Introduction
Welcome to the first annual project report for Alleena, a document that details the many monitoring practices that took place as part of the management plan for this project and provides insights into the findings across each of the sites across the property.
This report has been developed by Wilderlands Lead Ecologist Deanna Marshall.
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Alleena Project, the Wiradjuri 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 express our heartfelt gratitude to Cassinia Environmental and the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, with special appreciation for the dedicated staff members who shared valuable information regarding the biodiversity on the property.
Wilderlands would also like to acknowledge and thank the following amazing volunteers who contributed to the collection of biodiversity data during 2023 including Dr David Baker-Gabb, Philip Hughes, Roger Jaensch, Greg Ogle, and Jen Schabel.
To begin this report we take a quick look at the recent spring monitoring that took place at the project which is situated at the core of the NSW Riverina about 20km southwest of West Wyalong.
Watch this mini documentary detailing the recent spring monitoring at Alleena
The 497 hectare property has become a protected area under the ownership and management of our conservation partner Cassinia Environmental and is now operating as a dedicated conservation reserve with permanent protection through a covenant with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT).
The purpose of the visit was to monitor 11 sites across the property and gather baseline data on the overall health of the woodlands through flora and fauna monitoring, identify actions that will assist in improving the condition of the woodlands and determine the prevalence of some of the threatened species across the property.
The monitoring included a range of conservation monitoring practices including standardised bird surveys, tree density and size measurements, flora quadrats, and deployment of remote cameras, which are all detailed throughout this report with commentary provided by our Lead Ecologist Deanna Marshall.
The native plant diversity in Alleena reached a total of 171 species.
The results of the surveys showed evidence of a flourishing ecosystem with highlights including over 98 bird species identified. This incredibly rich assemblage of avian species featured rare and endangered species such as Brown Treecreeper, Gilbert’s Whistler, Grey-crowned Babbler, Pink Cockatoo, Scarlet Robin, Spotted Harrier, Superb Parrot and White-fronted Chat.
Notably, the Superb Parrot was frequently observed this year (incidental records), feeding on the flowering Mugga Ironbark, an important food resource.
Two threatened ecological communities were present within the project area: Mallee and Mallee-Broombush dominated woodland and shrubland, lacking Triodia, in the NSW South Western Slopes Bioregion – considered critically endangered under NSW conservation legislation; and Inland Grey Box Woodland in the Riverina, NSW South Western Slopes, Cobar Peneplain, Nandewar and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions – considered endangered under NSW conservation legislation.
The native plant diversity in Alleena reached a total of 171 species, with the noteworthy addition of the Spiny Peppercress (Lepidium aschersonii), a species classified as vulnerable under both Commonwealth and State legislation.
Throughout the year the winter observations also showed hundreds of Painted Button-quail feeding scrapes (platelets) in both the remnant woodlands and the revegetation sites, indicating that a large population may have been present at that time, and the number of hollows present, particularly in the Green Mallee (Eucalyptus viridis) in the Project, emphasises the importance of studying their occupancy in the future.
Overall, the diversity of native mammals captured by our remote cameras warrants further investigation into species presence.
How Wilderlands monitor the flora at Alleena
Flora monitoring was undertaken across all eleven monitoring sites at Alleena 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 sites were surveyed in spring and will be resurveyed by Wilderlands every year at this stage. The star pickets also double as photo monitoring points with photographs taken to provide a visual representation of the condition of the vegetation at each site.
The Monitoring Sites
Eleven monitoring sites were established by the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) at the Alleena Project and have been utilised by Wilderlands as part of the ecological monitoring program.
This program aims to monitor environmental change and contribute to the understanding of biodiversity management at the property scale.
Click the sections below to see the results from each site.
