Vertebrate Fauna of the Eastern Group, Archipelago of the Recherche, Western Australia

2005·3.5 MB·English

by  L A Smith

VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE EASTERN GROUP,
ARCHIPELAGO OF THE RECHERCHE,
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
By L.A. SMITH, R.E. JOHNSTONE and J. DELL
Western Australian Museum, 49 Kew Street, Welshpool, WA 6986
ABSTRACT
The Eastern Group of the Archipelago of the Recherche
consists of ten named islands, three named rocks and
numerous unnamed islets and rocks. It is the most easterly
group of islands in the Archipelago and the least known
scientifically because of its remoteness. Brief visits by earlier
naturalists and more intensive visits by us in the 1980's and
1990’s have recorded a combined total of 45 species of birds,
4 mammals and 10 reptiles from seven of the ten islands
(Anvil, Daw, Ford, New Year, Pointer, Six Mile and Spindle
Islands). Three islands (Rodondo, Whaleback and Cranny
Islands) have not been visited by naturalists. Data on each
species are presented.
INTRODUCTION being no more than exposed
The islands of the Archipelago rocks. Most of the Archipelago
of the Recherche off the was classified as an A class
southern Western Australian reserve in April 1980.
coast stretch for over 230 European discovery of the
kilometres from about archipelago commenced in 1627
longitude 121°30' (just west of when Nuijts sailed through seas
Esperance) east to longitude to the south of the archipelago.
124°10' and up to 60 km offshore The next visit was by Vancouver
in the west (Termination Island in 1791 who proposed the first
in 34°28'S, 121°59'E) and 30 km name for one of the islands, the
offshore in the east (Daw Island southernmost, Termination
in 33°51'S, 124°04'E). There are Island. However the Archipelago
about 105 islands and 1500 islets remained relatively unexplored,
in the Archipelago, the largest certainly, by naturalists, until
and best vegetated being Middle the visit by Flinders in 1802.
Island (1080 ha, 235 species of Smith and Johnstone (1996) out¬
plants), but many are small and lined the history of subsequent
poorly vegetated and many islets explorations in the Archipelago
have no known plant species by naturalists.
232
The Eastern Group of the species of plant but is a breeding
Archipelago of the Recherche site for six species of seabird
consists of ten named islands, (Johnstone and Smith 1987).
three named rocks (Figure 1) and
numerous unnamed islets and
METHODS
rocks. It is the most easterly
group of islands in the Archi¬ Two of the current authors made
pelago and the least known the following visits to the
scientifically because of its Eastern Group in the 1980's:
remoteness. The nearest islands Johnstone visited Six Mile Island
in an easterly direction are in the in January 1985; Smith and
Nuyts Archipelago off Ceduna, Johnstone visited Six Mile Island
South Australia, 1000 km to the on 30 October 1985 and 23
ENE making the islands of the February 1986, Daw and New
Eastern Group of the Year Islands on 19 February 1986
Archipelago the easternmost and Anvil Island on 23 February
seabird-breeding islands off the and 17 April 1986. They also made
south coast of Western Australia. observations from the sea at Ford
Since 1947 various islands of the Island on 19 February 1986 and
Eastern Group have been visited on Pointer Island on 17 April
by a number of naturalists 1986.
including D.L. Serventy in 1947 In May 1991 the Australian
and 1948, V.N. Serventy and J.R. Geographical Society organized a
Willis in 1950 (see Serventy 1952, major expedition to the
1953; Willis 1953). Since then Archipelago including islands in
personnel from the Department the eastern Group that had not
of Fisheries and Wildlife and, previously been visited by
more recently, from the Depart¬ naturalists. Dell and herpetolo¬
ment of Conservation and Land gist Brad Maryan were members
Management have visited parts of this expedition. They were
of the Eastern Group, but few accompanied by botanist Greg
data have been published from Keighery who described the
these visits. vegetation and listed the
In the mid 1980’s the Western floristics of each island visited
Australian Museum began (Keighery 1995). Dell and Maryan
accumulating data on the Eucla visited Daw and New Year
Division of Western Australia in Islands on 5-7 May 1991 and
preparation for a publication on Spindle, Anvil and Six Mile
the birds of that area (Storr 1987). Island on 7 May 1991.
