23.7 Australian cotton pygmy-goose

Transcription

1 23.7 Australian cotton pygmy-goose EPBC Act legal status Migratory Bonn (Family Anatidae) Biology and ecology Characteristics The Cotton pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) is a tiny duck with a small, dark, goose-like bill. The male has a white head, neck and underparts with a glossy green back that appears black in dull light (NPWS 1999b). In the breeding season, the male has a black band around the base of the neck. The female is predominately brown with darker plumage on the wings. Both sexes have dark plumage on the forehead and crown (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Cotton pygmy-goose (Source: Fergus 2006) Known distribution The Cotton pygmy-goose is a rare vagrant in the southern part of its range on the north coast of NSW. However, the species is relatively common on lily-covered lagoons, dams and ponds in north-eastern Queensland (Marchant & Higgins 1990, Blakers et al 1984). The Cotton pygmy-goose is more restricted in range than any other Australian native duck and its numbers are relatively few (NPWS 1999b). Major centres of population are Dawson, Fitzroy, Burdekin and Barron iver catchments (Blakers et al 1984). The Cotton pygmy-goose is locally common in suitable habitat near Brisbane (Beruldsen 1977) and is now vagrant outside Queensland (Marchant & Higgins 1990). The largest recent counts were 300 individuals on oss iver Dam near Townsville (Garnett and Cox 1987) and 350 individuals at Lake Powlathanga near Charters Towers in There are no recent estimates of total population size and the frequency of sightings near ockhampton has apparently declined (Longmore 1978). The extent of occurrence is estimated to be 400,000 km² and this estimate is considered to be of high reliability. Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-238

2 The population of this subspecies seems small, and appears to have declined in density over at least the southern half of its historical range (Garnett & Crowley 2000). Figure Distribution range of the Cotton pygmy-goose (Source: BirdLife International and Natureserve 2011) Known species populations and their relationship with the GTP footprint There is limited habitat for this species within the Project area, with wetland systems occurring within the Arcadia Valley likely to provide most of the suitable habitat (Ecologica Consulting 2012). This species was identified from a dam to the west of the GTP OW near KP60. The species is highly dependent on aquatic environments, including lagoons and dams (ie areas containing deep sections of still water). Suitable habitat (lacustrine wetlands) for this species is limited within the GTP OW (Ecologica Consulting 2012). Biology and reproduction The Cotton pygmy-goose feeds almost entirely on aquatic vegetation, particularly hydrilla and Pondweed. Foraging is undertaken by dabbling and picking at the water surface or by stripping seeds and flowers from aquatic plants. Individuals flatten their head and neck on the water surface and rapidly filter water through their bill while swimming fast, swallowing food with an upward jerk of the head (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Aquatic insects are also eaten (McAllan 1992). The species requires dead trees with hollows near water for nesting and roosting sites (Beruldsen 1977). The species is likely to be monogamous with clutch sizes thought to range from six to 16 (Frith 1982). The type of parental care is unknown (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-239

3 Habitat The Cotton pygmy-goose is an almost entirely aquatic species. Preferred habitat is deep freshwater lagoons, swamps and dams, particularly those with waterlilies or other floating vegetation, such as hydrilla, ceratophyllum, vallisneria, najas, lemna and chara (Marchant & Higgins 1990). The species tends to avoid running water where deep water vegetation cannot grow (Beruldsen 1977). The species requires dead trees with hollows near water for nesting and roosting sites (Beruldsen 1977) Habitat assessment Information obtained from BPA (ie Brigalow Belt South Fauna Expert Panel eport (EPA 2006)), together with expert advice, site based species records and pre-clearance survey data have been used to define a set of assumptions that have been used to identify areas of habitat that are consistent with the definitions of core habitat, essential habitat and general habitat that have been presented in Part 1 of this SSMP. The Cotton pygmy-goose habitat assumptions are presented below. General assumptions The following general assumptions have been made based on current scientific knowledge of this species: Species is often associated with freshwater and/or saline wetlands. As such, areas mapped as riverine lacustrine and pulstrine Wetland egional Ecosystems as well as riverine, lacustrine and pulstrine waterbodies on the Queensland Wetland Mapping (Version 3.0) are considered suitable habitat for this species along with permanent anthropogenic water sources such as farm dams The species has also been observed (GPS based data from known records) within two (2) non-remnant areas within 1 km of a riverine lacustrine and pulstrine Wetland egional Ecosystems as well as riverine, lacustrine and pulstrine waterbodies on as indicated on the Queensland Wetland Mapping (Version 3.0) Core habitat Core habitat consists of essential habitat in which the species is known and the habitat is recognised under relevant recovery plans or other relevant plans/policies/regulations. Also included within this category are populations that are limited geographically within the region. For the Cotton pygmy-goose all Pre-Es that contain a specimen backed record, which overlap with areas identified in the BPA mapping that have been identified as containing a State or egional Corridor (J-ating) and/or Core habitat (H-ating) and/or Habitat for EV Taxa (A-ating) have been mapped as core habitat. KP0 to KP30 No individuals of this species have been identified within the general vicinity of the KP0 to KP30 GTP; therefore no core habitat exists within this section of the KP30 to KP40 No individuals of this species have been identified within the general vicinity of the KP30 to KP40 GTP; therefore no core habitat exists within this section of the Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-240

