23.4 Great egret EPBC Act legal status. Migratory (CAMBA and JAMBA) Biology and ecology. Characteristics

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1 23.4 Great egret EPBC Act legal status Migratory (CAMBA and JAMBA) Biology and ecology Characteristics The Great egret (Ardea alba) is a moderately large bird (83 to 103 cm in length, 700 to 1,200 g in weight) with white plumage, a black or yellow bill and long reddish and black legs. During the breeding season the colour of the bare parts change (DSEWPaC 2012t). Great egret ( Baird 2009) Known distribution The species is a widespread throughout southern and eastern Asia and Australasia. The species occur throughout the majority of Australia. There are no published estimates of the extent of occurrence of this species in Australia, however the area of occupancy is estimated at 408,400 km² (DSEWPaC 2012t). It is estimated that there are between 25,000 and 100,000 individuals within Australia. The most important populations, based on the capacity for recruitment and abundance, are the breeding populations that occur at the Top End, in the Channel Country and in the Darling iverine Plains and iverina regions. It should be noted that minor breeding sites are scatted across this species range, including the central Queensland Coast (DSEWPaC 2012t). However, no known breeding sites have been documented within the Port Curtis area. Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-223

2 Figure 23.6 Distribution range of the Great egret ( DSEWPaC 2012t) Known species populations and their relationship with the GTP footprint No individuals were observed from the Project area during pre-clearing surveys. However, this species is highly mobile and may occur within the Project area in a wide range of habitats, including roadside depressions, subject to rainfall or water. The species was observed from ephemeral and permanent wetlands (including dams) in Arcadia Valley (Ecologica Consulting 2012). Individuals were observed at several creeks within the KP130 to KP312 section of the GTP OW during the pre-clearance surveys (Santos GLNG 2012). Given the location of the project footprint no breeding or roosting habitat is likely to occur within or near the project area (ie Central Queensland and no major wetland systems). Suitable habitat for this species within KP312 to KP and KP to KP of the GTP and ancillary areas is considered to be limited and to areas used during migration. Biology and reproduction This species is dispersive and, in parts of its range, migratory and is often observed as a solitarily individual, or in small groups when feeding. They roost in large flocks that may consist of hundreds of birds (DSEWPaC 2012t). The species exhibits a diverse array of complex foraging behaviours, including foraging by wading through shallow to moderately deep water, by standing in water and capturing prey that wanders nearby, or by walking over shore or dry ground. Prey is taken from water and vegetation but not from sediments. Prey species include fish, insects, crustaceans, molluscs, frogs, lizards, snakes and small birds and mammals (DSEWPaC 2012t). The breeding season is variable and depends to some extent on rainfall, but generally extends from November to April. The Great egret usually nests in colonies and builds its nest as a platform of sticks in treetops over water in swampy woodlands and mangrove communities (DSEWPaC 2012t, Pizzey & Knight 2007). These colonies can be monospecific or more commonly mixed with other wader/waterbird species. Two to six, but usually three to five eggs are laid, with both parents incubating the eggs (23 to 29 days). Fledglings depart the nest or colony between 55 to 88 days of age (DSEWPaC 2012t). Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-224

3 Habitat This species is a local migrant throughout Australia and inhabits shallow points of rivers, estuaries, mudflats, freshwater wetlands, irrigated pastures, dams and sewerage ponds (Pizzey & Knight 2007) Habitat assessment Information obtained from BPA (ie Brigalow Belt South Fauna Expert Panel eport (EPA 2006)), together with expert advice, site based species records and pre-clearance survey data have been used to define a set of assumptions that have been used to identify areas of habitat that are consistent with the definitions of core habitat, essential habitat and general habitat that have been presented in Part 1 of this SSMP. The Great egret habitat assumptions are presented below. General assumption The following general habitat assumption has been made based on current scientific knowledge of this species: Species is often associated with freshwater and/or saline wetlands (DSEWPaC 2012t). As such, areas mapped as marine, estuarine, riverine, lacustrine and pulstrine Wetland Es as well as marine, estuarine, riverine, lacustrine and pulstrine waterbodies on the Queensland Wetland Mapping wetlands on the Queensland Wetland Mapping (Version 3.0) are considered suitable habitat for this species along with permanent anthropogenic water sources such as farm dams Core habitat Core habitat consists of essential habitat in which the species is known and the habitat is recognised under relevant recovery plans or other relevant plans/policies/regulations. Also included within this category are populations that are limited geographically within the region. As the Great egret is a ubiquitous species with an extensive distribution both within, and outside of Australia, it is not considered that core habitat exists for this species within the GTP footprint. Essential habitat Essential habitat is an area containing resources that are considered essential for the maintenance of populations of the species (eg potential habitat for breeding, roosting, foraging, shelter, for either migratory or non-migratory species). Essential habitat is defined from known records and/or expert advice (including the findings of pre-clearance surveys). As the Great egret is a ubiquitous species with an extensive distribution both within and outside of Australia, it is not considered that essential habitat exists for this species within the GTP footprint. Pre-clearance surveys confirm this assumption. Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-225

