Introduction
Welcome to the first annual project report for the Coorong Lakes project. This document details the various monitoring activities undertaken as part of the management plan and offers insights into the outcomes and findings at each of the monitoring sites within the property.
This report has been developed by Wilderlands Lead Ecologist, Deanna Marshall.
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Coorong Lakes Project, the Ngarrindjeri people, and pay our respects to their elders past and present. We recognise and respect their deep ongoing connection to land, water and culture.
We extend our sincere thanks to our collaborators Cassinia Environmental and the Ngarrindjeri community with a special acknowledgement extended to Uncle Clyde Rigney, Aunty Rose Rigney, Robert Mrongovius, Adonis Triplett, and the dedicated Raukkan team.
Wilderlands would also like to acknowledge and show gratitude to the following incredible volunteers who contributed to the collection of biodiversity data during 2023, including Colleen Barnes, Peter Barnes, Lillian Camphausen, Michael Gooch, Kirsten Hutchison, Robert Lawrence, Rosalie Lawrence, Nick Lewis, Peter Morison, Elizabeth Newton, Louise Nicholas, June Niejalke, Paul O’Shea, Kieran Raleigh, Sally Shaw and Kylln Wadmore.
To begin this report we take a quick look at the recent spring monitoring that took place at the Coorong Lakes project, located south of Meningie in South Australia, at the south-east edge of the extensive Coorong Lakes system.
Watch this mini-documentary detailing the recent spring monitoring at the Coorong Lakes
The 200 hectare reserve has been owned and managed by Cassinia Environmental since 2019 as a conservation reserve in partnership with the Ngarrindjeri people and is permanently protected under a South Australian Heritage Agreement. The Coorong Lakes Project complements the internationally important wetland systems of Lake Alexandrina, Lake Albert, and the Coorong Lagoons, with the diversity of ecosystems making a significant contribution to the importance of this area.
Rising above low-lying saline wetland communities of samphire and melaleuca shrublands are sandy dune systems of mallee and heathy woodlands, host to a rich diversity of native plants and animals.
The project is home to a rich diversity of native birds with a total of 61 species identified, including the Purple-gaped Honeyeater (Lichenostomus cratitius) which is listed as rare under the SA National Parks and Wildlife Act.
The number of species is considerably high given that the surrounding landscape has been heavily impacted by land clearing and grazing and species such as the Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Black-eared Cuckoo, Shy Heathwren and Elegant Parrot are not particularly common.
The native plant diversity in the Coorong Lakes Project reached a total of 222 species, with the noteworthy addition of Slender Smoke-bush (Conospermum patens), a species regarded as endangered under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

It was, however, the native orchid diversity that was the standout with 30 species recorded during the spring 2023 surveys including the world’s largest known populations (on private land) of the nationally endangered Metallic Sun-orchid (Thelymitra epipactoides) – one of Australia’s largest and most impressive sun-orchids.
Watch this video to learn more about the monitoring that led to this finding.
The monitoring also recorded three Wedge-tailed Eagle nests (with a photo of one of these nests below). These apex predators require large territories with diverse prey species so the presence of their nests, and our observations of pairs on site, indicate a healthy ecosystem.
A chance sighting of a light-coloured Dingo (Canis lupus) was also recorded which held not just ecological importance but also carried cultural significance for the Ngarrindjeri community as a totemic species. Aunty Rose, a Ngarrindjeri elder, shared the cultural significance of this sighting as the ‘white’ Dingo is her father’s totemic species. The totem, ‘njaiti’ (nah-chi), connects people with creation time and the spiritual world, weaving together individuals, land, and animals.

How Wilderlands monitor the flora at the Coorong Lakes
Flora monitoring was undertaken across all ten monitoring sites at the Coorong Lakes with each site permanently marked with two star pickets, one at the 0m point and one at the 50m point on the midline transect.
These were surveyed in spring and will be resurveyed by Wilderlands every year at this stage with these star pickets also doubling as photo monitoring points and photographs taken providing a visual representation of the condition of the vegetation at each site.
These monitoring points were established at the Coorong Lakes Project and have been utilised by Wilderlands as part of the ecological monitoring program. This program aims to monitor environmental change and contribute to our understanding of biodiversity management at the property scale.