4 KP40 to KP130 Individuals of this species have been identified within the general vicinity of KP40 to KP130 GTP within a non-remnant area which did not overlap with the BPA mapping; therefore no core habitat exists within these sections of the KP130 to KP312 No individuals of this species have been identified within the general vicinity of the KP130 to KP312 section of the GTP; therefore no core habitat exists within this section of the KP312 to KP No individuals of this species have been identified within the general vicinity of the KP312 to KP section of the GTP; therefore no core habitat exists within this section of the KP to KP No individuals of this species have been identified within the general vicinity of the KP to KP section of the GTP; therefore no core habitat exists within this section of the KP to KP No individuals of this species have been identified within the general vicinity of the KP to KP section of the GTP; therefore no core habitat exists within this section of the Essential habitat Essential habitat is an area containing resources that are considered essential for the maintenance of populations of the species (eg potential habitat for breeding, roosting, foraging, shelter, for either migratory or non-migratory species). Essential habitat is defined from known records and/or expert advice (including the findings of pre-clearance surveys). Although the BPA expert panel states that there is no essential habitat for this species in the Brigalow Belt South Bioregion, for the Australian Cotton Pygmy-Goose, all Pre-Es (totalling 4.73 ha) that contain a specimen backed record have been mapped as essential habitat where they occur within non-remnant areas within 1 km of a riverine lacustrine and pulstrine Wetland Es as well as riverine, lacustrine and pulstrine waterbodies on as indicated on the Queensland Wetland Mapping (Version 3.0). This mapping is restricted only to the relevant polygon in which the record falls as defined by the relevant DEHP certified mapping contained within the specified buffer. Pre-clearance surveys have identified the presence of this species adjacent to the OW between KP50 and KP60. KP0 to KP30 Pre-clearance surveys identified no species records or essential habitat for this species, therefore no essential habitat for this species is considered to exist within this section of the KP30 to KP40 Pre-clearance surveys identified no species records or essential habitat for this species, therefore no essential habitat for this species is considered to exist between within this section of the Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-241

5 KP40 to KP130 Figure 23.13b shows the location of the essential habitat for the Cotton pygmy-goose. KP130 to KP312 Pre-clearance surveys identified no species records or essential habitat for this species, therefore no essential habitat for this species is considered to exist within this section of the KP312 to KP Pre-clearance surveys identified no species records or essential habitat for this species, therefore no essential habitat for this species is considered to exist within this section of the KP to KP Pre-clearance surveys identified no species records or essential habitat for this species, therefore no essential habitat for this species is considered to exist between this section of the KP to KP Pre-clearance surveys identified no species records or essential habitat for this species, therefore no essential habitat for this species is considered to exist between this section of the General habitat General habitat consists of areas or locations that are used by transient individuals or where species have been recorded but there is insufficient information to assess the area as essential/core habitat. General habitat may be defined from known records or habitat that is considered to potential support a species according to expert knowledge of habitat relationships, despite the absence of specimen backed records. General habitat may include areas of suboptimal habitat for species For the Cotton pygmy-goose all areas that are mapped as areas mapped as riverine lacustrine and pulstrine Wetland egional Ecosystems as well as riverine, lacustrine and pulstrine waterbodies on the Queensland Wetland Mapping (Version 3.0) are considered to constitute General habitat for this species. KP0 to KP30 No general habitat for this species exists within this section of the KP30 to KP40 A dam and surrounding area to the west of the GTP OW near KP40 has been identified during the pre-clearance surveys as meeting the criteria of general habitat for this species. Figure 23.13a shows the location of general habitat for this species within this section of the KP40 to KP130 Figure 23.13b shows the location of the general habitat for the Cotton pygmy-goose within this section of the Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-242