4 General habitat General habitat consists of areas or locations that are used by transient individuals or where species may have been recorded but where there is insufficient information to assess the area as essential/core habitat. General habitat also includes areas defined from known records or habitat that is considered to potentially support a species according to expert knowledge of habitat relationships, despite the absence of specimen backed records. General habitat may include areas of suboptimal habitat for species. As potential habitat for many species contained within this SSMP may include most of the regional ecosystems of the Brigalow Belt Bioregion, the general habitat category restricts the habitat to a more limited and realistic set of environmental parameters that are supported by literature and field based observation For the Great egret all areas that are mapped as marine, estuarine, riverine, lacustrine and pulstrine Wetland Es as well as marine, estuarine, riverine, lacustrine and pulstrine waterbodies on the Queensland Wetland Mapping wetlands (Version 3.0) are considered to constitute general habitat for this species. KP0 to KP30 No general habitat for this species exists within this section of the GTP. KP30 to KP40 No general habitat for this species exists within this section of the GTP. KP40 to KP130 Figure 23.7a shows the location of general habitat for the Great egret within this section of the GTP. KP130 to KP312 Individuals of this species were sighted within KP to KP177.76, KP184, Mimosa Creek (KP220.13) and a dam to the west of the OW at KP (Santos GLNG 2012). KP183.7 to KP184.25, Conciliation Creek (KP207.47), Dawson iver area (KP to KP234.5), Sellheim Creek area (KP280 to KP280.75), wetland areas within KP295.6 to KP and the riparian zone at KP300 has been identified during the pre-clearance surveys as meeting the criteria of general habitat for this species (Santos GLNG 2012). The location of the general habitat for this species within KP130 to KP312 is shown in Figure 23.7b and Figure 23.7c. KP312 to KP Pre-clearance surveys identified general habitat for this species at Calliope iver (KP352.3), Harper Creek (KP360.3) and wetlands located within KP to KP and KP to KP (Santos GLNG 2013). The location of the general habitat for this species within KP312 to KP is shown in Figure 23.7d and Figure 23.7e. KP to KP No general habitat for this species exists within KP to KP of the GTP although general habitat for this species exists in close proximity to the OW and ancillary areas and is shown in Figure 23.7f. Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-226

5 .3.3 */1* *DV 7UDQVPLVVLQ 3LSHOLQH &UULGU Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas +DELWDW 5DWLQJ /09/ :45 Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_158.mxd.3 Map by: B.3.3 )LJXUH D *UHDW (JUHW Ardea modesta +DELWDW 5DWLQJV %DVHG Q 3UHGLFWLYH 0GHOOLQJ.3 W.3 A1 scale:1:175, km Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 06/09/2012 Version: c

6 */1* *DV 7UDQVPLVVLQ 3LSHOLQH &UULGU.3.3 Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas +DELWDW 5DWLQJ Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_213.mxd 19/10/ : Map by: B )LJXUH E *UHDW (JUHW Ardea modesta +DELWDW 5DWLQJV %DVHG Q 3UHGLFWLYH 0GHOOLQJ.3 W.3 A1 scale:1:145, km Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 19/10/2012 Version: a

7 */1* *DV 7UDQVPLVVLQ 3LSHOLQH &UULGU Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas +DELWDW 5DWLQJ P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_213_2.mxd 19/10/ :57 Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Map by: B.3 )LJXUH F *UHDW (JUHW Ardea modesta +DELWDW 5DWLQJV %DVHG Q 3UHGLFWLYH 0GHOOLQJ.3 W.3 A1 scale:1:145, km Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 19/10/2012 Version: a

8 GLNG Gas Transmission Pipeline Corridor KP360 Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) Habitat ating GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas KP350 KP340 P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_304.mxd 08/02/ :29 Map by: B KP310 KP320 KP330 Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Figure 23.7d: Great Egret (Ardea modesta) Habitat atings Based on Predictive Modelling KP312 to KP A1 scale: 1:65, km Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 08/02/2013 Version: a

9 KP400 KP410 GLNG Gas Transmission Pipeline Corridor Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas Habitat ating KP390 KP380 P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_304_2.mxd 08/02/ :29 Map by: B KP360 KP370 Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Figure 23.7e: Great Egret (Ardea modesta) Habitat atings Based on Predictive Modelling KP312 to KP A1 scale: 1:65, km Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 08/02/2013 Version: a

10 KP406 KP407 Marine Crossing GTP Early Works KP408 KP409 Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas Proposed Access oad Construction Tunnel Launch Pad Habitat atings P:\Aurecon\ Santos\Mapping\221714\221714_Terns_1.mxd 02/08/ :56 Map by: ZontaA A1 scale: 1:10,000 Date: 06/09/ km Coordinate system: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 56 Figure. : Great Egret (Ardea modesta) Habitat atings Based on Predictive Modelling KP to KP Version: a

11 KP to KP Pre-clearance surveys did not identify general habitat for this species within this section of the GTP although general habitat was identified within close proximity to the GTP and is shown in Figure 23.7g. Unlikely habitat Unlikely habitat areas are those areas that do not contain records of the particular species and do not contain sufficient habitat features to support the species (ie areas that do not meet the habitat assumptions identified above). Part 2 Management Plans 3380-GLNG Page 2-227

12 GLNG Gas Transmission Pipeline Corridor Kilometre Post Distance Marker (km) GLNG Narrows Pipeline Alignment KP415 GLNG GTP OW and Ancillary Work Areas KP416 Habitat ating KP413 KP414 KP417 02/04/ :20 KP418 P:\GIS\Projects\214208_Santos_EMP\SEMP_338.mxd KP419 Gas Transmission Pipeline (GTP): Santos, Apr Map by: B Figure. J: Great Egret (Ardea modesta) Habitat atings Based on Predictive Modelling KP to KP A1 scale: 1:10, Meters Coordinate system: GCS_GDA_1994 Date: 02/04/2013 Version: a