Welcome back explorers!
This year, when AWC's team of scientists surveyed Piccaninny Plains they focused primarily on two key habitat types:
In particular, the team were interested in surveying two small (20 - 30 ha) isolated patches of rainforest that rim the divide between the Archer and Wenlock River catchments. These rainforest pockets are surrounded by savanna woodlands, with an abrupt boundary between the two habitats (see image). To their delight, the team discovered that both rainforest patches supported dense populations of the small native rodent Grassland Melomys (Melomys burtoni). Birds, characteristic of gallery rainforests and vine thickets elsewhere on Piccaninny Plains, were recorded here including the Bush Turkey, Papuan Frogmouth, Great Bowerbird, Tropical Scrubwren, Varied Triller, Spectacled Monarch and Black Butcherbird.
The team also established eight survey sites amongst the suite of plants that decorate woodlands of the Wenlock River catchment (see image). Here, the most common small mammal the team encountered was the Canefield Rat, which was recorded in 7 / 12 sites surveyed! Other small mammals found to inhabit the woodlands included the Grassland Melomys, Tropical Short-tailed Mouse, Common Planigale and Red-cheeked Dunnart. Reptiles were also abundant and included 7 species of skink, 2 species of dragon, a gecko and a monitor.
Altogether, AWC has now established 52 survey sites across Piccaninny Plains! Major ecosystems have been surveyed including gallery rainforests, rainforest patches, woodlands and swamps. With the tally tipping 252 fauna species – or over 70% of the species likely to occur on the Sanctuary - the team is now keen to search new and unexplored parts of the Sanctuary including the far north-east (Nichol Creek catchment), the north (Capsize Creek catchment) and the western side of Piccaninny Creek and in the south-east of the Sanctuary. These areas are likely to include ecosystems that have not previously been sampled.
There is also scope for extending the survey to as yet poorly sampled native animals. For example, to date, Microchiropteran bats have only been surveyed in detail at one site on the Wenlock River, with only five of 21 species likely to occur on Piccaninny Plains recorded. A thorough inventory of frogs and snakes will also require AWC to undertake surveys during or shortly after the wet season.
Clearly there is still a great deal of inventory work to do, but our baseline data is growing and will provide AWC with a valuable barometer against which to measure its progress. Future monitoring work at Piccaninny Plains can now be guided by a formal monitoring plan, targeting species of high conservation interest, important ecological processes and threats.
Happy New Year Explorers,
When AWC's science team surveyed for small mammals, reptiles and amphibians on Piccaninny Plains this year, they employed a full suite of methods, including live traps, camera traps, pitfall traps and funnel traps. Indeed a total of 36 traps were set every day of the survey!
As always, extra precautions were taken to protect animals from stress. For example funnel traps were covered with insulation to protect them from the elements. The team used a delicious combination of oats and peanut butter (Anzac biscuit mix) to draw the animals in. Our wildlife has proven to be very partial to this traditional Aussie treat! Two of the camera traps were also baited with an extremely pungent, synthetic fermented egg lure ('Feralmone'), designed to attract carnivores - the slightest whiff of this is enough to make anyone sit up and take notice!
The team opened the traps for three consecutive nights and checked them before 9 am each morning. Pitfall and funnel traps were re-checked every afternoon and Elliot and cage traps were closed during the day to avoid trapping animals that might suffer heat stress.
Every time a trap was checked, the team recorded a multitude of items including: date, time, GPS location, surrounding habitat, species caught, type of trap, species gender, reproductive condition and key measurements. For mammals, this meant their weight, pes (hindfoot), head-body and tail length. For reptiles, this included their snout-vent length (SVL). In addition, the team undertook active searches for birds, reptiles, frogs and mammals, as well as for scats and signs throughout the survey period.
AWC was lucky enough to host a visit from respected researchers Terry Reardon (South Australia Museum) and his colleagues as part of a broad scale survey of microbats on Cape York Peninsula. They soon got underway with an array of equipment such as mist nets, harp traps and call detectors which they put to use in the gallery forest and surrounding woodlands of the Wenlock River.
Significant fauna species
As we reported previously, the outcomes of the 2009 survey were immensely exciting with a total of 252 vertebrates being recorded, or 72% of the 348 species considered likely to occur on the sanctuary! Six threatened species (3 mammals, 3 birds) were also recorded (see table). Of these, two bat species were new records for Piccaninny Plains including the Papuan Sheathtail Bat, which, at the time of the survey had only ever been recorded a dozen times in Australia!
