BYFORD RAIL EXTENSION

ASSESSMENT OF POSSIBLE BLACK COCKATOO BREEDING HOLLOWS.

Tony Kirkby.

March 2021.

Introduction.

The purpose of the survey was to conduct a detailed assessment of possible black cockatoo breeding hollows located in previous black cockatoo habitat surveys undertaken by AECOM (2020) and Bamford Consulting Ecologists (2021) for the Byford Rail Extension. A total of 74 trees were inspected. These included trees with possible breeding hollows and trees that could not be accessed (due to land access constraints) from the AECOM (2020) assessment and trees ranked 1, 2 or 3 by Bamford (2021). A subset of trees ranked 4 by Bamford (2021) were also assessed to verify this ranking.

The detailed hollow inspection was undertaken by Tony Kirkby who has over twenty years of experience completing black cockatoo surveys in the south-west of Western Australia.

Methods.

Possible breeding hollows were initially inspected from ground level for signs of use such as chewing or wear at the entrance. Hollows were also assessed for suitability in relation to size, height from ground and angle of hollow.

Hollows were then raked with a pole to check for the presence of a female black cockatoo which may be incubating an egg or brooding a chick. Hollows which appeared suitable were then inspected using a pole camera where it was safe to do so.

Limitations.

Trees 192, 345 and 643 with hollows containing European honey bees Apis mellifera hives either in the hollow or close by were not inspected with a pole camera.

Timing.

The survey took place in October – November 2020, during the breeding season of Carnaby’s and Baudin’s Cockatoo, which is between approximately August-December (egg laying dates). Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (FRTBC) are known to breed in most months of the year (not every year) with peaks in Spring and Autumn and were breeding locally at the time of the survey (T. Kirkby pers. comm.).

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General black cockatoo information.

Three species of black cockatoo occur in the south west of Western Australia, Carnaby’s Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris, Baudin’s Cockatoo C. baudinii and the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo C. banksii naso. Carnaby’s and Baudin’s Cockatoos are known collectively as ‘white-tailed black- cockatoos’.

Both Baudin’s and Carnaby’s Cockatoos are listed (Endangered) under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act), and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The FRTBC is listed as Vulnerable under the BC Act and the EPBC Act.

Possible breeding trees in the survey area.

To be large enough to provide a breeding hollow for black cockatoos most trees need to have reached a Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of 500mm. The exceptions are Salmon Gum Eucalyptus salmonophloia and Wandoo Eucalyptus wandoo which require 300mm DBH (Department of the Environment and Energy, 2017). The hollows need to have an entrance size of at least 120mm diameter and lead to a suitably sized and sheltered nest chamber of approximately 300mm diameter or larger.

Tree species at the survey area which could provide a black cockatoo breeding hollow are:

• Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata. • Flooded Gum E. rudis. • Wandoo E. wandoo. • Marri Corymbia calophylla. • Lemon-scented Gum C. citriodora (introduced exotic eucalypt). • Unidentified exotic eucalypt species.

Notes on local tree species which could provide a breeding hollow at the survey area.

Jarrah. Provides around 6% of black cockatoo hollows in the Jarrah/Marri forest.

Flooded Gum. Provides limited hollows. From approximately 500 black cockatoo breeding hollows the author knows of only two in this species.

Wandoo. A major hollow provider in some regions but limited in distribution at the survey area.

Marri. Provides around 90% of black cockatoo breeding hollows in the Jarrah/Marri forest.

Lemon-scented Gum and introduced eucalypt species. Although it may be possible that these species could provide hollows in the future, they are probably too young to do so at the present time. For example, the age at which the south-western Jarrah and Marri trees are able to form a hollow large enough for a black cockatoo breeding hollow is a minimum of 119 years and a mean estimated age of 222 years (Jarrah) and 220 years (Marri). (Johnstone, Kirkby and Sarti 2017).

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Results.

A total of 74 trees were inspected and of these 49 contained hollows of which 4 are likely breeding hollows.

Trees with hollows.

• Marri – 19. • Jarrah – 2. • Flooded Gum – 14. • Wandoo – 2. • Lemon-scented Gum – 7. • Introduced eucalypt species – 1. • Eucalypt species (unidentified) – 1. • Dead Stag – 1. • Artificial hollows – 2.

None of the trees ranked 4 by Bamford Consulting Ecologists contained hollows suitable for black cockatoos therefore confirming the previous survey effort.

Hollows. See Table 1 for Tree ID, details of tree species, DBH, and suitability as breeding hollows.

Marri.

A total of 23 hollows in 19 Marri trees were inspected. 21 of these were natural hollows and two were artificial nesting tubes.

