Appendix D Terrestrial and Aquatic Biodiversity - Environment ...

Birds
• One Data Deficient species, Antaresia childreni, and one Not Evaluated species, Cryptoblepharus
ruber, were identified. These are both common and widespread in suitable habitat throughout
northern Australia. The status of Antaresia childreni is proposed to be changed to Least Concern.
• The remaining species are all listed as Least Concern.
• One listed marine species – Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) – was recorded.
• No introduced reptile species were identified.
A total of 91 bird species from 47 families was identified during the survey (Appendix D-2). Very few
waterbirds and waders (shorebirds) were recorded, reflecting the paucity of permanent water within the MLA
areas and that there are ample areas of habitat offsite, such as the Towns and Little Towns Rivers.
• Two threatened species were recorded:
o Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is listed as Vulnerable and was recorded at Site 7.
Widespread across Australia, there is poorly quantified evidence to suggest this species has
experienced a population reduction in the north of its range (because of altered fire regimes.
A proposed review of the NT Threatened Species List downgrades the Emu’s status to Near
Threatened.
o Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) is also listed at Vulnerable and was recorded at Sites
2, 4 and 6, as well as incidentally. As with the Emu, with whom the Australian Bustard
shares a similar distribution and ecology, the claimed population reduction of this species is
questionable, hence its status is earmarked to be reduced to Least Concern.
• One Near Threatened species, Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), was recorded at a number
of different sites, as well as incidentally. This species is common and widespread in suitable fox-free
habitat throughout northern Australia.
• Three Data Deficient species were recorded – Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis), Blue-winged
Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii), and a Snipe (Gallinago species – not possible to identify except if in the
hand), as was a Not Evaluated species– White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus). The
statuses for both Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis) and Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii)
are proposed to be revised to Least Concern.
• The remaining species are all listed as Least Concern.
• Four listed migratory species and 23 listed marine species were observed, all are common and
widespread throughout the savannah.
• No introduced bird species were recorded.
Mammals
Eleven mammal species were recorded from the survey, mainly from pit traps, Elliot traps and active
searches (Appendix D-2). In addition, seven species of bat were captured or identified acoustically (see
Appendix D-5). The total number of mammal species, therefore, was 19. All bar one bat species were
recorded on multiple occasions. Aside from bat species, only the Common Rock-rat (Zyzomys argurus) was
recorded with any regularity – occurring at four separate sites, all of which were rocky habitats within the
eastern MLA areas targeted for ore extraction. Two macropod species were recorded, but with only a total of
three sightings, suggesting a low abundance.
• No threatened species were recorded.
• Two Near Threatened species were recorded – Orange Leaf-nosed Bat (Rhinonicteris aurantia) at
riparian Site 11 and Western Chestnut Mouse (Pseudomys nanus) at Site 14.
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Doc Title: Appendix D – Terrestrial Biodiversity Technical Report