At a time when northern Australia's wildlife is in alarming decline, this survey highlights the significance of Piccaninny Plains for the future survival of Cape York's original fauna. AWC would like to thank Optus, its staff and customers for all of their wonderful support in helping us to protect this remarkable place.
| 2009 survey: threatened vertebrate species recorded on Piccaninny Plains |
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| Scientific name | Common name | Conservation Status: Cth | Conservation Status: Qld |
| Mammals | |||
| Spilocuscus maculatus | Common Spotted Cuscus | Rare | |
| Rhinolophus robertsi | Greater Large-eared Horseshoe Bat | Endangered | Endangered |
| Saccolaimus mixtus | Papuan Sheathtail Bat | Rare | |
| Birds | |||
| Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus | Black-necked Stork | Rare | |
| Ninox rufa | Rufous Owl | Rare | |
| Probosciger aterrimus | Palm Cockatoo | Rare | |
Welcome back Explorers,
The team are busy analysing the results of the 2009 biological survey of Piccaninny Plains which are already confirming the conservation significance of this jewel in the heart of Cape York Peninsula.
A total of 420 vertebrate species are thought to occur on the Sanctuary, including a number of species endemic to Cape York Peninsula. The vine thickets, woodlands and grasslands on cracking clay soils that occur here are also among the most extensive examples of these ecosystems in the high rainfall zone (>1400 mm p.a.) of Queensland. 50km of the Archer River and 20km of the Wenlock River also flow through Piccaninny Plains. Gallery rainforest occurs along the Archer and Wenlock rivers and their major tributaries, forming a continuous link with the extensive rainforests of the Iron and McIlwraith Ranges to the east.
In 2008 we reported on AWC's first biological survey of Piccaninny Plains, shortly after the property was acquired. A total of 231 vertebrate species were then recorded on the Sanctuary including 18 species of mammals, 153 species of birds, 14 species of amphibians and 46 species of reptiles.
The objectives of the 2009 survey were to:
Extending the work done last year, the 2009 survey added numerous new monitoring sites in the woodlands and rainforests of the Wenlock River catchment, to the north-east of the Sanctuary. These were surveyed for small mammals, reptiles, frogs, birds and even bats at one site on the Wenlock River.
The 2009 survey recorded a 141 species of native wildlife including 14 species of mammals, 100 species of birds, 22 species of reptiles and 5 species of frogs. Of these, 23 species (6 mammals, 9 birds and 8 reptiles) were new records for the Sanctuary, bringing the total number of vertebrate species now confirmed for Piccaninny Plains to an inspiring 252!
In addition, six of the species recorded in the 2009 survey are listed as threatened and two of these species (the Greater Large-eared Horseshoe Bat and Papuan Sheathtail Bat) were new records for Piccaninny Plains.
The team also established 12 new sites in the fenced paddocks around the homestead. These will enable AWC to monitor the effects of grazing and destocking on Piccaninny Plains' fauna and flora.
Next month we'll take a closer look at the practicalities of undertaking the survey and how this information will help AWC to protect Piccaninny Plains' remarkable conservation values.
Welcome back explorers,
An astonishing 250 native species have now been recorded on Piccaninny Plains!!
The results of AWC’s second annual 2009 biological survey of Piccaninny Plains were impressive, adding:
to the existing wildlife inventory, and bringing the total tally to 250 fauna species for the sanctuary.
This new record further highlights the exceptional conservation value of Piccaninny Plains and the significance of this property to the future survival of the threatened species and ecosystems of Cape York Peninsula.
This region is one of the wildest places on the planet, so rich in biodiversity that many native species occur nowhere else in Australia. Indeed, some of Cape York’s native fauna is so unique it can be found nowhere else in the world! For these species in particular, Piccaninny Plains provides a critical refuge and offers new hope for their future.
One such animal which thrives deep within Piccaninny Plains’ lush rainforests is the Cape York Melomys - a small native rodent endemic to the Cape York Peninsula.
This small rodent with plenty of character, is semi-arboreal, which means it often inhabits the tree branches where it has a good view of any approaching predators. Its preferred habitat is rainforest with a dense understory of saplings and vines.
The Cape York Melomys is perfectly adapted to this environment. Its long semi-prehensile tail not only helps it to climb with agility on small branches and vines, but also helps it to gather the vegetation and dried leaves it needs to line its nest.
By day the Cape York Melomys nests in tree-hollows. At night it forages on tree branches and the forest floor, feeding on a variety of leaves, shoots, fruits and seeds.
