Animals

Eastern Curlew

Numenius madagascariensis

Conservation Status

Queensland State: Endangered
Australian Government: Critically endangered 

Species overview

Eastern curlews are a migratory shorebird and long-haul flyer traveling up to 20,000km each year. They breed in the northern hemisphere in areas such as Russia, Mongolia and northern China, and spend their non-breeding season (August to late March) along the coastlines and sheltered bays of Australia. Remarkably, they can lose between 40-70% of their body weight one-way on their long journey. 

The birds can be seen stalking slowly through sand/mudflats and wetland areas, foraging for food (crustaceans, small molluscs, as well as some insects) from the surface or probing deep in the sand or mud with their long bills, before retreating to high-tide roosts on beaches, mangroves, and ponds. 

Areas in which eastern curlews have been sighted in the region include: 

• Bucasia Esplanade, Bucasia
• Sandfly Creek, East Mackay 
• Shellgrit Creek, South Mackay

See the Eastern Curlew Storyboard here.

Description 

Eastern curlews are Australia’s largest shorebird species growing more than 60cm tall and weighing on average 900 grams. Their bulky body has a flecked brown and tan plumage, and in flight their barred feathers are visible (lighter under the wings and dark above). Their most distinctive feature, however, is their long, black bill which curves downwards. 

Conservation concerns 

Eastern curlews are nationally listed as “Critically Endangered” and have seen declines of up to 80% of their global population in the past 30 years. As a migratory species, about 75% of the world’s eastern curlews visit Australia, so we have a particular responsibility to protect them to the best of our ability.

The key threats impacting this threatened species include ongoing human disturbance (such as driving on beaches and sand dunes or unrestrained domestic dogs), coastal development, land reclamation, pollution and weed invasion. These disturbances can disrupt their feeding and breeding patterns, as well as cause stress and exhaustion. 

How you can help when visiting the beach:  

• Observe shorebirds from a distance (100m+) 
• Dogs can frighten shorebirds – always walk dogs on a leash 
• Avoid disturbing foredune habitat 
• Keep the environment litter free 
• Report sightings of feral animals to the Council 

Red Goshawk 

Erythrotriorchis radiatus 

Conservation Status
Queensland State: Endangered
Australian Government: Endangered

Species overview

The red goshawk is solitary by nature and only lives in Australia (endemic) where its historical range primarily covered the tropical and subtropical regions of eastern and northern Australia. This threatened species was once widespread, however, its population has declined significantly in recent decades with the species now believed extinct from 34% of its breeding range, and declining across another ~30% of its breeding range (MacColl et al. 2023). Red goshawk pairs remain within the nesting territory all year, but travel hundreds of kilometres as juveniles from their place of birth. 

Areas in which red goshawks have been historically sighted in the region include: 

• Charlton 
• Mackay
• Finch Hatton 

Description 

The red goshawk is a large, swift and powerful red-brown hawk, growing to a length of 45-60 cm, with a wingspan of 100-135 cm. It is one of the most sexually dimorphic raptors in the world as the females weigh nearly twice that of males. The red goshawk can be further distinguished from other similar raptors by its broad ‘six fingered’ wings that are held at slightly angled planes when soaring. 

They are typically found in habitats that support high bird numbers that constitute the majority of their prey but they may also feed on mammals, reptiles, and large insects. The red goshawk is a good indicator of highly productive land and biodiversity. If it’s good enough for red goshawks, it’s good enough for a whole range of other species that rely on old growth trees for habitat and food. 

Conservation concerns 

The red goshawk has the unfortunate title of Australia’s rarest (most threatened) bird of prey. Known threats include heavy grazing, frequent burning, or degradation of freshwater wetlands and riparian areas, which reduce the availability of prey for the red goshawk. 

Habitat destruction and fragmentation for agricultural or industrial purposes remains the most prevalent threat, with fragmentation of habitat a threat as the birds are scarce where lowland forests have been cleared for agriculture. Nests are particularly vulnerable as they are usually found in the tallest trees that are valuable for timber, or are exposed to storm damage and other disturbance. 

What can I do?  

• Maintain large trees for nesting habitat 
• Retain or revegetate riparian habitat 
• Manage weeds in the riparian zone, particularly rubber vine 
• Maintain or enhance existing habitat through revegetation and appropriate fire

Feature Photo credit Queensland Government

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae
Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN)
Queensland State: Vulnerable
Australian Government: Vulnerable, Migratory – BONN

Species and status overview
The marine environment of Mackay, Whitsunday, and Isaac is an important breeding and calving ground for Humpback Whales. Whales migrate from Antarctica to warm waters in winter and give birth to their calves near islands.

Humpback Whales were once heavily exploited through commercial whaling. It is thought up to 95% of the population was harvested prior to its cessation. The population estimate for the Humpback Whale on the east coast of Australia was approximately 8,000 in 2006, this is still less than 40% of their estimated abundance prior to the whaling era. Although whaling was ceased in 1966, the resumption of commercial whaling remains a threat.

Whaling, which was one of Australia’s first primary industries, provided valuable meat and oil products, the latter being used to provide oil for oil lamps and soap. Whaling stations were established along the coast and the Humpback whale was hunted almost to extinction. The numbers of Humpback Whales crashed during the peak of the whaling industry especially in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The Humpback Whale has been protected in the southern hemisphere since 1963 and a worldwide moratorium on whaling was declared in 1986. All marine mammals in Australia are protected and the Humpback Whale population is making a slow recovery, however they are still considered vulnerable.

Description
The Humpback Whale is a large baleen whale that migrates annually along the east and west coasts of Australia. Measuring 15 – 18 metres, the whale weighs 40 tonnes and has characteristic knobbly protuberances on the head and dorsal fin. It is a recognisable whale with distinctive markings on their undersides and a characteristic black and white pattern. They have very large flippers that can vary from all white to all black.

Humpback Whales migrate from summer feeding grounds to their sub-tropical winter breeding grounds, an annual migration of up to 10,000 km that takes several months to complete. The whales are found in the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac region from July to September as they move north, and again when they return south.

The Humpback Whale primarily feeds in summer in Antarctic waters (January-February) with fish and krill forming the major part of their diet. Humpback Whales often forage alone and use a variety of feeding methods such as ‘lunge feeding’ and ‘bubble feeding’. These both require taking in large volumes of water at the surface and then filter feeding the krill through the whales’ baleen plates.

An adult Humpback Whale can eat up to 1500 kg of food a day. Humpback Whales can sing for a period which may last from just minutes to hours, and the song can vary over a range of frequencies with more powerful parts of the song audible over several kilometres underwater.

Conservation concerns
With a low reproductive rate (on average one offspring every two years), population recovery for Humpback Whales is lengthy so the potential resurgence of commercial whaling remains a threat.

Other threats to Humpback Whales include degradation of seasonally important habitat by humans including:

• Acoustic pollution, shipping noise
• Entanglement, for example in marine debris or fishing equipment
• Physical injury and death from ship strike
• Built structures that impact upon habitat availability and/or use, such as marinas, mining or drilling infrastructure
• Changing water quality and pollution, for example runoff from land based sources
• Swimming, snorkelling or diving with whales places both people and animals at risk, with recreational and tourism activities having the potential to affect the behaviour of cetaceans
• Changes to water flow regimes causing extensive sedimentation, or erosion, or altered currents in near shore habitat, for example dredging.
• Climate change is also a major conservation concern, with potential impacts on habitat and food availability as a result of changing ocean currents and temperatures rendering some habitats unsuitable.

