Wyndham (25125)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Wyndham
Central coordinates: Latitude: -15.4602, Longitude: 128.1465
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 10 to 270
Area of KBA (km2): 27.59993
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA consists of hills next to the town of Wyndham in north-east Western Australia. The IBA boundary currently only includes the nature reserve on the Bastion Hills which is known to support breeding Gouldian Finches, although the reserve's current protection status is unknown. The water-holes around the town of Wyndham itself are not mapped. Further fieldwork is likely to discover additional breeding areas in more distant hills. The general region of the north Kimberley (including along the Ord, Dunham, Keep, Drysdale and Gibb and Durack Rivers and the Ellenbrae, Campbell and Dawn Creeks) probably supports pockets of breeding Gouldian Finches but this is the best-documented site and supports the largest known population. The IBA is dominated by gently sloping ranges with sandstone outcrops, with an exceptionally high density of cavity-bearing eucalyptus trees suitable as Gouldian Finch nest-sites, and seeding native grasses for Gouldian Finch food. The area is characterised by its prevalence of old-growth eucalypt stands providing natural hollows suitable for Gouldian Finch nesting. The close proximity of Wyndham township also provides a consistent supply of drinking water sources. Wyndham has a population of about 800 people. The mean minimum temperature is 17 Celsius in July, mean maximum temperature is 40 Celsuis in November and mean annual rainfall is 780 mm, mostly between November-March.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Other birds have not been documented for this IBA.
Other site values: West Australian State government with management the responsibility of the Shire of Wyndham.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Savanna | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Undertake large-scale landscape management, including control over the frequency and timing of fires, and the reduction of feral mammals. Review current conservation programmes and develop formal conservation agreement with landholders. Survey surrounding hills for additional Gouldian Finch breeding areas.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Birchenough, A.C., Douglas, G.W. and Evans, S.E (2002) The status of Estrilid finches in North-western Australia. Australian Bird Watcher 19: 147-160. O'Malley, C. (2006a) National Recovery Plan for the Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae). [Online]. WWF-Australia, Sydney and Parks and Wildlife NT, Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, NT Government, Palmerston. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/pubs/e-gouldiae.pdf. O'Malley, C. (2006) Appendix to the National Recovery Plan for the Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae) Background Information. [Online]. Available from: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/pubs/e-gouldiae-background.pdf.
Contributors: Sarah Pryke and James Brazill-Boast wrote the nomination. Save the Gouldian Fund has supported various research projects and provided research facilities. The local residents and Shire of Wyndham have also supported research and conservation activities.