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Golden Eagle Proposed Tailings Storage Facility Area Targeted Mulgara and Greater Bilby survey Millennium Minerals Martin Dziminski February 2016
Golden Eagle Proposed Tailings Storage Facility Area Targeted Mulgara and Greater Bilby survey Millennium Minerals
Martin Dziminski
February 2016
ii Department of Parks and Wildlife
Department of Parks and Wildlife Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: (08) 9219 9000 Fax: (08) 9334 0498 www.dpaw.wa.gov.au © Department of Parks and Wildlife on behalf of the State of Western Australia February 2016 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Parks and Wildlife. This report/document/publication was prepared by Martin Dziminski. Questions regarding the use of this material should be directed to: Dr Martin Dziminski Research Scientist Science and Conservation Division Woodvale Wildlife Research Centre Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: 08 9405 5720 Email: [email protected] The recommended reference for this publication is: Department of Parks and Wildlife, 2016. Golden Eagle Proposed Tailings Storage Facility Area Targeted Mulgara and Greater Bilby survey. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth. This document is available in alternative formats on request. Please note: urls in this document which conclude a sentence are followed by a full point. If copying the url please do not include the full point.
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Contents 1 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 1
2 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 2
3 Methods ...................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Survey area and timing ...................................................................................... 5
3.2 Physical search for bilby and mulgara sign ........................................................ 5
3.3 Mapping of suitable bilby habitat ........................................................................ 5
3.4 Remote cameras ................................................................................................ 5
4 Results ........................................................................................................................ 8
4.1 Mapping of suitable bilby habitat ........................................................................ 8
4.2 Animal sign......................................................................................................... 8
4.3 Remote cameras ................................................................................................ 8
5 Discussion ................................................................................................................. 24
5.1 Bilby presence .................................................................................................. 24
5.2 Mulgara presence ............................................................................................ 24
References .................................................................................................................... 25
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1 Summary The Department of Parks and Wildlife conducted a targeted bilby and mulgara survey of the proposed Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) Area and surrounding areas for Millenium Minerals between 27 and 29 January 2016. Searches of 0.5 ha plots and visual searches on foot were undertaken within and around the proposed TSF Area to detect bilby or mulgara burrows, diggings, tracks or scats and likely bilby habitat was mapped. Baited remote cameras were deployed over two nights. No sign of bilbies was found within or around the proposed TSF Area. Some suitable bilby habitat occurs within and around the proposed TSF Area, with 21.2 ha occurring within the proposed TSF Area. Mulgara were detected by remote cameras within the proposed TSF Area and possible mulgara burrows were found to the west of the proposed TSF Area. These are likely brush-tailed mulgara (Dasycercus blythi) and are likely widespread in the surrounding area. Mulgara present within the proposed TSF Area could be translocated to surrounding areas prior to clearing by Elliottt trapping.
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2 Introduction Millenium Minerals requested the Department of Parks and Wildlife (Western Australia) to complete a targeted greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) and mulgara (Dasycercus spp.) survey in and around the proposed tailings storage facility (TSF) area. The proposed TSF is approximately 10 km south east of Nullagine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (Figure 1 and Figure 2).
The greater bilby is listed as Vulnerable under the Commonwealth EPBC Act 1999; Schedule 3 - Fauna that is rare or is likely to become extinct as vulnerable fauna, under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950; and internationally listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Bilbies are known to occur in the Nullagine area, and the closest known extant population is located approximately 8 km to the east (Figure 1).
The brush-tailed mulgara (Dasycercus blythi) is listed as P4 on the Western Australian Priority Flora and Priority Fauna List. Brush-tailed mulgara have been previously recorded in the Nullagine area, and the closest known extant population is located approximately 8 km to the east (Figure 2).