What can I do?

• Support the protection of the marine environment as a safe and healthy habitat for Humpback Whales
• Avoid noise pollution and be cautious when undertaking recreational activities during the migration
• Recover fishing equipment including nets and buoys

Common Greenshank

Species and status overview
Conservation Status
Listed marine and migratory (CAMBA, JAMBA, ROKAMBA)

The Common Greenshank travels from its breeding grounds within palaearctic regions of Eurasia and North Africa and arrives in Australia from August to over-winter, having passed through the Torres Strait.

The Common Greenshank is found in a wide variety of inland wetlands and sheltered coastal habitats such as salt marsh, mangroves, seagrass, river estuaries, and deltas. They nest on the ground in the open, usually next to a piece of dead wood or beside rocks, trees, fences or sticks, which act as nest markers. The nest is a shallow scrape lined with plant material.

Its widespread Queensland distribution includes the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria and Gulf Country with a scattered distribution through most coastal areas.

This species has been seen in the following areas

• Blacks Beach
• Bucasia Beach
• Carmilla Beach
• Goorganga Plains
• Hideaway Bay
• Mackay
• McEwans Swamp
• Reliance Creek
• Sarina
• Slade Point Reserve

Description
The Common Greenshank is an elegant wader, 30–35 cm in length, with a wingspan of 55–65 cm which weighs up to 190 g for both males and females. The bill is long and slightly upturned and the legs are long and yellowish-green. They have dark wings with contrasting white underbelly and tail.

The bird can be found alone and in flocks, sometimes numbering hundreds, in a variety of coastal and inland wetlands. Wary, noisy and excitable, the Common Greenshank bobs its head in alarm and flushes with ringing calls. Flight is rapid and often zigzag.

The Common Greenshank is carnivorous and has been recorded eating molluscs, crustaceans, insects, and occasionally fish and frogs by wading in shallow water along the edge of tidal estuaries, muddy clay pans salt works and salt pans and digging through the mud or other substrate. They also take insects on the surface of the water or from the air.

The Common Greenshank has the widest distribution of any shorebird in Australia.

Conservation concerns
The demands of long flights make migratory shorebirds, like the Common Greenshank, susceptible to habitat loss and change or destruction of resting or foraging grounds along their route. Residential, farming and industry development activities represent the major cause of habitat loss or modification in Australia, particularly on the coast.

In addition, industrial pollution is a particular threat, which can lead to the build up of heavy metals or toxins in wetland substrate affecting bottom dwelling prey species.

Changes to water quality can affect food quality and quantity and change the biophysical aspects of a site, making it an unsuitable habitat. Weeds are also a particular concern leading to structural, hydrological, and abiotic changes in coastal, riparian, and aquatic zones.

High use coastal areas and associated recreational fishing, four-wheel driving, unleashed dogs, and jet-skiing may disturb the foraging or roosting behaviour of the Common Greenshank, reducing the energy reserves required by the birds prior to migration.

What can I do?

• Avoid areas where Common Greenshank are known to frequent and keep dogs on a leash
• If approaching by small boats or jet skis, ensure motor is idling and reduce noise to a minimum. If approaching on foot keep well clear, at least 80 m is recommended.

Photo credit Queensland Museum, Gary Cranitch

Brown Booby

Sula leucogaster

Conservation Status
Listed marine and migratory (CAMBA, JAMBA, ROKAMBA)

Species and status overview
The Brown Booby uses marine environments, and roosts on islands and forages at sea. The Brown Booby will also roost on artificial structures including navigation beacons, buoys, and shipwrecks. The species nests on the ground in a variety of sites including rugged rocky terrain on larger islands. Their diet is comprised of flying fish, squid, mullet and anchovy, caught by plunge diving often in association with other seabirds, dolphins, and whales. Brown Boobies breed seasonally with a peak summer nesting period, but elsewhere the species breeds throughout the year.

Locations where the Brown Booby has been recorded in the area include

• Bakers Creek
• Brampton Island
• Bucasia Beach
• Cape Hillsborough
• Hook Island
• Lindeman Island
• Newry Island
• Percy Islands
• Sarina Beach

Description
The Brown Booby is deep brown in colour and has a strong white breast and upper wing. The iris may be cream, yellow, grey, or deep brown and the bill is creamy-grey. Legs and feet are yellow. The average length of the Brown Booby is 65–75 cm with a wingspan of 130–150 cm. Birds weigh from 900–1500 g.

There is little difference between sexes, though females are slightly larger, and males have a deep blue base to their bill.

The brown booby is a superb diver. With a bullet shaped body, forward facing eyes, and a streamlined head and bill, it is adapted to plunging from heights of up to 30 metres into the ocean in search of prey.

Conservation concerns
The Brown Booby has historically been susceptible to predation by humans harvesting chicks and eggs. Increased human visitation in the area creates more food scraps and as a result increases predation by gulls, in addition to disturbing breeding sites and mortalities due to baited fishing hooks. As a deep plunging diver, the Brown Booby is at risk from oil pollution and marine debris.

Climate change, and associated changes in weather, ocean currents and sea levels may have a dramatic impact on this species. Because it nests on low islands, the nests and eggs can be inundated by high tides.

What can I do?

• Ensure you do not leave any litter or food when boating or visiting the islands
• Be aware of where Brown Boobies nest and do not disturb these areas

Black-Naped Tern

Sterna sumatrana

Conservation Status
Listed marine and migratory (CAMBA, JAMBA)

Species and status overview
Black-naped terns breed and roost on islands, and forage in the sea surrounding their colonies. This species is only occasionally found in inshore waters and on the coastal mainland. They nest in exposed, open sites typically just above the high water mark where debris collects. Black-naped terns feed solely on fish by shallow plunging and taking prey from the surface of the water.

In Queensland, breeding is from August to September through to March, with some nesting in June-July.

Black-naped terns have been recorded locally

• Cape Hillsborough
• East Repulse Island
• Edwin Rock
• Henning Island
• Grassy Island
• Hook Island
• Mackay Coast
• Newry Islands
• Olden Island

Description
This marine tern is small and slender, (length 30–32 cm, weight 105 g) with a long and deeply forked tail. Adults are mostly white, with a pale-grey back, faint pinkish underparts, and a black band  which extends from the eye across the back of their heads. The bill, legs, and feet are black, and the eyes dark brown.

Black-naped Terns are sociable birds, and occur in groups ranging from a few, to a hundred birds, that often nest, roost and forage close to other species of terns.

Black-naped Terns often forage over schools of fish that have been forced to the surface by marine predators and they will steal food from other birds.

Conservation concerns
Because they nest on the ground, Black-naped terns are liable to destruction by storm tides, cyclonic weather, and associated flooding, and to predation by ground predators and silver gulls. Black-naped terns are highly sensitive to human disturbance when roosting and nesting and adults may leave  their nests and expose eggs to predation.

What can I do?

