WHITE ROCK WIND FARM

TARGETED FAUNA SURVEYS

Eureka Funds Management

25 Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Vic. 3122 P.O. Box 74, Richmond, Vic. 3121 Ph. (03) 9815 2111 Fax. (03) 9815 2685 October 2010 Report No. 8128 (1.1) White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

ISSUE AND REVISION RECORD

Revision Date Author/s Reviewer Revisions

1.0 20/09/10 Peter Lansley Annabelle Stewart Draft report Khalid Al Dabbagh Brett Lane Curtis Doughty

1.1 4/10/10 Peter Lansley Annabelle Stewart Incorporation of Client’s comments Khalid Al Dabbagh Brett Lane Curtis Doughty

Page | i White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1. Scope of Work ...... 1 1.2. Robbins Island ...... 1 1.3. Site Description ...... 1 2. BIRD UTILISATION SURVEYS ...... 5 2.1. Introduction ...... 5 2.2. Timing ...... 5 2.3. Methods ...... 5 2.3.2. Fixed-point bird count method ...... 6 2.3.3. Incidental observations ...... 7 2.3.4. Limitations ...... 8 2.4. Results ...... 10 2.4.1. Representativeness of the survey ...... 10 2.4.2. Bird observations ...... 10 2.5. Potential impacts of the proposed wind farm on birds ...... 25 2.5.1. Collision mortality ...... 26 2.5.2. Recorded collision rates ...... 27 2.5.3. Non-collision impacts ...... 29 2.5.4. Australian Context ...... 32 2.6. Conclusions ...... 32 3. BAT SURVEY ...... 34 3.1. Introduction ...... 34 3.2. Methods ...... 34 3.2.1. Location and timing of surveys ...... 34 3.2.2. Analysis of bat calls ...... 35 3.3. Results ...... 37 3.3.1. Species recorded ...... 37 3.3.2. Bat activity ...... 37 3.4. Sources of impact ...... 38 4. SHOREBIRD SURVEY...... 42 4.1. Introduction ...... 42

Page | ii White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) 4.2. Methods ...... 42 4.2.1. Existing information ...... 42 4.2.2. Field methodology ...... 43 4.2.3. Limitations of field assessment ...... 44 4.3. Results ...... 45 4.3.1. North-western Tasmania ...... 45 4.3.2. Robbins Passage...... 45 4.3.3. Robbins Island ...... 47 4.3.4. Perkins Island ...... 51 4.3.5. Migration Behaviour of Shorebirds ...... 51 4.4. Potential impacts of the proposed wind farm on shorebirds ...... 52 4.4.1. Collision mortality ...... 52 4.4.2. Displacement ...... 52 4.4.3. Loss of habitat ...... 53 4.5. Conclusions and recommendations ...... 53 4.5.1. Conclusions ...... 53 4.5.2. Potential mitigation measures ...... 53 5. ORANGE-BELLIED PARROT SURVEY ...... 55 5.1. Introduction ...... 55 5.2. Methods ...... 55 5.2.1. Existing Information ...... 55 5.2.2. Field Methodology ...... 57 5.2.3. Limitations of field assessment ...... 59 5.3. Results ...... 61 5.3.1. Existing information ...... 61 5.3.2. Habitat assessment ...... 62 5.3.3. Survey results ...... 63 5.4. Discussion ...... 64 6. EAGLE SURVEY ...... 66 6.1. Introduction ...... 66 6.2. Methods ...... 66 6.2.1. Existing information ...... 66

Page | iii White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) 6.2.2. Field methodology ...... 68 6.2.3. Limitations of field assessment ...... 69 6.3. Results ...... 72 6.3.1. Existing information ...... 72 6.3.2. Survey Results ...... 73 6.4. Discussion ...... 77 7. REFERENCES ...... 78

TABLES Table 1: Timing of survey counts for the first period (2002 – 2003)...... 7 Table 2: Timing of survey counts for the second period (2009)...... 7 Table 3 Number of species recorded at impact and reference sites during each BUS ... 11 Table 4: Seasonal abundance and height distribution of bird species at impact points during 2002 and 2003 ...... 14 Table 5: Seasonal abundance and height distribution of bird species at reference points during 2002 and 2003...... 16 Table 6: Total number of birds counted at each survey points during 2002–2003...... 18 Table 7: Species flying at rotor swept height during seasonal surveys from 2002 - 2003...... 20 Table 8: Number and importance of birds of prey and waterbirds in the study area ...... 23 Table 9: Comparison of species abundance and height distribution at impact points between summer 2002 and summer 2009...... 24 Table 10: Summary of bird mortality estimates for wind farms in Europe and North America ...... 28 Table 11: Studies of the possible disturbance effects of the wind farms on the birds .... 31 Table 12: Species of bats recorded during the impact assessment of the White Rock Wind Farm site...... 37 Table 13: Activity of bats at White Rock wind farm...... 38 Table 14: Annual collision rates of bats at selected wind farms in North America and Europe...... 40 Table 15: Total number of shorebirds during summer surveys in north-western Tasmania ...... 45 Table 16: Total number of shorebirds recorded during summer surveys at Robbins Passage ...... 45 Table 17: Total number of shorebirds recorded at popular roosting sites ...... 46

Page | iv White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) Table 18: Movement of shorebirds observed at Robbins and Perkins Islands ...... 49

FIGURES Figure 1 North-west Tasmania ...... 3 Figure 2 Robbins Island and surrounds ...... 4 Figure 3: Locations of bird utilisation surveys ...... 9 Figure 4: The cumulative number of bird species recorded during consecutive fixed point counts at the White Rock Wind Farm site...... 10 Figure 5: Number of waterbirds recorded along the two gradients (points 5–8 & 17–20)...... 12 Figure 6 Locations of Anabat survey points ...... 36 Figure 7: Shorebird movements and habitats ...... 50 Figure 8: Orange-bellied Parrot survey areas and sightings ...... 60 Figure 9: Locations of Atlas of Australian Birds records of Orange-bellied Parrot in north- west Tasmania, 1998 – 2010 (Source: Birdata 2010) ...... 62 Figure 10: Eagle survey coverage (2008 and 2009) ...... 71 Figure 11: Wedge-tailed Eagle records in north-west Tasmania from 1998 – 2010 ...... 72 Figure 12: White-bellied Sea-Eagle records in north-west Tasmania from 1998 – 2010 73 Figure 13: Eagle sightings and nests (2002 – 2009) ...... 74 Figure 14 Eagle movement recorded during 2008 and 2009 ...... 76

APPENDICES Appendix 1: Bird species recorded incidentally and during bird utilization surveys on Robbins Island. Appendix 2: Waterbirds and shorebirds recorded along the central and northern gradients on Robbins Island. Appendix 3: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact points during summer 2002 – 2003 on White Rock wind farm. Appendix 4: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact sites during autumn 2003 at White Rock wind farm Appendix 5: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact sites during winter 2003 at White Rock wind farm. Appendix 6: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact sites during spring 2003 at White Rock wind farm.

Page | v White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) Appendix 7: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact sites during summer 2009 at White Rock wind farm. Appendix 8: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during summer 2002 – 2003 at White Rock wind farm. Appendix 9: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during autumn 2003 at White Rock wind farm. Appendix 10: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during winter 2003 at White Rock wind farm. Appendix 11: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during spring 2003 at White Rock wind farm. Appendix 12: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during summer 2009 at White Rock wind farm. Appendix 13: Relative abundance and flight height of birds over the impact and reference observation points at White Rock wind farm. Appendix 14: Birds of prey and waterbird species found at White Rock wind farm site during the 2002 – 2003 bird utilization surveys. Appendix 15: Birds of prey and waterbird species found at White Rock wind farm site during the summer 2009 bird utilization surveys. Appendix 16: Results of the shorebird survey undertaken during summer 2002 to 2003. Appendix 17: Results of the summer 2009 shorebird survey Appendix 18: Results of the 2003 Neophema parrot surveys – Blue-winged Parrot Appendix 19: Results of the 2003 Neophema parrot surveys – Orange-bellied Parrot Appendix 20: Results of the 2004 Neophema parrot surveys –Blue-winged Parrot Appendix 21: Results of the 2004 Neophema parrot surveys –Orange-bellied Parrot Appendix 22: Results of the 2009 Neophema parrot surveys –Blue-winged Parrot Appendix 23: Eagle sightings 2002 Appendix 24: Eagle sightings 2003 Appendix 25: Eagle sightings 2004 Appendix 26: Eagle sightings 2008 Appendix 27: Eagle sightings 2009

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Scope of Work Eureka Funds Management engaged Brett Lane and Associates Pty Ltd (BL&A) in 2009 to conduct targeted fauna surveys for the proposed White Rock Wind Farm on Robbins Island in North West Tasmania. In addition, it commissioned the analysis and write-up of previous survey work undertaken by BL&A for Pacific Hydro, the previous proponent for the project. Key elements of this work are reported here, as follows: . Bird Utilisation Surveys (Chapter 3) . Targeted bat surveys (Chapter 4) . Targeted shorebird surveys (Chapter 5) . Targeted Orange-bellied Parrot surveys (Chapter 6) . Targeted Eagle surveys (Chapter 7) The aim of this report is to present the results of targeted bird and bat survey work completed to date on and around the White Rock Wind Farm investigation area. This provides information to inform the design of the project and to detail the scope of the Development Plan and Environmental Management Plan (DP&EMP) that needs to be prepared for regulatory approval of the project. The current report was prepared by a team from BL&A, comprising Khalid Al- Dabbagh (Field Ecologist and Ornithologist), Peter Lansley (Zoologist), Curtis Doughty (Zoologist), Andrew Stafford (Ornithologist), Birgita Hansen (Zoologist), Annabelle Stewart (Senior Ecologist and Project Manager) and Brett Lane (Principal Consultant).

1.2. Robbins Island Robbins Island in located in Bass Strait off the north-western coast of Tasmania and is approximately 80 kilometres north-west of the town of Burnie. The nearest significant population centre is located 15 kilometres south-east of Robbins Island in Smithon (Figure 1). Robbins Island is private freehold and is used for grazing cattle. Part of the island has been cleared, although the majority retains cover of native vegetation. The island is separated from the Tasmanian mainland by a tidal channel, Robbins Passage, over a width of about 1200 to 1500 metres. Most of the island was burnt by wildfire in January 2006 and is currently regenerating. The site and its surroundings are very sparsely populated and dominated by pastoral activities. Historic areas of settlement are located on the eastern side of the island, some 5 kilometres from the location of the proposed wind farm site.

1.3. Site Description The investigation area for the proposed White Rock Wind Farm covers an area of approximately 4,080 hectares and is located on the western side of Robbins Island (Figure 2). The site is generally flat to undulating except for the dominant

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) feature, White Rock Ridge, which runs north-south, parallel with the western shoreline of Robbins Island with an elevation of 60 to 70 metres above sea level. The underlying geology of the ridgeline is comprised of a quartzite sequence with slate of the Proterozoic Rocky Cape Group. On either side, the ridge falls off to coastal plains, with dune formations closer to the shoreline. Soil types are associated with the sand deposits and organic peaty material characteristic of the heathland vegetation. Habitat types within the study area are predominantly open heathland on the lower plains, with open sedgeland over flat plains and closed shrubland on the gentle footslopes of White Rock Ridge. . The area is characterised by numerous shallow depressions which fill with water and constitute small, ephemeral wetland areas. One permanent water body, Teal Lagoon, occurs, in the eastern central part of the investigation area. All drainage lines are ephemeral.

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Robbins passage

Woolnorth

Narawntapu National Park

Burnie

Devonport

Figure 1:North-Western Tasmania

Project:Robbins Island Windfarm

Client:Eureka Funds Management

Project No.:8128 Date: 19/08/2010 Created By: C.Doughty/ M.Ghasemi

0 10,000 20,000 40,000 Meters Walker Island

Bird Point

Knot Point Mosquito Inlet

5 Islets 7 mile Beach

Kangaroo Island Robbins Island

Shipwreck point

Perkins Island Wallaby Island

Montagu Island

0 2.5 5 10 Legend Kilometers Figure 2: Robbins Island and Surrounds Investigation Area Project: Robbins Island Windfarm Client: Eureka Funds Management

Project No.: 8128 Date: 04/10/2010 Created By: A.Dodd/ J.Wen White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

2. BIRD UTILISATION SURVEYS

2.1. Introduction This aim of the bird utilisation survey (BUS) was to provide information on the diversity, abundance and pattern of use of White Rock Ridge by birds. Emphasis was centred on large birds, particularly raptors and shorebirds and their use of the ridge. This chapter documents the results of four BUS carried out during 2002 and 2003 and one BUS carried out in 2009.

2.2. Timing Bird utilization surveys were carried out over two periods; the first period involved four seasonal surveys between December 2002 and October 2003 as follows:  Summer survey: 18 – 23 December 2002;  Autumn survey: 18 – 23 March 2003;  Winter survey: 20 – 25 June 2003; and  Spring survey: 30 September – 6 October 2003. The second period included a single survey carried out on 20 – 25 January 2009, which aimed to document the extent to which bird activity had changed and , therefore the continued applicability of the earlier results.

2.3. Methods The methods adopted for the BUS were consistent with the requirements for a “Level One” bird risk assessment in accordance with ‘Wind Farms and Birds - Interim Standards for Risk Assessment’ issued by the Australian Wind Energy Association (AusWEA 2005). The BUS described in this report involved both a fixed-point bird count and incidental observations of waterbirds and raptors. Methods for the surveys followed the same techniques for both periods. This enabled comparison between the surveys to determine if any significant changes in bird activity on the site had occurred. The method used is described below. 2.3.1. Locations of survey points Survey points were spaced as evenly as possible (subject to access constraints) across the investigation area, allowing for any significant access constraints, to maximise coverage (Figure 3). The aim was not for uniform coverage but a significant sample of the investigation area to accumulate representative data on bird activity. A total of 24 fixed survey points were initially established, including: . Twelve impact points along ridge (Points 1 – 4, 9 – 16); . Four survey points along a central gradient from the coast (Points 5 – 8); and . Four survey points along a northern gradient from the coast (Points 17 – 20) . Four reference points along the Mosquito Sound shoreline (Points R1 – R4).

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Impact points along the ridge were established as far apart as possible, on elevated ground to allow a clear view of surrounding areas, and were placed in areas where wind turbines were proposed for construction. Impact points along the ridge were established to record bird abundance, numbers, flight heights and activity in those parts of the island where turbines are most likely to be placed.. The two gradient lines were established comprising four evenly-spaced points at increasing distance from the island’s west coast. These were designed to record waterbird abundance (particularly shorebirds) and activity at varying distances from preferred coastal shorebird habitat towards the top of the ridge. These gradient observations complimented the targeted shorebird observations on the north west coast of the island described in Section 4 of this report. The central gradient points ran from top of the ridge (point 5) towards the coastline (point 8) at almost a central position of the ridgeline and at a width of about 2 kilometres between the centre of the ridge and the shoreline. The points were spaced approximately 700 metres apart. The northern gradient points were set up between the centre of the ridge and the coastline over an area of approximately 1 kilometre. Points were spaced approximately 300 metres apart. Following data recording and analysis of bird usage of the two gradient lines, it was decided that the gradient and impact points should be amalgamated to form one set of impact points, excluding points 8 and 20. Points 8 and 20 were located directly on the shore and heavily influenced by the presence of water and shorebirds that utilised the ridge very rarely (further details found in section 3.4). The remaining points in both gradients did not differ significantly from the ridge in their pattern of bird utilisation, so lumping them with the ridge-top data was considered appropriate and ensured that the lower, western parts of the investigation area were included in the bird utilisation data. The four reference points along Mosquito Sound were designed to record bird movements across the Robbins Island, particularly over the ridge, and between the shores of Robbins Island and adjacent islands. The points represented a combination of shoreline and bushland habitats. They particularly targeted possible shorebird movements across the northern part of the investigation area and complimented the targeted shorebird observations described in Section 4 of this report.

2.3.2. Fixed-point bird count method The fixed-point bird count involved an observer stationed at a survey point for 15 minutes. During this period, all bird species and numbers of individual birds observed within 100 metres were recorded. Species, numbers, distance from the centre point and flight heights were documented. Flight heights were classified as below (<30 m), at (30–120 m) or above (>120 m) rotor swept area height (RSA height). Since 2002-3, turbine technology has changed and longer turbine blades are now likely. The estimated rotor swept area for the White Rock Wind Farm is now from 28 metres to 155 metres. Implications from this are discussed later.

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

During the first period, four counts were taken at each survey point each season. and six counts in the second period to increase statistical reliability of the data. Counts were taken at different times of the day to allow for differences in bird movements and activity. This schedule ensured no time-of-day biases affected the pooled count data. Tables 1 and 2 detail the time each point was counted on each survey day for the first period and second period respectively. Table 1: Timing of survey counts for the first period (2002 – 2003). Days 8:00 – 10:00 10:30 – 12:30 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 21 22 23 14 1 2 3 4 4 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 5 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 6 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Days 13:00 – 15:00 15:30 – 17:30 1 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 2 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Table 2: Timing of survey counts for the second period (2009). Days 8:00 – 9:30 9:45 – 11:15 11:30 – 13:00 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 3 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 4 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 6 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Days 13:30 – 15:00 15:15 – 16:45 17:00 – 18:30 1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 3 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

2.3.3. Incidental observations In addition to the observations during formalised, fixed-point counts, observations of waterbirds and raptors within and beyond the count area were recorded. In addition, observations of these birds made incidentally while moving across the

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) wind farm site were also recorded. Emphasis was placed on observing birds that were moving through the site at RSA height or those crossing the White Rock Ridge between the two shorelines of the island.

2.3.4. Limitations The shortcomings of field surveys were well covered in the current study as the BUS in 2002 – 2003 covered the four seasons, therefore accounting for seasonal presence/absence of some bird species. The 2009 survey results were affected by the impacts of recent wildfire on the condition of the habitat, a factor discussed later. For these reasons, the utilisation rates and species abundances recorded during the current surveys are considered to be representative of the site. They provide a useful baseline of bird activity on the site to compare with the results of similar surveys after operations commence.

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R4 (!

R3 (!

R2 (!

R1 20 (! (! 19 16 (! (! 1817 (! (! 15 (! 14 (! 13 (!

12 (! 11 (!

10 (! 9 6 (! 7 (! 5 (! (! 4 8 (! (! 3 (!

2 (!

1 (!

Kilometers 00.5 1 2

Legend Figure 3: Locations of bird utilisation surveys Investigation Area Project: White Rock Wind Farm Bird utilization points Client:Eureka Funds Management (! Impact Points Project No.: 8128 Date: 04/10/2010 Created By: A.Dodd /J.Wen

(! Reference Points White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

2.4. Results

2.4.1. Representativeness of the survey The cumulative number of species observed from the fixed-point bird counts during the five surveys has been plotted in Figure 4. The number of new species observed almost levelled off after approximately 40–50 counts, after which the occasional new species was found. Over 75% of species were found after less than 50% of the surveys. The results suggest that the surveys collectively provided a representative picture of the diversity of bird species flying over the wind farm site during the survey periods. Species recorded incidentally in the fixed-point counts either have very low utilisation rate or do not occur regularly on the parts of the wind farm site on which wind turbines would be placed. Figure 4: The cumulative number of bird species recorded during consecutive fixed point counts at the White Rock Wind Farm site. 50 45 40 of 35 Spring 2003 30 Winter 2003 number 25

species 20 Autumn 2003

15 Summer 2002 Acumulative 10 Summer 2009 5 0 1 112131415161718191101111121131 Counts

The adequacy of using 15 minutes as an interval to record the presence of birds during BUS was investigated in an earlier study at another wind farm site (BL&A; unpublished data). The study found that 82 to 100 percent (average 88 percent) of species actually seen in one hour of surveying were seen in the initial 15 minutes of observation. Based on this result, the period of 15 minutes used for the current BUS generated representative data on the bird species in the area during the survey.

2.4.2. Bird observations A total of 104 species of birds were recorded over the two survey periods (Appendix 1). The number of species recorded during the formal BUS count varied depending

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) on the seasonal occurrence of birds in the region. The number of recorded species during each survey is listed below. Table 3 Number of species recorded at impact and reference sites during each BUS Season Impact Sites Reference Sites Summer 2002 33 20 Autumn 2003 35 23 Winter 2003 29 21 Spring 2003 33 18 Summer 2009 29 30 Although the number of species was similar between seasons, species composition (diversity) differed due to presence, activity and distribution of birds.

Gradient analysis As detailed in section 3.3, data was collected from impact points along the top of the ridge and along two gradients. The allocation of observation points along a gradient was initially designed to test for the assumption that waterbirds, particularly shorebirds (most of which are listed migratory species under the EPBC Act), use the ridge and might frequently cross it while moving between the east and west shorelines of the island. The data collected from the two survey periods is detailed in Appendix 2 and summarized in

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Figure 5.

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Figure 5 clearly shows that waterbirds were recorded almost exclusively along the shoreline at points 8 and 20 of the central and northern gradient respectively. Almost no waterbirds were recorded along the remaining gradient line, except for a pair of Shelducks and a few White-faced Herons travelling along the ridge. The latter bird naturally occurs on the ridge inhabiting the ephemeral wetlands. The distribution pattern clearly indicates that waterbirds were generally restricted to the shores and they were unlikely to fly frequently across the ridge. Based on this finding, it was decided that the gradient points where bird diversity and abundance was similar to the ridge points, should be amalgamated with these points to form one set of impact points. Survey points 8 and 20, located along the shoreline, were excluded from the data. The number of bird utilization observation points adopted for this study was therefore 18 impact points and a further four points considered as reference points.

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Figure 5: Number of waterbirds recorded along the two gradients (points 5–8 & 17–20).

100 90 80 70 60 summer 09 waterbirds 50 Summer 02 of 40 Spring 03 30 Autumn 03 20 Number Winter 03 10 0 123456785 6 7 8 17 18 19 20 Observation points

First Period: 2002 –2003 The species observed utilising the 18 observation points, their abundance and height distribution during four seasons of surveys is detailed in Appendices 3 - 6 and summarised in Table 4. A total of 49 species of bird were observed utilising the proposed turbine sites during the four surveys. The number of species recorded at each survey point over the four seasons ranged between 6 and 18 species (summer, 6–15; autumn, 5–16; winter, 7–17; spring, 7–18). The distribution of the number of species among the various observation points was similar. However, there was a tendency for the number of species to be slightly higher at points 1, 11 and 17, which was probably a direct result of more diverse habitats surrounding these points. Although the majority of the ridge was covered by heathland, some parts were also covered by sedgeland and shrubland; the latter habitat was particularly favoured by many birds as they were attracted to the low Eucalypt trees abundant in these shrubland patches. The birds found to inhabit the ridge were mainly heath and bushland species with few raptors and waterbirds. Table 4 presents a list of the species observed during the BUS as well as the number of individuals per species recorded at each height zone. Of the birds frequenting the ridge, 15 species were found to be more regular and were recorded in every season. Collectively, these 15 species constituted more than 84 % of all individual birds recorded during the four seasons (Table 4). The common species were small to medium-sized heathland adapted birds, with the exception of the larger Yellow-tailed Black–Cockatoo and Forest Raven. The most common five species were (in order of abundance): New Holland Honeyeater, Superb Fairywren, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Striated Fieldwren, and Tawny-crowned Honeyeater. Together they constituted 55 % of all individual birds recorded during the four seasons of BUS.

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

On a seasonal basis, bird abundance was highest during winter and spring compared with summer and autumn. The variation in seasonal abundance is mostly related to presence and absence of certain seasonal species. For example, Silvereyes were recorded in large numbers in winter months but fewer were recorded in the other seasons. Silvereyes are local migrants that migrate between Tasmania and mainland Australia. Similarly, higher numbers of Crescent Honeyeater and Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo were recorded during winter compared with the other seasons. At the reference points (Appendices 8 - 11 and Table 5), 32 species of birds were recorded at the four points during each season. Similar to the impact points, most of these birds were heath and scrubland species. The five most common species counted on the reference points included (in order of abundance) New Holland Honeyeater, Green Rosella, Superb Fairywren, Olive Whistler and Tasmanian Scrubwren. These five species were responsible for more than 73 % of all bird observations at the reference points, in particular the New Holland Honeyeater (44 %). The remaining species were heathland birds together with few raptors and some waterbirds. On average, birds were more abundant around the reference points compared with the impact points. The paucity of waterbirds at the reference points was unpredicted. The four points were located along the shoreline of Mosquito Sound where the presence of water and shorebirds was anticipated and further, an evaluation of the magnitude of their movement across the island and its ridge could be estimated. This was not the case and only few waterbirds were seen flying across the island to and from Mosquito Sound shorelines (more details are provided below).

