Appendix B

Phil’s Creek Project Area:

Fauna Survey 2008

Phil’s Creek Project Area .

Prepared for: URS Australia L3 20 Terrace Rd East Perth WA 6004

Prepared by: Western Wildlife 8 Ridgeway Pl Mahogany Creek WA 6072 Ph: 0427 510 934 3rd May 2009 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Executive Summary

Introduction

URS Australia Pty Ltd requested a fauna survey of the Phil’s Creek Project Area, on behalf of Iron Ore Holdings Ltd. The Phil’s Creek project area is a small (about 4km 2) area about 90 km northwest of Newman in the Eastern Pilbara, Western Australia. The fauna survey involved a field study to inventory, so far as possible, the fauna and fauna habitats present in the project area. To supplement the information gathered during the survey, a desktop review of fauna information for the area was also carried out.

Methods

The fauna surveys took place from the 20th to 30th October 2008. The methods used to sample the fauna of the area included:

• Trapping for reptiles, amphibians and small mammals • Spotlighting and head-torching • Bat surveys • Bird surveys • Keeping opportunistic records

Seven trapping sites were established and each site consisted of ten pitfall traps, eight funnel traps, ten Elliott traps and two cage traps. The traps were open for between seven and nine nights, to give a total of 1710 trap-nights.

Results and Discussion

Overall, the project area has the potential to support a wide range of vertebrate species including up to eight amphibian, 97 reptile, 108 bird and 40 mammal species.

During the 2008 fauna survey, no amphibian, 36 reptile, 41 bird and nine mammal species were recorded in the project area.

There are one reptile, four bird and three mammal species of conservation significance 1 that have the potential to occur in the project area. These species are the Pilbara Olive Python, Night Parrot, Peregrine Falcon, Fork-tailed Swift, Rainbow Bee-eater, Northern Quoll, Mulgara and Pilbara Orange Leaf-nosed Bat.

Of these species, the Rainbow Bee-eater was recorded in the project area.

There are one reptile, four bird and five mammal species of conservation significance 2 that have the potential to occur in the project area. These species are the blind snake Ramphotyphlops ganei, Grey Falcon, Australian Bustard, Bush Stone-Curlew, Long-tailed Dunnart, Ghost Bat, Lakeland Downs Mouse and Western Pebble-mound Mouse.

Of these species the Australian Bustard and Western Pebble-mound Mouse were recorded in the project area.

The following recommendations are made on how to preserve some of the fauna values of the project area.

• Protect creek-lines and their riparian vegetation, where possible. The denser vegetation surrounding creeks, and the presence of large eucalypts with hollows, provide important habitat for fauna. Creek-lines may also play a linkage role, allowing fauna to move through the landscape.

• Protect rocky areas such as gorges along Phil’s Creek, where possible. These areas provide shelter for a range of vertebrate species, and may potentially shelter the Northern

Western Wildlife i Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Quoll. Further targeted trapping in winter may confirm the presence of the Northern Quoll in the area.

• Restrict vehicles to existing tracks where possible. Driving over Spinifex causes damage to fauna habitats. and Western Pebble-mound Mouse mounds are difficult to detect while driving.

• Avoid damage to active Pebble-mound Mouse mounds, where possible. When mounds are in locations that are close to tracks or other infrastructure, they should be flagged to avoid disturbance.

• Restrict driving speeds in the project area. Low speed-limits and restrictions on driving at night will help to avoid fauna road mortalities.

• Include fauna information in mine-site inductions. Include information on reporting conservation significant species (such as the Pilbara Olive Python) and avoiding road mortalities.

• Carry out appropriate re-vegetation after mining activities in an area have finished.

Western Wildlife ii Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table of Contents

Executive summary i

Introduction 1

Methods 1 Personnel 1 Site description and selection 1 Trapping for amphibians, reptiles and small mammals 2 Spot-lighting and head-torching 8 Bat surveys 8 Bird Surveys 9 Opportunistic records 9 Sources of information 9 Assessment of conservation significance 10

Results and Discussion 11 Amphibians 11 Reptiles 11 Reptiles of conservation significance 13 Birds 14 Birds of conservation significance 14 Mammals 15 Mammals of conservation significance 16 Freshwater Fish 18

Summary and Recommendations 18

References 32

List of Plates Plate 1. Site 1. 4 Plate 2. Site 2. 5 Plate 3. Site 3. 5 Plate 4. Site 4. 6 Plate 5. Site 5. 6 Plate 6. Site 6. 7 Plate 7. Site 7. 7

List of Tables Table 1. Location and description of each trapping site. 2 Table 2. Number of trap-nights of each trap type. 8 Table 3. Databases used in the preparation of the fauna lists in Tables 4 – 8. 9 Table 4. Amphibians that have the potential to occur in the project area. 20 Table 5. Reptiles that have the potential to occur in the project area. 21 Table 6. Birds that have the potential to occur in the project area. 23 Table 7. Mammals that have the potential to occur in the project area. 26 Table 8. Freshwater fish that have the potential to occur in the project area. 27 Table 9. Captures of reptiles in trapping sites, 2008. 28 Table 10. Results of spotlighting and head-torching. 29 Table 11. Birds recorded during surveys at each trapping site. 30 Table 12. Captures of small mammals in trapping sites, 2008. 30 Table 13. Summary of conservation significant fauna. 31

Western Wildlife iii Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

List of Figures Figure 1. Aerial photograph showing locations of all trapping sites. 3 Figure 2. Layout of each pitfall trap, with funnel trap and drift-fence. 8

List of Appendices Appendix 1. Categories used in the assessment of conservation status. 34

Appendix 2. Species listed for the area 22.5ºS to 23.167ºS and 118.65ºE to 119.6ºE on the EPBC Protected Matters Search Tool, excluding marine species. 35

Appendix 3. Species listed for the area 22.5ºS to 23.167 ºS and 118.65ºE to 119.6ºE on the DEC Threatened and Priority Fauna Database. 36

Appendix 4. Captures of reptiles and mammals in trapping grids. 37

Appendix 5. Bird survey data. 42

Appendix 6. Opportunistic records. 44

Appendix 7. Locations of Western Pebble-mound Mouse mounds in the project area. 45

Appendix 8. Analysis of bat recordings. 46

Western Wildlife iv Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Introduction

URS Australia Pty Ltd requested a fauna survey of the Phil’s Creek Project Area, on behalf of Iron Ore Holdings Ltd. The Phil’s Creek project area is a small (about 4km 2) area about 90 km to the northwest of Newman in the Eastern Pilbara, Western Australia. The fauna survey involved a field study to inventory, so far as possible, the fauna and fauna habitats present in the project area. To supplement the information gathered during the survey, a desktop review of fauna information for the area was also carried out.

The aims of the fauna survey and literature review were to:

• Identify the fauna habitats available in the project area. • List the vertebrate fauna that have the potential to occur in the project area. • Identify species of conservation significance, or habitats of particular importance for fauna, that may occur in the project area. • Provide recommendations on protecting the fauna values of the project area.

This report details the findings of the fauna survey and the literature review.

Methods

The survey conducted was a Level 2 survey (fauna survey) according to the EPA Position Statement No.3 (Environmental Protection Authority 2002) and Guidance Statement 56 (Environmental Protection Authority 2004). This was the level of assessment commissioned by the client.

Personnel

The personnel involved in the fauna survey were as follows: • Ms Jenny Wilcox (BSc.Biol./Env.Sci., Hons.Biol.) Ms Wilcox has eight years experience with fauna survey work and has worked across several sites in the Pilbara, including Woodie Woodie, Mining Area C and the Fortescue Metals Group Rail corridor. She has also worked at sites throughout Western Australia, including in the Kimberley, Mid-West, Goldfields, Wheatbelt, South-West and metropolitan areas. • Mr Richard King (BSc.Env.Biol.) Mr King has four years experience with fauna survey work and has worked across several sites in the Pilbara, including Woodie Woodie. He has also worked at sites throughout Western Australia, including in the Kimberley, Mid-West, Goldfields, Wheatbelt, South-West and metropolitan areas. • Mr Ian Harris (BSc.Biol., Hons.Zool.) • Dr Sean Doody (BSc.Zool., MSc. Biol., PhD.Apl.Sci.) • Mr Shane McAdam • Mr Dave Algaba

The first four people listed above were present for the duration of the fauna survey. The remaining two were present for the first five days while the trapping sites were being installed. This report was prepared by Ms Jenny Wilcox.

Site description and selection

The Phil’s Creek Project Area is located about 90 km northwest of Newman, in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia. There are four main fauna habitats present in the project area, as described below.

• Major and minor creek-lines The major creek-line (Phil’s Creek) was characterised by Eucalyptus camaldulensis over shrubs and grasses on sandy soils.

Western Wildlife 1 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

• Shrubs over grasslands on flats The flat areas around the creek-lines were characterised by a scrub of Acacia spp. over Spinifex and grasses on clay-loam.

• Spinifex grassland on hills and slopes Most of the project area consists of low undulating hills, characterised by Spinifex grasslands with Acacia spp. and Grevillea wickhamii, and occasional Eucalyptus and Corymbia trees. Many of the hills had multiple shallow gullies with denser but similar vegetation.

• Rocky breakaways and gorges In some places along Phil’s Creek and minor creek-lines and gullies there are rocky breakaways, rocky walls and gorges. Although these do not support large caves, they do have numerous holes and crevices.

Trapping sites were established in order to sample the first three habitats listed above. Rocky breakaways and gorges were sampled opportunistically by hand-searching and nocturnal searches. In addition, trapping sites were established in areas where there was adequate road access. This allowed sites to be checked efficiently each morning.

Trapping for reptiles, amphibians and small mammals

Seven trapping sites were installed in the Phil’s Creek Project Area (Figure 1). The location and brief description of each trapping site is given in Table 1 and a photograph of each site is given in Plates 1 - 7. The trapping sites consisted of ten pitfall traps, eight funnel traps, ten Elliott traps and two cage traps.

Table 1. Location and description of each trapping site.

Location Site Description (GDA 94 Zone 50)

724356 E Scattered mulga and Eremophila sp. over Spinifex grassland on 1 7484405 N clayey soils.

725277 E Scattered eucalypts over tall shrubs and grasses in minor 2 7483043 N drainage line.

726145 E Tall Spinifex grassland on red loamy soil between drainage 3 7482961 N lines.

727005 E Low Spinifex grassland with scattered low Acacia sp. and tall 4 7483601 N Hakea sp. on rocky hill.

725253 E Low Spinifex grassland with scattered tall shrubs on rocky 5 7483626 N slope.

725704 E Scattered eucalypts over tall shrubs and grasses in major 6 7482913 N drainage line.

726603 E Low Spinifex grassland with scattered Acacia sp. in minor gully 7 7483120 N on rocky hill.

Western Wildlife 2 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Figure 1. Aerial photograph showing locations of all trapping sites.

Western Wildlife 3 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

In each trapping site the pitfall traps were placed in two parallel lines with five pitfalls in each line. There was about 25 m between each pitfall trap and about 50 m between the lines. Each pitfall trap was a 40 cm deep, white 20 L bucket. Each trap had an approximately 25 cm high flywire drift-fence extending 3 m to either side of the pitfall.

Funnel traps were about 15 cm wide and 60 cm long, with a funnel entrance of 5 cm. Funnel traps were set up mid-way along a pitfall trap drift-fence, with the funnel entrances bisected by the fence (Figure 2). Funnel traps were covered with shade cloth and a clump of Spinifex, in order to keep the temperature inside the funnel cool.

Elliott traps were placed near each pitfall, with the cages situated near pitfalls one and six. All cage and Elliott traps were placed under vegetation to shade any captured animals, and cage traps were covered with a hessian sack. All cage and Elliott traps were baited with a mixture of rolled oats, peanut butter and vanilla essence.

