When going out with Phil Maher to find the Plains Wanderers near
Deniliquin Phil spelled out to us the habitat requirements of the PWs.
In the current environment they need very sparse grassland vegetation
which allows growth of certain native 'forbs' (grassland herbs), whose
seeds they feed on. In the paddocks around Deniliquin apparently they
are only found in certain patches within paddocks where occurrences of
certain soils allow for this veegetation. If these patches occur then
it seems they can co-exist with cattle and sheep grazing.
Where they occurred in the pre-European context is difficult to guess,
perhaps on soils which only support sparse grass growth with marsupial
grazing. It sounds as though it's not sparse grass per se which they
need, but they need the seeds of the herbs and have learnt to survive
in the open whereas, perhaps, quail and button-quail cannot survive so
successfully in this vegetation, and so can't compete with them?
John Leonard
On 19/11/2007, Mark Clayton <> wrote:
>
>
>
> Steve,
>
>
>
> An interesting comment in your email (but not a criticism of you)
> …"controlled grazing of the native grasslands seems to be essential for the
> viability of the Plains-wanderer". Grazing by what? Kangaroos? Sheep?
> Cattle? How did they survive before sheep and cattle came along if these
> indeed are the grazers? What happens in years of drought such as we have at
> the moment? I would have thought that the birds evolved with the grasslands
> or sometime soon after. The comment is a bit like the cattlemen in the "high
> country" trying to justify their grazing by saying that the alpine areas
> have never had it so good. I have always wondered how they (the alpine
> areas) survived for millions of years without this great benefit! Who
> actually stated your quoted comment?
>
>
>
> Comments anyone?
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
>
>
> Mark
>
>
> ________________________________
>
>
> From: stephpar
> Sent: Monday, 19 November 2007 11:29 AM
> To:
> Subject: [canberrabirds] re. plains wanderer info.
>
>
>
>
> Hi Leo, Julian, Geoffrey & others --
>
>
>
>
>
> I spent a weekend with "The Friends of Terrick Terrick N.P." at the park
> which is west of Echuca in Vic.
>
>
>
>
>
> Spot-lighting on the Fri. & Sat. nights resulted in one female bird on Fri.
> p.m. and then a female & male bird on Sat. p.m.
>
>
>
>
>
> One can get reasonably close to the birds, although the male bird wasn't as
> co-operative as the female, the latter remained quite still for people to
> get numerous photos.
>
>
>
>
>
> There is a livestock manager who may be the best contact for you re.
> visiting and spot-lighting. I think entry may be under the control of The
> Friends of Terrick Terrick N.P. Controlled grazing of the native grasslands
> seems to be essential for the viability of the Plains Wanderers.
>
>
>
>
>
> More details a.s.a.p. once I have been in contact with the Manager. Easy
> chap to get on with.
>
>
>
>
>
> Steve.
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
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