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Introduction
Welcome to the 2025 annual project report for Budgerum. This report outlines the monitoring efforts conducted in line with the project’s management plan. It provides a comprehensive look into the results found.
Wilderlands acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Budgerum Project, the Barapa Barapa
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’s dedicated staff members who shared valuable information regarding onground works and the biodiversity on the property. We would also like to express our thanks to staff at Zoos Victoria and Museums Victoria for their ongoing support with regards to acoustic monitoring for Plains-wanderer.
Wilderlands would especially like to acknowledge and thank the following people that contributed to the collection and analysis of biodiversity data during 2025, Aaron Grinter, Elizabeth Newton, Greg Ogle and Peter Morison.
The Budgerum Project is a 90-hectare chenopod grassland and chenopod woodland conservation
property of extremely high biodiversity value.
It protects the Critically Endangered ‘Natural Grasslands of the Murray Valley Plains’ and includes many threatened plants such as Chariot Wheels (Maireana cheelii), Bristly Love-grass (Eragrostis setifolia), Long Eryngium (Eryngium paludosum), Veined Peppercress (Lepidium phlebopetalum), Umbrella Wattle (Acacia oswaldii) and Bush Minuria (Minuria cunninghamii).
Threatened fauna species include Fat-tailed Dunnart and although the property boasts suitable habitat for the critically endangered Plains-wanderer, they haven’t officially been confirmed on the property to date.
Among the highlights from this year’s monitoring was Budgerum’s native bird diversity increasing to 40 species, with the addition of 7 species including Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Crested Pigeon, Pacific Black Duck, Tree Martin, White-faced Heron, White-plumed Honeyeater and White-winged Fairywren.
The native plant diversity is at 108 species with the addition of Cane Grass (Eragrostis australasica) during 2025, a critically endangered species in Victoria.
A Day with Deanna
Wilderlands documented a day-in-the-life of the monitoring our Lead Ecologist, Deanna Marshall, does on our Budgerum project.
In the video, we delve into the work we do alongside our conservation partner, Cassinia Environmental. The video documents the monitoring methods we use and explores why protecting this grassland is so important.
Deanna talks us through how we gather baseline data on the overall health of the grassland. This data helps us identify the actions needed to improve the condition of the grassland and determine the prevalence of some of the threatened species across Budgerum.
We captured the team conducting a range of conservation monitoring practices including standardised bird surveys, spotlight surveys, line point transects, and the ‘golf ball methodology for grasslands’ which are designed to help assess the grassland cover and structure.
Monitoring Sites
Wilderlands uses specific monitoring points across the Budgerum project. Through recurring assessments of these areas, we can attain a more precise understanding of changes in biodiversity and the overall site’s health.
Landowner, Cassinia Environmental, had historically established nine photo monitoring points on
Budgerum and Wilderlands utilises 5 of these existing monitoring points to undertake our monitoring program. The primary objective of this program is to monitor environmental changes and contribute to the understanding of biodiversity management at the property scale.
How Wilderlands monitor the flora at the Budgerum
A comprehensive flora list was compiled from property visits over many years.
Wilderlands and Cassinia staff continue to record new species encountered over time.
Transects and quadrats were undertaken at each monitoring point, serving as ecological tools that
enable the quantification of the vegetation’s relative abundance, the measurement of its structure,
and allow the monitoring of changes over time.
The variability in grassland openness is crucial, given the diverse habitat preferences of various
grassland plant and animal species. Effective grassland biomass management is essential to ensure
heterogeneous patches across the property, particularly in the presence of exotic annual grasses
capable of significant proliferation during favourable seasons, a prevalent concern in remnant native grasslands.
During favourable conditions, an accumulation of biomass, primarily from invasive annual grasses like Wild Oats and Barley Grass at Budgerum can occur. This biomass obstructs inter-tussock spaces, rendering them unsuitable for native plant germination and the habitat needs of specific animal species, such as the critically endangered Plains-wanderer, which is known from the local area.