CA0503 P1 (Honeyeater) was located within the Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands vegetation class (mallee) and contains an example of the critically endangered ecological community – Mallee and Mallee-Broombush dominated woodland and shrubland, lacking Triodia, in the NSW South Western Slopes Bioregion. A range of age-classes were present in the tree layer, including Green Mallee (Eucalyptus viridis) saplings and hollow-bearing trees with 4 hollows. 12.2m of fallen logs were recorded. An average litter cover of 53% was recorded in the 5 x 1m2 sub-plots. The tree canopy was a mix of Green Mallee (E.viridis) and Blue-leaved Mallee (E.polybractea). A moderately dense shrub layer was present with Broom Bush (Melaleuca uncinata) and Cough Bush (Cassinia laevis) dominating. Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) was also present. Grasses dominated the relatively open ground layer with Wallaby Grasses (Rytidosperma spp.) and Spear-grasses (Austrostipa spp.), and a mix of forbs and rock ferns were also present. Smooth Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris glabra), an exotic herb, was present in low density. Dung assessments indicated 19 macropod pellets in the 10 x 1m2 sub plots.
Monitoring site CA0503 P2 (Honeyeater) was located within the Western Slopes Dry Sclerophyll
Forests (Box Ironbark – Callitris) vegetation class. There was one hollow bearing tree recorded in the
1,000m 2 plot and 4.4m of logs. An average litter cover of 45% in the 5 x 1m 2 sub-plots was also
recorded. The quadrat had a canopy of White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla) and Mugga
Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) with a moderately dense shrub layer dominated by Wedge-leaf
Hop-bush (Dodonaea viscosa subsp. cuneata), Cough Bush (Cassinia laevis), Kangaroo Thorn (Acacia
paradoxa), Hill Tea Tree (Leptospermum divaricatum) and Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha). The
ground layer was dominated by Spear-grass (Austrostipa sp.) with a mix of various forbs including
Blue Flax-lily (Dianella revoluta var. revoluta). Exotic plants recorded included Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris
radicata) and Fescue (Vulpia sp.). Dung assessments indicated 45 macropod pellets in the 10 x 1m 2
sub plots.
CA503 P3 (Honeyeater) was located within the Floodplain Transition Woodlands vegetation class
(Grey Box) and contains an example of the threatened ecological community – Inland Grey Box
Woodland. There was one large mature tree present, and four hollows were recorded. There was
107m of fallen logs present and an average litter cover of 17% in the 5 x 1m2 sub-plots. The main
tree species in this plot were Grey Box (Eucalyptus macrocarpa) with occasional Drooping Wattle
(Acacia difformis) present. The shrub layer was non-existent. The groundlayer was dominated by
weeds, particularly Patterson’s Curse (Echium plantagineum), Rye Grass (Lolium sp.), Thistles
(Cirsium & Carduus spp.) and Horehound (Marrubium vulgare). A low cover of natives was also
present in the ground layer including Knob Sedge (Carex inversa), Stinking Pennywort (Hydrocotyle
laxiflora), and various rushes (Juncus spp.). Cattle breaches from the neighbouring property meant
that there was an exceptionally high count of cow pats (59) in the quadrat and unauthorised grazing
remains a threat to this protected ecological community.
Monitoring Site CA0504 P1 (Warbler) was located within the Western Slopes Dry Sclerophyll Forests
(Box-Ironbark-Callitris) vegetation class. The 20x50m plot had four different tree size classes present
(less than 80cm DBHOB) but no hollows were recorded. There was 24m of fallen logs and an average
litter cover of 37% was present in the 5 x 1m 2 sub plots. The tree canopy consisted of Grey Box
(Eucalyptus microcarpa), with an understory of Wedge-leaf Hop-bush (Dodonaea viscosa subsp.
cuneata) and Drooping Wattle (Acacia difformis). The ground layer was dominated by native grasses
(Austrostipa sp. & Rytidosperma sp.) and Stinking Pennywort (Hydrocotyle laxiflora), with numerous
other native forbs present in low numbers. Exotic weeds such as Patterson’s Curse (Echium
plantagineum), Mediterranean Stork’s-bill (Erodium botrys), Fleabane (Erigeron bonariensis) and Sow
Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) were also present in the plot. Dung assessments indicated 44 macropod
pellets in 10 x 1m 2 sub plots.
Monitoring Site CA0504 P2 (Warbler) was located within the Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands (mallee)
vegetation class and contains an example of the critically endangered ecological community –
Mallee and Mallee-Broombush dominated woodland and shrubland, lacking Triodia, in the NSW
South Western Slopes Bioregion. There were no hollow bearing trees or large, mature trees
recorded in the plot. It had no fallen logs. The plot supports a sparse canopy of Dwyer’s Red Gum
(Eucalyptus dwyeri) with a dense, diverse shrub layer consisting of Broom Bush (Melaleuca
uncinata), Common Fringe-myrtle (Calytrix tetragona) and Shrubby Platysace (Platysace lanceolata).