The status of the crest-tailed mulgara (D. cristicauda) in the Pilbara is still unresolved. Many historical Dasycercus sp. and D. cristicauda specimens from the Pilbara have been later identified and confirmed as D. blythii (DPaW 2016). Dasycercus blythi has been previously misidentified as D. cristicauda in the Pilbara (Department of Environment 2016: Thompson and Thompson 2008, cited in Woolley et al. 2013). There are no confirmed D. cristicauda records in the Nullagine area and therefore the Dasycercus sp. records from 1899 (Figure 2) are most likely D. blythi.
The aim of this survey was to determine if any greater bilbies or mulgara exist in the TSF Area. Coordinates of several suspected bilby burrows within the proposed TSF Area were provided by Millenium Minerals. These burrows were investigated to determine if they are bilby burrows.
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Figure 1. Greater bilby (M. lagotis) records (including the year of observation) near the proposed TSF Area. Data from NatureMap (DPaW 2016).
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Figure 2. Mulgara records (including the year of observation) near the proposed TSF Area. Data from NatureMap (DPaW 2016).
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3 Methods
3.1 Survey area and timing The proposed TSF Area is located approximately 6.5 km south east of the town of Nullagine (Figure 1). The proposed TSF Area is 108.9 ha. The survey was undertaken over three days and two nights between 27 and 29 January 2016.
3.2 Physical search for bilby and mulgara sign If bilbies are present in an area then obvious signs of bilby activity, including burrows, tracks, diggings and scats (Moseby et al. 2011) can be detected and distinguished from other burrowing animals such as rabbits and varanid lizards, by suitably experienced and qualified observers. Mulgara burrows may be detected in areas of lower vegetation cover, and burnt areas.
The proposed TSF Area and surrounding potential bilby and mulgara habitat was searched comprehensively on foot by two personnel with extensive experience working on bilby and mulgara in Western Australia. Rocky ground and hills where bilby or mulgara are usually not found was not extensively searched.
Within the proposed TSF Area and in surrounding likely bilby habitat, 0.5 ha plots were searched in detail for bilby and mulgara sign for 5 minutes by both personnel as well as searching on the move.
3.3 Mapping of suitable bilby habitat During the search and plot surveys, likely bilby habitat was mapped. Likely bilby habitat in the Nullagine area is defined as a substrate of sand, soil, sandy clay, or sandy gravel (that is suitable for burrowing) with an overstory of Acacia spp. that provide resources in the form of cossid larvae (grubs) for bilbies. The primary Acacia species around the Nullagine area that provide this resource is A. trachycarpa (dwarf form), A. trachycarpa (along drainage lines), A. bivenosa and A. stellaticeps. This is the habitat type that extant bilby populations occur in the Nullagine area. Examples of this bilby habitat type are shown in Plate 1A and B.
3.4 Remote cameras Remote cameras (RECONYXTM PC900 HyperFire) were deployed at eight locations within and around the proposed TSF Area (Figure 5) from 27 January to 29 January 2016 (two nights). At each location, a camera was fixed to a stake 35 cm high and 1 – 2 m from, and angled facing a bait ball and bait smeared on the ground (Plate 1C). This ensured anything moving at the bait or surrounding area was detected.
Cameras were set to rapid fire three images when triggered by temperature change within the 42 degree field of view. Date, time and air temperature were automatically recorded on each image. Bait was peanut butter mixed with oats. Images were processed and analysed back in the laboratory in Perth.
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All work was undertaken in accordance with the Department of Parks and Wildlife animal ethics approval (DPaW AEC 2013/23) and Regulation 17 License to take fauna for scientific purposes (SC001408).
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A.
B.
C.
Plate 1. A. and B: Suitable bilby habitat in the Nullagine area. Note the substrate and A. trachycarpa (dwarf form) overstory. C: Remote camera.
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4 Results
4.1 Mapping of suitable bilby habitat The majority of suitable bilby habitat within and around the proposed TSF Area consisted of a substrate of sand, soil, sandy clay, or sandy gravel with an overstorey of A. trachycarpa (dwarf form) (Plate 2). One of the major food sources of bilbies in the Pilbara are cossid moth larvae which are found in the roots of certain Acacia spp such as A. trachycarpa. Considerable evidence of cossid moth larvae was found in the stands of A. trachycarpa (dwarf form) within and around the proposed TSF Area (Plate 3), further indicating that this would be suitable bilby habitat.