Grassland Vegetation Cover using Line Transects
The vegetation cover of the grasslands was determined using point transects.
Each transectwas 25m long with a pinpoint placed at every 50cm interval, with the lifeform/structural category that touches the pinpoint recorded. Two 25m transects are undertaken at each monitoring point.
The survey results indicated that the composition of dominant cover types changed from winter to
spring, with Exotic Annual Grass becoming the single largest component.
This reflects favourable seasonal conditions for the establishment and growth of exotic annual grasses, particularly Wild Oats (Avena spp.), which responded rapidly to the warmer conditions.
Management of exotic annual grasses at Budgerum has involved targeted burning during the
germination period, to assist with the suppression of these weeds.
Grassland structure (openness) using the Golf Ball Monitoring
The golf ball survey methodology formed part of the recent visit to Budgerum and is a tool used by grassland managers to help assess vegetation structure, determine the biomass level and inform when management interventions are necessary to maintain native plant and animal diversity within the grassland ecosystem.
Monitoring structure allows us to compare the same grassland over time and can assist in
determining habitat requirements for fauna. Vegetation openness was evaluated within 1m x 1m
quadrats using the ‘golf-ball’ technique (Schultz et al., 2017). The 1m x 1m quadrats were placed
every 5m along a 50m transect line at each monitoring point.
During winter, grass biomass accumulation in some sites, particularly if exotic annual grasses are present, crowds out the inter-tussock spaces. This means a lower golf ball score when undertaking monitoring. Cassinia Environmental, the land manager, undertook small areas of biomass removal using fire.
By spring/early summer, almost half of the sampled sites displayed an ‘ideal’ level of openness, creating suitable habitat structure for species like the Plains-wanderer
The Plains-wanderer typically favours an openness level of 14-16 golf balls but also requires smaller patches with 10-13 golf balls (Nugent, 2023). Our monitoring confirms the presence of the requisite habitat conditions for the Plains-wanderer, suggesting that grassland openness may not be a limiting factor for their absence.
Below are the results for the methodologies for each site
Monitoring Site 2 – PPT6 (Fig. 10) is a red soil grassland with an open structure, characterised by 26% soil crust/bare ground. Native wallaby/spear grass species dominated, covering 25% of the site, with an average tussock height of 17 cm.
Annual native forbs, perennial native forbs and shrubs
contributed 21%, 10% and 17% cover, respectively. Litter was minimal (<1%), and exotic species had
a very low cover, indicating that the site was in exceptional condition.
This site is an example of a very high quality grassland. A remote camera was active at this site (see ‘Remote Cameras’ for results), along with a Plains-wanderer song meter, which was installed in August 2024.
There have been no Plains-wanderer detections to date despite the habitat being ‘ideal’.
Monitoring Site 3 – PPT1 is a red-grey soil grassland with an open structure.
The site featured 4% soil crust/bare ground, with exotic annual grass cover dominating at 40% cover, followed by 30% cool season grasses and 28% summer season grasses.
The average tussock height was 38.5 cm, while annual and perennial native forbs had very low cover. Cassinia Environmental conducted biomass reduction burning in May 2023 which was effective in reducing the exotic grass thatched litter layer.
Monitoring Site 3 – PPT2 is a red soil grassland with an open structure, characterised by 31% soil crust/bare ground. Perennial and annual native forbs dominated the site covering 25% and 19%
respectively.
Winter grass species covered 5% of the site, with an average tussock height of 15 cm.
Exotic annual grass contributed 10% cover, and exotic perennial and annual forbs contributed 6%
and 7%, respectively. This is a very high quality grassland site.
A remote camera and acoustic monitor have been operating at this site (see ‘Remote Cameras’ and
‘Acoustic Monitoring’ for findings).
