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Just south of Walpole’s well knownMandalay Beach, a huge granite domeemerges from the Southern Ocean.Thisdome – Chatham Island, has beenshaped by the roaring Southern Oceanand icy winds.
The Department of Environment andConservation’s (DEC’s) FranklandDistrict nature conservation team took aboat trip across to Chatham in Marchthis year to survey the Declared Rarefern species that occurs on the island –Asplenium obtusatum subsp. northlandicum,also known as ‘shore spleenwort’.Thesubspecies is known from one mainlandpopulation and several islandpopulations.These populations arehighly fragmented as the species occursin shady, cool microhabitats among theotherwise exposed granite islands alongthe coastline.The populations areextremely difficult to survey, with severalpopulations only known from surveys byexpert rock climbers. Despite its specifichabitat requirements, the species survivesremarkably well in its harshenvironment, highly exposed to salt-water
water spray, with limited substrate forroot development.
The team travelled to the island using aboat volunteered by the Walpole SeaRescue Group.The island is spectacular,with weathered granite containing largefreshwater rock pools, remarkabledrainage patterns, caves and fault lines.There is a diverse array of habitats onthe small island, which is only 600 metresby 1000 metres, particularly associatedwith the general steepness and exposureof the granites.The main habitat consistsof Poa poiformis hummocks (filled withthousands of shearwater burrows),Taxandria marginata dominated gullies,berry saltbush (Rhagodia baccata)dominated slopes and Andersoniasprengelioides dominated peaks.
Two populations of shore spleenwortwere located down a steep, wellvegetated gully.The plants were healthyand occurred in sheltered and shadedareas with steep granite cliffs rising upon either side. It was not possible tosurvey two further populations due totheir location at the high water mark atthe base of sheer granite cliffs.
Also of interest were the high numbersof bush rats (Rattus fuscipes) and king’sskinks (Egernia kingii) on the island.Avariety of land and sea birds, and anumber of other skinks (Egernia andCtenotus species) were also spottedduring the trip.A large colony of about70 adult New Zealand fur seals(Arctocephalus forsteri) was also recorded,with many smaller groups scattered onrocks around the island.The majority offemales had young pups, which frolickedin smaller ‘nursery’ rock pools.
The island is a unique refuge for avariety of species and is highly deservingof its status as a nature reserve.
For more information contact NikkiRouse on (08) 9840 1027 or by email([email protected]).
Species and Communities Branch newsletter for Threatened Species and Ecological Communities conservationJune 2007 Volume 13, Issue 2
Island search for rare fern 1
Search for a threatened ecological community in the deep pools of the Avon River 2
Implementing recovery actions for Declared Rare Flora 2
Yongergnow Australian Malleefowl Centre, Ongerup WA 3
Warren Region receives funding for Critically Endangered species 3
Protection of Duckpond Reserve 4
Search for Webb’s moss 4
Corella count 2007: Muir’s corella 5
Interim Recovery Plans for Western Australia’s rich endemics 6
Information day for Native Vegetation Protection Group 7
Managing club-leafed synaphea 8
The elusive, endangered and enigmatic western ground parrot 9
Spring surveys locate additional Calectasia sp. Pinjar 10
WetlandBase – The Western Australian Wetlands 11
Improved protection for two Midwest threatened ecological communities 11
Recovery plans approved 12
Inside this issue
Island search for rare fern bbyy NNiikkkk ii RRoouussee
TToopp View across Chatham Island ontoWalpole coastline.
AAbboovvee New Zealand fur seal. Photos – GaryHunter
The Avon River basin is the major riversystem in the south-west of WesternAustralia. During the 1950s and 1960sthe Avon River was modified under theRiver Training Scheme in an attempt toprevent flooding. Channel manipulationsuch as removing the islands andvegetation resulted in severe erosion ofriver banks and destabilisation of thechannel bed. Before that time, however,the Avon River contained many areas ofbraided channels.The islands in thebraided areas reduced the speed of thewater allowing it to spill out onto theflood plain which caused flooding of thetowns situated on the river.
