Wyperfeld, Big Desert and Ngarkat This is an IBA in Danger! 


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2009 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata VU resident 1998-2008 40-100 breeding pairs A1
Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus LC resident 1998-2008 uncommon A3
Mallee Emu-wren Stipiturus mallee EN resident 2007 20-100 breeding pairs A1, A2, A3
Purple-gaped Honeyeater Lichenostomus cratitius LC resident 1998-2008 100-1,000 individuals A3
Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotis EN resident 2007 10-40 breeding pairs A1, A2, A3
Red-lored Whistler Pachycephala rufogularis VU resident 2007 100-200 breeding pairs A1, A2, A3

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2009) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2016) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2016 not assessed very high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
no unset -

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Natural system modifications happening now whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
- Yarto N.F.R. Natural Features Reserve <1
- Heritage Agreement 1041 Conservation Covenant <1
1972 Mount Shaugh Conservation Park <1
1972 Mount Rescue Conservation Park 3
1972 Scorpion Springs Conservation Park 3
1979 Big Desert Wilderness Park 15
1979 Wathe F.F.R Nature Conservation Reserve 1
1982 Dattuck Reference Area <1
1983 Red Bluff F.F.R Nature Conservation Reserve <1
1984 Telopea Downs Reference Area <1
1990 Paradise F.F.R. Nature Conservation Reserve <1
1990 Lads Tank B.R. Natural Features Reserve <1
1991 Birdcage F.F.R. Nature Conservation Reserve <1
1991 Patchewollock North B.R. Natural Features Reserve <1
1992 North Wyperfeld Wilderness Zone 10
1992 South Wyperfeld Wilderness Zone 6
1992 Hopping Mouse Hill Remote and Natural Area - Schedule 6, National Parks Act 3
1992 Chinaman Flat Wilderness Zone 3
1992 Wimmera River Heritage River 2
1992 Broken Bucket Tank B.R. Natural Features Reserve <1
1996 Rudds Rocks Reference Area <1
1996 OSullivans Lookout Reference Area <1
1996 Broombush Reference Area <1
1997 Wyperfeld National Park National Park 12
1998 Lake Jerriwirrup Reference Area <1
2002 Bronzewing B.R. Natural Features Reserve <1
2003 Yarto B.R. Natural Features Reserve <1
2005 Baring I253 B.R. Natural Features Reserve <1
2014 Bronzewing F.F.R Nature Conservation Reserve 1
2016 Ngarkat Conservation Park 27

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Forest Callitris forests & woodlands, Eucalypt low open forests major (>10)
Grassland Hummock grasslands major (>10)
Savanna Eucalypt open woodlands major (>10)
Shrubland Chenopod shrubs, samphire shrubs and forblands, Heath, Mallee shrublands & woodlands major (>10)
Desert Semi-desert (includes gibber plains) minor (<10)
Wetlands (inland) Ephemeral, Freshwater lakes & pools minor (<10)
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research major (>10)
tourism/recreation minor (<10)
water management minor (<10)

Land ownership
South Australian and Victorian Governments.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wyperfeld, Big Desert and Ngarkat (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wyperfeld-big-desert-and-ngarkat-iba-australia on 22/11/2024.