Four of the hollows were likely black cockatoo breeding hollows as they had signs of use such as chewing at the entrance and internally (Tree ID 309, 311, 315 and 326) (See figures). One of these had also been used by a duck species (old duck eggs present) (Tree ID 326).

Two hollows (Tree ID 303 and 352) contained Galahs Eolophus roseicapilla. Although there is overlap in use of hollows by Galahs and black cockatoos, the hollows were too small (<120mm) at the entrance to be black cockatoo breeding hollows.

Three hollows (Tree ID 320, 323 and 528) contained feral bees and one of these was large enough at the entrance (>120mm) to be used by black cockatoos but the internal dimensions are unknown (Tree ID 323).

Two hollows were blocked (not hollows) and had no depth (Tree ID 53 and 611).

One hollow with large hole at the hollow floor level and was not viable. (Tree 312).

Two hollows had no floor and were open to the ground (Tree ID 325 and 350).

One hollow was possibly an old black cockatoo breeding hollow but had lost the limb above the hollow entrance making the remaining hollow too exposed to be a breeding hollow (Tree ID 659).

One hollow was too low and too open to be used by black cockatoos (Tree ID 653).

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Tree 351. Example of blocked hollow with no depth.

Tree 350. Example of hollow open to the ground.

Two hollows were unsuitable with incorrect angle. (Tree 323).

Three hollows were too small (Tree ID 98, 241 and 375).

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Two were artificial nesting tubes which showed no signs of previous use (Tree ID 310 and 312) (see figure).

Jarrah.

Two hollows. One small Galah hollow which was too small to be used by black cockatoos (Tree ID 471) and the second hollow blocked (not a hollow) (Tree ID 351).

Flooded Gum.

Five trees with numerous small hollows suitable for smaller parrots such as Australian Ringneck Barnardius zonarious and Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus (both present during the survey) (Tree ID 216, 217, 223, 306 and 609).

Two trees with Galahs present in two hollows, one of which may be large enough to be used as a black cockatoo breeding hollow (Tree ID 643). The second was too small (Tree ID 465).

Three trees with no suitable hollows present, incorrect hollow angles (Tree ID 215, 364 and 645).

Three trees with hollows occupied by feral bees (Tree ID 192, 197 and 211) and one of these is possibly large enough for a black cockatoo but is marginal in size and unlikely to be a breeding hollow (Tree ID 192).

One tree with suitable hollow entrance but no internal floor space (Tree ID 666).

Wandoo.

Two hollows, both of which are too small to be a black cockatoo breeding hollows (Tree ID 368 and 374). One also had feral bees present (Tree ID 374).

Lemon-scented Gum.

None with hollows of a suitable size to be used by black cockatoos.

Introduced eucalypt species.

No suitable hollows

Eucalypt species (unidentified).

No suitable hollows

Dead Stag.

Has hollow with good entrance but no hollow floor (Tree ID 150).

Summary of suitable hollows.

Four hollows located in Marri were likely black cockatoo breeding hollows. Tree ID 309, 311, 315 and 326. All showed signs of use such as chewing at the entrance and internally. See figures below.

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Tree 309 showing external chewing at hollow entrance.

Tree 309 showing internal chewing.

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Tree 311 showing chewing at hollow entrance and internal chewing.

Tree 315 showing chewing at entrance.

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Tree 315 showing internal chewing.

Tree 326 showing internal chewing and wear. Old duck eggs in nest chamber.

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A hollow located in Flooded Gum (Tree ID 643) and being used by Galahs had a suitable entrance for black cockatoos but is possibly unsuitable internally given the scarcity of black cockatoo sized hollows in Flooded Gum. Feral bees were also present in this tree which prevented further inspection with a pole camera.

Tree 73. Entrance large enough for black cockatoos but was being used by Galahs.

Feral bees were present in a hollow in Marri, tree ID 323. The entrance was a suitable size to be used by black cockatoos but showed no previous use and is probably not a viable hollow.

Feral bees also present in a Flooded Gum hollow, tree ID 192. The hollow entrance is possibly large enough for a black cockatoo but is marginal and shows no signs of previous use. It is unlikely to be a black cockatoo breeding hollow.

Two artificial hollows which were of a suitable size to be used by black cockatoos but showed no signs of use such as chewing on the sacrificial wooden post (Tree ID 310 and 312). These have almost certainly never been used.

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Artificial hollow with no signs of previous use.

Discussion.

Four hollows in Marri trees located at the survey area are highly likely to be black cockatoo breeding hollows (Refer Figure 1). Given the local distribution of black cockatoos they are probably FRTBC hollows though it is possible they could be utilised by Carnaby’s Cockatoo.