Sampling at each trapping site occurred over a period of seven, eight or nine nights between the 21st and 30th October 2008. The open and close dates of each trapping grid and the number of trap-nights are indicated in Table 2. The total number of trap-nights for the survey was 1710 trap-nights.

All animals caught were identified and recorded, and released immediately at the site of capture. All trapping and collection was carried out under Licences to Take Fauna for Scientific Purposes SF006595, covering all fauna personnel.

Plate 1. Site 1.

Western Wildlife 4 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Plate 2. Site 2.

Plate 3. Site 3.

Western Wildlife 5 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Plate 4. Site 4.

Plate 5. Site 5.

Western Wildlife 6 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Plate 6. Site 6.

Plate 7. Site 7.

Western Wildlife 7 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Pitfall trap (bucket or pipe) Funnel trap

25cm high flywire drift-fence

Figure 2. Layout of each pitfall trap, with funnel trap and drift-fence.

Table 2. Number of trap-nights of each trap type.

Date Date Number of trap-nights Site opened closed Pitfalls Funnels Elliotts Cages 1 21/10/08 30/10/08 90 72 90 18

2 21/10/08 30/10/08 90 72 90 18

3 21/10/08 30/10/08 90 72 90 18

4 22/10/08 30/10/08 80 64 80 16

5 22/10/08 30/10/08 80 64 80 16

6 23/10/08 30/10/08 70 56 70 15

7 23/10/08 30/10/08 70 56 70 15 Total trap-nights: 570 456 570 114

Spotlighting and Head-torching

Spotlighting took place on the nights of 25th, 26th, 27th and 29th of October 2008. Spotlighting was carried out from a vehicle using a combination of the vehicle headlights and a hand-held spotlight. Head-torching was carried out on foot, and took place opportunistically at sites that were likely to support species difficult to trap, such as gorges. All head-torching was carried out by two or four people concurrently.

Bat surveys

Bats were surveyed using an Anabat SD1 ultrasonic bat detector on the nights of the 20th, 21st, 24th, 25th, 27th and 29th of October 2008. Bat call analysis was undertaken by Kyle Armstrong of Specialised Zoological, and the bat report is attached as Appendix 8.

Western Wildlife 8 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Bird surveys

Bird surveys were carried out at each of the seven trapping sites. Surveys were carried out each morning by one team member, while traps were being checked by the second team member. All surveys were carried out between 0600 and 1000. So far as possible, the order of checking traps was alternated in order to vary the time of day the bird surveys took place at each site. Birds were recorded for 20 minutes each survey, during which time birds were recorded if either observed or heard. Between two and six surveys were carried out at each site. For analysis, if a bird was heard at a site, it was recorded as one individual.

Opportunistic surveys

At all times, observations of fauna were noted when they contributed to the accumulation of information on the fauna of the site. These included casual observations of reptiles, mammals and birds seen while travelling between sites as well as opportunistic hand-foraging for reptiles and opportunistic bird surveying. Hand-foraging involved looking for reptiles under dead spinifex, rocks, bark and in hollows.

In addition, the locations of Western Pebble-mound Mouse (Pseudomys chapmani) were recorded in some areas.

Sources of Information

Lists of fauna expected to occur in the project area were produced using information from a number of sources. These included publications that provide information on general patterns of distribution of frogs (Tyler et al. 2000), reptiles (Storr et al. 1983, 1990, 1999 and 2002), birds (Barrett et al. 2003; Johnstone and Storr 1998; Johnstone and Storr 2004), and mammals (Menkhorst and Knight 2004; Van Dyck and Strahan 2008). In addition, the databases listed below in Table 3 were searched for specimen or observational records.

Table 3. Databases used in the preparation of the fauna lists in Table 4 – 7.

Database Type of records held on database Area searched

Records of specimens held in the Faunabase (WA 22.5ºS to 23.167ºS and WA Museum. Includes historical Museum) 118.65ºE to 119.6ºE data.

Information and records on DEC’s Threatened and 22.5ºS to 23.167ºS and Threatened and Priority species in Priority Fauna Database 118.65ºE to 119.6ºE Western Australia.

Birds Australia Atlas Records of bird observations in 22.5ºS to 23.167ºS and Database Australia, 1998-current. 118.65ºE to 119.6ºE

Records on matters protected under EPBC Protected Matters 22.5ºS to 23.167ºS and the EPBC Act, including threatened Search Tool 118.65ºE to 119.6ºE species.

Western Wildlife 9 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

These sources of information were used to create lists of species expected to occur in the project area. As far as possible, expected species are those that are likely to utilise the project area. The lists exclude species that have been recorded in the general region as vagrants or for which suitable habitat is absent.

Taxonomy and nomenclature for fauna species used in this report generally follow the checklists of the WA Museum (2001), with alternative bird taxonomy from Christidis and Boles (1994) given in parentheses.

Assessment of conservation significance

Western Wildlife recognise three levels of conservation significance within this report. These groupings can aid in the provision of management and mitigation options for the species involved, should they be required. The details of each conservation significance level are given below:

• Conservation Significance 1 – is the highest level of conservation significance being used to identify species that are protected under State or Commonwealth legislation.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Commonwealth Government’s primary piece of environmental legislation. Listed under Part 3 of the EPBC Act are ‘matters of National Environmental Significance’ that include threatened species and ecological communities and migratory species, among others. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) categories are used to categorise threatened species as ‘extinct’, ‘extinct in the wild’, ‘critically endangered’, ‘endangered’, ‘vulnerable’ and ‘conservation dependent’, with all categories except ‘extinct’ and ‘conservation dependent’ listed as matters of National Environmental Significance.

A list of migratory species is also maintained, containing mostly bird and marine species. The migratory species listed are those recognised under the China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), the Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) or species listed under the Bonn Convention for which Australia is a range state. Species listed in the JAMBA are also protected under Schedule 3 of the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA Wildlife Conservation Act).

The WA Wildlife Conservation Act is State legislation for fauna protection administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). The WA Wildlife Conservation Act lists species under a set of Schedules, where threatened species are listed as Schedule 1. Schedule 1 species are further categorised by DEC into the categories ‘extinct’, ‘extinct in the wild’, ‘critically endangered’, ‘endangered’, ‘vulnerable’ and ‘conservation dependent’ species. Specially protected fauna are listed under Schedule 4. The schedules and categories are further described in Appendix 1.

• Conservation Significance 2 - Species not listed under State or Commonwealth Acts, but listed in publications on threatened fauna or as Priority species by DEC.

Reports on the conservation status of most vertebrate fauna species have been produced by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEHWA) in the form of Action Plans. An Action Plan is a review of the conservation status of a taxonomic group against IUCN categories. Action Plans have been prepared for amphibians (Tyler 1998), reptiles (Cogger et al. 1993), birds (Garnett and Crowley 2000), monotremes and marsupials (Maxwell et al. 1996), rodents (Lee 1995) and bats (Duncan et al. 1999). These publications also use categories similar to those used by the EPBC Act. The information presented in some of the earlier Action Plans may be out of date due to changes since publication.

Western Wildlife 10 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

In Western Australia, DEC has also produced a list of Priority Fauna made up of species that are not considered threatened under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act, but for which DEC feels there is cause for concern. Levels of Priority are described in Appendix 1.

• Conservation Significance 3 - Species not listed under State or Commonwealth Acts or in publications on threatened fauna or as Priority species by DEC, but considered of local significance because of their pattern of distribution.

These are species considered to be of local significance in the project area because they are at the limit of their distribution in the area, they have a very restricted range or they occur in breeding colonies (e.g. some waterbirds). This level of significance has no legislative or published recognition and is based on interpretation of information on the species patterns of distribution. The Government of Western Australia (2000) used this sort of interpretation to identify significant bird species in the Perth metropolitan area as part of Bush Forever. Recognition of such species is consistent with the aim of preserving regional biodiversity

Results and Discussion

The amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and fish that may occur in the project area are listed in Tables 4 - 8. In each Table, species recorded in the area by Western Wildlife during the fauna survey, or by the WA Museum (all taxa), or by Birds Australia (birds only) are indicated. The results of the EPBC Protected Matters search and the DEC Threatened and Priority Fauna Database search are given in Appendices 2 and 3 respectively. The raw capture data, raw bird survey data and opportunistic records are given in Appendices 4, 5 and 6.

Amphibians

There are eight species of frog that have the potential to occur in the project area (Table 4).

No frogs were recorded in the project area during the fauna survey, but this was expected due to the lack of water sources present at the time of the survey. As expected in an arid region, the majority of these species are opportunistic breeders that emerge after cyclonic rain to breed in the pools of standing water, and in flooded drainage lines.

No frogs of conservation significance are likely to occur in the project area.

Reptiles

There are 97 species of reptile listed in Table 5 as having the potential to occur in the project area. Of these potentially occurring species, 37 species were recorded in the project area during the October 2008 fauna survey.

There are a number of reptile species that have been excluded from the list in Table 5. Although these species may occur nearby, they use habitats that are not found within the project area, such as sandy deserts or mulga woodlands. Thirty reptiles were caught in trapping sites (Table 9). The highest species richness was at sites in creek-lines (sites 2 and 6), and the site with tall Spinifex on clay-loam (site 3).

Dragons Of the seven dragons that have the potential to occur in the project area, four were recorded during the fauna survey (Table 5). All seven species are common and widespread in arid habitats. Some dragons favour lighter soils, such as Ctenophorus isolepis that was recorded only at site 3 (Table 9). The rocky sites (sites 4, 5 and 7) supported Ctenophorus caudicinctus, a common dragon of rocky areas.

Western Wildlife 11 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Geckoes Of the 20 geckoes that have the potential to occur (listed in Table 5), eight were recorded during the fauna survey. The most common species were Diplodactylus stenodactylus and Heteronotia binoei (Table 9). Some geckoes are associated with Spinifex grasslands and live within the Spinifex clumps, namely Strophurus elderi and Strophurus jeanae, neither of which were recorded during the fauna survey. Rock and cave dwelling geckoes in the project area include Gehyra punctata, Oedura marmorata and Heteronotia spelea. All three of these species were recorded in gorges and other rocky areas in the project area (Table10).

Legless Lizards Three of the eight legless lizard species with the potential to occur in the project area were recorded during the fauna survey (Table 5). Legless lizards were trapped at sites that were more densely vegetated, particularly sites on drainage lines (sites 2 and 6).

Skinks Of the 31 species of skink that have the potential to occur in the project area, eleven were recorded during the fauna survey (Table 5). The most common species was Ctenotus saxatilis, which was recorded from every site (Table 9). Ctenotus hanloni and Carlia munda were mainly recorded from sites 2 and 6, in the drainage lines.

Goannas Of the ten goanna species with the potential to occur in the project area, five were recorded during the fauna survey (Table 5). The species most commonly captured was the Ridge- tailed Monitor (Varanus acanthurus), which was recorded from all but one of the trapping sites (Table 9). The Yellow-spotted Monitor (Varanus panoptes) and Perentie (Varanus giganteus) are large species that are particularly vulnerable to road mortalities.

Blind Snakes Of the five species of blind snake with the potential to occur in the project area, only one was recorded during the fauna survey, Ramphotyphlops ammodytes (Table 5), a common Pilbara species. Except for the conservation significant species listed below, the remaining blind snake species that may potentially occur are relatively widespread in the arid zone.

Pythons One of the four species of python with the potential to occur in the project area was recorded (Table 5). The Stimpson’s Python (Antaresia stimpsoni) was recorded from site 6 (Table 9) and was also observed in the gorge near camp. The Pygmy Python (Antaresia perthensis) is also likely to be present in similar habitat.

Elapid Snakes Four species of elapid snake were recorded out of the twelve species potentially occurring in the project area (Table 5). The North-western Shovel-nosed Snake (Brachyurophis approximans) is a small fossorial species that was trapped at the two sites in drainage lines (Table 9) and is likely to be common in areas of heavy soils. The Mulga Snake (Pseudechis australis) and Gwardar (Pseudonaja nuchalis) are both large species that are likely to be common in a range of habitats. Large snakes are vulnerable to road mortalities as they cross or bask on the warm road surface.