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Table 4: Seasonal abundance and height distribution of bird species at impact points during 2002 and 2003 A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m)

Summer 02 Autumn 03 Winter 03 Spring 03 % All seasons Species Imp. A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total New Holland Honeyeater 214 0 0 214 310 0 0 310 402 0 0 402 337 0 0 337 1263 0 0 1263 28.7 Superb Fairywren 146 0 0 146 39 0 0 39 50 0 0 50 192 0 0 192 427 0 0 427 9.7 Tasmanian Scrubwren 83 0 0 83 61 0 0 61 59 0 0 59 53 0 0 53 256 0 0 256 5.8 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 33 0 0 33 53 0 0 53 92 0 0 92 65 0 0 65 243 0 0 243 5.5 Striated Fieldwren 46 0 0 46 49 0 0 49 88 0 0 88 59 0 0 59 242 0 0 242 5.5 Silvereye 8 0 0 8 29 0 0 29 200 0 0 200 0 0 0 0 237 0 0 237 5.4 Crescent Honeyeater 11 0 0 11 10 0 0 10 115 0 0 115 35 2 0 37 171 2 0 173 3.9 Dusky Robin 9 0 0 9 52 0 0 52 72 0 0 72 21 0 0 21 154 0 0 154 3.5 Welcome Swallow 47 8 0 55 72 1 0 73 0 0 0 0 12 1 0 13 131 10 0 141 3.2 Green Rosella 11 0 0 11 30 5 0 35 52 0 0 52 28 0 0 28 121 5 0 126 2.9 Olive Whistler 50 0 0 50 12 0 0 12 19 0 0 19 43 0 0 43 124 0 0 124 2.8 Australasian Pipit 49 0 0 49 23 0 0 23 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 50 122 0 0 122 2.8 Forest Raven 3 2 0 5 29 9 0 38 32 17 2 51 18 3 3 24 82 31 5 118 2.7 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 13 80 5 0 85 13 0 0 13 106 5 0 111 2.5 Tasmanian Thornbill 14 0 0 14 13 0 0 13 9 0 0 9 53 0 0 53 89 0 0 89 2.0 White-throated Needletail 0 0 0 0 0 25 62 87 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 62 87 2.0 Beautiful Firetail 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 66 0 0 66 17 0 0 17 86 0 0 86 2.0 Grey Shrike-thrush 34 0 0 34 2 0 0 2 13 0 0 13 32 0 0 32 81 0 0 81 1.8 Brown Quail 5 0 0 5 13 0 0 13 39 0 0 39 3 0 0 3 60 0 0 60 1.4 Grey Fantail 4 0 0 4 11 0 0 11 17 0 0 17 14 0 0 14 46 0 0 46 1.0 Southern Emu-wren 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 4 0 0 4 23 0 0 23 32 0 0 32 0.7 Swamp Harrier 6 5 0 11 3 1 0 4 1 0 0 1 8 2 0 10 18 8 0 26 0.6 Fantail Cuckoo 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 12 14 0 0 14 0.3 Ground Parrot 3 0 0 3 3 0 0 3 4 0 0 4 4 0 0 4 14 0 0 14 0.3 Brown Falcon 1 4 0 5 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 2 2 2 1 5 4 8 1 13 0.3

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Summer 02 Autumn 03 Winter 03 Spring 03 % All seasons Species Imp. A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 0 1 10 0 11 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 11 0 13 0.3 Blue-winged Parrot 2 0 0 2 4 6 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 0 12 0.3 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 12 0 12 0 12 0.3 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 2 0 0 2 5 0 0 5 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 11 0.3 Brush Bronzewing 8 0 0 8 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 0.2 Black Currawong 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 6 6 2 0 8 0.2 Strong-billed Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 0.2 Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 6 0 0 6 0.1 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 6 0 0 6 0.1 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 4 2 6 0.1 Yellow-throated Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 6 0 0 6 0.1 White-faced Heron 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0.1 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 3 0 3 0.1 Nankeen Kestrel 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 0.1 Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0.0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0.0 Latham's Snipe 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0.0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0.0 Pacific Gull 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0.0 White-fronted Chat 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0.0 Pallied Cuckoo 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.0 Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0.0 100. Totals 803 25 4 832 844 60 64 968 1434 26 2 1462 1103 28 6 1137 4184 139 76 4399 0

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Table 5: Seasonal abundance and height distribution of bird species at reference points during 2002 and 2003. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m)

Summer 02 Autumn 03 Winter 03 Spring 03 All seasons % Species A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total Imp. New Holland Honeyeater 106 0 0 106 135 0 0 135 252 0 0 252 74 0 0 74 567 0 0 567 44.4 Green Rosella 19 0 0 19 26 0 0 26 45 0 0 45 21 0 0 21 111 0 0 111 8.7 Superb Fairywren 18 0 0 18 17 0 0 17 25 0 0 25 50 0 0 50 110 0 0 110 8.6 Olive Whistler 33 0 0 33 10 0 0 10 18 0 0 18 17 0 0 17 78 0 0 78 6.1 Tasmanian Scrubwren 6 0 0 6 52 0 0 52 12 0 0 12 7 0 0 7 77 0 0 77 6.0 Forest Raven 5 0 0 5 33 0 0 33 9 0 0 9 4 4 0 8 51 4 0 55 4.0 Welcome Swallow 5 0 0 5 20 0 0 20 2 0 0 2 15 0 0 15 42 0 0 42 3.3 Tasmanian Thornbill 2 0 0 2 6 0 0 6 12 0 0 12 7 0 0 7 27 0 0 27 2.1 Brush Bronzewing 4 0 0 4 7 0 0 7 5 0 0 5 7 0 0 7 23 0 0 23 1.8 Grey Shrike-thrush 7 0 0 7 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 5 9 0 0 9 22 0 0 22 1.7 Crescent Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 16 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 20 1.6 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 20 1.6 Grey Fantail 5 0 0 5 1 0 0 1 3 0 0 3 9 0 0 9 18 0 0 18 1.4 Beautiful Firetail 1 0 0 1 7 0 0 7 4 0 0 4 2 0 0 2 14 0 0 14 1.1 Black Currawong 1 0 0 1 7 0 0 7 1 0 0 1 4 0 0 4 13 0 0 13 1.0 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 10 3 0 13 0.8 Southern Emu-wren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 9 2 0 0 2 11 0 0 11 0.9 Striated Fieldwren 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 7 0 0 7 11 0 0 11 0.9 Brown Quail 1 0 0 1 9 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 0.8 Silvereye 2 0 0 2 8 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 0.8 Dusky Robin 1 0 0 1 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 9 0 0 9 0.7 Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6 0.5 Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 6 0.3 Swamp Harrier 2 3 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 3 0 6 0.2 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 4 0 3 1 4 0.0

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Summer 02 Autumn 03 Winter 03 Spring 03 All seasons % Species A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total Imp. White-throated Needletail 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 0.0 Yellow-throated Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 0.3 Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0.2 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0.2 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.1 Latham's Snipe 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.1 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0.1 Totals 222 6 0 228 360 6 0 366 457 0 0 457 239 7 1 247 1278 19 1 1298 100.0

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White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

The total abundance and height distribution of bird species at each survey point during 2002 – 2003 is detailed in Appendix 13 and summarised in Table 6. The total number of birds counted at the impact points varied between a minimum of 148 birds at survey point 16 to a maximum of 429 birds at survey point 1 (total of 16 replicate counts). The average number of birds utilizing the White Rock Ridge was c. 19.4 birds per hectare per hour. The habitats along the White Rock Ridge were similar; however, there were slight differences in the mix of habitats surrounding the observation points. More birds were recorded at points where there was a mixture of heath, shrub and trees (particularly Eucalypts), than at points where the habitat was plain heath. This was the case at points 1, 2 and 17 as compared to points 9, 18 and 16. In general, the scatter of birds among the majority of the observation points was fairly regular with only small variations. Bird diversity was similar between the reference points and the impact points, but abundance was slightly higher at the reference points. The average density of birds utilising the reference points was 25.8 birds per hectare per hour. The increased abundance was mainly due to the more diverse habitats surrounding the reference points.

Table 6: Total number of birds counted at each survey points during 2002–2003. (A = below RSA height [<30m]; B = at RSA height [30-120m]; C = above RSA height [>120m].)

Birds at observation points % at % RSA (total of four seasons or 16 counts) % Imp. Density* RSA of all A B C Total Impact Points Point 1 423 6 0 429 9.8 1.4 0.1 34.1 Point 2 256 25 32 313 7.1 8.0 0.6 24.9 Point 17 293 16 4 313 7.1 5.1 0.4 24.9 Point 6 283 7 0 290 6.6 2.4 0.2 23.1 Point 4 255 6 10 271 6.2 2.2 0.1 21.6 Point 8 254 7 0 261 5.9 2.7 0.2 20.8 Point 11 251 3 0 254 5.8 1.2 0.1 20.2 Point 19 234 2 4 240 5.5 0.8 0.0 19.1 Point 10 227 4 0 231 5.3 1.7 0.1 18.4 Point 3 208 15 0 223 5.1 6.7 0.3 17.7 Point 15 217 4 0 221 5.0 1.8 0.1 17.6 Point 14 200 4 8 212 4.8 1.9 0.1 16.9 Point 7 194 10 2 206 4.7 4.9 0.2 16.4 Point 13 180 7 15 202 4.6 3.5 0.2 16.1 Point 12 198 0 0 198 4.5 0.0 0.0 15.8 Point 9 187 9 0 196 4.5 4.6 0.2 15.6 Point 18 186 5 0 191 4.3 2.6 0.1 15.2 Point 16 138 9 1 148 3.4 6.1 0.2 11.8 Total 4184 139 76 4399 100.0 3.2 3.2 19.4 Reference points

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Birds at observation points % at % RSA (total of four seasons or 16 counts) % Imp. Density* RSA of all A B C Total Impact Points R 4 416 4 1 421 32.4 1.0 0.3 33.5 R 1 380 4 0 384 29.6 1.0 0.3 30.5 R 3 259 4 0 263 20.3 1.5 0.3 20.9 R 2 223 7 0 230 17.7 3.0 0.5 18.3 Total 1278 19 1 1298 100.0 1.5 1.5 25.8 * Bird density = Birds per hectare per hour. Table 7 shows the total number of individuals from different species observed flying at RSA height during each season. From 2002 - 2003, 139 birds from 18 different species were observed flying at RSA height at the impact survey points. This equated to approximately 3 % of the total number of birds counted. On a seasonal basis, more birds were observed flying at RSA heights during autumn compared with the other seasons. The increase in number of birds at RSA height during autumn was mainly due to the passing of a flock of the White- throated Needletail over the wind farm site. The most abundant species observed flying at RSA height were: . Forest Raven; . White-throated Needletail; . Pacific Black Duck; . Dusky Woodswallow; and . Welcome Swallow. These five species accounted for over 64 percent of the birds counted at RSA height, with Ravens and Needletails comprising the bulk of these flights (22 and 18 %, respectively). The five most common birds at RSA heights were common species and fairly abundant over Robbins Island, with the exception of the Needletail which occurs sporadically during summer and autumn months. Ravens move in varying sized flocks, particularly during autumn and winter months when they form loose foraging assemblages. They usually fly close to the ground when foraging, but at times fly at RSA height when moving long distances between paddocks or to and from their roost sites. Most ravens were observed roosting in the large Eucalypt trees found within scattered patches of bush across Robbins Island. White-throated Needletails are a migrant species and could turn up unpredictably at any place in eastern Australia and Tasmania during their non-breeding season (October–April). They are nomadic while in Australasia and usually follow weather fronts in their movements. They visit Tasmania late in the non-breeding season, usually from January until April. Needletails are almost exclusively aerial, spending their times foraging for flying insects on the wing. They fly at varying heights from just over vegetation to almost cloud cover heights (Higgins 1999). The Needletail are therefore exposed to risks of collision with operating wind turbines, but such risk might be low due to their nomadic nature and low probability of visiting the wind farm site regularly.

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Pacific Black Duck was one of few waterbirds found to occur on the ridge. They were usually found flying low between the ephemeral wetlands which form after winter and spring rain. The species occasionally flew high, particularly when crossing the ridge while flying between the coastlines of the island. Such crossing, although rather rare, was observed mostly during the spring survey. Dusky Woodswallow and Welcome Swallow are both aerial feeders and are expected to fly occasionally at RSA heights seeking aerial concentrations of insects. The remaining 13 birds at RSA heights comprised five birds of prey, three parrots and cockatoos, three waterbirds, and two bushland birds. Raptors and waterbirds are the bird groups most likely to be observed regularly flying at RSA height and are discussed in more detail below. The remaining heath and scrubland birds may occasionally fly at RSA heights although usually prefer flying closer to the ground. The distribution of birds flying at RSA heights at each of the 18 impact points, was random during all seasonal surveys. Birds were not prone to flying at RSA heights at one point more than others, indicating that risk to birds is rather uniformly distributed over the White Rock. At the reference points, birds flying at RSA heights were on average much lower than that found over the impact points (Appendices 8 - 12). In addition to birds observed flying at RSA heights, few were observed over RSA heights (>120 m), including Eagles and part of large White-throated Needletails flock observed flying over the wind farm site during autumn. Table 7: Species flying at rotor swept height during seasonal surveys from 2002 - 2003. (A = below RSA height [<30m]; B = at RSA height [30-140m]; C = above RSA height [>140m].)

Su. 02 Au. 03 Wi. 03 Sp. 03 % RSA Total G % RSA % at Birds Species B B B B B Total birds RSA of all birds Forest Raven 2 9 17 3 31 118 26.3 22.3 0.7 White-throated 0 25 0 0 25 87 28.7 18.0 0.6 Needletail Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 12 12 12 100.0 8.6 0.3 Dusky Woodswallow 0 10 0 1 11 13 84.6 7.9 0.3 Welcome Swallow 8 1 0 1 10 141 7.1 7.2 0.2 Brown Falcon 4 1 1 2 8 13 61.5 5.8 0.2 Swamp Harrier 5 1 0 2 8 26 30.8 5.8 0.2 Blue-winged Parrot 0 6 0 0 6 12 50.0 4.3 0.1 Green Rosella 0 5 0 0 5 126 4.0 3.6 0.1 Yellow-tailed Black 0 0 5 0 5 111 4.5 3.6 0.1 Cockatoo Wedge-tailed Eagle 3 0 0 1 4 6 66.7 2.9 0.1 Australian Shelduck 0 0 1 2 3 3 100.0 2.2 0.1 Nankeen Kestrel 3 0 0 0 3 3 100.0 2.2 0.1 Black Currawong 0 0 0 2 2 8 25.0 1.4 0.0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 2 0 2 2 100.0 1.4 0.0 Crescent Honeyeater 0 0 0 2 2 173 1.2 1.4 0.0

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Su. 02 Au. 03 Wi. 03 Sp. 03 % RSA Total G % RSA % at Birds Species B B B B B Total birds RSA of all birds Pacific Gull 0 1 0 0 1 2 50.0 0.7 0.0 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 0 0 1 1 100.0 0.7 0.0 Totals of all birds 25 60 26 28 139 4399 3.2 100.0 3.2

Flight heights Bird heights were classified as below (< 30 m), at (31–120), and above (> 120 m) RSA height. Results indicated that across all seasons, the majority of birds (c. 95%) were found below RSA heights, with c. 3.0% at and c. 2.0% above RSA heights (Table 4). The consequence of a RSA height (i.e. between 28 and 155 metres) is not considered significant. The revised height range represents an insignificant difference in the lower height of the RSA. The increase in the upper height is of the order of 35 metres. In this height zone, only a few birds regularly fly so the incremental risk to birds from the revised RSA height range is limited and not of significance for most species (see also discussion below).

Birds of prey (raptors) Six birds of prey were observed in the study area. The presence of these raptors varied between the seasons. Swamp Harrier and Brown Falcon were present over all seasons, while others appeared in only one or two seasons (Appendices 14 and 15). Numbers of raptors were generally low and their abundance is summarized in Table 8. Swamp Harrier was the most abundant raptor species. It was seen foraging over the ridge, usually flying just over vegetation, but at times also at RSA heights. The second most abundant species was Brown Falcon, which was often observed scanning the ridge for prey and usually flying at RSA heights. The threatened Tasmanian subspecies of the Wedge-tailed Eagle was less common. It was recorded on six occasions soaring over the ridge at RSA heights. The presence of the Wedge-tailed Eagle was seasonal and it was not recorded during autumn and winter. The remaining three species (Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Goshawk and Peregrine Falcon were uncommon and each reported in only one season (Table 8). The number of raptors was low in relation to the total number of birds recorded during the survey. Raptors formed 0.5 percent of all individuals surveyed on the wind farm site and 1.2 percent of birds seen at RSA height (Table 8). Incidental observations from 2002 – 2003 included the Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, each recorded once flying high over the ridge. White- bellied Sea-Eagle was more often seen flying along the coastline outside the BUS counting area and Wedge-tailed Eagle over the eastern flat section of Robbins Island. Other incidental observations were made of foraging Brown Falcon and the Swamp Harrier.

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Based on the poor utilisation rate of the wind farm site by raptors, risks to them are likely to be low. Further information on eagle utilisation of the area is presented in Section 6 of this report. Four out of six incidental observations of Wedge-tailed Eagles were observed at RSA height (i.e. 30 to 120 metres) and the remaining two were observed above that height and most likely within the revised RSA height. It is well known that this species regularly flies at these heights. At the reference points, raptors featured very rarely compared with other bird species. Swamp Harrier was the only raptor recorded during the formal BUS counts. It was seen on six occasions, but only in two of the four seasons. Incidental observations were made of Wedge-tailed Eagle and White-bellied Sea- Eagle on one or two occasions travelling along the coastline near the reference points.

Waterbirds Waterbirds were scarce in the proposed White Rock Wind Farm investigation area with the exception of right next to and on the west coast of Robbins Island. Here, large numbers of shorebirds and coastal waterbirds were observed. These are considered in more detail in Section 4 of this report. The following discussion refers to the terrestrial parts of the investigation area away from the coast. Away from the coast, some 27 individuals belonging to seven waterbird species observed from 2002 – 2003 (Appendix 14 and Table 8). Waterbirds represented 0.4% of all birds recorded during the surveys. Waterbirds seen on the ridge were mainly common farmland ducks (Pacific Black Duck, Australian Shelduck and Chestnut Teal) known to frequent ephemeral wetlands away from the coast. The remaining three species recorded on the ridge, included a migratory shorebird (Latham’s Snipe), the uncommon Lewin’s Rail and the common Pacific Gull. Pacific Gull was the only bird that was recorded in any numbers crossing the ridge. Movements of gulls were mainly observed during the summer survey, and when crossing, they did not usually land or utilize the ephemeral wetlands found on the ridge. The number of waterbirds recorded on the ridge during both formal BUS counts and incidentally, was too low to draw meaningful conclusions regarding the use of the ridge by waterbirds. Waterbirds were as scarce at the reference points as they were at the impact points (Appendix 14 and 15). Despite the fact that the reference points were positioned close to the shoreline, numbers of waterbirds were low. Observations included one record in summer (Latham’s Snipe), one in autumn (Lewin’s Rail), one in winter (20 Red-capped Plover), and a few in spring (Pacific Gull). Incidental observations at the reference site included Chestnut Teal, White-faced Heron and Red-necked Stint. The location of the reference sites was expected to provide information on waterbird movement between the shorelines and across the ridge. However, the only movement recorded was the crossing of the ridge by a few Chestnut Teal, Pacific Gull and one small flock of Red-necked Stint. Shorebird use of the area is discussed in greater detail in Section 4 of this report.

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Table 8: Number and importance of birds of prey and waterbirds in the study area (A = below RSA height [<30m]; B = at RSA height [30-140m]; C = above RSA height [>140m].) All seasons % % at % all % RSA Raptors A B C Total Imp. RSA birds birds Swamp Harrier 18 8 0 26 0.6 30.8 5.8 0.2 Brown Falcon 4 8 1 13 0.3 61.5 5.8 0.2 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 4 2 6 0.1 66.7 2.9 0.1 Nankeen Kestrel 0 3 0 3 0.1 100.0 2.2 0.1 Brown Goshawk 2 0 0 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 0 1 0.0 100.0 0.7 0.0 Total raptors 24 24 3 51 1.2 47.1 17.3 0.5 Waterbirds Pacific Black Duck 0 12 0 12 0.3 100.0 8.6 0.3 White-faced Heron 0 0 4 4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Australian Shelduck 0 3 0 3 0.1 100.0 2.2 0.1 Chestnut Teal 0 2 0 2 0.0 100.0 1.4 0.0 Latham's Snipe 2 0 0 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Lewin’s Rail 2 0 0 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Pacific Gull 1 1 0 2 0.0 50.0 0.7 0.0 Total waterbirds 5 18 4 27 0.6 66.7 12.9 0.4 Totals of all birds 4184 139 76 4399 100.0 3.2 100.0 3.2

Second period: Summer 2009 White Rock Ridge experienced a major fire during the summer of 2006. The fire swept the ridge causing significant changes in the vegetation cover and particularly clearing the patches of scrub that included many eucalypt trees. In summer 2009, the ridge had slightly recovered as heathy vegetation covered the area, although it was not as dense as it was prior the fires. In addition, most of the shrubs and Eucalypt trees were missing from the ridge, except for small patches that escaped the fire. Notwithstanding the 2006 fire, changes in bird species and relative abundance were not large and heath adapted species continued to dominate the ridge. Species, abundance and height distribution recorded at the 18 impact points during summer 2009 are detailed in Appendix 7. Table 9 summarises the data and presents summer 2002 data for comparisons. In summer 2009, the bird life on the ridge was dominated by heathland birds. The most abundant species were predictably (in order of abundance) the Superb Fairywren, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Striated Fieldwren, and Australasian Pipit. These five species account for more than 68 % of all birds counted. The order of dominance was very similar to that of summer 2002, with small variations. Despite the large similarity in bird abundance and diversity between the two summer seasons, there were some differences in the abundance of certain species of the heathland birds. Birds such as New Holland Honeyeater, Olive Whistler and Green Rosella, experienced a crash in their numbers in summer 2009, most probably due to the changes in the vegetation cover that occurred

Page | 25 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) after the 2006 fires. The preferred habitats of these birds on the ridge were the high scrub and Eucalypt patches, which was the component of habitat most severely affected by the fire. However, the decrease in scrub and Eucalypt inhabiting birds resulted in an increase in the abundance of the more heath-adapted species. This was particularly noticeable in species that spend most of their time within the low heath or near the ground, including the Superb Fairywren, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater and Dusky Robin. In general, there was a decrease in abundance from 2002 to 2009. The density of birds during summer 2002 was 14.7 birds/ha/hr, compared with 11.2 birds/ha/hr in summer 2009. The decrease may have been a result of the fire- induced habitat changes. Few species of birds were recorded flying at RSA heights in 2009 compared with 2002. Of the six species found at RSA in 2002, only the Swamp Harrier and the Forest Raven were recorded in summer 2009. Numbers of these two species at RSA heights were low, indicating likely low collision risk. The number of raptors and waterbirds on the ridge during summer 2009 was negligible and much lower than that recorded during summer 2002. Records during 2009 included a low number of Swamp Harrier foraging over the ridge and one Pacific Gull crossing the ridge at low height. At the reference points, bird abundance was more than double that of the impact sites (25.6 versus 11.2 birds /ha/hr) (Appendix 12). The large difference in bird abundance was a direct result of the more diverse habitats surrounding the reference points compared to the impact points, which was even more evident following the fire on the ridge in 2006. Despite the general decrease in bird abundance at impact sites in summer 2009, the reference points did not follow the trend. To the contrary, abundance was higher in summer 2009 compared with summer 2002 (25.6 versus 18.2 birds/ha/hr). Table 9: Comparison of species abundance and height distribution at impact points between summer 2002 and summer 2009. (Figures in the table are average number of birds per count [four replicates in summer 2002 compared to 6 replicates in summer 2009]). (A = below RSA height [<30m]; B = at RSA height [30-140m]; C = above RSA height [>140m].) Summer 02 Summer 09 Species A* B C Total A B C Total New Holland Honeyeater 53.5 0.0 0.0 53.5 2.7 0.0 0.0 2.7 Superb Fairywren 36.5 0.0 0.0 36.5 51.7 0.0 0.0 51.7 Tasmanian Scrubwren 20.8 0.0 0.0 20.8 19.2 0.0 0.0 19.2 Welcome Swallow 11.8 2.0 0.0 13.8 6.8 0.0 0.0 6.8 Olive Whistler 12.5 0.0 0.0 12.5 4.2 0.0 0.0 4.2 Australasian Pipit 12.3 0.0 0.0 12.3 9.7 0.0 0.0 9.7 Striated Fieldwren 11.5 0.0 0.0 11.5 11.8 0.0 0.0 11.8 Grey Shrike-thrush 8.5 0.0 0.0 8.5 1.7 0.0 0.0 1.7 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 8.3 0.0 0.0 8.3 16.7 0.0 0.0 16.7 Tasmanian Thornbill 3.5 0.0 0.0 3.5 4.0 0.0 0.0 4.0 Crescent Honeyeater 2.8 0.0 0.0 2.8 2.7 0.0 0.0 2.7

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Summer 02 Summer 09 Species A* B C Total A B C Total Green Rosella 2.8 0.0 0.0 2.8 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 Swamp Harrier 1.5 1.3 0.0 2.8 0.7 0.3 0.0 1.0 Dusky Robin 2.3 0.0 0.0 2.3 4.5 0.0 0.0 4.5 Brush Bronzewing 2.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 Silvereye 2.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Forest Raven 0.8 0.5 0.0 1.3 2.2 0.3 0.0 2.5 Brown Quail 1.3 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 1.3 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 Brown Falcon 0.3 1.0 0.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Grey Fantail 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 4.2 0.0 0.0 4.2 White-faced Heron 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Ground Parrot 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 Nankeen Kestrel 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Beautiful Firetail 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 Blue-winged Parrot 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Fantail Cuckoo 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Latham's Snipe 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Black Currawong 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.7 Pacific Gull 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 Pallied Cuckoo 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Southern Emu-wren 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.0 0.0 0.0 5.0 White-fronted Chat 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.3 0.0 0.0 4.3 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 Dusky Woodswallow 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.7 Totals 200.8 6.3 1.0 208.0 157.0 1.7 0.0 158.7

2.5. Potential impacts of the proposed wind farm on birds Wind energy is a fast-growing renewable energy sector in Australia. Concerns regarding the effects of wind energy facilities on wildlife have attracted the attention of concerned citizens and regulators. In Australia, work on the impact of wind farms on birds is still in its early stages and most information is still unavailable in the public domain. Such impact has long been a concern in Europe and North America, where the potential and actual problems have been studied comparatively well. It is possible to identify a number of bird groups that are potentially more vulnerable to collision with wind turbines than others based on overseas experience of bird mortality at wind farms. However, there are very significant differences in the ways that birds use the landscape in Australia compared with the northern hemisphere and this affects the possible impacts of Australian wind farms on birds. In Australia, north – south bird migration is not a prominent phenomenon as is the case in Europe and America. Most species are nomadic, moving long distances in response to rainfall and drought at a continental scale. Most of bird mortality at European and North American wind farms effects migratory species.