Monitoring Site 3 – PPT3 consisted of a grey soil gilgai puff area that transitioned into a red
soil grassland. The gilgai puff was dominated by exotic annual grasses (51%) and summer grasses
(24%). The average tussock height was 23 cm. The red soil section featured 12% soil crust and bare
ground, with some perennial and annual native forbs scattered throughout.
Monitoring Site 3 – PPT8 is a grey soil grassland dominated by summer active grasses (56%)
and exotic annual grasses (47%). Soil crust/bare ground was minimal, covering just 2%. The average tussock height was 39.5 cm. Perennial native shrubs had very low cover (4%), and annual native forbs were absent.
The flora results across each monitoring site
A total of 107 indigenous flora species have been recorded on the property, including 15 rare and
threatened species. One new flora species was recorded at Budgerum in 2025 – Cane Grass
Eragrostis australasica.
The key species of Budgerum
Chariot Wheels
Chariot Wheels (Maireana cheelii) is a fascinating perennial chenopod herb native to Australia. These remarkable plants typically reach a modest height of around 20 cm and exhibit distinctive growth characteristics, boasting slender, woolly, erect branches that emerge from a swollen taproot.
During the spring season, Chariot Wheels adorns itself with tiny leaf axils, each measuring a mere 1 mm in width.
As they mature, they give way to another distinguishing feature – fan-shaped, woolly fruits. These fruits, measuring between 5 and 6 mm in diameter, consist of five spreading wings, resembling miniature chariot wheels.
Chariot Wheels are particularly adapted to thrive in habitats marked by seasonally wet conditions, often found in heavy loam and clay soils. Its seeds, shaped like tiny chariot wheels, add to its distinctiveness.
The Chariot Wheels holds a vulnerable status on the National EPBC list and is classified as endangered on the state FFG list, underscoring the urgency of preserving this unique and ecologically valuable species in Australia’s biodiversity.
Veined Peppercress
The Veined Peppercress (Lepidium phlebopetalum), is a native plant species endemic to Australia. This small herbaceous plant is characterised by its distinctive veined leaves and tiny white flowers. While it may not be as well-known as some of Australia’s iconic flora, the Veined Peppercress plays a crucial role in the country’s biodiversity.
One of the primary reasons for the importance of the Veined Peppercress in Australia’s biodiversity is its role as a key food source for several native insect species. Many insects, including butterflies and moths, rely on this plant for nectar and as a host for their larvae. This makes the Veined Peppercress an integral part of the food web, supporting the entire ecosystem by providing sustenance for these insects, which, in turn, serve as a vital food source for various birds and other wildlife.
Moreover, the Veined Peppercress is an indicator species for specific habitat types in Australia. Its presence or absence can reflect the overall health of the ecosystem and the effects of environmental changes, such as habitat loss and climate change.
Conserving the Veined Peppercress and its habitat is essential for maintaining biodiversity, as it helps ensure the survival of numerous interconnected species and the overall ecological balance in Australia.
Fat-tailed Dunnart
The Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) is a small marsupial native to Australia.
Fat-tailed Dunnarts are characterised by their diminutive size, with adults typically measuring around 10 to 12 cm in length, including their tail.
What sets them apart is their adorable appearance, with large eyes and a compact body covered in soft, dense fur. As their name suggests, they possess a plump, fat tail that stores reserves of energy, crucial for surviving in the often harsh and arid environments they inhabit.
These marsupials are primarily insectivorous, preying on a variety of small invertebrates, including insects and spiders. They are known for their remarkable agility and hunting skills, despite their small size. Fat-tailed Dunnarts are mostly solitary animals and are nocturnal, which means they are active during the night, helping them avoid daytime heat and potential predators.
Their role in Australia’s biodiversity is significant, as they are both predator and prey in their ecosystems. They help control insect populations, which in turn affects plant health by reducing herbivorous insect damage. Additionally, they serve as a food source for larger predators, contributing to the intricate web of life in Australia’s diverse habitats.