Some other areas of suitable bilby habitat included small drainage lines with broad-leafed Acacia spp (Plate 4A-B), and riparian sandy areas with Acacia trachycarpa along the river to the north-west (Plate 4C-D). Some of the suitable bilby habitat within and around the proposed TSF Area is heavily impacted by cattle trampling the Acacia spp stands, causing erosion by trampling the substrate and associated buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris) infestation (Plate 4E-F). Such cattle impact makes these areas temporally unsuitable for bilbies.
Suitable bilby habitat within and around the proposed TSF Area including the 0.5 ha survey plots is shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4. Only 21.2 ha of suitable bilby habitat would be cleared in the proposed TSF Area (Figure 4), 0.78 ha of this being impacted by cattle.
4.2 Animal sign The suspected burrows at the two locations provided by Millenium Minerals within the proposed TSF Area were all confirmed as being varanid lizard burrows (Plate 5). No bilby sign was detected at these two locations and the burrows were inconsistent with the characteristics of bilby burrows.
No bilby burrows, diggings, tracks or scats were detected within or in the surrounds of the proposed TSF Area. Possible mulgara burrows were detected in an area to the west of the proposed TSF Area (Figure 6, Plate 6A-C, and Table 1) but would need to be confirmed with remote cameras. Thick spinifex hummocks prevented visual detection of mulgara burrows within the TSF Area.
Other animal sign recorded within and around the proposed TSF Area included hopping mouse pop holes and tracks (Figure 6, Plate 6D-E, and Table 1), dingo/dog tracks (Figure 6, Plate 6F, and Table 1) and varanid lizard diggings, burrows and tracks (Figure 6, Plate 5, and Table 1). The hopping mice are most likely spinifex hopping mice (Notomys alexis) as this is the only extant species found in the Pilbara (Menkhorst and Knight 2011).
4.3 Remote cameras Remote cameras captured images of a mulgara at two locations within the proposed TSF Area (Figure 6, Plate 7 and Plate 8 and Table 1). Several other non-target
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species were recorded by remote cameras including little crows (Corvus bennetti), little buttonquail (Turnix velox), and two skinks Ctenotis grandis and Ctenotis sp..
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Plate 2. Suitable bilby habitat within and around the proposed TSF Area consisting of stands of A. trachycarpa (dwarf form) on a substrate of sand, soil, sandy clay, or sandy gravel.
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Plate 3. A-C: Exuvia (pupal exoskeleton) of cossid moth larvae at the base and in roots of A. trachycarpa (dwarf form); D-F: Adult cossid moths in A. trachycarpa (dwarf form) shrubs within and around the proposed TSF Area.
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Plate 4. A-B: Bilby habitat consisting of small drainage lines with broad leafed Acacia spp around the proposed the TSF Area; C-D: Bilby habitat consisting of riparian sandy areas with A. trachycarpa to the north west of the proposed TSF Area heavily impacted by cattle trampling and erosion, and buffel grass infestation; E-F: Bilby habitat within and around the proposed TSF Area consisting of stands of A. trachycarpa (dwarf form) on sand, soil, sandy clay, or sandy gravel heavily impacted by cattle trampling and erosion, and buffel grass infestation.
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Plate 5. A-C: Varanid lizard diggings and burrows at 21° 56.176'S 120° 9.052'E; D-F: Varanid lizard diggings and burrows at 21° 56.170'S 120° 8.738'E.
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A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Plate 6. A-C: Possible mulgara burrows found to the west of the proposed TSF Area; D-E: Hopping mouse pop holes; F: Dingo/dog tracks.
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Figure 3. Surveyed 0.5 ha plots and potential bilby habitat.
