Fauna and Fauna Assemblages Survey of the Kundip and Trilogy Study Sites
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- Table 1: The minimum and maximum daily temperatures recorded in Ravensthorpe for the duration of the Phase II survey
- Table 2: Trapping grid location and trap effort
- Total Elliott Pit Cage 1780 588 224
- Figure 1. A map showing the location of the trapping sites and trapping transects overlain on vegetation communities. KU14 – KU20 represent an
- Figure 2. A map shown the location of transects conducted for threatened bird species in relation to the proposed pit and overburden areas. Each colour
- Table 3. Home range estimates for the subspecies of the Western Whipbird.
| Fauna and Fauna Assemblages Survey of the Kundip and Trilogy Study Sites C:\Documents and Settings\Kim Bennett\My Documents\Tectonic\Phillips River Gold Project NOI\EPBC Referral\Hopetoun Fauna.doc 54 A AA p pp p pp e ee n nn d dd i ii x xx 2 22 Records from WA Museum database search Fauna and Fauna Assemblages Survey of the Kundip and Trilogy Study Sites C:\Documents and Settings\Kim Bennett\My Documents\Tectonic\Phillips River Gold Project NOI\EPBC Referral\Hopetoun Fauna.doc 56 Amphibia collected between -33.659632, 120.174566 and -33.696645, 120.216496 Myobatrachidae Crinia pseudinsignifera Pseudophryne guentheri Reptiles collected between -33.659632, 120.174566 and -33.696645, 120.216496 Agamidae Ctenophorus maculatus griseus Gekkonidae Crenadactylus ocellatus ocellatus Scincidae Ctenotus labillardieri Hemiergis peronii peronii Lerista viduata Mammals collected between -33.659632, 120.174566 and -33.696645, 120.216496 Macropodidae Macropus eugenii derbianus Muridae Rattus fuscipes A AA p pp p pp e ee n nn d dd i ii x xx 3 33 Records from CALM rare fauna database search Fauna and Fauna Assemblages Survey of the Kundip and Trilogy Study Sites C:\Documents and Settings\Kim Bennett\My Documents\Tectonic\Phillips River Gold Project NOI\EPBC Referral\Hopetoun Fauna.doc 58 Fauna and Fauna Assemblages Survey of the Kundip and Trilogy Study Sites C:\Documents and Settings\Kim Bennett\My Documents\Tectonic\Phillips River Gold Project NOI\EPBC Referral\Hopetoun Fauna.doc 59 Fauna and Fauna Assemblages Survey of the Kundip and Trilogy Study Sites C:\Documents and Settings\Kim Bennett\My Documents\Tectonic\Phillips River Gold Project NOI\EPBC Referral\Hopetoun Fauna.doc 60 Fauna and Fauna Assemblages Survey of the Kundip and Trilogy Study Sites C:\Documents and Settings\Kim Bennett\My Documents\Tectonic\Phillips River Gold Project NOI\EPBC Referral\Hopetoun Fauna.doc 61 L EVEL 1 B IOLOGICAL A SSESSMENT OF R AVENSTHORPE G OLD C OPPER P ROJECT , W ESTERN A USTRALIA ACH M INERALS P TY LTD A PPENDIX 3: 2005 B IOTA B IOLOGICAL S URVEY R EPORT Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 1 4 View S treet Nth P ert h W A 60 06 f: (0 8) 93 28 61 38 t: (08 ) 93 28 19 00 e: b iota@ biot a. net. au ab n: 49 09 2 68 7 119 13 January 2005 Ms. Kim Bennett Environmental Manager Tectonic Resources NL Suite 4, 100 Hay Street Subiaco WA 6008 Dear Kim Kundip Phase II Fauna Survey - Summary of Findings Introduction Tectonic Resources NL, as owners of the Phillips River Gold Project, aim to develop the gold/copper resource at the Kundip site and the polymetallic resource at the Trilogy site, located 17 and 27 kilometres southeast of Ravensthorpe respectively. An open cut pit is planned for the Trilogy deposit, whilst underground mining and an open cut pits are planned for the deposits at Kundip. This letter summarises the findings of Phase I of the fauna survey, documented in greater detail in Biota (2004), and provides an overview of Phase II highlighting the key findings, particularly in respect of small mammal captures. Fauna Survey Phase I A field survey was conducted over a 10-day period between the 5/1/2004 and 14/1/2004, following a 12-month period of slightly above average rainfall, though this was preceded by an extended dry period. The methodology utilised during the survey is described in Biota (2004). The field survey recorded a combined total of 99 vertebrate species, including 62 species of bird, 11 native mammals, two introduced mammals, 21 reptiles and three frogs. Over 30 invertebrate taxa were recorded from the Kundip study site, many