Birdwatching Around Kununurra
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Ord River Hydro-Electric Project
Ord River hydro-electric project Argyle Diamond Mines Pty Limited Report and recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority Environmentai Proieciion Authority Perth, Western Australia Bulletin 615 March, 1992 THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT This report contains the Environmental Protection Authority's environmental assessment and recommendations to the Minister for the Environment on the environmental acceptability of the proposal. Immediately following the release of the report there is a 14-day period when anyone may appeal to the Minister against the Environmental Protection Authority's recommendations. After the appeal period, and determination of any appeals, the Minister consults with the other relevant ministers and agencies and then issues his decision about whether the proposal may or may not proceed. The Minister also announces the legally binding environmental conditions which might apply to any approval. APPEALS If you disagree with any of the assessment report recommendations you may appeal in writing to the Minister for the Environment outlining tbe environmental reasons for your concern and enclosing the appeal fee of $10. It is important that you clearly indicate the part of the report you disagree with and the reasons for your concern so that the grounds of your appeal can be properly considered by the Minister for the En vironmeni. ADDRESS Hon Minister for tbe Environment 18th Floor, Allendale Square 77 StGeorge's Terrace PERTH WA 60<XJ CLOSING DATE Your appeal (with the $10 fcc) must reach the Minister's office no later than 5.00 p.m. on 3 April, 1992. Contents Page Summary aud recommendations 1. Introduction 1 2. -
Lakes Argyle and Kununurra Wetlands Ramsar Site Ecological Character Description
Lakes Argyle and Kununurra Ramsar Site Ecological Character Description Citation: Hale, J. and Morgan, D., 2010, Ecological Character Description for the Lakes Argyle and Kununurra Ramsar Site. Report to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. Acknowledgements: Danny Rogers, Australasian Waders Studies Group (expert advice) Halina Kobryn, Murdoch University (mapping and GIS) The steering committee was comprised of representatives of the following organisations: • Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts • WA Department of Environment and Conservation (Kununurra) • WA Department of Water (Kununurra) • Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley Introductory Notes This Ecological Character Description (ECD Publication) has been prepared in accordance with the National Framework and Guidance for Describing the Ecological Character of Australia’s Ramsar Wetlands (National Framework) (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2008). The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) prohibits actions that are likely to have a significant impact on the ecological character of a Ramsar wetland unless the Commonwealth Environment Minister has approved the taking of the action, or some other provision in the EPBC Act allows the action to be taken. The information in this ECD Publication does not indicate any commitment to a particular course of action, policy position or decision. Further, it does not provide assessment of any particular action within the meaning of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), nor replace the role of the Minister or his delegate in making an informed decision to approve an action. The Water Act 2007 requires that in preparing the [Murray-Darling] Basin Plan, the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) must take into account Ecological Character Descriptions of declared Ramsar wetlands prepared in accordance with the National Framework. -
How Is Water Allocation Decided? Managing Water from the Ord River How the System Works ^ Contact Information Further Informatio