• Avoid areas where Black-naped Terns are known to occur, particularly during breeding season
• If approaching by small boats, remain 30 m offshore, ensure motor is idling and make minimal noise,
• If approaching on foot maintain a minimum distance of 80m

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponica 

Conservation Status

Listed marine and migratory (Bonn, CAMBA, JAMBA, ROKAMBA)

Species and status overview

The Bar-tailed Godwit occupies coastal habitats such as large intertidal sandflats, banks, mudflats, estuaries, inlets, harbours, coastal lagoons and bays. It is threatened by habitat alteration as a result of human development as it depends on the coastline for feeding and roosting.

The Bar-tailed Godwit usually forages near the edge of water or in shallow water, mainly in tidal estuaries and harbours, and has a preference for soft mud often with sea grasses.

The Bar-tailed Godwit usually roosts on sandy beaches, sandbars, spits and also in salt marsh.

The Bar-tailed Godwit has been sighted locally in many areas including (but not limited to)

• Airlie Beach
• Blacks Beach
• Bucasia
• Carmilla Beach
• Cannonvale
• Cape Hillsborough
• Cape Palmerston
• Midge Point
• Pioneer River
• Reliance Creek
• Offshore Islands including Whitsunday and Hayman islands

Description

The Bar-tailed Godwit is a large wader, 37-39 cm long and weighing 250-450 g, with a long neck with a very long upturned bill that has a dark tip and pinkish base. All plumage has a uniform upper pattern, with a dark back and upper rump. It is distinguishable from other Godwits by the dark barring on the lower white rump, upper tail and lining of the under-wing. Females are larger than males and have longer bills with a duller breeding plumage.

The species has been recorded in the coastal areas of all Australian states, and it is widespread in the Torres Strait, and along the east and south-east coast of Queensland. The Bar-tailed Godwit is mainly carnivorous with a diet consisting of worms, molluscs, crustaceans, insects and some plant material, and generally feeds no more than one to three kilometres from their roost.

The Bar-tailed Godwit leaves Alaska and east Siberia during July–September, passing through the Philippines between August-October and arriving in Australia from August-November. The return migration begins from early February.

When they are not in Australia, the Bar-tailed Godwit can be found breeding in Scandinavia, Russia, and/or Alaska.

Shoalwater Bay and Broadsound to the south of the region are listed as one of seven Australian sites of international importance for this species. A site is considered important if occupied by more than 1% of the total population.

Conservation concerns

With strong reliance on coastal roosts, the Bar-tailed Godwit is likely to be heavily impacted by habitat disturbance and destruction from coastal development.

Known threats include

• Habitat loss and degradation reduces the availability of foraging and roosting sites which affects the ability of the birds to build up the energy stores required for migration
• Human disturbance of roosts from activities including fishing, boating, dogs, noise, and lighting
• Direct mortality as a result of human activity around migration pathways of shorebirds

What can I do?

• Protect roosts from further disturbance
• Maintain or revegetate coastal and estuarine vegetation
• Maintain water quality to reduce impacts on prey species
• Keep dogs on a leash in known nesting habitat

Photo credit Queensland Government

Koala

Phascolarctos cinereus

Conservation Status
Australian Government Endangered.

In February 2022 the Koala was listed as ‘ENDANGERED‘ in QLD, NSW and ACT under the EPBC Act.

Habitat and Range

Koalas are found in a range of woodland habitats in climates that range from semi-arid to temperate to sub-tropical. In this region there are two main populations, one in the Sarina Range and one at Eton, although they were previously much more widespread. Home ranges vary from 100 ha in very dry areas such as central Queensland to as little as 10 ha in coastal areas. They tend to change trees only a few times each day except for dispersing young males who may move several kilometres including crossing disturbed land and roads.

Koalas are endemic to Australia, in Queensland their range extends inland to the mulga lands, Channel Country, and Mitchell Grass Downs bioregions. Locally several introduced populations occur on islands off the coast of Mackay including Brampton, St. Bees, Newry, and Rabbit.

Diet

Although koalas feed mainly on eucalypts, they may at times supplement their diet with a range of bloodwood or box species (e.g. swamp box). Across their range they have been observed consuming, or sitting in, up to 120 species of different trees, however they will only consume a portion of these and individual koalas usually limit their diet to one or two key species within their local area. For example, 90% of the diet of koalas on St. Bees Island is Queensland blue gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis).

While a koala’s diet of eucalypt leaves is high in dietary fibre, it has a low nutritive value and high toxicity. The koala receives only a small amount of energy from its diet and tends to sleep for up to 20 hours a day.

Reproduction

Koalas can breed at almost anytime of year but mainly occurs over summer and autumn. Reproduction is also affected by climatic changes with a considerable reduction in births in drought years (followed by rapid recovery within a few years of the return to non-drought conditions). In the wild, koalas live for 12 (male) to 15 years (female) respectively with breeding beginning around six years of age. One young is born per year and newly born koalas remain in the pouch for around six to eight months. When they emerge they remain dependent on their mother until about 12 months of age.

Description
Koalas are an arboreal marsupial with a backward-facing pouch to protect Joeys from scratchy tree bark. Queensland Koalas are smaller in size (6.5 kg) compared to their Victorian counterparts (12 kg) and have shorter fur.

Did you know: koalas have unique nose markings that are different for each individual

Koalas have relatively poor vision and rely more on their keen sense of hearing and smell. Their call is distinctive and varies from the distinctive male bellow most often heard during the mating season to low grunts and squeaks. The low frequency of the bellow sound means it can travel long distances and through dense vegetation. Their refined sense of smell assists them to differentiate between leaf species, including toxicity, and to detect scent markings of other koalas.

Koalas are superbly adapted for life in the canopy. Their paws are adapted for gripping and climbing with both front and hind paws having opposable digits and rough pads to aid grip. Their limbs are long and muscular, and their thigh muscle joins the shin much lower than in other mammals, which provides additional strength. They have very little fat and are mainly muscle.

Did you know: koalas are the only non-primates with fingerprints

Did you know: The koala’s closest living relative is the common wombat.

Known threats include

• Habitat loss and fragmentation
• Vehicle strike
• Predation by domestic and wild dogs
• Altered fire regimes
• Diseases such as chlamydia (which reduces fertility) and Koala Retrovirus
• Climate change – warmer and drier conditions forecast across part of their range will cause range contraction. Increased atmospheric CO2 will cause eucalypt leaves to lose protein and increase tannin – reducing their quality as a food source.

What can I do?

• Avoid clearing trees or aim to retain tree-patch connectivity to provide fodder and habitat species for koalas as they migrate across the landscape.
• Increase tree planting on your property, especially in areas that connect patches of remnant vegetation, with a particular focus on koala-friendly tree species
• Maintain suitable grazing regimes that allow some tree regeneration in paddocks.
• Fence off areas of trees to allow recruitment of seedlings.
• Implement suitable fire regimes to maintain koala habitat.
• Control domestic and wild dogs on your property
• Report any sightings of koalas using the link at the bottom of the page

Resources

Koala Tree Species

Biocollect App for Koala Mapping

Further information
National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy 2009-2014
ALA

Photo credit Charley Geddes

Water Mouse

Xeromys myoides

Conservation Status
Queensland State: Vulnerable
Australian Government: Vulnerable

Species and status overview
Found in saltmarsh, samphire shrub lands, mangroves, and coastal freshwater wetlands, the Water mouse is a native rodent and considered Australia’s rarest.