Efforts to safeguard the Fat-tailed Dunnart are vital to preserve their presence and role within Australia’s ecosystems, as they confront threats like habitat loss and fragmentation stemming from human activities.
Fauna Monitoring
Bird Monitoring
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 Budgerum Project, bird species and numbers were recorded 50 m either side of a 200m transect (2ha) over 20 minutes at several of the 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.
Bird Richness and Abundance
Bird surveys were undertaken during winter and spring. In total, 78 birds of 18 species were recorded within the monitoring sites. Furthermore, 5 additional bird species were recorded outside of the designated monitoring sites and periods. This cumulative effort resulted in the identification of 7 new species for the Budgerum Project, bringing the total native bird species to 40. White-browed Woodswallow was the most numerous bird and Welcome Swallow was the most widespread bird in the Wilderlands Budgerum Project during the 2025 monitoring season.
Remote Cameras
Three remote cameras were deployed at Site 2 – PPT6, Site 3 – PPT2 and at Site 2-MP1_23 (Cassinia
site). Over an average of 127 trap nights, Eastern Grey Kangaroo was the most frequently recorded
species, followed closely by Fox and Hare.
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.
Since employing these cameras we have had sightings of the Galah, Stumpy-tailed Lizard, Brown Goshawk, Kangaroo, Black Falcon, Nankeen Kestral, Blue Bonnet, Magpie, Australian Raven and many others showcased in the footage below.
Plains-wanderer Acoustic Monitoring
The Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus) is a unique and critically endangered bird species
endemic to Australia and the last of its kind, with a genetic history stretching over 100 million years and no living relatives. It has global significance, ranked number one in the world for conservation importance by the London Zoological Society.
They are known from grassland sites neighbouring our Budgerum Project. The females are notable for their distinctive appearance, having a rufous chest with a black and white collar. Both male and female Plains-wanderers resemble small quail or Button-quail, but they are not closely related at all. Due to habitat loss and other threats, the Plains- wanderer population has sharply declined, making conservation efforts crucial to its survival.
In February 2023, an SM4 Wildlife Song Meter was installed at Site 3 – PPT2, and in August 2024, a
second Song Meter was installed at Site 2 – PPT6. The Song Meters were programmed to record
wildlife sounds for one hour at both dawn and dusk. Female Plains-wanderers are known to vocalise primarily during the spring season.
To date, there have been no positive detections of Plains-wanderers on the acoustic monitors within the Wilderlands Project site.
We are grateful to the various government and community groups, particularly Zoos Victoria (Fig.
21) that support our work and contribute to the ongoing protection of this charismatic grassland
species.
Protect precious biodiversity at our Budgerum project. Forever. One square metre at a time.
In the heart of the Victorian Riverina, situated just 250 kilometres north of Melbourne, lies our Budgerum project. It is nestled alongside the Avoca River, and encompasses vast flat grassy plains.
But these valuable grasslands face many threats. Across the globe, grassland ecosystems are among the most endangered, their reserves dwindling into small, fragmented patches as agricultural expansion continues.
Preserving the remaining native grasslands in the Victorian Riverina is imperative for the survival of the species that call this ecosystem home. Among these species are the critically endangered Plains Wanderer.
Budgerum Grasslands serves as a 90-hectare sanctuary of exceptional biodiversity, comprising a range of threatened plants. Among these treasures are Chariot Wheels (Maireana cheelii), Bristly Love-grass (Eragrostis setifolia), Long Eryngium (Eryngium paludosum), the endangered Veined Peppercress (Lepidium phlebopetalum), Umbrella Wattle (Acacia oswaldii), and the rare Bush Minuria (Minuria cunninghamii).
By becoming a part of the Wilderlands project, Budgerum, you will be significantly contributing to the overarching preservation efforts aimed at safeguarding its vulnerable species.
Connect with our team to discover how you can join Wilderlands and protect this project today.