of which were not identified beyond family level. Two species of mygalomorph spiders from the family Nemesiidae were recorded from the Kundip project area; Aname mainae and Chenistonia tepperi. Both species (as they are currently recognised) have broad distributions through the South-west of WA. A single Bothriembryon that was not known to Ms Shirley Slack-Smith (WA Museum) was collected during the survey from leaf litter at KU8. The conservation status of this taxon is unknown. A search of the CALM Schedule and Priority Fauna database for species potentially occurring in the area yielded five Schedule 1 species, one Schedule 4 species and five Priority species. An additional Schedule 1, Schedule 4 and Priority taxon may occur in the area based on other information. Schedule 1 Fauna • *Carnaby’s Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris (Endangered under EPBC Act 1999) 13-Jan-05 Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 2 • Western Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris (Endangered under EPBC Act 1999) • *Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata (Vulnerable under EPBC Act 1999) • Chuditch Dasyurus geoffroyii (Vulnerable under EPBC Act 1999) • Dibbler Parantechinus apicalis (Endangered under EPBC Act 1999) • Heath Rat Pseudomys shortridgei (Vulnerable under EPBC Act 1999) Schedule 4 Fauna • Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus • Carpet Python Morethia spilota imbricata Priority Taxa • *Lerista viduata (Priority 1) • Quenda Isoodon obesulus fusciventer (Conservation Dependent, Priority 4) • Tammar Macropus eugenii derbianus (Conservation Dependent, Priority 4) • *Western Whipbird (southern WA subspecies) Psophodes nigrogularis oberon (Priority 4) (Vulnerable under EPBC Act 1999) • Western Mouse Pseudomys occidentalis (Priority 4) • *Western Brush Wallaby Macropus irma (Priority 4) Species noted with an “*” were recorded during the Phase I survey. Given the number of fauna of Conservation Significance that may occur in the project area it was recommended that: 1. The proponent should undertake an additional seasonal survey of the project area to more fully document the faunal assemblage and identify any additional constraints. This study could usefully target threatened fauna taxa not well represented during the current survey including Schedule listed rodent and bird species. Of particular consideration was the possible presence of the Heath Rat Pseudomys shortridgei and the population size of the Western Whipbird Psophodes nigrogularis oberon. Overall captures of rodents (even potentially abundant species such as Rattus fuscipes) was low, possibly reflecting a poor season. It was felt that if rodent numbers were generally low as was suggested by the trapping data (and comparisons to other studies (Chapman and Craig 1998, Chapman 2000)) then the chance of detecting rarer species such as the Heath Rat was greatly diminished. It was agreed that the results of the seasonal survey could be written as a brief letter style report to be appended to the original report. Fauna Survey Phase II Methodology The Phase II survey was completed between 16/11/04 – 23/11/04 and involved Dr. Michael Craig (Biota), Mr. Greg Harold (Consultant) and Mr. Andy Chapman (Consultant). The aim of the Phase II survey was to target threatened fauna taxa not well represented during the Phase 1 survey, including Scheduled rodent and bird species (see Biota 2004). Minimum temperatures during the survey ranged form 4.0°C to 19.2°C and maximum temperatures ranged from 18.0°C to 37.4°C (Table 1). No rainfall was recorded during the survey but 27.9 mm had fallen in November 2004 prior to the survey. 