FRTBC have generally not taken to nesting tubes or boxes (T. Kirkby pers. Comm.). Carnaby’s Cockatoos readily utilise artificial nesting tubes at many sites in the south-west of WA. and would probably do so at the survey area if they were present as a breeding species.

References.

Johnstone, Kirkby and Sarti 2013. The breeding biology of the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii naso Gould in south-western Australia. I. Characteristics of nest trees and nest hollows. Pacific Conservation Biology.

Department of the Environment and Energy. Revised draft referral guidelines for three threatened black cockatoo species, 2017.

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Table 1: Summary of results from hollow inspection

Tree ID Tree DBH Comments 53 Corymbia calophylla 500 TK: Small blocked hollow 98 Corymbia calophylla 850 TK: Hollow too small for black cockatoos 142 Corymbia calophylla 900 TK: No hollows 150 Stag 500 TK: Hollow has no floor 181 Corymbia calophylla 730 TK: No hollows present 182 Stag 560 TK: No hollows present 192 Eucalyptus rudis 800 TK: Feral bees in hollow. Entrance just large enough for black cockatoo but unlikey 197 Eucalyptus rudis 650 TK: Feral bees in hollow. Too small for black cockatoos 200 Eucalyptus rudis 650 TK: No hollows 211 Eucalyptus rudis 860 TK: Feral bees in hollow too small for black cockatoos 215 Eucalyptus rudis 900 TK: No suitable hollows 216 Eucalyptus rudis 1200 TK: Small hollows suitable for small parrots only 217 Eucalyptus rudis 500 TK: Small hollow. Too low and small to be used by black cockatoos 223 Eucalyptus rudis 1130 TK: Low branch hollow. Too small and low to be used by black cockatoos 226 Introduced 700 TK: No hollows present 227 Introduced 700 TK: No hollows present 228 Introduced 700 TK: No hollows present 229 Introduced 500 TK: No hollows present 230 Introduced 750 TK: No hollows present 231 Introduced 850 TK: No hollows present 232 Introduced 550 TK: No hollows present 233 Introduced 600 TK: No hollows present 234 Corymbia calophylla 750 TK: No hollows present 241 Corymbia calophylla 600 TK: No suitable hollows 242 Corymbia calophylla 930 TK: Unable to access, but unlikely to have suitable hollows 245 Corymbia calophylla 700 TK: No hollows present

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Tree ID Tree DBH Comments 273 Introduced 570 TK: Tiny hollow. Too small for black cockatoo 299 Corymbia calophylla 900 TK: No hollows 303 Corymbia calophylla 950 TK: Small Galah hollow 306 Eucalyptus rudis 800 TK: Hollows too small for black cockatoos 309 Corymbia calophylla 600 TK: Heavily chewed hollow entrance. Likely black cockatoo hollow. Also used by ducks 310 Corymbia calophylla 500 TK: Artificial hollow. Has never been used. Erected ca five years ago 311 Corymbia calophylla 600 TK: Likely black cockatoo hollow TK: Artificial hollow. Has never been used. Erected ca five years ago. Also natural hollow which has 312 Corymbia calophylla 900 large hole at floor level and is unsuitable 315 Corymbia calophylla 900 TK: Heavy chewing at hollow entrance. Likely black cockatoo hollow 320 Corymbia calophylla 600 TK: Has feral bees but is not deep enough to be black cockatoo hollow 323 Corymbia calophylla 600 TK: Large hollow with suitable entrance but has feral bees. Also two hollows with incorrect angle 325 Corymbia calophylla 950 TK: Hollow has no floor 326 Corymbia calophylla 550 TK: Likely black cockatoo hollow. Heavy chewing at entrance. Also used by ducks 327 Corymbia calophylla 700 TK: No hollows 332 Corymbia citriodora 1200 TK: No hollow large enough to be used by black cockatoos 344 Eucalyptus wandoo 400 TK: No hollows 346 Eucalyptus rudis 700 TK: No hollows 350 Corymbia calophylla 500 TK: Hollow has no floor 351 Eucalyptus marginata 700 TK: Blocked hollow 352 Corymbia calophylla 600 TK: Small Galah hollow 364 Eucalyptus rudis 1000 TK: No hollows suitable for black cockatoos 368 Eucalyptus wandoo 600 TK: Hollow too small for black cockatoos and has feral bees 374 Eucalyptus wandoo 900 TK: Hollow too small for black cockatoos 375 Corymbia calophylla 600 TK: No suitable hollows 428 Corymbia citriodora 1400 TK: No hollows TK: Very small hollow. Probably Little Corella in this area (many in this area). Too small for black 432 Corymbia citriodora 1700 cockatoo

