Australasian Darter: Copley Retention Dam

A solitary Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae) swimming very low in the water of Copley Retention Dam between spells of stalking fish underwater.

The Australasian Darter is classified as a Rare species and is protected by South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. This species was also nominated in 2018 for federal protection under the Environmental  Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Plains Wanderer: Strzelecki Track area

The unicorn of the outback, the Plains Wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) is a Gondwana species that looks like a quail, is related to shorebirds of South America and lives in a sparse (but not too sparse) arid inland grassland habitat so niche that it has come close to extinction.

Plains Wanderers are very secretive and are rarely seen by day. They are generally only located with spotlights or the use of thermal imaging while they roost in grasses at night. Local field naturalists had a lucky daylight encounter with this one.

Plains Wanderer in the Strzelecki Track area, South Australia

Monitoring of conservation sites in NSW and Victoria has shown recent breeding boom due to the La Niña rains.

Recommended read: Multiple award winning CSIRO publication On the Trail of the Plains Wanderer, available the Leigh Creek Library.

Birds of Arkaroola and the Northern Flinders Ranges ID brochure

Friends of Vulkathunha – Gammon Ranges NP have published a beautifully illustrated folded brochure for identifying over 50 of the birds of Arkaroola and the Northern Flinders Ranges. A must-have in any glove box north of Hawker.

Pick up your free copy from the Leigh Creek Library, Arkaroola, Balcanoona Ranger’s Office, Iga Warta, Nepabunna, Copley Quandong Cafe and the Copley Community Garden. Alternatively, you can download a PDF version of the brochure.

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