Females breed throughout the year and their litters usually comprise of two offspring. Remarkably, females give birth to their first litter as early as 80 days of age. They then continue to breed into their second year, producing a number of litters each year.
At birth, the tiny young offspring weigh a miniscule 5-8 grams and their eyes and ears are closed. Whenever the young get lost they hiss. This alerts their mother and helps her to locate them and retrieve them back to safety. The young Melomys develop rapidly, emerging from the nest when they reach 20 grams, at a meagre 13 days of age.
To learn more about Australian Wildlife Conservancy and our programs to save Australia’s threatened wildlife, please visit our website: www.australianwildlife.org
Welcome back Explorers,
This month we have some stunning news to share! In yet another indication of the remarkable conservation values of AWC's Piccaninny Plains Wildlife Sanctuary on Cape York, a Papuan Sheathtail Bat has been recorded on the property. This species has only ever been captured a handful of times in Australia!
After much anticipation not to mention preparation, AWC ecologists have just completed their second major survey of Piccaninny Plains with the assistance of volunteers from the Blue Mountains, Goulburn and Rome! Now an annual event, this survey extended the inventory work begun last year into the northeast of the property.
In total 16 sites were surveyed. Eleven of these were located in the north-eastern section of the property, which is the catchment area for the Wenlock River. This area is so wild that access was only made possible after two new roads were graded this year, making remote parts of the property more accessible for vital research and land management purposes.
AWC's team invested considerable effort establishing a network of matched research sites in both stocked and destocked areas. In future this will enable them to monitor the impacts that grazing and destocking have on the ecosystems of Piccaninny Plains.
These survey sites also covered a range of ecosystem types including two isolated patches of rainforest on the low range that divides the Wenlock River from the Archer River, gallery rainforest along the Wenlock River, as well as various types of savannah woodland (the dominant ecosystem on Piccaninny Plains).
Spotted Cuscus entertained the crew each night and the crazy repertoire of whistles, cackles and calls of Palm Cockatoos woke them up each morning. This time, the inventory was expanded to include a survey of Microbats (small insect-eating bats), which reach their maximum diversity in Australia on Cape York. Besides the Papuan Sheathtail Bat, other highlights recorded by the team included thriving populations of Cape York Melomys in the rainforests, abundant populations of Canefield Rat and a high diversity of reptiles in the woodlands.
Survey results are still being compiled however initial results are immensely exciting as we have seen new fauna added to the Piccaninny Plains species inventory.
Next time we'll take a closer look at the team's findings and we'll profile the Cape York Melomys, an endearing little native rodent endemic to the Cape York Peninsula.
Visit our website to find out why biologists view the Cape York Peninsula as one of the most exciting places on Earth.
Welcome back Explorers,
The next stage of AWC's biological survey of Piccaninny Plains has just commenced. Although the team has only been there for a week, 16 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs have already been recorded!
While the survey gets underway this month, we will update you on the preventative initiatives taking place at Piccaninny Plains to protect our native wildlife and their habitats.
These initiatives keep Sanctuary Manager Jill MacNichol and her team very busy!
Over the past few months the team has been hard at work implementing feral animal and fire control strategies. These strategies include 50km of fencing along the Eastern boundary of the property to assist with the control of feral cattle and horses.
Some controlled burning has also been carried out via helicopter with incendiaries dropped onto designated locations to create fire breaks which help to manage and reduce the instance of devastating wild fires that sweep through later in the year and decimate our native wildlife and flora.
80km of new roads have also been graded at the northern end of the property to improve access for mustering and to reach fires in remote parts of the property.
The team is still waiting for the waters to dry up from the drenching of rain they received during the wet season so they can recommence with the mustering program. Yards will be set around the property and helicopters, bull catchers and motorbikes used to round up the feral cattle.
During all this hard work the team has reported sightings of the Palm Cockatoo which is one of the many bird species protected at Piccaninny Plains.
The Palm Cockatoo is a rainforest bird that, in Australia, can only be found in tropical lowland rainforest, eucalypt and swamp woodlands on the Cape York Peninsula in Northern Queensland. They are also native to New Guinea. They generally feed on seeds, nuts, berries and fruits which are collected from the canopy and ground.
The Palm Cockatoo is a striking bird with slate black plumage, long crest feathers and a large charcoal colored bill, one of the largest bills of any parrot.
Another remarkable feature of the Palm Cockatoo is its orange-pink facial skin that changes to a scarlet color when it gets excited.
