Southern EL 3251 Fauna Survey Client: Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd May 2006 Environmental and Biodiversity Services Table of Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................1 Executive Summary.................................................................................................2 1. Introduction .........................................................................................................3 1.1 Site description ...................................................................................3 1.2 Climate ...............................................................................................4 1.3 Land use.............................................................................................4 2. Methodology.....................................................................................................7 2.1 Background research..........................................................................7 2.2 Field survey ........................................................................................7 2.3 Trapping sites .....................................................................................7 2.4 Pitfall traps..........................................................................................7 2.5 Elliott traps..........................................................................................7 2.6 Cage traps ..........................................................................................8 2.7 Active searching..................................................................................8 2.8 Bird survey..........................................................................................8 2.9 Spotlighting.........................................................................................8 2.10 Anabat bat detector.............................................................................8 2.11 Harp traps...........................................................................................9 2.12 Opportunistic observations..................................................................9 2.13 Weather conditions .............................................................................9 3. Fauna habitats within the project site...........................................................10 3.1 Sclerolaena spp. Herbland on high and low gibber plains .................10 3.2 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland ..............................11 3.3 Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland . .........................................................................................................11 3.4 Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland over chenopods...............................11 4. Survey results ................................................................................................12 4.1 Mammals ..........................................................................................12 4.2 Reptiles and amphibians...................................................................13 4.3 Birds .................................................................................................14 4.4 Comparison between survey sites and habitats ................................14 4.5 Comparison with previous fauna records ..........................................15 5. Discussion ......................................................................................................16 5.1 General discussion ...........................................................................16 5.2 Birds .................................................................................................17 5.3 Mammals ..........................................................................................17 5.4 Reptiles and amphibians...................................................................18 6. Recommendations .........................................................................................20 References .........................................................................................................21 Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey Environmental and Biodiversity Services Appendix 1 M Trapping sites for the Beverley Fauna Survey ....................................22 Appendix 2 M Trapping effort for the Beverley Fauna Survey ...................................23 Appendix 3 M Mammal species recorded during the Beverley Fauna Survey ...........24 Appendix 4 M Reptile species recorded during the Beverley Fauna Survey..............25 Appendix 5 M Bird species recorded during the Beverley Fauna Survey...................26 Appendix 6 M Fauna species previously recorded within or in the vicinity of the project area ..................................................................................................28 Appendix 7 - General site photographs ....................................................................32 Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey Environmental and Biodiversity Services Acknowledgements The survey team comprised of the following people: Dr Travis How (Environmental and Biodiversity Services) M Survey Co- ordinator Dr Leanne Pound (Environmental and Biodiversity Services) M Field Assistant Gavin Baird (Environmental and Biodiversity Services) M Field Assistant Loraine Jansen (Sub-consultant) M Mammals Graham Carpenter (Sub-consultant) M Birds John Morley (Volunteer) We would like to thank the following people for their assistance and for information provided during the project: Mal Wedd (Environment Manager, Exploration & Development Group M Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd) Sue Carter (Senior Environmental Officer, Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd) Sally Modystach (Project Co-ordinator M URS Australia Pty Ltd) Frank Badman (Badman Environmental M Vegetation) Mark Hutchinson (Reptiles M South Australian Museum) Lynne Kajar (Field Equipment M Department for Environment and Heritage) Matt McDowell (Biological Survey Co-ordinator M South Australian Museum) Terry Reardon (Bats M South Australian Museum) Carolyn Secombe (Reptiles M South Australian Museum) David Stemmer (Mammals M South Australian Museum) Cath Kemper (Mammals M South Australian Museum) Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 1 Environmental and Biodiversity Services Executive Summary A fauna survey was conducted in the southern half of the Exploration Lease 3251 (an area surrounding the existing Beverley Uranium Mine), north east of Arkaroola, South Australia in March 2006. A total of nine sites representing four different habitat types were surveyed for fauna species following a standard biological survey methodology developed by the Department for Environment and Heritage (Owens 2000). The dominant habitat types within the project area were: Sclerolaena spp. Herbland on high and low gibber plains (would be a Mitchell Grass (Astrebla pectinata) plain in better years) Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland over chenopods Major findings of the survey were: Mammals - A total of 147 observations of 20 mammal species were made, of which only four are considered to be introduced. Reptiles - A total of 84 observations of 24 reptile species were made, all of which were native species. No amphibian species were observed however little suitable habitat was observed within the project area. Birds - A total of 892 observations of 48 bird species were made, with only one of these an introduced species. No species of conservation significance were observed during the survey. However, one notable capture was a Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse). This record (voucher specimen lodged with the South Australian Museum) is a range extension for this species of over 80km. Gunninah Environmental Consultants completed a fauna survey at the Beverley Mine site as part of the Environmental Impact Statement in 1998. A total of six sites were implemented and the survey was undertaken over a six night period. A similar list of fauna species was recorded compared to the current survey. The Gunninah 1998 survey recorded four reptile species, four mammal species and 20 bird species which were not recorded in the current survey. The current survey recorded three reptile species, two mammal species and ten bird species which were not recorded in the Gunninah 1998 survey. None of the additional species recorded by Gunninah in 1998 were of conservation significance. The annual fauna monitoring at the Beverley Mine site, which re-surveys the trapping site put in by Gunninah Environmental Consultants, has recorded an additional two bird species and three reptile species which were not recorded by Gunninah or during the current fauna survey. None of the additional species are considered to be of conservation significance. It is recommended that mining operation in the area be planned and undertaken such that the impact on the biological environment, including habitat for fauna species, is minimised. An appropriate monitoring program should be incorporated in the Mining and Rehabilitation Program. Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 2 Environmental and Biodiversity Services 1. Introduction This report documents a fauna survey undertaken in the southern half of the Exploration Lease 3251 in an adjacent to the existing Beverley Uranium Mine. The existing project site is approximately 600 km north of Adelaide and 30 km north east of Arkaroola. The field