, but they now see them in the landscape all the time.  We are open to suggestions as to why this is happening.
Wombats and Echidnas.

Not Just City Tree Changers Move to the Upper Lachlan

It is interesting to note that the Shire is a drought refuge for many species usually found further west and this has added to the diversity of wildlife we see here.  An example can be seen in the way farm dams in the area offer habitat for may rare duck species that breed further inland.  Some of these refugees move back when droughts break.  Others linger or even remain permanently if the habitat is to their liking.  A good example of this is the Crested Pigeon which moved into the area during the 1978-1982 drought and is now a permanent resident. 

Some species have arrived over the last few decades as they move south of their normal range, perhaps in response to climate change.  Examples include the Koel and Cattle Egret.  Common Mynas have also moved into the Shire.  They are thought to follow food litter along major roads.  This is an introduced species - often considered the most successful introduced bird in the world and also a major pest.

Like to Know More About Local Wildlife?

A great way to learn about our wildlife is to go out in the field with knowledgeable and experienced people.  The CNFFC organises activities and outings to explore and enjoy wildlife in the Shire and sometimes beyond.  Visitors are very welcome.  Membership is open to anybody interested in joining and receiving the members' newsletter about forthcoming events.  Contact our club secretary on 0415 378 816 or email michael.coley@bigpond.com.

The Birdlife Australia website https://birdlife.org.au is highly recommended for information about our native birds.

Like to Help Make a Difference to Our Environment for the Better?

There can be no doubt that habitat destruction is a major cause of species loss.  Treeless paddocks are not good for much for our wildlife, nor in many cases for people and production.  Agricultural and environmental science is proving it is possible to restore habitat to bring species back.  Further, if done sensibly on agricultural land, it can be done in a way that may well increase land productivity – and certainly does not reduce it.

Good starting points to learn more about how you can help influence the course of local environmental history are:

South East Local Land Services

https://southeast.lls.nsw.gov.au/

enquiry.southeast@lls.nsw.gov.au

Upper Lachlan Landcare

https://upperlachlanlandcare.org.au/

0447 242 474

coordinator@upperlachlanlandcare.org.au

Gunning District Landcare

https://gunningdistrictlandcare.org.au/

0447 242 474

coordinator@upperlachlanlandcare.org.au

For gardeners – A Google search will bring you a plethora of books on how to create a wildlife friendly garden.  Perhaps start with Habitat: A practical guide to creating a wildlife-friendly Australian garden by AB Bishop

Bird in Backyards

Thank You

GDHS thanks Dr Tony Saunders and the Crookwell Native Flora and Fauna Club (which draws it members from right across the shire) for contributing this article.

This Article is Also Available as a PDF File:  Just email bobgunninghistoryblog@gmai.com  if you would like a copy sent to you.