An annotated checklist of birds from Lorna Glen (Mutawa): A proposed conservation park on the boundary of the Murchison and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia

2010·9.1 MB·English

by  Kevin Coate

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
NATURALIST
Vol. 27 30th September 2010 No. 3
AN ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF BIRDS FROM LORNA
GLEN (MUTAWA): A PROPOSED CONSERVATION PARK ON
THE BOUNDARY OF THE MURCHISON AND GASCOYNE
REGIONS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
By KEVIN COATE
11 Peak View, Canning Vale, W.A. 6155
SUMMARY chosen by DEC to represent the
Aboriginal name of the area -
This paper is based on data
26°22'S 121°56'E), about 150 km to
gathered by me with supple¬
the north-east of the town of
mentary sightings by other
Wiluna occupies an area of about
acknowledged observers during
244,000 hectares and is situated
visits to Lorna Glen between
across two biogeographic regions
2000 and 2010. A total of 133
- the Murchison and Gascoyne
species (69 non-passerines and 64
and therefore contains a
passerines) were recorded during
fascinating diversity of landform,
these visits. Mention is made of
geology and vegetation. In turn,
the diversity of habitat and
this also supports rich
emphasis given to the importance
assemblages of the region’s flora
of the area to waterfowl after
and fauna. Low lying areas are
seasonal filling of lakes and
dominated by extensive spinifex,
claypans. Breeding information is
red sand plains with scattered
given and reference made of
Marble Gum (Eucalyptus
several species not previously
gongylocarpa), as well as samphire
recorded in the area.
flats, claypans and lakebeds.
Mulga communities, often rich in
ephemeral plant communities,
INTRODUCTION
are also represented. Stony rises
The proposed Lorna Glen occur across the landscape and
Conservation Park (Mutawa, carry their own unique plant
127
communities rich in Acacia and time of the Calvert Scientific
Eremophila species. There are also Exploring Expedition under the
areas of breakaway, evidence of a leadership of Lawrence Allen
former plateau landscape Wells. He recorded Black
(Marbutt et al. 1963). Woodlands Cormorants (not since recorded),
of Eucalyptus camaldulensis (e.g. Shepherd’s Companions (Willie
along a drainage area flowing Wagtail), cockatoos, Ring-neck
from the east past the homestead) Parrots, Mulga Parrots, Magpies,
and Casuarina pauper occur at Miners, Butcherbirds, finches,
several locations. Blue Cranes (White-faced Heron)
and crows (Corvus sp.). The
expedition camped at a pool on a
BACKGROUND
creek-line, which Wells named
The property was purchased for Lorna Glen after Calvert’s
the purpose of conservation in daughter, and Lindsay Gordon
2000 by the then Western Lagoon after ‘Australia’s poet’ -
Australian Department of Con¬ Adam Lindsay Gordon, for whom
servation and Land Management he had much admiration and
(CALM) under the Gascoyne whose writings were much in
Murchison Strategy. Shortly after vogue at the time.
take over, the property was
George Arthur Keartland,
destocked and artificial watering
Calvert’s expedition ‘naturalist
points such as windmills were
and representing botany’ also
shut down. A long term strategy
recorded Budgerigars (breeding),
for the control of feral cats and
Pallid Cuckoo, Red-capped Robin,
the re-introduction of native
Hooded Robin, White-browed
fauna to the area has been
Babbler, White-plumed Honey-
implemented. The property is
eater, Little Button-quail and
currently managed jointly be¬
Bustard as being in the area. Two
tween the current Western
years earlier, Keartland, a tireless
Australian Department of En¬
devotee to the advancement of
vironment and Conservation
natural history and one of the
(DEC) and its traditional owners
founders of the RAOU (Birds
the Martu People.
Australia) had achieved national
The average annual rainfall is recognition as a field orni¬
259.3mm - falling mainly in the thologist on the Horn Expedition
summer months from December to Central Australia. His name is
to April. Since 1939 rainfall, commemorated in Lichenostomus
reliant to a large degree on storms, keartlandi, Grey-headed Honey-
has fluctuated from a high of eater, collected on that
706mm in 1973 to a low of expedition.