There are now around 26 pools on themain channel of the Avon River, most ofwhich are either full or nearly full ofsediment as a result of the RiverTraining Scheme. Only two pools,Gwambygine and Glenavon arerelatively free from sediment.Sedimentation is the process wherebysediments from upstream are depositedin the river pools, smothering aquatichabitat.As the pools fill with sedimentthe water temperature increases and thesediment may bring nutrients and saltswith it, resulting in eutrophication andsalinisation of the deep pools.
The deep pools are consideredimportant refuge sites for flora and faunaduring the dry summer months whenmost of the river dries out. Some floraand fauna species have adapted to factorssuch as low temperatures that occur inwinter when the pools become part ofthe swift flowing cold river. In summerthey become still lakes and are highlyproductive.The warmer summertemperatures encourage rapidreproduction of micro and macro flora
and fauna which support a relativelyabundant bird life on the river banks andin the pools themselves.The tortoisepopulation at Gwambygine Pool isabundant and uniquely adapted to makethe most of the unusual conditions inthe Avon River.This population is quite
different from the tortoise population onthe Swan River.The water ratpopulation, once very common on theriver, is now extremely rare with onlyone individual being spotted atGwambygine Pool in the past few years.The once abundant native gilgies andsome frog species are rarely seenupstream of Toodyay today, except in theremaining pools (Glenavon andGwambygine).
A project aimed at identifying uniqueecological communities in these deeppools has been initiated.The work ispart of the State Salinity Strategy-fundedproject for identifying threatenedecological communities, and the AvonCatchment Council-funded Back fromthe Edge project. Project officers fromDEC’s Wheatbelt Region and Speciesand Communities Branch visited fourpools along the Avon and Dale rivers inFebruary and undertook aquaticinvertebrate sampling, water qualitytesting and bird surveys.The four poolswere chosen for sampling afterdiscussions with staff from theDepartment of Water and with theRiver Conservation Society’s CecilyHowell.
DEC’s Species and Communities Branchis awaiting identification of the aquaticinvertebrate samples and hopes to usethe information to describe anecological community. Previous researchby the River Conservation Society,university students and DEC will beused for comparison and to support apossible nomination for a newthreatened ecological community.
For more information contact MonicaBatista on (08) 9334 0115 or by email([email protected]).
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bbyy MMoonniiccaa BBaatt iiss ttaa
Search for a threatened ecological community in the deep pools of the Avon River
TToopp Sedimentation occurring atGwambygine Pool, Avon River. Photo – MiaMorley
AAbboovvee Invertebrate sampling at Mile Pool,Dale River. Photo – Monica Batista
Jessica Wright has joined DEC’s SwanCoastal District as a flora conservationofficer to implement recovery actionsfor species of Critically Endangered andEndangered flora species located in theSwan Natural Resource ManagementRegion.The project is funded by theCommonwealth’s Natural HeritageTrust through the Swan CatchmentCouncil and focuses on the recovery ofthe following flora taxa:• swamp starflower (Calytrix breviseta
subsp. breviseta);• cinnamon sun orchid (Thelymitra
dedmaniarum);• Purdie’s donkey orchid (Diuris purdiei);• glossy-leaved hammer orchid,
(Drakaea elastica);
Implementing recovery actions for Declared Rare Flora• baby blue orchid (Epiblema
grandiflorum var. cyaneum ms);• grand spider orchid (Caladenia huegelii);• split-leaved grevillea (Grevillea
althoferorum);• curved-leaved grevillea (Grevillea
curviloba subsp. curviloba);• narrow curved-leaved grevillea
(Grevillea curviloba subsp. incurva);and
• Macarthuria keigheryi.
Jessica will be responsible for theimplementation of actions such asmonitoring existing populations andsurveying for new ones, undertakingweed control, fencing, preparing fireresponse plans and dieback surveys.
For more information contact JessicaWright on (08) 9405 0713 or by email([email protected]).
AAbboovvee Swamp starflower (Calytrix brevisetasubsp. breviseta). Photo – Andrew Brown
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On 15 February a new and excitinginterpretive centre opened in Ongerupafter seven years of planning andconstruction.The YongergnowAustralian Malleefowl Centre offers aunique adventure into the malleeenvironment, the people who areworking to protect the mallee, thevulnerable malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)and the town of Ongerup.