Western Wildlife 12 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Reptiles of Conservation Significance

There are eight reptiles of conservation significance that may occur in the project area. Each species is listed and discussed below.

Conservation Significance 1

Pilbara Olive Python Liasis olivaceus barroni This python is listed under Schedule 1 (Vulnerable) of the WA Wildlife Conservation Act, and as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

The Pilbara Olive Python is restricted to ranges in the Pilbara and islands in the Dampier Archipelago and is known from relatively few localities. This potentially very large python inhabits rock outcrops and gorges, usually close to waterholes, which it uses to hunt. The Pilbara Olive Python is known from Karijini National Park where it occurs in the Hammersley Ranges. This species was not recorded during the fauna survey. This species may occur in the gorges along the major drainage line within the project area, however, there are no permanent waterholes in the project area, thus making its presence unlikely.

Conservation Significance 2

Blind snake Ramphotyphlops ganei This blind snake is listed as Priority 1 by DEC.

The blind snake Ramphotyphlops ganei may be associated with moist gorges and gullies, and is known only from widely scattered records between Newman and Pannawonica (Wilson and Swan 2003). It has been recorded at Newman and Cathedral Gorge on DEC’s Threatened and Priority Fauna Database (Appendix 3), sites that are over 100 km from the project area. This species may potentially occur in drainage lines in the project area, but was not recorded during the fauna survey and is unlikely to be present due to the large distance from where specimens of this species have been found to date.

Conservation Significance 3

Gecko Lucasium wombeyi Skink Ctenotus rubicundus Pilbara Rock Monitor Varanus pilbarensis Pilbara Death Adder Acanthophis wellsi Rufous Whipsnake Demansia rufescens Pilbara Bandy-bandy Vermicella snelli

The six species of conservation significance 3 listed above are those that are endemic to the Pilbara region. Many of these species are likely to be on the eastern edge of their range in the vicinity of the project area. The Pilbara Rock Monitor and Ctenotus rubicundus favour rocky hills and outcrops, so may be present in these habitats in the project area. The remaining species are less habitat-specific, and may be present throughout the project area. The Rufous Whipsnake was recorded from site 7 in the project area (Table 9). Although restricted to the Pilbara region, these species are likely to be relatively common within suitable habitats in the Pilbara.

Western Wildlife 13 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Birds

There are 108 species of birds listed in Table 6 as having the potential to occur on the site. Forty-one bird species were recorded from the project area during the fauna survey, despite the low level of bird activity due to hot conditions. Wetland dependent birds have not been included in the list in Table 6, as the ephemeral drainage lines in the project area are unlikely to provide important habitat for foraging or breeding wetland birds. However, some wetland birds may use the project area when water is present in pools along drainage lines.

Twenty-nine species of bird were recorded in surveys at the trapping sites (Table 11). Possibly due to the dry weather preceding the fauna survey, birds were generally scarce in the project area, except in creek-lines. Sites on or near creek-lines (sites 1, 2 and 6), had the highest species richness. Sites in open Spinifex grassland on hills (sites 4 and 7), had very low species richness.

Birds of Conservation Significance

There are seven birds of conservation significance that may occur on the site. Each species is listed and discussed below.

Conservation Significance 1

Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis This parrot is listed under Schedule 1 (Critically Endangered) of the WA Wildlife Conservation Act and as Endangered and migratory under the EPBC Act.

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus This falcon is listed under Schedule 4 (other specially protected fauna) of the WA Wildlife Conservation Act.

Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus This species is listed as migratory under the EPBC Act and is listed under Schedule 3 of the WA Wildlife Conservation Act.

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus This species is listed as migratory under the EPBC Act.

The Night Parrot is an enigmatic species known from few records through the arid zone. A recent sighting of this species was at Minga Qwirriawirrie Well on Mulga Downs station (Davis and Metcalf 2008), within 50km of the project area. Although not well known, the Night Parrot is thought to inhabit open Spinifex grasslands near water (Johnstone and Storr 1998). Although this species may potentially occur in the project area, the likelihood of it being present is extremely low. Much of the Spinifex on the site is very small, so is unlikely to be shelter for this species, and the project area does not appear to have water sources present in the dry season.

The Peregrine Falcon is a widespread bird of prey. This falcon nests mainly on ledges on cliffs, rocky outcrops and quarries, although it may also use tall trees (Johnstone and Storr 1998). This species also often takes advantage of man-made structures such as abandoned open pits. The Peregrine Falcon has not been recorded in the general area by Birds Australia and was not recorded in the project area during the fauna survey. However, it may be present in the project area, potentially nesting on rocky ledges along the gorges and drainage lines.

Western Wildlife 14 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

The Fork-tailed Swift is a largely aerial species and is unlikely to be significantly impacted by the proposed mining development. The ecology of this species in Western Australia is poorly known. The Fork-tailed Swift has not been recorded in the general area by Birds Australia and was not recorded in the project area during the fauna survey.

The Rainbow Bee-eater is a common species that migrates southwards in summer to breed. The Rainbow Bee-eater was recorded in the project area during the fauna survey (Table 11), and is also likely to breed in the area, where there are sandy soils along drainage lines. The impact of the mining development on this species is unlikely to be significant unless a nesting site was disturbed.

Conservation Significance 2

Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos This falcon is listed as Priority 4 by DEC.

Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis This species is listed as Priority 4 by DEC.

Bush Stone-Curlew Burhinus grallarius This species is listed as Priority 4 by DEC.

The Grey Falcon is a very uncommon bird that inhabits lightly wooded areas in the northern part of Western Australia (Johnstone and Storr 1998). There is a record of the Grey Falcon from West Angelas on DEC’s Threatened and Priority Fauna Database (Appendix 3), but it was not recorded in the project area during the fauna survey. This species nests in eucalypts along rivers. The Grey Falcon is likely to occur in the region and may potentially breed in tall trees in drainage lines in the project area. The impact of the mining development on this species is unlikely to be significant unless a nesting site was disturbed.

The Australian Bustard inhabits grasslands and savannah grasslands, moving nomadically in response to the presence of food (Johnstone and Storr 1998). Two individuals of this species were recorded opportunistically in the project area. The Australian Bustard is slow to take flight, so is vulnerable to road mortalities.

The Bush Stone-Curlew inhabits lightly wooded plains, sheltering during the day in thickets of grass or under shrubs (Johnstone and Storr 1998). This species roosts and nests on the ground and is vulnerable to feral predators such as the fox. The Bush Stone-Curlew may occur in the project area, and has been recorded in the general area by Birds Australia (Table 6).

Mammals

There are 40 species of mammal that have the potential to occur in the project area (Table 7). There are some species, particularly medium-sized mammals, which would have occurred in the area in the past, but have become extinct since European settlement. Very few mammals were caught in trapping sites during the fauna survey, potentially due to the dry conditions preceding the fauna survey.

Eight native and one introduced mammal species were recorded from the project area (Tables 7 and 12), with most of these being bats. The Euro (Macropus robustus) was present in low numbers throughout the project area. Only two native species were trapped in the trapping grids.

Western Wildlife 15 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Dasyurid Marsupials Of the seven dasyurid marsupials listed in Table 7, only the Little Red Kaluta (Dasykaluta rosamondae) was recorded (one specimen) (Table 12). The Little Red Kaluta is a common species that occurs in spinifex grasslands across a wide range of substrates in the Pilbara. The remaining dasyurid species are those that are habitat generalists or favour rocky and stony habitats in the Pilbara.

Bats There are 15 bat species listed in Table 7, of which four species were positively identified from the project area (Appendix 8). All bat species identified in the project area are common and widespread in the Pilbara. Some bats may roost in tree hollows, such as the Yellow- bellied Sheathtail Bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris), White-striped Freetail Bat (Tadarida australis) and Beccari’s Freetail Bat (Mormopterus beccarii). Other bat species roost in caves, rock crevices and abandoned mines.

Mice One species, The Sandy Inland Mouse (Pseudomys hermannsburgensis) was recorded, out of six native mouse species that could potentially occur in the project area (Table 7). The Sandy Inland Mouse is common and widespread in the arid zone, and is likely to be common in the project area. The House Mouse (Mus musculus) is an introduced species that was recorded at two sites (Table 12).

Mammals of Conservation Significance

There are six mammals of conservation significance that may occur on the site. Each species is listed and discussed below.

Conservation Significance 1

Northern Quoll Dasyurus hallucatus This species is listed under Schedule 1 (Endangered) of the WA Wildlife Conservation Act and as Endangered under the EPBC Act.

Mulgara Dasycercus cristicaudata This species is listed under Schedule 1 (Vulnerable) of the WA Wildlife Conservation Act and as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

Pilbara Orange Leaf-nosed Bat Rhinonicteris aurantius This bat is listed under Schedule 1 (Vulnerable) of the WA Wildlife Conservation Act and as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

The Northern Quoll is a medium-sized carnivore that was listed under the EPBC Act in 2005 due to concern about the impact of the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) on the species. Climatic modelling suggests that the Cane Toad is likely to invade the Pilbara region in the next 10 to 20 years. In addition, the Pilbara population of the Northern Quoll has been declining for unknown reasons. The Northern Quoll is associated with rocky areas as well as open forest and woodland. It is known from the Hammersley Ranges (Menkhorst and Knight 2004) and has the potential to occur in the project area in rocky areas and gorges along the drainage lines. Although not recorded in the fauna survey, this species can be difficult to detect as most adults die after breeding. No Northern Quoll scats were observed in rocky habitats during opportunistic searches, so this species may not be present or may be uncommon in the area.

Western Wildlife 16 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

The Mulgara is generally found in arid sandy regions in the Pilbara, Goldfields and Murchison, where it excavates burrows on flats between low sand dunes or on the slopes of high dunes (Van Dyck and Strahan 2008). The majority of the project area is rocky and therefore not suitable habitat for the Mulgara. No evidence (such as burrows or diggings) of this species was found in the small area of lighter soils in the project area. Although present in the region, this species is unlikely to occur in the project area.

The Pilbara Orange Leaf-nosed Bat is known from very few sites across the Pilbara, and there are fewer known roosts sites, generally in abandoned mines in the east Pilbara. It requires warm and humid roost sites and feeds in adjacent woodland. The key to its survival is the protection of roost sites (Duncan et al. 1999). The small gorges and caves that are present in the project area do not appear suitable for the Pilbara Orange Leaf-nosed Bat, however, this species may roost nearby and forage in the project area.

Conservation Significance 2

Long-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis longicaudata This dunnart is listed as Priority 3 by DEC.

Ghost Bat Macroderma gigas This bat is listed as Priority 4 by DEC.

Lakeland Downs Mouse Leggadina lakedownensis This mouse is listed as Priority 4 by DEC.

Western Pebble-mound Mouse Pseudomys chapmani This mouse is listed as Priority 4 by DEC.

The Long-tailed Dunnart was once thought to be extremely uncommon, known only from scattered localities in the Gibson Desert, Murchison and Pilbara (Van Dyck and Strahan 2008). However, there have been more reports of this species with the increase in surveys in its rocky habitats. Although not recorded on the fauna survey, this species may potentially occur in the area.

The Ghost Bat may utilise the project area for foraging, but it is unlikely that any roost sites occur within the area given the lack of suitable geological formations (deep caves). The species has been recorded from West Angela Hill on DEC’s Threatened and Priority Fauna Database (Appendix 3), which is about 70km from the project area. The Ghost Bat may forage in the project area, but was not recorded during the fauna survey.