86.4mm in 1976 (Bureau of
On the 25th July 1896 (before
Meteorology).
European settlement in the area),
Avifauna of the area was first Wells recorded cattle in the
recorded in July 1896 during the vicinity of Lorna Glen, by noting
128
“fairly recent cattle tracks brief visit to Lorna Glen on 30
evidently those of cattle which May 2000 and recorded 44
had strayed from settlements at species of bird. Members of the
the head of the Murchison River Western Australian Naturalists’
during the last rains”. A few days Club under the leadership of
later heartland reported the Kevin Coate, camped at No 10
sighting of a domestic/feral cat Well between 15 and 17 August
(Felis catus). 2000 and carried out a bird
survey in that locality and on
The first lease holder over the area
flooded claypans near No 2 Well
was a colourful character, Arthur
recording 65 species. A much
Ashwin - born 1850 in Adelaide,
broader and more intensive bird
South Australia, died 1930 in
survey covering remote areas on
Western Australia. He was a
Lorna Glen and 24 trapping sites
prospector, who was amongst the
established by Mark Cowan,
first at many of Australia’s great
Principal Rangeland Ecologist for
gold rushes - the Palmer
CALM now DEC for the trapping
Goldfields in North Queensland,
of vertebrate fauna, was carried
the Pilbara, Ashburton and other
out by the Coate’s between 12 and
goldfields in Western Australia.
17 March 2003. These trapping
With money Ashwin made from
sites cover a broad range of
gold, he branched into pastoralism
habitats that include breakaways,
initially acquiring the lease of
mulga, grassland communities,
Wonggomoo Station near Darlot
spinifex, sandplain, samphire
and Yelma Station. He later
flats and eremophila and acacia
applied for a lease of unoccupied
shrublands. Bird surveys were
crown land abutting Yelma
carried out within a 200 metre
Station to the north, on which
radius of each site. Sites 1,2,7,8,9
Lorna Glen and Lindsay Gordon
and 17 carried little vegetation
Lagoon are located. On the
due to recent bushfires. On this
successful application of this lease,
visit 81 species were recorded.
he named it Lorna Glen Station
after Lorna Glen, and moved there Members of a Landscope Expedition
from Yelma Station. Although his under the leadership of Mark
lease (Lorna Glen Station) was Cowan, Kevin Kenneally, Daphne
taken up in 1923-24, cattle (later Edinger, Ric How and Kevin
leaseholders also ran sheep) from Coate carried out a far wider
Yelma Station to the south, and ranging biological survey
Wongawol Station to the east, between 5 and 11 September 2003
most likely spread across this to determine areas of high
unfenced area for years before. biodiversity and conservation
value. This included the trapping
of vertebrate fauna and the
OBSERVATIONS AND
collection of botanical specimens
METHODS
from the 24 trapping sites
Kevin and Yvonne Coate made a established by Mark Cowan. With
129
1
3
0

Figure 1 showing location of trapping sites and ephemeral claypans.
the assistance of volunteer common). One observed on
birdwatchers, Kevin Coate using consecutive days near Shallow
the same methods as on the Bore caring for 18 chicks
previous visit carried out bird (obviously not all its own - 14
surveys within a 200 metre were aged about 3 weeks and 4
radius of all 24 trapping sites (see about 6 weeks). July 2009 -
Figure 1). Opportunistic surveys several adults with young.
were also done at other locations
on Lorna Glen and 84 species MEGAPODIIDAE
were recorded.
Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata
A survey at Lorna Glen by Scarce. Two, to the south of Site 5
members of Birds Australia, and toward No 9 Well on 3 June
Western Australia - lead by John 2003 and one in the same
Luyer, was undertaken between vicinity the following day.
18 and 24 June 2007 at the 24 Malleefowl tracks identified on
trapping sites with opportunistic cat transect roads down from old
sighting at other locations using shearing shed in September 2008.
similar methods to those above
and they recorded 78 species. PHASIANIDAE
Additional bird sightings to Stubble Quail Coturnix pectoralis
those recorded on the above visits Uncommon. Recorded for the
are from DEC personnel, first time in February 2007. Also
especially Mark Cowan (Senior recorded at Site 9 in June 2007.
