Moorunde Wildlife Reserve

Where is it?: Moorunde Wildlife Reserve is west of the River Murray between Blanchetown and Swan Reach

Owner: Natural History Society of South Australia

Property summary: Total area 6900 hectares. Hundred of Skurry – Sections 162, 163, 167, Pieces 7, 8, 9. Heritage Agreements 410, 1412 and 1417.

Landscape Management Region: Murraylands and Riverland

History: Moorunde Wildlife Reserve was established in 1968 after the Natural History Society raised money through public appeal to purchase two sections of Portee Station near Blanchetown. In 2006 a further 4,900 hectares of sheep country adjacent to the existing original reserve was purchased.

Habitat: Prior to establishment as a wildlife sanctuary, the land had been cleared for sheep grazing, wood fuel and charcoal production. In the uncleared areas the vegetation is mostly Open Mallee or Very Open Mallee with Red Mallee (Eucalyptus oleosa), Gilja (E. brachycalyx) and Yorell (E. gracilis). Understorey plants include Dryland Tea-tee (Melaleuca lanceolata), Native Apricot (Pittosporum angustifolium) and Silver Cassia (Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris).

More information: NHSSA

Total Species Recorded to Date: 108 (non-passerines 40, passerines 68)

Common Species: Common Bronzewing, White-fronted Honeyeater, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Southern Whiteface, Weebill, Gilbert’s Whistler, White-winged Chough

Less Common Species: Little Eagle, Black-eared Cuckoo, Eastern Bluebonnet, Striped Honeyeater, Pied Butcherbird, Restless Flycatcher


Updated: 25/07/2021

 

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