The sparse groundlayer was a mix of native forbs and grasses with Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma sp.),
Greenhood Orchids (Pterostylis sp) and Hill Raspwort (Gonocarpus elatus) predominant. There were
no introduced species recorded in this plot. There was an average litter cover of 15% in the 5 x 1m 2
plots and dung assessments indicated 30 macropod pellets in 10 x 1m 2 sub plots.
Monitoring Site CA0505 P1 (Thornbill) was located within the Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands (mallee)
vegetation class. Most of the tree canopy was made up of trees less than 20cm in diameter. There
was no fallen logs present in the plot. The tree canopy was predominantly Dwyer’s Red Gum
(Eucalyptus dwyeri) with Mugga Ironbark (E.sideroxylon) also present. A dense shrub layer
dominated by Dagger-leaved Wattle (Acacia rhigiophylla) with occasional Tea Tree (Leptospermum
multicaule) and Urn Heath (Melichrys urceolatus) was also present. The relatively open groundlayer
is a mix of native grasses and forbs with Spear-grasses (Austrostipa spp.) and Hill Raspwort
(Gonocarpus elatus) being predominant. There was an average litter cover of 24% in the 5 x 1m 2 sub plots and dung assessments indicated 14 macropod pellets in the 10 x 1m 2 sub plots. A Red-necked Wallaby was flushed during the field work. 
Monitoring Site CA0505 P2 (Thornbill) was located within the Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands (mallee)
vegetation class. Although no trees over 50cm diameter were recorded in the plot, there were
twenty hollows recorded. There was 8.3m of fallen logs and an average litter cover of 60% in the 5 x
1m 2 sub plots. The quadrat comprised a canopy of Green Mallee (Eucalyptus viridis) with a
moderately dense shrub layer predominantly made up of Cough Bush (Cassinia laevis) and a few
Wattles (Acacia spp.). The ground layer was Spear-grass (Austrostipa spp.) and Wallaby Grass
(Rytidosperma sp.) with a lower cover of Ivy Goodenia (Goodenia hederacea subsp. hederacea) and
Saloop (Einadia hastata). No exotic plants were recorded. Dung assessments indicated 30 macropod
pellets in the 10 x 1m 2 sub plots. 
Monitoring Site CA0506 P1 (Babbler) was located within the Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands (mallee)
vegetation class. Most of the trees present had stems 10-19cm in diameter and there was only one
hollow recorded. 29.5m of fallen logs and an average litter cover of 41% was present in the 5 x 1m 2
sub plots. The tree canopy was predominantly Green Mallee (Eucalyptus viridis) with Grey Box
(E.microcarpa) also present. No shrub layer was recorded in the quadrat. The ground layer was
predominantly Spear-grass (Austrostipa sp.), with a lesser cover of Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma sp.)
and Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum). Exotic forbs were recorded in very low
numbers and included Smooth Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris glabra). Dung assessments indicated 56
macropod and 9 hare pellets in the 10 x 1m 2 sub plots. Observations included Painted Button-quail,
Yellow-footed Antechinus and evidence of Echidna (diggings). 
Monitoring Site CA0506 P2 (Babbler) was located within the Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands (mallee)
vegetation class. While most of the tree layer had stem diameters less than 30cm, 46 hollows were
recorded in 29 hollow bearing trees in the 1,000m 2 plot. It has 26m of fallen logs and an average
litter cover of 86% in the 5x1m 2 sub plots. The 20m x 20m quadrat supported a canopy of Green
Mallee (Eucalyptus viridis) with one Mugga Ironbark (E.sideroxylon). There was a very sparse mid-
storey with Quandong (Santalum acuminatum), Cough Bush (Cassinia laevis) and immature
Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus). The ground layer was dominated by Spear-grass (Austrostipa
sp.) with a low cover of Ivy Goodenia (Goodenia hederacea subsp. hederacea), Wallaby-grass
(Rytidosperma spp.) and numerous other native forbs. Dung assessments indicated 56 macropod
and 9 hare pellets in the 10 x 1m 2 sub plots. 