Managing water from Quick water facts How is water allocation decided? the Ord River The priority set by government is for secure and The Ord River is one of the Goomig farmland reliable water supplies to maximise the irrigation most significant waterways in potential of the region, while at the same time Keep River supporting hydro-electricity generation and sustaining Australia. It provides for water Plain to an iconic agricultural project, a healthy downstream river environment. supports local tourism and The Department of Water is responsible for managing sustains a unique Kimberley Carlton Plain Tarrara Bar streamflow gauge Knox Creek and licensing water from the Ord River under the environment. Plain ^ Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 (WA). Its We are seeing the largest Mantinea Green Swamp Ord surface water allocation plan supports the Knox Creek development of irrigated land government priorities through water allocation limits Ivanhoe Plain in the Ord River area since the Ord West which control the total volume of entitlements that can Bank 1960s. The Ord-East Kimberley be issued, and water release rules and water sharing Eight Mile Creek Irrigation Expansion Project NorthernTerritory rules which are managed though licences. plans to increase the size of the Ord irrigation area by !( Kununurra The water release rules are particularly important Ð Lake Kununurra 15,400 hectares in the short Legend Kununurra Diversion Dam Ò during times of below-average storage and dry !( Towns term with potential for further ^ Streamflow gauge Packsaddle periods, and ensure the most effective water sharing. Plain expansion beyond this in ÒÐ Dam site The rules were set using a water balance model Western Australia and into the Roads that weighs up hydrology, water demands, reliability, Rivers Northern Territory. -
East Kimberley Impact Assessment Project
East Kimberley Impact Assessment Project IMPACT STORIES OF THE EAST KIMBERLEY Helen Ross (Editor) Eileen Bray (translator) East Kimberley Working Paper No. 28 ISSN 0 86740 356 X ISBN 0816-6323 ,.- April 1989 A Joint Project Of The: Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies Australian National University Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies Anthropology Department University of Western Australia Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia The aims of the project are as follows: 1. To compile a comprehensive profile of the contemporary social environment of the East Kimberley region utilising both existing information sources and limited fieldwork. 2. Develop and utilise appropriate methodological approaches to social impact assessment within a multi-disciplinary framework. 3. Assess the social impact of major public and private developments of the East Kimberley region's resources (physical, mineral and environmental) on resident Aboriginal communities. Attempt to identify problems/issues which, while possibly dormant at present, are likely to have implications that will affect communities at some stage in the future. 4. Establish a framework to allow the dissemination of research results to Aboriginal communities so as to enable them to develop their own strategies for dealing with social impact issues. 5. To identify in consultation with Governments and regional interests issues and problems which may be susceptible to further research. Views expressed in the Projecfs publications are the views of the authors, and are not necessarily shared by the sponsoring organisations. Address correspondence to: The Executive Officer East Kimberley Project CRES, ANU GPO Box4 Canberra City, ACT 2601 IMPACT STORIES OF THE EAST KIMBERLEY Helen Ross (Editor) Eileen Bray (translator) East Kimberley Working Paper No. -
Birdquest Australia (Western and Christmas
Chestnut-backed Button-quail in the north was a bonus, showing brilliantly for a long time – unheard of for this family (Andy Jensen) WESTERN AUSTRALIA 5/10 – 27 SEPTEMBER 2017 LEADER: ANDY JENSEN ASSISTANT: STUART PICKERING ! ! 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Western Australia (including Christmas Island) 2017 www.birdquest-tours.com Western Shrike-tit was one of the many highlights in the southwest (Andy Jensen) Western Australia, if it were a country, would be the 10th largest in the world! The BirdQuest Western Australia (including Christmas Island) 2017 tour offered an unrivalled opportunity to cover a large portion of this area, as well as the offshore territory of Christmas Island (located closer to Indonesia than mainland Australia). Western Australia is a highly diverse region with a range of habitats. It has been shaped by the isolation caused by the surrounding deserts. This isolation has resulted in a richly diverse fauna, with a high degree of