The Lakeland Downs Mouse appears to favour seasonally inundated sandy-clay soils, but also occurs in a range of other habitats, including Spinifex grasslands and stony ranges (Van Dyck and Strahan 2008). This species has been recorded from the general area by the Western Australian Museum (Table 7) and may be present in the project area. The Lakeland Downs Mouse was not recorded during the fauna survey, but populations of this species can fluctuate dramatically (Van Dyck and Strahan 2008). The mining development may result in some habitat loss for this species.

The Western Pebble-mound Mouse occurs in the central and southern Pilbara on rocky hillslopes where it constructs its unique pebble mounds (Van Dyck and Strahan 2008). This species has retracted greatly in range in recent times and is now patchily distributed throughout the Pilbara. Numerous active mounds of this species were found on rocky hills throughout the project area, and locations were recorded for some, but not all, of these (Appendix 6). The mining development is likely to result in the loss of some habitat for this species.

Western Wildlife 17 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Some mammals were listed on databases for the area (Appendices 2 and 3) but have not been listed and discussed above as they are not likely to occur in the project area. For example, the Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) occurs in habitats that are not present in the project area.

Freshwater Fish

There are six species of freshwater fish that may occur in the project area (Table 8). These species may be present in the drainage lines when water is present, assuming there are permanent pools downstream that support these species. All the species listed are common and widespread in the Pilbara. There are no freshwater fish of conservation significance likely to occur in the project area.

Summary and Recommendations

Overall, the project area has the potential to support a wide range of vertebrate species including up to eight amphibian, 97 reptile, 108 bird and 40 mammal species. During the 2008 fauna survey, no amphibian, 36 reptile, 41 bird and nine mammal species have been recorded from the project area. These totals include eight reptiles, seven birds and six mammals of conservation significance. The conservation significant fauna have been discussed in detail in the sections above, and are summarised in Table 13.

There are one reptile, four bird and three mammal species of conservation significance 1 that have the potential to occur in the project area. These species are the Pilbara Olive Python, Night Parrot, Peregrine Falcon, Fork-tailed Swift, Rainbow Bee-eater, Northern Quoll, Mulgara and Pilbara Orange Leaf-nosed Bat. Of these species, the Rainbow Bee-eater was recorded in the project area.

There are three bird and four mammal species of conservation significance 2 that have the potential to occur in the project area. These species are the Grey Falcon, Australian Bustard, Bush Stone-Curlew, Long-tailed Dunnart, Ghost Bat, Lakeland Downs Mouse and Western Pebble-mound Mouse. Of these species the Australian Bustard and Western Pebble-mound Mouse were recorded in the project area.

There are six reptile species of conservation significance 3 that have the potential to occur in the project area. Of these, only the Rufous Whipsnake was recorded in the project area during the fauna survey.

The following recommendations are made on how to preserve some of the fauna values of the project area.

• Protect creeklines and their riparian vegetation, where possible. The denser vegetation surrounding creeks, and the presence of large eucalypts with hollows, provide important habitat for fauna. Creek-lines may also play a linkage role, allowing fauna to move through the landscape.

• Protect rocky areas such as gorges along Phil’s Creek, where possible. These areas provide shelter for a range of vertebrate species, and may potentially shelter the Northern Quoll. Further targeted trapping in winter may confirm the presence of the Northern Quoll in the area.

• Restrict vehicles to existing tracks where possible. Driving over Spinifex causes damage to fauna habitats, and Western Pebble-mound Mouse mounds are difficult to detect while driving.

• Avoid damage to active Pebble-mound Mouse Mounds, where possible. When mounds are in locations that are close to tracks or other infrastructure, they should be flagged to avoid disturbance.

Western Wildlife 18 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

• Restrict driving speeds in the project area. Low speed-limits and restrictions on driving at night will help to avoid fauna road mortalities.

• Include fauna information in mine-site inductions. Include information on reporting conservation significant species and avoiding road mortalities.

• Carry out appropriate revegetation after mining activities in an area have finished.

Western Wildlife 19 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 4. Amphibians that have the potential to occur in the project area. WAM = species recorded in the area by the WA Museum (see Table 3).

Species Status Recorded Hylidae (tree frogs and water-holding frogs) Main’s Frog Cyclorana maini WAM Water-holding Frog Cyclorana platycephala Desert Tree Frog Litoria rubella WAM Myobatrachidae (ground frogs) Northern Burrowing Frog Neobatrachus aquilonius Desert Spadefoot Notaden nichollsi Spencer’s Frog Opisthodon (Limnodynastes) spenceri Douglas’ Toadlet Pseudophryne douglasi Russell’s Toadlet Uperoleia russelli WAM Number of amphibians expected 8

(Number of amphibians recorded on site) (0)

Western Wildlife 20 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 5. Reptiles that have the potential to occur in the project area. + = species recorded during the October 2008 fauna survey. WAM = species recorded in the area by the WA Museum (see Table 3).

Species Status Recorded Chelidae Steindachner’s Tortoise Chelodina steindachneri Agamidae (dragon lizards) Long-nosed Dragon Amphibolurus longirostris + WAM Ring-tailed Dragon Ctenophorus caudicinctus + WAM Military Dragon Ctenophorus isolepis + WAM Central Netted Dragon Ctenophorus nuchalis WAM Western Netted Dragon Ctenophorus reticulatus WAM Bearded Dragon Pogona minor + WAM Pebble Dragon Tympanocryptis cephalus WAM Gekkonidae (geckoes) Clawless Gecko Crenadactylus ocellatus WAM Fat-tailed Gecko Diplodactylus conspicillatus + WAM Western Saddled Ground-Gecko Diplodactylus pulcher WAM Diplodactylus savagei WAM Gehyra pilbara WAM Spotted Dtella Gehyra punctata + WAM Gehyra purpurescens WAM Variegated Dtella Gehyra variegata + WAM Bynoe’s Gecko Heteronotia binoei + WAM Desert Cave Gecko Heteronotia spelea + WAM Lucasium(Diplodactylus) stenodactylum + WAM Lucasium (Diplodactylus) wombeyi CS3 WAM Nephrurus levis Barking Gecko Nephrurus (Underwoodisaurus) milli WAM Nephrurus wheeleri + WAM Marbled Velvet Gecko Oedura marmorata + WAM Beaked Gecko Rhynchoedura ornata WAM Jewelled Gecko Strophurus elderi WAM Strophurus jeanae WAM Strophurus wellingtonae WAM Pygopodidae (legless lizards) Delma butleri Delma elegans WAM Delma haroldi WAM Delma nasuta + WAM Delma pax + WAM Delma tincta + WAM Burton’s Legless Lizard Lialis burtonis WAM Hooded Scaly-foot Pygopus nigriceps WAM Scincidae (skink lizards) Carlia munda + WAM Cryptoblepharus buchananii (plagiocephalus) WAM Cryptoblepharus ustulatus (carnabyi) WAM Ctenotus ariadnae WAM Ctenotus duricola + WAM Ctenotus grandis WAM Ctenotus hanloni + WAM Ctenotus helenae WAM Ctenotus pantherinus + WAM Ctenotus rubicundus CS3 WAM Ctenotus rutilans WAM Ctenotus saxatilis + WAM Ctenotus schomburgkii WAM Ctenotus serventyi WAM Ctenotus uber + Cyclodomorphus melanops WAM

Western Wildlife 21 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 5. (cont.)

Species Status Recorded Scincidae (continued…) Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skink Egernia depressa WAM Egernia formosa WAM Broad-banded Sand Swimmer Eremiascincus richardsonii Lerista bipes Lerista flammicauda Lerista labialis WAM Lerista muelleri + WAM Lerista neander WAM Lerista zietzi + WAM Dwarf Skink Menetia greyii + WAM Menetia surda WAM Morethia ruficauda + WAM Notoscincus ornatus WAM Proablepharus reginae WAM Central Blue-tongue Tiliqua multifasciata + WAM Varanidae (goanna or monitor lizards) Ridge-tailed Monitor Varanus acanthurus + WAM Varanus brevicauda + WAM Varanus bushi WAM Varanus caudolineatus WAM Perentie Varanus giganteus + WAM Gould’s Goanna Varanus gouldii WAM Yellow-spotted Monitor Varanus panoptes + WAM Pilbara Rock Monitor Varanus pilbarensis CS3 WAM Black-tailed Monitor Varanus tristis + WAM Typhlopidae (blind snakes) Ramphotyphlops ammodytes + WAM Ramphotyphlops ganei CS2 WAM Beaked Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops grypus WAM Ramphotyphlops hamatus WAM Ramphotyphlops waitii WAM Boidae (pythons) Pygmy Python Antaresia perthensis WAM Stimson’s Python Antaresia stimsoni + WAM Black-headed Python Aspidites melanocephalus Olive Python (Pilbara) Liasis olivaceus barroni CS1 WAM Elapidae (front-fanged snakes) Pilbara Death Adder Acanthophis wellsi CS3 WAM Northwestern Shovel-nosed Snake Brachyurophis approximans + WAM Yellow-faced Whipsnake Demansia psammophis WAM Rufous Whipsnake Demansia rufescens CS3 + WAM Moon Snake Furina ornata Monk Snake Parasuta monachus WAM Mulga Snake Pseudechis australis + WAM Ringed Brown Snake Pseudonaja modesta WAM Gwardar Pseudonaja nuchalis + WAM Rosen’s Snake Suta fasciata WAM Spotted Snake Suta punctata Pilbara Bandy-bandy Vermicella snelli CS3 Number of reptiles expected 97

(Number of reptiles recorded on site) (37)

Western Wildlife 22 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 6. Birds that have the potential to occur in the project area. + = species recorded during the October 2008 fauna survey. BA = species recorded in the area by Birds Australia (see Table 3). Int = introduced species.

Species Status Recorded Casuariidae (emu) Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae BA Phasianidae (quails) Stubble Quail Coturnix pectoralis Brown Quail Coturnix ypsilophora + BA Accipitridae (osprey, hawks, eagles and harriers) Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus (axillaris) Square-tailed Kite Hamirostra (Lophoictinia) isura Black-breasted Buzzard Hamirostra melanosternon Black Kite Milvus migrans BA Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus BA Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus BA Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrocephalus BA Little Eagle Aquila (Hieraaetus) morphnoides + BA Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax BA Spotted Harrier Circus assimilis BA Falconidae (falcons) Brown Falcon Falco berigora + BA Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides + BA Australian Hobby Falco longipennis BA Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos CS2 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus CS1 Black Falcon Falco subniger Otididae (bustard) Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis CS2 + BA Turnicidae (button-quails) Little Button-Quail Turnix velox BA WAM Burhinidae (stone-curlews) Bush Stone-Curlew Burhinus grallarius CS2 BA Columbidae (pigeons and doves) Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera BA WAM Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes + BA Spinifex Pigeon Geophaps plumifera + BA Diamond Dove Geopelia cuneata + BA Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata BA WAM Cacatuidae (cockatoos and corellas) Galah Cacatua roseicapilla + BA Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea + BA Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus + BA Psittacidae (parrots, lorikeets and rosellas) Australian Ringneck Barnardius zonarius + BA Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus BA Bourke’s Parrot Neophema bourkii BA Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis CS1 Cuculidae (cuckoos) Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus BA Black-eared Cuckoo Chrysococcyx osculans BA Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis + BA Strigidae (hawk owls) Barking Owl Ninox connivens BA WAM Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae + BA WAM Tytonidae (barn owls) Barn Owl Tyto alba

Western Wildlife 23 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 6. (cont.)