The centre is situated in the GreatSouthern region, between Albany andHyden, or halfway between Perth andEsperance. Ongerup has distant views ofthe Stirling Range and is the westerngateway to the Fitzgerald Biosphere andnational park.The centre is proudlycommunity owned and managed and isstaffed by local volunteers who aretrained to provide visitors with a topclass experience.
Yongergnow Australian Malleefowl Centre, Ongerup WA
bbyy MMeell iissssaa SSaavvaaggee
The centre includes the ‘Fowl Play’exhibit and has plenty of hands-onopportunities that showcase the iconicmalleefowl and its habitat and the storyof how this amazing bird has galvanisedlocal community conservation andeconomic development activities.Thecentre also has a pair of malleefowl in a1200 metre by 10 metre tall aviary,which gives visitors an opportunity toview these birds up close and learnabout the future captive breedingprogram to be run at the centre.Yongergnow is open daily from 9.30amto 4pm. A small entry fee applies.
The community of Ongerup and theShire of Gnowangerup has beeninvolved in the conservation ofmalleefowl for many years.TheMalleefowl Preservation Group hasbeen based in Ongerup since it formed
in 1992. Ongerup seemed like anobvious place to build the centre, wherethere was plenty of community support.The dynamic Malleefowl PreservationGroup’s office is located at Yongergnowand information on their associatedresearch projects is available during theiroffice hours.
For more information contact MelissaSavage at the Yongergnow AustralianMalleefowl Centre on (08) 9828 2325or by email ([email protected]).
TToopp The Yongergnow Australian MalleefowlCentre.
AAbboovvee Interpretive signange at theYongergnow Australian Malleefowl Centre.Photos – Fred Duncan
DEC’s Warren Region has been granted$100,000 through the State BiodiversityConservation Initiative Saving our Speciesfor a project entitled ‘Management ofthreats to Critically Endangered floraand assessment of the conservationstatus and threats to Priority listed floraspecies in the Warren Region’.Thisproject focuses on a review of theconservation status of several priorityplant species, and the preparation ofinterim recovery plans for CriticallyEndangered flora in the region.
A conservation officer has beenappointed to the project to work withDEC’s nature conservation staff in theDonnelly and Frankland districts toconduct surveys, review conservationstatus and prepare interim recoveryplans for nominated species.
Warren Region receives funding for Critically Endangered species bbyy CCaassssiiddyy NNeewwllaanndd
Mt Lindesay has been the main focus ofthe project in the Frankland District asit contains a number of taxa, which arehighly restricted and only known tooccur on and around the Mt Lindesaylandform.These include Grevilleafuscolutea, Cryptandra congesta andLaxmannia grandiflora subsp. brendae.In the Donnelly District the focus is onGrevillea acropogon, Andersonia annelsiiand Rhacocarpus rehmannianus subsp.
webbianus (see ‘Search for Webb’s moss’on page 4), which are all listed asCritically Endangered or are likely to bein the future.
The project is funded until July bywhich time target species will havebeen nominated for a change of statusand draft interim recovery plans for thesix species will have been completed.
For more information contact CassidyNewland on (08) 9840 1027 or byemail ([email protected]).
AAbboovvee lleefftt Grevillea fuscolutea, one of thePriority 2 species surveyed which has foundto be endemic to Mt Lindesay and has beennominated for listing as DRF. Photo – Cassidy Newland
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Aboriginal people, installed the fence.
It is hoped that the fence will preventrubbish dumping in the reserve andprotect it from off-road vehiclesaccessing the site.A number of otherrecovery actions are planned for the siteincluding weed control andrehabilitation in degraded portions ofthe reserve.The Landcare Group hasbeen collecting seed from the site withthe aim of using the propagatedmaterial for rehabilitation of thedegraded portions of the reserve laterthis year.
There are a number of reserves in theShire of Serpentine–Jarrahdale thatcontain TECs for which recoveryactions are being implemented. It ishoped that the district and the LandcareGroup can continue to work togetherto achieve positive outcomes for theconservation of these sites.