Monitoring Site CA0506 P3 (Babbler) was located within the Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands (mallee)
vegetation class. There were 4 hollows and the majority of the trees were less than 20cm in
diameter. 4m of fallen logs and an average litter cover of 73% was recorded in the 5 x 1m 2 sub plots.
The monitoring site supported a canopy predominantly of Green Mallee (Eucalyptus viridis) with a
lesser cover of Mugga Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon). There was no shrub layer present and the
understory consisted of native Spear-grass (Austrostipa sp.) and Wallaby Grasses (Rytidosperma sp.),
with a mix of native forbs present including Small-flowered Buttercup (Ranunculus sessiliflorus var.
sessiliflorus). Low numbers of exotic forbs were recorded including Smooth Cat’s Ear (Hypochaeris
glabra). Dung assessments indicated 56 macropod and 9 hare pellets in the 10 x 1m 2 sub plots.
Goanna diggings were observed in this site. A Yellow-footed Antechinus was observed just outside
the monitoring plot.
Monitoring Site CA0507 P1 (Whistler) was located within the Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands (mallee)
vegetation class. While most of the tree layer had stem sizes less than 30cm in diameter, fifty-seven
hollows were recorded in 31 out of the 37 mallee trees in the 1,000m 2 plot. There was 95m of fallen
logs and an average litter cover of 69% present in the 5 x 1m 2 sub plots. The tree canopy comprised
exclusively Green Mallee (Eucalyptus viridis), some of which was flowering, and there was no shrub
layer present. The ground layer was dominated by native Spear-grass (Austrostipa spp.) and Wallaby
grass (Rytidosperma spp.) It was noted that conditions were extremely dry at this site and the herb
cover made up less than 1% of the groundcover, the main species being Purple Burr-Daisy (Calotis
cuneifolia) and Austral Sunray (Triptilodiscus pygmaeus). Dung assessments indicated 43 macropod
pellets in the 10 x 1m 2 sub plots.
The results across each monitoring site
The monitoring revealed that site CA0506 P1 (Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands – Mallee) was the most floristically diverse monitoring site with 35 native plant species recorded in the 20m x 20m quadrat and Site CA0504 P2 (Inland Rocky Hill Woodlands – Mallee) had the lowest floristic diversity.
Take a breath and enjoy the sounds of Alleena before enjoying the rest of this report.
Bird Surveys
The Wilderlands team, led by Lead Ecologist Deanna Marshall who was joined by expert volunteers Dr David Baker-Gabb, Philip Hughes, Roger Jaensch, Greg Ogle, and Jen Schabel who undertook bird surveys across the property.
BirdLife Australia pioneered the Bird Atlas method, 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 adopted by individuals across the country, culminating in the creation of the nation’s most extensive biological database.
For the Alleena Project, bird species and numbers were recorded 50 m either side of a 200m transect (2ha) over 20 minutes at each of the 11 sites, during both winter and spring. Data was entered into the Birdata app. Additionally, incidental species lists for the property were compiled during both winter and spring visits and entered into the Birdata app.
Reporting rates from the 2023 2ha-20min surveys showed the most frequently recorded species as Noisy Miner (62%), White-eared Honeyeater (57%), Grey Butcherbird (42%), Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (38%), and Grey Shrike-thrush (28%), whilst the Reporting rates from the 2023 2ha-20min surveys shows the most abundant species as Noisy Miner (148), White-winged Chough (53), Silvereye (36), Eastern Rosella (32), and White-eared Honeyeater (27).
In total, 530 birds of 39 species were recorded within the monitoring sites throughout 2023.
Furthermore, 28 additional bird species were recorded outside of the designated monitoring sites and periods. This cumulative effort resulted in the identification of 67 native bird species for the Alleena Project in 2023 and brings the total avian diversity of the property up to 98 species. Noisy Miner was the most numerous and widespread bird in the Wilderlands Alleena Project during the 2023 monitoring season.
In total, 530 birds of 39 species were recorded within the monitoring sites throughout 2023.