Species Status Recorded Podargidae (frogmouths) Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides + BA Caprimulgidae (nightjars) Spotted Nightjar Eurostopodus argus BA WAM Aegothelidae (owlet-nightjars) Australian Owlet-Nightjar Aegotheles cristatus + BA Apodidae (swifts) Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus CS1 Halcyonidae (kingfishers) Blue-winged Kookaburra Dacelo leachii + BA Red-backed Kingfisher Todiramphus pyrrhopygia BA Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus + BA Meropidae (bee-eaters) Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus CS1 + BA Climacteridae (treecreepers) Black-tailed Treecreeper Climacteris melanura Maluridae (fairy-wrens, grasswrens and emu-wrens) Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus BA Variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti + BA White-winged Fairy-wren Malurus leucopterus + BA Splendid Fairy-wren Malurus splendens BA Rufous-crowned Emu-wren Stipiturus ruficeps BA Pardalotidae (pardalotes, thornbills, gerygones & allies) Red-browed Pardalote Pardalotus rubricatus + BA Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus BA Redthroat Pyrrholaemus brunneus BA Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris + BA Western Gerygone Gerygone fusca BA WAM Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis BA Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza uropygialis BA Slaty-backed Thornbill Acanthiza robustirostris BA Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa BA Meliphagidae (honeyeaters and chats) Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta BA Black Honeyeater Certhionyx niger Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus Grey Honeyeater Conopophila whitei BA Singing Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens + BA Grey-headed Honeyeater Lichenostomus keartlandi + BA WAM White-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus penicillatus BA Black-chinned Honeyeater Melithreptus gularis + BA White-fronted Honeyeater Phylidonyris albifrons BA Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula + BA Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis BA Crimson Chat Epthianura tricolor BA Petroicidae (robins) Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii BA Hooded Robin Petroica (Melanodryas) cucullata BA Pomatostomidae (babblers) White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus BA Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis + BA Pachycephalidae (shrike-tits, whistlers and allies) Crested Bellbird Oreoica gutturalis + BA Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris + BA WAM Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica BA Dicruridae (flycatchers, magpie-larks and fantails) Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa BA Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys + BA Magpie-Lark Grallina cyanoleuca + BA

Western Wildlife 24 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 6. (cont.)

Species Status Recorded Campephagidae (cuckoo-shrikes and trillers) Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina novaehollandiae + BA Ground Cuckoo-shrike Coracina maxima BA White-winged Triller Lalage tricolour (sueurii) + BA Artamidae (woodswallows, butcherbirds, magpies) Masked Woodswallow Artamus personatus BA Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus + BA WAM Little Woodswallow Artamus minor + BA Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus BA Pied Butcherbird Cracticus nigrogularis + BA Australian Magpie Cracticus (Gymnorhina) tibicen BA Corvidae (ravens and crows) Torresian Crow Corvus orru + BA Little Crow Corvus bennetti BA Ptilonorhynchidae (bowerbirds) Western Bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus maculatus + BA WAM Alaudidae (larks) Singing Bushlark Mirafra javanica WAM Motacillidae (pipits and wagtails) Richard’s Pipit Anthus australis (novaeseelandiae) BA Passeridae (grassfinches, sparrows and allies) Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata + BA Painted Finch Emblema pictum + BA WAM Dicaeidae (flowerpeckers) Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum BA Hirundinidae (swallows and martins) Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena BA Tree Martin Hirundo nigricans BA Fairy Martin Hirundo ariel BA Sylviidae (old world warblers) Spinifexbird Eremiornis carteri BA Rufous Songlark Cincloramphus mathewsi BA Brown Songlark Cincloramphus cruralis Number of birds expected 108

(Number of birds recorded on site) (41)

Western Wildlife 25 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 7. Mammals that have the potential to occur in the project area. + = species recorded during the October 2008 fauna survey. ? = bat species potentially recorded (difficulty in distinguishing calls between species, see Appendix 8). WAM = species recorded in the area by the WA Museum (see Table 3). Int = introduced species.

Species Status Recorded Tachyglossidae (echidnas) Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus Dasyuridae (dasyurid marsupials) Little Red Kaluta Dasykaluta rosamondae + WAM Northern Quoll Dasyurus hallucatus CS1 Mulgara Dasycercus cristicaudata CS1 Woolley’s Pseudoantechinus Pseudantechinus woolleyae WAM Pilbara Ninguai Ningaui timealeyi WAM Planigale spp. WAM Long-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis longicaudata CS2 Striped-faced Dunnart Sminthopsis macroura WAM Macropodidae (kangaroos and wallabies) Euro Macropus robustus + WAM Red Kangaroo Macropus rufus Rothschild’s Rock-Wallaby Petrogale rothschildi Emballonuridae (sheathtail bats) Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat Saccolaimus flaviventris ? WAM Common Sheathtail Bat Taphozous georgianus + WAM Hill’s Sheathtail bat Taphozous hilli WAM Megadermatidae (ghost bat) Ghost Bat Macroderma gigas CS2 WAM Hipposideridae (leaf-nosed bats) Orange Leaf-nosed Bat (Pilbara) Rhinonicteris aurantius CS1 Vespertilionidae (ordinary bats) Gould’s Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii + WAM Chocolate Wattled Bat Chalinolobus morio WAM North-western Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus bifax WAM Lesser Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi WAM Inland Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens balstoni Little Broad-nosed Bat Scotorepens greyii + WAM Findlayson’s Cave Bat Vespadelus finlaysoni + WAM Molossidae (freetail bats) Northern Freetail Bat Chaerephon jobensis ? WAM Beccari’s Freetail Bat Mormopterus beccarii WAM White-striped Freetail Bat Tadarida australis WAM Muridae (rats and mice) Lakeland Downs Mouse Leggadina lakedownensis CS2 WAM House Mouse Mus musculus Int. + WAM Spinifex Hopping-Mouse Notomys alexis WAM Western Pebble-mound Mouse Pseudomys chapmani CS2 + WAM Desert Mouse Pseudomys desertor WAM Sandy Inland Mouse Pseudomys hermannsburgensis + WAM Common Rock-Rat Zyzomys argurus WAM Leporidae (rabbits and hares) Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Int. Canidae (dogs and foxes) Dingo Canis lupus dingo Fox Vulpes vulpes Int. Felidae (cats) Feral/House Cat Felis catus Int. Equidae (horses) Donkey Equus asinus Int. Camelidae (camels) Camel Camelus dromedarius Int. Number of mammals expected 40

(Number of mammals recorded on site) (9)

Western Wildlife 26 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 8. Freshwater Fish that have the potential to occur in the project area.

Species Status Recorded Clupeidae (herrings) Bony Bream Nematalosa erebi Plotosidae (eel-tailed catfishes) Hyrtyl’s Tandan Neosilurus hyrtlii Atherinidae (hardyheads) Murchison River Hardyhead Craterocephalus cuneiceps Melanotaeniidae (rainbowfishes) Western Rainbowfish Melanotaenia australis Terapontidae (grunters) Barred Grunter Amniataba percoides Spangled Perch Leiopotherapon unicolor Number of fish expected 6

(Number of fish recorded on site) (0)

Western Wildlife 27 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 9. Captures of reptiles in trapping grids, 2008. Numbers represent the total number of captures in a grid and may include individuals captured more than once over successive days.

Site Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dragons Amphibolurus longirostris 1 1 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 3 1 17 4 7 Ctenophorus isolepis 7 Geckoes Diplodactylus conspicillatus 7 1 Gehyra punctata 1 1 2 Gehyra variegata 2 Heteronotia binoei 1 5 3 1 1 1 Lucasium stenodactylum 18 4 1 1 Nephrurus wheeleri 1 Legless Lizards Delma nasuta 1 1 Delma pax 2 1 Delma tincta 1 4 2 Skinks Carlia munda 1 5 2 Ctenotus duricola 2 2 Ctenotus hanloni 1 7 3 Ctenotus pantherinus 6 3 4 3 Ctenotus saxatilis 8 19 4 2 11 17 9 Ctenotus uber 1 Lerista zietzi 1 1 2 Morethia ruficauda 1 1 3 3 Tiliqua multifasciata 1 Goannas Varanus acanthurus 2 1 1 1 1 5 Varanus brevicauda 1 2 1 Varanus tristis 1 1 Blind Snakes Ramphotyphlops ammodytes 3 Pythons Antaresia stimpsoni 1 Elapid Snakes Brachyurophis approximans 1 2 Demansia rufescens 1 Pseudechis australis 1 1 Pseudonaja nuchalis 2 Total number of species recorded: 10 16 13 8 12 13 7

Western Wildlife 28 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 10. Results of spot-lighting and head-torching.

Date Time Location Species observed 25/10/08 18:30 – Gorge to the north of camp - 4 Oedura marmorata x 11 21:30 observers Gehyra punctata x 30 Ctenotus saxatilis x 1 Varanus acanthurus x 1 Cryptoblepharus sp. x 1 Nephrurus wheeleri x 2 Heteronotia spelea x 1 Heteronotia binoei x 3 Gehyra variegata x 3 Ctenophorus caudicinctus x 1 Lucasium stenodactylum x 1 26/10/08 18:30 – Yandi Rd (bitumen road) – 2 Nil 21:30 observers 26/10/08 18:30 – Creek near Yandi Rd – 2 Varanus tristis x 1 21:30 observers Carlia munda x 2 Pseudechis australis x 1 Gehyra punctata x 3 Gehyra variegata x 2 27/10/08 18:30 – Gorge to the north of camp - 2 Lucasium stenodactylum x 2 21:30 observers Antaresia stimpsoni x 1 Gehyra variegata x 1 Oedura marmorata x 1 27/10/08 18:30 – Along creek near site 6 – 2 Antaresia stimpsoni x 2 21:30 observers Oedura marmorata x 8 Gehyra punctata x 10 29/10/08 18:30 – Creek near Yandi Rd – 2 Southern Boobook (heard) 21:30 observers Australian Owlet-Nightjar (heard) Ctenophorus isolepis x 1 Gehyra variegata x 1 29/10/08 18:30 – Along creek near site 6 – 2 Oedura marmorata x 9 21:30 observers Gehyra punctata x 15

Western Wildlife 29 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 11. Birds recorded during surveys at each trapping site. Species are listed in taxonomic order; see Table 6 for scientific names and Appendix 5 for raw data.

Site Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Brown Quail X Nankeen Kestrel X X Brown Falcon X X X Crested Pigeon X X X Diamond Dove X X Spinifex Pigeon X Galah X Little Corella X X X X X X Australian Ringneck X X X X Rainbow Bee-eater X White-winged Fairy-wren X X Variegated Fairy-wren X X X Red-browed Pardalote X X X Weebill X X X X X X Black-chinned Honeyeater X Singing Honeyeater X X X X Grey-headed Honeyeater X Yellow-throated Miner X X X X Rufous Whistler X Crested Bellbird X X Grey-crowned Babbler X X X X X Western Bowerbird X Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike X X X X X X White-winged Triller X Willie Wagtail X X X X X Torresian Crow X X X X Black-faced Woodswallow X X X Pied Butcherbird X X X X X X Zebra Finch X X Species richness: 18 20 14 4 11 13 4

Table 12. Captures of small mammals in trapping grids. Numbers represent the total number of captures in a grid and may include individuals captured more than once over successive days.

Site Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dasyurid marsupials Dasykaluta rosamondae 1 Rats and mice Mus musculus 1 1 Pseudomys hermannsburgensis 2 2 1 Total number of species recorded: 2 0 2 1 1 0 0

Western Wildlife 30 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Table 13. Summary of conservation significant fauna in the project area.

Likelihood of Group Species Status Habitat occurrence Liasis olivaceus barroni Gorges, escarpments, CS1 Potential Pilbara Olive Python rocky areas, creeks. Ramphotyphlops ganei Possibly moist gorges CS2 Potential (blind snake) and gullies. Lucasium wombeyi CS3 Potential Heavy soils. (gecko) Ctenotus rubicundus CS3 Likely Rocky hills. (skink) Varanus pilbarensis Rocky hills and CS3 Likely Pilbara Rock Monitor outcrops.

