Hi Everyone,
Ian's comments are extremely important and we should all take note of them
in relation to this proposed development. Of particular note is Ian's
reference to the Kimberley Honeyeater (Meliphaga fordiana) and the
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove (Ptlinopus regina).
Norman et al. (2007) split the Kimberley Honeyeater from the White-lined
Honeyeater (Meliphaga albilineata) and recognised it as a species in its own
right. This has been accepted by Christidis & Boles (2008). According to
HANZAB, the Kimberley Honeyeater (referred to by HANZAB as the WA population
of the White-lined HE) occurs "from the Prince Regent River, north to the
lower reaches of the Mitchell River, and Admiralty Gulf (including islands
off the north-west Kimberley coast, such as Boongaree, Bigge and Wollaston
Islands in the Bonaparte Archipelago". Therefore, it has a very restricted
distribution, it is thought to be a sedentary species, and any impacts on
populations around the Maret Islands may also have a significant impact on
the status of the species as a whole.
The Kimberley population of the Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove is currently
regarded as a subspecies (P. r. ewingii). However, Christidis & Boles (2008)
noted that Schodde (1997) alluded to the apparent unsettled status of
species limits. Perhaps further DNA analysis would separate this subspecies
from the rest of the pack. According to HANZAB, the Kimberley population of
the Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove occurs in "north Dampier Land (Cape Leveque, One
Arm Point, Cygnet Bay) and islands in the Buccaneer Archipelago (including
Koolan Island); widespread from Walcott Inlet, NE to Vansittart and Napier
Broome Bays, including islands in the Bonaparte Archipelago." HANZAB also
describes the Kimberley population as locally dispersive rather than
migratory. Therefore, like the Kimberley Honeyeater, the Kimberley
population of the Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove has a restricted distribution and
any impacts on populations around the Maret Islands may also have a
significant impact on the status of the species in the Kimberley region.
I also wholeheartedly endorse Ian's other comments about potential impacts
on seabirds and migratory birds and we should be watching and commenting on
this development as a birding fraternity with immense concern.
Dr Stephen Ambrose
Ryde, NSW
References:
Christidis, L. & Boles, W.E. (2008). Systematics and Taxonomy of Australian
Birds ( CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood).
Higgins, P.J. & Davies, S.J.J.F. (1996) (eds). Handbook of Australian & New
Zealand Birds. Vol 3 (Snipe to Pigeons) (Oxford University Press,
Melbourne).
Norman, J.A., Rheindt, F.E., Rowe, D.L. & Christidis, L. (2007). Speciation
dynamics in the Australo-Papuan Meliphaga honeyeaters. Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution. 42: 80-91.
Schodde, R. (1997), Columbidae. Pp. 9-63 in Schodde, R. & Mason, IJ. Aves
(Columbidae to Coraciidae). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 37.2
(CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood).
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Ian May
Sent: Sunday, 10 February 2008 1:16 PM
To: Birding-aus;
Cc:
Subject: Kimberley Coast destruction planned.
Hi all
Our birding fraternity should be aware that a Japanese? consortium,
Inpex Pty Ltd intends to develop a gas processing plant on Maret Islands
on the Kimberley Coast.
http://www.projectconnect.com.au/Project_Details.asp?PID=335 Located at
14'26" S, 124'59" E in the north eastern part of the Buccaneer
archipelago, the Maret Islands are part of the most untouched, truly
pristine area of Australia's coast, an area so remote that few observers
have ever visited them. Till now, its remote location has assisted to
protect the area but remoteness is a two edged sword because now,
without adequate Govt. legislation to protect them, their isolation is
contributing to the lack of public knowledge and awareness that is being
exploited by Inpex through proposals to develop the area.
From 1992 to 1999, my wife Patricia and I were commercial fisherman
regularly working the areas adjacent to Maret Islands for Beche-de-mer
(Trepang) and Spanish Mackerel.. We soon learned that these island and
the surrounding Kimberley coast are one of the most precious and special
areas that exist teeming with diverse marine and terrestrial wildlife.
On this list we often hear about the importance of Ashmore Reef to
birds but other not so well known island and reef systems in the area
are just as important but for additional reasons. The Maret, Montilivet
and Cassini Island groups lay within a passerine migration corridor that
is the shortest route from Indonesia to Cape Voltaire and Cape
Bougainville on the mainland of Australia. At anchor during calm
moonless nights of March and April, with deck lights on, masses of
passerines comprising many hundreds of flycatchers, swallows, pipits,
drongos and other unidentified birds would silently flutter past through
our arcs of light heading north. To a lesser extent we would also
observe this in late July, August as well when birds were headed south.
Often we would notice that our deck lights would disorientated birds and
when this was observed, we would shut off the lights. It beggars belief
that anyone would contemplate building any light structure, not
withstanding a flaming gas processing structure any where near this
passerine migration flyway. Additional to this, during the wet season
the Maret Island are also a breeding location for Roseate and also
Bridled Terns. Of significance Rose-crowned Pigeons and Kimberley
Honeyeater and anyones guess what else, are numerous there too.
Anyone interested in birds should watch these development proposals with
concern, find out what is proposed and be prepared to bring the roof
down if the people with the power allow this one to proceed.
Notwithstanding additional cost, off shore ship based processing plants
could be developed west of the passerine flyway and avoid most of these
impacts. Anyone know the email address of Peter Garrett and the "Save
the Kimberley Group"?
Regards
Ian May
PO Box 110
St Helens, Tasmania 72126
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