The Palm Cockatoo has a spectacular drumming display and will erect its crest, outstretch its wings, sway, stamp its feet and drum on hollow trunks with a branch, stone or large seed held in its foot while intermittently calling. Its dramatic calls include a deep harsh screech and a low short whistle.
Nests are prepared by both sexes using sticks which they split into pieces, shred and place in hollow tree trunks. This porous platform provides good drainage and ventilation in the tropical climate.
Palm Cockatoos are monogamous and mate for life. Palm Cockatoos breed from August to January. One egg is laid which the female incubates for around 1 month. During this period she is fed by the male!
Come back next month to see what turns up in the team's survey. See you then!
This month, while AWC continues with its feral animal control program and starts planning for the next stage of its biological survey of Piccaninny Plains, we will profile more of Piccaninny Plains' wild inhabitants.
This month we'll look at the graceful Antilopine Wallaroo. These are the largest macropod found in the savannah woodlands of northern Australia, where they naturally inhabit the monsoonal tropical woodlands of Arnhem Land, Cape York and the northern Kimberley.
Whilst other kinds of Wallaroos are solitary, the Antilopine Wallaroo is a very social animal and can commonly be seen in groups of 2 to 8. However, groups of up to 20-30 animals can occur – usually in response to threats such as predators.
Another interesting characteristic of the male Antilopine Wallaroo is the distinct swelling of the nose above the nostrils which assists them with cooling down when panting.
During the dry season Antilopine Wallaroos shelter from the heat under shady trees and rocks, typically near waterholes. At dusk, they like to go in search of grasses to eat and are known to take advantage of areas burnt during the dry season, where fresh green shoots provide a plentiful food source.
Little is known about their breeding patterns, but recent research confirms that births tend to occur in the summer months, with most pouch young vacating the pouch at the beginning of the wet season, presumably to take advantage of the abundance of feed during this time.
Scientific studies suggest their distribution is broadly controlled by the availability of permanent water, frequency of late-season fires, geology, land management and habitat structure which is also important.
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Key attributes: Scientific name: Macropus Antilopinus Family: Macropodidae Average head and body length: 830-1200mm (males); 733-935mm (females) Average tail length: 745-960 mm (males); 664-813 mm (females) Average weight: 50-70 kg (males); 15-30 kg (females) Conservation status: Vulnerable in NSW |
Welcome back Explorers,
After an inundation of rain over the wet season, Piccaninny Plains is drying out quickly. The wet season provided an opportunity to review some of the year's achievements. As well as the first fauna survey, a lot of fencing work and a new direction for cattle management, one of our feats has been an impressive start on feral animal control. No less than 450 pigs and over 1900 horses have now been removed from Piccaninny Plains, so we are making good progress in protecting this amazing piece of Cape York Peninsula.
In addition to feral animals, poor fire management is one of the major factors driving the decline of native wildlife across northern Australia. So now, with the end of the wet season, Jill McNicol, AWC's Sanctuary Manager is dealing with one of the spin-offs from good soaking rain followed by a sharp transition to the dry season – lots of flammable grass. As a result, AWC's prescribed burning program is underway, with our objectives based on the property's fire history and with operational and ecological input from AWC's science team in north Australia.
By taking decisive action to control two major threatening processes to our wildlife: feral animals and fire, we will be able to protect the unique species that inhabit Cape York. This month we begin profiling some of these remarkable inhabitants, starting with these minute juvenile Common Planigales that were caught in the cracking clay grasslands of Piccaninny Plains.
Weighing only 7 - 10 grams, Planigales are tiny carnivorous marsupials. Their body length measures only 5 – 7 cm, and their tails are almost as long again. They have rounded ears and a long conical snout which enables them to live in the cracks of dry, muddy earth found on Piccaninny Plain's tropical grasslands which flood every year. You'll also find them in areas of rainforest, eucalypt forest, heathland, marshland, grassland and rocky areas where there is surface cover, and usually close to water.
Don't let their minute size fool you though. The Common Planigale, also known as the Pygmy Marsupial Mouse, is a ferocious hunter that will prey on insects and small vertebrates as big as itself! It is also a remarkably agile climber able to slip easily between narrow crevices, beneath bark, under rocks and through narrow, hollow logs where you'll often find their saucer shaped nests. Female Planigales, build these nests and line them with grass, eucalypt leaves or shredded bark. They usually breed between Spring and Summer, raising as many as 10 young at a time. These juvenile Planigales will remain together in the nest until they weigh about 6 grams.
Although the Common Planigale can be found along the coast from north-eastern NSW to far northeast Queensland, as well as in the coastal and sub-coastal areas that stretch from the Top End across north-western WA and south to about Broome, relatively little is known about this little mammal.