Click the sections below to see the results from each site.
Site 1 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) woodland vegetation class. A limited range of size-classes were present in the tree layer, and the site was dominated by mallee trees less than 10cm DBHOB. No hollow bearing trees were recorded and 0m of fallen logs observed. The tree canopy was Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia) with a mid layer of Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Sand-heath Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa). A low shrub layer consisted mainly of Muntries (Kunzea pomifera), Flame Heath (Stenanthera conostephioides) and Heath Tea-tree (Leptospermum myrsinoides). Variable Sword-sedge (Lepidosperma laterale) and Black Rapier-sedge (L. carphoides) dominated the ground layer, with a diverse range of forbs being present. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 30% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots and dung assessments indicated 4 kangaroo pellets in 10m2.
Site 2 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) woodland vegetation class. A limited range of size-classes were present in the tree layer, and mallee trees less than 20cm DBHOB were scattered throughout the northern part of the plot. No hollow bearing trees were recorded and 0m of fallen logs observed. There was no Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia) tree canopy cover within the 20m x 20m quadrat. The lower layer was dominated by Muntries (Kunzea pomifera) and Sand-heath Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa), with a lesser cover of Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) and Brush Heath (Brachyloma ericoides). The ground layer consisted of Tassel Rope-rush (Hypolaena fastigiata) and a diverse range of native forbs. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 13% in the 5 x 1m2 plots and dung assessments indicated 2 kangaroo pellets in 10m2 .
Site 3 was located within the Saline Samphire Low Shrubland vegetation class and is an active revegetation site. There was no litter cover recorded in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots and no dung recorded in the 10m 2 sub plots. There was a high abundance of Sea Barley-grass (Hordeum marinum), an annual exotic weed. The low shrub layer was dominated by Samphire (Tecticornia species) with remnant Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca halmaturorum) and Moonah (M.lanceolata) on the verges of the depression, outside of the monitoring area.
Site 4 was located within an active revegetation site. Historically it was likely to have been open mallee woodland which may have consisted of Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia), Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) over Seaberry Saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana), Holaragis spp and Lomandra spp. During our monitoring period the site was in poor condition due to past clearance, grazing and the loss of understorey components. The site was on a calcareous rise, sloping at the eastern and western ends. Introduced pasture grasses and exotic forbs dominated with the very occasional low cover of Muntries (Kunzea pomifera) still present. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat there 10 was an average litter cover of 13% in the 5 x 1m2 sub-plots and dung assessments indicated 1 kangaroo pellet in 10m2.
Site 5 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) vegetation class. A range of size-classes were present in the tree layer, with 10-19cm DBHOB being the predominant category. No hollow bearing trees were recorded. 1m of fallen logs was recorded in the 50 x 20m plot. The tree canopy consisted of Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia) with a shrub layer of Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Mallee Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca brevifolia). Sand Heath Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa) was the main species in the lower layer and a very wide variety of forbs dominated the understory including 11 species of orchid. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 15% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots and dung assessments indicated 4 kangaroo pellets in 10m2.
Site 6 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) vegetation class. A range of size-classes were present in the tree layer, with 1-5cm DBHOB being the predominant category. No hollow bearing trees were recorded. 3m of fallen logs were recorded in the 50 x 20m plot. The tree canopy consisted of Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia) and Scrubby Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. stephaniae) with a shrub layer of Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Swamp 12 Paper-bark (Melaleuca halmaturorum). Mutries (Kunzea pomifera) was the main shrub species in the lower layer and a very wide variety of forbs dominated the understory. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 11% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots and dung assessments indicated 1 kangaroo pellet in 10m2.
Site 7 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) vegetation class. Mallee trees were predominantly less than 10cm DBHOB and there were no hollow bearing trees. The Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) had numerous age classes and included trees within the 50-79 cm DBHOB. 6m of fallen logs were recorded in the monitoring site. The tree canopy in the quadrat was very low and consisted of Drooping Sheoak (A.verticillata) and Coastal White Mallee (E.diversifolia). Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Slaty Sheok (A. muelleriana) formed a mid story layer. A high cover of low shrubs consisting of Muntries (Kunzea pomifera), Brush Heath (Brachyloma ericoides) and Heath Sand Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa) were present, with Tassel Rope-rush (Hypolaena fastigiata) and Black Rapier-sedge (Lepidosperma carphoides). A wide variety of forbs were well represented in the ground layer. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 30% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots and dung assessments indicated 1 kangaroo pellet in 10m2.
Site 8 was located within Desert Banksia (Banksia ornata) Shrubland vegetation class. There was no tree canopy cover represented in this monitoring plot and no hollow bearing trees. Logs were absent. The shrub layer was dominated by Desert Banksia (B.ornata), Silver Banksia (B.marginata), Heath Tea-tree (Leptospermum myrsinoides), Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Sand-heath Yacca (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa). Horny Cone-bush (Isopogon ceratophyllus) and Variable Swordsedge (Lepidosperma latarale) were predominant in the ground layer, along with a wide variety of forbs. There was an average litter cover of 16% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots and dung assessments indicated 16 kangaroo pellets in 10m2, the highest recorded during this sampling period.
Site 9 was located within Coastal White Mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia) vegetation class. Mallee trees were absent within the quadrat. The sparse canopy cover consisted of Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata), with numerous size classes predominantly less than 19cm DBHB. No fallen logs were recorded in the monitoring site. Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) were present in the mid story. A high cover of low shrubs consisting of Muntries (Kunzea pomifera), Brush Heath (Brachyloma ericoides) and Heath Sand Yacca 14 (Xanthorrhoea caespitosa) were present, with Tassel Rope-rush (Hypolaena fastigiata) and Black Rapier-sedge (Lepidosperma carphoides). A wide variety of forbs were well represented in the ground layer. Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), a weed of national significance, was recorded within the quadrat. There was an average litter cover of 32% in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots and dung assessments indicated 9 kangaroo pellets in 10m2.
Site 10 was located within the Saline Samphire Low Shrubland vegetation class. The low shrub layer was dominated by Glassworts (Sarcocornia and Tecticornia species) as well as Thorny Lawrencia (Lawrencia squamata). There was low cover of native forbs and a low cover but high abundance of Coast Barb-grass (Parapholis incurva), an annual exotic grass. There was no litter cover recorded in the 5 x 1m2 sub plots and dung assessments indicated 10 kangaroo pellets in 10m2.
The results across each monitoring site
The monitoring revealed that Site 7 (mallee woodland) was the most floristically diverse monitoring site with 76 native plant species recorded in the 20m x 20m quadrat, including 10 species of terrestrial orchids (Fig. 13). Conversely, Site 4 had the lowest floristic diversity which is of no surprise given it is an active revegetation site on ex farmland. Sites 3 and 10 have quite low floristic diversity which was expected in the Samphire Shrublands.

