Enhancing Biodiversity Hotspots Along Western Queensland Stock ...

Sites recommended for further research
The Gregory and O’Shannassy Rivers
As the Gregory River system is so rich in multiple species, anywhere stock routes
cross its banks would rate as a biodiversity hotspot. Despite dry season overgrazing,
the system is still considered relatively intact. This is supported by: the river receiving
Wild River status; that 15% is in national park; and, that there are no towns (apart
from the Gregory River township) or dams along its watercourse.
There is a great need to identify what are the key sites along both the Gregory and
O’Shannassy Rivers, as the entire system would probably rate as a biodiversity
hotspot using this project’s criteria.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that further surveys and research to
assess the presence and abundance of priority species, and to identify key sites and
areas of connectivity and landscape linkage across the whole system.
Additional findings
An additional 17 sites were visited with data recorded for DERM’s WildNet database.
These included such species that are not ‘priority species’ under ‘Back on Track, but
are still uncommon and of conservation interest. These species include the blackbreasted
buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon), small-leaved ebony (Diospyorus
humilis), and a deceased specimen of the greater glider (Petauroides volans) that
was picked up off a barbed wire fence north of Hughenden. The Queensland
Museum now holds the specimen which is believed to be the western- most
recording of the species.
Sarus crane (Grus antigone) were in numerous small flocks south of Burketown on
the stock route reserve, with evidence of both mature and juvenile birds.
The buff-sided race of the white-browed robin (Poecilodryas superciliosa race
cerviniventris) was active and plentiful at the Borroloola crossing of the Gregory River
(Plate 8). This site would be approximately the eastern extent of the distribution of
this race.
Little data exists on WildNet for the area north of Hughenden and Julia Creek in the
Southern Gulf NRM region. Because of the mixed landscapes, soils, remnant forests
and escarpments of the area, surveys would reveal more priority species on stock
routes in this area.
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