During winter, 218 birds of 22 species were recorded in ten monitoring sites. Among these, the most abundant bird species during the winter season included Noisy Miner and Silvereye. During spring, 312 birds of 34 species were recorded in eleven monitoring sites. Among these, the most abundant bird species during the spring season were Noisy Miner and White-eared Honeyeater.
When measuring the bird richness and abundance by site, the results showed that during winter Site CA0503P1 (Inland Rocky Hills Woodland – mallee) had the highest species richness, while Sites CA0503P2 (Western Slopes Dry Sclerophyll Forest – Box-Ironbark/Callitris) and CA0505P1 (Inland Rocky Hills Woodland – mallee) had the highest species abundance (Fig. 16 – blue bars).
During spring, CA0505P2 (Inland Rocky Hills Woodland – mallee) had the highest species richness and the highest species abundance.
Remote Cameras
Wilderlands employs remote cameras to capture fauna species inhabiting the property. Depending on the species identified by these cameras, future fauna survey endeavors may be directed accordingly.
Strategically positioned across diverse locations within the project area, the cameras remain in place throughout the entire year. Utilising heat and motion sensors, these cameras identify the presence of animals, capturing photographs and videos whenever an animal is detected within their field of vision.
Get a glimpse of Eastern Bearded Dragon, Tree Goanna, Short-beaked Echidna, Brush-tailed Possum, Painted Button-quail, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Dunnart sp, White-winged Chough and Yellow-footed Antechinus who all appear in this footage captured across the year.
At Alleena, Wilderlands deployed two remote cameras on the project site.
Over an average of 78 trap nights, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and White-winged Chough were the most frequently recorded species. The diversity of mammals captured at one site was very encouraging and more thorough surveys are required to understand the diversity of mammals that reside at Alleena.
Yellow Footed Antechinus
We were incredibly lucky to experience a close encounter with a Yellow-footed Antechinus.
Though we had captured them before on our remote cameras, there’s truly nothing quite like
observing these animals in person. The Yellow-footed Antechinus is a small marsupial from
the dasyurid family, and it’s typically found in dry forests on the inland side of the Great
Dividing Range. It has a distinctive pointed muzzle and short, broad feet of yellow-brown
colour, hence its name.
The Yellow-footed Antechinus mainly feeds on invertebrates, eggs, nectar, and sometimes
even small vertebrates. This diverse diet enables it to thrive in its natural habitat, showcasing its adaptability and resourcefulness.
Tree hollows are essential to the survival of many our native species. It is well documented
that Yellow-footed Antechinus require the presence of leaf litter and hollow-bearing trees to
survive and thrive.
Encountering this very cute marsupial up close reminds us of the wonders and diversity of
nature that surround us.
Protect precious biodiversity at Alleena. Forever. One square metre at a time.
The Alleena Project, situated at the core of the NSW Riverina, lies 20km southwest of West Wyalong.
Covering 497 hectares, this protected area has been under the ownership and management of Cassinia Environmental since 2020, operating as a dedicated conservation reserve.
The property has permanent protection through a covenant with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT). Complementing the substantial revegetation efforts spanning 444 hectares on the property, as well as the neighbouring State Forest and the nearby Buddigower Conservation Reserve, the Alleena Project contributes significantly to conservation at the landscape scale.
The preservation of less than 2% of remnant vegetation in conservation reserves underscores the significance of this project within the broader landscape context.
NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT)
As well as protecting these species, the project is addressing the decline of the suite of birds dependent on intact woodland ecosystems for foraging and nesting. These once common woodland birds, such as the Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus cyanopterus, are now found almost exclusively in small, scattered remnants of habitat on private land, within State Forests or Nature Reserves.
Typical of many such farms within the region, the property was historically utilized for cropping and sheep grazing. The restoration of previously cleared land commenced in 2013 with the direct seeding of almost 850ha with local tree and shrub species.
Although Dusky Woodswallow and other threatened species also utilise whatever little habitat remains on private or public land, such remnants are unprotected and subject to further clearing and degradation. Consequently, conservation management strategies designed to halt the decline of woodland birds towards extinction include actions such as conserving remnant habitat on private land (preferably through in-perpetuity covenants), restoring degraded sites, preserving or establishing connectivity across the landscape, and expanding habitat through revegetation activities.
Connect with our team to discover how you can join Wilderlands and protect this project today.