The Proserpine area is thought to be the most northern extent of its range within Queensland, with the distribution then spreading southwards to the NSW border.

The Water mouse has been recorded in the Mackay and Whitsunday region in the following areas

• Repulse Bay
• Thompsons Creek
• Cape Hillsborough
• Bucasia
• Slade Point
• Bakers Creek
• Sandy Creek
• Llewellen Bay
• Cape Palmerston NP

Description
The Water mouse has a white belly and silky slate-grey fur that is sometimes spotted white on the back and is water resistant. They have small eyes, short round ears and a short tail. They are relatively small (average weight 42g), distinguishing them from other species in similar habitat.

Thought to be entirely nocturnal, the Water mouse is carnivorous and feeds on invertebrates, crabs, snails and other gastropods make up the majority of their diet. The Water mouse seeks food amongst mangrove roots and in shallow pools that they visit regularly, depositing the remains of their meals in middens.

A strong, long-lasting pheromone (hormone) is excreted from the Water mouse’s enlarged anal gland. Laid in trails, the pheromone can survive tidal inundation and allows the Water mouse to follow regularly along their own tracks.

Interestingly, while employing a range of nesting strategies in other regions, in the Mackay region the Water mouse appears to only use sloping mud nests built among the buttress roots of mangrove trees. In other areas nests can be observed on small, elevated sedgeland islands within the bank and above high water, or in living or dead trees.

Water mouse mounds can have a separate defecation chamber or toilet.

Conservation concerns
Common known threats include

• The loss, degradation and fragmentation of freshwater and intertidal wetland communities, including through coastal and industrial development
• Habitat degradation through weed invasion including para grass and olive hymenachne
• Changes to hydrology (e.g. increased freshwater inflows and sedimentation from storm water runoff) as a result of adjacent residential development
• Runnelling or bundwall construction
• Recreational vehicles causing the destruction and degradation of habitat
• Drainage of coastal and terrestrial wetlands for urban and industrial development
• Inappropriate burning of sedgeland and adjacent Melaleuca wetland communities
• Predation by feral and domestic dogs, foxes and cats
• Competition for food resources and modification of habitat by feral pigs
• Sea level rise caused by climate change

What can I do?

• Control domestic animals including cats and dogs that may prey on the Water mouse
• Avoid the use of herbicides and pesticides in areas adjacent to Water mouse habitat
• Avoid landscape modifications such as excavation, construction of bund walls or the discharge of polluted water in habitat areas
• Do not drive in inter-tidal areas
• Reduce grazing pressure in known Water mouse habitat

More Information

• National recovery plan for the water mouse (False water rat) Xeromys myoides
• ALA
• EHP

Photo credit Derek Ball

Squatter Pigeon (Southern)

Geophaps scripta scripta

Conservation Status:
Queensland State: Vulnerable
Australian Government: Vulnerable

Species and status overview
A bird of the grassy plains and open forests and woodlands, declines of the Squatter pigeon were recorded during the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries and the species distribution is contracting northwards. Currently, their range extends from the Burdekin-Lynd divide to the Border Rivers region of NSW and west to Hughenden, Longreach and Charleville. Populations south of the Carnarvon Ranges that are isolated or sparsely distributed are considered extremely important to the conservation of the species.

Historically the Squatter pigeon has been impacted by a combination of habitat loss, habitat degradation and predation. These factors continue to threaten the subspecies today.

Squatter pigeons have been recorded locally in the following areas

• Proserpine
• Goorganga Plains
• Crediton SF
• St Helens Creek
• Mt Dryander
• Kelsey Creek
• Dingo Beach
• Hay Creek
• Hook Island
• Pine Mountain
• Kinchant Dam
• Cathu SF
• North Gregory
• Midge Point

Description
The Squatter pigeon is brown with a black face and white markings around the eye, throat, chin and neck. The wings are also brown with pale feather edges, giving a mottled effect. The breast is a deep grey-blue with a distinctive white ‘V’ below it.

Their habitat is dominated by a canopy of Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Acacia or Callitris species. They can also be found in regrowth or partially modified vegetation. Squatter pigeons are only found within three km of a water body or water course, and when breeding must be within 1 km. Their breeding habitat is in well-drained gravelly, sandy or loamy soil, where they nest in a shallow depression lined with grass and leaves.
When threatened or approached the Squatter pigeon ‘squats’ giving rise to it’s apt common name.
The Squatter pigeon feeds predominantly on fallen seeds of grasses, herbs and shrubs including Acacia species. They will also pick seeds and ticks from the droppings of livestock. Their diet varies seasonally and with the availability of food. They have a distinctive call opting for a soft oop-oop-oop or a harsh, abrupt coo.

Conservation concerns
Known threats include

• Habitat destruction and fragmentation for agricultural or industrial purposes
• Degradation of habitat though overgrazing by livestock
• Degradation of habitat by invasive weeds such as buffel grass
• Predation by feral cats and foxes in combination with native predators such as the dingo, snakes and birds of prey
• Drought and inappropriate fire regimes may exacerbate existing threats

What can I do?

• Maintain or enhance existing habitat through revegetation, weed control and appropriate fire management practices
• Reduce grazing pressure in known Squatter pigeon habitat
• Keep cats indoors

More Information

• ALA
• Clarke Conners Range Fire Management Guidelines

Photo credit Len Ezzy

Sea Turtles

Flatback Turtle

Natator depressus
Queensland State: Vulnerable
Australian Government: Vulnerable

Green Turtle

Chelonia mydas
Queensland State: Vulnerable
Australian Government: Vulnerable

Hawkesbill Turtle

Eretmochelys imbricata
Queensland State: Vulnerable
Australian Government: Vulnerable

Loggerhead Turtle

Caretta caretta
Queensland State: Endangered
Australian Government: Endangered

Leatherback Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea
Queensland State: Endangered
Australian Government: Endangered

* Note all species listed marine and migratory

Species and status overview
Sea turtles vary between species and may be greenish, yellow or black. Their carapace, or shell, may be leathery (e.g. Leatherbacks), flat (e.g. flat backs) or have a more rounded shape. Unlike other turtles they can not retract their flippers or head into the shell. Their mouth is beak-like and varies depending on their primary food source.

Sea turtles are a common and enjoyable sight in the waters and beaches of Mackay and the Whitsundays. Species include Green and Flatback turtles with  other occasional visitors including Hawkesbill, Leatherback, and Loggerheads. Of these, Green, Flatback and Loggerhead turtles are known to nest in the area with Mackay being the northernmost region of breeding for the latter species. Uncommon turtles in the area include Leatherbacks which are represented by a single record from Bucasia Beach in 1985.

Sea turtles play an important role in the ecology of our oceans and beaches. Sea grasses need to be grazed to maintain their health. As there are few large herbivorous species that graze on sea grass, sea turtles are integral to their survival. Sea grass beds provide important habitat for a range of other species including fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. Turtle eggs, shells, and trapped hatchling carcasses provide important nutrients to the dunal vegetation that protects inland sediment and vegetation from erosion.