Key threats to the Common Planigale include predation by foxes, cats and cane toads. Clearing for agriculture and development in coastal areas has led to significant loss and fragmentation of its habitat. Poor fire management and grazing that reduces much needed ground cover, such as hollow logs and bark, as well as disturbance of vegetation surrounding water bodies puts pressure on their populations and in NSW they are now listed as vulnerable.
By removing feral animals including predators and competitors from Piccaninny Plains and by implementing controlled burning we can help to protect the future of this little Brave-heart of the Bush.
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Key attributes: Scientific name: Planigale maculata Family: Dasyuridae Average head and body length: 68mm Average tail length: 54mm (males); 53mm (females) Average weight: 11gm (males); 7.4gm (females) Conservation status: Vulnerable in NSW |
Welcome back Explorers,
Piccaninny Plains is a place that is burgeoning with wildlife: spectacular birds, unique mammals and an abundance of frogs and reptiles; but what threats exist here that might pose a serious danger to our native wildlife?
Few people are aware that across northern Australia there is a profound ecological crisis taking place. Populations of Australia's original mammal species that inhabit the north are declining at an alarming rate. Scientists are finding that the speed of this decline seems to be escalating and for many native animal species this decline has already become a death spiral. Many mammal species have now disappeared from more than 90% of their former range and those that do remain are often struggling to survive.
These potentially catastrophic declines in the wildlife of northern Australia highlight the significance of wildlife refuges like Piccaninny Plains which are set to play an increasingly important role in conserving Australia's threatened wildlife.
The main causes for these declines in northern Australia's native wildlife populations include feral animals, unmanaged fire and over-grazing. It was therefore vital during AWC's biological survey to assess the existence and extent of the threats to wildlife and ecosystems on the property so that we could then take effective action to manage them and protect its original inhabitants.
The team's results were very encouraging and demonstrated that the property is in remarkably good condition. Nevertheless, actions to remove feral animals (cattle, horses, pigs, cane toads), control weeds and manage fire are top management priorities for AWC. So, since AWC acquired the property, cattle have been mustered away from the floodplains (see image) and feral horses have been removed.
The team found that generally, Piccaninny Plains has few weeds, and only 6 species were identified on the property. Efforts are underway to control them and a patch of Gamba grass, which is a tall, rampant highly flammable grass, discovered near the entrance to the property, has already been removed.
The establishment of a fire regime which promotes the maintenance of landscape and species diversity is now a key challenge for AWC's management at Piccaninny Plains and is currently a focus of our conservation planning, as are feral predators, which are also considered to one of the main causes of mammal extinctions in Australia.
By establishing the existence and extent of the threats to wildlife on Piccaninny Plains, we can begin to manage and minimise, or even eliminate their impacts and ensure the protection of the species and ecosystems of northern Cape York Peninsula over the long term.
Come back next month when we start profiling some of Piccaninny Plain's fascinating inhabitants.
Hi and welcome back intrepid explorers,
How did you go with your bird surveys at home? We hope you made some interesting discoveries. This month, let's look at how AWC's team conducted mammal, reptile and amphibian surveys at Piccaninny Plains.
To begin with, the team set up a number of monitoring sites across a range of key habitats where mammals and reptiles were likely to be more abundant: such as the gallery forests along the Archer and Wenlock rivers and along Piccaninny Creek. They also set up sites in areas of grassland, woodland and swamp.
At each site the team set up long and low 30cm high drift fences. Along these they set a range of traps including “Elliott” traps (which are small aluminium box traps), wire cage traps which were covered with hessian so the trapped animals wouldn't panic, shade-mesh funnel traps which were covered with a layer of metallicized foam insulation to reduce heat stress on captured animals, and “pitfall” traps (deep buckets which were sunk into the ground). The Elliot and wire cage traps were then baited with a delicious mixture that included rolled oats, peanut butter and sardines!
To maximise their chances of success, the traps were operated for three consecutive nights. Every morning, the Elliot and wire cage traps were cleared, closed during the heat of the day and then reset late each afternoon. The pitfall and funnel traps were cleared each morning and afternoon.
In the meantime, the team conducted active, daytime searches for reptiles which involved searching under fallen timber and rocks, within leaf litter and on tree trunks. Since many of our native animals are nocturnal, the team divided themselves into groups of 2 – 8 people to carry out spotlight searches (usually on foot) at night.