13-Jan-05 Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 3 Table 1: The minimum and maximum daily temperatures recorded in Ravensthorpe for the duration of the Phase II survey (compared to the November average minimum of 10.9 and average maximum of 24.8). Date 16/11 17//11 18/11 19/11 20/11 21/11 22/11 23/11 Mean Minimum 14.3 12.1 4.0 5.2 8.7 10.4 14.4 19.2 11.0 Maximum 31.2 20.5 18.0 21.8 26.8 29.3 33.4 37.4 27.3 The survey re-opened the seven systematic trapping grids (KU1 – KU7) and the cage transect (KU11) established during Phase I, and established an additional seven Elliott transects comprising 20 Elliott traps spaced approximately 10 m apart (KU14 – KU20) (Figure 1). All grids were open for between five and seven nights giving a total trap effort of 1780 Elliott trap nights, 588 pit-trap nights and 224 cage trap nights (Table 2). An additional cage trap was added to each of the systematic trapping sites (i.e. KU1 – KU7). Systematic avifauna censusing was not undertaken as part of this current survey, rather effort focussed on recording the distribution of the Western Whipbird Psophodes nigrogularis oberon and other Threatened or Rare taxa. However, notes were made of species additional to those recorded during Phase I (see Results and Discussion below). A total of 23 hours was spent conducting transects through all of the proposed pit and overburden areas to record the presence of threatened bird species (Figure 2). Opportunistic collecting was also undertaken at locations likely to support fauna of conservation significance including Short Range Endemics. Table 2: Trapping grid location and trap effort (WGS84 datum, Zone 51). Site # Location (AMG) Trap Type Date Opened Date Closed Nights Open # of traps Total effort (trap nights) KU1 239670mE 6270247mN Elliott Pit Cage 16/11/04 16/11/04 16/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 7 7 7 20 12 1 140 84 7 KU2 240563mE 6271172mN Elliott Pit Cage 16/11/04 16/11/04 16/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 7 7 7 20 12 1 140 84 7 KU3 240342mE 6269570mN Elliott Pit Cage 16/11/04 16/11/04 16/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 7 7 7 20 12 1 140 84 7 KU4 240288mE 6268814mN Elliott Pit Cage 16/11/04 16/11/04 16/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 7 7 7 20 12 1 140 84 7 KU5 239894mE 6268754mN Elliott Pit Cage 16/11/04 16/11/04 16/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 7 7 7 20 12 1 140 84 7 KU6 240113mE 6270410mN Elliott Pit Cage 16/11/04 16/11/04 16/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 7 7 7 20 12 1 140 84 7 KU7 239820mE 6269724mN Elliott Pit Cage 16/11/04 16/11/04 16/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 23/11/04 7 7 7 20 12 1 140 84 7 KU11 Transect Cage 16/11/04 23/11/04 7 25 175 KU14 239369mE 6270241mN to 239372mE 6270120mN Elliott 17/11/04 23/11/04 6 20 120 13-Jan-05 Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 4 KU15 240229mE 6270175mN to 239996mE 6270079mN Elliott 17/11/04 23/11/04 6 20 120 KU16 240744mE 6270798mN to 240821mE 6270613mN Elliott 17/11/04 23/11/04 6 20 120 KU17 240897mE 6268881mN to 240888mE 6268711mN Elliott 17/11/04 23/11/04 6 20 120 KU18 241007mE 6268894mN to 241010mE 6268707mN Elliott 17/11/04 23/11/04 6 20 120 KU19 241222mE 6270367mN to 241236mE 6270179mN Elliott 18/11/04 23/11/04 5 20 100 KU20 239131mE 6269112mN to 239025mE 6269332mN Elliott 18/11/04 23/11/04 5 20 100 Total Elliott Pit Cage 1780 588 224 The new Elliott transects were placed in the following vegetation communities: KU14 & 15 – Melaleuca acuminata Open woodland and thicket (dense to mid- dense shrubs <2m) along drainage lines. KU16 – Melaleuca stramentosa Mallee and dense heath (shrubs <2m). KU17 – From a mixture of Eucalyptus clivicola Low Forest and Eucalyptus cernua Dense Low Forest (mallee regrowth) into Melaleuca rigidifolia Open Mallee and Dense Heath (shrubs <1m). KU18 – Melaleuca rigidifolia Open Mallee and Dense Heath (shrubs <1m). KU19 – Banksia lehmanniana Open Mallee and Thicket/Scrub Heath (dense to open shrubs 0.5-5m). KU20 – From Banksia lehmanniana Open Mallee and Thicket/Scrub Heath (dense to open shrubs 0.5-5m) into Melaleuca hamata Mallee. 13-Jan-05 Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 5 Figure 1. A map showing the location of the trapping sites and trapping transects overlain on vegetation communities. KU14 – KU20 represent an additional seven Elliot transect lines established for the phase II survey. 