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Review of literature on the impact of wind farms on birds has identified the main potential hazards as follows (Percival 2003; Langston & Pullan 2004; Drewitt and Langston 2006): . Direct mortality through collisions with rotors, towers, guy wires, or related structures; . Indirect habitat loss through avoidance of wind energy facilities and surrounding habitat; and . Direct habitat loss through construction of wind turbines and associated structures. There are more than 600 studies, articles and reports investigating avian death and wind farms published between 1998 and 2008. The ensuing discussion is based mainly on a selection of some comprehensive reviews; including: Erickson et al. 2001; Percival 2003; American Wind Energy Association and American Bird Conservancy 2004; National Wind Coordinating Committee, USA (NWCC) 2004, 2007; Langston and Pullan 2004; Drewitt and Langston 2006; Hötker et al. 2006; Barclay et al. 2007; Kuvlesky et al. 2007; Manuela de Lucas et al. 2007.

2.5.1. Collision mortality Direct mortality of birds can result from collision with wind turbines and associated structures such as guy cables, power lines and meteorological masts. There is also evidence of birds being forced to the ground as a result of being drawn into the vortex created by the moving rotors. The majority of studies have reported low collision mortality rates per turbine. In many cases these rates are based only on found corpses without correction for corpses that are overlooked or removed by scavengers. Even where collision rates are low, this does not mean that mortality is insignificant, especially in large wind farms (several hundreds of turbines). In these situations, a small increase in mortality rate may be significant for the population of some birds, especially large, long-lived species with low breeding productivity, or rare species of conservation concern. Collision risk depends on a wide range of factors related to bird species, numbers, behavior, weather conditions, topography and the nature of the wind farm itself. Such risks are summarized below. . High collision rates have been recorded at several large, poorly sited wind farms in areas where large concentrations of birds are present (e.g. Altamont Pass in California, USA, Tarifa, and Navarra in Spain). High collision rates are particularly evident for large soaring raptors, near areas used by large numbers of roosting or foraging birds, migratory flyways or local fly paths or areas with high bird use. Mortality at these poorly sited wind farms may have population effects and cumulative mortality may also contribute to population decline, which is particularly pertinent for species of conservation significance. . The specific configuration of turbines could facilitate collisions because turbines constructed linearly in long strings result in more collision mortality than turbines that are constructed in clusters. The heights, blade lengths, tip speeds, blade appearance to birds could are also proportionally related to collision rates.

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. Large birds with poor maneuverability (such as larger waterbirds) are generally at greater risk of collision with wind turbines. Species that habitually fly at dawn, dusk or at night are also less likely to detect and avoid turbines. Collision risk may additionally vary for a particular species depending on age, behavior and stage in the annual cycle. . Bird collision risk may vary on a seasonal basis. Collision risks are undoubtedly higher during spring and fall because bird migration predominates during these seasons (generally a northern hemisphere phenomenon). However, collisions can occur throughout the year because migratory behavior varies by geographic location, by weather and between species. Furthermore, resident bird species can collide with turbines whilst breeding during summer months. . Weather conditions, including wind speed and direction, air temperature and humidity, need to be incorporated in collision risk assessments. Although these effects may to some extent be offset by lower level activity in adverse conditions, birds already flying at high levels, such as during migration, cannot avoid poor weather conditions. . The size and alignment of turbines and rotor speed, together with meteorological masts and power lines, are likely to influence collision risks. Lighting on turbines may also increase the risk of collision by attracting and disorientating birds.

2.5.2. Recorded collision rates The impact of turbine blades on birds appears to be small and mortality that does occur, appears to be site-specific. It has been estimated that mortality caused by wind farms totalled 7000 birds in the USA in 2006. Estimates for nuclear and fossil-fueled power stations were 327,000 and 14.5 million birds, respectively (Sovacool 2009). Table 10 summarises reported collision rates from a range of European and North American wind farms. The rate generally varied between 0.0 and 22.6 birds per turbine per year. In a review of 22 North American wind farms, the rate varied between 0.0 and 9.33 (Barclay et al. 2007) and in another 12 wind farms outside California, the rate varied between 1.5 and 4.3 birds per turbine per year (Erikson et al. 2001). Kikuchi (2007) reported higher mortality rates than those reported in Table 10 from five European wind farms (4–64 birds per turbine per year). In another review of mortality of large sized birds at some Flemish Wind Farms, Everaet and Kuijken (2007) reported that the mean number of collision fatalities varied widely between one and 44 birds per wind turbine per year. These studies used correction factors (search area, scavenging removal and/or search efficiency rates) to adjust the figures. Studies at upland sites in the UK have generally reported very low collision rates, with some studies finding no collisions at all. This probably reflects the generally low bird densities present in these areas. Studies of bird collisions at coastal wind farms have generally reported rather higher numbers of collision compared to upland areas, probably reflecting the higher bird densities in coastal areas. Studies at Blyth Harbor and at Zeebrugge

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Harbor both found collision rates in excess of one bird per turbine per year, with most casualties at both sites being gulls (NWCC 2004). Similarly, studies at several wind farms built on mountain ridges in Spain were also much higher than the average wind farm mortality; two of nine such wind farms recorded mortalities amounting to 21.6 and 22.6 birds per turbine per year (Hötker et al. 2006). Overall it should be emphasized that birds are generally able to avoid collisions and do not blindly fly into wind turbines. Collision rates are typically in the range of one in 1,000 - 10,000 bird flights through a wind farm, even in studies where relatively high numbers of collisions have been reported, such as in Zeebrugge (NWCC 2004). Inappropriately located wind farms have resulted in considerable numbers of bird collisions with turbine rotor blades. Two particular sites where this has occurred are Altamont Pass in California and Tarifa in southern Spain. Both these sites hold a combination of high densities of species at high risk of collision (mainly raptors) and very high numbers of wind turbines. The numbers of collisions per turbine were quite low (less than one bird per year, see Table 10), but as there were such large numbers of turbines, this still meant that a significant number of collisions were recorded. The problems resulted from a combination of sensitive species flying through the area in large numbers (as they were important migration and feeding areas), and turbine layout (very large numbers densely packed in sensitive locations where birds were very concentrated) and design (particularly many lattice towers attractive to raptors as perches). Similarly, recent studies in Navarre in northern Spain have found similar problems with Griffon Vultures at several wind farms (Hotker et al. 2006). Table 10: Summary of bird mortality estimates for wind farms in Europe and North America Size of Collision Site Habitat Species present Wind farm rate* USA sites (review of 22 0.0 – projects; Barclay et al. Various Various Mixed 9.33 2007) USA sites (review of 12 projects outside 2.3 (1.5– Various Various Mixed California; Erickson et al. 4.3) 2001) Ranch 0.05– Altamont, California Raptors VL land 0.06 Buffalo Ridge (all Waterfowl & Various L 2.83 phases), Minnesota, USA passerines Coastal Raptors, storks and Tarifa, S. Spain VL 0.34 Hills many migrants Various, including Navarre, Spain Inland hills raptors and VL 0.34 passerines Mountain 0.3 – Spain, nine wind farms various M –VL ridges 22.6 Coastal Burgar Hill, Orkney Upland species S 0.15 moorland

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Size of Collision Site Habitat Species present Wind farm rate* Coastal Blyth, Northumberland Shorebirds S 2.52 Shoreline Coastal Gulls, terns & Zeebrugge, Belgium M 11–29** shoreline migrants Bremerhaven- Wetland Various M 9.0 Fischereihafen Upland species, Upland Bryn Tytli, Wales including peregrine M 0.0 moorland falcon Upland Cemmaes, Wales Upland species M 0.04 moorland Coastal-on Urk, Netherlands Waterfowl M 1.7 dyke wall Oosterbierum, Coastal-on Waterfowl & migrants M 1.8 Netherlands Dyke wall Coastal-on Kreekrak, Netherlands Waterfowl S 3.4 dyke wall Ovenden Moor, S. Upland Upland species M 0.04 Pennines moorland Coastal Tjaereborg, Denmark Waders and gulls S 3.0 grassland Coastal Waterfowl, including Nasudden, Gothland, marsh & breeding waders & L 0.7 Sweden arable migrants Sources: Erickson et al 2001; Percival 2003; NWCC 2004; Hotker et al. 2006; Barclay et al. 2007. Collision rate = Number of birds killed per turbine per year; all rates are corrected for observer efficiency and scavenging rate. ** The study included high correction factors (detecting only 11% of collisions). VL=very large (>200 turbines); L=large (50–200); M=medium (10–50); S=small (<10).

2.5.3. Non-collision impacts Disturbance There are a variety of direct and indirect, long-term and short-term non-collision impacts that wind projects may have on birds. Direct loss of habitat results from the construction of turbine pads, roads, and substations. Indirect loss of habitat may occur from birds’ behavioral responses to development, such as avoiding wind plant facilities and areas surrounding them. Long-term habitat impacts result from the construction of relatively permanent structures that remove habitat for the life of a project and from birds avoiding habitat disturbed by a wind plant and not habituating (i.e., becoming accustomed) to wind plant features. Short-term habitat impacts occur while habitat disturbed temporarily during construction of the wind plant is being restored and/or while birds habituate to the disturbance. Disturbance effects attributable to wind farms are variable and are species, season and site specific. Disturbance can lead to displacement and exclusion of birds from areas of suitable habitat, effectively loss of habitat for the birds. Displacement may occur during both the construction and operational phases of wind farms. Numerous studies have investigated this potential problem, with a range of results. In many cases no significant disturbance effect at all has been detected,

Page | 31 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) including studies at upland, coastal and offshore wind farms (see Table 11). European studies suggest that most displacement involves migrating, resting and foraging birds. Studies have reported displacement effects ranging from 75 metres to as far as 800 metres away from turbines and up to 300 metres for breeding birds. On a large wind farm, even this relatively small exclusion area around an individual turbine, may amount to a cumulatively significant exclusion area, or area of reduced use, even within a single wind farm. Effects on breeding birds are largely inconclusive or suggest lower disturbance distances, though this apparent lack of effects may be due to the high site fidelity and long life span of breeding birds studied. However, few studies showed some displacement for short-lived passerines. The displacement of breeding productivity and survival are crucial to whether or not there is likely to be a significant impact on population size. In East Anglia, UK, a study showed that turbine location (controlling for other effects such as boundary location and crop type) did not affect the distribution of four functional groups of wintering farmland birds (seed-eaters, corvids, game birds and Eurasian skylarks) at differing distances from wind turbines ranging from 0 - 150 metres to 600 - 750 metres (Devereux et al. 2008). The only species for which distribution was related to the presence of wind turbines was the largest and least maneuverable common pheasant. In a further analysis of data collected at 0 - 75 metres and 75 - 150 metres from turbines, the study found no evidence to suggest that farmland birds in our study avoided areas close to wind turbines (Devereux et al. 2008). In general, the scale of disturbance caused by wind farms varies greatly. The variation is likely to depend on a wide range of factors including seasonal and diurnal patterns of use by birds, location with respect to important habitats, and turbine and wind farm specification. In addition, the behavioral response of birds to disturbance varies not only between different species, but between individuals of the same species, depending on factors as stage of life cycle, flock size and degree of habituation. A recent review of the effects of wind turbines on bird abundance suggested that increasing time since operation resulted in greater declines in bird abundance. Disturbance potentially may arise from increased human activity in the vicinity of the wind farms, e.g. during construction, maintenance visits, facilitation of access via access roads, often in areas of little human activity before the arrival of a wind farm. The presence/noise of turbines may also deter birds from using the area close to turbines. Few studies are inconclusive in their findings, often because of a lack of well-designed studies both before and after construction of the wind farm. Furthermore, very few studies take account of differences in diurnal and nocturnal behavior. Studies that base assessments on daytime only are inadequate for nocturnal species and those species that may behave differently at night compared with during the day. There is some indication that wind turbines may be barriers to bird movement. Instead of flying between the turbines, birds may fly around the outside of the cluster. Whether this is a problem will depend on the size of wind farm, spacing of turbines, the extent of displacement of flying birds and their ability to compensate for increased energy expenditure. The cumulative effects of large wind farm installations may be considerable if bird movements are consequently displaced.

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This may lead to the disruption of ecological links between feeding, breeding and roosting areas. Table 11: Studies of the possible disturbance effects of the wind farms on the birds Distance Size of Site Habitat Species present affected Windfarms (m) Coastal Waterfowl, mainly Tjaereborg, Denmark* S Max 800 grassland waders and gulls Coastal-on Waterfowl, including Urk, Netherlands M Max 300 dyke wall geese and swans Oosterbierum, Coastal-on Waterfowl M Max 500 Netherlands** dyke wall Vejlerne, Denmark Farmland Pink-footed Geese L 1–200 Westermarsch, Germany Farmland Barnacle Geese M Max 600 Coastal Haverigg, Cumbria Golden Plover, gulls S None grassland Coastal Cormorants, waders, Blyth, Northumberland S None shoreline gulls Upland Upland species, Bryn Tytli, Wales M None moorland raptors Upland Carno, Wales Upland species L None moorland Ovenden Moor, NW Upland Golden Plover and M None England moorland Curlew Nasudden, Gotland, Coastal Waterfowl inc. geese L None Sweden marsh and breeding waders Lapwings, curlews, Various UK sites Uplands M None skylarks and pipits Coastal Up to Zeebrugge, Belgium Waterfowl M shoreline 300 Upland Novar Upland species M None Moorland Urgrunden Offshore Long-tailed Duck S None Source: Percival 2003 * Breeding lapwing up to 300 metres. ** No effect on breeding waders. L=large (50–200 metres); M=medium (10–50 metres); S=small (<10 metres). Direct habitat change and loss The scale of habitat loss resulting from the construction of wind farms and associated infrastructure depends on the size of the project, but generally speaking, is likely to be small per turbine base. Typically, the actual loss amounts to two to five percent of the total development area. Some estimates as to the extent of direct habitat disturbances from wind project development were drawn from the Foote Creek Rim site in Wyoming and several projects in the Pacific Northwest. Temporary impacts from the construction of roads, turbine pads, and substations were 0.4 to 2.6 acres per turbine or 0.6 to 1.7 acres per MW. Long-term impacts from permanent facilities were 0.7 to one acres per turbine, or 0.4 to 0.7 acres per MW. The overall magnitude of impacts and the potential for successful reclamation of sites depends on the ecological context and characteristics of the site, the type of

Page | 33 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) turbines being built, and the design of the reclamation plan. For example, a prairie area dominated by tall grass with good moisture has a better chance for reclamation than a cold desert area dominated by sagebrush. Flat sites require less topographic restructuring than rougher terrain, and arranging turbines in compact strings requires less road-building than widely dispersed turbines.

2.5.4. Australian Context There are few estimates of bird mortality from the operational wind farms in Australia. The only available information in the public domain include that of Codrington and Woolnorth (1st stage) wind farms where 3 birds were killed in the first (14 turbines) and 11 in the second one (6 turbines) annually. Later reports by Roaring 40’s on the Bluff Point and Studland Bay wind farms indicate a per turbine annual bird mortality rate of less than one (Roaring 40’s 2008, 2009). In addition to this, BL&A studied mortality at several Australian wind farms and found that bird mortality ranged between 0.7 to 3.3 birds per turbine per year (unpublished data). The Australian wind farms, which were monitored for bird mortality, were mostly in agricultural settings although most were located on or close to the coast. Birds fatally collided with turbines were mostly farmland species, except at Woolnorth where the list included three marine species. Analysis of North American and European bird collisions at wind farms (Erickson et al 2001; Percival 2003; NWCC 2004, Barclay et al. 2007) shows that bird species affected by operational turbines varied but mostly depended on the type of habitat on which the wind farm is built (see table above); however, most wind farm mortality was due to migrating birds. The Northern Hemisphere has a large number of both species and individuals of this bird group due to the large area of land at high latitudes that becomes unsuitable for birds in winter. Australia’s geography and latitude means that there are many fewer night-migrating birds. For this reason, the numbers of birds likely to collide with operating wind farms in Australia would be about half that in Europe and North America. Data to date on most wind farms generally support this.

2.6. Conclusions The conclusions from the BUS of the White Rock wind farm are presented below: . The wind farm investigation area is a largely heath-covered, low ridge (approximately 60–70 m ASL) supporting a reasonable diversity and abundance of common, predominantly heath-adapted native birds; . The area supports very few birds of prey or waterbirds, groups considered vulnerable to collision with operating wind turbines; . The distribution and abundance of birds in the investigation area was rather uniform and low, with only a slight increase in abundance at observation sites with more diverse habitats. Such uniform distribution indicated a similar level of collision risk is likely across much of the proposed wind farm site; . Four species of threatened or listed migratory bird species were recorded utilizing the area, including: o Wedge-tailed Eagle (Tasmanian sub-species), o White-throated Needletail; o Pacific Gull; and

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o Latham’s Snipe. . The utilization rate in the investigation area by the above threatened species was found to be low; therefore the collision risk to threatened species with operating turbines is consequently low; . The utilization rate of raptors and waterbirds was also found to be very low; . The coast adjacent to the investigation area supports a different habitat from the proposed wind farm area and the level of bird activity and species present are very different. These areas include a long shoreline to the south and west and cleared farmland to the east. The western shoreline is frequented by large numbers of shorebirds most of which are migratory species listed on the Commonwealth EPBC Act (see Section 4); . The movements of shorebirds were found to be mostly confined to the shorelines and none were seen crossing the investigation area during formal BUS count or during incidental observations while on the ridge. More discussion of this is provided in Section 4. . Similar to the shorebirds, the movement of the other waterbirds, such as swans, ducks, and herons, was also found to be low, and again only a few individuals were recorded flying over the investigation area; . The only species found to fly more often over the ridge was the Pacific Gull. Numbers found crossing the ridge relative to the large population frequenting the shorelines are very low and significant impacts on regional populations of this species is not expected to occur; . Bird number and diversity over the ridge (impact points) decreased to some extent following the 2006 bush fires. The fire reduced the number of birds frequenting the larger trees and favoured those using mostly low heathy habitats. The net effect of such change reduces risk to birds flying at RSA heights, although this is acknowledged to be a temporary effect and habitat structure will recover with increasing time since the fire; and . Bird life on the ridge generally did not interact with the shorelines of the island. A buffer zone of approximately 500 m is likely to isolate the latter birds from any collision or disturbance risk and reduce impacts on their populations.

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3. BAT SURVEY

3.1. Introduction This aim of the bat survey was to provide information on the diversity and pattern of use of the White Rock study area by bats. This chapter documents the results of two bat survey periods carried out during 2004 and 2009.

3.2. Methods Automated Anabat® (Titley Electronics, Ballina, NSW) bat detectors that record the species-specific echolocation calls of free-flying bats were used at the sampling points described below. The detectors were programmed to commence operation approximately 30 minutes before dusk, and to cease approximately 30 minutes after dawn. The Anabat unit was connected to a Compact Flash Storage ZCAIM unit that recorded each bat echolocation call, along with the time and date of each call, on a compact flash card. The use of Anabat to record bat species was preferred to trapping methods, Trapping only samples bats flying up to three metres from the ground, a component of the airspace considered irrelevant to a wind farm impact assessment. As a wind farm development footprint represents less than two percent of the land surface, impacts on bat habitat are not considered to be significant. Hof greater imperative is an understanding of bats flying at height. Anabat, with a range of up to 20m for many species, samples higher than trapping. Mounting the Anabat microphone at 50 m up a wind monitoring mast also provides information on bat species active at RSA height, information most pertinent to a wind farm impact assessment. .

3.2.1. Location and timing of surveys The first survey was carried out over 10 nights in 2004, from 10 – 15 March and 19 – 25 April. Records were taken from the wind mast, which was at a central location on top of White Rock Ridge. One recording site was on the ground immediately below the wind mast (Site A1), and the other was at 50 metres elevation up the mast itself (Site A2) to sample the airspace at RSA height. A total of 240 hours of recording was made in 2004. The second survey was carried out over six nights from the 19 – 25 January, 2009. Records were taken from the two sites at the wind mast (Sites A1 and A2), and at two additional sites; Site A3 was four kilometres north from the wind mast along the ridge and Site A4 was on the flat farmland just below the ridge (Figure 6). Recording during the 2009 survey amounted to 288 hours. The habitat around the wind mast and Site A3 comprised heathland, including Melaleuca and Leptospermum species up to 1 m high, with few scattered young eucalypts (no mature trees) and many large tea trees. The habitat surrounding Site A4 consisted of recently burned and cleared land for the formation of new grazing paddocks. The area was usually very wet with several swamps during the rainy season, but it was completely dry at the time of recording.

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These sampling points were representative of the habitats across the investigation area. In view of the mobility of bats, the locations are considered adequate to provide a representative picture of the species and activity levels of bats using the area where wind turbines are likely to be located. These results therefore inform the wind farm impact assessment.

3.2.2. Analysis of bat calls Calls from the units were downloaded and sent to Greg Richards (Consultant Ecologist; Greg Richards & Associates, Canberra) for identification. The files from the recording sites were viewed in Anabat software (Chris Corben, USA), which provides a sonogram display of frequency versus time. Call identification was based on a key developed by comparing the characteristics of bat search calls within reference calls from known species recorded from Tasmania. Identification of bat calls is largely based on changes to frequency patterns over time, especially as the characteristic frequency changes. Only those recordings that contained at least two definite and discrete calls were classified as bat calls. For most species, a call sequence of several seconds in duration is required before identification can confidently be made. Calls were compared to a regional call reference library. The identification of bat calls in south-eastern Australia is facilitated by the fact that many calls are species-specific. However, not all species can be identified consistently or reliably. In some species, there is overlap in call characteristics and many calls are attributable only to species “complexes”, not to single species. A significant limitation in the use of this technique is that it is not possible to census bats accurately. That is, the Anabat unit may record 10 calls of a particular species but it is not known if this represents 10 individuals or one individual flying past 10 times. Therefore, it is not possible to determine utilisation rates as can be done for birds. Bat activity (i.e. number of calls) however is a comparative measure that informs collision risk assessments.

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A4

A1

A2

Kilometers 0 0.5 1 2

Legend Figure 6: Locations of anabat survey points Investigation Area Project: White Rock Wind Farm Anabat points Client:Eureka Funds Management

Project No.: 8128 Date: 04/10/2010 Created By: A.Dodd/J.Wen White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

3.3. Results

3.3.1. Species recorded Five common bat species were recorded over the two survey periods. Two species (Eastern Falsistrelle and Long-eared Bat) were recorded during the 2004 survey and four species during the 2009 survey (Long-eared Bat, Large Forest Bat, Little Forest Bat and Gould’s Wattle Bat) (Table 12). Species recorded at White Rock Ridge were widespread, common and secure species that are considered to be of low risk, least concern status (Menkhorst 1995; Duncan et al. 1999). The Eastern Falsistrelle is uncommon but widespread and is still considered to have a status of low risk– least concern (Menkhorst 1995; Duncan et al. 1999). Long-eared bats are difficult to distinguish to species level, and hence are grouped under their genus name. The species that are likely to occur at White Rock Ridge are Nyctophilus sherrini, the only Long-eared bat endemic to Tasmania (Churchill 2008). Table 12: Species of bats recorded during the impact assessment of the White Rock Wind Farm site.

Site of recording Conservation Common name Scientific name Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 status Eastern Falsistrelle Falsistrellus tasmaniensis x common, secured

Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus sp. x x common, secured

Large Forest Bat Vespadelus darlingtoni x common, secured

Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnus x common, secured

Gould's Wattle Bat Chalinolobus gouldii x x x common, secured

3.3.2. Bat activity Bat activity on White Rock Ridge was very low. During March and April 2004 (10 days; 240 hours of recording), only three calls from two species of bats were recorded (Table 13). This indicates a low level of activity and suggests that a bat flew over the recording device once every two to three nights. They were recorded from ground level and none were recorded from the high-mounted microphone. Similarly, bat activity was low during January 2009. A total of 22 calls (average of 3.7 calls per night) were recorded from the four sites. No calls were recorded from Site A4, which was located on the cleared flat land beneath the ridge. The majority of calls were from ground level along the ridge (Site A1 and A3). Gould’s Wattle bat was the most frequently recorded bat, and was the only species recorded at 50 m above ground. In general, it could be concluded that bat activity over the ridge was low and few bats are likely to utilize the wind farm site. Most activity was below RSA height.