Overall, the results of these surveys were very exciting: 18 species of mammals, 14 species of amphibians and 46 species of reptiles were recorded! These included two mammals that are listed as rare or threatened with extinction, including the Common Spotted Cuscus and the Spectacled Flying-fox. Cape York Melomys, Southern Common Cuscus and two types of skinks are endemic to Cape York were also recorded – these species occur nowhere else in Australia! Discovering the Southern Common Cuscus along the Archer River was especially significant because it is typically only found in the rainforests of the Iron and McIlwraith Ranges to the east of Piccaninny Plains.
Waterholes in the floodplains of the Archer and Wenlock Rivers were also found to be teeming with Freshwater Crocodiles, Arafura File Snakes and Northern Yellow-faced Turtles. Piccaninny Plains' crackling black soil grasslands were alive with highly venomous Coastal Taipan as well as Grey's Skinks and Rainbow Skinks (a Cape York endemic). Perhaps one of the most encouraging discoveries of this survey were the Yellow-spotted Monitors and Mertens' Water Monitors the team recorded because the advent of the cane toad have seen their populations decline dramatically everywhere else.
The abundance and diversity of mammals and reptiles found on Piccaninny confirms its exceptional conservation values for the protection of northern Cape York Peninsula's unique species.
Have you ever been spotlighting at night? It's great fun. Why not try it and let us know what you find?
See you next month when we'll take a look at the threats that lurk beneath the surface at Piccaninny Plains.
Hi explorers and budding wildlife ecologists.
Just how do you conduct a bird, mammal, frog or reptile survey or a vegetation survey?
Let's find out, starting with the methods our team used to undertake a bird survey at Piccaninny Plains.
To begin with, the team chose a range of habitat types and then set up a 2 hectare plot at each site. The shape of the plot varied according to the habitat: extensive open woodland and grassland habitats allowed for big 100m x 200m plots, but long narrow 50m x 400m plots were used in the denser gallery forests along the Archer and Wenlock Rivers.
On two occasions each site was surveyed for 20 minutes by a single observer. Surveys were conducted between sunrise and 2 ½ hours after sunrise. In each survey, the observer would watch, call and listen. Then they recorded each species of bird, how many individuals they observed and where they saw them (on the ground, in a shrub-layer, below or above the tree canopy). They noted how they were observed (e.g. whether they actually saw them or heard their call). They also recorded things like weather conditions (cloud cover, wind and/ or rain).
This method works really well for birds you might see in daylight, but what about birds like owls which hide under the cover of darkness?
For these, the team used pre-recorded calls (from Fed Van Gessel's CD: Australian Nightbirds – Owls, Nightjars and Frogmouths). They then broadcast selected bird calls through a loud hailer designed to project the sound for at least 1 km! The calls for each species were played for 5 minutes, followed by a 5 minute listening period. The surrounding area was then searched by spotlight after a final ten minute listening period. Of course this strategy only works under still night conditions, so they avoided the windy and rainy periods.
Using these methods, the team recorded 153 species of birds, (that's 18% of all Australia's bird species!) including 4 rare birds listed below:
| Scientific Name | Common name | FAMILY | Threat category: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus | Black-necked Stork | Ciconiidae | Rare |
| Ninox rufa | Rufous Owl | Strigidae | Rare |
| Probosciger aterrimus | Palm Cockatoo | Cacatuidae | Rare |
| Tadorna radjah | Radjah Shelduck | Anatidae | Rare |
Significantly, the only bird species globally endemic to Cape York, the White-streaked Honeyeater (Trichodere cockerelli), was recorded in Piccaninny Plains' riparian gallery forest – it's usually only found in heaths and heathy woodlands. Seven other bird species that only inhabit Cape York and New Guinea, including the Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), Palm Cockatoo and Trumpet Manucode (Manucodia keraudrenii) were also recorded in this survey.
Now you know how to conduct a bird survey, why don't you try conducting your own one at home? You might be surprised at what you find!
Welcome back explorers. We hope your year is off to a great start.
As the rain continues to fall, inundating the floodplains of Piccaninny Plains, high up on north Queensland's Cape York Peninsula AWC's team of scientists have been analysing the data they collected during our first biological survey of this remarkable property. Their main objectives in undertaking the survey were to:
During the survey the team set up a total of 41 sites. These were surveyed for birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs, as well as vegetation composition and structure. They also gathered additional data from opportunistic surveys that targeted particular habitat types and from incidental records they were able to make whilst in the field.