Reptiles Acanthophis wellsi CS3 Likely Spinifex on stony soils. Pilbara Death Adder Demansia rufescens Spinifex on stony hills CS3 Present Rufous Whipsnake and plains. Vermicella snelli CS3 Potential Not well known. Pilbara Bandy-bandy Pezoporus occidentalis Open Spinifex CS1 Unlikely Night Parrot grasslands, near water. Falco peregrinus CS1 Likely Nest on cliffs, open pits. Peregrine Falcon Apus pacificus CS1 Potential Overfly any habitat. Fork-tailed Swift Merops ornatus CS1 Present Creeks, sandy areas. Rainbow Bee-eater Birds Birds Falco hypoleucos Nest in tree-lined CS2 Potential Grey Falcon creeks. Ardeotis australis CS2 Present Plains. Australian Bustard Burhinus grallarius Creeks, lightly wooded CS2 Likely Bush Stone-Curlew plains Dasyurus hallucatus CS1 Potential Rocky hills. Northern Quoll Dasycercus cristicaudata CS1 Unlikely Sandy areas, dunes. Mulgara Rhinonicteris aurantius CS1 Likely (foraging only) Forage over hills. Pilbara Orange Leaf-nosed Bat Sminthopsis longicaudata CS2 Potential Rocky hills and slopes. Long-tailed Dunnart Macroderma gigas Forage over hills and

Mammals Mammals CS2 Likely (foraging only) Ghost Bat plains. Leggadina lakedownensis Seasonally inundated CS2 Unlikely Lakeland Downs Mouse sandy-clays. Pseudomys chapmani CS2 Present Stony hills. Western Pebble-mound Mouse

Western Wildlife 31 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

References

Barrett, G., Silcocks, A., Barry, S., Cunningham, R. and Poulter, R. (2003). The New Atlas of Australian Birds. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Victoria.

Christidis, L. and Boles, W.E. (1994). The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Monograph 2.

Churchill, S. (1998). Australian Bats. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E., Sadlier, R.A. and Eggler, P. (1993). The Action Plan for Australian Reptiles. Endangered Species Programme Project Number 124, Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

Davis, R.A. and Metcalf, B.M. (2008). The Night Parrot (Pzeoporus occidentalis) in northern Western Australia: a recent sighting from the Pilbara region. Emu 108: 233 – 236.

Duncan, A., Baker, G.B. and Montgomery, N. (1999). The Action Plan for Australian Bats. Environment Australia, Canberra.

Environmental Protection Authority (2002). Terrestrial Biological Surveys as an Element of Biodiversity Protection. Position Statement No. 3. March 2002, Perth Western Australia.

Environmental Protection Authority (2004). Guidance for the assessment of environmental factors. Guidance Statement No. 56. June 2004, Perth Western Australia.

Garnett, S. and Crowley, G. (2000). The Action Plan for Australian Birds. Environment Australia and the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union.

Government of Western Australia (2000). Bush Forever Volume 2. Department of Environmental Protection, Perth.

Lee, A.K. (1995). The Action Plan for Australian Rodents. Environment Australia, Canberra.

Johnstone, R.E. and Storr, G.M. (1998). Handbook of Western Australian Birds. Volume 1: Non-passerines (Emu to Dollarbird). Western Australian Museum, Perth.

Johnstone, R.E. and Storr, G.M. (2004). Handbook of Western Australian Birds. Volume 2: Passerines (Blue-winged Pitta to Goldfinch). Western Australian Museum, Perth.

Maxwell, S., Burbidge, A.A. and Morris, K. (1996). Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes. Environment Australia, Canberra.

Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2004). A field guide to the mammals of Australia. 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.

Storr, G.M., Smith, L.A. and Johnstone, R.E. (1983). Lizards of Western Australia. II. Dragons and Monitors. W.A. Museum, Perth.

Storr, G.M., Smith, L.A. and Johnstone, R.E. (2002). Snakes of Western Australia. W.A. Museum, Perth.

Storr, G.M., Smith, L.A. and Johnstone, R.E. (1990). Lizards of Western Australia. III. Geckoes and Pygopods. W.A. Museum, Perth.

Storr, G.M., Smith, L.A. and Johnstone, R.E. (1999). Lizards of Western Australia. I. Skinks. 2nd edition. W.A. Museum, Perth.

Tyler, M.J. (1998). The Action Plan for Australian Frogs. Environment Australia, Canberra.

Western Wildlife 32 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Tyler, M.J., Smith, L.A. and Johnstone, R.E. (2000). Frogs of Western Australia. W.A. Museum, Perth.

Van Dyck and Strahan, R. (Ed.) (2008). The Mammals of Australia. 3rd Edition. Australian Museum/Reed Books, Sydney.

WA Museum. (2001). Checklists of the Vertebrates of Western Australia. Records of the WA Museum Supplement No. 63.

Western Wildlife 33 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 1. Categories used in the assessment of conservation status.

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act and/or the WA Wildlife Conservation Act

Schedule 1: Fauna that are rare or likely to become extinct. Schedule 2: Fauna presumed to be extinct. Schedule 3: Migratory birds that are listed under JAMBA. Schedule 4: Other specially protected fauna.

Extinct: Taxa not definitely located in the wild during the past 50 years. Extinct in the wild: Taxa known to survive only in captivity. Critically Endangered: Taxa facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. Endangered: Taxa facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. Vulnerable: Taxa facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future. Near Threatened: Taxa that risk becoming Vulnerable in the wild. Conservation Dependent: Taxa whose survival depends upon ongoing conservation measures. Without these measures, a conservation dependent taxon would be classed as Vulnerable or more severely threatened. Data Deficient: Taxa suspected of being Rare, Vulnerable or Endangered, but whose true status cannot be determined without more information. Least Concern: Taxa that are not Threatened.

WA Department of Environment and Conservation Priority species (species not listed under the Conservation Act, but for which there is some concern).

Priority 1: Taxa with few, poorly known populations on threatened lands. Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from one or a few localities on lands not managed for conservation, e.g. agricultural or pastoral lands, urban areas, active mineral leases. The taxon needs urgent survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened fauna.

Priority 2: Taxa with few, poorly known populations on conservation lands. Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from one or a few localities on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation, e.g. national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, State forest, vacant Crown land, water reserves, etc. The taxon needs urgent survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened fauna.

Priority 3: Taxa with several, poorly known populations, some on conservation lands. Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from several localities, some of which are on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation. The taxon needs urgent survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened fauna.

Priority 4: Taxa in need of monitoring. Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for which sufficient knowledge is available, and which are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could be if present circumstances change. These taxa are usually represented on conservation lands.

Priority 5: Taxa in need of monitoring. Taxa which are not considered threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming threatened within five years.

Western Wildlife 34 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 2. Species listed for the area 22.5ºS to 23.167ºS and 118.65ºE to 119.6ºE on the EPBC Protected Matters Search Tool, excluding marine species.

Species Status Author’s Comment

Night Parrot Endangered & May occur in project area. Pezoporus occidentalis Migratory

Northern Quoll Endangered Likely to occur in project area. Dasyurus hellucatus

Greater Bilby Not likely to occur in project area due to lack of Vulnerable Macrotis lagotis suitable habitat.

Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat Vulnerable May forage in project area, but no roosts present. Rhinonicteris aurantius Although this species may occasionally occur, the Olive Python (Pilbara) Vulnerable project area is unlikely to be important habitat due Liasis olivaceus barroni to the lack of permanent water. Rainbow Bee-eater Migratory Recorded in project area during 2008 fauna Merops ornatus (terrestrial) survey. Migratory Although this species may occasionally occur, the Great Egret (wetland & creeks present in the project area are not likely to Ardea alba marine) be important habitat for this species. Migratory Although this species may occasionally occur, the Cattle Egret (wetland & creeks present in the project area are not likely to Ardea ibis marine) be important habitat for this species. Oriental Plover Migratory Not likely to occur in project area due to lack of Charadrius veredus (wetland) suitable habitat.

Fork-tailed Swift Migratory May occur in project area. Apus pacificus (marine)

Western Wildlife 35 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 3. Species listed for the area 22.5ºS to 23.167ºS and 118.65ºE to 119.6ºE on the DEC Threatened and Priority Fauna Database.

Species Status Author’s Comments

Pilbara Olive Python Schedule 1 DEC record from Newman (1994). May be Liasis olivaceus barroni (Vulnerable) present in the project area. DEC records from Newman (1985) and Blind snake Priority 1 Cathedral Gorge (1995). May be present in Ramphotyphlops ganei the project area. DEC records for Marillana (1980 & 2006), West Angela Hill (1979), Packsaddle Hill (1992), Munjina Gorge (1994), Rhodes Western Pebble-mound Mouse Ridge (1994), Weeli Wolli Creek (1994), Priority 4 Pseudomys chapmani Giles Point (1994), Mt Newman (1994), Boundary Ridge (1996), Hammersley Range (2001) and Newman (2008). Present in the project area. Grey Falcon DEC record from West Angelas (1997). May Priority 4 Falco hypoleucos be present in the project area.

Ghost Bat DEC record from West Angela Hill (1998). Priority 4 Macroderma gigas May be present in the project area.

Western Wildlife 36 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 4.Captures of reptiles and mammals in trapping grids. Note that P = pit-trap, E = Elliott trap, F = Funnel trap, C = Cage trap, DIT = died in trap.

Date Site Trap Species Notes 22/10/08 1 P2 Ctenotus pantherinus 22/10/08 1 P1 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 1 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 1 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 1 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 1 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 1 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 1 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 1 P9 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 1 P8 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 2 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 22/10/08 2 F10 Ctenotus saxatilis 22/10/08 2 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 22/10/08 3 P5 Amphibolurus longirostris 22/10/08 3 P4 Ctenophorus isolepis 22/10/08 3 F6 Diplodactylus conspicillatus 22/10/08 3 P9 Diplodactylus conspicillatus 22/10/08 3 F5 Heteronotia binoei 23/10/08 1 F9 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 23/10/08 1 P1 Ctenotus pantherinus 23/10/08 1 F2 Ctenotus saxatilis 23/10/08 1 F6 Dasykaluta rosamondae 23/10/08 1 P8 Lucasium stenodactylum 23/10/08 1 F6 Lucasium stenodactylum 23/10/08 2 P2 Ctenotus hanloni 23/10/08 2 F7 Ctenotus hanloni 23/10/08 2 F9 Ctenotus saxatilis 23/10/08 2 P2 Heteronotia binoei 23/10/08 2 F8 Morethia ruficauda 23/10/08 2 F3 Pseudonaja nuchalis 23/10/08 2 F4 Pseudonaja nuchalis 23/10/08 2 P9 Varanus tristis 23/10/08 3 F6 Ctenotus duricola 23/10/08 3 P5 Ctenophorus isolepis 23/10/08 3 F9 Ctenophorus isolepis 23/10/08 3 F4 Ctenotus saxatilis 23/10/08 3 P5 Delma tincta 23/10/08 3 P4 Diplodactylus conspicillatus DIT 23/10/08 3 P9 Nephurus wheeleri 23/10/08 3 P4 Varanus acanthurus DIT 23/10/08 4 F6 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 23/10/08 4 P1 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 23/10/08 4 P9 Ctenotus duricola 23/10/08 4 F3 Varanus acanthurus 24/10/08 1 P8 Ctenotus pantherinus 24/10/08 1 F1 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 24/10/08 1 F5 Delma tincta 24/10/08 2 P1 Carlia munda 24/10/08 2 F5 Carlia munda DIT 24/10/08 2 F4 Ctenotus saxatilis 24/10/08 2 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 24/10/08 2 P9 Ctenotus saxatilis 24/10/08 2 P2 Delma pax 24/10/08 2 F3 Delma tincta 24/10/08 2 P4 Delma tincta 24/10/08 2 F6 Varanus brevicauda 24/10/08 2 F7 Varanus brevicauda 24/10/08 4 F4 Ctenotus pantherinus 24/10/08 4 P1 Morethia ruficauda

Western Wildlife 37 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 4. (cont.)