Part of that program was to visit The following annotated lists of
as many islands as possible, the terrestrial vertebrates of the
particularly small islands which Eastern Group includes
are often important for seabirds. previously published data,
For example Six Mile Island is Western Australian Museum
only 10 ha in area, has only five records (mammals and reptiles)
233
and data collated during our Exposed granite on the east side
visits. and each end slopes steeply into
the sea. The western side has a
sandy beach backed by Spinifex
DESCRIPTION OF ISLANDS
hirsutus and Nitraria billardierei
Anvil Island (33°44’S, 124°05’E, and, towards the southern end,
area 25 ha, 20 m high). Two low there is a low limestone cliff.
granite hills are separated by a Protected lowlands are covered
vegetated valley with a beach on with low, dense scrub dominated
each side. The three low heath by Paraserianthes lophantha and
and herbfield vegetation Atriplex which is tallest (up to 2
associations were described by m) and densest at the base of the
Keighery (1995) who listed 27 northern peak. More exposed
plant species recorded for the areas are carpeted with
island. Carpobrotus and Sporobolus
Daw Island (33°51'S, 124°04'E, 2.7 virginicus. Willis (1954) recorded
km long, 180 ha, 141 m high) has a 46 species of plant for the island
granite base with a low limestone (but not Melaleuca lanceolata). We
saddle at the central isthmus also made a small plant
which narrows to about 100 m. collection which included a
Figure 1. Positions and names of Islands in the Eastern Group, Archipelago of the
Recherche.
234
specimen of Melaleuca lanceolata and is topped with a sloping
taken from a small, tall, dense plateau. The vegetation appears
stand in the middle of the island. to be almost exclusively
We also found a freshwater Carpobrotus virescens.
seepage at the foot of the
Six Mile Island (33°38'S, 123°59'E)
northern (tallest) peak. Fairbridge
is a granite rock with five plant
and Serventy (1954, p. 14) show a
species (Keighery 1995).
photograph of the island.
Incorrectly called Six Mile Rock
Ford Island (33°46'S, 124°02’E, area by Keighery (1995).
15 ha, 0.6 km long, 27 m high).
Spindle Island (33°46'S, 124°10'E) is
Smith and Johnstone passed
mostly bare granite and has only
within 200 m of this island en
four plant species (Keighery
route to Daw Island in February.
1995).
It is similar to Pointer Island but
Other islands in the Eastern
domed, has extensive areas of
Group (Rodondo (incorrectly
bare granite, and little vegetation
called Rodona on some maps),
(mostly Carpobrotus). From that
Whaleback and Cranny Islands)
distance the soil build-up on
apparently have not been visited
Pointer and Ford Islands did not
by naturalists.
appear deep enough to support
breeding colonies of burrowing
petrels.
RESULTS
New Year Island (33°51'S, 124°07'E,
BIRDS
area 12 ha, 0. 7 km long, 32 m
high). About two thirds is mostly
Pacific Black Duck Anas
exposed granite and the tallest
superciliosa
vegetation is less than 50 cm tall.
Six Mile Island - ten in January
Keighery (1995) described the
1985. Mr L. Spurr of Israelite Bay
three main vegetation types and
informed R.E. Johnstone in 1985
listed 23 plant species recorded.
that Black Ducks visit other
There is a small area of limestone
islands in the Eastern Group.
on the southeast end (opposite
Daw Island) that provides the
Grey Teal Anas gracilis
only topsoil deep enough for
Six Mile Island eleven in May
-
burrowing seabirds. It is also the
1991.
tallest vegetated area with
thickets of Nitraria billardierei Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis
over Threlkedia diffusa (Keighery novaehollandiae grisea
1995). Anvil Island - nine in February
Pointer Island (33°43’S, 124°05'E, 1986, five in April 1986, and nine
area 20 ha, 1 km long, 29 m high). live and four dead in May 1991.
Smith and Johnstone made an Daw Island fifteen on
-
unsuccessful attempt to land on Carpobrotus-covered slopes in
this island which is mostly bare February 1986, six live and ten
granite. It has very steep sides dead birds in May 1991. Serventy
235
(1952) counted 12 in November. nest with two eggs, one nest with
New Year Island one live and a dead chick and a chipped egg,
-
four dead in May 1991. one nest with two almost fully
fledged young, and one nest with
Six Mile Island - five in May 1991.
two newly hatched black chicks
The large number of dead birds
with white bellies. None
on these, as well as other islands
recorded in February 1986. Two
examined in May 1991 was
adults under rock in May 1991.
