BASELINE fauna surveys will be carried out with Federal Government funding in the continuing battle to protect the endangered Plains-wanderer.
The funding will also assist with vegetation monitoring assessments to determine suitable habitat for the small birds.
The Member for Murray, Damian Drum announced $20,000 in funding to the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park during a visit to one of the grasslands where the bird has been seen in recent years.
Mr Drum said that the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park group will use the funds to help protect the iconic Plains-wanderer and will work closely with Parks Victoria on planting native grasses and conducting surveys to help protect this endangered bird species.
He visited the historic Davis Homestead site close to the eastern side of the national park to discuss ongoing efforts by the friends group and Parks Victoria personnel.
“The government is investing $5 million in the Threatened Species Recovery Fund to support local communities to protect our vulnerable wildlife,” Mr Drum said.
“Protecting our vulnerable wildlife is not a task that governments can do alone, we can only be successful by working in partnership with all levels of government, the private sector and the community.”
Mr Drum said that the local project was important work because 95 per cent of the Plains-wanderer’s native habitat had been lost to cultivation.
The species is now concentrated in only a few areas – here on the Patho Plains and in the New South Wales Riverina, with some sightings in South Australia.
The Plains-wanderer is sensitive to grass structure so as soon as the grass becomes too thick or too sparse, they abandon the site.
Friends group president, Jill Millsom said that a number of local landowners are supporting the cause by ensuring parts of their properties are appropriately grazed.
She said that the funds would allow the group and the Melbourne Field Naturalists’ Club to carry out a baseline fauna survey on the Bael Bael Nature Conservation Park.
Night surveys to identify the presence of Plains Wanderers by listening for their call is ongoing on both the Patho and Avoca Plains.
