enhancing biodiversity hotspots along western ... - South West NRM

Site 20. Angelalla (Bollon – Riversleigh junction)
STOCK ROUTE NUMBER: M528
PRIORITY SPECIES: Animals:
Major Mitchell’s cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri)
RATING: BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT
SHIRE COUNCIL: MURWEH SHIRE
It was difficult to identify biodiversity hotspots for Major Mitchell’s cockatoo
(Lophochroa leadbeateri) (Plate 51). This bird was observed at a number of sites
during field visits, including along the stock route on Boatman Road, but, given that
this species is highly mobile in their search for food, at most sites sightings were not
enough evidence to identify the location as a biodiversity hotspot for this bird.
Repeated sightings of flocks of up to 20 Major Mitchell’s cockatoo, and observations
of them feeding fledgling young, around the Angelalla site was evidence that this
section of stock route is at least a linked part of a larger biodiversity hotspot for this
bird. Additionally, where Angelalla Creek and stock route intersect there is a large
permanent waterhole with ideal nesting hollows along the riparian edges, and Major
Mitchell’s cockatoo are known to have a strong fidelity to nesting sites.
Plate 51 Major Mitchell’s cockatoo with crest extension (Photo: B. Walsh).
THREATS: The major threats to Major Mitchell’s cockatoo at this site are the removal
of nesting hollows from the clearing / pulling of mulga trees, high intensity fires that
can removing nesting trees, predation from feral cats, and road fatalities (Plate 52) as
the birds are reluctant to take flight when feeding on paddy melons found on the road
verge (Plate 53).
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