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Tree ID Tree DBH Comments 433 Corymbia citriodora 1200 TK: No hollows suitable for black cockatoos. Large hollows not known from this species in WA 448 Corymbia citriodora 800 TK: No suitable hollows 452 Corymbia citriodora 2000 TK: No hollows large enough for black cockatoo 457 Corymbia calophylla 550 TK: No hollows 465 Eucalyptus rudis 900 TK: Small Galah hollow. Too small for black cockatoo 471 Eucalyptus marginata 1100 TK: Small Galah hollow 516 Corymbia citriodora 800 TK: No hollows suitable for black cockatoos. Large hollows not known from this species in WA 528 Corymbia calophylla 700 TK: Feral bees in tiny hollow. Too small for black cockatoos 542 Corymbia citriodora 800 TK: No hollows suitable for black cockatoos. Large hollows not known from this species in WA 548 Pinus radiata 800 TK: No hollows 553 Eucalyptus sp. 650 TK: Hollows far too low and small to be used by black cockatoos 554 Eucalyptus rudis 1200 TK: No hollows 605 Eucalyptus rudis 1200 TK: No hollows 607 Eucalyptus rudis 600 TK: No hollows 609 Eucalyptus rudis 1000 TK: Has hollow too small for black cockatoo 611 Corymbia calophylla 1400 TK: Has large blocked hollow in fork. Not suitable for black cockatoos 615 Corymbia calophylla 500 TK: No hollows 643 Eucalyptus rudis 1200 TK: Large Galah hollow. Large enough for black cockatoo 645 Eucalyptus rudis 900 TK: No hollows suitable for black cockatoos 653 Corymbia calophylla 800 TK: Has good floor space but has never been used. Too low and is unlikely to be a breeding hollow TK: Has suitable floor space and was possibly a black cockatoo breeding hollow. Limb above nest 659 Corymbia calophylla 700 chamber on ground and is now too exposed and shallow 666 Eucalyptus rudis 600 TK: Has suitable entrance size but hole in hollow floor

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Legend Assessed Trees C h a m p io n D r Other Assessed Trees Major Road Minor Road Consolidated Fauna Assessment Area

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Railway Av A

Streich Av

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BYFORD 6(!

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457 465 Abbey Rd

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Paper Size ISO A3 Public Transport Authority Project No. 12532927 0 50 100 150 200 Byford Rail Extension Revision No. 0 Date 11/03/2021 Metres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Page 1 of 7 Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 o Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Assessed Trees FIGURE 1 G:\61\12532927\GIS\Maps\Working\12532927 - PTA Byford\12532927 - PTA Byford - Consolidated Fauna.aprx\12532927_001_AccessedTrees_Rev0 Data source: GHD: Project boundary - 20200921; PTA - Assessed Trees - 20210302 ; LGATE: Roads, Cadastre - 20200927, Imagery accessed on 20210311. Created by: mmikkonen Print date: 11 Mar 2021 - 09:50 Legend Assessed Trees Other Assessed Trees Major Road Minor Road Consolidated Fauna Assessment Area

Forrest Rd

Third Rd

Church Av

471 Fourth Rd

South Western Hwy Western South

Seventh Rd

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BYFORD 6(!

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Wungong Rd Wungong

HarberDr 273

Paper Size ISO A3 Public Transport Authority Project No. 12532927 0 50 100 150 200 Byford Rail Extension Revision No. 0 Date 11/03/2021 Metres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Page 2 of 7 Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 o Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Assessed Trees FIGURE 1 G:\61\12532927\GIS\Maps\Working\12532927 - PTA Byford\12532927 - PTA Byford - Consolidated Fauna.aprx\12532927_001_AccessedTrees_Rev0 Data source: GHD: Project boundary - 20200921; PTA - Assessed Trees - 20210302 ; LGATE: Roads, Cadastre - 20200927, Imagery accessed on 20210311. Created by: mmikkonen Print date: 11 Mar 2021 - 09:50 Legend 273 Assessed Trees Other Assessed Trees Black Cockatoo Breeding Hollows Artificial Nesting Tubes Major Road

Harber Dr Minor Road Track Consolidated Fauna Assessment Area

S o u th W e s te rn H w y

1 Wungong Rd

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3 364 4

368 374 332 5

BYFORD 375 6(!