Date Site Trap Species Notes 24/10/08 5 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 24/10/08 5 P2 Gehyra punctata 24/10/08 6 P1 Brachyurophis approximans 24/10/08 6 F5 Brachyurophis approximans 24/10/08 6 F1 Carlia munda 24/10/08 6 F1 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 24/10/08 6 F3 Ctenotus saxatilis 24/10/08 6 F4 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 24/10/08 6 P5 Ctenotus saxatilis 24/10/08 6 F5 Ctenotus saxatilis 24/10/08 6 P7 Ctenotus saxatilis 24/10/08 6 F2 Heteronotia binoei 24/10/08 6 F3 Lerista zeitzi 24/10/08 6 P4 Morethia ruficauda 24/10/08 6 F4 Ramphotyphlops ammodytes 24/10/08 6 P8 Ramphotyphlops ammodytes 24/10/08 6 P3 Ramphotyphlops ammodytes 24/10/08 7 F9 Ctenotus saxatilis 24/10/08 7 P3 Ctenotus saxatilis 24/10/08 7 P10 Lerista zeitzi 25/10/08 1 P10 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 25/10/08 1 F1 Ctenotus pantherinus 25/10/08 1 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 1 P10 Lucasium stenodactylum 25/10/08 1 P7 Lucasium stenodactylum 25/10/08 1 F1 Lucasium stenodactylum 25/10/08 1 F6 Varanus brevicauda 25/10/08 2 F1 Carlia munda 25/10/08 2 F1 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 25/10/08 2 F3 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 25/10/08 2 F5 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 2 P8 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 2 F4 Heteronotia binoei 25/10/08 2 F4 Heteronotia binoei 25/10/08 2 F6 Varanus acanthurus 25/10/08 3 F6 Ctenotus duricola 25/10/08 3 P5 Ctenophorus isolepis 25/10/08 3 F2 Ctenophorus isolepis 25/10/08 3 F2 Ctenotus pantherinus DIT 25/10/08 3 P4 Ctenotus pantherinus 25/10/08 3 F3 Diplodactylus conspicillatus 25/10/08 3 P7 Diplodactylus conspicillatus 25/10/08 3 F6 Diplodactylus conspicillatus 25/10/08 3 F5 Diplodactylus conspicillatus 25/10/08 3 F7 Pseudechis australis 25/10/08 3 F5 Tiliqua multifasciata 25/10/08 3 P6 Varanus brevicauda 25/10/08 4 P7 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 25/10/08 4 F8 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 25/10/08 4 F1 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 25/10/08 4 F1 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 25/10/08 4 P3 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 25/10/08 4 F9 Ctenotus pantherinus 25/10/08 4 E9 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 5 F9 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 25/10/08 5 F5 Ctenotus pantherinus 25/10/08 5 F5 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 5 F5 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 5 F5 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 5 F8 Gehyra variegata

Western Wildlife 38 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 4. (cont.)

Date Site Trap Species Notes 25/10/08 5 P9 Lucasium stenodactylum 25/10/08 5 P8 Morethia ruficauda 25/10/08 5 F5 Mus musculus 25/10/08 6 P7 Ctenotus hanloni 25/10/08 6 F7 Ctenotus hanloni DIT 25/10/08 6 F1 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 6 P6 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 6 F9 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 6 F10 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 25/10/08 6 P5 Gehyra punctata 25/10/08 6 F1 Morethia ruficauda DIT 25/10/08 7 E10 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 7 F10 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 7 F9 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 7 F5 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 7 F1 Ctenotus saxatilis 25/10/08 7 P1 Gehyra punctata 25/10/08 7 F10 Lerista zeitzi DIT 25/10/08 7 F6 Varanus acanthurus 26/10/08 1 F2 Ctenotus pantherinus 26/10/08 2 P4 Ctenotus hanloni 26/10/08 2 F4 Ctenotus hanloni 26/10/08 2 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 26/10/08 2 F8 Ctenotus saxatilis 26/10/08 2 F8 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 26/10/08 2 P2 Delma tincta 26/10/08 2 F3 Delma tincta 26/10/08 2 P7 Lucasium stenodactylum 26/10/08 2 F6 Varanus acanthurus 26/10/08 3 P3 Ctenophorus isolepis 26/10/08 3 F10 Ctenotus pantherinus 26/10/08 3 F5 Heteronotia binoei 26/10/08 3 E3 Pseudomys hermmansburgensis 26/10/08 4 F4 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 26/10/08 4 P4 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 26/10/08 4 P5 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 26/10/08 4 P7 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 26/10/08 4 P9 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 26/10/08 4 F8 Ctenotus duricola 26/10/08 4 P10 Ctenotus pantherinus 26/10/08 5 F4 Ctenotus saxatilis 26/10/08 5 F8 Ctenotus uber 26/10/08 5 F1 Diplodactylus conspicillatus 26/10/08 6 F8 Ctenotus saxatilis 26/10/08 6 F2 Varanus acanthurus 26/10/08 7 P8 Amphibolurus longirostris 26/10/08 7 P3 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 26/10/08 7 F7 Varanus acanthurus 27/10/08 1 F5 Carlia munda 27/10/08 1 F2 Ctenotus pantherinus 27/10/08 1 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 27/10/08 1 F5 Lucasium stenodactylum 27/10/08 1 P10 Lucasium stenodactylum 27/10/08 1 E5 Pseudomys hermmansburgensis 27/10/08 2 P9 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 27/10/08 2 F2 Ctenotus saxatilis 27/10/08 2 F10 Ctenotus saxatilis 27/10/08 2 F6 Heteronotia binoei 27/10/08 3 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 27/10/08 3 E3 Mus musculus

Western Wildlife 39 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 4. (cont.)

Date Site Trap Species Notes 27/10/08 4 P4 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 27/10/08 4 P6 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 27/10/08 4 F8 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 27/10/08 4 P5 Lucasium stenodactylum 27/10/08 4 P8 Pseudomys hermmansburgensis 27/10/08 5 F5 Ctenotus pantherinus 27/10/08 5 P3 Ctenotus saxatilis 27/10/08 5 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 27/10/08 5 P1 Morethia ruficauda 27/10/08 5 P5 Morethia ruficauda 27/10/08 5 F1 Varanus acanthurus 27/10/08 6 F10 Carlia munda 27/10/08 6 F5 Ctenotus saxatilis 27/10/08 6 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 27/10/08 6 P8 Delma pax 27/10/08 7 P3 Varanus acanthurus 28/10/08 1 F7 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 28/10/08 1 F1 Ctenotus saxatilis 28/10/08 1 F5 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 28/10/08 1 F7 Ctenotus saxatilis 28/10/08 1 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 28/10/08 1 F6 Heteronotia binoei 28/10/08 1 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 28/10/08 1 E3 Pseudomys hermmansburgensis 28/10/08 2 F3 Brachyurophis approximans 28/10/08 2 F2 Carlia munda DIT 28/10/08 2 F2 Ctenotus saxatilis 28/10/08 2 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 28/10/08 2 F6 Heteronotia binoei 28/10/08 2 P2 Lucasium stenodactylum 28/10/08 2 F7 Lucasium stenodactylum 28/10/08 3 E4 Ctenophorus isolepis 28/10/08 3 F5 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 28/10/08 3 F7 Ctenotus saxatilis 28/10/08 3 F2 Heteronotia binoei 28/10/08 4 F1 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 28/10/08 4 F10 Ctenotus saxatilis 28/10/08 5 F2 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 28/10/08 5 F2 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 28/10/08 5 P6 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 28/10/08 5 F10 Gehyra variegata 28/10/08 6 F7 Ctenotus saxatilis 28/10/08 6 F4 Pseudechis australis 28/10/08 7 P1 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 28/10/08 7 P3 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 28/10/08 7 F7 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 28/10/08 7 F4 Demansia rufescens DIT 29/10/08 1 P4 Ctenotus saxatilis 29/10/08 1 F5 Delma nasuta 29/10/08 2 F10 Ctenotus saxatilis 29/10/08 3 P5 Delma tincta 29/10/08 4 P6 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 29/10/08 4 F9 Ctenotus pantherinus 29/10/08 4 F9 Heteronotia binoei 29/10/08 5 F5 Ctenotus pantherinus 29/10/08 5 P4 Ctenotus saxatilis 29/10/08 5 F3 Ctenotus saxatilis 29/10/08 5 F1 Ctenotus saxatilis 29/10/08 5 F6 Ctenotus saxatilis 29/10/08 5 E6 Varanus tristis

Western Wildlife 40 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 4. (cont.)

Date Site Trap Species Notes 29/10/08 6 F10 Antaresia stimpsoni 29/10/08 6 F3 Ctenotus saxatilis 29/10/08 6 P3 Morethia ruficauda 29/10/08 7 F6 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 29/10/08 7 P8 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 29/10/08 7 F7 Ctenotus saxatilis 29/10/08 7 F2 Gehyra punctata 29/10/08 7 F5 Varanus acanthurus 30/10/08 2 F1 Carlia munda 30/10/08 2 F4 Ctenotus saxatilis 30/10/08 3 E3 Pseudomys hermmansburgensis 30/10/08 7 F3 Ctenophorus caudicinctus 30/10/08 7 E10 Ctenotus saxatilis 30/10/08 7 F1 Varanus acanthurus 30/10/08 1 F8 Ctenotus hanloni 30/10/08 5 F10 Heteronotia binoei 30/10/08 2 F3 Ctenotus hanloni 30/10/08 2 F4 Lerista zeitzi 30/10/08 2 F9 Ctenotus hanloni 30/10/08 2 F10 Ctenotus hanloni 30/10/08 2 F5 Delma nasuta 30/10/08 2 P5 Delma pax 30/10/08 6 P9 Ctenotus saxatilis DIT 30/10/08 6 F9 Ctenotus hanloni 30/10/08 6 F8 Ctenotus saxatilis

Western Wildlife 41 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 5:Bird survey data. Note that JW = Jenny Wilcox, IH = Ian Harris.

Site: S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S1 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S3 S3 S3 S3 S3 S3 Date: 22/10/08 23/10/08 24/10/08 25/10/08 26/10/08 27/10/08 27/10/08 28/10/08 29/10/08 24/10/08 25/10/08 26/10/08 24/10/08 27/10/08 28/10/08 30/10/08 25/10/08 26/10/08

Surveyed by: IH IH IH IH IH IH IH IH IH IH IH IH JW JW JW JW JW JW Brown Quail 2 Nankeen Kestrel 1 Brown Falcon 2 1 Crested Pigeon 3 2 2 2 2 Diamond Dove 1 X Spinifex Pigeon 1 Galah 1 Little Corella 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 3 5 6 Australian Ringneck 2 X Rainbow Bee-eater X White-winged Fairy-wren X X Variegated Fairy-wren 6 4 2 Red-browed Pardalote X X 1 X Weebill 1 2 1 X 1 1 X X 1 3 X Black-chinned Honeyeater 4 Singing Honeyeater 1 1 1 1 X X X 1 Grey-headed Honeyeater 1 Yellow-throated Miner X X Rufous Whistler 1 Crested Bellbird X Grey-crowned Babbler 3 2 3 3 X X Western Bowerbird Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 2 2 X 2 X White-winged Triller 1 Willie Wagtail X 2 X 1 1 1 X Torresian Crow 2 1 1 1 1 2 Pied Butcherbird 1 1 1 1 X 1 X Black-faced Woodswallow 2 4 6 Zebra Finch 4 4 X

Western Wildlife 42 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 5(cont.)

