Bilby records from Fortescue’s Mainline monitoring (2013-ongoing) Bruce Greatwich – Zoologist

Presentation Overview Introduction to monitoring Results of 2013 monitoring Broad-scale location Population fine-scale habitats Vegetation associations Summary and questions

Fortescue’s Mainline monitoring Additional Rail Infrastructure Project – duplication and sidings along existing rail between Herb Elliott Port and the Cloudbreak Mine (Mainline) Fortescue have developed the Additional Rail Infrastructure: EPBC Fauna Management Plan Have implemented the fauna management plan and conducted initial year of monitoring for EPBC listed species Goal of ongoing monitoring and long-term protection and management of conservation significant fauna associated with the Project

Location and previous records Mainline (NatureMap 2013)

Results of 2013 monitoring Desktop assessment of previous records Searches for secondary evidence within suitable habitat Where evidence was recorded, detailed searching of area Motion camera on burrows to confirm presence 23 active burrows from four active populations recorded Confirmation through motion cameras recorded from two sites and seven burrows (only)

Evidence of secondary evidence

Motion Camera records. Bilbies were recorded from 7 of the 23 active burrows on camera. Limitations in determining actual number of individuals except for obvious discrepancies as photo examples.

Broad-scale location of populations Isolation of Bilby population due to rocky barriers. Chichesters to south and west. Un-named rocky ranges to the east (Marble Bar) and narrow channel to the north inbetween Wodjina mine.

Population Fine-scale habitats Consistency in habitats of locations where populations recorded. Upper reaches of lower order streams. One location on advice from Martin at DPaW, then investigation of similar habitats.

Population Fine-scale habitats Four populations consistent in their fine-scale habitat features Fringing sand (plain) immediately adjacent to minor drainage line Surrounding areas too rocky (granite), drainage line itself (and larger order streams?) too sandy Deposition over time has formed small patches of ideal habitat Drainage lines utilised as dispersal routes? Hedland sandplain - old burrows recorded but no active burrows

Population aerial map Close proximity to rail indicating tolerance to disturbance post construction? Rehabilitated area of previous tracks and drilling operations (>15 years ago). Proximity to granite rocky areas. Number of Active burrows with few camera trap records, of which no obvious captures of Bilby entering/exiting burrow. Looked like same individual (male) on all burrows.

Population Fine-scale habitats Acacia stellaticeps. Minor drainage line. Rocky areas. Degradation at bottom site from cattle.

Vegetation associations Strong feeding association with Acacia bivenosa Habitat association with Acacia stellaticeps Mulgara – also recorded at all four populations Bivenosa roots or insect association? Common species of Pilbara so not an indicator. Growth form of stellaticeps, open on ground but cover from above. Enables Bilbies to move around. Spinifex too dense makes moving around difficult? Mulgara less habitat specific but good Bilby habitat = good Mulgara habitat. Mulgara in Bilby hole – didn’t record any Bilbies at that site despite obvious very fresh evidence.

Summary and Questions? Relatively isolated broad-scale location (rocky barriers) Consistency in populations recorded of fine-scale habitat (minor upper drainage lines) Importance of ongoing monitoring for increased knowledge, address current limitations to allow greater management