Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999 - Byron Shire Council

BYRON FLORA AND FAUNA STUDY, 1999
Appendix 11
Examples of profiles of Threatened fauna species
recorded in Byron Shire
CONTENTS
Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura
Glossy Black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami
Powerful Owl Ninox strenua
Koala Phascolarctos cinereus
Little Bentwing-bat Miniopterus australis
Common Bentwing-bat Miniopterus schreibersii
Greater Broad-nosed Bat Scoteanax rueppellii
Square-tailed Kite Lophoictinia isura
Regional distribution and abundance. The Square-tailed Kite is widely but very sparsely distributed throughout northeastern
New South Wales from the coastal plains to the tablelands (Debus et al. 1993). Concentrations of records are
known from dry habitats in the lower valleys of major rivers such as the Clarence, Hastings and Manning (ANSWW
database) and the region is considered a stronghold for the species in New South Wales (Debus et al. 1993).
General ecology (habitat, shelter, diet, territory, breeding, movements). The Square-tailed Kite occurs mainly in structurally
diverse, moist to dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands (Debus et al. 1993, Marchant and Higgins 1993). However,
it has also been recorded in coastal complex vegetation which includes shrublands and heathlands (Marchant and
Higgins 1993). In coastal north-eastern New South Wales most records are from Spotted Gum, Grey Ironbark and dry
Blackbutt forests (Debus et al. 1993; G. Clancy, A. Gilmore, D. Milledge unpubl. data) and its occurrence appears to be
associated with the more productive sites in these forests on flatter topography (Debus et al. 1993, NSW National Parks
and Wildlife Service 1994).
The species feeds predominantly on adult and nestling birds and large insects snatched from the foliage of forest and
woodland trees during its slow, gliding, harrier-like flight just above or through gaps in the canopy (Debus et al. 1993,
Marchant and Higgins 1993). It has been observed hunting about stands of flowering eucalypts, which have attracted
concentrations of nectivorous, and insectivorous birds, particularly honeyeaters (Debus et al. 1993, CSIRO Division of
Wildlife and Ecology 1996; D. Milledge unpubl. data).
Territories are typically very large and have been estimated at many tens of square kilometres (Debus and Czechura
1989). The nest is usually constructed in a substantial fork in the upper branches of a mature eucalypt, from 10-30 m
above the ground and an average of two young are raised to fledging. Sometimes the same nest is used in consecutive years
or a new nest may be constructed close to a previously used site. Fidelity to a particular stand of trees for breeding is a
characteristic of the species (Debus et al. 1993).
Movements of the Square-tailed Kite are not clearly understood although coastal northern New South Wales appears to
be an over-wintering area for some individuals (Debus et al. 1993), perhaps from southern New South Wales and the
tablelands.
Conservation status and threatening processes. The Square-tailed Kite is listed on Schedule 2 of the TSC Act, 1995 as
Vulnerable. The original reasons for its listing as an endangered species were ‘population reduced to a critical level; poor
recovery potential; threatening processes severe; ecological specialist’ (NSW Scientific Committee).
The principal threats to the species appear to be the loss of habitat or structural simplification of habitat within its
extensive territory and the loss of individual trees or stands used for nesting. The loss of old-growth stands may be an
important factor because of the concentrations of prey species such as honeyeaters attracted to the prolific nectar flows
from flowering old trees. Loss of habitat through clearing for agriculture remains a significant problem in the region, but
probably the structural simplification of public and private forests associated with intensive timber harvesting currently
poses the greatest threat to the conservation of this species in north-eastern New South Wales.
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