Site: S4 S4 S5 S5 S5 S5 S5 S5 S6 S6 S6 S6 S6 S6 S7 S7 S7 S7 Date: 27/10/08 29/10/08 24/10/08 25/10/08 26/10/08 26/10/08 29/10/08 27/10/08 27/10/08 28/10/08 29/10/08 24/10/08 25/10/08 26/10/08 25/10/08 26/10/08 27/10/08 29/10/08

Surveyed by: IH IH IH IH IH IH IH IH IH IH JW JW JW JW JW JW JW JW Brown Quail 1 Nankeen Kestrel Brown Falcon 1 Crested Pigeon 3 1 2 Diamond Dove Spinifex Pigeon Galah Little Corella 4 6 2 2 4 3 1 2 2 2 X Australian Ringneck 2 2 2 Rainbow Bee-eater White-winged Fairy-wren 3 Variegated Fairy-wren 5 5 5 Red-browed Pardalote X Weebill X 2 1 2 2 X X X X Black-chinned Honeyeater Singing Honeyeater X Grey-headed Honeyeater Yellow-throated Miner 2 2 1 1 Rufous Whistler Crested Bellbird X Grey-crowned Babbler 2 X X Western Bowerbird 2 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike X 1 1 1 1 White-winged Triller Willie Wagtail X X Torresian Crow 1 1 1 2 Pied Butcherbird 1 1 1 X 1 X X Black-faced Woodswallow 2 Zebra Finch

Western Wildlife 43 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 6. Opportunistic records.

Date Species Location 20/10/08 Australian Bustard x 2 Phil's Creek Access Rd 20/10/08 Ctenophorus isolepis Site 4 20/10/08 Pseudonaja nuchalis Site 2 21/10/08 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Site 3 21/10/08 Cockatiel Site 3 21/10/08 Brown Quail Site 3 22/10/08 Rainbow Bee-eater Site 5 23/10/08 Tawny Frogmouth (heard) Camp 23/10/08 Southern Boobook (heard) Camp 24/10/08 Sacred Kingfisher Camp 24/10/08 Blue-winged Kookaburrra Camp 24/10/08 Australian Owlet-Nightjar Camp 25/10/08 Gehyra punctata x 10 Gorge to north of camp 25/10/08 Oedura marmorata x 2 Gorge to north of camp 25/10/08 Cryptoblepharus sp. x 1 Gorge to north of camp 25/10/08 Ctenophorus caudicinctus x 10 Gorge to north of camp 25/10/08 Pogona minor Site 7 25/10/08 Oedura marmorata Camp 25/10/08 Varanus panoptes Site 2 25/10/08 Little Eagle Creek near Yandi Rd 25/10/08 Rufous Whistler Creek near Yandi Rd 25/10/08 Amphibolurus longirostris Site 6 26/10/08 Southern Boobook Camp 26/10/08 Australian Owlet-Nightjar (flushed from hollow) Hills to west of camp 26/10/08 Brown Falcon nesting Near Site 2 27/10/08 Australian Magpie Site 3 27/10/08 Amphibolurus longirostris Site 1 27/10/08 Varanus panoptes Site 1 27/10/08 Little Woodswallow Hill to north of camp 27/10/08 Galah Camp

Western Wildlife 44 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 7. Locations of Western Pebble-mound Mouse mounds in the project area.

No. General Location Zone Easting Northing Comments 1 Hill to north of site 7 50 726596 7483149 Active 2 Hill to north of site 7 50 726613 7483122 Active 3 Hill to north of site 7 50 726750 7483285 Active 4 Hill to north of site 7 50 726841 7483460 Active 5 Hill to north of site 7 50 726830 7483505 Active 6 Hill to north of site 7 50 726957 7483605 Active 7 Hill to north of site 7 50 726874 7483614 Active 8 Hill to north of site 7 50 726892 7483654 Active 9 Hill to north of site 7 50 726956 7483664 Active 10 Hill to north of site 7 50 727015 7483667 Active 11 Hill to north of site 7 50 727007 7483666 Active 12 Near camp 50 724662 7484438 Active 13 Near camp 50 724752 7484361 Active 14 Near camp 50 724780 7484304 Active 15 Hill to north of site 3 50 726203 7483314 Active 16 Hill to north of site 3 50 726154 7483325 Active 17 Hill to north of site 3 50 726108 7483327 Active 18 Hill to north of site 3 50 725978 7483286 Active 19 Hill to north of site 3 50 725930 7483281 Active 20 Hill to north of site 3 50 725993 7483341 Active 21 Hill to north of site 1 50 724188 7484943 Active 22 Hill to north of site 1 50 724076 7484922 Active 23 Hill to north of site 1 50 724115 7484886 Active 24 Hill to north of site 1 50 724035 7484874 Very old (inactive) 25 Hill to north of site 1 50 724023 7484862 Active 26 Hill to north of site 1 50 724004 7484835 Old (inactive) 27 Hill to north of site 1 50 723965 7484832 Active 28 Hill to north of site 1 50 723924 7484845 Active 29 Hill to north of site 1 50 723963 7484730 Active 30 Hill to north of site 1 50 723944 7484708 Active 32 Hill to north of site 1 50 723948 7484676 Active 33 Hill to north of site 1 50 724028 7484621 Active 34 Hills to west of camp 50 723928 7484224 Recently active* 35 Hills to west of camp 50 723953 7484179 Recently active* 36 Hills to west of camp 50 724001 7484173 Active 37 Hills to west of camp 50 724046 7484155 Active 38 Hills to west of camp 50 724092 7484108 Active 39 Hills to west of camp 50 724119 7484104 Very old (inactive) 40 Hills to west of camp 50 724334 7483826 Active 41 Hills to west of camp 50 724187 7483830 Active 42 Hills to west of camp 50 724205 7483800 Active 43 Hills to west of camp 50 724237 7483746 Active 44 Hills to west of camp 50 724262 7483805 Active 45 Hills to west of camp 50 724123 7484198 Active 46 Hills to west of camp 50 724084 7484201 Active 47 Hills to west of camp 50 724026 7484228 Active

*run over by exploration track

Western Wildlife 45 Phil’s Creek Fauna Survey 2008

Appendix 8. Analysis of bat recordings.

Western Wildlife 46

Bat call identification

from Phil’s Creek, Pilbara

Type: Bat Call Analysis

Prepared for: Western Wildlife

Date: 12 December 2008

Job No.: SZ063

Prepared by: Specialised Zoological Kyle Armstrong and Yuki Konishi ABN 92 265 437 422 0404 423 264 [email protected] [email protected]

Bat call identification from Phil’s Creek, Pilbara

SUMMARY

Bat identifications from Anabat echolocation call recordings are provided from Phil’s Creek, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Five species were identified (Table 1).

Some sequences could not be identified reliably to one species. The calls of the yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat Saccolaimus flaviventris can sometimes be confused with those of the northern free-tailed bat Chaerephon jobensis, and these species could not be separated here.

Details supporting the identifications are provided, as recommended by the Australasian Bat Society (ABS 2006). A summary of pulse parameters is provided in Table 2, and representative call sequences are illustrated in Figure 1. Further data is available should verification be required.

METHODS

Signals as recorded with an Anabat SD1 unit were downloaded and examined in AnalookW 3.5f software. Three call variables were measured on good quality search phase pulses in representative call sequences: pulse duration (milliseconds), maximum frequency (kHz) and characteristic frequency (equivalent to minimum frequency; kHz). Species were identified based on information in McKenzie and Muir (2000). Nomenclature follows Armstrong and Reardon (2006).

REFERENCES ABS (2006). Recommendations of the Australasian Bat Society Inc for reporting standards for insectivorous bat surveys using bat detectors. The Australasian Bat Society Newsletter 27: 6–9. [ISSN 1448-5877]

Armstrong, K. and Reardon, T. (2006). Standardising common names of bats in Australia. The Australasian Bat Society Newsletter 26: 37–42.

McKenzie, N.L. and Muir, W.P. (2000). Bats of the southern Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 61: 465–477.

2

Bat call identification from Phil’s Creek, Pilbara

TABLE 1. Species identifications, with the degree of confidence indicated by a code. Date correlates with site; see Table 2 for full species names.

C. jobensis / S T. V. Date Site C. gouldii S. flaviventris greyii georgianus finlaysoni Serial 3060 20/10/2008 Camp H M H H — 21/10/2008 Small breakaway — — H H — 24/10/2008 — H M H H H Creekline next 25/10/2008 H M H — H to outcrop 27/10/2008 near Site 7 H M H H H Gorge behind 29/10/2008 H M H H H camp Serial 3186 Gorge behind 25/10/2008 H M H H H camp 27/10/2008 Site 6 H M H H H Creek near 29/10/2008 H M H H H Yandi Road

Definition of confidence level codes: R Reference. Capture of the species was made at the site, and the identification is supported by measurements, a Reference call recording, and/or submission of a specimen/tissue to a museum. H High. Unambiguous identification of the species at the site based on measured call characteristics and comparison with available reference material. M Medium. Either call quality was poor, or the species cannot be distinguished reliably from another that makes similar calls. Alternative identifications are indicated in the Summary section of this report. If this is a species of conservation significance, further survey work might be required to confirm the record.

TABLE 2. Summary of variables from representative call sequences.

Duration Max Frequency Char frequency Species s,p1 (msec)2 (kHz)2 (kHz)2 Gould’s wattled bat 6.9 ± 1.0 41.4 ± 5.8 30.4 ± 0.9 3,48 Chalinolobus gouldii 4.7 – 8.9 34.0 – 66.7 28.9 – 32.5 Northern free-tailed bat Chaerephon jobensis / 15.6 ± 2.5 21.5 ± 4.8 16.2 ± 0.6 2,32 Yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat 11.3 – 21.9 16.6 – 33.7 14.9 – 17.9 Saccolaimus flaviventris Little broad-nosed bat 4.8 ± 0.7 69.2 ± 14.7 39.1 ± 0.9 2,21 Scotorepens greyii 3.9 – 6.5 42.8 – 88.9 37.0 – 40.3 Common sheath-tailed bat 10.8 ± 1.7 26.6 ± 1.3 24.0 ± 0.2 1,15 Taphozous georgianus 6.8 – 13.3 25.5 – 29.5 23.6 – 24.4 Finlayson’s cave bat 5.0 ± 0.9 69.1 ± 15.8 53.4 ± 2.9 3,42 Vespadelus finlaysoni 3.1 – 7.3 52.3 – 106.7 49.7 – 57.6

1 s,p: number of sequences measured, combined total number of pulses measured; 2 Mean ± SD; range.

3

Bat call identification from Phil’s Creek, Pilbara

FIGURE 1. Representative call sequences of the species identified (time is compressed between pulses).

4

Appendix 4 –– Project Infrastructure and Northern Quoll Habitat Figure

Phil’s Creek Iron Ore Project 17 EPBC Ref: 2009/5107 - Preliminary Documentation Additional Information 19 November 2009 722,895 723,395 723,895 724,395 724,895 725,395 725,895 726,395 726,895 727,395

IRON ORE HOLDINGS LIMITED Explosives Magazine

Date: 27/11/09 Phil's Creek Project Potential Northern Quoll Habitat Drawn: DF/BH Disturbance and Rehabilitation Areas 7,484,784 7,484,784 Chk:

060 120 240 360 480 600 720 App: Meters ¯ Date: Scale 1:12,500 Dgn No: IOH-PC-EPA-0004b Rev: 0.0 A3

Disturbance Area 9 Disturbance Area 8 7,484,284 7,484,284 Pit Boundary

Disturbance Area 5 Accommodation Village ROM Stockpile Site Office 7,483,784 7,483,784

Disturbance Area 7 Disturbance Area 4

Plant/Worksop Infrastructure

Disturbance Area 6 7,483,284 7,483,284 7,482,784 7,482,784

Existing Access Track to be Rehabilitated Disturbance Area 3

LEGEND

Proposed Infrastructure Northern Quoll survey boundary Rehabiltation Area 7,482,284 7,482,284 Area of Disturbance Area Interest Disturbance Area 2 !( Water Courses NEWMAN C1 Veg Code Potential Quoll Habitat S1 Veg Code Potential Quoll Habitat Disturbance Area 1 (! S4 Veg Code Potentail Quoll Habitat PERTH

722,895 723,395 723,895 724,395 724,895 725,395 725,895 726,395 726,895 727,395 7,481,784