While Sea Turtle populations worldwide are known to be in decline, one long term monitoring project identified a drastic 50-80% decline of nesting Loggerheads in Queensland between the 1970’s and 1990, prompting the national recovery of all listed marine turtles in Australia.

Today measures such as the use of turtle exclusion devices in marine industries (for example northern prawn trawling and fishing) have reduced the by-catch of turtles by up to 99%. However a myriad of other threats remain.

Description
Most turtles are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of sea life such as jelly fish, invertebrates and crabs as well as sea sponges, sea grass and algae. However this varies between species – for example, the adult Green Turtle is herbivorous. To cope with the salt injected during feeding, Sea Turtles have developed a salt gland within the eye area that is capable of excreting salt at higher concentrations than seawater, allowing them to cope with the excessive consumption of this mineral.

Sea Turtle breeding begins in October with hatchlings continuing to emerge until about April. On mainland beaches adjacent to Mackay, Flatbacks are the most common species returning to nest and lay eggs. On offshore islands throughout the region, nesting is generally a mix of Green and Flatback turtles.

Sea Turtles can remain underwater for up to five hours slowing their heart to conserve oxygen. Up to nine minutes can elapse between heartbeats.

Despite long migrations female Sea Turtles are able to navigate and return to the beach on which they were initially laid. Using the remarkable ability to locate and follow the earth’s magnetic field, visual cues and wave direction, Loggerheads are the most impressive of these oceanic wanderers. During a huge migration that begins as soon as a hatchling has emerged from the sand, you would think that these tiny turtles are born with an in-built GPS.

As soon as Sea Turtle hatchlings reach the ocean they begin to swim for the open ocean and they continue to swim, without pause, for the next 24-36 hours.

Conservation concerns
Known threats include

• Turtles killed or injured during fishing for other species (by-catch)
• Marine debris ingestion or entrapment
• Shark control activities
• Boat strike
• Traditional hunting
• Pearl farming and other aquaculture activities
• Defense and military marine activities
• Coastal development including light pollution and the destruction of coastal habitat
• Feral pigs and foxes
• Tourism and recreational activities

What can I do?

• Protect nesting beaches from artificial lighting
• Control feral pigs and foxes
• Ensure debris such as plastic bags are contained and disposed of responsibly so they don’t end up in waterways and oceans
• Be a responsible boater: slow down when transiting over seagrass meadows and near nesting beaches
• Avoid driving on beaches, especially during the summer breeding season

To report sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, marine animal strikes or marine animal strandings, please call RSPCA Qld. on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).

More Information

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
• Marine Turtles in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area
• Marine Turtles in Australia
• Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia

Photo credits – Joely Whiting, Flatback Turtle; Claire Barton, Hawksbill Turtle1; Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA) Flatback turtle; Claire Barton Hawksbill Turtle2; Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA) flatback turtle hatchling; Commonwealth of Australia (GBRMPA), Green turtle.

Proserpine Rock-Wallaby

Petrogale persephone

Conservation Status
Queensland State: Endangered
Australian Government: Endangered

Species and status overview
Found in deciduous vine forest amongst rock piles and rocky outcrops on the mainland, the Proserpine rock-wallaby is arguably the best known of our local threatened species in the Whitsunday area. This species can only be found in select regions close to Proserpine and Airlie Beach and has the smallest known distribution of any rock-wallaby – known and total potential habitat is only around 17,000 ha. The Proserpine rock-wallaby is also the only known species of rock-wallaby to live exclusively in the rainforest.

The Proserpine rock-wallaby has been found to exist in 24 sites, including three primary sites – Conway Range, Mt Dryander, Clarke Range, and Gloucester Island.  On Gloucester Island, the wallabies prefer a beachside habitat that allows them to utilise beach scrub, as well as rock piles and outcrops covered with dry vine scrub. Higher up they can be found in Acacia open forest.

Importantly, many of the sites which are home to the Proserpine rock-wallaby are divided by up to 20 km of terrain that is unsuitable habitat including urban areas, roads and cane farms. If habitats are lost, the wallabies are unable to naturally recolonise. Monitoring to determine the continued presence of populations and their condition at each site is critical.

Recorded habitat sites for the Proserpine rock-wallaby include

• Conway Range
• Dryander National Park
• Mandalay Point
• Clarkes Range
• Gloucester Island
• Hayman Island (population translocated)
• Mt. Lucas
• Mt Dryander
• Repulse creek
• Bluff Point
• Grimstone Point
• Pioneer Point

Description
Proserpine rock-wallabies stand less than 60 cm high and have a dark grey body and light grey chest and belly. The tail is brown with a white tip. Within hours of giving birth females will mate for a second time. They time the birth of their young so that the day after the elder sibling leaves the pouch permanently, the next young is born. Proserpine rock-wallabies can breed year round.

Opportunistic feeders, Proserpine rock-wallabies eat 142 different species of plants, including the leaves of trees, shrubs and grasses and fruit when available. They are nocturnal and considered cautious, making them difficult to trap and observe.

Conservation concerns
Common known threats include

• Habitat clearing
• Vehicle collisions
• Predation (feral dogs, dingoes and domestic dogs. A recent (2012) incursion of the red fox may also pose a threat as it has to other wallaby species)
• Disease (including toxoplasmosis spread through cat faeces and hydatid tapeworms from dogs)
• High intensity fire in dry years
• Toxic garden plants
• Climate change

What can I do?

• Keep dogs fenced and cats indoors and do not give cats raw meat. This can cause them to contract and spread toxoplasmosis
• Raise awareness of the Proserpine rock-wallaby within your community
• Remove toxic plants from your garden
• Restore existing habitat and improve connectivity between patches of habitat

More Information

• National Recovery Plan for the Proserpine rock-wallaby
• EHP
• ALA
• Plants suitable to rehabilitate native habitat and plant species that may be toxic to the Proserpine rock-wallaby

Photo captions Proserpine Rock Wallaby NPRSR2, Proserpine Rock Wallaby NPRSR3, Proserpine Rock Wallaby NPRSR

Orange-Speckled Forest-Skink

Eulamprus luteilateralis

Conservation Status
Queensland State: Vulnerable

Species and status overview
Endemic to Queensland, the orange-speckled forest-skink is known only from upland rainforest on the Clarke Range above 900m. Their preferred habitat is log or rock piles often near creeks where the sun is able to penetrate the rainforest canopy. They are known to be diurnally active, meaning active, both day and night.

The orange-speckled forest-skink was described by Covacevich and McDonald in 1980 to be the “only skink within it’s genus,” meaning there are no other known ‘similar’ skinks.

They have they been recorded in

• Clarke Range
• Eungella National Park

Description
The orange-speckled forest-skink grows up to 90 mm long and can be identified with orange sides and scattered white spots. It is a slender skink with smooth and glossy scales. The skink has a brown body with darker-edging on the scales; a prominent feature is a distinctive black patch above the front limbs.

Conservation concerns
Threats:

• Clearing of existing vegetation
• Deterioration of water quality
• Climate change and its long-term effect on habitat.

What can I do?
Avoid clearing near creeks and streams.