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Table 13: Activity of bats at White Rock wind farm. Average per Bat species Site A1 Site A2 Site A3 Site A4 Total night 2004 Eastern Falsistrelle 2 0 - - 2 0.4 Long-eared Bat 1 0 - - 1 0.2 Total calls 3 0 - - 3 0.6 2009 Long-eared Bat 0 0 1 0 1 0.2 Large Forest Bat 0 0 1 0 1 0.2 Little Forest Bat 0 0 2 0 2 0.3 Gould's Wattle Bat 10 1 7 0 18 3.0 Total calls 10 1 11 0 22 3.7

3.4. Sources of impact Impacts to bats from wind farms are similar to those for birds; several studies have demonstrated that bats fatally collide with wind turbines at approximately the same rate as birds (Johnson et al. 2004; Kunz et al. 2007a, b; Barclay et al. 2007). However, recent reports from North America reported considerably more bat fatalities than were expected based on early monitoring studies where birds have been the primary focus of attention (Kunz et al. 2007a; Arnett et al. 2008; NRC 2007). In Australia, bat fatality studies are very limited and mostly embedded in private consultant reports, usually unavailable in the public domain. Bat fatality studies in North America and Europe could shed some light on the effects of wind turbines on bats, but such fatalities in North America and Europe involve mainly migratory bats (Johnson et al. 2003; Kunz et al. 2007a; Barclay et al. 2007; Hotker et al. 2006). In Germany, About 93% of all the bat victims were found between the dispersal of the breeding colonies and the end of the autumn migration (Durr and Bach 2004). In Australia, bats display some migratory behaviour but migrations are local and not considered to cover significant distances. Therefore, fatalities are expected to be much lower than those recorded in Northern America and Europe. Several hypotheses have been suggested in an attempt to determine how and why bats are killed by wind turbines (Durr and Bach 2004; Kunz 2004, OMNR 2006). These include: . Sensory failure: Bats are unable to visually or acoustically detect moving turbine blades; migrating bats do not echolocate and thus are less able to avoid collision; . Roost attraction: Bats may mistake turbines for a roost; . Acoustic attraction: Bats are attracted to sounds generated by turbines; . Insect concentration: Bats are attracted to lit areas such as wind farms because of higher insect activity;

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. Food resources: Wind farms tend to be built in areas where insects are concentrated (e.g., hilltops and ridges), thus in prime foraging habitat for bats; and open spaces around turbines may create favourable foraging habitats; . Reduced maneuverability: increased body mass of pre-hibernation bats makes them less manoeuvrable in flight and more likely to collide with turbines; and . Decompression: Turbine turbulence creates decompression zones that kill bats that enter them. Little evidence is available in the literature to prove or disapprove many of the above listed hypotheses. However, studies in the United States and Europe have demonstrated that bat fatalities were highest during the migration season, usually during late summer and fall, and involve tree roosting migratory species, and that bat fatalities were highest in forested habitats (Durr and Bach 2004; Kunz 2004; Kunz et al. 2007a, b; Johnson et al. 2003, 2004; NRC 2007; Arnett et al 2005, 2008; Hotker et al 2006; Horn et al. 2008). Most bat fatality is caused by direct collision with wind turbines. Bats approached rotating blades, and were either trapped in blade-tip vortices, or struck directly by blades. Bats are usually killed by rotating turbines and usually at low speed (Arnett et al. 2005; Barclay et al. 2006; Horn et al. 2008). Changes to the cut-off speed of wind terbines reduce bat fatality by 53–87 % with little loss of power generated (Arnett et al. 2009). Studies in North America and Europe have found that an increase in RSA is not correlated to increased bat fatality; however bat mortality increases exponentially with an increase in turbine heights. Such mortality may have occurred among migratory species as high turbines are expected to reach their migratory airspace (Durr & Bach 2004; Barclay et al. 2006). As few bats in Australia make the long- distance migrations that take bats to such heights, a similar situation is unlikely to arise at Australian wind farms. Fatality is distributed randomly around wind turbines, although higher than average numbers of bats generally were found at turbines located near an end or centre of an array of turbines (Arnett et al. 2005, 2008; Fiedler et al. 2007). Mortality is not different between lit and unlit turbines (Johnson 2004; Arnett et al. 2008). Fatality of bats could be dictated by weather pattern and food availability and was found to increase immediately before and after the passing of a storm front (Arnett et al. 2008). Bats might also be killed by turbines during mating as they are usually attracted to the highest tree in their habitat for mating; they may react to tall turbines as they do to taller trees (Cryan 2008). In addition to fatalities caused directly by turbines, bats are known to die due to a condition known as “Barotrauma”. This condition is caused by air pressure changes around turbine blades, which can result in tissue and lung damage (Baerwald et al. 2008). In addition, another condition known as “Implosion” has been reported to cause some mortality to bats in a German wind farm. The Implostion condition is caused by low pressure around turbines which results in oozing of body fat through the skin into the body fur and internal hemorrhage (Durr and Bach 2004).

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The impacts on bats from habitat loss from disturbance, barrier effects and habitat exclusion are not well documented in the literature. More information and research is needed to reveal the actual impacts of these factors on bat populations around wind farms (Hotker et al. 2006). Table 14 gives examples of bat mortality rates at a selection of wind farms in North America and Europe. The rate varied between 0.00 to 42.00 bats per turbine per year. The most common rate varied between1.00 and 4.26 bats per turbine per year. However, a number of wind farms in America recorded mortality rates that were unacceptably high (Meyersdale WF 27.00, Mountaineer 42.00, and Summerview 18.84), believed to be due to mortality of migratory bats. The only mortality rate in the public domain in Australia is that published by Hydro- Tasmania from Woolnorth wind farm; the rate was 1.86 bats per turbine per year. However, based on a few unpublished works in Australia (five wind farms, BL&A, unpublished data), bat mortality ranged between 0.00 to 2.64 bats per turbine per year, a rate comparable to that recorded for most North American and European Wind farms. The impact on bats could be determined by several factors including: . Bat species present in an area; . Time of year; and . Habitat and landscape features, including the presence of forested ridges (OMNR 2006). Based on above, the impacts could be reduced by carefully implementing suitable measures before the preconstruction of the wind farm. The measures include, but are not limited to: . Evaluation of the existing information about the bats in the wind farm area; . Collection of pre-construction survey data; . Avoidance of turbine locations along bat movement corridors or migration routes i.e. forest edges, streams and rivers; and . Avoidance of turbine locations within 100 metres of still or flowing waters, riparian and forest edges and know bat hibernation and breeding caves. In Germany, 89% of the bat fatalities were around turbines whose towers were less than 100 m from wooded areas (Durr and Bach 2004).

Table 14: Annual collision rates of bats at selected wind farms in North America and Europe. Values in table corrected for scavenger removal rate and search efficiency. After Barclay et al. 2007, Hotker et al. 2006 and Durr and Bach 2004.

Megawatt No. bats Location No. of turbines Height (m) Capacity killed/ /turbine turbine Alberta Magrath 20 65 1.5 1.76 Summerview 39 67 1.8 18.48

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Megawatt No. bats Location No. of turbines Height (m) Capacity killed/ /turbine turbine California Altamont 1526 18 0.11 0.01 Diablo Winds 31 47 0.66 0.00 High Winds 90 80 1.8 3.43 Colorado Ponnequin 44 60 0.71 0.15 Iowa Top of Iowa 89 71.6 0.9 8.04 Minnesota Baffalo Ridge 1 73 37 0.34 0.07 Baffalo Ridge II 143 50 0.75 2.01 Baffalo Ridge III 138 50 0.75 2.06 Oregon Klondike 16 65 1.5 1.19 Vansycle 38 50 0.66 0.74 Pennsylvania Meyersdale 20 80 1.5 27.00 Saskatchewan Cypress 16 45 0.66 0.00 Washington Nine Canyon 37 60 1.2 3.21 Washington–Orgeon Stateline 454 50 0.66 1.12 Wisconsin NE Wisconsin 31 65 0.66 4.26 West Virginia Mountaineer 44 69.5 1.5 42.70 Spain 13.36 Salajones 3.09 Izco-Albar 0.00 Alaiz-Echague 0.00 Guennda 0.00 El Perdon Germany* 156 0.23 Brandenburg (19 WF) 95 0.64 Saxony (12 WF) * Figures for Germany are estimated values not corrected for scavenger or searcher efficiencies.

Limited data are available on wind farm impacts on bats. Data collected by BL&A indicate that levels of bat mortality are on average lower than levels of bird mortality (BL&A unpublished data). This is supported by findings at Bluff Point and Studland Bay wind farms in north western Tasmania, where fewer bats are found below turbines than birds (Roaring 40’s 2008, 2009). On mainland Australia, the species most regularly recorded as colliding with turbines is the higher-flying White-striped Freetail Bat (Austronomus australis), followed by Gould’s Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus gouldii) and Chocolate Wattled Bat (C. morio) (BL&A unpublished data). At Bluff Point and Studland Bay wind farms in north western Tasmania, the Gould’s Wattled Bat has been recorded colliding fatally with wind turbines (16 individuals over three years from 2006 to 2008, Roaring40’s 2009). Four individuals of an unidentified bat have also been recorded colliding with turbines at these wind farms.

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4. SHOREBIRD SURVEY

4.1. Introduction BL&A was engaged to conduct shorebird investigations on and near Robbins Island in north-western Tasmania. The assessment aimed to determine how shorebirds used key habitats around Robbins Island and to assess the potential risk that the proposed White Rock Wind Farm may pose to migratory shorebirds species protected under the Commonwealth EPBC Act. Robbins Island lies within the Robbins Passage region, which can support over 23,000 migratory and resident shorebirds. These birds forage at low tide on intertidal mudflats and roost at high tide on prominent headlands and beaches. The region supports more shorebirds than any other part of Tasmania and is one the top ten sites for shorebirds in terms of diversity and numbers, in south- eastern Australia. This area is recognised as an area of international significance for migratory shorebirds and of national significance for some resident shorebirds such as oystercatchers (Watkins 1993). This chapter documents the results of surveys undertaken by BL&A during late 2002, early 2003 and early 2009. The field investigations gathered information on the abundance and movements of shorebirds at the proposed wind farm site and surrounding areas. Particular focus was given to establishing shorebird movements across the proposed wind farm site from foraging areas on the surrounding coastline. In addition to the field investigations, existing information collated by Birds Tasmania on the abundance and populations of shorebirds in north-western Tasmania was analysed. These data included numbers of shorebirds that occur in the Robbins Passage region and provided a context for understanding shorebird behaviour in the region, and informed the impact assessment. The presence in the study area of at least 18 listed migratory bird species protected under the EPBC Act (DEWHA 2010), together with a number of listed threatened species under the Act and the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (TSP Act), require that any adverse impacts upon these listed species be evaluated and if necessary mitigated.

4.2. Methods

4.2.1. Existing information Existing shorebird information used for this investigation was kindly provided by Birds Tasmania, and this group is acknowledged for their assistance in making these data available. The data included the results of shorebird surveys undertaken in north-western Tasmania from 2002 to 2009. Analysis of shorebird data collated by Birds Tasmania has been broken down into three sections: . North-western Tasmania; . Robbins Passage; and . Robbins Island.

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The north-western Tasmanian area includes the northern shoreline, mudflats and islets extending from Narawntapu National Park in the east to Woolnorth in the west and included Devonport, Robbins Passage and Harbour Islet (Figure 1). During the 2002 summer surveys Birds Tasmania surveyed the north-eastern shoreline of Narawntapu National Park and Moorland Point at Devonport. During the 2003 summer surveys a stretch of coastline extending from Harbour Islet to Woolnorth Point was surveyed. Birds Tasmania has surveyed the Robbins Passage area extensively every summer since 2002. The Robbins Passage area includes several islands and surrounding intertidal coastline and islets (Figure 2). Robbins Island is the centre of this area and includes the surrounding vast exposed mudflats from Kangaroo Island and extending south-east across to Perkins Island. The shorebirds forage on the large expanses of mudflats at low tide and roost at particular points at high tides. Areas where high concentrations of shorebirds roost are at Bird Point and Knot Point on the west coast of Robbins Island, Shipwreck Point on the northern tip of Perkins Island and around Kangaroo Island, south-west of Robbins Island (Figure 2).

4.2.2. Field methodology From December 2002 to May 2003, daytime shorebird observations were undertaken by BL&A on Robbins, Walker, Montagu and Perkins islands. The main focus was on the north-western coast of Robbins Island, including high tide roost sites at Bird Point and Knot Point, where high numbers of shorebirds congregate. The methodology in 2002-3 focussed on observing shorebirds during daylight hours at Bird Point and Knot Point on the north-western coast of Robbins Island. As nothing was known of shorebird movements in the region at that time, the work was very much exploratory. An observer was present periodically over the period of peak shorebird numbers in the region, with visits timed to coincide with high tides in the middle of the day so that movement patterns either side of the tide could be documented. In 2002-03, no night-time observations were undertaken. The observer was stationed near Bird Point and Knot Point with binoculars and telescope and watched bird movements for periods of up to 12 hours per day over a tidal cycle. The observation point was on the ridge above the coast so that any movements of birds to the east, across the island could be tracked, if required, for a short distance inland. Low hills immediately inland of Bird Point and Knot Point prevented long-distance visual tracking of any inland movements at the same time as keeping watch on birds moving in the coastal environment. The observer was generally in place shortly after low tide and watched for shorebird movements from the surrounding feeding areas to the two roosting locations. As the tide dropped again, movements of shorebird back to the feeding grounds were then recorded. Data recorded on shorebird movements comprised the flight direction and distance, and the location and habitat of the destination. It was not always possible to ascertain the ultimate destination given the large distances involved and the difficulty of following the mostly low-flying shorebirds across extensive intertidal mudflats, notwithstanding strong optics.

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More recent field investigations were undertaken from 8 - 12 January 2009 on Robbins and Perkins islands. This field work was designed to monitor mostly night-time activity of shorebirds. High tide shorebird roost sites within the study area were inspected on foot and, where necessary, the remainder of the coast and ridge of the proposed White Rock Wind Farm site was covered by vehicle. Field methodology for the 2009 survey is described below. . Night observations were carried out from 1.5 – 2 hours prior to high tide, until 1.5 hours after high tide, at a suitable observation point overlooking known high tide roosting sites. Initially the high tide roost site at Bird Point was targeted, however few migratory shorebirds were encountered. In comparison, large numbers of shorebirds were located in the vicinity of Knot Point, therefore subsequent night observations took place from a small hillock near Knot Point, which overlooked two small islets upon which birds roosted. . On the 11th January, the high tide count was carried out in conjunction with members of Birds Tasmania in the vicinity of Knot Point and Bird Point. . Day time high tide observations took place from the shoreline near Knot Point overlooking a small islet to the north of the point. All species of shorebirds were counted during these times. . At Perkins Island, night time observations and some day time low tide counts took place at Shipwreck Point, in the north-western corner of the island. All species of shorebirds and terns were counted during daylight hours. Due to access constraints with high tides, only one high tide count during daylight could be conducted at the Shipwreck Point area. This was undertaken on the 11th January, in conjunction with members of Birds Tasmania.

4.2.3. Limitations of field assessment The 2009 shorebird field work was undertaken during fine and cool to mild summer conditions. Cold temperatures of less than 5°C were recorded at the weather station at nearby Smithton for the nights of 8th and 9th January (BOM 2009). A strong wind was also blowing on the 8th January, which tends to make shorebirds seek cover behind debris such as seaweed or rocks. Full moonlight was available on three nights, however on one night it was partly cloudy. Even under full moonlight it was impossible to differentiate species of shorebirds as they were densely packed at high tide roosts about 100 - 150 metres offshore. Reliance upon identifying species by their call was necessary. Day time conditions were considered adequate for detecting all species occurring in the study area. A further limitation was that given the variety of species gathering at high tide roosts it was impossible to differentiate these species by their calls since the accumulative effect of their calls was a mass twittering which could be more or less continuous while at the roost site. For example, Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, Red-necked Stint and Bar-tailed Godwit were present in numbers greater than 100 individuals each, based on day time counts. The bulk of shorebirds on the west coast of Robbins Island, roosted at an islet south of Knot Point during the night time high tide. In comparison, during the daytime high tide large numbers roosted at an islet north of this point. This meant

Page | 46 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) that time was expended in finding the roost site on the first two nights, rather than watching for movements or counting the birds themselves. In view of the difficulties of observing shorebirds moving at night, a further investigation using radio-telemetry is being undertaken in summer 2010 to ascertain the extent of movement across the White Rock Ridge at night. This study will also ascertain the usual movement patterns of shorebirds in response to the tide and changes in weather conditions, providing a wider context for understanding the potential impacts of the project on these birds.

4.3. Results This section discusses the analysis of the Birds Tasmania shorebird data and presents the results of the field investigations undertaken by BL&A.

4.3.1. North-western Tasmania The number of shorebirds recorded in north-western Tasmania during summer surveys ranged from 12,886 to 23,451 shorebirds at any one time (Birds Tasmania data, Table 15). Table 15: Total number of shorebirds during summer surveys in north-western Tasmania Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Totals 18198 12886 19012 12966 23451 13446 16614 15301 Source: Birds Tasmania

4.3.2. Robbins Passage Robbins Passage is a popular foraging area for shorebirds due to the large expanse of exposed mudflats at low tide. The number of shorebirds ranged from 12, 886 in 2005 to 23,451 in 2006 (Birds Tasmania data, Table 16). On average there are 16,500 shorebirds visiting the area every year. The most abundant shorebird species included Red-necked Stint, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, Pied Oystercatcher and Sooty Oystercatcher. Table 16: Total number of shorebirds recorded during summer surveys at Robbins Passage Year Species 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Latham's 1 1 2 Snipe Bar-tailed 300 418 453 420 191 467 350 Godwit Whimberel 2 4 2 1 Eastern Curlew 148 191 165 175 186 120 113 89 Common 12 36 125 1 50 105 35 Greenshank Terek 1 3 1 Sandpiper Grey-tailed 1 2 4 3 2 5 Tattler Ruddy 1162 2202 1116 809 1294 846 1201 1355

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Year Species 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Turnstone Great Knot 6 1 26 4 1 3 1 2 Red Knot 1920 12 273 502 1520 963 1734 819 Sanderling 1 13 26 1 4 5 Red-necked 12590 7878 13212 7502 15726 9128 10382 10975 Stint Sharp-tailed 150 110 6 145 4 124 57 Sandpiper Curlew 226 68 1959 935 2374 876 912 72 Sandpiper Pied 754 1127 729 1395 842 472 893 663 Oystercatcher Sooty 363 677 246 337 249 260 255 329 Oystercatcher Pacific Golden 188 321 203 185 277 193 246 93 Plover Grey Plover 60 4 308 261 109 34 54 65 Red-capped 288 131 66 62 153 69 98 56 Plover Double- 10 11 12 10 1 57 1 4 banded Plover Lesser Sand 6 2 2 1 2 1 1 Plover Greater Sand 1 62 21 34 49 Plover Hooded Plover 53 47 18 24 Masked 108 24 20 283 8 102 55 311 Lapwing Totals per year 18198 12886 19012 12966 23451 13446 16614 15301 Source: Birds Tasmania High numbers of shorebirds were recorded at Kangaroo Island, Shipwreck Point (Perkins Island), Bird Point and Knot Point (both at Robbins Island). These areas were preferred high tide roosting sites where birds were more easily counted. Table 17 presents the total number of shorebirds recorded at the popular high tide roost sites. Table 17: Total number of shorebirds recorded at popular roosting sites Date Bird Point Knot Point Shipwreck Point Kangaroo Island 2002, 1st February 2933 7085 5102 2002, 18th December 3765 1469 2003, 21st January 526 600 2003, 22nd January 835 3600 2003, 15th February 755 592 637 2003, 28th February 733 3150 2003, 21st March 3150 2003, 22nd March 2511 652 2003, 23rd March 2500 652 2004, 24th January 5608 4399 3586 3055

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Date Bird Point Knot Point Shipwreck Point Kangaroo Island 2005, 6th February 1591 4052 2743 2647 2006, 29th January 850 5741 13786 1613 2007, 18th February 4068 2367 4218 1417 2008, 20th January 423 5329 5730 3311 2009, 8th January 298 2009, 9th January 1300 2009, 10th January 1660 2009, 11th January 67 2743 6685 3737 Source: Data collected by Birds Tasmania and BL&A. The foregoing table shows that between counts significant differences in numbers occurred between the main roosting sites, For example, when the February 2006 distribution of birds between roosts is compared with the preceding and following years, it is clear that more birds occurred at Shipwreck Point and less at Bird and Knot Points on Robbins Island. Anecdotal evidence in 2002-02 from comparing counts at north west Robbins Island with partial counts at Shipwreck Point suggests that in March 2003 a shift of several thousand birds from north-west Robbins Island to Shipwreck Point took place shortly after the passage of a cold front. Cold fronts usually bring strong, cool westerly winds that may make foraging and roosting conditions on the exposed west coast of Robbins Island less favourable that the slightly more sheltered foraging grounds to the west of Shipwreck Point. These differences suggest that a significant proportion of birds change their roost site and, possibly, their foraging location from time to time. The triggers for shifts in roosting and, possibly, foraging location, are not known. The frequency with which these shifts occur and the location of flight paths between these habitats is unclear. The aim of the proposed shorebird radio-tracking study is to elucidate these issues, particularly in relation to Shipwreck Point. Movements from the west coast of Robbins Island to and from Shipwreck Point have the potential to cross the wind farm investigation area. The radio-tracking study in summer 2010 will assist in addressing these unknowns.

4.3.3. Robbins Island The focus point for investigations on Robbins Island was Bird Point and Knot Point, as these areas were the most popular high tide roosting sites with the highest concentrations of shorebirds (Appendix 16 and 17). Table 18 presents all shorebird movements observed during field investigations in the Robbins Passage region. Some of the more regular shorebird movements are shown in Figure 7. Bird Point and Knot Point are located 2.75 kilometres apart. Bird behaviour observed at these two roosting sites was similar and movements mostly occurred along the coastline or over water. There were generally two regular movements observed at these two points, described below: . During low tides some shorebirds foraged on mudflats west of Walker Island and near the Walker Island crossing. When tides rose, large scale movements occurred and shorebirds would fly up to eight kilometres to high tide roosting

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sites at Bird and Knot Points. Shorebirds remained here at high tide to roost. As tides receded the birds’ made their way back north along the coastline to forage in areas of exposed mudflats near Walker Island. . During low tides some shorebirds foraged on mudflats on the western side of Robbins Island, specifically west of Bird and Knot Points. As tides rose, birds flew east to roosting sites at Bird and Knot Point and remained here to roost at high tide. As tides receded, birds flew back to their foraging areas to the west. These movements were generally less than 200 metres and up to one kilometre. Birds did not generally forage in the same areas day after day. They alternated by foraging north of the roosting points and/or west of the roosting points. In addition, there was some incidental movements recorded over land, described below. During January 2003, a movement of 40 shorebirds, including 34 Red-necked Stint, four Ruddy Turnstone and two Curlew Sandpiper were observed leaving Bird Point. They flew overland in an easterly direction towards Mosquito Inlet. In addition, between 500 - 1000 shorebirds were observed flying inland from the western coastline south of Bird Point. These were the only observations of birds moving inland to the east across Robbins Island from the Bird Point and Knot Point roost sites. No consistent, regular movements in this direction were observed during daylight hours at any time during the shorebird observations. The aim of the radio-tracking investigation will be to ascertain the frequency and location of any shorebird movements that cross the investigation area during both day and night.

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Table 18: Movement of shorebirds observed at Robbins and Perkins Islands

Shorebird Species Count Location departed Direction flown Arrival point Date Mixed 2000 Walkers Crossing north Mudflats west of Walker Island 18/08/2002

Common Greenshank 2 Knot Point north-east Small bay to the north 21/01/2003

Mixed, Red-necked Stint, Curlew 40 Bird Point east Mosquito Inlet 21/01/2003 Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone

Bar-tailed Godwit 3 x 80 Walkers Crossing south Knot Point 22/01/2003 Mixed 100's Bird Point, 5 Islets north Western shoreline of Robbins Island 22/01/2003 Mixed 800 Well to the north south Bird Point 28/02/2003 Mixed 800 Bird Point north Near Walker Island 28/02/2003

Mixed 2000 1 km offshore from bird point north Unknown 29/02/2003

Mixed 500-1000 South of Bird Point inland Unsure 18/03/2003 Mixed 30 Mudflats west of Perkins island east Shipwreck point 21/03/2003 Ruddy Turnstone 500 Shipwreck Point west Big Bay 21/03/2003 Ruddy Turnstone, Curlew 100's Shipwreck Point west Big Bay 22/03/2003 Sandpiper

Red-necked Stint, Double-banded 20 400 m south Bird Point west Mudflats on west side of Robbins Island 23/04/2003 Plover Plover

Sooty Oystercatcher 8 South of Shipwreck Point north-west Southern coast of Robbins Island 8/01/2009 Sooty Oystercatcher 20 Shipwreck Point west Mudflats west of Perkins Island 9/01/2009 Bar-tailed Godwit 100 Knot Point north Unsure 10/01/2009

Eastern Curlew 26 South-east end of Robbins Island south Mudflats west side of Perkins Island beyond oyster leases 10/01/2009

Mixed Groups of 10-200 Scattered mudflats west of Robbins Island east and south Knot Point 10/01/2009 Red-necked Stint 220 West of Walkers Island south Knot Point 10/01/2009 Sooty Oystercatcher 5 Mudflats west of Perkins island east Shipwreck point 10/01/2009 Sooty Oystercatcher 10 Shipwreck Point north-west Towards Robbins Island 10/01/2009 Sooty Oystercatcher 32 Shipwreck Point west Mudflats west of Perkins Island 10/01/2009 Mixed 15 Knot Point north Unsure 10/01/2009 Mixed 200 Knot Point west Mudflats west of Knot Point 10/01/2009 Mixed, majority Red Knot 800 Knot Point west Mudflats west of Knot Point 10/01/2009 Bar-tailed Godwit 50 Knot Point north Mudflats west of Walker Island 11/01/2009 Mixed small groups Knot Point west Mudflats west of Robbins Island 11/01/2009 Sooty Oystercatcher 6 Mudflats west of Perkins island west Shipwreck point 11/01/2009 Sooty Oystercatcher 10 Shipwreck Point north-west Robbins Island 11/01/2009 Sooty Oystercatchers 10 Shipwreck point west Mudflats west of Perkins Island 11/01/2009

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Knot Point

Shipwreck point

0 2.5 5 10 Legend Kilometers Figure 7: Shorebird Movements and Habitats Project: White Rock Wind Farm Investigation Area Client: Eureka Funds Management

Shorebird Habitats Project No.: 8128 Date: 04/10/2010 Created By: A. Dodd / J.Wen

Regular Movements

Irregular Movements White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

4.3.4. Perkins Island Shipwreck Point is located at the northern end of Perkins Island and is a popular high tide roosting site. Shorebirds that use Shipwreck Point as a roosting site generally feed on the mudflats west of Perkins Island. Most movements observed to and from Shipwreck point were to and from mudflats west of Perkins Island. During the January 2009 field work a couple of incidental movements of less than ten shorebirds were observed crossing Robbins Passage either from Robbins Island to Perkins Island or vice versa. Few birds were observed roosting at Bird and Knot Points when there was a strong westerly wind. During these times, large numbers of shorebirds were recorded at the Shipwreck Point high tide roost site, most probably because Perkins Island is more protected from strong westerly winds.