The key results from this biological survey of the property are exciting and confirm that Piccaninny Plains harbours exceptional species richness. In fact, in our first ever biological survey of the property, the team recorded over half of the 428 native vertebrate species predicted to occur on Piccaninny Plains. In total, 231 vertebrate species were recorded including
To place these figures in context, the number of bird species recorded on Piccaninny Plains represents almost one-fifth (18%) of all native Australian bird fauna! 216 plant species were also recorded in the survey.
The team also recorded a number of species listed as threatened with extinction by the Queensland and Commonwealth governments, including four bird species, two mammal species and five plant species.
Overall, the team is pleased to report that the habitats of Piccaninny Plains are in good condition. With effective land management, Piccaninny Plains will provide an important stronghold for the threatened species of Cape York.
Over the next few updates we'll dig a little deeper and take you through what was actually involved in conducting a plant or animal survey on Piccaninny Plains. By the end of it you'll be an expert yourself! See you next month.
Happy New Year and Welcome back adventurers and explorers.
Protecting rare tropical grasslands and a network of spectacular wetlands, Piccaninny Plains covers over 170,000 hectares of northern Cape York. It is a region of extraordinary biological significance, strongly influenced by its previous connections to New Guinea.
As you know, our scientists recently carried out an extensive biological inventory of Piccaninny Plains with some very impressive results. Interestingly, the team recorded a number of new range extensions for a suite of species beyond where they had previously been thought to occur.
For example, there were four species of animals, including the Southern Common Cuscus, Cape York Melomys, Double-eyed Fig-parrot and Black-winged Monarch that were found along the Archer River. This is extremely significant because they are generally considered to be limited to the east side of the Dividing Range.
Other range extensions were recorded for the Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, which doesn't normally venture north of the base of Cape York.
The most thrilling highlight was that the team may possibly have caught a Long-tailed Planigale - Australia's smallest mammal. This would locate it much further north than it has been previously recorded. To verify whether this is the case, they collected a genetic sample and, in time, we should be able to confirm this.
The snake haul was also truly impressive: the team came across no less than four different python species, including the giant Amethystine Python, as well as the water-living File Snake and Death Adders. Ray, our reptile expert was thrilled!
Now, while the wet season takes its course, the team are hard at work at their computers entering all the data they collected from the Piccaninny Plains so we can compile a complete inventory of their findings before they set off on their next expedition to this spectacular place. So come back next month to find out more and to hear what's involved in securing the property as a sanctuary for wildlife. We have a very exciting year ahead of us.
Welcome adventurers and explorers!
Our team of four AWC scientists and eight volunteer rangers have returned from their search and discovery mission on Piccaninny Plains, tired but very happy! Their task was to undertake a detailed biological survey of the property in order to identify all the species of plants and animals that make their home here. The results were impressive, confirming the exceptional significance of Piccaninny Plains for the fauna of Cape York.
The conditions at Piccaninny were incredibly hot and humid and one of the Rangers suffered a bout of heat stroke in the harsh conditions. However despite the soaring temperatures, the team carried out more than 3,800 trap nights! They also spent many hours conducting bird surveys and systematic searches in a selection of rainforest, wetland, woodland and grassland sites.
One of the most exciting findings of the survey was the high number of species found to be unique to the northern part of Cape York and nowhere else in Australia!
The highlight of the trip was the large and abundant fauna along the Archer and Wenlock Rivers. Rainforest species like Magnificent Riflebirds and Spotted Cuscus as well as Palm Cockatoos were easy to find. The team even saw a family with a young juvenile Palm Cockatoo (which means they were breeding nearby).
Interestingly, the Palm Cockatoos and Riflebirds had a different dialect to the birds on the east coast at Iron Range, suggesting there is some population differentiation between the two places.
Rigel, one of AWC's scientists found a number of notable plants here too, including lots of Pterocarpus (a tree with a very restricted distribution - most of it is on Piccaninny Plains), Carophya utan (a majestic palm normally found further east and south) and Anacolosa (a tree with only three previous records from Australia). In fact, one of those three specimens was collected on Iron Range six years ago by Sarah Legge, AWC's head scientist!
The team estimate that they captured or observed over 80% of the species they expected to occur on Piccaninny Plains. No wonder they were so exhausted when they returned! We have more exciting finds to report from this expedition, so tune in next month to hear what else they discovered.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of the adventurers and explorers who are helping us to save the wildlife of Cape York.
Welcome adventurers and explorers!
This month a team of four AWC scientists and eight volunteer rangers set off for Piccaninny Plains on an important search and discovery mission. Their task is to undertake the first phase of AWC's first ever biological survey on this remarkable property in order to identify all the species of plants and animals that make their home here.