endemism. A must visit for any birder. This tour covered a wide range of the habitats Western Australia has to offer as is possible in three weeks, including the temperate Karri and Wandoo woodlands and mallee of the southwest, the coastal heathlands of the southcoast, dry scrub and extensive uncleared woodlands of the goldfields, coastal plains and mangroves around Broome, and the red-earth savannah habitats and tropical woodland of the Kimberley. The climate varied dramatically Conditions ranged from minus 1c in the Sterling Ranges where we were scraping ice off the windscreen, to nearly 40c in the Kimberley, where it was dust needing to be removed from the windscreen! We were fortunate with the weather – aside from a few minutes of drizzle as we staked out one of the skulkers in the Sterling Ranges, it remained dry the whole time. -
A Review of the Distribution, Status and Ecology of the Star Finch Neochmia Ruficauda in Queensland
AUSTRALIAN 278 BIRD WATCHER AUSTRALIAN BIRD WATCHER 1998, 17, 278-289 A Review of the Distribution, Status and Ecology of the Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda in Queensland by GLENN H.OLMES, P.O. Box 1246, Atherton, Queensland 4883 Summary The Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda has been recorded in 35-37 one-degree blocks in Queensland. Most records concern the Edward River, Princess Charlotte Bay and Rockharnpton districts. Viable populations are probably now restricted to Cape York Peninsula. Typical habitat comprises grasslands or grassy open woodlands, near permanent water or subject to regular inundation. Some sites support shrubby regrowth caused by the clearing of formerly unsuitable denser woodlands. Recorded food items are all seeds, of five grass species and one sedge. Precise nest records are few, but large numbers of juveniles have been observed during the last two decades at Aurukun, Pormpuraaw, Kowanyarna and Princess Charlotte Bay. Threatening processes are discussed; livestock grazing in riparian situations is considered the most deleterious. Introduction The distribution, status and ecology of the Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda in Queensland require urgent review. Endemic to northern and eastern Australia, its populations have declined in most regions. Available evidence suggests that the greatest contraction in its distribution has occurred in Queensland (e.g. Blakers et al. 1984). It is extinct in New South Wales, but its distribution there was only oflirnited extent (Holmes 1996). The Star Finch is protected stringently in Queensland because it is gazetted as Endangered under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. This categorisation takes due account of 'biological vulnerability, extent of current knowledge ... and management needs'. -
NESTLING MOUTH Marklngs It '" "' of OLD WORLD FINCHES ESTLLU MIMICRY and COEVOLUTION of NESTING
NESTLING MOUTH MARklNGS It '" "' OF OLD WORLD FINCHES ESTLLU MIMICRY AND COEVOLUTION OF NESTING r - .. ;.-; 5.i A&+.FINCHES .-. '4 AND THEIR VIDUA BROOD PARASITES - . , , . :.. - i ' -, ,' $*.$$>&.--: 7 -.: ',"L dt$=%>df;$..;,4;x.;b,?b;.:, ;.:. -, ! ,I Vt .., . k., . .,.-. , .is: 8, :. BY ERT B. PAYNE MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, NO. 194 Ann ntwi day, 2005 lSSN 0076-8405 PUBLICATIONS OF THE MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NO. 194 J. B. BLJR(.H,Editor JI.:NNIFERFBLMLEE, Assistcint Editor The publications of the Museum of Zoology, The University of Michigan, consist primarily of two series-the Mi.scel/aneous Pziblications and the Occa.siona1 Papers. Both series were founded by Dr. Bryant Walker, Mr. Bradshaw H. Swales, and Dr. W.W. Newcomb. Occasionally thc Museum publishes contributions outside of these series; beginning in 1990 thcsc arc titled Special Publications and arc numbered. All submitted manuscripts to any of the Museum's publications receive external review. The Occasional Papers, begun in 1913, serve as a medium for original studies based principally upon the collections in the Museum. They arc issued separately. When a sufficient number of pages has been printed to make a volume, a title page, table of contents, and an index are supplied to libraries and individuals on the mailing list for the series. The Miscellaneotls Pt~hlication.~,initiated in 1916, include monographic studies, papers on field and museum techniques, and other contributions not within the scope of the Occasional Papers, and are published separately. It is not intended that they be grouped into volurnes. Each number has a title page and, when necessary, a table of contents. -