More Information

• ALA
• AROD

Photo credit Queensland Museum

Status and species overview

The Northern quoll, a primarily carnivorous marsupial, is the smallest of the four Australian quoll species. Primarily nocturnal, they inhabit a diverse range of woodlands, beaches and creek lines in northern Australia and do not have highly specific habitat requirements. However their range has contracted significantly since the arrival of Europeans, with the species remaining in isolated populations across the northern part of the continent.

Unusually, male Northern quolls die after mating and rarely live for more than a year leaving the females alone to raise their young. Females too, often die after breeding with only thirty percent surviving to reproduce in a second year. Female quolls may live for two or three years and only produce one or two litters in a lifetime.

Northern quolls have been recorded locally in the following areas

• Crediton SF
• Midge Point
• Proserpine River
• Peter Faust Dam
• Dryander
• Cannonvale
• Finch Hatton
• St. Helens Creek
• Cathu SF
• Bucasia
• Kelsey Creek
• Goorganga Plains
• Dingo Beach
• Cape Upstart
• Cape Gloucester

Fire regimes specific to maintaining northern quoll habitat have been recommended for the Mackay and surrounding Whitsunday region.

Land managers are encouraged to burn in the early dry or storm season and to utilise cool fires that are more likely to retain hollow logs and stags used by quolls. Retaining unburnt patches also ensures the availability of shelter for protection from predators and maintains habitat for prey species. The burning of small areas (100-500 ha only) in a single burn is encouraged, with 50% mosaic. Land managers should avoid burning during the dry season when young are born as this limits their chance of survival to adulthood. Northern Quoll Fire Management

Description

The northern quoll, the size of a cat, is brown to greyish-brown with white spots. It has a cream to white belly and a tail with sparse fur.

They feed primarily on insects, but may occasionally feed on small mammals, birds, snakes, lizards and frogs but will also consume fruit, including figs. northern quolls will change their diets according to season and food availability.

Habitat features utilised by the northern quoll vary and may include hollow logs, tree hollows, rocky areas, human dwellings and termite mounds. However of these, rocky areas including (in Queensland) sites with large boulders have been identified as retaining the most abundant remnant populations. These areas provide a fire-sheltered habitat and offer reduced risk from common predators, such as cats, who are limited in their ability to forage. Rocky areas also retain water for longer periods and support a higher diversity of microhabitats, providing the quoll with a greater range and availability of food sources.

Researchers are attempting to teach captive northern quolls not to eat Cane Toads. With no physiological resistance to the poisonous toads, northern quolls have disappeared from many parts of their range since cane toads reached these areas. Skinned cane toad meat, with poisonous parts removed, was mixed with a nausea-inducing chemical, stuffed back into the toad leg skin and fed to the quolls making them feel ill. Repeated attempts to feed cane toad to the quolls resulted in some of them refusing to eat the toad meat. It is hoped that quolls that refuse cane toads will be released into the wild and teach their young to avoid the toxic toads and dine instead on more palatable species.

Conservation concerns

Known threats include:

• Ingestion of cane toad toxin
• Predation by feral cats and foxes and competition with the latter
• Habitat alteration and destruction through altered fire regimes, land clearing, mining, improved pastures and grazing

What can I do?

• Control cane toads on your property
• Ensure cats are kept indoors
• Maintain suitable grazing regimes to reduce the impact of cattle on quoll habitat (maintain low stocking rates to maintain ground cover)
• Implement suitable fire regimes to maintain Northern quoll habitat
  

Further Information

• National Recovery Plan for the Northern Quoll
• EHP Queensland Quolls
• ALA
• Clarke Conners Range Fire Management Guidelines

Photo credit Tina  Ball

Little Tern

Sternula albifrons

Conservation Status
Queensland State: Endangered
Australian Government: Marine and Migratory
Listed CAMBA
Listed JAMBA
Listed ROKAMBA

Species and status overview
The Little Tern breeds on the coast from northwestern Australia, through the Northern Territory, to northern Queensland and south to Victoria and Tasmania, including offshore islands. They nest in small colonies of a single species or in combination with other species such as Fairy terns. In Australia the average breeding colony size is 50 pairs with the eastern sub-population, including those on the Mackay/Whitsunday coast, breeding during the spring and summer.

Sheltered coastal sites such as river mouths, estuaries, deltas, sand dunes and lakes all provide nesting habitat for Little terns especially those with beaches, sandbanks and sand-spits. They have also been known to utilise artificial banks or islands though these are sometimes abandoned as unsuitable due to a lack of stability or overheating. One to three eggs are laid in shallow scrape or depression in the sand, often close to drift wood, seaweed or other debris, however they avoid vegetated areas and will abandon nesting sites should they become overgrown.

Nesting success of the Little Tern at some colonies in eastern Australia is extremely low, it is estimated to be between 6.5-17.9% of eggs resulting in fledglings although this low survival rate can be improved with good management, including a lack of disturbance.

Little terns predominantly feed within 50 metres of the shoreline often close to the breeding colony but will also feed from coastal lagoons and lakes and occasionally in the open ocean. The majority of their diet is comprised of small fish (up to 10 cm) but they will also eat molluscs, invertebrates and crustaceans. They usually forage singly or in small loose flocks.

Where have they been recorded in the area?

• Edgecumbe Bay
• Repulse bay
• Eshelby Island
• Whitsunday Islands
• St Helens Beach
• Bucasia
• Eimeo
• Slade Point
• Mackay Harbour
• Mackay City
• McEwens Beach
• Greenhill
• Carmilla Beach

Description
Reaching only 20-28 cm and 53 g, the Little Tern, as it’s name suggests is quite small for this group of birds. However, what they lack in size they make up for in beauty with an elegant profile of pale grey and white plumage and long narrow wings. While the back and wings are grey they have a white rump, upper tail-covers and tail that has a contrasting black edge. Their breeding plumage differs from non-breeding. Breeding birds have a bright yellow beak with legs and feet of bright orange and a black skullcap. In non-breeding birds, the skullcap recedes to a dark band extending from in from the eyes to the nape merging to dark spotting on the rear crown. Non-breeding birds have black feet, legs and beak. Juveniles are similar to non-breeding adults. The male initiates the courtship ritual by presenting a fish to the female.

Conservation concerns
Highly susceptible to human disturbance during nesting, feral and domestic dogs, cats, rats and foxes all prey on Little Terns. This is compounded by human disturbances such as loss of nests and eggs by trampling, crushing from vehicles or egg loss as disturbed birds may not return to the nest in time to maintain a suitable temperature.

Threats

• Predation and disturbance by feral and domestic dogs, cats and foxes
• Loss or degradation of marine habitats through development or modification of hydrology and landform.
• Loss of the quality and quantity of food supplies from pesticides, other pollutants or over-fishing.
• Disturbance, trampling or crushing of nest sites by humans.
• Natural nest disturbance such as flooding and storm surges, or native predators that may become more common in a changing climate.

What can I do?

• Avoid nesting colonies during spring and summer to minimise disturbance
• Keep dogs on leads and cats indoors
• Raise awareness of Little terns within your community

More Information

• EHP Species Profile
• Inshore and Coastal Foraging Seabirds – A Vulnerability Assessment for the Great Barrier Reef
• Birdlife International Species profile
• ALA

Photo credit Andrew McDougall

Species and status overview

Found in only nine streams in the Clarke Range, the Eungella Day Frog, as its name suggests, is predominantly active during the day, though occasionally male calls can be heard at night. The call is a gentle rattling sound that is difficult to hear over the sound of rushing water.