For more information contact MelissaHoskins on (08) 9405 0740 or by email([email protected]).
AAbboovvee Fiona Felton (DEC Swan CoastalDistrict) and Kristy Gregory (Serpentine-Jarrahdale Landcare Group) with theArmadale Noongar Corporation atDuckpond Reserve. Photo – Colleen Rankin
LLeefftt The completed fencing at DuckpondReserve. Photo – Kristy Gregory
Protection of Duckpond Reservebbyy MMeell iissssaa HHoosskkiinnss
Duckpond Reserve, which is a part ofthe Mundijong Road Reserve, hasrecently been fenced to protect itsenvironmental values.The reserve,which is located in the Shire ofSerpentine–Jarrahdale covers an area ofabout 3.5 hectares and contains twothreatened ecological communities(TECs).These are known as ‘Corymbiacalophylla – Xanthorrhoea preissiiwoodlands and shrublands’, listed asCritically Endangered, and ‘Denseshrublands on clay flats’, listed asVulnerable.
This important piece of bushland hasnow been fenced to ensure theprotection of its conservation values.This recovery action was undertaken byDEC’s Swan Coastal District inconjunction with theSerpentine–Jarrahdale Landcare Groupand Greenskills, with funding from theSouth West Catchment Council.TheArmadale Noongar Corporation, agroup established to mentor young
Search forWebb’s moss
bbyy CCaassssiiddyy NNeewwllaanndd
The search is on to rediscover the criticallyendangered Webb’s moss (Rhacocarpusrehmannianus var. webbianus) where it wasoriginally located.The moss was first foundnear Mt Lindesay in 1882 by one of WA’searliest naturalists,William Webb.Webb, whocame to Western Australia from England as aconvict, developed a strong interest in thenatural environment and collected many plantspecimens in the Denmark–Albany area,sending collections to Baron Ferdinand vonMueller.
The original moss specimens still exist todayin herbarium collections held in Germany,however the voucher and any knowledge ofthe exact location of the population has beenlost.Webb’s moss has since been discovered atMt Chudalup to the south of Northcliffe and,more recently, near Mt Roe to the north ofWalpole. But it has not been rediscovered atMt Lindesay.
An interim recovery plan is being preparedfor the species and a search is underway torediscover the original location at MtLindesay with funds from the StateGovernment’s Biodiversity ConservationInitiative Saving our Species (see ‘WarrenRegion receives funding for threatenedspecies’ on page 3). However there is a largearea of semi-potential habitat to be searchedand the terrain is often difficult.
The threatened species project, which hasbeen focused on the Warren Region, has alsoincluded surveys of several other speciesaround Mt Lindesay.These surveys haveconfirmed that the species are endemic to theMt Lindesay landform. One of these species,Grevillea fuscolutea, was also first collected byWebb.The project has resulted in the speciesbeing nominated for listing as Declared RareFlora.
For more information contact CassidyNewland on (08) 9840 1027 or by email([email protected]).
watsnu 55
Corella count 2007: Muir’s corella bbyy MMaarrnniiee SSwwiinnbbuurrnn
Muir’s corella (Cacatua pastinatorpastinator) once inhabited most of thesouth-west of Western Australia.Todaythe southern population of the Muir’scorella occurs in a single, isolated sub-population in the south-west of theState in the area of the Tone and Peruprivers, Boyup Brook, Rocky Gully,Frankland and Lake Muir.
It was ranked as Endangered by theWestern Australian Threatened SpeciesScientific Committee because thenumber of mature individuals was fewerthan 2500 and all individuals occur in asingle sub-population.The current totalnumber of Muir’s corella, however, isnot precisely known because previouscounts have varied from 1500 to 3000mature birds. Recently, it has beenthought that the current population farexceeded these estimates based onaccounts from landholders reportingnuisance issues, including damage tocereal crops due to large numbers ofbirds.