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Figure 4. Potential bilby habitat within and around the proposed TSF Area.
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Figure 5. Locations of remote cameras.
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Figure 6. Observations of animal sign and locations of mulgara captured on remote cameras.
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A.
B.
C.
Plate 7. Mulgara captured on remote camera 006.
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A.
B.
C.
Plate 8. Mulgara captured on remote camera 069.
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Table 1. Observations of animals and animal sign.
Lattitude Longitude
Mulgara recorded on remote cameras
-21.934697 120.147752
-21.941225 120.142638
Possible Mulgara burrows
-21.941503 120.136485
-21.9413 120.136323
-21.941348 120.13643
-21.941265 120.13577
-21.94043 120.135168
-21.94014 120.135685
Hopping mice pop holes
-21.935767 120.145705
-21.941953 120.141018
-21.941317 120.136055
Hopping mice tracks
-21.941045 120.139425
Dingo/dog tracks
-21.942382 120.150602
-21.939683 120.150205
Varanid lizard burrows
-21.935361 120.147451
-21.940245 120.135502
Varanid lizard diggings
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-21.936262 120.150792
-21.936303 120.150593
-21.936307 120.150002
-21.935927 120.149965
-21.935518 120.150775
-21.935767 120.145705
-21.936292 120.150632
-21.94236 120.140008
-21.94196 120.141043
-21.941317 120.136055
-21.941117 120.135645
-21.94044 120.13526
Varanid lizard tracks
-21.942907 120.138782
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5 Discussion
5.1 Bilby presence No sign of bilby was found within or in areas surrounding the proposed TSF area. The suspected bilby burrows within the proposed TSF Area were confirmed as being varanid lizard burrows and diggings.
Suitable bilby habitat was found within and around the proposed TSF Area, and an estimated 21.2 ha of suitable bilby habitat occurs within the proposed TSF Area.
5.2 Mulgara presence Remote cameras detected mulgara within the proposed TSF Area and possible mulgara burrows were detected in an area to the west of the proposed TSF Area. Mulgara burrows probably exist within the proposed TSF Area but were unable to be visually detected as they are most likely located under thick spinifex hummocks.
The mulgara detected by the remote cameras are most likely D. blythii. Dasycercus blythi has been previously misidentified as D. cristicauda in the Pilbara (Department of Environment 2016: Thompson and Thompson 2008, cited in Woolley et al. 2013), and there are no confirmed D. cristicauda records in the Nullagine area.
Mulgara are likely not just confined to the proposed TSF Area, and further remote camera surveys and/or Elliott trapping would most likely reveal they are widespread in the Nullagine area. As part of a mitigation process, the mulgara present within the proposed TSF Area could be translocated by Elliott trapping to surrounding areas, and if necessary, monitored, prior to and after clearing.
Project title
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References Department of Environment (2016). Dasycercus cristicauda in Species Profile and
Threats Database. Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/sprat [Verified 9 February 2016]
DPaW (2016). NatureMap: Mapping Western Australia’s Biodiversity. Department of Environment and Conservation, Western Australia. Available at: http://naturemap.dpaw.wa.gov.au/
Menkhorst, P., and Knight, F. (2011). ‘A field guide to the mammals of Australia’ 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press: Australia.)
Moseby, K., Nano, T., and Southgate, R. (2011). ‘Tales in the sand. A guide to identifying Australian arid zone fauna using spoor and other signs’. (Ecological Horizons: South Australia.)
Thompson, G. G., and Thompson, S. A. (2008). Abundance and spatial distribution of five small mammals at a local scale. Australian Mammalogy 30, 65–70.
Woolley, P. A., Haslem, A., and Westerman, M. (2013). Past and present distribution of Dasycercus: toward a better understanding of the identity of specimens in cave deposits and the conservation status of the currently recognised species D. blythi and D. cristicauda (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae). Australian Journal of Zoology 61, 281. doi:10.1071/ZO13034