probably the result of starvation
Daw Island - there were 300-500
due to the prolonged drought
burrows scattered among the
which had markedly affected the
Fleshy-footed Shearwater
vegetation of many islands at the
burrows in February 1986. Two
time. In some places whole plant
moulting adults were under
associations were dead and others
granite slabs among
were markedly stressed and close
Paraserianthes lophantha and
to death. Vegetative growth
Carpobrotus and a downy chick
would have been severely
was in one nest. At least 30
reduced for several months and
burrows under low shrubs were
may have resulted in starvation
occupied by adults in May 1991.
in many geese. About 40% of
Recorded from Daw 1. in
geese recorded throughout the
Serventy and Whittell (1951).
archipelago in May were dead
birds. New Year Island - we found a few
feathers at the mouth of a deep
Little Penguin Eudyptula minor burrow in February.
novaehollandiae
Anvil Island - two feathered
Yellow-nosed Albatross Diomedea
chicks under Nitraria billardierei
chlororhynchos
in February 1986, about 12
One at sea between Anvil 1. and
burrows under Nitraria, several Point Dempster in April 1986,
empty burrows under Disphyma one at sea between Daw and
clavellatum in May 1991. Spindle Is, one between Spindle
Six Mile Island - nesting all over and Anvil Is, and one between
the island on 25 January 1985 but Six Mile 1. and Point Malcolm in
most nests at the southern end May 1991. More abundant in seas
where the granite is more to west of Point Malcolm in May
jumbled. All nests examined and in June and July (Serventy
contained adults or chicks. 1952).
Chicks ranged from half grown
downy young to fully feathered
Black-browed Albatross
young. Young often sitting in
Diomedea melanophris
crevices together (groups up to One at sea between Daw and
eight). Thirty-three young Spindle Is, one between Spindle
counted. Forty-five adults under and Anvil Is, and two between
slabs of granite in October 1985. Six Mile Island and Point
There were 22 empty nests, one Malcolm in May 1991. More
236
abundant in seas to west of Point December. We doubt that
Malcolm in May 1991. Serventy would have
overlooked such a large colony
Shy Albatross Diomedea cauta so it would appear that the
D.L. Serventy saw one off Daw 1. species has greatly increased
in July 1947 (Serventy 1952). since the 1950’s.
Cape Petrel Daption capense
Little Shearwater Puff inis
One dead on Six Mile Island in
assimilis
January 1985. Two over seas
Anvil Island we found 700-800
between Six Mile Island and Cape -
of their burrows, mostly under
Pasley in May.
Carpobrotus and Atriplex on the
eastern side of the island in
Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma
February 1986. Six burrows
macroptera
excavated were empty but one
Several near Daw 1. in February
adult was heard calling from a
1986.
burrow. On our return in April
Fleshy-footed Shearwater 1986 many of the burrows were
Puff inis carneipes freshly excavated but unoc¬
Anvil Island - a few empty cupied. A few burrows were
burrows when a skeleton was freshly excavated in May 1991
collected in May 1991. and a skeleton was collected.
Daw Island - Serventy (1952) Daw Island - two skulls were
recorded only a few burrows in collected in the Melaleuca
November 1950 but in February lanceolata thicket in February
1986 we estimated that there 1986.
were 5,000-10,000 breeding pairs New Year Island - a few P.
present mainly in sandy areas. All assimilis-sized burrows in shallow
12 burrows examined contained soil on limestone in February
an adult brooding a chick. In 1986.
May two colonies of hundreds of
burrows were located. About 10% White-faced Storm Petrel
of the first burrows had a large Oceanites marinus
chick with some down on lower Anvil Island we found 200-300
-
abdomen and head and fresh burrows in groups of 30-100 in
adult tracks after rain. The February 1986. One of the five
second colony had abandoned burrows examined contained a
burrows. About 12 adults were feathered juvenile with down on
seen leaving the island at 0600 its neck and around the vent.
hrs on 6 May 1991.
Daw Island - Serventy (1952)
This species begins renovating reported many burrows in
burrows from the end of November 1950 but we found no
September to the beginning of sign of their burrows in February
November and egg laying begins 1986 or May 1991, although we
in late November to mid did not search the whole island.
237
New Year Island - five empty tained skeletons of three leather
burrows in May 1991 were jacket fish. V.N. Serventy
probably this species. (Serventy 1952) found an old
nest on the northern peak.
Australasian Gannet Sula Another nest half way up the
serrator peak contained a large young
Four adults were seen between bird.