On Wednesday 14 March asimultaneous count of Muir’s corellawas carried out between 6pm and6.30pm on private properties spanningfrom Kenninup,Tonebridge, Franklandand Rocky Gully to Lake Muir,Bokerup and many other locations inbetween. Survey teams were dispatchedfrom Unicup Hall to designatedproperties where Muir’s corellas areknown to occur in large numbers.Theaim of the survey was to gain an up-to-date estimate of the Muir’s corellapopulation in this small area and collectinformation on behaviour patterns andhabitat preferences.This information isrequired to manage this threatenedspecies throughout its range, includingproviding information on howlandholders can reduce the nuisancecaused by Muir’s corellas, thusmitigating threatening processes such asillegal shooting and poisoning.
The count was an overwhelmingsuccess with 22 properties surveyed by55 landholders, volunteers and DECand Southern Forests Landcare staff.This current survey, which by no meanscovered the whole range of Muir’scorella, resulted in about 9000 birdsbeing counted.The survey confirmedthe high numbers of birds reported bylandholders, with one property alonehaving about 2500 birds. Large flockssuch as these are attracted to sheep andcattle feedlots where there is a largeamount of grain freely available to thebirds.
Future simultaneous counts are beingplanned to include a larger number ofproperties and areas on the boundary oftheir range and at different times of theyear.The corella count was supportedby the South West Catchment Council.
For more information contact MarnieSwinburn on (08) 9771 7949 or by email([email protected]).
TToopp Sheep feedlots often attract hundreds ofcorellas. Photo – Brad Barton
MMiiddddllee Survey teams met at Unicup Hall. Photo – Lee Fontanini
AAbboovvee A flock of approximately 100 birdsfeeding on grain pile. Photo – Peter Taylor
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Interim recovery plans (IRPs) are beingprepared for the Critically Endangeredcape spider orchid (Caladenia caesareasubsp. maritima) and spike poison(Gastrolobium glaucum) with fundingfrom the Commonwealth’s NaturalHeritage Trust program. Preparation ofIRPs for these taxa revealed that moreup-to-date population data was needed.
In collaboration with staff from DEC’sBusselton Work Centre and South WestRegional Office, surveys for the capespider orchid were completed in lateAugust and early September 2006.These documented plant numbers ineach location identified threateningprocesses, provided accurate GPScoordinates and mud maps for eachlocality. Surveys proved fruitful with thediscovery of one new subpopulation.Many extensions to the plant’s area ofoccupancy were also recorded. Prior tosurvey the subspecies was thought to berepresented by only 188 mature plants.But it is now known to total 625mature plants. Grazing of the leaf tipsby an unknown herbivore continues to
bbyy CCrraaiigg DDoouuggllaass
be a threat at most sites. However, thisthreat did not prevent the subspeciesflowering well in 2006.
Before the survey in mid September2006, Gastrolobium glaucum was knownfrom four populations and a total of 178mature plants, but it is now known thatthe species totals 386 mature plants.Thelargest was an increase of 182 plantswithin a large patch of remnantvegetation. Due to the small area ofoccupancy, restricted extent ofoccurrence and decline in habitatquality this species continues to meetCritically Endangered status.
With funding assistance from theNatural Heritage Trust program and theState Biodiversity ConservationInitiative Saving our Species, IRPs are alsobeing prepared for a number of otherDeclared Rare Flora across the south-west of Western Australia.These includethe Critically Endangered Caladeniamelanema, Caladenia williamsiae, Darwiniacarnea, Calectasia cyanea, Eremophilakoobabbiensis ms, Isopogon robustus,Lysiosepalum abollatum and Dryandra
ionthocarpa subsp. chrysophoenix, theEndangered Conostylis seorsiflora subsp.trichophylla and the Vulnerable Conostylisrogeri and Conospermum undulatum. IRPsfor the following taxa have also beenupdated: the Critically EndangeredSymonanthus bancroftii, the EndangeredAcacia insolita subsp. recurva and theVulnerable Acacia auratiflora and Grevilleadryandroides subsp. hirsuta.
For more information contact AndrewBrown on (08) 9334 0122 or by email([email protected]).
Interim Recovery Plans for Western Australia’s rich endemics
MMaaiinn pphhoottoo Despite weed invasion, roadverge population of Gastrolobium glaucumhealthy and in heavy flower.