4.3.5. Migration Behaviour of Shorebirds Longer distance shorebird migration has been described by a number of authors (Lane & Jessop 1985; Piersma et al. 1990; Swennen 1992; Tulp et al 1994). These studies show that wherever it has been studied, shorebird migratory departure has remarkably consistent characteristics, described below. . Shorebirds depart in flocks of between 5 and 250, with occasional observations of larger flocks (averages: 52, Lane & Jessop 1985; 10 – 151, depending on species, Piersma et al. 1990;127, Swennen 1992; 13 – 94, depending on species, Tulp et al. 1994). . They fly in an elongated, shallow “V” formation, termed an “echelon” (see Piersma et al. 1990). . They ascend rapidly and steeply, and are usually still ascending when lost from sight by the observer (Piersma et al. 1997). Angles of departure have not been measured but possible angles are explored below. Estimated angles of ascent for migrating shorebirds in Victoria and at Broome, Western Australia range from 10 to 30 degrees (B. Lane, pers. obs.) When moving between habitats more than several kilometres apart, a height of 130 metres (the height of a wind turbine) would be reached after approximately 800 metres at 10 degrees, or 500 metres at 15 degrees, placing them thereafter at a height well above turbine height in flat terrain, . Observations of flight altitude using weather radar show that during migration, shorebirds fly at between 0.5 and 6 kilometres (Williams et al. 1981; Piersma et al. 1990; Tulp et al. 1994). Altitudes of migration given in the last two studies are of birds still ascending when they disappeared from sight, often at altitudes of greater than 1 kilometre, and are therefore likely to be at the lower range of altitude estimates for level migratory flight. The first two studies used radar on oceanic islands to study shorebirds on long-distance, level, migratory flights. Altitudes in these circumstances ranged from 2.5 to 6 kilometres. . Shorebirds often circle and call to one another while ascending to heights of over 100 metres or more before fixing on a direction and departing, although this does not always happen (B. Lane, pers. obs.). There are fewer observations of shorebirds arriving at habitats. Only anecdotal information is available (e.g. B. Lane, pers. obs.) but combined with the

Page | 53 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) observations of others, it indicates that shorebirds descend rapidly from a great height (usually beyond normal visibility) on reaching their destination. Migratory departure of shorebirds in south eastern Australia has been observed in a number of directions, with small species, such as Red-necked Stints departing to the west and north-west, and larger species such as Bar-tailed Godwits and Eastern Curlews departing to the north and north east (B. Lane, pers. obs.).

4.4. Potential impacts of the proposed wind farm on shorebirds The main potential hazards to shorebirds from the construction and operation of wind farms are:  Turbine collision mortality;  Displacement due to disturbance, including barriers to movements; and  Loss of, or damage to, habitats resulting from wind turbines and associated infrastructure.

4.4.1. Collision mortality The majority of movements by shorebirds observed at Robbins Passage were over water and around the shorelines. Very few movements were observed over land. Large movements are generally to and from roosting sites across water or mudflats (Figure 7). It was observed that birds using the Bird and Knot Points roosting sites would not use these roosts during strong westerly weather conditions, rather they would roost on Perkins Island. Further investigations are required to determine the movement patterns between Robbins Island and Perkins Island and to discover if shorebirds move across the proposed wind farm site. No shorebirds were observed flying across the wind farm site during previous field work. However this is not to say that shorebirds do not fly across Robbins Island. Further studies are required to determine if shorebirds do fly across Robbins Island at night and in particular over White Rock Ridge where proposed turbines are to be located. To this end, Eureka Funds Management has commissioned a radio-telemetry study of shorebird movements and behaviour around Robbins Island. The observed westerly and northerly orientation of shorebird migratory movements in south eastern Australia, if displayed by birds at Robbins Island, combined with their departure behaviour, would indicate that migratory departure flights would be unlikely to pass long distances across the investigation area at RSA height. The collision risk associated with migratory departure is therefore likely to be low.

4.4.2. Displacement Shorebirds have not been recorded crossing the proposed wind farm site during the day. Further studies are planned to determine if shorebirds move across the proposed wind farm site, particularly at night. Once the results of these studies are available, it will be possible to ascertain the potential for any effects on shorebird movement patterns from wind turbines.

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4.4.3. Loss of habitat Construction of turbines and access roads will be located along White Rock Ridge away from the coast line. Construction and operation of the proposed wind farm will therefore not result in the loss of any shorebird habitat on the popular western shoreline of Robbins Island. The construction of a crossing at the southern end of the island may occupy a small area of intertidal flats but observations in this part of the island show that migratory shorebirds tend not to utilise this area as a low tide feeding ground. A small number (less than 20) of oystercatchers can occasionally be found foraging across the wide flats in this area but the proposed crossing represents a very small proportion of the intertidal zone. Provided that significant shifts in the shape of the mudflats and their sediment composition do not occur as a consequence of the crossing then these habitats are expected to continue to provide suitable foraging habitat for these birds.

4.5. Conclusions and recommendations The following section provides preliminary advice on potential ways of mitigating impacts on shorebirds from the proposed White Rock Wind Farm.

4.5.1. Conclusions Robbins Passage is a significant foraging area for shorebirds not only in Tasmania but in south-eastern Australia. High concentrations of shorebirds utilise the large expanse of mudflats in the region as foraging areas. Popular high tide roosting sites at Robbins Passage include Bird Point and Knot Point on the north-west coast of Robbins Island and Shipwreck Point on the northern tip of Perkins Island. The general movements of shorebirds to and from roosting sites were over open water offshore and along the coastline. Very few movements were recorded traversing the island or moving inland. Count data at key shorebird roosts in the Robbins Passage area indicate that shifts in roosting and, possibly, foraging location can occur but it is not known by what flight routes shorebird undertake these movements. Further studies are required to determine movement patterns, particularly how shorebirds move around Robbins Island at night. To this end, a radio-telemetry study is being undertaken in summer 2010. Bird and Knot Points are usually the more popular roosting sites at Robbins Passage. Shipwreck Point at Perkins Island is also another popular roosting site. During strong westerly winds Bird and Knot Points are exposed to the elements and the majority of birds alternatively roost at Shipwreck Point, most probably because it is more sheltered from strong winds. Further studies are required to determine how birds move from north-west of Robbins Island to Perkins Island. The radio-telemetry study to be undertaken later this year will help answer this question.

4.5.2. Potential mitigation measures Further investigations are planned to help provide information on any possible zones of movement by shorebirds across the proposed wind farm site. These

Page | 55 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) investigations will inform wind farm layout. The design of the wind farm and identifying any siting constraints for turbines will be the single most effective way of mitigating the impact of the project on shorebirds.

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5. ORANGE-BELLIED PARROT SURVEY

5.1. Introduction This investigation was commissioned to provide information on the presence of the threatened Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster at Robbins Island and nearby coasts and islands. The aims of the Orange-bellied Parrot survey were to: . Identify the presence and locations of any Orange-bellied Parrots within areas of suitable habitat on and near Robbins Island; and . Provide an assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed White Rock Wind Farm on the Orange-bellied Parrot. BL&A staff searched for Orange-bellied Parrot during wind farm fauna assessment work in 2003 and 2004. Further searches targeting Orange-bellied Parrot were conducted in autumn 2009. Incidental counts and other information on Blue- winged Parrots were also recorded during these surveys.

5.2. Methods

5.2.1. Existing Information Existing information on the status of the Orange-bellied Parrot was obtained from the existing ornithological literature and Birdata (The New Atlas of Australian Birds database held by Birds Australia). These records were obtained from a wider area, termed the ‘search region’, defined for this assessment as an area up to radius 20 kilometres from the approximate centre point of the study area: latitude 40° 41’ S and longitude 144°56’ E. Other Orange-bellied Parrot records from north-western Tasmania provided by the Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team are also included. The online Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Protected Matters Search Tool (DEWHA 2008) using the same search region, indicated the potential for the Orange-bellied Parrot to occur. Previous literature reviewed for this investigation included: . Brown & Wilson (1980); . Loyn & Kinhill Planners (1980); . Brown & Wilson (1984) Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Plan, June 1984; . Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team (2006), National Recovery Plan for the Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster); and . Higgins (1999), a summary of information in Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds Volume 4.

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Orange-bellied Parrot Biology Description: The Orange-bellied Parrot is a small (at c. 46 grams, slightly larger than a Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus) bright green parrot with dark blue in the outer wing, a small blue patch on the forehead and a yellow abdomen with a bright orange patch that is particularly evident in adult males. Females and juveniles are slightly duller, but brighter green in all plumages than closely related species that may share its range, such as Blue-winged Parrot Neophema chrysostoma in Tasmania. The species has a distinctive buzzing alarm call which enables instant recognition. This call is quite different to the musical twittering that other Neophema species (e.g. Blue-winged Parrot) may give. Orange-bellied Parrots may be distinguished from Blue-winged Parrot by the brighter shade of green (grass green as compared to dull olive-green) than Blue- winged Parrot, smaller area of blue on the wing, and presence of an obvious orange patch on the belly of adult males and some adult females (although adult male Blue-winged Parrots sometimes have an orange belly patch). The vocalisations can be diagnostic. Habitat: In its breeding range in south-west Tasmania the Orange-bellied Parrot inhabits a forest and heath mosaic, with creek lines containing paperbark Melaleuca and tea tree Leptospermum spp. and open areas dominated by button- grass Gymnoschoenus sphaerocephalus, heath and sedges. It generally nests in hollow limbs or trunks of Smithton Peppermint (Eucalyptus nitida), although Black Gum (E. ovata) has been used at least once (Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team 2006). On passage in north-western Tasmania and King Island, and on the wintering grounds on mainland Australia, Orange-bellied Parrots primarily use Coastal Saltmarsh and beach dune communities. They also utilise nearby paddocks, pastures, brackish and saline swamp margins and sewage lagoons. The species regularly occurs on golf courses where these areas abut saltmarsh near the coast. These open habitats are often backed by paperbark Melaleuca spp. or tea tree Leptospermum spp., in which the species roosts at night (Higgins 1999). Distribution: The Orange-bellied Parrot breeds in coastal south-west Tasmania, from Birches Inlet south to Melaleuca. Since 2007, the population around Birches Inlet appears to have vanished, leaving the only significant breeding population located within 20 km of Melaleuca (Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team 2006; R. Sims pers. comm., June 2010). From March to May, there is a protracted migration to mainland south-eastern Australia, through western Bass Strait where regularly visited sites include King Island. In some years a few birds remain on King Island throughout winter. The majority of the population spends winter between central Victoria and the Coorong region in South Australia. Occasional individuals stray as far as Maroubra near Sydney, New South Wales and Adelaide, South Australia (Birdata database; Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team 2006). Threats: Threats to the Orange-bellied Parrot are not clearly understood. Reasons for their decline are thought to include the following (after Brown and Wilson 1980; Higgins 1999; Garnett and Crowley 2000; Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team 2006):

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. Habitat fragmentation and alteration, including: o Coastal development; o Urbanisation; o Grazing and agriculture; and o Altered estuarine and saltmarsh hydrology. . Wind farms; . Altered fire regimes (in Tasmania); . Introduced predators (e.g. Red Fox and Feral Cat); . Changed in abundance of native predators; . Competition for nest sites by introduced species such as Starlings and Sugar Gliders; . Competition for foraging resources from Blue-winged Parrots and seed-eating birds such as finches and sparrows); . Brightly lit fishing boats affecting navigation during migration; and . Disease (e.g. Psittacine Circoviral Disease, PCD). For some of these perceived threats there is no empirical evidence to support the proposition that they are detrimentally affecting the Orange-bellied Parrot. Legislative protection: The Orange-bellied Parrot is listed as critically endangered under the Commonwealth EPBC Act and endangered under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.

5.2.2. Field Methodology Search sites were selected on the basis of known habitat, by taking into account existing expertise and historical records of Orange-bellied Parrots in the area. Vegetation has been mapped at a scale of 1: 25 000 by TasVeg. Coastal Saltmarsh communities were identified and visited. Other coastal vegetation, including cleared coastal paddocks and roadsides, were checked incidentally for parrots during field surveys for shorebirds and eagles.

Autumn 2003 Observations were carried out principally on the west coast of Robbins Island (between the Wallaby Islands and Walker’s Crossing), at Shipwreck Point, Perkins Island and Walker Island. Additional searches for Orange-bellied Parrots were carried out in areas of saltmarsh on the south coast of Robbins Island, on the mainland side of Robbins Crossing (i.e. to the east and west of the northern end of Robbins Island Road), and on the southern shore of Perkins Island. Autumn 2003 surveys were undertaken from the 17 - 25 March, 21 – 25 April, 22 – 26 May and 18 – 22 June.

Spring 2003 From 23 September - 6 October all saltmarsh habitats around Robbins Island were searched for Orange-bellied Parrot. Areas covered included both sides of

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Robbins crossing to Montagu Island (2.5 km east) and 1.5 km west, the west side of Montagu River, the west shore of Perkins Island, and the west and south coasts of Robbins Island (as far north as Bird Point and Mosquito Sound).

Autumn 2004 From 6 - 13 April searches for Orange-bellied Parrots were undertaken along the west coast of Robbins Island, Montagu River, Perkins Island, Robbins Island crossing and Walker Island.

Autumn 2009 Autumn 2009 surveys were undertaken from the 15 - 18 March, 30 March – 3 April, 14 – 17 April and 28 April – 1 May and 8 – 11 May 2009. Sites surveyed included all saltmarsh in the south-west corner of Robbins Island, west to Wallaby Island and north to Little Creek, including un-named inshore islands. A small area at the mouth of Huntsman Creek was surveyed, as was the coastal strip between Little Creek and Huntsman Creek. Surveys were undertaken via vehicle for much of the south coast of Robbins Islands, while areas of saltmarsh were walked. Saltmarsh and adjacent habitat along the northern mainland coast of Tasmania, opposite Robbins Island (east to Montagu Island and west a similar distance) and Perkins Island (north end of Bolduan’s Road) were also surveyed fortnightly. Surveys were also undertaken on Walker Island and within saltmarsh on the west side of Perkins Island. Due to access issues, Mosquito Sound was not surveyed in 2009 and saltmarsh areas east of the Montagu River on the coast of mainland Tasmania were only briefly surveyed.

Roaming survey Transects were walked along the Robbins Island coast and inland of the saltmarsh at fortnightly intervals between mid March and early May, during conditions suitable for detecting Orange-bellied Parrots. During the search, the entire Coastal Saltmarsh and adjacent spear grass (Austrostipa stipoides) habitat was scanned by binoculars and the species’ distinctive buzzing alarm call listened for. Nearby groves of Swamp Paperbark Melaleuca ericifolia were also checked for loafing birds. Transects were generally at 50 metres apart, since Neophema parrots within 30 metres are likely to be flushed from cover (B. Lane; P.S. Lansley, pers. obs.). However, transect size varied slightly depending on the extent of saltmarsh at each location. That is, transects were closer together at sites of limited extent. Weather conditions varied during the surveys from fine, sunny, warm and almost calm to gale force westerly winds, overcast and light rain. Even during suboptimal conditions (gales) Orange-bellied Parrots were not likely to be overlooked, due to the open habitat preferred by Neophema parrots around Robbins Island. Many Blue-winged Parrots were also observed during very windy conditions.

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5.2.3. Limitations of field assessment The timing of the targeted survey, its duration and the weather conditions under which surveying was undertaken, were considered suitable for detecting the Orange-bellied Parrot. The frequency and number of searches was considerd sufficient to establish if significant numbers of Orange-bellied Parrots regularly spent time in the areas searched during the northward migration of the species. Mosquito Sound was not checked in 2009. It is possible that Orange-bellied Parrot may have been present at Mosquito Sound however the area of saltmarsh is relatively small compared with the south coast and south-west corner of the island. Observations suggest strongly that coastal erosion here has significantly reduced the extent of fringing saltmarsh in the inlet. It is possible that other small areas of habitat were inaccessible due to boggy terrain and inundation. Birds may also have been missed because a few Orange-bellied Parrots could be present and utilising habitats other than the expected saltmarsh and adjacent spear grass, pasture and Swamp Paperbark stands. The probability of Orange-bellied Parrot occupying alternative habitats on Robbins Island is considered low because considerable time was spent in these habitats searching for shorebirds and eagles, and undertaking bird utilisation surveys, to the extent that any Orange-bellied Parrot would have been detected if present. It is always possible that individuals could be missed, particularly as most surveys were carried out by one observer. The overall survey effort was considered sufficient to detect significant populations of Orange-bellied Parrot in the study area. Wherever appropriate, a precautionary approach has been adopted in the discussion of implications. That is, where insufficient evidence is available on the occurrence or likelihood of occurrence of a species, it is assumed that it could be in an area of habitat, if suitable, and the implications under legislation and policy are considered accordingly.

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Walker Island

E

F D Robbins Island

L # C L H D G

J K A B

North - western Tasmania Perkins Island

Survey Area G Kilometers Legend 0 2.5 5 10

Investigation Area Survey Area H Survey Area L Figure 8: Orange-bellied Parrot survey study area and sightings # Orange_bellied Parrot sighting 2003 (1bird) Survey Area J Project: White Rock Wind Farm D Orange_bellied Parrot sighting 2004 (3birds) Survey Area k Client: Eureka Funds Management Survey Area I Survey Area A Project No.: 8128 Date: 04/10/2010 Created By: A.Dodd / J.Wen Survey Area E Survey Area B Survey Area D Survey Area C Survey Area F White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

5.3. Results

5.3.1. Existing information Previous records of Orange-bellied Parrot show that the species occurs regularly in north-west Tasmanian coastal areas. Brown and Wilson (1980) noted that the species had been recorded from ‘track growth’ (pasture) at both Robbins crossing and Walker Island. They noted that ‘thousands’ of Blue-winged Parrots feed on rough pasture containing wireweed Polygonum aviculare, in areas such as Woolnorth, Stony Point and Montagu, and that Orange-bellied Parrot are likely to utilise these areas at least occasionally (Brown and Wilson 1980). Historical records in north-west Tasmania include flocks from Circular Head in May and June each year from 1886 – 1888, and a single bird in September 1887 (Loyn and Kinhill Planners 1980). More recently the species was observed at Sisters Beach on 27 October 1978, Robbins Crossing on 2 April 1980, Walker Island on 16 April 1980 and three birds at Mosquito Sound, Robbins Island on 1 May 1980 (Brown and Wilson 1980). Numerous records of up to 70 birds exist from King Island, mostly from March to June in the vicinity of Sea Elephant River estuary on the east coast (Loyn and Kinhill Planners 1980; Brown and Wilson 1980, 1984). The New Atlas of Australian Birds covers the period from 1998 to 2010 (Birdata 2010) and shows records in several parts of coastal north-west Tasmania. These areas include Sister’s Beach – Boat Harbour area, Woolnorth and two locations south of Woolnorth, plus the well known Sea Elephant area of King Island, used as a staging site in late autumn (Brown and Wilson 1980). The Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team database shows records from 1998 to 2002 at Church Rocks, Woolnorth, Bluff Hill Point, Albatross Island and Smithton (OBPRT Undated [=2003]). In north-western Tasmania, Orange-bellied Parrot appear to prefer saltmarshes that are not immediately backed by improved or unimproved pasture. In comparison, populations of Blue-winged Parrot appear to have increased markedly in recent decades as a result of increased pasture availability (Brown and Wilson 1980).

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Figure 9: Locations of Atlas of Australian Birds records of Orange-bellied Parrot in north- west Tasmania, 1998 – 2010 (Source: Birdata 2010)

Species reporting rate: above 40% 11 - 40% below 11%

5.3.2. Habitat assessment The areas surveyed reflect areas of suitable Orange-bellied Parrot habitat (Figure 8), which consisted of Coastal Saltmarsh dominated by Shrubby Glasswort Sclerostegia arbuscula, Beaded Glasswort Sarcocornia quinqueflora, Southern Sea-heath Frankenia pauciflora, Austral Seablite Suaeda australis, and Australian Salt-grass Distichlis distichophylla. Adjacent sedgeland included Austrostipa stipoides and Saw-sedge Gahnia sp.

The areas surveyed (detailed in Figure 8) include: Area A: Mainland (Montagu area) Area B: Perkins Island and crossing Area C: Wallaby Island north to Slate Mine entrance Area D: Huntsman Creek to Five Islets Area E: Bird Point to Walkers Crossing Area F: Mosquito Sound Area G: Robbins Island east of crossing Area H: Robbins Island south coast east to Reids Point Area I: Walker Island Area J: Mainland west of Robbins Crossing

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Area K: Mainland east of Robbins Crossing Area L: Boat anchorage to Reids Point Saltmarsh habitat around Robbins Island was mose extensive on the south west coast of the island around Wallaby Island, and on the mainland coast south and south west of Robbins Island. Saltmarsh on the west coast of Robbins Island, north of the first creek mouth was patchy, with small areas of less than a hectare associated only with creek mouths, and with Bird Point and Knot Point. Away from these patches on the west coast of the island, erosion had removed most saltmarsh habtiat suitable for the Orange- bellied Parrot and the coast was dominated by estuarine sedges and grasses above an actively eroding shore. On the south coast of the island away from Wallaby Island, the shore is comparatively steep above the level where saltmarsh grows and it is confined to small patches in a narrow, eroding strip of coast dominated by estuarine sedges and grasses. It is noteworthy that erosion has also removed most saltmarsh below the estuarine sedge and grass zone from the shores of Mosquito Inlet with one small patch of less than a hectare remaining on the inlet shoreline.

5.3.3. Survey results One and three Orange-bellied Parrot were recorded during 2003 and 2004 respectively, however none were found in the 2009 survey. The species was recorded in the Little Creek area on Robbins Island during 2003 and at Wallaby Island during 2004 (Figure 8). All sites where Orange-bellied Parrot was observed were in the south-western corner of Robbins Island or its smaller near-shore islands, in saltmarsh habitat. No Orange-bellied Parrots were observed on White Rock Ridge and very few Blue-winged Parrots were observed there. This indicates that the likelihood of the species spending a significant amount of time on the wind farm site is low. Appendices 18 - 22 present the results for the total number of Neophema parrots that were recorded during the surveys. The areas surveyed Large numbers of Blue-winged Parrots, a similar species that shares coastal saltmarsh habitat with the Orange-bellied Parrot, were observed.

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5.4. Discussion The Orange-bellied Parrot was found in very small numbers, from one to three individuals, in autumn of 2003 and 2004. It was not recorded in the Robbins Island region during the autumn 2009 targeted survey, nor in the only spring survey targeting the species in 2003. Based on the known migration of Orange-bellied Parrot, it appears to utilise Robbins Island in small numbers during early autumn (March and April) on the northward passage from the breeding grounds in south-west Tasmania to the wintering grounds of coastal mainland Australia. Blue-winged Parrot heavily outnumbers Orange-bellied Parrot in the Robbins Island region during autumn. At this time Tasmanian Blue-winged Parrot is also on passage from their breeding grounds to mainland Australian. Recent information suggests the Orange-bellied Parrot is close to extinction. As few as 20 breeding pairs or a total of 50 birds are believed to remain in the wild. A sudden decrease in breeding population has been noticed since 2008. It is estimated that if this trend continues Orange-bellied Parrot will be extinct in the wild within three years (R. Sims & P.W. Menkhorst, verbal communication at the Orange-bellied Parrot Workshop, Carlton, Victoria, 16 June 2010). Given the lack of sightings in 2009 and the latest overall population estimate for the species, the chances of Orange-bellied Parrot occurring close to any proposed wind turbine on Robbins Island is likely to be very low. This is particularly the case as all turbines are proposed to be located on the ridge of the have occurred. However, given that the Orange-bellied Parrot is critically endangered and in such low numbers in the wild, any collision with a wind turbine must be considered a significant impact. To attain near certainty that Orange-bellied Parrot would not fly over Robbins Island, and therefore be at risk from collision with a wind turbine, is almost impossible and/or impractical and has not been attempted. Real time satellite tracking is not feasible because the devices are too heavy to be used with small birds (<500 grams) such as Orange-bellied Parrot. To track the species over a season (between departure from the breeding ground and return to the breeding grounds) is now possible using geo-locators, however these are expensive and the risks are high that all data would be lost, if for example the tracked bird dies during migration or on the wintering grounds and cannot be recaptured and the geo-locator removed for analysis. Insight into whether or not this wind farm proposal would have a significant impact on Orange-bellied Parrot can be provided by analysing results from existing wind farms in north-western Tasmania that are also on the migration route of Orange-bellied Parrot, and mainland wind farms close to wintering sites. No Neophema parrots (Blue-winged Parrot and Orange-bellied Parrot) have been recorded as casualties at the Bluff Point and Studland Bay wind farms at Woolnorth (Roaring 40s Renewable Energy Pty Ltd 2008, 2009). Modelling for the Woolnorth wind farms using a population of 100 Orange-bellied Parrot, found that at the 90% confidence level, 0.02 birds per annum across 25 V90 turbines would face collision risk (Roaring 40s Renewable Energy Pty Ltd 2009).

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There are no known fatalities of Orange-bellied Parrot at the Yambuk wind farm in south-west Victoria where the parrots are known to feed within 1 km of operating turbines in winter. Based on the current survey results, the location of the wind farm relative to known habitats and preferred habitat types, and comparison with other relevant wind farms, it is considered that the current proposal does not represent a significant risk to the Orange-bellied Parrot.

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6. EAGLE SURVEY

6.1. Introduction BL&A was engaged to undertake targeted surveys for the listed threatened Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax fleayi and White-bellied Sea-Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster at Robbins Island and nearby coasts and islands. This investigation was commissioned to provide information on the presence and movements of the two eagle species in the study area and to ascertain the impacts of the proposed wind farm on these species in the area. The aims of the current surveys were to: . Identify the presence and locations of any Wedge-tailed and White-bellied Sea- Eagles on and near Robbins Island; and . Provide an assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed White Rock Wind Farm on both species. This report presents the findings of the surveys, and discusses the impact of the project.

6.2. Methods

6.2.1. Existing information Existing information on the status of the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle and White-bellied Sea-Eagle was obtained from existing ornithological literature, Birdata (the New Atlas of Australian Birds database held by Birds Australia) and the Natural Values Atlas (database held by the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE 2010). These records were obtained from a wider area, termed the ‘search region’ defined for this assessment as an area of approximately 20 kilometres radius from the centre point of the study area: latitude 40° 41’ S and longitude 144°56’ E. The likelihood of suitable habitat in the study area for nationally threatened fauna species was ascertained through a search of the online EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (DEWHA 2008) using the same search region. Literature reviewed for this investigation included: . Threatened Tasmanian Eagles Recovery Plan 2006 – 2010 (Threatened Species Section [DPIW] 2006); . Roaring 40s Annual Environmental Report 2008 (Roaring 40s Renewable Energy 2009); . Summary of information in Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds Volume 2 (Marchant and Higgins 1993); . Wedge-tailed Eagle (Olsen 2005); and . Relevant peer-reviewed ecological papers dealing with the two eagle species.

Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle biology Description: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle is a distinct subspecies (fleayi) of the Wedge-tailed Eagle of Australia and southern New Guinea. It is larger than the

Page | 68 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) mainland Wedge-tailed Eagle, making it the largest eagle in Australasia and one of the largest in the world. Vital statistics of the species are an adult weight of c. 3.2 kg (male) and c. 4.2 kg (female) and a wingspan of approximately 2 metres. In adult plumage the bird is dark blackish-brown throughout, with paler brown wing panels and a buffy-white nape in young birds becoming darker with age. The species often has a pale base to the primaries on the underwing. The diamond- shaped tail together with the large size and all dark plumage are diagnostic of the species (Marchant and Higgins 1993; Olsen 2005). Habitat: The Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle forages in most habitats including coastal heath, all types of forest, woodland and cleared land. Breeding: The species nests in large trees, generally in old growth native forest where the slope provides protection from cold spring winds (Garnett and Crowley 2000; Threatened Species Section 2006). Diet: Wedge-tailed Eagle mainly forages on kangaroos and wallabies, and lambs and rabbits where available. Much of its prey is from carcasses. It will also take birds over 100 grams, native marsupials such as koalas, possums, dasyurids (quolls and Tasmanian Devils) and large reptiles (Marchant and Higgins 1993; Olsen 2005; Olsen et al. 2006). Distribution: The Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle is found throughout most of Tasmania and near shore islands and the Furneaux group. It is said to be more abundant in the north and east of the state, and is a vagrant to King Island (Marchant and Higgins 1993). Threats: Threats to Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle include the following (after Garnett and Crowley 2000; Olsen 2005; Threatened Species Section 2006): . Nest habitat disturbance; including logging and direct human interference near nests; . Shooting; . Poisoning; . Trapping; and . Collisions with vehicles, aircraft, fences and wind turbines. Legislative protection: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle is listed as endangered under the Commonwealth EPBC Act and endangered under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle biology Description: The White-bellied Sea-Eagle is distributed from India through south- east Asia to New Guinea, Australia and Tasmania. It is a large eagle with grey wings and a white body when adult, weighing in at c. 2.4 kg (male) and c. 3.3 kg (female), with a wingspan approaching two metres. Young birds are mottled brown on the wings. Although it shares a shorter diamond- or wedge-shaped tail with Wedge-tailed Eagle, the shorter and broader wings and pale plumage, together with smaller size and shorter tail combine to distinguish it from the latter (Marchant and Higgins 1993).

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Habitat: In Tasmania, White-bellied Sea-Eagle is found in coastal habitats such as estuaries, harbours and islands. It occasionally occurs on inland lakes and reservoirs (Marchant and Higgins 1993). Breeding: The species nests in large trees, generally within 5 km of open water and particularly along estuaries (Garnett and Crowley 2000; Threatened Species Section 2006). Diet: White-bellied Sea-Eagle forages primarily on fish, but will also take aquatic birds and reptiles where available (Marchant and Higgins 1993; Olsen et al. 2006). Distribution: White-bellied Sea-Eagle is found throughout coastal Tasmania, near shore and offshore islands, King Island and the Furneaux group (Marchant and Higgins 1993). Threats: Threats to White-bellied Sea-Eagle include the following (after Threatened Species Section 2006): . Coastal development, in the form of tourist, residential or industrial; . Degradation of nesting habitat, including: o Lack of regeneration of coastal forest and woodland; o Direct human interference near nests; . Shooting; . Poisoning; . Trapping; . Collisions with electricity lines, vehicles, fences and wind turbines; . Oiling; . Entanglement; and . Pollution. Legislative protection: White-bellied Sea-Eagle is a listed migratory species under the Commonwealth EPBC Act and endangered under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.

6.2.2. Field methodology As much as possible of Robbins Island and surrounding parts of the north-western Tasmanian mainland, Walker Island and Perkins Island were searched for eagles (Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle and White-bellied Sea Eagle) and their nests from 2002 – 2004 and 2008 - 2009. All habitats were covered and sightings of the two species and their nests were documented on a paper map (2002 - 2004) or by GPS co-ordinates (2008 - 2009). Targeted eagle surveys are documented below, along with bird utilisation surveys, Orange-bellied Parrot and shorebird surveys when incidental observations of eagles were recorded. The location of eagle surveys during 2008 – 2009 is shown in Figure 10. 2002 - 2003 Eagles were recorded incidentally from 16 - 21 December 2002 and 23 September - 6 October 2003, as part of point-based bird utilisation surveys,

Page | 70 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1) covering most of White Rock Ridge in the western half of Robbins Island. Further incidental observations of eagles were made during searches for Orange-bellied Parrots from 17 – 25 March, 21 – 25 April, 22 – 26 May, 18 – 22 June and 23 September - 6 October. These surveys covered the west and south coasts of Robbins Island, Mosquito Sound, Perkins Island, Walker Island and nearby mainland Tasmanian coasts. 2004 Eagles were recorded incidentally as part of searches for Orange-bellied Parrots from 6 - 13 April along the west coast of Robbins Island, Robbins Island crossing, Montagu River, Perkins Island and Walker Island. 2008 - 2009 Targeted eagle surveys were conducted from 6 - 10 October, 24 – 28 November 2008 and 19 – 25 January 2009. The surveys covered all accessible parts of Robbins Island and the mainland Tasmanian coast each side of Robbins crossing. These were roaming surveys which attempted to traverse all accessible areas of Robbins Island and nearby coasts. For each sighting, location (GPS co-ordinates), observation start and finish times, distance travelled, direction travelled and any other behaviour were documented. Eagles were incidentally recorded during a shorebird survey from 8 - 12 January 2009, and during targeted Orange-bellied Parrot searches from 15 - 18 March, 30 March – 3 April, 14 – 17 April, 28 April – 1 May and 8 – 11 May 2009. These surveys concentrated on saltmarshes of the west and south coasts of Robbins Island, the west coast of Perkins Island and adjacent mainland coasts. Walker Island was visited once on 2 April 2009.

6.2.3. Limitations of field assessment The timing of the targeted surveys, their duration and the weather conditions under which surveying was undertaken, were considered suitable for detecting eagles. Due to access issues, Mosquito Sound was not surveyed in 2009. This is not expected to unduly influence the results of the surveys since it is outside the area where turbines are proposed to be sited. The overall results of the eagle survey are a combination of eagle observations from incidental sightings and targeted eagle surveys. As such there may be bias towards coastal sites in the data collected, due to the number of Orange-bellied Parrot surveys from which incidental sightings were collected. The survey is nevertheless considered to include sufficiently high number of observations from bird utilisation surveys and targeted surveys to get a clear picture of eagle distribution and movements on Robbins Island. Furthermore, as the two eagle species are large and able to be seen at distances up to two kilometres, any birds within two kilometres of coastal areas would have been detected. Weather conditions varied during the surveys, from fine, sunny, warm and almost calm, to gale force westerly winds, overcast and light rain. It was considered that sufficient time was expended in both favourable and suboptimal weather conditions across Robbins Island and nearby areas, to obtain a clear idea of eagle abundance and utilisation of the wind farm study area.

Page | 71 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Wherever appropriate, a precautionary approach has been adopted in the discussion of implications. That is, where insufficient evidence is available on the occurrence or likelihood of occurrence of a species, it is assumed that it could be in an area of habitat, if suitable, and the implications under legislation and policy are considered accordingly.

Page | 72 Kilometers 0 1.5 3 6 Legend Figure 10: Eagle survey coverage 2008-2009 Investigation Area Project: White Rock Wind Farm

Client:Eureka Funds Management Target eagle survey Project No.: 8128 Date: 04/10/2010 Created By: A.Dodd/J.Wen

Incidental eagle coverage during parrot survey White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

6.3. Results

6.3.1. Existing information Both Wedge-tailed Eagle and White-belied Sea-Eagle are widespread in Tasmania. The New Atlas of Australian Birds covers 1998 - 2010 and shows records of both species in coastal north-west Tasmania, including Robbins Island (Marchant and Higgins 1993, Birdata 2010) (Figures 11 and 12). The Natural Values Atlas contained no records for Wedge-tailed Eagle on Robbins Island, one record on Walker Island, 2 on Montagu Island, 1 on Kangaroo Island and several on the mainland to the west of Robbins Island (DPIPWE 2010). For White-bellied Sea Eagle, the Natural Values Atlas contained one record on the west of Robbins Island, 3 on the north of Walker Island, 3 from Montagu Island and several on the mainland to the west of Robbins Island (DPIPWE 2010).

Figure 11: Wedge-tailed Eagle records in north-west Tasmania from 1998 – 2010

(Source: Birdata 2010)

Page | 74 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Figure 12: White-bellied Sea-Eagle records in north-west Tasmania from 1998 – 2010

(Source: Birdata 2010)

6.3.2. Survey Results The White-bellied Sea-Eagle was observed on every visit to Robbins and Walker islands, suggesting they are present in good numbers. The Wedge-tailed Eagle was also seen on most visits to Robbins Island and was recorded on mainland north-western Tasmania in small numbers. Appendices 23 - 27 presents the number of eagles recorded during targeted and incidental surveys from 2002 to 2009. Figure 13 details White-bellied Sea Eagle and Wedge-tailed Eagle observations from 2002 to 2009. Three White-bellied Sea-Eagle nests were recorded; one from Walker Island in April 2004, one at Montagu River mouth in 2008 - 2009 and one at Teal Lagoon (near the west coast of Robbins Island) in 2009 (Figure 13). The Walker Island nest was searched for but not found on 2nd April 2009, however its location was not pinpointed with GPS in 2004 so could easily have been overlooked in the short visit to Walker Island in 2009. The Montagu River nest is known to have been active (adult and chick present) in November 2008 and an adult and young bird were seen close by in January 2009. The Teal Lagoon nest showed signs of recent activity (whitewash and feathers below nest when visited on 16 March 2009.

Page | 75 ##

Walker Island

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#### ## ## ## ## Robbins Island ## ## ##

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North-western Tasmania

0 2.5 5 10 Legend Kilometers

Investigation Area Figure 13: Eagle sightings and nests (2002 - 2009)

White-bellied Sea-Eagle sightings 2002-2009 Project: Whire Rock Ridge Wind Farm Client:Eureka Funds Management # Wedge-tailed Eagle sightings 2002-2009 Project No.:8128 Date: 04/10/2010 Created By: A.Dodd/ J.Wen D White-bellied Sea-Eagle nests White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

Wedge-tailed Eagles were not observed nesting during the surveys. The species is suspected to nest either on Robbins Island or a nearby mainland Tasmanian location. A pair with one young was observed several times from 2008 – 2009 on Robbins Island. The distribution of eagles in the Robbins Island area show that White-bellied Sea- Eagle is mainly a coastal or near coastal bird, which only occasionally flies inland (Figure 13). The Teal Lagoon nest is situated about 700 metres inland, and there were a few sightings of White-bellied Sea-Eagle up to 2 km inland at the southern end of White Rock Ridge, and in the easternmost section of Robbins Island east of the Stockyards. The Wedge-tailed Eagle was more widespread, however they were not observed on the central part of White Rock Ridge. Most sightings along the ridge were concentrated on the eastern fall of then ridge at both the northern and southern ends. It is not known why this was the case, but eagles possibly receive more lift on this side of the ridge from updrafts arising from the prevailing westerlies. Notably, the Wedge-tailed Eagle was more widespread away from the coast in north-west Tasmania than White-bellied Sea-Eagle, and it may be that Wedge- tailed Eagle on Robbins Island are only visitors from mainland Tasmania. Several days were expended looking for eagle nests in the eastern section of Robbins Island where tall forest of Smithton Peppermint (Eucalyptus nitida) remained. No nests were found, despite adults and a young bird being present during most visits at various sites across Robbins Island. It is therefore considered more likely therefore that Wedge-tailed Eagle visit Robbins Island from mainland Tasmanian nesting territories.

Page | 77 Kilometers 0 1.25 2.5 5 Legend Figure 14: Eagles movements 2008-2009 White -bellied Sea Eagle Project: White Rock Wind Farm Wedge-tailed Eagle Client: Eureka Funds Management

Project No.: 8128 Date: 09/09/2010 Created By: P.Lansley / M.Ghasemi White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

6.4. Discussion Based on the current survey results, it is considered that a significant portion of the investigation area, particularly away from the coast, has low eagle activity.. The low level of use of many parst of White Rock Ridge by eagles indicates turbines in these locations would not significantly impact upon Wedge-tailed Eagle or White-bellied Sea-Eagle. The distribution of eagles mapped in Figures 13 and 14 provides guidance on where eagle collision risk may be higher. The areas where higher densities of eagles were observed are most likely areas where collision risk with wind turbines might be higher. Consideration of these areas in designing the wind farm layout is considered prudent.

Page | 79 White Rock Wind Farm - Targeted Fauna Surveys Report No. 8128 (1.1)

7. REFERENCES American Wind Energy Association and American Bird Conservancy, 2004, Proceedings of the Wind Energy and Birds/Bats Workshop: Understanding and Resolving Bird and Bat Impacts. Washington, DC May 18-19, 2004. RESOLVE, Inc. Arnett, EB et al. 2008, ‘Patterns of bat fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities in North America’, J. Wildlife Management, 72 (1), 61–78. Arnett, EB, et al. 2005, Relationships between bats and wind turbines in Pennsylvania and West Virginia: an assessment of bat fatality search protocols, patterns of fatality, and behavioral interactions with wind turbines. A final report submitted to the Bats and Wind Energy Cooperative. Bat Conservation International. Austin, Texas, USA. Australian Wind Energy Association (AusWEA) 2005, Wind Farms and Birds: Interim Standards for Risk Assessment, Report prepared by: Brett Lane and Associates and AIRA Professional Services, Report No. 2003.35(2.2), July 2005. Baerwald, EF et al. 2008, ‘Barotrauma is a significant cause of bat fatalities at wind turbines’, Current Biology, 18 (16), 695–696. Barclay, MR et al. 2007, ‘Variation in bat and bird fatalities at wind energy facilities: assessing the effect of rotor size and tower height’, Canadian J. Zoology, 85, 381–387. Birdata 2010, Atlas of Australian Birds database, www.birdata.com.au, viewed 6 September 2010, Birds Australia/Wildlife Link, Melbourne. Brown, PB & Wilson, RI 1980, ‘A survey of the Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia’. Report for World Wildlife Fund (Australia), Tasmanian National Parks and Wildlife Service, [Hobart]. Brown, PB & Wilson, RI 1984, ‘Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Plan’, Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) 2009, Latest Weather Observations for Smithton, BoM, Canberra, viewed 12th January 2009, . Churchill, S 2008 (2nd Ed.), Australian Bats, Jacana Books, Crows Nest, NSW. Cryan, PM 2008, ‘Mating Behaviour as a Possible Cause of bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines’, J. Wildlife Management, 72 (3): 845–849. Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts 2008, Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Protected Matters Search Tool. Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra, . Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) 2009, Matters of National Environmental Significance: Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1. Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra,

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Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) 2010, Natural Values Atlas, www.naturalvaluesatlas.tas.gov.au, viewed October 2010. Devereux, CL, Matthew JHD and Whittingham, MJ 2008, ‘Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds’, Journal of Applied Ecology 45, 1689–1694. Drewitt, AL & Langston, RHW 2006, ‘Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds’, Ibis 148: 29–42. Duncan, A, Baker, GB & Montgomery, N 1999, The Action Plan for Australian Bats. Environment Australia, Canberra. Durr, T and Bach L 2004, ‘Bat deaths and wind turbines – A review of current knowledge and of the information available in the database for Germany’, Bremer Beiträge für Naturkunde und Naturschutz, 7, 253-264. Erickson, WP, Johnson, GD, Strickland, MD, Young, DP Jr, Sernka, KJ & Good, RE 2001, Avian collisions with wind turbines: a summary of existing studies and comparisons to other sources of avian collision mortality in the United States. Resource Document of the National Wind Coordinating Committee, Washington. Everaert, J and Kuijken, E 2007, Wind turbines and birds in Flanders (Belgium), Preliminary summary of the mortality research results, Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO), Belgium. Fiedler, JK et al. 2007, results of bird and bat mortality monitoring at the expanded Buffalo Mountain wind farm, Tennessee Valley Authority, Knoxville, USA. Garnett ST and Crowley, GM 2000. The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Environment Australia, Canberra. Higgins, PJ (ed) 1999, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbird, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Horn, JW et al 2008, ‘Behavioural Responses of Bats to Operating Wind Turbines’, J. Wildlife Management, 73 (1), 123–132. Hötker, H, Thomsen, K-M. and H. Jeromin, H 2006, Impacts on biodiversity of exploitation of renewable energy sources: the example of birds and bats - facts, gaps in knowledge, demands for further research, and ornithological guidelines for the development of renewable energy exploitation. Michael- Otto-Institut im NABU, Bergenhusen. Johnson, GD et al 2004, ‘Bat activity, composition, and collision mortality at a large wind plant in Minnesota’, Wildlife Society Bulletin, 32 (4), 1278–1288. Johnson, GD et al. 2003, ‘Mortality of bats at a large-scale Wind Power Development at Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota’, The American Midland Naturalist, 150 (2), 332–342. Kikuchi, R 2007, ‘Adverse impacts of wind power generation on collision behaviour of birds and anti-predator behaviour of squirrels, J. Nature Conservation, 16, 44–55.

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Kunz, TH 2004, Wind Power: bats and Wind Turbines, In, Wind Energy and Birds/Bats Workshop, Washington DC, May 18–19, 2004. Kunz, TH et al. 2007 a, ‘Assessing Impacts of Wind-Energy Development on Nocturnally Active Birds and Bats: A Guidance Document’, J. Wildlife Management, 71 (8), 2449–2486. Kuvlesky, WP et al. 2007, ‘Wind Energy Development and Wildlife Conservation: Challenges and Opportunities’, Journal of Wildlife Management, 78(1), 2487–2498. Lane, B A and Jessop, A (1985) Tracking of migrating waders using in north- western Australia using meteorological radar. Stilt 6: 17-29. Langston, RHW and Pullan, JD 2004, Effects of Wind Farms on Bird, RSPB and BirdLife International, Convention on the4 conservation of European wildlife and habitats (Ben Convention), Council of Europe Publishing, Strasbourg. Loyn, R. & Kinhill Planners 1980, ‘Historical records of the Orange-bellied Parrot’, Report prepared for ICI Australia Ltd. Manuela de Lucas, Janss, GFE and Ferrer, M (Eds.) 2007, Birds and Wind Farms, Risk Assessment and Mitigation, Quercus, Madrid. Marchant, S & Higgins PJ (Eds) 1993, Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 2, Raptors to Lapwings, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Menkhorst, P 1995, Mammals of Victoria, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. National Research Council (NRC) 2007, Environmental impacts of wind energy projects, National Academy of Sciences, National Academies Press, Washington DC, USA. National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) 2004, Wind turbine interaction with birds and bats: A summary of research results and remaining questions, National Wind Coordinating Committee, Washington, DC. Olsen, J, Fuentes E & Rose, AB, 2006, ‘Trophic relationships between neighbouring White-bellied Sea-Eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and Wedge- tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) breeding on rivers and dams near Canberra’, Emu 106: 193 – 201. Olsen, P 2005, Wedge-tailed Eagle, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) 2006, Wind power and bat ecology background information and literature review of impacts. Fish and Wildlife Branch, Renewable energy section, Peterborough, Ontario, 61 pp. Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team 2006, ‘National Recovery Plan for the Orange- bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster)’, Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW), Hobart. Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team Undated [=2003], OBPRT database records. Percival, SM 2003, Birds and Wind farms in Ireland: A review of potential issues and impact assessment. Consultant Report, Durham, UK.

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Piersma, T; Zwarts, L and Bruggemann, J H (1990) Behavioural aspects of the departure of waders before long distance flights: flocking, vocalisations, flight paths and diurnal timing. Ardea 78: 157-184.

Piersma, T; Hedenstrom, A and Bruggemann, J H (1997) Climb and flight speeds of shorebirds embarking on an intercontinental flight; do they achieve the predicted optimal behaviour? Ibis 139: 299-304. Roaring 40s Renewable Energy Pty Ltd 2008, ‘Annual Environmental Report 2007’, Hobart. Roaring 40s Renewable Energy Pty Ltd 2009, ‘Annual Environmental Report 2008’, Hobart. Sovacool, BK 2009, ‘Contextualizing avian mortality: A preliminary appraisal of bird and bat fatalities from wind, fossil-fuel, and nuclear electricity’, Energy Policy 37, 2241–2248. Swennen, C (1992) Observations on the departure of Knots from the Dutch Wadden Sea in spring. Wader Study Group Bull. 64, Suppl.: 87-90. Threatened Species Section 2006, Threatened Tasmanian Eagles Recovery Plan 2006-2010, Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart. Tulp, I; McChesney, S and De Goeij, P (1994) Migratory departures of waders from north-western Australia: behaviour, timing and possible migration routes. Ardea 82: 201-221. Watkins, D 1993, A national Plan for Shorebird Conservation in Australia, Australasian Wader Studies Group, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union and World Wide Fund For Nature. RAOU Report No. 90.

Page | 83 Appendix 1: Bird species recorded incidentally and during bird utilization surveys on Robbins Island.

Recorded Recorded Bird List Bird List During BUS During BUS Australasian Gannet Latham's Snipe x

Australasian Pipit x Lesser Sand Plover

Australian Pelican Lewin’s Rail x

Australian Shelduck x Little Pied Cormorant

Bar-tailed Godwit Little Tern

Bassian Thrush x Masked Lapwing x Beautiful Firetail x Nankeen Kestrel x Black Currawong x New Holland Honeyeater x Black Swan x Olive Whistler x Black-faced Cormorant Orange-bellied Parrot

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike x Pacific Black Duck x Black-fronted Dotterel Pacific Gull x

Blue-winged Parrot Pallid Cuckoo x

Brown Falcon x Pacific Golden Plover

Brown Goshawk x Peregrine Falcon x Brown Quail x Pied Oystercatcher x Brush Bronzewing x Red Knot

Caspian Tern x Red-capped Plover x Chestnut Teal x Red-necked Stint x Collard Sparrow-hawk x Ruddy Turnstone

Common Blackbird Sanderling

Common Diving Petrel Satin Flycatcher

Common Greenshank Scarlet Robin x

Common Starling Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Crescent Honeyeater Shining Bronze-Cuckoo

Crested Tern x Short-tailed Shearwater

Curlew Sandpiper Silver Gull x

Double-banded Plover Silvereye x

Dusky Robin x Sooty Oystercatcher x Dusky Woodswallow x Southern Boobook

Eastern Curlew x Southern Emu-wren x Eastern Great Egret Spotted Pardalote

Eastern Spinebill x Striated Fieldwren x Eurasian Skylark x Striated Pardalote

European Goldfinch Strong-billed Honeyeater

Recorded Recorded Bird List Bird List During BUS During BUS Fairy Tern x Superb Fairy-wren x Fan-tailed Cuckoo Swamp Harrier x

Flame Robin x Tasmanian Native Hen

Forest Raven Tasmanian Scrubwren x

Great Cormorant x Tasmanian Thornbill x Great Knot Tawny-crowned Honeyeater x

Greater Sand Plover Terek Sandpiper

Green Rosella Tree Martin x

Grey Butcherbird x Wedge-tailed Eagle x Grey Fantail x Welcome Swallow x Grey Plover x Whimbrel

Grey Shrike-thrush White-bellied Sea-Eagle x

Grey-tailed Tattler x White-faced Heron x Ground Parrot White-fronted Chat x

Hooded Plover x White-throated Needletail x Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo x Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo x Kelp Gull x Yellow-throated Honeyeater x

Appendix 2: Waterbirds and shorebirds recorded along the central and northern gradients on Robbins Island. Central gradient: points 5–8; Northern gradient: points 17–20. Figures are totals from four replicate counts. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m).

Central gradient Northern gradient Species 5 6 7 8 17 18 19 20 Total A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Summer 2002 – 2003 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 6 Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 5 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 8 Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 15 1 0 30 Autumn 2003 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Central gradient Northern gradient Species 5 6 7 8 17 18 19 20 Total A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 7 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 19 Winter 2003 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 8 Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 0 0 32 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 28 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 0 0 33 Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 91 0 0 123 Spring 2003 Australian Shelduck 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Central gradient Northern gradient Species 5 6 7 8 17 18 19 20 Total A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 11 Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 7 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 4 0 38 Summer 2009 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 10 Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 4 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2 0 20 Appendix 3: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact points during summer 2002 – 2003 on White Rock wind farm. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from four replicate counts.