Western Australia
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 16 AUGUST – 7 SPETEMBER 2003 TOUR REPORT LEADER: CHRIS DOUGHTY. Seven years of drought in Australia has finally ended, unfortunately, the drought ended when the group arrived in Albany where we experienced heavy rain and gale force winds. Although we left the rain behind in Albany, the strong winds persisted throughout the whole tour, making the birding more difficult. After a leisurely first afternoon recovering from our long-haul flights, we began our birding the next morning at Lake Monger in the pleasant suburbs of Perth. The large concentrations of waterbirds included a few pairs of the uncommon Blue-billed Duck, several bizarre Musk Ducks, including a male bird, which put on an equally bizarre courtship display, and rather more surprisingly, a small party of Short-billed Black-Cockatoos, a south-western endemic which does not normally occur in downtown Perth. Here we also encountered our first honeyeaters, including the striking White-cheeked Honeyeater. As we drove on south towards Narrogin, we came across another of the south-western endemics, a splendid, full-plumaged, male Western Rosella, perched obligingly in a dead tree by the roadside. In the afternoon, a visit to Dryandra State Forest produced three more south-western endemics: Red-capped Parrot, Rufous Treecreeper and Western Yellow Robin. However, the afternoon’s show was undoubtedly stolen by a couple of seriously endangered Numbats, which gave superb views as they foraged busily on the forest floor only metres from the bus. This once widespread marsupial ‘ground squirrel’ is now confined to Dryandra State Forest. We also enjoyed great looks at a couple of obliging Short- beaked Echidnas, with a supporting cast of several Western Grey Kangaroos. -
Tropical & Far North Queensland 9 Day Birding Tour
Bellbird Tours Pty Ltd PO Box 2008, BERRI SA 5343 AUSTRALIA Ph. 1800-BIRDING Ph. +61409 763172 www.bellbirdtours.com [email protected] Tropical & Far North Queensland 9 day birding tour Tropical Far North Queensland is without doubt one of known for such as Magnificent Riflebird, Frill-necked Monarch, Australia‟s top birding destinations. A variety of tropical Monarch, Blue-faced Parrot-finch, Lovely Fairy-wren, White- habitats including rainforests, palm-fringed beaches, White-streaked Honeyeater, Papuan Frogmouth, nesting Red mangrove-lined mudflats, savannahs and cool mountain Red Goshawks, Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Yellow-bellied ranges result in a bird diversity unparalleled elsewhere in bellied Kingfisher and many more, including of course the rare the country. rare Southern Cassowary. We‟ll have rare access to Golden- Commencing in Cairns, we‟ll bird the local area and head shouldered Parrot nesting sites; explore Lakefield National to well-known Kingfisher Park on the Atherton Tablelands, Park; we‟ll go night spotting for owls and mammals‟; and we‟ll then traverse the unique Cape York Peninsula. During this we‟ll spend two days in Iron Range National Park, one of tour we aim to find all Tropical Far North Queensland Australia‟s most important ecosystems. We‟ll also look for specialties. Expect over 200 species including all the mammals such as Bandicoot, Sugar Glider, Northern Striped endemics and other important birds this area is well- Striped Possum, Red-necked Wallaby and Tree Kangaroo. Read on below for the full -
Tackling Lake Argyle
Tackling Lake Argyle Masters Swimming Northern Territory Members More than 15 Masters NT swimmers travelled to the recent Lake Argyle Swim event in the eastern Kimberley region of Western Australia. Regulars at the open water competition, the MSNT swimmers swam both the 20km and 10km event in teams of four and two. Lake Argyle is 21 times greater in size than Sydney Harbour and home to about 25,000 crocodiles although the locals assure you “they are only freshies” meaning freshwater crocodiles, which show less man-eating tendencies than their saltwater cousins. That thought was comforting for some of the swimmers but the sight of a croc trap at the boat ramp and a small “freshie” lurking