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344 320 150 346 310 352 350

351 325

309 312 98 181 315 182

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327 326 323

E le v e n th R d 311 303

245 242 241

Paper Size ISO A3 Public Transport Authority Project No. 12532927 0 50 100 150 200 Byford Rail Extension Revision No. 0 Date 11/03/2021 Metres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Page 3 of 7 Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 o Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Assessed Trees FIGURE 1 G:\61\12532927\GIS\Maps\Working\12532927 - PTA Byford\12532927 - PTA Byford - Consolidated Fauna.aprx\12532927_001_AccessedTrees_Rev0 Data source: GHD: Project boundary - 20200921; PTA - Assessed Trees - 20210302 ; LGATE: Roads, Cadastre - 20200927, Imagery accessed on 20210311. Created by: mmikkonen Print date: 11 Mar 2021 - 09:50 245 242 241 Legend Assessed Trees Other Assessed Trees Major Road Minor Road Track Consolidated Fauna Assessment Area

234 232 233 231 229 230 226 228 227 299 E le v e n th R d

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516

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BYFORD 6(! 223 217211 216 200 7 192 306 215 197 666

615 607 605 611 609

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Paper Size ISO A3 Public Transport Authority Project No. 12532927 0 50 100 150 200 Byford Rail Extension Revision No. 0 Date 11/03/2021 Metres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Page 4 of 7 Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 o Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Assessed Trees FIGURE 1 G:\61\12532927\GIS\Maps\Working\12532927 - PTA Byford\12532927 - PTA Byford - Consolidated Fauna.aprx\12532927_001_AccessedTrees_Rev0 Data source: GHD: Project boundary - 20200921; PTA - Assessed Trees - 20210302 ; LGATE: Roads, Cadastre - 20200927, Imagery accessed on 20210311. Created by: mmikkonen Print date: 11 Mar 2021 - 09:50 Legend Assessed Trees 554 Other Assessed Trees Major Road Minor Road 553 Track Consolidated Fauna Assessment Area

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528

542

1 Thomas Rd 2

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BYFORD 6(!

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South Western Hwy Western South

659

Paper Size ISO A3 Public Transport Authority Project No. 12532927 0 50 100 150 200 Byford Rail Extension Revision No. 0 Date 11/03/2021 Metres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Page 5 of 7 Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 o Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Assessed Trees FIGURE 1 G:\61\12532927\GIS\Maps\Working\12532927 - PTA Byford\12532927 - PTA Byford - Consolidated Fauna.aprx\12532927_001_AccessedTrees_Rev0 Data source: GHD: Project boundary - 20200921; PTA - Assessed Trees - 20210302 ; LGATE: Roads, Cadastre - 20200927, Imagery accessed on 20210311. Created by: mmikkonen Print date: 11 Mar 2021 - 09:50 Legend Assessed Trees 659 Other Assessed Trees Major Road Minor Road Track Consolidated Fauna Assessment Area

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BYFORD 6(!

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Soldiers Rd Soldiers

N e ttle to n R d

Paper Size ISO A3 Public Transport Authority Project No. 12532927 0 50 100 150 200 Byford Rail Extension Revision No. 0 Date 11/03/2021 Metres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Page 6 of 7 Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 o Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Assessed Trees FIGURE 1 G:\61\12532927\GIS\Maps\Working\12532927 - PTA Byford\12532927 - PTA Byford - Consolidated Fauna.aprx\12532927_001_AccessedTrees_Rev0 Data source: GHD: Project boundary - 20200921; PTA - Assessed Trees - 20210302 ; LGATE: Roads, Cadastre - 20200927, Imagery accessed on 20210311. Created by: mmikkonen Print date: 11 Mar 2021 - 09:50 Legend Assessed Trees Other Assessed Trees 53 Major Road Minor Road Track Consolidated Fauna Assessment Area Turner Rd

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2 Soldiers Rd Soldiers

South Western Hwy Western South 3

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BYFORD 6(!

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Paper Size ISO A3 Public Transport Authority Project No. 12532927 0 50 100 150 200 Byford Rail Extension Revision No. 0 Date 11/03/2021 Metres Map Projection: Transverse Mercator Page 7 of 7 Horizontal Datum: GDA 1994 o Grid: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Assessed Trees FIGURE 1 G:\61\12532927\GIS\Maps\Working\12532927 - PTA Byford\12532927 - PTA Byford - Consolidated Fauna.aprx\12532927_001_AccessedTrees_Rev0 Data source: GHD: Project boundary - 20200921; PTA - Assessed Trees - 20210302 ; LGATE: Roads, Cadastre - 20200927, Imagery accessed on 20210311. Created by: mmikkonen Print date: 11 Mar 2021 - 09:50