Gran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Totals d

Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total

Australasian Pipit 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 49 0 0 49 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Beautiful Firetail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Black Currawong 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1

Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black-faced Cuckoo- shrike 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Brown Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 5 Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Quail 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 5 Brush Bronzewing 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8 0 0 8 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Crescent Honeyeater 5 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 11 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dusky Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 9 Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 European Goldfinch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fantail Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Forest Raven 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 5 Green Rosella 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 11 0 0 11

Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grey Fantail 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4

Grey Shrike-thrush 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 34 0 0 34 Ground Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3

Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Horsfield's Bronze- Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5

Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Total

Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Nankeen Kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3

New Holland Honeyeater 21 0 0 9 0 0 7 0 0 21 0 0 8 0 0 7 0 0 3 0 0 7 0 0 7 0 0 10 0 0 15 0 0 12 0 0 13 0 0 15 0 0 14 0 0 18 0 0 11 0 0 16 0 0 214 0 0 214 Olive Whistler 2 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 50 0 0 50 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pacific Gull 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

Pallid Cuckoo 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silvereye 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southern Emu-wren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Striated Fieldwren 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 7 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 46 0 0 46 Strong-billed Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Superb Fairy-wren 18 0 0 11 0 0 14 0 0 8 0 0 7 0 0 8 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 0 19 0 0 9 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 11 0 0 5 0 0 9 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 7 0 0 146 0 0 146 Swamp Harrier 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 6 5 0 11

Tasmanian Scrubwren 11 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 10 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 6 0 0 83 0 0 83 Tasmanian Thornbill 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 0 14 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 6 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 0 0 33

Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 Welcome Swallow 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 11 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 11 5 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 47 8 0 55 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 4 White-fronted Chat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-throated Needletail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Yellow-tailed Black- Cockatoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Yellow-throated Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Totals 77 2 0 45 2 0 44 4 0 57 0 0 31 1 0 34 1 0 18 1 0 44 6 0 67 0 0 68 0 0 44 0 0 36 0 0 38 1 0 45 1 0 38 2 0 44 0 0 32 3 0 41 1 4 803 25 4 832

Number of species 15 11 13 7 8 9 10 7 12 14 11 12 11 10 9 8 6 9 34

Appendix 4: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact sites during autumn 2003 at White Rock wind farm A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from four replicate counts

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Totals Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Australasian Pipit 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 0 0 23 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Beautiful Firetail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Black Currawong 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black-faced Cuckoo- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 shrike Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 0 10 Brown Falcon 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Brown Goshawk 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 Brown Quail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 13 3 Brush Bronzewing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Crescent Honeyeater 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 10 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dusky Robin 6 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 52 0 0 52 1 1 Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 11 0 0 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 European Goldfinch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fantail Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Forest Raven 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 29 9 0 38 Green Rosella 5 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 5 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 30 5 0 35 Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 Grey Fantail 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 11 0 0 11 Grey Shrike-thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Ground Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Horsfield's Bronze- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cuckoo Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nankeen kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Holland 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 2 2 31 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 310 Honeyeater 8 2 1 5 3 0 5 0 0 8 9 4 1 0 4 0 Olive Whistler 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 12 0 0 12 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Pallid Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Totals Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Silvereye 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 0 0 29 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southern Emu-wren 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 5 Striated Fieldwren 1 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 49 0 0 49 Strong-billed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Honeyeater Superb Fairy-wren 3 0 0 4 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 39 0 0 39 Swamp Harrier 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 4 1 1 Tasmanian Scrubwren 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 61 0 0 61 2 1 Tasmanian Thornbill 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 13 0 0 13 Tawny-crowned 1 4 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 8 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 53 0 0 53 Honeyeater 3 Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 Welcome Swallow 4 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 0 0 72 1 0 73 2 3 White-bellied Sea- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eagle White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-fronted Chat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 White-throated 2 3 1 1 2 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 87 Needletail 0 0 0 4 5 2 Yellow-tailed Black- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 13 Cockatoo Yellow-throated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Honeyeater 10 4 2 3 4 5 1 3 3 2 4 3 4 2 3 1 3 4 2 9 1 6 5 84 6 6 Totals 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 5 2 8 2 0 5 0 2 1 0 1 0 968 1 3 2 0 3 1 0 9 2 8 6 8 5 8 9 4 4 0 2 4 3 5 6 4 0 4 Number of species 16 10 7 12 11 9 9 8 13 12 7 10 8 11 5 14 11 13 36

Appendix 5: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact sites during winter 2003 at White Rock wind farm. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from four replicate counts

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Totals Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Australasian Pipit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Australian 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Shelduck Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Beautiful Firetail 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 24 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 66 0 0 66 Black Currawong 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black-faced 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 Cuckoo-shrike Blue-winged 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Parrot Brown Falcon 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Quail 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 39 0 0 39 Brush Bronzewing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 Crescent 24 0 0 10 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 10 0 0 6 0 0 10 0 0 4 0 0 16 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 115 0 0 115 Honeyeater Double-banded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Plover Dusky Robin 4 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 7 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 13 0 0 3 0 0 9 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 72 0 0 72 Dusky 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Woodswallow Eastern Great 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Egret Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 European 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Goldfinch Fantail Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Forest Raven 4 1 0 4 0 2 2 2 0 1 1 0 2 2 0 0 2 0 3 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 2 0 2 0 0 3 1 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 17 2 51 Green Rosella 8 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 11 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 52 0 0 52 Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Grey Fantail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 17 0 0 17 Grey Shrike- 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 13 thrush Ground Parrot 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Horsfield's 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bronze-Cuckoo Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nankeen Kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Holland 36 0 0 18 0 0 14 0 0 16 0 0 16 0 0 18 0 0 24 0 0 14 0 0 8 0 0 36 0 0 22 0 0 12 0 0 34 0 0 42 0 0 14 0 0 40 0 0 18 0 0 20 0 0 402 0 0 402 Honeyeater Olive Whistler 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 19 0 0 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Totals Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Pacific Black 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Duck Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pallid Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pied 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Oystercatcher Red-capped 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Plover Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silvereye 20 0 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 0 0 36 0 0 54 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 200 0 0 200 Sooty 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Oystercatcher Southern Emu- 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 wren Striated Fieldwren 7 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 7 0 0 8 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 88 0 0 88 Strong-billed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 Honeyeater Superb Fairy-wren 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 50 0 0 50 Swamp Harrier 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Tasmanian 5 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 59 0 0 59 Scrubwren Tasmanian 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 9 Thornbill Tawny-crowned 4 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 6 0 0 12 0 0 8 0 0 9 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 92 0 0 92 Honeyeater Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wedge-tailed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eagle Welcome Swallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-bellied Sea- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eagle White-faced 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Heron White-fronted 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chat White-throated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Needletail Yellow-tailed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 3 5 0 57 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 80 5 0 85 Black-Cockatoo Yellow-throated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Honeyeater Totals 127 3 0 90 0 2 34 2 0 62 1 0 161 3 0 96 7 0 168 3 0 46 2 0 69 0 0 92 0 0 61 0 0 48 2 0 71 0 0 74 1 0 45 2 0 95 0 0 42 0 0 53 0 0 1434 26 2 1462

Number of 17 13 9 11 15 14 11 10 11 13 10 9 11 10 10 13 7 11 29 species

Appendix 6: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact sites during spring 2003 at White Rock wind farm. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from four replicate counts Gran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 spring Species d A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total

Australasian Pipit 0 0 0 4 0 0 7 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 7 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 50

Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2

Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Beautiful Firetail 0 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 17

Black Currawong 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 2 0 6

Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Black-faced Cuckoo- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 shrike

Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Brown Falcon 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 5

Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Brown Quail 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3

Brush Bronzewing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Crescent Honeyeater 6 0 0 2 0 0 6 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 35 2 0 37

Double-banded 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Plover

Dusky Robin 3 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 21 0 0 21

Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Gran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 spring Species d A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total

Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

European Goldfinch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Fantail Cuckoo 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 12

Forest Raven 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 18 3 3 24

Green Rosella 8 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 28

Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

Grey Fantail 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 14 0 0 14

Grey Shrike-thrush 5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 32 0 0 32

Ground Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4

Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Horsfield's Bronze- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Cuckoo

Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Nankeen kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

New Holland 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 337 0 0 337 Honeyeater 2 5 1 6 6 2 8 1 6 6 5 4 2 4

Olive Whistler 3 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 43 0 0 43

1 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2 Gran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 spring Species d A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total

Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pallid Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scarlet Robin 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Silvereye 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Southern Emu-wren 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 23 0 0 23

Striated Fieldwren 2 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 59 0 0 59

Strong-billed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Honeyeater

1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 Superb Fairy-wren 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 3 0 0 9 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 192 0 0 192 3 0 3 2 2 8 6 1 1 2

Swamp Harrier 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8 2 0 10

Tasmanian 9 0 0 7 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 53 0 0 53 Scrubwren

Tasmanian Thornbill 24 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 53 0 0 53

Tawny-crowned 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 65 0 0 65 Honeyeater 2

Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Gran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 spring Species d A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total

Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3

Welcome Swallow 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 12 1 0 13

White-bellied Sea- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eagle

White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

White-fronted Chat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

White-throated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Needletail

Yellow-tailed Black- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 13 Cockatoo

Yellow-throated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Honeyeater

11 7 8 8 5 3 4 5 5 4 6 5 5 5 3 6 4 8 110 2 Totals 0 0 1 0 7 0 4 0 3 0 2 2 3 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 2 1 0 0 0 6 1137 8 8 7 5 2 2 0 1 3 6 5 7 7 8 3 0 7 4 3 8

Number of species 18 17 14 18 11 7 8 14 9 8 7 13 11 12 8 12 13 12 32

Appendix 7: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at impact sites during summer 2009 at Wh ite Rock w ind farm . A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from six replicate counts.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Total Grand

Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total

Australasian Pipit 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 7 0 0 6 0 0 7 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 9 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 58 0 0 58 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Beautiful Firetail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

Black Currawong 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4

Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

Brown Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Brown Quail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

Brush Bronzewing 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6

Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Crescent Honeyeater 0 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 16

Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Dusky Robin 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 0 0 27 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Total Grand

Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total

Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 4

Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 European Goldfinch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Fantail Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Forest Raven 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 2 0 15

Green Rosella 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6

Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Grey Fantail 2 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 25

Grey Shrike-thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 0 10

Ground Parrot 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Horsfield's Bronze- Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2

Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Nankeen Kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

New Holland Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 16 0 0 16

Olive Whistler 0 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 25 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Total Grand

Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total

Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

Pallid Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Peregrine falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Silvereye 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southern Emu- wren 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 30 0 0 30

Striated Fieldwren 0 0 0 6 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 9 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 71 0 0 71

Strong-billed Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Superb Fairy-wren 24 0 0 25 0 0 26 0 0 13 0 0 19 0 0 24 0 0 7 0 0 24 0 0 9 0 0 20 0 0 13 0 0 5 0 0 20 0 0 15 0 0 13 0 0 21 0 0 6 0 0 26 0 0 310 0 0 310

Swamp Harrier 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 6 Tasmanian Scrubwren 5 0 0 8 0 0 18 0 0 8 0 0 4 0 0 12 0 0 13 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 6 0 0 5 0 0 8 0 0 115 0 0 115 Tasmanian Thornbill 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 24 0 0 24

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 6 0 0 13 0 0 6 0 0 11 0 0 4 0 0 8 0 0 7 0 0 4 0 0 7 0 0 8 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 100 0 0 100 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Total Grand

Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total

Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Welcome Swallow 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 41 0 0 41

White-bellied Sea- Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

White-fronted Chat 14 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 0 0 26

White-throated Needletail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Yellow-tailed Black- Cockatoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 6

Yellow-throated Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Totals 59 2 0 68 1 0 74 1 0 47 0 0 38 0 0 57 0 0 63 0 0 55 0 0 39 0 0 74 6 0 43 0 0 37 0 0 48 0 0 40 0 0 60 0 0 47 0 0 38 0 0 55 0 0 942 10 0 952

Number of species 9 12 14 10 7 8 16 8 10 12 9 11 9 7 11 9 10 8 29

Appendix 8: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during summer 2002 – 2003 at White Rock wind farm. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from four replicate counts.

R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Australasian Pipit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Beautiful Firetail 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Black Currawong 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Quail 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Brush Bronzewing 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 4 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Crescent Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dusky Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 European Goldfinch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fantail Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Forest Raven 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 Green Rosella 7 0 0 6 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 19 0 0 19 Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grey Fantail 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 5 Grey Shrike-thrush 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 7 Ground Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nankeen Kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Holland Honeyeater 28 0 0 14 0 0 24 0 0 40 0 0 106 0 0 106 Olive Whistler 13 0 0 7 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 33 0 0 33 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pallid Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silvereye 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southern Emu-wren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Striated Fieldwren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 Strong-billed Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Superb Fairy-wren 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6 0 0 18 0 0 18 Swamp Harrier 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 3 0 5 Tasmanian Scrubwren 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 6 Tasmanian Thornbill 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Welcome Swallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-fronted Chat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total White-throated Needletail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 Yellow-throated Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 61 1 0 32 3 0 45 0 0 84 2 0 222 6 0 228 Number of species 9 6 9 14 20

Appendix 9: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during autumn 2003 at White Rock wind farm. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from four replicate counts.

R1 R2 R3 R4 Total G. Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Tot. Australasian Pipit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 3 Beautiful Firetail 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 7 0 0 7 Black Currawong 1 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 7 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 6 Brown Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Quail 1 0 0 6 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 9 Brush Bronzewing 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 7 0 0 7 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Crescent Honeyeater 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 4 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dusky Robin 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 5 Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total G. Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Tot. Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 European Goldfinch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fantail Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Forest Raven 8 0 0 7 0 0 6 0 0 12 0 0 33 0 0 33 Green Rosella 9 0 0 7 0 0 2 0 0 8 0 0 26 0 0 26 Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grey Fantail 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Grey Shrike-thrush 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Ground Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nankeen Kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Holland Honeyeater 41 0 0 33 0 0 35 0 0 26 0 0 135 0 0 135 Olive Whistler 6 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 10 0 0 10 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pallid Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total G. Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Tot. Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silvereye 2 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southern Emu-wren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Striated Fieldwren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Strong-billed Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Superb Fairy-wren 9 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 17 0 0 17 Swamp Harrier 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tasmanian Scrubwren 20 0 0 11 0 0 12 0 0 9 0 0 52 0 0 52 Tasmanian Thornbill 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Welcome Swallow 6 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 6 0 0 20 0 0 20 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 White-fronted Chat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total G. Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Tot. White-throated Needletail 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yellow-throated Honeyeater 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Totals 120 2 0 82 4 0 78 0 0 80 0 0 360 6 0 366 Number of species 17 12 12 14 23

Appendix 10: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during winter 2003 at White Rock wind farm. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from four replicate counts.

R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Species Grand Total A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Australasian Pipit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 3 Beautiful Firetail 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 Black Currawong 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Quail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brush Bronzewing 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 5 0 0 5 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Crescent Honeyeater 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 16 0 0 16 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dusky Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Species Grand Total A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 European Goldfinch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fantail Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Forest Raven 4 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 9 0 0 9 Green Rosella 15 0 0 6 0 0 15 0 0 9 0 0 45 0 0 45 Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grey Fantail 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 3 Grey Shrike-thrush 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 5 Ground Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nankeen Kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Holland Honeyeater 60 0 0 52 0 0 54 0 0 86 0 0 252 0 0 252 Olive Whistler 6 0 0 3 0 0 7 0 0 2 0 0 18 0 0 18 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pallid Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Species Grand Total A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 20 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silvereye 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southern Emu-wren 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 9 Striated Fieldwren 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Strong-billed Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Superb Fairy-wren 14 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 25 0 0 25 Swamp Harrier 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tasmanian Scrubwren 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 12 Tasmanian Thornbill 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 12 0 0 12 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Welcome Swallow 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-fronted Chat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Species Grand Total A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C White-throated Needletail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 Yellow-throated Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 Totals 126 0 0 69 0 0 87 0 0 175 0 0 457 0 0 457 Number of species 13 8 8 17 21 Appendix 11: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during spring 2003 at White Rock wind farm. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from four replicate counts.

R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Australasian Pipit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Beautiful Firetail 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Black Currawong 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 4 0 0 4 Black Swan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Quail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brush Bronzewing 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 7 0 0 7 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Crescent Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dusky Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 3 Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 European Goldfinch 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fantail Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Forest Raven 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 2 0 0 4 4 0 8 Green Rosella 8 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 21 0 0 21 Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grey Fantail 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 9 0 0 9 Grey Shrike-thrush 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 5 0 0 9 0 0 9 Ground Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nankeen Kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Holland Honeyeater 26 0 0 14 0 0 14 0 0 20 0 0 74 0 0 74 Olive Whistler 8 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 17 0 0 17 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Gull 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 1 4 Pallid Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silvereye 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Southern Emu-wren 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Striated Fieldwren 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 7 Strong-billed Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Superb Fairy-wren 8 0 0 9 0 0 18 0 0 15 0 0 50 0 0 50 Swamp Harrier 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Tasmanian Scrubwren 5 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 7 Tasmanian Thornbill 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 7 0 0 7 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Welcome Swallow 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 9 0 0 15 0 0 15 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 White-fronted Chat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total White-throated Needletail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yellow-throated Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 73 1 0 40 0 0 49 4 0 77 2 1 239 7 1 247 Number of species 13 8 12 13 18 Appendix 12: Bird diversity, abundance and flight heights at reference sites during summer 2009 at White Rock wind farm. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from six replicate counts.

R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Australasian Pipit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bassian Thrush 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Beautiful Firetail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Black Currawong 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 Black Swan 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Blue-winged Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Brown Quail 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Brush Bronzewing 15 0 0 2 0 0 8 0 0 6 0 0 31 0 0 31 Caspian Tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Crescent Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 8 0 0 10 0 0 10 Double-banded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dusky Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dusky Woodswallow 0 0 0 4 0 0 14 0 0 8 0 0 26 0 0 26 Eastern Great Egret 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Eastern Spinebill 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 European Goldfinch 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 Fantail Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Forest Raven 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 Green Rosella 0 0 0 2 0 0 11 0 0 2 0 0 15 0 0 15 Grey Butcherbird 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Grey Fantail 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 4 Grey Shrike-thrush 3 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 10 0 0 10 Ground Parrot 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hooded Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Latham's Snipe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Masked Lapwing 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6 Nankeen Kestrel 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 New Holland Honeyeater 50 0 0 14 0 0 40 0 0 28 0 0 132 0 0 132 Olive Whistler 14 0 0 1 0 0 5 0 0 7 0 0 27 0 0 27 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pacific Gull 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 2 3 0 5 Pallid Cuckoo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Peregrine falcon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total Pied Oystercatcher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-capped Plover 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red-necked Stint 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scarlet Robin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Silver Gull 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 Silvereye 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 28 0 0 28 Sooty Oystercatcher 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 Southern Emu-wren 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 4 Striated Fieldwren 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Strong-billed Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Superb Fairy-wren 14 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 31 0 0 65 0 0 65 Swamp Harrier 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Tasmanian Scrubwren 18 0 0 4 0 0 12 0 0 10 0 0 44 0 0 44 Tasmanian Thornbill 0 0 0 4 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 14 0 0 14 Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tree Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 4 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Welcome Swallow 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 4 1 0 5 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 White-faced Heron 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 8 White-fronted Chat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 R1 R2 R3 R4 Total Grand Species A B C A B C A B C A B C A B C Total White-throated Needletail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 12 0 0 12 Yellow-throated Honeyeater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 143 0 0 73 0 0 124 0 0 137 6 0 477 6 0 483 Appendix 13: Relative abundance and flight height of birds over the impact and reference observation points at White Rock wind farm. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Note that seasons 2002 - 2003 are totals of four replicate counts; season 2009 is a total of six replicate counts.

Summer 02 Autumn 03 Winter 03 Spring 03 Summer 09 A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total Impact points Point 1 77 2 0 79 101 1 0 102 127 3 0 130 118 0 0 118 59 2 0 61 Point 2 45 2 0 47 43 22 30 95 90 0 2 92 78 1 0 79 68 1 0 69 Point 3 44 4 0 48 43 2 0 45 34 2 0 36 87 7 0 94 74 1 0 75 Point 4 57 0 0 57 51 1 10 62 62 1 0 63 85 4 0 89 47 0 0 47 Point 5 31 1 0 32 39 0 0 39 161 3 0 164 52 3 0 55 38 0 0 38 Point 6 34 1 0 35 32 0 0 32 96 7 0 103 32 2 2 36 57 0 0 57 Point 7 18 1 0 19 28 0 0 28 168 3 0 171 40 3 0 43 63 0 0 63 Point 9 44 6 0 50 46 1 0 47 46 2 0 48 51 0 0 51 55 0 0 55 Point 10 67 0 0 67 38 2 0 40 69 0 0 69 53 2 0 55 39 0 0 39 Point 11 68 0 0 68 45 2 0 47 92 0 0 92 46 1 0 47 74 6 0 80 Point 12 44 0 0 44 28 0 0 28 61 0 0 61 65 0 0 65 43 0 0 43 Point 13 36 0 0 36 39 5 14 58 48 2 0 50 57 0 1 58 37 0 0 37 Point 14 38 1 0 39 34 2 8 44 71 0 0 71 57 1 0 58 48 0 0 48 Point 15 45 1 0 46 40 2 0 42 74 1 0 75 58 0 0 58 40 0 0 40 Point 16 38 2 0 40 22 5 0 27 45 2 0 47 33 0 1 34 60 0 0 60 Point 17 44 0 0 44 94 13 2 109 95 0 0 95 60 3 2 65 47 0 0 47 Summer 02 Autumn 03 Winter 03 Spring 03 Summer 09 A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total Impact points Point 18 32 3 0 35 65 1 0 66 42 0 0 42 47 1 0 48 38 0 0 38 Point 19 41 1 4 46 56 1 0 57 53 0 0 53 84 0 0 84 55 0 0 55 Total 803 25 4 832 844 60 64 968 1434 26 2 1462 1103 28 6 1137 942 10 0 952 Reference points R 1 61 1 0 62 120 2 0 122 126 0 0 126 73 1 0 74 143 0 0 143 R 2 32 3 0 35 82 4 0 86 69 0 0 69 40 0 0 40 73 0 0 73 R 3 45 0 0 45 78 0 0 78 87 0 0 87 49 4 0 53 124 0 0 124 R 4 84 2 0 86 80 0 0 80 175 0 0 175 77 2 1 80 137 6 0 143 Total 222 6 0 228 360 6 0 366 457 0 0 457 239 7 1 247 477 6 0 483

Appendix 14: Birds of prey and waterbird species found at White Rock wind farm site during the 2002 – 2003 bird utilization surveys. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from four replicate counts.

Summer 02 Autumn 03 Winter 03 Spring 03 All seasons % Raptors Imp A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total A B C Total Swamp Harrier 6 5 0 11 3 1 0 4 1 0 0 1 8 2 0 10 18 8 0 26 0.6 Brown Falcon 1 4 0 5 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 2 2 2 1 5 4 8 1 13 0.3 Wedge-tailed Eagle 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 0 4 2 6 0.1 Nankeen Kestrel 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 0.1 Brown Goshawk 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0.0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0.0 Total raptors 7 15 0 22 5 3 0 8 2 1 0 3 10 5 3 18 24 24 3 51 1.16 Pacific Black Duck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 12 0 12 0 12 0.3 White-faced Heron 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0.1 Australian Shelduck 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 3 0 3 0.1 Chestnut Teal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0.0 Latham's Snipe 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0.0 Lewin’s Rail 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0.0 Pacific Gull 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 0.0 Total waterbirds 3 0 4 7 0 1 0 1 2 3 0 5 0 14 0 14 5 18 4 27 0.6 Totals 803 25 4 832 844 60 64 968 1434 26 2 1462 1103 28 6 1137 4184 139 76 4399

Appendix 15: Birds of prey and waterbird species found at White Rock wind farm site during the summer 2009 bird utilization surveys. A = below RSA height (<30m); B = at RSA height (30-120m); C = above RSA height (>120m). Totals from six replicate counts

Summer 2009 Raptors A B C Total Swamp Harrier 4 2 0 6 Waterbirds Pacific Gull 1 0 0 1 Totals of all birds 942 10 0 952

Appendix 16: Results of the shorebird survey undertaken during summer 2002 to 2003. 18th 19th 21st 22nd 23rd 28th 1st 2nd 17th 18th 20th 21st 22nd 23rd 25th Species Location December December January January January February March March March March March March March March March 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 Bar-tailed Godwit Bird Point 240 240 2 2 Knot Point 100 Bird Point 300 300 25 25 280 150 40 Curlew Sandpiper Knot Point 300 300 25 Shipwreck Point 300+ 300+ 300+ Bird Point 1 22 22 Double-banded Plover Knot Point 1 1 23 5 Shipwreck Point 350+ 350+ 350+ Eastern Curlew Knot Point 10 Bird Point 100 Great Knot Knot Point 100 Bird Point 100 100 5 4 Greater Sand Plover Knot Point 5 5 Bird Point 180 180 17 23 1 2 20 Grey Plover Knot Point 70 16 Hooded Plover Bird Point 2 2 Bird Point 3 Lesser Sand Plover Knot Point 3 3 Bird Point 7 7 9 1 15 18 15 1 1 Pacific Golden Plover Knot Point 9 9 10 7 Bird Point 150 150 25 200 50 2 10 7 Red Knot Knot Point 100 100 500 20 300 Shipwreck Point 2000+ Bird Point 2500 2500 250 350 60 350 70 2000+ 2000+ Red-necked Stint Knot Point 800 800 3000 20 120 20 Shipwreck Point 500+ Bird Point 500 500 220 75 5 13 500+ 500+ Ruddy Turnstone Knot Point 250 250 600 150 21 Sanderling Bird Point 100 100 30 3 2 16 2 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Bird Point 1 Sooty Oystercatcher Bird Point 26 26 Bird Point 1 Terek Sandpiper Knot Point 1 1 Shipwreck Point 1 2 Unidentified species /group Knot Point 1000 150 Total number Robbins Passage 5234 5234 1125 4435 305 733 370 205 443 1222 158 311 12 27 150

Appendix 17: Results of the summer 2009 shorebird survey 8th 9th 10th 11th Species Location January January January January 2009 2009 2009 2009 Bar-tailed Godwit Knot Point 300 350 Shipwreck Point 6 20 Black Swan Bird Point 290 75 Knot Point 1 1 Shipwreck Point 1 Caspian Tern Bird Point 1 2 East Point 2 4 Shipwreck Point 4 1 Chestnut Teal Bird Point 32 10 Bird Point 6 Common Greenshank Knot Point 8 1 1 Crested Tern East Point 8 3 2 Curlew Sandpiper Knot Point 50 5 11 Knot Point 1 Eastern Curlew Camp, Perkins 26 East Point 6 30 Fairy Tern Knot Point 100 100 140 Great Knot Knot Point 10 10 Great Sand Plover Knot Point 2 1 Grey Plover Knot Point 35 35 65 Grey-tailed Tattler Knot Point 5 1 1 Shipwreck Point 2 Hooded Plover East Point 8 10 3 2 Bird Point 1 Lesser Sand Plover Knot Point 2 1 Shipwreck Point 2 Masked Lapwing East Point 2 2 Bird Point 1 Bird Point 9 Pacific Golden Plover Knot Point 3 1 Shipwreck Point 2 1 East Point 4 Pacific Gull Bird Point 4 4 Knot Point 2 Shipwreck Point 11 7 East Point 12 40 28 27 Pied Oystercatcher Bird Point 5 Knot Point 3 2 2 Red Knot Knot Point 300 400 700 Shipwreck Point 2 1 10 Red-capped Plover East Point 6 25 8th 9th 10th 11th Species Location January January January January 2009 2009 2009 2009 Bird Point 1 2 Knot Point 1 1 2 Shipwreck Point 25 East Point 200 50 35 5000 Red-necked Stint Bird Point 3 Knot Point 300 500 800 East Point 8 9 600 Ruddy Turnstone Knot Point 180 200 600 Sanderling Knot Point 1 1 5 Bird Point 3 20 Silver Gull Knot Point 1 Shipwreck Point 16 19 East Point 40 40 39 65 Sooty Oystercatcher Bird Point 48 25 Knot Point 100 1 White-faced Heron Bird Point 4 15 Total number Robbins Passage 723 1360 1872 8415 Appendix 18: Results of the 2003 Neophema parrot surveys – Blue-winged Parrot