IInnsseett lleefftt Spike poison (Gastrolobiumglaucum). IInnsseett rriigghhtt Endangered cape spider orchid(Caladenia caesarea subspecies maritima).Photos – Craig Douglas
watsnu 77
An information day was held lastDecember for staff from DEC’s NativeVegetation Protection group from theSwan Coastal District.The groupevaluates applications for permits toclear native vegetation in WesternAustralia’s Wheatbelt, Swan andGoldfields regions and in theKwinana–Peel area.The purpose of theday was to provide an opporunity for anexchange of information that may beuseful in evaluating proposals to clearnative vegetation where there ispotential for impact to threatenedecological communities (TECs).
Three staff members with expertise inTEC identification and land planningissues from DEC’s Species andCommunities Branch and one from
Information day for Native Vegetation Protection Group
DEC’s Swan Coastal District providedinformal presentations at four separatesites in the field. Each presentationincluded information about theidentification of the community as a‘unique assemblage’, development andland management issues that regularlyarise in relation to the community typeand how clearing of native vegetation inthe surrounding areas may impact onthe TEC.
The first site visited was a ‘tumulusorganic mound spring’ in Bullsbrook.The main issues that arise with clearingaround springs involve possible changesto hydrology.The difficult issue ofdetermining the ‘buffer’ distancerequired between the springs andspecific developments on adjacent lands
to protect the hydrology was discussed.
A claypan community near Gingin wasthen examined.The issues ofdetermining ‘condition’ at thesewetlands, when native herbs that occurin the understorey have been replacedby weeds later in the flowering season,was considered at this site.
The next sites visited were communitiesof massive limestone ridges whereproposals to quarry limestone is amatter that commonly arises.The issueof differentiating the variouscommunities that occur on limestoneridges was discussed.The final sitevisited was a Banksia community inKoondoola.The issue of the need forvery good species lists to differentiatethe various Banksia communities wasconsidered at this site.
The information day provided a usefulforum for consideration and discussionof specific TEC issues, some of themajor issues that arise when permits toclear native vegetation are evaluated andhow these might be dealt with in theabsence of conclusive backgroundinformation were considered.
For more information contact Val English on (08) 9334 0409 or byemail ([email protected]).
bbyy VVaall EEnnggll iisshh
LLeefftt Discussions about the Banksiacommunity at Koondoola Open Space.
BBeellooww At a wetland site near Gingin. Photos – Val English
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Managing club-leafed synaphea
Club-leafed synaphea (Synaphea sp.Pinjarra) is a compact yellow floweringshrub to 0.4 metres, which occurs onwhite to grey clays in low-lying areas. Itis known from only four populations ina linear range of less than threekilometres along a railway line south ofDandalup. In August 2001 it was listedas Declared Rare Flora under theWildlife Conservation Act 1950.
As it occurs in a highly restricted rangeon unsecured tenure it is at high risk ofbeing affected by a single catastrophicevent.A good understanding of thebiology of the species is required so thatit can be actively managed. DECcommissioned a consultant to undertakea range of studies on the species in aneffort to find out more about it.
This work revealed that the species waslikely to respond well to manualdisturbance and fire under prescribedconditions. In autumn 2006 DEC’sSwan Coastal District undertook adisturbance trial funded by the SouthWest Catchment Council.
Nine three metre by three metre plotswere installed in three of the fourpopulations. Each plot underwent
burning, manual disturbance (using amattock) or acted as a control plot.Theburn plots were loaded up with extranewspaper to replicate the effect of aprescribed burn on the species.
Preliminary data has been extremelypositive with mature plants re-sproutingfollowing both burning and disturbanceby mattocking and more than 150 newgerminants being recorded.There hasbeen some loss of seedlings, possiblydue to the excessively hot summer, butthe losses were not great.The plots willcontinue to be monitored throughoutthe year.
For more information contact FionaFelton on (08) 9405 0700 or by email([email protected]).
BBeellooww Fiona Felton recording data while thetrial plot is burning. Photo – Leigh Sage
RRiigghhtt Club-leafed synaphea (Synaphea sp.Pinjarra).