Threatened Flora Species
Slender Smokebush (Conospermum patens) was observed within the project area where four individual plants were found outside of the formal monitoring sites. Despite being classified as endangered according to the IUCN Red List, Slender Smokebush currently lacks official recognition as a threatened species at the state or national level.
The Slender Smoke-bush, thrives in the dry heathlands and woodlands of South Australia and western Victoria. This shrub, standing at about 1 meter, is distinguished by its branches adorned with fine, whitish hairs. Its dull green leaves, measuring between 7-30mm in length and 0.7-1.5mm in width, are densely packed along the stems, spreading in multiple directions and curving upwards at the tips. The Smoke-bush’s flower stalks, noticeably longer than its branches, support tubular, unscented flowers. These blossoms, varying in hues of white, blue-grey, or purplish, resemble puffs of smoke, lending the plant its common name. Flowering predominantly from September to December, these blooms attract a variety of insects, including ants, for pollination.
Cleland’s Beard Heath (Styphelia clelandii) was observed within the project area outside of the formal monitoring sites. This species is listed as Rare under the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act (1972).
Cleland’s Beard-heath is a delicate shrub, about 30 cm tall, and features branchlets with soft hairs. Its unique leaves, broadly ovate and less than 6mm long, extend horizontally or curve backwards from the branches, displaying a discolourous pattern with a smooth upper surface and a papillose lower side. From April to September, it blooms with small, solitary or paired white flowers in leaf axils, attracting various insects and birds with its nectar. Its fruit, a drupe, is favoured by birds and lizards.
Orchid observations
During our spring monitoring, Wilderlands Lead Ecologist, Deanna Marshall, was accompanied by the Native Orchid Society of South Australia (NOSSA) who collectively identified thirty species of orchids.
The standout was the large population of Metallic Sun-orchid (Thelymitra epipactoides), where over 100 individuals were mapped in a small section of the property with assistance from the Native Orchid Society of South Australia (NOSSA) volunteers and expert conservation volunteers.
This has since been confirmed by NOSSA as the largest known populations of Metallic Sun-orchid on private land in the world.
Watch the video for details.
The Metallic Sun-orchid is a unique part of Australia’s native orchids. It’s special because it’s not only pretty with its metallic blue and purple flowers, but it also tells us a lot about the health of its surrounding environment. They often engage in complex relationships with pollinators and fungi, indicating a healthy and balanced natural environment and start to bloom in August and open only in full, direct sunlight.
Sadly, the Metallic Sun-orchid faces numerous threats due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Urbanisation, agriculture, and changes in land management practices have led to a significant reduction in the available habitat for this species. Additionally, the orchid’s reliance on specific pollinators, which have also been affected by environmental changes, further complicates its survival.
Protecting the Metallic Sun-orchid is crucial not only for preserving this unique species but also for maintaining the ecological balance of the regions it inhabits. Monitoring and mapping their populations is key to understanding the changes in their population and health.
Orchids are regarded as highly advanced plants, developing various contrivances to attract pollinators. Discovering orchids across our projects helps us understand the health of the surrounding biodiversity. They are a positive indication of a healthy, vibrant and lively ecosystem.
The Wilderlands team were energised by this finding and proud that this nationally endangered orchid will now be permanently protected thanks to our supporters.
Take a breath and enjoy the sounds of the Coorong Lakes before enjoying the rest of this report.
Bird surveys
For bird surveys Wilderlands adopted the Bird Atlas method pioneered by BirdLife Australia, which involves the recording of bird species and the count of individual birds within a 2-hectare area during a 20-minute observation period. This approach has been embraced by individuals across the country, culminating in the creation of the nation’s most extensive biological database.
For the Coorong Lakes Project, bird species and numbers were recorded 50m either side of a 200m transect (2ha) over 20 minutes at each of the 10 sites, during both winter and spring with data entered into the Birdata app. Additionally, incidental species lists for the property were compiled during visits and also entered into the Birdata app with a total 519 birds of 51 species recorded within the monitoring sites throughout 2023. An additional 11 bird species were recorded outside of the designated monitoring periods.
This cumulative effort resulted in the identification of 62 bird species for the Coorong Lakes Project in 2023, of which 61 birds species were native.
The New Holland Honeyeater was the most numerous and widespread bird in the Wilderlands Coorong Lakes Project during the 2023 monitoring season.
The Coorong Lakes Project native bird diversity reached a total of 61 species.
During winter, 302 birds of 38 species were recorded in ten monitoring sites with the most frequently reported bird species including the Little Raven, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, and New Holland Honeyeater.
In total, 519 birds of 51 species were recorded within the monitoring sites throughout 2023.
During spring, 217 birds of 26 species were recorded in the ten monitoring sites with the most frequently reported bird species including the New Holland Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird and Silvereye.