Research Scientist), Neil Breeding: Adult with at least 3
Hamilton (Senior Technical young near lake system behind
Officer), Gina Gregory (caretaker homestead in February 2007.
at Lorna Glen from November
2002 to October 2003) and Bruce ANATIDAE
and Kaye Withnell (current Black Swan Cygnus atratus
caretakers at Lorna Glen). Moderately common (30-40) on
Nomenclature follows that of claypans between No 1 Well and
Johnstone (2000). No 2 Well in August 2000.
Common on Lindsay Gordon
Lagoon in September 2003.
Breeding: Well advanced cygnets
ANNOTATED BIRD SPECIES LIST
on claypans between No 1 Well
and No 2 Well and the northern
CASUARIIDAE
end of Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae August 2000. 178 adult and 102
Common throughout in August cygnets from small downy to
2000, March 2003 and September almost fledged at the southern
2003. Also recorded in 2009. end of Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
Breeding: In September 2003 - September 2003. Many disused
males with chicks (newly nests toward the southern end of
hatched to 3 months were the lagoon, where the water had
131
receded from the shallows toward Hardhead Aythya australis
the deeper areas. Moderately common. About 80 at
Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
Australian Shelduck Tadorna
September 2003.
tadornoides
Common. On claypans between PODICIPEDIDAE
No 1 Well and No 2 Well and also
Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus
a pair at Camel Well and No 10
novaehollandiae
Well in August 2000. Three at
Moderately common. About 20 in
No 5 Bore in March 2003. About
July 2003 and about 40 at
100 at Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
September 2003.
September 2003.
Breeding: Many newly hatched to
Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus
almost fully fledged young at
poliocephalus
Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
Common. About 850 bunched
September 2003.
up in rafts at Lindsay Gordon
Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta Lagoon in September 2003.
jubata Lavours inland areas.
Uncommon. One at No 6 Bore in
ARDEIDAE
March 2003.
White-necked Heron A rdea
Grey Teal Anas gracilis
pacifica
Common. On claypans and No 1
Moderately common. On claypans
Well and No 2 Well in August
between No 1 Well and No 2 Well
2000. Several at No 5 Bore and
in August 2000. Between 20-30
about 100 at Pink Claypan in
at Pink Claypan in March 2003.
March 2003. At least 40 at
Scarce: Lour at Lindsay Gordon
Lindsay Gordon Lagoon and 12 at
Lagoon in September 2003.
Tonys Dam near No 5 Bore on the
White-faced Heron A rdea
northern boundary in September
novaehollandiae
2003.
Moderately common. On claypans
Pacific Black Duck Anas between No 1 Well and No 2 Well
superciliosa in August 2000. Ten at Pink
Moderately common. In small Claypan in March 2003. Thirteen
numbers on claypans between at Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
No 1 Well and No 2 Well in September 2003.
August 2000. Five at Pink
Great Egret A rdea alba
Claypan and one at No 5 Bore in
Uncommon. Three on claypans
March 2003.
between No 1 Well and No 2 Well
Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus in August 2000. Casual to the
membranaceus area in good seasons.
Uncommon. Ten at Pink Claypan
THRESKIORNITHIDAE
in March 2003. Six at Lindsay
Gordon Lagoon in September Australian White Ibis Threskiornis
2003. molucca.
132
Uncommon. Up to 8 on claypans in August 2000. A pair has nested
between No 1 Well and No 2 Well near the homestead every year
in August 2000. Rarely recorded since 2003. A nest in a patch of
this far inland. gum trees just before North Well
in 2003.
ACCIPITRIDAE
Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus
Moderately common. One at
caeruleus
homestead in March 2003. One at
Scarce: One in February 2007 and
Site 4 in September 2003. Also
another near Site 14 in June 2007.
recorded in March 2005, August
Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra 2005 and February 2007.
Breeding: No 10 Well in August
melanosternon
2000.
Moderately common in August
2000 and March 2003. An
Collared Sparrowhawk A ccipiter
immature bird at No 2 Bore and a
cirrocephalus
disused nest in Eucalyptus
Uncommon. One at No 1 Well
camaldulensis about 1km east of
and No 2 Well in August 2000.
homestead in March 2003.
