Property purchase creates haven for rare Mallee bird

ONE of Australia’s rarest birds has a brighter future thanks to a new sanctuary in the Mallee.

Victorian conservation organisation Trust for Nature has purchased 860 hectares of habitat for Malleefowl at Annuello, about 30km south of Robinvale.

Malleefowl are ground-dwelling birds that build large mound nests. Once found across southern inland Australia, their population has declined, and they are now at risk of extinction.

Supported by the Federal Government’s Protecting Important Biodiversity Areas Program, Trust for Nature has purchased the property through its revolving fund. The property will be permanently protected via a conservation covenant and then onsold.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase and protect more habitat across Victoria.

“We’re thrilled to be able to make this purchase and contribute to the protection of one of Australia’s most unique and threatened species,” Trust for Nature director regional delivery Amelia Houghton said.

“By using innovative funding models, and in partnership with government, business and community, we can achieve real and sustainable conservation impact, and contribute to Australia’s target of protecting 30 per cent of land by 2030.”

Malleefowl are one of only three species of megapodes, or mound-nesting birds, in Australia. Likely mating for life, pairs of Malleefowl build a mound of sand and leaf litter up to a metre high and five metres across.

Over several months, females lay up to 25 eggs, which are incubated by the decaying leaf litter and sunlight. The mound temperature is carefully monitored by the male.

Due to their ground-nesting habits, Malleefowl are extremely vulnerable to introduced predators like cats, foxes and pigs. Fire and climate change are also threats. Much of their Mallee habitat has been cleared for agriculture in Victoria.

Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt said this project was a good example of the type of great work that was happening across Australia to help rebuild the environment.

“We have set an ambitious target to protect and conserve 30 per cent of our land by 2030 and we still need around 40 million hectares to reach the target,” Mr Watt said.

“We are making progress, and this project is another way we’re working to achieve this target.

“It is a big task, and it will take governments, private landholders, First Nations groups, communities, business, and industry working together.

“Protecting this land and providing safety for Malleefowl is great example of how we want to get there.”

Trust for Nature identified the Annuello property as a priority for protection.

Trust for Nature reserves project officer Greg Ogle has observed several Malleefowl nests on the property.

“You probably couldn’t get a better Mallee habitat property,” he said.

“It’s quiet, peaceful and has a sense of remoteness about it.”

“It joins onto Annuello Flora and Fauna Reserve, which is a core area for Malleefowl and other woodland birds.

“It helps connect patches of habitat across the landscape.

“Many fauna species are under pressure in the mallee areas of south east Australia, where much habitat has been cleared for growing crops.

“Large patches like this will be a refuge for wildlife as the world warms.”

Much of the property has never been farmed, while part that has been cleared provides an opportunity to be restored.

Trust for Nature is protecting the property with a conservation covenant, an agreement which restricts activities such as clearing, intensive farming or subdivision. Registered on the property’s title, the covenant permanently protects habitat, even if the property changes ownership.

Established in 1972, Trust for Nature’s aim is to protect habitat on private land.