near the finish line was a disturbing thought for others. Fortunately, the locals were right and there have been no incidents with the local croc population during the event! Three teams featuring Darwin Stingers members received line honours – Team BOAT won the 20km duo in record time of 5:04:48; Aquaholics won the 10km quad event 2:17:28; and ; Up for IT placed second in the 20km quad in 5:12:29. Other teams put in a strong showing despite choppy conditions. In the 20km duo Cat Paddle crossed the line in 6:12:30 and placed fourth while in the 20km quad The Quaffers did their swim in 5:54:34 and placed seventh and Aqualicious placed 11th in 6:30:32. One Darwin Stingers member has had a particularly impressive few weeks. Bryannon Ruskin, 32, competed at Nationals in Rockhampton winning gold in the 100m and 50m breaststroke as well as five silvers and three bronze medals. -
Eton Range Realignment Project ATTACHMENT 2 to EPBC Ref: 2015/7552 Preliminary Documentation Residual Impact Assessment and Offset Proposal - 37
APPENDIX 3: KSAT RESULTS – PELLET COUNTS Table 5: KSAT results per habitat tree. Species Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Total Eucalyptus tereticornis 9 30 16 - 42 7 104 Eucalyptus crebra 91 16 29 2 0 25 163 Corymbia clarksoniana 11 0 0 1 4 5 21 Corymbia tessellaris 5 0 0 0 0 20 25 Corymbia dallachiana - 12 - - - - 12 Corymbia intermedia - 3 1 0 11 - 15 Corymbia erythrophloia - - 0 - 0 - 0 Eucalyptus platyphylla - - - 0 0 0 0 Lophostemon - - - 0 0 - 0 suaveolens Total 116 61 46 3 57 57 Ref: NCA15R30439 Page 22 27 November 2015 Copyright 2015 Kleinfelder APPENDIX 4: SITE PHOTOS The following images were taken from the centre of each BioCondition quadrat and represent a north east south west aspect, top left to bottom right. Ref: NCA15R30439 Page 23 27 November 2015 Copyright 2015 Kleinfelder Plate 3: BioCondition quadrat 1 (RE11.3.4/11.12.3) Ref: NCA15R30439 Page 24 27 November 2015 Copyright 2015 Kleinfelder Plate 4: BioCondition quadrat 2 (RE11.3.4/11.12.3) Ref: NCA15R30439 Page 25 27 November 2015 Copyright 2015 Kleinfelder Plate 5: BioCondition quadrat 3 (RE11.12.3) Ref: NCA15R30439 Page 26 27 November 2015 Copyright 2015 Kleinfelder Plate 6: BioCondition quadrat 4 (RE11.3.9) Ref: NCA15R30439 Page 27 27 November 2015 Copyright 2015 Kleinfelder Plate 7: BioCondition quadrat 5 (RE11.3.25) Ref: NCA15R30439 Page 28 27 November 2015 Copyright 2015 Kleinfelder Plate 8: BioCondition quadrat 6 (RE11.12.3/11.3.4/11.3.9) Ref: NCA15R30439 Page 29 27 November 2015 Copyright 2015 Kleinfelder Appendix E: Desktop Assessment for Potential -
Evolutionary Genetics of CYP2J19 in Red Carotenoid Pigmentation
Evolutionary genetics of CYP2J19 in red carotenoid pigmentation Hanlu Twyman Peterhouse September 2017 This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 1 Evolutionary genetics of CYP2J19 in red carotenoid pigmentation Hanlu Twyman Carotenoids are responsible for much of the bright yellow to red colours in animals and have been extensively studied as condition dependent signals in sexual selection. In addition to their function in coloration, carotenoids also play a crucial role in colour vision within certain lineages. Despite this, little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying carotenoid based pigmentation. Recently, the gene CYP2J19 was strongly implicated in red ketocarotenoid pigmentation for coloration and colour vision within two lineages of song birds (the zebra finch and the red factor canary). Here, I extend the investigation of the function of CYP2J19 in colour vision and red coloration amongst reptiles. I suggest that the original function of CYP2J19 was in colour vision and that it has been independently co-opted for red coloration within certain red lineages. Using a combination of phylogenetic and expression analysis, I study the role of CYP2J19 as the avian ketolase involved in red ketocarotenoid generation within a clade of well-studied seed-eating passerines, the weaverbirds, and demonstrate a direct association between levels of CYP2J19 expression and red ketocarotenoid-based coloration. Next, I consider the evolution of CYP2J19 across multiple avian lineages. I find evidence for positive selection acting on the gene coding sequence despite its conserved function in colour vision. This finding, though surprising, appears to be common across avian CYP loci in general.