WA Limestone Pty Ltd Roebourne Quarry – Level 1 Fauna Survey 2011 4.2 FAUNA WITHIN THE STUDY AREA 4.2.1 Fauna species of conservation significance potentially occurring in the study area and potential impacts Results of database searches list 17 faunal species of conservation significance that have been recorded in the survey area or have the potential to occur in the area. Table 2 lists the species of conservation significance and the likelihood of each species occurring in the project area. This is followed by a discussion on the individual species. 12 WA Limestone Pty Ltd Roebourne Quarry – Level 1 Fauna Survey 2011 Table 2 - Conservation significant terrestrial fauna potentially occurring in the study area A description of the conservation significance codes is provided in Appendix C EPBC = Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 - Protected Matters Search Tool WCA = Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 DEC = DEC Threatened and Priority fauna CONSERVATION LIKELIHOOD OF SPECIES COMMON NAME SIGNIFICANCE PREVIOUS RECORD OCCURRENCE EPBC WCA DEC REPTILES 2011 Anketell Point 2009 Mt Anketell 2004 WNW Mt Gregory LOW – recent 1984 Harding River Dam sightings <10 km but Notoscincus butleri P4 1983 Southeast of Karratha no preferred habitat LOW - no preferred Liasis olivaceus subsp. barroni Pilbara Olive Python Vulnerable habitat MAMMALS LOW – not in known distribution and no Dasycercus cristicauda Crest-tailed Mulgara Vulnerable preferred habitat 1994 West of Sherlock River 1900 West of Sherlock River LOW - no preferred No date Woodbrook St, habitat and no Dasyurus hallucatus Northern Quoll Endangered S1 Roebourne recent sightings LOW – not in known distribution and little Macrotis lagotis Bilby, Dalgyte Vulnerable preferred habitat LOW - no preferred Rhinonicteris aurantius Orange (Pilbara) Leaf-nosed Bat Vulnerable habitat Mormopterus loriae subsp. LOW - no preferred cobourgiana Little Northern Freetail Bat P1 2009 Cooya Pooya habitat MEDIUM - suitable habitat, no recent Leggadina lakedownensis Short-tailed Mouse P4 2007 Mt Anketell sightings 13 WA Limestone Pty Ltd Roebourne Quarry – Level 1 Fauna Survey 2011 CONSERVATION LIKELIHOOD OF SPECIES COMMON NAME SIGNIFICANCE PREVIOUS RECORD OCCURRENCE EPBC WCA DEC AVIFAUNA LOW - no preferred Apus pacificus Fork-tailed Swift Migratory habitat LOW - no preferred Ardea modesta alba Great Egret Migratory habitat LOW - no preferred Ardea ibis Cattle Egret Migratory habitat LOW - no preferred Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle Migratory habitat MEDIUM - suitable 2007 Mt Anketell habitat, no recent Ardeotis australis Australian Bustard P4 1978 Mt Anketell sightings LOW - no preferred Charadrius veredus Oriental Plover Migratory habitat LOW - no preferred Glareola maldivarum Oriental Pratincole Migratory habitat MEDIUM - may be in Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater Migratory flight path LOW - no preferred Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow Migratory habitat 14 WA Limestone Pty Ltd Roebourne Quarry – Level 1 Fauna Survey 2011 • Notoscincus butleri Family: Scincidae Conservation Status: Priority 4 - Taxa in need of monitoring on the DEC Threatened and Priority Database. Distribution: The holotype for this species was collected in 1979 30 km south southwest of Dampier (Storr 1979). Notoscincus butleri occurs in arid, rocky near-coastal Pilbara. (Wilson and Swan 2010). Ecology: Little is known about this species of skink. It is also known as Lined Soil-crevice Skink and is associated with spinifex-dominated areas near creeks and river margins (Wilson and Swan 2010). Likelihood of occurrence: Given the preferred habitat of this species, it is not likely to occur in the area of the proposed quarry expansion. Potential Impacts: The conservation status of this species is not likely to be altered by the proposed quarry expansion. • Liaisis olivaceus Pilbara Olive Python Family: Boidae Conservation Status: Vulnerable under the EPBC Act 1999. Distribution: Arid to subhumid areas in northern Australia. Often encountered along watercourses and especially associated with rocky areas (Wilson and Swan 2010). Ecology: This large unpatterned species of python is predominantly terrestrial and feeds mainly on mammals and birds. Likelihood of occurrence: Given the preferred habitat of this species, it is not likely to occur in the area of the proposed quarry expansion. Potential Impacts: The conservation status of this species is not likely to be altered by the proposed quarry expansion. • Dasycercus cristicauda Crest-tailed Mulgara, Minyiminyi Family: Dasyuridae Conservation Status: Endangered under the EPBC Act 1999. There is currently some uncertainty on the taxonomic status of Mulgara in Western Australia but it is believed that the Mulgara previously