6 .3 */1* *DV 7UDQVPLVVLQ 3LSHOLQH &UULGU.3 Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas +DELWDW 5DWLQJ General Habitat /11/ :36 Source: Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Aerial: BING, Feb P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_254_A8_2.mxd.3 Map by: B )LJXUH D $XVWUDOLDQ &WWQ 3\JP\ *VH (Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis) +DELWDW 5DWLQJV %DVHG Q 3UHGLFWLYH 0GHOOLQJ.3 W.3 A1 scale: 1:20,000 GLNG No: XXXX-XX-XXXX ,000 1,500 Meters Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 26/11/2012 Version: a

7 .3.3 */1* *DV 7UDQVPLVVLQ 3LSHOLQH &UULGU Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas _ [.3 Specimen Backed ecord +DELWDW 5DWLQJ Essential Habitat General Habitat /09/ :05 Source: Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Aerial: BING, Feb Specimen ecord: Ecologica, P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_163.mxd.3 _ [ Map by: B.3.3 )LJXUH E $XVWUDOLDQ &WWQ 3\JP\ *VH (Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis) +DELWDW 5DWLQJV %DVHG Q 3UHGLFWLYH 0GHOOLQJ.3 W.3 A1 scale:1:175,000 GLNG No: XXXX-XX-XXXX km Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 06/09/2012 Version: d

8 KP130 to KP312 Conciliation Creek (KP207.47), Dawson iver area (KP233 to KP235) and watercourse areas within KP297.5 to KP300.2 has been identified during the pre-clearance surveys as meeting the criteria of general habitat for this species (Santos GLNG 2012). Figure 23.13c and Figure 23.13d shows the location of the general habitat for the Cotton pygmy-goose within this section of the KP312 to KP Pre-clearance surveys identified general habitat for this species at Calliope iver (352.3) and Harper Creek (KP360.3) (Santos GLNG 2013). Figure 23.13e and Figure 23.13f shows the location of the general habitat for the Cotton pygmy-goose within this section of the KP to KP No general habitat for this species exists within this section of the KP to KP Pre-clearance surveys did not identify general habitat for this species within this section of the Unlikely habitat Unlikely habitat areas are those areas that do not contain records of the particular species and do not contain sufficient habitat features to support the species (ie areas that do not meet the habitat assumptions identified above). Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-243

9 Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas Essential Habitat General Habitat P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_216.mxd 22/10/ :04 Map by: B Source: Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Aerial: BING, Feb Specimen ecord: Ecologica, (Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis) A1 scale:1:145,000 GLNG No: XXXX-XX-XXXX Date: 22/10/ km Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Version: a

10 .3 */1* *DV 7UDQVPLVVLQ 3LSHOLQH &UULGU.3 Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas +DELWDW 5DWLQJ Essential Habitat General Habitat Source: Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Aerial: BING, Feb Specimen ecord: Ecologica, P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_216_2.mxd 22/10/ : Map by: B )LJXUH G $XVWUDOLDQ &WWQ 3\JP\ *VH (Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis) +DELWDW 5DWLQJV %DVHG Q 3UHGLFWLYH 0GHOOLQJ.3 W.3 A1 scale:1:145,000 GLNG No: XXXX-XX-XXXX km Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 22/10/2012 Version: a

11 GLNG Gas Transmission Pipeline Corridor KP360 Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) Habitat ating GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas General Habitat KP350 KP340 Source: Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Aerial: BING, Feb P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_315.mxd 08/02/ :37 Map by: B KP310 KP320 KP330 Figure 23.13e: Australian Cotton Pygmy-Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis) Habitat atings Based on Predictive Modelling KP312 to KP A1 scale: 1:65, km GLNG No: XXXX-XX-XXXX Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 08/02/2013 Version: a

12 KP400 KP410 GLNG Gas Transmission Pipeline Corridor Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas Habitat ating General Habitat KP390 KP380 Source: Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Aerial: BING, Feb P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_315_2.mxd 08/02/ :38 Map by: B KP360 KP370 Figure 23.13f: Australian Cotton Pygmy-Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus albipennis) Habitat atings Based on Predictive Modelling KP312 to KP A1 scale: 1:65, km GLNG No: XXXX-XX-XXXX Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 08/02/2013 Version: a