Point Dempster and Daw 1. in
Pointer Island - one adult in
February 1986 and 19 adults and
February 1986.
two immatures between Point
Dempster and Anvil I. in April Six Mile Island - previously
1986. Seventeen adults and one known to nest (L. Spurr pers.
immature were seen en route to comm.).
Anvil 1. in April 1986 and 14
Australian Kestrel Falco
adults and 2 immatures were
cenchroides
seen on our return from Anvil 1.
Daw Island one in February and
to Point Dempster the same day. -
two in May 1991. V.N. Serventy
One was seen near Anvil 1. and
saw one in November 1950
four near Six Mile 1. in May 1991.
(Serventy 1952).
Much more abundant in seas to
west in May 1991.
Buff-banded Rail Qallirallus
phillippensis
Black-faced Cormorant Anvil Island one in Nitraria
-
Phalacrocorax fuscescens billardierei thicket and a dead
Six Mile Island - twenty on small bird nearby in May 1991. An
rock at eastern end of island in
orange-legged rail about 25 cm
October 1985. One seen en route
tall at the edge of a Nitraria
from Israelite Bay to Anvil I. in
thicket in February (L. Spurr
April 1986.
pers. comm.) was probably this
species.
White-faced Heron Ardea
novaehollandiae Daw Island - two in a 2m tall
Daw Island - D.L. Serventy saw Paraserianthes lophantha thicket at
one in a pool on granite in July the base of the granite hill at the
1947 (Serventy 1952). eastern end of the island in
February 1986. V.N. Serventy
Eastern Reef Heron Ardea sacra (Serventy (1952) recorded one in
Spindle Island one in May 1991. November 1950.
-
White-breasted Sea Eagle Spotless Crake Porzana tabuensis
Haliaeetus lencogaster Anvil Island one in Nitraria
-
Anvil Island - two adults and a billardierei thicket in May 1991.
brownish juvenile at a nest in
Daw Island - three (one of them
February 1986.
collected) in February 1986, three
Daw Island - two pairs in May in Paraserianthes lophantha
1991. Feeding platforms con¬ thickets in May 1991.
238
Brown Quail Coturnix Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
ypsilophora Anvil Island - three in May 1991.
Daw Island - birds attributed to
this species were seen by V.N. Red -necked Stint Calidris
Serventy (Serventy 1952). rufficollis
Anvil Island - five in May 1991.
Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa Six Mile Island one in January
-
brevipes 1985, one in October 1985 and 30
Six Mile Island - one with Ruddy in May 1991. A specimen collected
Turnstones in February 1986. on 23 February 1986 (CS1RO band
032-49361) was banded at Pelican
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria Point, Swan River, Perth on 15
interpres December 1984 by the Western
Six Mile Island - one in October Australian Wader Study Group.
1985, 35 in February 1986 and
four in May 1991. Red-capped Plover Charadrius
Spindle Island - fifteen in May ruficapillus
1991. Anvil Island - one in February
1986,15 on rocks in May 1991.
Common Sandpiper Tringa New Year Island - one in May 1991.
hypoleucos
Six Mile Island - four in May 1991.
Six Mile Island - two in January
1985.
Greater Sand Plover Charadrius
leschenaultii
Little Stint Calidris minuta Six Mile Island - eight in October
Six Mile Island - 12 with Grey¬ 1985.
tailed Tattler and Ruddy
Turnstones in February 1986. Hooded Plover Charadrius
rubricollis
Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus Six Mile Island - two in January
fuliginosus 1985, one collected in February
Anvil Island - two in February 1986.
1986 and April 1986, three on
rocks in May 1991. Brown Skua Catharacta
Daw Island - six in February and antarctica lonnbergi
six in May. V.N. Serventy saw two Six Mile Island - three over seas
in November 1950 (Serventy close to island in May 1991.
1952).
Arctic Skua Stercorarius
New Year Island - two in May 1991.
parasiticus
Six Mile Island - seven in January Daw Island - D.L. Serventy saw
1985, thirteen in October 1985, one off island on 16 July 1947
seven in February 1986, eight in (Serventy 1952).
May 1991. All were at the splash
Six Mile Island - three over seas
zone on granite.
close to island and three further
Spindle Island - two in May 1991. out in May 1991.
239
Silver Gull Larus Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
novaehollandiae Anvil Island - two in February
Anvil Island - nineteen in 1986.
February 1986, six in May 1991. Daw Island - one seen in
Daw Island - 15 recorded in November 1950 (Serventy 1952).