BBeellooww rriigghhtt Close up of a club-leafedsynaphea (Synaphea sp. Pinjarra) flower.Photos – Fiona Felton
bbyy FFiioonnaa FFeell ttoonn
watsnu 99
Unconfirmed sightings of a very rare andelusive parrot have sparked interest in theJurien and Badgingarra areas.TheCritically Endangered western groundparrot (Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris) isknown to have occurred in places fromPerth to Wongan Hills and up toDongara more than 100 years ago but thebirds had not been seen in the area forsome time.
Renowned naturalist John Gilbertcollected specimens of the westernground parrot near Perth in 1842 andtwo of the specimens in the Gouldcollection in the British Museum arefrom Wongan Hills.Yet the species is nowonly known from a few populations onthe South Coast, east of Albany (SeeWATSNU January 2007,‘WesternGround Parrot Recovery Projectupdate’).
This autumn, Birds Australia and Backfrom the Brink (a DEC project funded bythe Federal and State governments andadministered by the NorthernAgricultural Catchment Council), arejoining forces in the hope of relocatingthis elusive bird.
Adequate searching has never beenconducted within this part of the bird’shistorical range and due to the species’cryptic nature; it may have easily beenoverlooked in the past.The birds spendmost of their time among vegetation onthe ground and rarely call during the day.They are often the first birds to call atdawn and the last to call at dusk.Therefore, surveys are conducted in thehours before sunrise and after sunset forthe greatest chance of hearing the calls.
Surveys conducted on the South Coasthave been very successful during the pastfew years, with much being learnt aboutthe western ground parrot’s distributionand behaviour.The species favours lowheathland with a high diversity of flora.Habitat clearing and degradation arethought to be the primary causes of itsdecline with predation from cats andfoxes being major factors, as the birdsfeed and nest on the ground.
A recent habitat survey betweenBadgingarra and the coast has identified anumber of areas that appear to be suitablehabitat for the western ground parrot.Community involvement will be pivotalin surveying these areas this year and intothe future.
For further information or how you canhelp contact Renée Hartley on (08) 9652 1911 or by email([email protected]).
The elusive, endangered and enigmatic western ground parrot bbyy RReennééee HHaarrtt lleeyy
TToopp Could this be home to the westernground parrot?
AAbboovvee A rare glimpse of a cryptic bird.
LLeefftt Western ground parrot (Pezoporuswallicus flaviventri). Photos – Brent Barrett
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Calectasia sp. Pinjar is listed by DEC as aPriority 1 species, as it is currentlyknown from one location, north ofPerth in the Swan Coastal District.
Priority 1 species are described as thosewhich are known from one or a fewpopulations which are under threat,either due to small population size orbeing located on lands under immediatethreat, or the plants are under threat.These species are under considerationfor declaration as ‘rare flora’, but are inurgent need of further survey.
Calectasia sp. Pinjar is a perennial herb,which grows to a height of about 40 centimetres and has attractive purpleflowers in November. It is differentiated
Spring surveys locate additional Calectasia sp. Pinjar bbyy MMeell iissssaa HHoosskkiinnss
from the more common speciesCalectasia narragara by its narrow petalsand the presence of stilt roots.The stiltroots act to raise the perennating buds(part of the plant that allows it tosurvive adverse conditions) above thelevel of the hot sand, giving atemperature difference of a couple ofdegrees, allowing the species to have agreater drought tolerance.Adisadvantage of this, however, is that itmakes the buds very vulnerable to fire.The stilt roots also allow asexualdivision of the plant, into ramets(‘individuals’ arising from the sameclone).
With only two individual plants known,surveys to locate new populations were
undertaken by DEC Swan CoastalDistrict staff, with the assistance of theConservation Volunteers Australia, inspring 2006.The surveys, which coveredan area of approximately 200 hectares,resulted in the discovery of anadditional eight plants.
Further surveying for this species isplanned again in 2007, focusing in areasof Banksia woodland within MelaleucaPark. DEC is keen to hear from peoplewho might be able to assist with thesurveys.
For more information or to registeryour interest in the spring surveyscontact Melissa Hoskins on (08) 9405 0740 or by email([email protected]).