The Archer River and its surrounding wetlands, located in the southern reaches of Piccaninny Plains is the starting point for their mission. They will then turn their attention north to the Wenlock River, (which boasts more freshwater fish species than any other river in Australia), and finish by focusing on the picturesque grasslands and woodlands surrounding the property's Homestead.
In anticipation, the team has come well equipped with all kinds of traps ranging from "pitfall traps" made from 20 litre buckets, to cage traps, "elliot" traps and "funnel" traps (which look a little like fish traps). These will help them to trap just about anything from mammals to reptiles - Pythons and Death Adders are likely to be a common theme! They have a big job in front of them with several thousand "trap nights" planned (each trap set each night, represents a "trap night"). After recording their vital statistics, each animal is then carefully released back into the wild.
Early reports from the field indicate that conditions are tough. Temperatures typically soar from the high 30's through to the early 40's and humidity is well above 90%. The potential for heatstroke is serious, so the team's activities are concentrated in the cooler hours of the morning and late afternoon. Their days are long: work starts at 4.45am before the sun rises and doesn't finish until well after the moon comes up!
This year Cape York is experiencing one of its driest dry season since the 1960's: only about 1 inch of rain has been recorded on Piccaninny Plains since mid April and the mighty Archer is parched. The air boils with the promise of the wet season to come, and once it does this dusty landscape will be dramatically transformed into a lush green tropical paradise.
The team reports an amazing number of magnetic termite mounds populate most of Piccaninny Plains. Termites are so common and industrious, and in fact they have even targeted an entire forest of Darwin Stringybarks covering their trunks with soil, ranging from slate grey to rich reds - an eerily beautiful sight in the early morning sun.
With the monsoonal rains imminent, Piccaninny Plains is a hive of activity for all the wildlife that find refuge here - Palm Cockatoos are busy searching in earnest for suitable tree hollows in which to nest, Spotted Cuscus can be glimpsed darting along tree branches and frogs can be seen and heard in abundance. It couldn't be a better time to conduct a search and discovery mission. Next month we'll report on their progress - it's going to be very exciting!
Hi there adventurers! Welcome to our new Piccaninny Plains project.
Piccaninny Plains lies at the heart of northern Cape York Peninsula - a region of global significance for conservation. It is one of AWCs’ newest sanctuaries and a place of unsurpassed biological thrill!
This remarkable property covers more than 170,000 hectares (420,000 acres) of stunning wilderness, ranging from rainforests, to woodlands, wetlands and grasslands. These ecosystems provide a rich haven for the threatened wildlife of Cape York Peninsula.
Indeed, Piccaninny Plains is a wild place that exists at the fringes of time. The plants and wildlife which occur here echo back to a period 250,000 years ago when Australia was still connected to New Guinea. While the woodlands are distinctly Australian and dominated by eucalypts, acacias and kangaroos, the rainforests that thread their way across the property, in contrast, have a strong New Guinean flavour, supporting charismatic species like the Spotted Cuscus and the iconic Palm Cockatoo.
For a scientist, or in fact for anyone interested in our natural environment, Cape York Peninsula, where the wildlife of Australia and New Guinea meet, is one of the most exciting places on earth! Many of the animals that occur here are found nowhere else in Australia. Even the ecosystems are truly unique. One rainforest type is found nowhere else in the world! The property also contains the largest and most intact tropical grasslands in the high rainfall belt of northern Australia. Elsewhere these grasslands have been destroyed by intensive grazing and cultivation.
Yet Piccaninny Plains is still cloaked in mystery. Little is known about exactly how many ecosystems, plants and animals actually occur here. Rough estimates suggest at least 39 ecosystems, at least 900 plant species and over 400 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians call this special place home. Many of them are threatened or in danger of disappearing forever unless urgent action is taken to protect them. Feral animals, including pigs, horses and cats are having a significant impact. Cattle grazing is affecting sensitive habitats, like wetlands. A change in fire regimes is altering the structure and composition of grasslands and woodlands.
In the face of these threats, Optus is supporting AWC on this vital project to implement an active land management program that will remove key threats and secure the property as a safe-haven for the threatened wildlife of Cape York Peninsula.
Join us on this incredible journey as AWC’s dedicated team of scientists set out on a search and discovery mission to uncover Piccaninny Plains’ natural treasures and solve its remarkable mysteries. Track our progress as we identify key threats and tackle practical solutions to deal with them. Share our frustrations and celebrate our victories. Join us next month as we bring you the first breaking news stories from the front-line of conservation.