These generally unremarkable little frogs were considered common across their range until indications of decline were recorded in the 1980’s. In May 1987 it was thought the Eungella Day Frog might have become extinct until an individual was discovered in 1992, raising hope for the species.

While the cause of the species decline is not well understood, it is thought chytrid fungus and the associated fungal disease, Chytridiomycosis, may be a contributing factor. However it is yet to be identified in frog populations in the region. Chytridiomycosis is an infectious disease affecting amphibians worldwide and chytrid fungus has caused the decline and extinction of several species related to the Eungella Day Frog .

The Eungella Day Frog has been recorded in Eungella National Park and Pelion State Forest.

Description

Ranging in size from 2-3cm, the Eungella dayfrog has a brown to yellowish-tan back, often featuring a dark irregular ‘X’, and an off-white to cream belly. The species can be found in rainforest and eucalypt forest, primarily in small creeks and streams within the splash zones of waterfalls and cascades, or on emergent rocks within the streams. A true stream-dweller, the Eungella dayfrog spends its entire life at the stream with females laying 30-50 eggs in rocks under the water. Peak breeding season is usually between January and May, although newly hatched tadpoles have been recorded in April, May and December, indicating that breeding can also occur outside this period.

The male Eungella dayfrog has a soft call but makes up for his lack of vocal ability through visual cues. Head bobbing and flicking or waving of the legs is thought to be an alternative form of communication and is sometimes even combined with some fancy hops.

Conservation concerns

Threats include:

• Limited numbers of animals in a small distribution area
• Loss of habitat from clearing of existing vegetation
• Deterioration of water quality in known population locations
• The possibility of chytrid fungus and the associated fungal disease, Chytridiomycosis
• Climate change and the long term effect of climate variability on habitat

What can I do?

• Ensure your activities in and around wetland and riparian vegetation, including farming, do not adversely affect water quality
• Decrease impact on habitat within and adjacent to streams

More Information

• EHP Profile
• ALA

Photo credit: H.B. Hines

Dugong

Dugong dugon

Conservation Status
Queensland State: Vulnerable
Australian Government: Vulnerable
Listed Marine
Listed Migratory

Species and status overview
Dugongs primarily inhabit coastal waters but have been known to utilise estuarine creeks and have been tracked for several kilometers upstream. Dugongs aggregate in feeding groups in wide, shallow, protected bays, mangrove channels, and among large inshore islands. They can also be seen further offshore where the continental shelf is wide, protected and shallow. Dugong feeding trails indicate that they also utilise deep water sea-grass species with one feeding trail found in 33 metres of water in northeast Queensland.

Dugongs are highly migratory animals and are known to move seasonally to warmer waters over short distances, while trips between 100-400 kilometres are commonly observed. Long distance movements are also occasionally known to occur, with an adult female tracked for 600 kilometres over five days between two locations in the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is believed that this movement may be due to the ephemeral nature of sea-grass beds on which the species rely.

Dugongs are long-lived animals, with the oldest Dugong age-assessed (through tusk examination) estimated to be 73 when she died. They are also slow to breed with most females having their first baby between 10 and 17 years of age. Following a gestation period of 13 months, the young are born, usually with only one young in a litter.

Mothers give birth in shallow waters, such as tidal sandbanks and estuaries as a strategy to avoid predators. The calf will suckle for 18 months and supplement the mothers milk with sea-grass from shortly after birth, assisting their rapid growth from an early age. The mother will generally not breed again for at least 3-7 years, thus they have a very low reproduction rate. Dugongs have the ability to delay breeding if insufficient food sources are available.

Dugong are members of the order Sirenia that also includes three species of manatees and the Steller’s sea cow that has been extinct since the 1800’s. The name Sirenia derives from the Greek ‘sirens’ and comes from a legend involving lonely sailors at sea mistaking Dugong for mermaids.

Dugong feed primarily on sea-grass, which they remove entirely from the seabed including roots. However they are quite selective about their diet, targeting species that are high in nitrogen and low in fibre. This means they maximise their intake of nutrients, whilst reducing the amount of bulk.  Dugongs also feed on marine algae and are known to search for macro-invertebrates at the southern limits of their range in both Western Australia and on the East Coast. The Dugong is the only marine mammal in Australia that feeds primarily on plants.

A Dugong diet is very specialised, they eating only certain suitable sea-grass meadows. When referring to the total area of sea-grass, this is a poor indication of its value to the species and localised impacts (e.g. high rates of aquatic sedimentation) can have a huge impact on a Dugong population within an area.

Sedimentation can be caused by many forms of human activities and natural disasters (see threats below). Sedimentation causes increased levels of turbidity that decrease the amount of available light and smother sea-grasses. Other threats include increased epiphytic growth caused by high levels of nutrients.

Dugongs are recognised as one of the values for which the Great Barrier Reef was declared a World Heritage Area.

Where have they been recorded in the area?

• Cape Gloucester
• Edgecumbe Bay
• Pioneer Bay
• Shute Harbour
• Offshore Islands
• Repulse bay
• Sand Bay
• Glendowner Bay
• Coconut Point

Description
The Dugong can grow to around 2.5-3.5 metres in length and can weigh an enormous 230-420 kilos. The Dugong is a large, rotund, herbivorous mammal that spends its entire life in the sea. They have a broad horizontal tail that provides propulsion, and paddle-like forelimbs. Like all mammals, Dugongs breathe air through their nostrils located near the top of their snouts and the only reason these animals ever surface from the ocean is to breathe. Sensitive bristles or hairs cover the upper lip of their large snouts which allow them to find sea grass despite their limited vision.

Dugong mothers and calves communicate through a series of ‘chirps’ and although they are predominantly solitary animals they can be seen travelling in pairs or groups of three to six animals.  Dugongs are more closely related to elephants than any other marine mammal including whales and dolphins.

Conservation concerns
Despite the fact that commercial dugong hunting no longer occurs, there are a wide range of threats that continue to put pressure on their global population.

Threats

• Accidental catch in gill and mesh fishing nets, including during commercial Barramundi fishing.
• Accidental catch in shark control nets.
• Habitat loss and degradation – seagrass communities are very sensitive to human influence including sedimentation from runoff, dredging activities, mining, trawling and natural disasters such as cyclones. They are also heavily affected by increased nutrients from sewage runoff, detergents, heavy metals, water discharge from desalination plants, fertiliser and other waste products.
• Indigenous harvest
• Boat strike and boating activities, Dugongs travel slowly, only around 10 km/h and must surface every one to three minutes to breathe making them extremely susceptible to boat strike.
• Tourism – Dugong watching and harassment
• Acoustic pollution
• Chemical pollution
• Disease and parasites
• Capture stress
• Aquaculture
• Tidal surges
• Starvation/Loss of seagrass

One method used to mitigate the effects of commercial fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is the implementation of Dugong Protection Areas (DPA’s).

DPA – A Zones contain over 50% of dugong numbers in the southern GBR and prohibit offshore, foreshore and drift nets. Within the wider Mackay/Whitsunday region, Upstart Bay, and the Newry region are DPA – A zone declared areas.