During winter, Sites 2 (mallee woodland), 3 (samphire/melaleuca shrubland) and 9 (mallee woodland) had the highest species richness, while Sites 9 (mallee woodland) and 10 (samphire shrubland) had the highest species abundance (Fig. 17 – blue bars). During spring, Site 9 (mallee woodland) had the highest species richness, followed by Site 7 (mallee woodland) then 2 (mallee woodland), while Site 9 (mallee woodland) had the highest species abundance (Fig. 17 – green bars).

Threatened Fauna
The variety in biodiversity at the Coorong Lakes is significant. Unfortunately many of the species that call the property home face threats and need protection which is why it’s so important that this property is preserved in-perpetuity and managed for conservation outcomes.

The monitoring found the Purple-gaped Honeyeater was recorded from Site 2 (mallee woodland) during formal bird surveys in spring as well as being incidentally recorded across the project area. The Purple-gaped Honeyeater is listed as ‘ssp’ by the South Australian Government, a status that applies to a sub-specific level, but the resolution of the record in the Biological Database of South Australia (BDBSA) is at a species level so no formal threatened species status has been resolved for Purple-gaped Honeyeater.
The Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Black-eared Cuckoo, Shy Heathwren and Elegant Parrot are all relatively uncommon species that have been recorded from the Coorong Lakes Project, highlighting the significance of this large remnant in the area.
Remote cameras
Wilderlands employs remote cameras throughout the Coorong Lakes project for deeper insights into the species. These silent, unobtrusive devices enable observation of wildlife without human disturbance, enhancing our understanding of the ecosystem’s inhabitants.
Our Coorong Lakes project has four remote cameras.
Operating continuously, they use heat and motion sensors to detect animals, automatically capturing images and videos upon movement. These findings are then integrated with on-site surveys for a comprehensive ecosystem analysis.
Remote cameras were deployed at Sites 7, 8, 9 and 10. Over an average of 238 camera nights, Western Grey Kangaroos were the most frequently recorded species (Figure 18).

Protect precious biodiversity at the Coorong Lakes project. Forever. One square metre at a time.
The Coorong Lakes project is located in the heart of Meningie, South Australia, and encompasses a sprawling 200 hectares.
This conservation area is under the ownership and management of Cassinia Environmental in collaboration with the Ngarrindjeri people, serving as a dedicated nature reserve. This property plays a pivotal role in enhancing the regional ecosystem, notably complementing the adjacent Lake Alexandrina, Lake Albert, and Coorong Lagoon systems which is where the Murray River meets the sea.
The property is host to a rich diversity of native plants and animals, including the rare Cleland’s Beard-heath (Leucopogon clelandii) and the rare and elusive Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans), and Wilderlands support aims to enhance the abundance of native wildlife to see this ecosystem flourish.
Wilderlands are committed to permanently protect and actively manage this property and have been fortunate to partner with incredible organisations like Adelaide Festival, al.ive body and many more businesses who are helping to preserve this project and bring their supporters on the journey.
Connect with our team to discover how you can join Wilderlands and protect this project today.