LLeefftt Conservation Volunteers Australiaassisting with Calectasia sp. Pinjar surveys.Photo – Vanessa Clarke
BBeellooww lleefftt The stilt roots of a Calectasia sp.Pinjar plant.
BBeellooww The flowers of Calectasia sp. Pinjar.
BBoottttoomm Habitat of Calectasia sp. Pinjar. Photos – Adam Williams
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WetlandBase is a free, publicly accessibledatabase that brings wetland datatogether from various sources enablingit to be viewed and queried through aneasy to use map-based web interface.The database was developed by DECwith assistance and support from theDepartment of Agriculture and Food,World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)Australia, the Natural Heritage Trust,Murdoch University and Edith CowanUniversity.WetlandBase can be accessedthrough the ‘Nature and Biodiversity’section of NatureBase atwww.naturebase.net.
WetlandBase first became available atthe beginning of 2006. Currently anumber of additional datasets are beingnegotiated for inclusion in the database;these include datasets on coastalmovements and boundaries, coastalfauna and Aboriginal communitylocations.
The database has easy-to-use automatedfunctions that enable the user to searchfor an area by name and display it in themap viewer to see what wetlandsampling has been conducted andgenerate maps and reports on a wetlandor coastal area of interest.
In 2006 a series of demonstrativeworkshops on how to use the databasewere conducted in Perth and in theSouth Coast and Kimberley regions.Auser manual has been prepared that willassist people to use the database for
WetlandBase – The Western Australian WetlandsDDaattaabbaassee bbyy CCaatthheerriinnee PPrr iiddeeaauuxx aanndd SStteepphheenn QQuuii tteerr iioo
their own wetland projects or toresearch their particular area of interest.The data is being updated to ensurethat the currency of the informationprovided to the public is maintained.
For more information contactCatherine Prideaux on (08) 9334 0442or by email([email protected]).
AAbboovvee Wetlandbase workshop. Photo – Catherine Prideaux
In 2001 the vulnerable listed threatenedecological community (TEC) thatoccurs on unusual ironstone substrate inthe Eneabba and Three Springs areasknown as ‘Ferricrete FloristicCommunity (Rocky Springs type)’ anda number of Priority flora werediscovered in a reserve on BunneyRoad in the Shire of Three Springswhich had been created in 1910 forcamping. Following this discovery thearea was transferred to the ConservationCommission of WA and became anature reserve in April 2002.
Since the creation of the naturereserve, DEC has been approached bytwo neighbouring landowners interestedin selling their properties for inclusionin the conservation estate. One of theproperties has now been purchased andadded to the reserve, increasing the area
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Improved protection for two Midwest threatened ecological communities
of the nature reserve from 187.6 ha to214 ha.This area contains anoccurrence of the endangered moundspring TEC known as ‘assemblages oforganic mound springs of the ThreeSprings area’.This community ischaracterised by continuous seepage ofgroundwater in raised areas of peat.Thepeat and surrounds provide a stable,permanently moist series of ‘micro-habitats’.
In January 2007, the property belongingto the second landholder was purchasedby DEC.This land parcel includesadditional occurrences of theendangered mound springs communityand processes are underway to have thisland parcel added to the nature reserve.
On-ground survey work done as part ofthe Natural Heritage Trust Back from the
Brink project funded through theNorthern Agricultural CatchmentCouncil has supported the landpurchases.A rehabilitation plan has alsobeen developed for areas that had beenacquired and then burnt by a wildfire inJanuary 2006.
The addition of these two highconservation value areas to the reservesystem provides lasting security oftenure for these important areas andnew opportunities to manage them inperpetuity for conservation.
For more information contact MonicaBatista on (08) 9334 0115 or by email([email protected]).
2007
182-
0607
-1The Department of Conservation and Land Management mergedwith the Department of Environment, forming the new Departmentof Environment and Conservation (DEC) on 1 July 2006.
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Two recovery plans and one interim recovery plan (IRP) have recently been endorsed by DEC’s Director of Nature Conservation.
The two recovery plans for birds have been written with the assistance of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment andWater Resources’ (previously the Department of the Environment and Heritage) Natural Heritage Trust program.All plans have beensent to the Commonwealth for consideration for adoption under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Recovery plans approved
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