DPA – B Zones contain about 22% of the Dugong population in the southern GBR. Here, mesh netting is allowed to continue but with restrictions in place. Within the region DPA – B zones include Edgecumbe Bay, Repulse Bay, Llewellyn bay and the Clairview region.

To report sick, injured or orphaned wildlife, marine animal strikes or marine animal strandings, please call RSPCA Qld. on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).

What can I do?

• Attend fishing nets at all times
• Reduce boat speed in warm shallow waters
• Ensure your activities in and around wetland and riparian vegetation do not adversely affect water quality or hydrology

Photo credit Commonwealth of Australia

Coastal Sheathtail-Bat

Taphozous australis

Conservation Status:
Queensland State: Vulnerable

Species and status overview
Occupying sea caves, boulder piles, rock fissures and buildings (usually within a few metres of high tide), the Coastal sheathtail-bat is thought to be threatened by habitat alteration particularly from coastal development. Roost site disturbance from human visitation is also a known threat at some sites, in some cases the loss is estimated to be up to 50%.

The species can be found locally in the Mackay and Whitsunday region in the following areas

• Cape Hillsborough
• Shute Harbour area
• Dryander National Park
• Double Bay

Description
The Coastal sheathtail-bat has soft grey-brown fur with a whitish-cream belly and a fox-like head. Their tails project from the upper centre of the tail membrane. A relatively large microbat, their wing span is approximately 39.5 cm with a body length of about 5 cm.

The species occupy an area from Shoalwater Bay to the Torres Straight in a narrow coastal band, generally feeding no more than one to three km from their roost. However they have been recorded foraging within 15 km of the coast, primarily over mangrove, Melaleuca and rainforest communities.

Their diet consists of beetles and other insects taken on the wing.

The bats roost in low densities (2-25 individuals) during the day. They have previously been recorded in roosts of up to 100, though not in recent years.

Coastal sheath-tail bats are readily distinguished from other cave dwelling micro-bats by both their relatively large size and their habit of imitating a spider as they crawl along the cave ceiling and walls using their thumbs and feet.

Conservation concerns
With strong reliance on coastal roosts across a limited range, the Coastal sheath-tail bat is likely to be heavily impacted by habitat disturbance and destruction from coastal development.

Known threats include

• Human disturbance of roosts
• Loss of foraging habitat through coastal development

What can I do?

• Protect roosts from further disturbance
• Avoid clearing in known Coastal sheath-tail foraging habitat

More Information

• Taxon Summary: The Action Plan for Australian Bats
• ALA

Photo credit Eddie Adams, MareeCali

Black-Throated Finch (white-rumped subspecies)

Poephila cincta cincta

Conservation Status
Queensland State: Endangered
Australian Government: Endangered

Species and status overview
The decline of the delicate Black-throated finch in Australia has been rapid, estimated to be more than 50% of the species in the last 10 years.

Black-throated finch previously occurred from northern New South Wales to Ingham, however there have been few records of the subspecies south of 23°S since the 1970s. There have been no recorded sightings from Brisbane since the 1930s, and the species was listed extinct around Rockhampton during the 1970s.

Black-throated finch have been recorded locally in the following areas:

• Dalrymple Heights
• Bells Creek, Southwest of Bakers Creek

Description
A small and stocky bird the Black-throated finch has a pale to mid-blue head with a black beak, tail and throat. The remaining body is a pinkish-fawn colour. The subspecies cincta is distinguished by having a white rump.

Grassy open forests of eucalypts, wattles, paperbarks and bloodwoods are the typical habitat of the Black-throated finch. They have also been known to inhabit tussock grassland and freshwater wetlands, often along riparian areas or in the vicinity of water. These areas are likely to provide refuge during the dry season, especially during drought years.

While the Black-throated finch mostly nests in hollow tree branches they have also been known to nest in tall grasses, mistletoe or strangely, beneath active raptor nests.
The finches’ primary food source is partially ripened grass seed and occasionally seeds of other plants. However their diet varies with season and they are known to forage on insects and insect larvae. This is particularly true during the wet season, which coincides with breeding season in the north.

Conservation concerns
The decline of Black-throated Finches coincided with the development of pastoralism that began early in the 20th century. The ongoing clearance of woodland habitats is likely to be increasing the pressure on the subspecies. In addition, the species has been impacted by the trapping of birds for captive trade, which may have led to the extinction of some populations.

Known threats include

• Degradation of habitat by domestic livestock including a reduction in food availability during the wet season and alteration of vegetation structure.
• Clearing and fragmentation of woodland and riparian habitats
• Altered habitat through changed fire regimes
• Invasion of habitat by weed species including exotic grasses
• Illegal trapping for captive trade
• Predation by introduced predators

What can I do?

• Control weeds and introduced grasses in areas of Black-throated finch habitat
• Avoid fires in the late dry season and burn in patchy mosaic patterns to promote grasses of various ages and stages of life cycle
• Implement suitable stock carrying capacities that allow grasses in some areas to seed during the wet season
• Avoid clearing and fragmentation of woodlands and riparian habitats in areas of known Black-throated finch populations

More Information

• National Recovery Plan
• EHP Profile
• ALA

Photo credit Len Ezzy

Australian Painted Snipe

Species and status overview
The Australian painted snipe is a bird of the wetlands and marshes. They nest on the ground amongst tall vegetation, such as tussock grasses and reeds, often residing on islands. The nest is made of a scrape in the ground, lined with grass and leaves. After laying her eggs the female leaves the incubation and rearing of the young to the males while she breeds again, sometimes laying several clutches in a season.
When threatened, the painted snipe acts quickly. The birds may freeze, emit a loud hiss or buzz or make a threat display in which they raise their tails and extend both wings curved forwards to the ground. This makes them appear larger while also displaying their brightly coloured plumage.
The painted snipe is omnivorous, feeding on both the seeds of various wetland plants as well snails, worms and water beetles. They shelter during the day and emerge to feed at dusk.

The species has been recorded in the following locations, the lagoons area, Mackay, Walkerston, Glen Isla and Proserpine River.

Description
Beautifully coloured, the painted snipe is unlikely to be confused with other species.

Unlike most birds, the female is the more brightly coloured with a white crown stripe and eye patch and a chestnut and black hood. The female also displays a curved white collar. The remaining wings and body are patterned with black, green and grey plumage.

The male is smaller and duller in colour. He appears more grey, though features similar patterns to the female on the crown and collar and more intense spotting on the wings.
Conservation concerns
It is estimated that a population decline of more than 30% has occurred in the past 26 years (3 generations) (Garnett et al. 2011).

Known threats include

• Grazing and trampling by cattle of vegetation used for nesting, foraging and shelter
• Clearing of riparian vegetation for agriculture
• Wetland disturbance and reduced water quality (e.g. increased nutrients and salt content)
• Altered flooding regimes due to the manipulation of waterways
• Possible predation by feral animals (e.g. feral cats)

What can I do?

• Improve wetland health through revegetation or erect fencing to protect riparian habitat from trampling and grazing by cattle
• Keep cats indoors at night
• Ensure activities in and around wetland and riparian vegetation do not adversely affect water quality or hydrology

Photo credit Len Ezzy