Also recorded at the homestead
Several at Lindsay Gordon
area in January and February
Lagoon in September 2003. A pair
2003.
in courtship display above Site 10
on 6 September 2003. Little Eagle Aquila morphnoides
Breeding: A nest at Christmas Uncommon. Two at No 2 Well in
Creek was active in October and August 2000. A juvenile near No
December of 2008 and 2009. 9 Well in 2009.
Carrying sticks near No 2 Well in
Wedge-tailed Eagle A quila audax
December 2009. Two nests with
Moderately common throughout
young in E. camaldulensis east of
in August 2000 and March 2003.
homestead in December 2009.
Several pairs in September 2003.
When examined pellets from
Also recorded in November 2004,
beneath these nests were all
2005, 2007 and 2009.
found to contain feathers of
Yellow-throated Miner. Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis
Uncommon. One in February
Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus
2007 and another in October
Moderately common. Around
2009.
claypans between No 1 Well and
No 2 Well in August 2000. One Swamp Harrier Circus approximans
at homestead and several over Uncommon. One harassing
Pink Claypan in March 2003. waterfowl at Pink Claypan and
Two at Lindsay Gordon Lagoon another flying north over Site 21
and at homestead in September (most likely in transit between
2003. Also recorded in November Lorna Glen and claypans
2004 and March 2005. containing water on Earaheedy,
Breeding: A nest near No 1 Well where one was recorded by Coate
133
et al. on 15 March 2003) in March Black-tailed Native-hen Gallinula
2003. Probably more common in ventralis
good seasons when lakes and Scarce. One at No 6 Bore in March
claypans are full of water. 2003. Nomadic and likely to turn
up around flooded claypans in
FALCONIDAE the future.
Brown Falcon Falco berigora Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Moderately common in August
Very Common. An aggregation of
2000. Uncommon: One near
over 5000 (3 rafts of approx 2700,
Ferguson/Fergie Bore, Dynamite
2000 and 300) at Findsay
Bore, homestead and Site 5 in
Gordon Fagoon in September
March 2003. Moderately common
2003. They stayed well out into
in September 2003. Also recorded
the middle of the lagoon.
in 2005 and 2007.
OTIDIDAE
Australian Kestrel Falco cenchroides
Moderately common in August Australian Bustard A rdeotis
2000. One at Findsay Gordon australis
Fagoon, homestead paddock, air¬ Moderately common: Several
strip and shearing shed in March between Camel Well and No 10
2003. Several in September 2003. Well in August 2000. One
Moderately common in March between Gidgee Bore and Dingo
2005, August 2005, December Bore in March 2003. Several near
2005 and February 2007. homestead in May 2003 and June
2003. One between Site 1 and the
Australian Hobby Falco longipennis
main road to Granite Peak Station
Uncommon. One near No 2 Well
and one between Gidgee and
in August 2000. Moderately
Dynamite Bore in September
common in September 2003 -
2003. Also recorded in March
one at Findsay Gordon Fagoon,
2005, December 2005 and
homestead and shearing shed.
February 2007.
One in August 2005.
Breeding: An adult with one
Breeding: A pair with young in
small chick at No 10 Well on 30
nest in Eucalyptus camaldulensis
May 2000.
near Site 4 in September 2003.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus TURNICIDAE
Uncommon. A single bird at a
Fittle Button-quail Turnix velox
breakaway area to the north in
Uncommon. One at Camel Well
March 2005 and February 2007.
and No 10 Well in August 2000.
Common in grassy flats between
RAFFIDAE
the homestead and lake in spring
Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus 2003 and 2007.
philippensis Breeding: Many with small young
Scarce. One near the homestead in August 2003.
in 2004. A vagrant to the area.
134
SCOLOPACIDAE CHARADRIIDAE
Common Greenshank Tringa Banded Lapwing Vanellus tricolor
nebularia Uncommon. Two near
Uncommon. A small flock of 8 homestead, air-strip and heard at
sheltering amongst Halosarcia Site 11 in March 2003. Two at No
pruinosa in the middle of Pink 6 Bore and Site 5 in September
Claypan. More common (up to 2003. Also recorded in July 2004
45) on claypans to the north on and February 2007.
adjoining Earaheedy in March Breeding: Nesting at the air-strip
2003. in July 2003 and the homestead
area in August 2003. A pair with
BURHINIDAE 4 newly hatched chicks at
Lindsay Gordon Lagoon on 9
Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus
September 2003.
grallarius
Uncommon. Heard calling on air¬
Red-capped Plover Charadrius
strip near homestead in February
ruficapillus
2003 and also in 2004 and 2005.