13-Jan-05 Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 6 Figure 2. A map shown the location of transects conducted for threatened bird species in relation to the proposed pit and overburden areas. Each colour represents a different day. 13-Jan-05 Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 7 Results and Discussion The phase II survey recorded 37 vertebrate species including five mammals, nine birds (Tables 4, 5 and 6). Note that for the avifauna, only threatened taxa and species additional to those recorded during Phase I (Biota 2004) were recorded. The tally included 11 species not recorded during the Phase I survey, highlighting the value of seasonal work. The additional species comprised Amphibolurus norrisi, Elapognathus coronatus, Ramphotyphlops australis, Tiliqua occipitalis, the Little Eagle Aquila morphnoides, Brown Falcon Falco berigora, Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis, Rufous Fieldwren Calamanthus campestris, Western Spinebill Acanthorhynchus superciliosus, White-cheeked Honeyeater Phylidonyris nigra and White-winged Triller Lalage tricolor. None of the additional species recorded are of special conservation significance, however the record of Amphibolurus norrisi extends further westward (by approximately 30 km) the known distribution of this species. Of particular note was the increase in captures of rodent species (Table 5), though this can be explained, for the most part, by the inclusion of additional Elliott transects. During Phase I, six Mus musculus (House Mouse) and 12 Rattus fuscipes (Bush Rat) were recorded from the seven trapping grids (KU1 – KU7), with an additional four R. fuscipes recorded from cage traps (KU11). During Phase II, nine M. musculus and 18 R. fuscipes were recorded from the seven trapping grids (KU1 – KU7), with an additional 13 M. musculus and 130 R. fuscipes recorded from the Elliott transects (KU14 – KU20). In comparison, Chapman (2000) documented 211 records of Mus musculus and 147 records of Rattus fuscipes using 480 pit-trap nights, 1000 Elliott trap nights and 200 cage trap nights across spring 1999 and autumn 2000 at Bandalup Hill. With respect to the rarer species, Chapman (2000) documented 17 records of the Western Mouse Pseudomys occidentalis (Southern Mouse) and five records of the Heath Rat Pseudomys shortridgei (Heath Rat). At the same study site in spring 2000, Biota (2000) recorded six M. musculus and 39 R. fuscipes using 534 pit-nights, 1100 Elliott trap nights and 60 cage trap nights. They also recorded one Pseudomys albocinereus (Ash-grey Mouse), two P. occidentalis and one P. shortridgei (Table 5). The capture success of other small ground mammals during the current Phase II was comparable to Phase I of the trapping program at Kundip: three captures of Sminthopsis griseoventer (Grey-bellied Dunnart) versus nine during phase 1; 59 captures of Cercartetus concinnus (Western Pygmy Possum) versus 56 during Phase I; and 71 captures of Tarsipes rostratus (Honey Possum) versus 84 during Phase 1. Despite being recorded in Phase I, neither the Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata (Schedule 1), Western Brush Wallaby Macropus irma (Priority 4) nor Lerista viduata (Priority 1) were recorded during Phase II. Vehicle transects were conducted for the former two of these species and raking of leaf litter and debris was undertaken for L. viduata. As noted above, additional effort was directed towards documenting the occurrence of Western Whipbirds and other rare birds in the project area. • Western Whipbird Psophodes nigrogularis oberon (Priority 4 under Wildlife Conservation Act 1998 (WA); Vulnerable under the EPBC Act 1999 (Cth)) We recorded this species on 12 occasions from four different vegetation types (Figure 3). Most records (eight) were from Banksia lemanniana (Bl) open mallee and thicket scrub/heath. There were two records from Melaleuca rigidifolia open mallee and dense heath with single records from each of Melaleuca stramentosa 13-Jan-05 Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 8 (Ms) mallee and dense heath and Banksia media open mallee and scrub heath (Figure 3). This compares to six records across sites KU1 (Banksia media open mallee and scrub heath) KU2 (Banksia lemanniana open mallee and thicket/scrub heath) and KU3 (Melaleuca hamata mallee-heath). Table 3. Home range estimates for the subspecies of the Western Whipbird. Subspecies Home range estimate (ha) Reference oberon 6.45* Cody 1991 oberon 10.53* Cody 1991 nigrogularis 12.6 Smith 1991 ? 