February 1986 including 3 Six Mile Island - Five in January
immature birds, a total of 14 in 1985, two pairs each with 2 eggs
May 1991. One in November 1950 in October 1985. Nests were in
(Serventy 1952). small depressions in granite.
New Year Island — one in May
1991. Crested Tern Sterna bergii
Anvil Island - one in February
Six Mile Island - about 50 adults
1986 and two in May 1991.
on island in October 1985. There
were two separate breeding Daw Island - 21 in seas close to
groups among low vegetation island in May 1991. V.N. Serventy
saw a flock of 200-300 in
between jointing planes in
granite. The colony near the November 1950 (Serventy 1952).
centre of the island had four New Year Island - two in February
nests comprising one with 3 eggs, 1986.
two with 2 eggs, and one with a
Ford Island - two in February
downy chick. There were also
1986.
eight dead chicks and 13 runner
Six Mile Island - fifty in January
chicks with buff edges to
1985, 140 in October 1985. About
feathers and down on head. Ten
1000 breeding pairs in February
adults in May 1991.
1986. Chicks ranged from newly
Spindle Island - six in May 1991. hatched up to black-capped
speckled birds almost ready to
Pacific Gull Larus pacificus fly. L. Spurr (pers comm.) told
Anvil Island - an immature in Johnstone and Smith that adults
February and three in May 1991 were incubating on 8 January.
Daw Island four adults and five The breeding site of these
-
Crested Terns was mapped by
immature birds in February 1986,
a total of 32 seen in May 1991. Johnstone and Smith (1987) but
V.N. Serventy found two nests the relevant details were
inadvertently omitted from the
on Daw 1, one with two eggs
(chicks heard cheeping) and the text.
other with one egg (Serventy A total of 14 were seen while
1952). travelling between Six Mile
New Year Island - one in May 1991. Island and Point Malcolm in May
1991.
Six Mile Island - two adults in
October and two adults in Spindle Island - one in May 1991.
February 1986.
Fairy Tern Sterna nereis
Spindle Island - three in May 1991. Six Mile Island - about 45
240
breeding pairs in two areas of island in February 1986. Pellets
Carpobrotus on 25 January 1985. around the rock contained the
Four nests had one egg, seven had remains of Rattus fuscipes. Pellets,
two and nine fresh empty scrapes presumably from this species, in
were counted. Two adults were cavern on northern peak in May
flying above and around the 1991 also contained bones of two
island on 30 October 1985. Eight Rattus fuscipes.
adults and one young still
begging for food in February
Welcome Swallow Hirundo
1986.
neoxena
Several birds seen between Six Anvil Island four in April 1986,
-
Mile Island and Point Malcolm six feeding over island in May
on 7 May need confirmation as 1991.
Storr (1987) considers that birds
Daw Island - 10-15 in February
in winter could be migrating
1986, 18 feeding over island and
Little Terns Sterna sinensis. 40 sheltering among rocks in
May 1991. V.N. Serventy (Serventy
Rock Parrot Neophema
1952) recorded Welcome
petrophila
Swallows in November 1950.
Anvil Island twenty-eight,
-
mostly in pairs sheltering under New Year Island - two feeding
granite boulders in January above splashing waves in May
1985, six in Nitraria in February 1991.
1986, six feeding on Enchylaena Six Mile Island two in January
-
and three feeding on male 1985, three in October 1985 and
flowers of Atriplex cinerea and nine feeding over island in May
Olearia axillaris flower buds in 1991.
May 1991.
Daw Island - three perched on Red Wattlebird Anthochaera
rocks among Carpobrotus in carunculata
February 1986, a total of 34 in Anvil Island one among rocks in
-
May 1991. V.N. Serventy saw five May 1991.
in November 1950 (Serventy
1952). Grey-breasted White-eye
New Year Island ten feeding on Zosterops lateralis
-
Calocephalus brownii in May 1991. Anvil Island - heard in Nitraria in
D.L. Serventy saw 100 in June February, 14 feeding on Nitraria
berries and two feeding among
1948 (Serventy 1952).
Disphyma in May 1991.
Six Mile Island two in October
-
1985, 44 in February 1986 and Daw Island - several groups in
dense scrub in February, a total
two in May 1991.
of eight in Nitraria and four in
Barn Owl Tyto alba Paraserianthes lophantha in May
Daw Island - one flushed from a 1991. Recorded by V. N. Serventy
granite ledge at the east end of (Serventy 1952).
241