Lilyvale (23458)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Lilyvale
Central coordinates: Latitude: -14.5493, Longitude: 143.6765
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 13 to 75
Area of KBA (km2): 34.17667
Protected area coverage (%): 41.95
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA encompasses an area of tall eucalypt woodland on colluvial sands in which there is an exceptional density of Red Goshawk nests. It is defined as the suitable habitat on the former pastoral lease, now managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, at Lilyvale Station in south-eastern Cape York Peninsula. The woodland itself is a good sample of the tropical savanna biome. Adjacent areas of woodland may be equally important but have not been surveyed and are not under conservation management. Although within the Cape York Endemic Bird Area (EBA), none of the species characteristic of that EBA are known to occur in the Lilyvale IBA. The IBA has a monsoonal climate, with most rain falling during a hot west season from December to April followed by a long dry season, during which time fires are frequent, although, under current management, rarely annual.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The IBA also supports a range of other tropical woodland species including Black-chinned Honeyeater and Black-backed Butcherbird, a species whose distribution in Australia is restricted to Cape York Peninsula. A single sighting of the near threatened Black-throated Finch was recorded in the Atlas of Australian Birds surveys from 1998 to 2008 (Atlas of Australian Birds database).
Other site values: Queensland State Government. Access is limited to public roads. The location of Red Goshawk nests should not be publicised as there is some risk from egg-collectors.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 70 | |
| Savanna | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Following acquisition by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, the IBA should be secure but adjacent properties should be surveyed for Red Goshawks.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Czechura, G.V. and Hobson, R.G. (2000) The Red Goshawk Erythrotriorchis radiatus in northern Queensland: status and distribution. Cairns, Queensland: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (eds) (1993) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 2: Raptors to Lapwings. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Stephen Garnett.