Boolcoomatta, Bindarrah and Kalkaroo Stations


Site description (2008 baseline):

Site location and context
The IBA consists of Kalkaroo Station (53,000 ha), Boolcoomatta Reserve (63,000 ha) and Bindarrah Station. The IBA is situated on sandy-loam and clay-loam soils that support chenopod shrublands and open grasslands with some tall stands of redgum in riparian areas. The three properties within the IBA have a history of extensive grazing by livestock and feral herbivores. Kalkaroo and Boolcoomatta were estimated to support approximately 400 Plains-wanderers in 2007, although numbers are likely to be much greater in years of good rainfall (Bellchambers and Baker-Gabb 2006). Adjacent Bimbowrie Conservation park could be added to the IBA to include a significant number of known Thick-billed Grasswren locations but this species is not yet considered an IBA ‘trigger’ species.

Key biodiversity
Chirruping Wedgebills are regularly encountered in the IBA, having been recorded in 36 (46%) of 79 Atlas of Australian Birds surveys from 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Cinnamon Quail-thrushes are frequent, having been recorded in 11 (14%) of the 79 Atlas surveys (Atlas of Australian Birds database). In addition to these species, the IBA also supports Inland Dotterel (e.g. 37 birds observed incidentally during a Plains-wanderer survey in 2006) and populations of Redthroat and Slender-billed Thornbill (Bellchambers and Baker-Gabb 2006; Bush Heritage Australia database). The Slender-billed Thornbill is listed as a threatened species in South Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. One unconfirmed record of Thick-billed Grasswren (Bellchambers and Baker-Gabb 2006), one accepted record of Grey Falcon (Atlas of Australian Birds database) and several records of Pied Honeyeater and Gibberbird (Atlas of Australian Birds database; Bush Heritage Australia database).

Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Control programs for foxes and rabbits should be considered. Artificial water-points on Boolcoomatta Reserve can be decommissioned now that livestock has been removed. A monitoring program or further surveys for the Plains-wanderer should be considered (Bellchambers and Baker-Gabb 2006).

Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Boolcoomatta Station was purchased by Bush Heritage Australia in 2006 and is now managed by the same body as a conservation reserve. Livestock has been removed from the property.

Protected areas
None although Boolcoomatta Station is managed by Bush Heritage Australia for conservation purposes.

Land ownership
Kalkaroo and Bindarrah Stations are pastoral leaseholds. Boolcoomatta Station is also leasehold but is managed by Bush Heritage Australia for conservation purposes.

Site access / Land-owner requests
Permission to visit must be obtained from land owners.

Acknowledgements
Keith Bellchambers assisted with the compilation of the nomination. Andrew Black provided comments on the nomination.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Boolcoomatta, Bindarrah and Kalkaroo Stations (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/boolcoomatta-bindarrah-and-kalkaroo-stations-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.