2.8 to 5.6 Serventy & Whittell 1976 leucogaster <20 Woinarski et al. 1988 * estimated from densities None of the Western Whipbird records fell within the proposed impact areas (i.e. pit and overburden stockpiles). However, the impact area does intersect two (Bl and Ms) of the four vegetation types from which this species was recorded, with an overall loss of 47ha of the total 235.42ha mapped for these two vegetation types within the project area (Table 7). Given a typical territory size of between 7ha and 10ha (see Table 3), the worst case scenario would be that either (1) between 5 and 7 pairs may be lost assuming only vegetation types in which they were recorded were suitable, or (2) between 8 and 12 pairs if all vegetation types are suitable. However, there are several reasons to believe that the actual number is likely to be lower than this. Firstly, no Western Whipbirds were recorded from any of the proposed pit or overburden areas during the Phase II survey. While a short survey of that kind does not indicate that whipbirds are not present in those areas, it does suggest that they are likely to be present at lower than average densities. Secondly, a large proportion of the northern and central pit areas are already heavily disturbed or cleared of their natural vegetation. Therefore, we would expect whipbirds to occur only marginally in both of these areas. Lastly, most of the records during Phase II are from Banksia lemanniana (Bl) open mallee and thicket scrub/heath which will not be heavily disturbed (Table 7) and densities are likely to be lower than average in most of the other habitats. The call from this species is conspicuous and may carry up to 200m (Johnstone and Storr 2004). The diet comprises invertebrates, mainly insects (Higggins and Peter 2002), but also snails (Johnstone and Storr 2004). The species is considered to be sedentary remaining in its home range from year to year (Higgins and Peter 2002). The taxonomy surrounding the geographical variation in this species is not fully understood (Higgins and Peter 2002; cf. Johnstone and Storr 2004; see also Schodde and Mason 1999). Higgins and Peter (2002) recognise four subspecies of P. nigrogularis with two of these, P. n. nigrogularis and P. n. oberon, occurring in Western Australia. In contrast, Johnstone and Storr (2004) do not recognise P. n. oberon, rather treat all WA specimens as P. n. nigrogularis. Schodde and Mason (1999) elevate P. n. nigrogularis to full species and treats oberon as a sub-species of the newly recognised P. leucogaster. Both the State and Commonwealth listings recognise the taxonomy presented by Higgins and Peter (2002) as does this document. P. n. nigrogularis has the same conservation significance under both State and Federal listings. It is listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act 1999 and as Schedule 1 (Vulnerable) under the Wildlife Conservation Notice 2003. The State and Federal listings do not, however, 13-Jan-05 Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 9 recognise the same level of conservation significance for P. n. oberon. According to State listings P. n. oberon is listed as Priority 4 i.e. Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for which sufficient knowledge is available, and which are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could be if present circumstances change. These taxa are usually represented on conservation lands. whilst the Commonwealth listing recognises P. n. oberon as Vulnerable. Johnstone and Storr (2004) consider the western whipbird in WA to be uncommon to moderately common in the east of its range (i.e. about Ravensthorpe). There are no estimates of population size in WA though Teale et al. (in prep.) have compiled 165 records from 76 sites across the Fitzgerald Biosphere Reserve. 13-Jan-05 Cube:Current:250 (Hopetoun Fauna):Doc:Phase II:Fauna Survey Phase II Letter Report B.doc 10 Kataloq: seven-day-comment-on-referrals -> ravensthorpe-gold-copper-project -> supporting documents supporting documents -> Figure 19: Eucalyptus desmondensis modelling results seven-day-comment-on-referrals -> Warriedar p seven-day-comment-on-referrals -> Health monitoring program supporting documents -> User Community supporting documents -> User Community seven-day-comment-on-referrals -> Fqm nickel australia p ty ltd Yüklə 9,77 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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