Moderately common. On claypan
Calling near No 2 Well in
at No 2 Well in August 2000.
February 2010.
Fourteen on Lindsay Gordon
Lagoon in March 2003. Common.
RECURVIROSTRIDAE
Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus
September 2003 (a flock of 30-40
himantopus
with about 60 single birds
Moderately common. On claypans
scattered amongst Halosarcia sp..
between No 1 Well and No 2 Well
herbage at southern end). 13
in August 2000. A flock of 23 on
recorded near Site 11 in June 2007.
Pink Claypan in March 2003.
Breeding: At least 20 sitting on
Also recorded in November 2004
nests. Four nests checked, each
and March 2005.
contained 2 eggs. One female
with 2 newly hatched chicks at
Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus
Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
leucocephalus
September 2003.
Scarce. Two on the claypan at
25°54'20"S 121°18'48"E near No 5
Black-fronted Dotterel Charadrius
Bore on the northern boundary
melanops
in July 2004.
Moderately common on claypans
Red-necked Avocet Recurvirostra between No 1 Well and No 2 Well
novaehollandiae in August 2000. 8 on claypan
Uncommon. A small flock of 6 on between No 4 Well and No 5
Pink Claypan in March 2003 and Well in May 2003. Also recorded
one on Lindsay Gordon Lagoon at Site 22 in June 2007.
in September 2003. Also recorded Breeding: A nest with 3 newly
in July 2004 and November hatched chicks on claypan near
2004. No 2 Well in August 2000.
135
Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus in August 2000, March 2003 and
Rare visitor. One on Pink Claypan September 2003.
in September 2008. Breeding: In the homestead area
in August 2003.
Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys
cinctus Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata
Uncommon. One sheltering Common around homestead and
amongst Halosarcia pruinosa on scarce elsewhere in March 2003.
the edge of Pink Claypan in Not recorded in September 2003.
March 2003. Moderately common. Recorded in homestead area in
25 on claypans between No 4 Lebruary 2007 and also recorded
Well and No 5 Well in June 2003. in 2009. Probably more
widespread in good seasons.
LARIIDAE
PSITTACIDAE
Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae
Galah Cacatua roseicapilla
Uncommon. 3 at Lindsay Gordon
Common throughout in August
Lagoon in September 2003. These
2000, March 2003 and September
were most likely vagrants from
2003.
south-eastern Australia according
Breeding: Some in nesting
to the Handbook of Western
hollows at Site 4 in March 2003.
Australian Birds Vol 1 by Johnstone
Young in nests near homestead
and Storr (page 226).
(adults carrying leaves to tree
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica hollows), Site 4 and No 10 Well
Uncommon. A flock of about 60 in September 2003.
- many in breeding plumage at
Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea
Lindsay Gordon Lagoon in
Scarce: Several in eucalyptus trees
September 2003.
near homestead in July 2003 and
Whiskered Tern Sterna hybrida November 2004.
Moderately common over flooded
Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus
claypans in August 2000.
Moderately common in small
flocks in March 2003 and
COLUMBIDAE
September 2003.
Common Bronzewing Phaps Breeding: In Eucalyptus camaldulenis
chalcoptera near homestead in July and
Moderately common throughout August 2003.
in August 2000. 50-60 attracted
Princess Parrot Polytelis alexandrae
morning and evening to No 6
Uncommon. 4 near Camel Well
Bore in March 2003. 20-30
in August/September 2006 and 3
coming into water at dusk on
on 12 August 2007. A nomadic
Lindsay Gordon Lagoon near Site
parrot which seem to prefer
12 in September 2003.
desert areas with stands of Marble
Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Gum Eucalyptus gongylocarpa,
Moderately common throughout Desert Oak Casuarina decaisneana,
136