considered to be Dasycercus cristicauda, are actually Dasycercus blythi (Brush-tailed Mulgara). D. blythi is listed as a Priority 4 species, Taxa in need of monitoring, on the DEC Threatened and Priority Fauna Database. Distribution: The Mulgara is a medium-sized (60-120 g) carnivorous marsupial which is widespread but patchy in sandy regions of arid central Australian and Western Australia. It has declined in the south and east of its range. Ecology: Menkhorst and Knight (2010) indicate that the preferred habitat for this species comprises sand ridges and mulga shrubland on loamy sand. This sociable mammal constructs burrows on dune swales or lower slopes. It is mostly nocturnal but diurnal at times. Populations fluctuate greatly with quality of seasons. Mating occurs mid May to mid June and 5-8 young are weaned at 3 – 4 months of age in October-November. Likelihood of occurrence: The survey area is found to the west of the known Dasycercus cristicauda distribution (Adams et al. 2000). In addition, given the nature of the surrounding habitat and the level of disturbance from the current quarrying activities and associated access tracks, it is not likely that the Mulgara would inhabit these 15 WA Limestone Pty Ltd Roebourne Quarry – Level 1 Fauna Survey 2011 areas. No Mulgara or evidence of their presence was noted during the reconnaissance survey. Potential Impacts: The conservation status of this species is not likely to be altered by the proposed quarry expansion. • Dasyurus hallucatus Northern Quoll . Family: Dasyuridae Conservation Status: Endangered under the EPBC Act 1999 and Schedule 1: Rare and likely to become extinct under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. Distribution: The distribution of the Northern Quoll previously extended across broader Northern Australia but now is restricted to six main areas which in Western Australia include the Hamersley Ranges and the Kimberley area. Ecology: The Northern Quoll is an aggressive carnivore that preys on small mammals, reptiles and arthropods and also consumes fruit (Menkhorst and Knight 2010). It is most abundant in rocky eucalypt woodland habitats but occurs in a range of vegetation types and usually within 200 km of the coast. It is mostly nocturnal and crepuscular and dens in tree hollows and rock crevices. Typical of the Dasyurids, males die after mating and births occur in the mid-dry season. Likelihood of occurrence: While the survey area is within 200 km of the coast, the general location and available habitat are not preferred by this species. Therefore, The Northern Quoll is not likely to utilise the habitat within the survey area. Potential Impacts: The conservation status of this species is not likely to be altered by the proposed quarry expansion. • Macrotis lagotis Bilby, Dalgyte Family: Thylacomyidae Conservation Status: Vulnerable under the EPBC Act 1999. Distribution: The distribution of the Bilby formerly extended throughout the arid and semi- arid areas of Australia. It is now restricted to scattered colonies in Acacia shrubland and hummock grassland from the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory to near Broome in Western Australia and south to Warburton (Menkhorst and Knight 2010). Ecology: The Bilby is mostly solitary and constructs long, deep burrow systems for daytime shelter (Menkhorst and Knight 2010). It emerges well after dark to forage in topsoil for arthropods, tubers and fungi, leaving numerous pits to 10 cm deep. Births occur mostly from March to May but can occur at all times if conditions are suitable. Likelihood of occurrence: The area proposed for disturbance appears to be west of the known distribution of the Bilby. While the vegetation in the survey area includes some hummock grassland, the level of disturbance from the current quarry operations, and associated access tracks suggests that the Bilby no longer occupies this area. No Bilbies or evidence of their presence was recorded during the reconnaissance survey. Potential Impacts: The conservation status of this species is not likely to be altered by the proposed quarry expansion. 16 WA Limestone Pty Ltd Roebourne Quarry – Level 1 Fauna Survey 2011 • Rhinonicteris aurantius (Pilbara form) Orange Leaf-nosed-bat Family: Hipposideridae Conservation Status: Vulnerable under EPBC Act 1999. Distribution: The Pilbara Form of the Orange Leaf-nosed Bat is restricted to the Pilbara region and field surveys suggest the population is divided into three discrete subpopulations: eastern Pilbara mines and granite; Hamersley Range and Upper Gascoyne (DSEWPC 2011). The Pilbara population of the Leaf-nosed Bat is geographically the most isolated of the R. aurantius. Ecology: The Orange Leaf-nosed-bat typically roosts in caves but is also known to occupy abandoned, deep and partially flooded