Five Hunts- Ship- Blue-winged Bird Mosquito Little Wallaby South Robbins Montagu Perkins’ Islets man wreck Parrots Point Inlet Creek Islands Coast Crossing Island Crossing south Creek Point 18 - 50 50 50 25/03/2003 23-Mar 9 15 28

24-Mar 0

21-Apr 14 7 1 0 1

22-Apr 14 0 0 0 4

23-Apr 24 0 1 0 3 0 0

24-Apr 0 0 0 0 0 0

25-Apr 0 10 0 55+

22-May 8* 0

23-May 0 0

24-May 13 3 (5?) 0 0 0 0

25-May 0 0 0 0 0

26-May 7 3 0 0 0

23-Sep 0

26-Sep 0

28-Sep 0 0

29-Sep 0 0

2-Oct 0 0 0 0 0

3-Oct 0

5-Oct 0 0

Appendix 19: Results of the 2003 Neophema parrot surveys – Orange-bellied Parrot

Orange- Five Hunts- Ship- Bird Mosquito Little Wallaby South Robbins Montagu Perkins’ bellied Islets man wreck Point Inlet Creek Islands Coast Crossing Island Crossing Parrots south Creek Point 18 - 0 0 1 25/03/2003 23-Mar 0 0 0

24-Mar 0

21-Apr 0 0 0 0 0

22-Apr 0 0 0 0 0

23-Apr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

24-Apr 0 0 0 0 0 0

25-Apr 0 0 0 0

22-May 0 0

23-May 0 0

24-May 0 0 0 0 0 0

25-May 0 0 0 0 0

26-May 0 0 0 0 0

23-Sep 0

26-Sep 0

28-Sep 0 0

29-Sep 0 0

2-Oct 0 0 0 0 0

3-Oct 0

5-Oct 0 0

Appendix 20: Results of the 2004 Neophema parrot surveys –Blue-winged Parrot Blue- Area A - Area B - Area C - Area D - Area E - Area F - Area G - Area H - Area I Area J - Area K - Area L - winged mainland Perkins Wallaby Huntsman Bird Mosquito Robbins Robbins - mainland mainland boat Parrots (Montagu Island & Islands Ck to Five Point to Sound Island Island Walker west of east of anchorage area) crossing north to Islets Walkers east of south Island Robbins Robbins to Reids Slate Crossing crossing coast crossing crossing Pt Mine east to entrance Reids Pt 6-Apr 42 12 7-Apr 22 25 8-Apr 20 9-Apr 10 80 20 0 10-Apr 36 41 11-Apr 55 12-Apr 3 13-Apr 25 0 0

Appendix 21: Results of the 2004 Neophema parrot surveys –Orange-bellied Parrot Orange- Area A - Area B - Area C - Area D - Area E - Area F - Area G - Area H - Area I - Area J - Area K - Area L - bellied mainland Perkins Wallaby Huntsman Bird Mosquito Robbins Robbins Walker mainland mainland boat Parrots (Montagu Island & Islands Ck to Five Point to Sound Island Island Island west of east of anchorage area) crossing north to Islets Walkers east of south Robbins Robbins to Reids Slate Mine Crossing crossing coast crossing crossing Pt entrance east to Reids Pt 6-Apr 0 0 7-Apr 0 0 8-Apr 3 9-Apr 0 0 0 0 10-Apr 0 0 11-Apr 0 12-Apr 0 13-Apr 0 0 0

Appendix 22: Results of the 2009 Neophema parrot surveys –Blue-winged Parrot Area C - Area H - Wallaby Area E - Area G - Robbins Area J - Area K - Area L - Area A - Area B - Area D - Blue- Islands Bird Point Area F - Robbins Island Area I - mainland mainland boat mainland Perkins Huntsman winged north to to Mosquito Island south Walker west of east of anchorage (Montagu Island & Ck to Five Parrots Slate Walkers Sound east of coast Island Robbins Robbins to Reids area) crossing Islets Mine Crossing crossing east to crossing crossing Pt entrance Reids Pt 15-Mar 31 11

16-Mar 44*

17-Mar 3 11

18-Mar 1 0 28

30-Mar 5 6

31-Mar 7 34 0

1-Apr 71

2-Apr 23 7 3

3-Apr 5

14-Apr 0

15-Apr 41

16-Apr 0

17-Apr 11 2

28-Apr 5

29-Apr 3

30-Apr 6

*Minimum count; may have been up to 77 birds.

Appendix 23: Eagle sightings 2002 Flight heights: t- = <30 m; t = 30 – 120 m, t+ = >120 m). WTE: Wedge-tailed Eagle; WBSE: White-bellied Sea Eagle

Obs. Flight height Species Date Start time No. of birds Age Comments No. (m)

1 WBSE 16-Dec 16:20 1 adult t

2 WBSE 16-Dec 13:00 1 adult t+

3 WBSE 16-Dec 17:30 1 2nd year t+

4 WBSE 16-Dec 16:30 1 1st year t-

5 WBSE 16-Dec 18:00 2 2nd & adult t

6 WTE 17-Dec 19:30 1 sub. ad t

7 WBSE 18-Dec 15:10 1 adult t

8 WBSE 18-Dec 15:20 2 2nd & adult t

9 WTE 19-Dec 9:30 1 sub. ad t

10 WBSE 19-Dec 15:30 1 1st year t P20 11 WTE 20-Dec 8:30 1 sub. ad t P2 12 WTE 21-Dec 16:00 2 ad. & sub. ad t P3 13 WBSE 21-Dec 5 2ad & 3 imm. t reported by John Hammond

Appendix 24: Eagle sightings 2003 WBSE: White-bellied Sea-Eagle; WTE: Wedge-tailed Eagle Flight heights: t- = <30 m; t = 30 – 120 m, t+ = >120 m) Flight Obs. Start No. of height Flight Species Date Age Flight behaviour location/waypoint/co-ords Comments No. time birds (t-, t, direction t+) P17 14 WBSE 18-Mar 9:30 1 sub. ad. t E P17 15 WBSE 18-Mar 8:15 1 adult t E

16 WBSE 19-Mar 10:00 1 adult t- N 17 WBSE 19-Mar 17:50 1 juv. t- - perched Little Ck on coast S of I15 18 WTE 23-Mar 9:45 1 sub. ad. t+ E 19 WBSE 23-Mar 18:00 1 sub. ad. t S crossing point to caravan P3 20 WTE 19-Jun 15:00 1 adult t - soaring 21 WTE 20-Jun 11:40 2 adult t soaring

22 WBSE 20-Jun 10:05 1 adult t- perched 23 WBSE 21-Jun 15:30 2 ad./imm. t- E P8 flying together

24 WBSE 23-Sep 16:30 2 ad./imm. t

25 WBSE 26-Sep 16:00 1 adult t

26 WBSE 26-Sep 16:40 1 adult t P7 27 WBSE 30-Sep 10:30 1 imm. t 28 WBSE 1-Oct 13:40 1 adult t P20 on coast

29 WBSE 2-Oct 10:00 1 adult t P16 30 WTE 4-Oct 12:00 1 adult t+

31 WBSE 4-Oct 13:20 1 adult t P20 32 WTE 5-Oct 12:00 1 adult t+

33 WTE 5-Oct 16:30 1 adult t-

34 WBSE 6-Oct 15:50 1 adult t

35 WBSE 6-Oct 16:15 1 adult t

Appendix 25: Eagle sightings 2004 WBSE: White-bellied Sea-Eagle; WTE: Wedge-tailed Eagle Flight heights: t- = <30 m; t = 30 – 120 m, t+ = >120 m) Flight No. Obs. Start height location/waypoint/co- Species Date of Age Flight behaviour Comments No. time (t-, t, ords birds t+) 36 WTE 25-Mar 11:30 1 t+ A reported by John Hammond 37 WBSE 6-Apr 13:00 1 adult t- on tree 1 38 WBSE 7-Apr 11:00 1 sub. Ad t flying 5 39 WBSE 8-Apr 12:00 2 adult on tree 10 40 WBSE 9-Apr 12:10 1 adult t flying 11 41 WBSE 9-Apr 12 nest 42 WTE 9-Apr 13:05 1 adult t flying 13 43 WBSE 9-Apr 16:30 3 2 ads + 1 imm. t flying 14 44 WBSE 10-Apr 9:15 2 adult t flying + OT 15 45 WTE 10-Apr 10:25 1 adult on hill 16 46 WBSE 10-Apr 10:48 2 adult perched on tree 17 47 WTE 10-Apr 13:00 3 2 ads + 1 imm. t+ flying 18

Appendix 26: Eagle sightings 2008 WBSE: White-bellied Sea-Eagle; WTE: Wedge-tailed Eagle location No. Flight Distance Obs Specie Start End Flight Flight /way- Date of Age height from coast Comments No. s time time direction behaviour point/ birds (m) (m) co-ords Seen on main road just before 48 WTE 6-Oct 13:45 1 adult 80 circling soaring 2 2000 turning to RI crossing road. Main land Tasmania. Seen flying low then landed on a Landing on 49 WTE 6-Oct 14:55 1 juv. 30 directional 3 1000 eucalypt tree on the island close to a tree main track. sub.ad 50 WBSE 7-Oct 8:55 1 30 NW direct. 4 100 Seen on the Bluff (school house) . Flew over bush, seen for one min. 51 WTE 7-Oct 9:20 1 adult 30 S direct. 5 1500 then disappeared. Seen from main

track. Flying over bush towards the coast, 52 WBSE 7-Oct 9:18 1 juv. 50 SW direct. 6 1500 seen from main track. Flying over bush chased by ravens, 53 WTE 7-Oct 9:30 1 juv. 60 N direct. 7 1500 seen from main track Flying overland, disappeared after 54 WBSE 7-Oct 10:15 1 juv. 50 SW direct. 8 2000 s min., seen from southern end of

ridge track Flying over ridge, disappeared juv. or 55 WTE 7-Oct 12:05 1 40 SW direct. 9 1000 after one min., seen from ridge s. ad track. Flying on coast at the Perkins Is. 56 WBSE 7-Oct 14:05 1 adult 70 SE direct. 10 0 crossing. 57 WBSE 8-Oct 8:30 2 adult direct. 0 flying along coast at The Bluff

flying along coast at Mosquito 58 WBSE 8-Oct 12:00 2 adult direct. 1 Sound location No. Flight Distance Obs Specie Start End Flight Flight /way- Date of Age height from coast Comments No. s time time direction behaviour point/ birds (m) (m) co-ords Flying along w. coast north of slate 59 WBSE 8-Oct 13:05 1 juv. 20 S direct. 11 0 mine entrance. direct, and Seen from main track about 300 m 60 WBSE 8-Oct 17:30 2 adult 30 SW 12 0 soaring east from waypoint Seen about 100 m north of main 61 WBSE 8-Oct 17:40 2 adult 80 SW direct. 13 2000 track over bush. Circling over coast south of slate 62 WBSE 9-Oct 13:15 1 adult 50 S circling 14 0 mine entrance, drifted east after 2

min. Seen on main Is. coast west of 63 WBSE 9-Oct 15:55 1 adult 40 W direct 15 0 crossing, slowly drifting W. Initially circling then flew west and direct and 64 WBSE 10-Oct 11:14 1 adult 40 W 16 0 disappeared; seen on mainland circling coast w of crossing. Over bush on the southern section 65 WTE 10-Oct 10:45 2 ? 100 circling soaring K30 500 of the Hammond farm on

mainland. No GPs point. Flew for 4 min then landed on 24- 66 WBSE 7:30 7:34 1 adult 20 NW direct 1 0 other side of bay, south east corner Nov of RI. Perched on ground, about 200 m 24- 67 WBSE 7:55 8:00 1 adult 20 Perched perched 2 100 north of GPs point. Flew at 8:00 Nov and disappeared after 3 min. Initially one bird Circling in all directions, drifting back and forth 25- soaring & over same point North part of 68 WBSE 11:23 11:50 2 adult 150 circling 3 0 Nov drifting mosquito sound-walker Is. Then joint by another adult and both continued soaring over point for location No. Flight Distance Obs Specie Start End Flight Flight /way- Date of Age height from coast Comments No. s time time direction behaviour point/ birds (m) (m) co-ords more than 20 min. Initially Immature seen soaring near wind mast on ridge changing 25- over ridge - 69 WTE 13:35 14:05 2 adult 100 circling soaring 4 height to almost 200 m. Then joint Nov 4000 by parents and all three soared varying heights to over 200 m. Initially Immature seen soaring near wind mast on ridge changing 25- over ridge - 70 WTE 13:25 14:05 1 imm. 100 circling soaring 5 height to almost 200 m. Then joint Nov 4000 by parents and all three soared varying heights to over 200 m. circling + 25- Circling and drifting NW, seen near 71 WBSE 16:23 16:41 1 adult 100 NW active 6 0 Nov I. crossing flying 25- sub.ad Perched on fence post on coast 72 WBSE 16:44 1 0 Perched perched 7 0 Nov . south of Slate mine entrance. 25- sub.ad circling & Circled over Slate mine entrance 73 WBSE 16:50 16:53 1 80 S 8 0 Nov . direct and then flew south. Flew N from perch over coastal 25- active 74 WBSE 17:45 1 imm. 20 N 9 0 ridge, seen almost half way the Nov flying length of the W coast. 25- active 75 WBSE 18:05 18:07 1 adult 15 N 10 0 Nov flying Flying along coast near kangaroo Is. 26- Flew out from perch on birds point 76 WBSE 11:41 11:43 1 adult 30 N direct 11 0 - 100 Nov & flew north Soaring on the ridge close to the 26- adult + direct, and 77 WTE 15:05 15:08 2 1008 N 12 2000 water tank at southern end of Nov imm. soaring ridge. 78 WBSE 26- 16:09 16:17 1 adult 300 NNE soaring & 13 1000 Very high flight, gradually drifting location No. Flight Distance Obs Specie Start End Flight Flight /way- Date of Age height from coast Comments No. s time time direction behaviour point/ birds (m) (m) co-ords Nov circling north- probably crossed the Island towards the north eastern shores. Flew from perch east and 26- sub.ad 79 WTE 18:51 18:52 1 10 E flying 14 0 disappeared behind coastal ridge, Nov . just north of bird point Drifting south along coastal ridges 26- sub.ad 80 WTE 19:00 19:05 2 30 S directional 15 0 on western shores, followed flying Nov . for 2 km before disappearing Flying over interface between 2 ad. + Ridge and flat land east of the 26- directional 81 WTE 15:10 15:14 3 sub. 40 N 31 5000 ridge, seen from below on the flat Nov flight Ad land. Probably same pair recorded from ridge (No. 12). 27- Seen from c. 2 km away soaring 82 WTE 11:20 1 adult 200 circling soaring 32 1500 Nov over ridge 27- Soaring over ridge, seen from 2 km 83 WTE 14:30 1 adult 100 circling soaring 33 1000 Nov away. 27- V. high flight over coastal bush, 84 WBSE 16:28 16:31 1 adult 300 circling soaring 34 0 Nov seen west of the RI crossing Perching, First seen perched on tree, then 28- ad. + 85 WBSE 8:07 8:10 2 0 - 40 SE active 35 0 flew along RI coast, did not cross to Nov imm. flight mainland. 28- perched on Nest on Montagu River, near its 86 WBSE 11:30 3 2 ad. + chick 36 0 Nov nest mouth. Seen from east- other side of 28- soaring 87 WTE 12:15 1 ? 100 circling 37 Montagu River mouth. No GPs Nov over bush point. Appendix 27: Eagle sightings 2009 WBSE: White-bellied Sea-Eagle; WTE: Wedge-tailed Eagle

No. Flight location/ Distance Obs. Start End Flight Flight Species Date of Age height waypoint from Comments No. time time direction behaviour birds (m) /co-ords coast (m)

88 WBSE 8-Jan 1 immature 10 S WP_017 0

100 m E 89 WBSE 8-Jan 18:00 1 immature 10 quartering of base of 100 over dunes

Bird Point 90 WBSE 9-Jan 6:00 6:30 1 adult - - perched Bird Point 0 flushed -> N on approach circling & soaring & Soaring on main road 91 WTE 19-Jan 12:47 12:50 2 adult 150 1 2000 direct drifting S before RI crossing. circling 92 WBSE 19-Jan 15:00 15:02 1 adult 60 soaring 2 0 Seen from c. 500 m inland soaring Flashed from perch on post, flew over mudflats 93 WBSE 20-Jan 15:17 15:19 1 immature 10 NW direct 3 0 and landed on ground about 1 km away. Flew out of tree and 94 WBSE 20-Jan 15:32 15:33 1 adult 10 SW direct 4 0 disappeared behind coastal dune Disappeared behind dune, 95 WBSE 20-Jan 15:59 16:00 1 adult 10 NE direct 5 0 probably the same bird as N0. 4 Crossed main track towards coast and landed 96 WBSE 20-Jan 16:53 17:03 1 adult 5 SW direct 6 100 on coast, flushed and flew west along coast. 97 WBSE 20-Jan 17:26 17:26 1 immature 30 W gliding 7 0 Seen 1.5 km S of way point. No. Flight location/ Distance Obs. Start End Flight Flight Species Date of Age height waypoint from Comments No. time time direction behaviour birds (m) /co-ords coast (m)

Flushed from tree along firebreak then landed in 98 WBSE 21-Jan 9:06 9:12 1 immature 10 E direct 8 500 tree; flew S when approached. Flushed from trees; returned to tree again; 99 WBSE 21-Jan 14:48 14:55 1 immature 15 S direct 9 0 circled and flew NE along coast adult + 100 WBSE 21-Jan 15:39 15:45 2 15 S circling + gliding 10 0 Just N of bird point imm. soaring & active Very close to Walker Is. 101 WBSE 21-Jan 16:56 17:05 1 immature 80 W 50 100 flying crossing Flushed from perch on dead tree; flew away over Mosquito Sound towards 102 WBSE 21-Jan 17:15 17:30 1 adult 100 circling soaring 51 0 Walker Is. Initially soared and circled for about 15 min over the sound then drifted towards Walker Is. Imm flushed from edge of 103 WBSE 22-Jan 14:10 14:17 2 immature 10 - 60 NE circling & direct 11 400 forest then joined by adult. Seen 100 m N of waypoint 104 WBSE 22-Jan 15:30 15:32 1 sub. Ad 10 - 40 SW direct. & gliding 12 400 near south coast. ad. + Seen while traveling on 105 WBSE 22-Jan 16:47 16:50 2 10 - 30 W soaring 13 100 imm. main track. active flight & Flying over coast near 106 WBSE 22-Jan 7:00 7:02 2 sub. Ad 80 W 52 0 soaring School house. No. Flight location/ Distance Obs. Start End Flight Flight Species Date of Age height waypoint from Comments No. time time direction behaviour birds (m) /co-ords coast (m)

Over coastal forest west of 107 WTE 22-Jan 9:51 9:52 1 sub. Ad 30 W gliding 2 100 the school house (Bluff). 60 m north of nest site, Juv. 108 WBSE 23-Jan 12:05 12:06 2 ad. + juv. 10 - 20 N direct. & gliding 14 0 seems to be recently fledged. Bird circling over coast near school house going up and 109 WBSE 23-Jan 7:00 7:30 1 sub. Ad 80 circling soaring 53 0 down the coast for almost 30 min. Same GPs as 52 Birds scanning the coast direct & soaring & active 110 WBSE 24-Jan 7:30 7:35 2 sub. Ad 70 53 0 near school house, same circling flying GPS as 52 direct & soaring & Near school house, same 111 WBSE 25-Jan 7:35 7:40 2 sub. Ad 80 54 0 circling flapping GPS as 52. 112 WBSE 16-Mar 8:35 9:35 2 adult - - perched WP_018 20 5 m high nest found 12 m above ground in Euc. fork - 113 WBSE 16-Mar 11:00 12:10 0 - - - - WP_028 700 whitewash & 2 feathers found; photos 114 WBSE 16-Mar 16:07 16:08 1 juv. 20 SE direct flight WP_032 0 over mudflats 115 WBSE 30-Mar 16:30 16:30 1 adult 40 E Bridge Hotel Smithton over Duck River

Huntsma 0.5 m high; then flushed 116 WBSE 31-Mar 13:07 13:10 1 adult - - perched 0 n Creek flew inland ->NE direct flight 100m E of 117 WBSE 31-Mar 13:20 13:22 1 ?adult 20 S interspersed 100 WP_055 with gliding 118 WTE 31-Mar 18:12 18:23 3 1 sub-ad, 40 S gliding 200m E of No. Flight location/ Distance Obs. Start End Flight Flight Species Date of Age height waypoint from Comments No. time time direction behaviour birds (m) /co-ords coast (m)

2 adults WP_MAS T 150m SE 50 & 119 WTE 1-Apr 8:47 8:49 2 adult NE gliding of 25 WP_059 120 WTE 1-Apr 9:08 9:09 2 adult 20 SW gliding WP_060

15 & gliding, slow notes on plumage of 121 WTE 1-Apr 9:21 9:22 2 adult E WP_061 10 flapping direct presumed female alternating flap 122 WBSE 1-Apr 11:57 11:58 1 immature 5 SE WP_025 0 & glide direct 1 WP_061 gliding, flapping, 123 WTE 2-Apr 11:46 11:51 3 immature to circling , 2 adults WP_TANK fence S of 124 WBSE 2-Apr 1 immature 0 Little Ck 125 WBSE 2-Apr 1 adult - - perched Bird Point 0

126 WBSE 2-Apr 13:40 1 immature WP_068

127 WBSE 2-Apr 14:11 1 immature WP_070

N end 128 WBSE 2-Apr 1 immature airstrip Walker Is. 129 WBSE 2-Apr 14:43 WP_071

130 WBSE 2-Apr 14:59 1 adult - - perched WP_072 60 in tree 1m off ground

100 m S 131 WBSE 2-Apr 15:02 1 juvenile - - perched of 50 2 m high

WP_072 132 WBSE 2-Apr 15:09 1 immature - - perched WP_073 0 4 m high

No. Flight location/ Distance Obs. Start End Flight Flight Species Date of Age height waypoint from Comments No. time time direction behaviour birds (m) /co-ords coast (m)

133 WBSE 3-Apr 12:27 12:35 1 immature - - perched WP_077 0 15 m high 134 WBSE 14-Apr 14:55 14:57 1 adult 15 E circling WP_085 0 over water 135 WBSE 14-Apr 13:05 13:05 1 sub-adult 0 NE direct WP_083 0 flushed from ground 136 WBSE 14-Apr 13:25 13:25 1 sub-adult - - perched WP_077 0 10 m high flap & glide 137 WTE 14-Apr 13:35 13:36 1 adult 30 E direct, once WP_084 close to coast circled flap & glide 100m N went E to 400 m E of 138 WTE 14-Apr 13:54 13:57 1 adult 15 - 50 E direct, once of 0 WP_076 circled WP_076 Huntsma flushed to SE reaching 15 m 139 WBSE 15-Apr 9:56 9:57 1 adult - - perched 0 n Creek high Robbins estimated distance from 140 WBSE 15-Apr 15:02 15:02 1 adult 60 E gliding Crossing 200 coast mainland moved from near S end of 141 WTE 15-Apr 16:04 16:05 1 adult 20 S gliding WP_093 ridge to coast flushed from roadside tree 142 WBSE 15-Apr 16:15 16:15 1 sub-adult - - perched WP_094 4 m high perch, flew W @ max. 15 m height perched in dead tree c. 7 m 143 WTE 17-Apr 10:37 10:42 1 adult WP_099 50 high 144 WTE 17-Apr 11:46 11:46 1 adult 15 W direct flight WP_100

145 WBSE 29-Apr 15:51 17:49 2 adult perched WP_018 20 c. 5 m high

c. 5 m high; one came in to 146 WBSE 30-Apr 9:00 9:21 2 adult perched WP_018 20 land from N->S @9:00 147 WBSE 30-Apr 9:07 9:08 1 immature 10 W-NW 200 m W 0

No. Flight location/ Distance Obs. Start End Flight Flight Species Date of Age height waypoint from Comments No. time time direction behaviour birds (m) /co-ords coast (m)

of WP_018 island 148 WBSE 30-Apr 9:29 9:31 1 immature 10 SE direct WP_005 0

sub-adult, 149 WBSE 30-Apr 12:07 12:07 2 25 E direct WP_007 0 foot grappling observed adult Old Robbins 150 WBSE 30-Apr 16:12 16:12 1 adult 6-8 W direct Crossing - 0 island side adult W of female + crossing 151 WBSE 8-May 11:43 11:46 2 20 N 0 on coast & over water adult on male mainland over 152 WBSE 9-May 9:18 9:21 1 juv. 25-30 N direct Wallaby 0 on coast & over water Island Huntsma disappeared after flushed 153 WBSE 9-May 10:20 10:20 1 adult <10 N short low hop n Creek - 50 by observer mouth Old Robbins 154 WBSE 9-May 11:58 12:00 1 adult 40 W directed Crossing - 0 island side 155 WBSE 9-May 12:00 12:10 1 adult 40-200 W circling; 0 coast, island & water(same No. Flight location/ Distance Obs. Start End Flight Flight Species Date of Age height waypoint from Comments No. time time direction behaviour birds (m) /co-ords coast (m)

directed bird as previous) crossed passage to mainland