It's a pity we don't have a scheme of values in society where such
events as this are in the category as 'irrational entertainments' (Dr
Johnson on opera) and no-one would consider holding one or attending
one, even if there no potential threats to wildlife and vegetation.
John Leonard
2009/8/8 Stephen Ambrose <>:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: L&L Knight
> Sent: Saturday, 8 August 2009 12:45 PM
> To: Stephen Ambrose
> Cc: Birding Aus
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Eastern bristlebird in the news
>
> Thanks Stephen,
>
> Could you please expand on how the rally would threaten the frogs,
> bristlebirds and BBBQ?
>
> I can see how the Lyrebirds, Quolls and Potoroos etc might be hit by
> cars traversing the route. I'm less clear on how the rally will
> affect the other species. In particular, where would the rally be
> passing through bristlebird habitat? Looking at the maps, it doesn't
> seem to pass along the Lions Rd through the McPherson Range (The Mt
> Gipps to Black Snake Ridge section of the Range is the only spot that
> I know of bristlebird records) or through the Border Ranges NP.
>
>
> Hi Laurie,
>
> Re frogs: the rally cars travel through or over creeks that are known to
> contain populations of Giant Barred and Fleayed Barred Frogs, and pass
> within a few metres of other creeks (especially in the Byrill and Peacock
> River stages of the rally). The concern is potential degradation of these
> creeks as a result of the settling of airborne dust & soil thrown up by the
> cars, sediment runoff into the creek from the sides of the tracks, and the
> runoff of pollutants (e.g. oils, fuels) into the creeks in the event of one
> or more of the rally cars being involved in an accident. There's also the
> issue of excessive tyre residues being washed into creeks from gravel road
> surfaces as a result of rally drivers "burning rubber". The rally occurs at
> the start of the breeding period for these species, when there could be eggs
> or early-stage tadpoles. Therefore, pollutant or sediment runoff into known
> breeding areas would be catastrophic.
>
> The BBBQ is recorded regularly in the Mebbin and Byrill Creek Areas, where
> the Byrill Creek stage of the rally is to occur. Therefore, there is a risk
> of road kills. The rally will be at the start of the usual breeding season
> for this species (September to April). The usual home range of a nesting
> pair of Black-breasted Button-quails is c. 1.5 ha, therefore there is a
> significant risk of nest desertion in the event of significant local
> disturbances.
>
> Re Eastern Bristlebirds: there are no records of these species occurring
> near the rally circuit, as you quite rightly point out. However, potential
> habitat for this species occurs in Richmond Range NP, especially in some of
> the valleys near or through which the rally traverses, and I suspect once
> occurred there. Therefore, one cannot rule out the possibility that either
> species may disperse into these areas, either as isolated individuals or in
> small numbers. Under these circumstances, there is a risk (admittedly a
> remote one) of road kills.
>
> Re Grey-headed Flying-fox (which you didn't mention): the rally circuit
> passes close to the GHFF maternity camp at Bray's Park near Murwillumbah.
> Given that mothers in the camp are likely to be suckling young pups at that
> time there is concern that noise from rally cars and helicopters could
> result in some of the newborn being abandoned by their mothers.
>
> Unfortunately, the ecological consultant only assessed the potential impacts
> of a one-off event, and didn't consider the cumulative impacts that may
> result from holding the event 5 times over a 10-year period.
>
> Hope this information answers your questions.
>
> Kind regards,
> Stephen
>
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--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
"I rejoice that there are owls." Thoreau
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