In the first stage of this project, (completed in late 2002),
information on the ecology including habitat requirements and
breeding of the Curtis Island Yellow Chat population was obtained
and potential threats were identified. The second stage commenced
in April 2003 with research into mainland populations and further
understanding of their habitat requirements with limited funding
from the Threatened Species Network and Birds Queensland.
Outcomes from earlier work include:
Expansion of its range back to its historical distribution in the
Broad Sound region and the Fitzroy delta;
Confirmation that the Yellow Chat is a wetland dependent bird in
this region;
Determination of breeding and dry season habitat requirements and
that some sites provide breeding habitat only;
An increase in known population of about 40 at Curtis Island to
around 200 now;
That it needs both shelter habitat (tall groundcover) for
protection from predation and nesting, and more open
lands (either low sparser vegetation such as grasses and
saltmarsh chenopods or muddy substrates) for feeding, particularly
when breeding
Education of the community via involvement of birdwatchers,
landholders and schools.
Current work funded by FBA is focussing on:
Gaining a better understanding of the Yellow Chat’s
distribution.
Improving our knowledge of Yellow Chat ecology and habitat
requirements, eg in relation to seasonal variability
Gaining a better understanding of threats, including habitat
degradation arising from:
1. Feral animals – pigs are an identified threat at Curtis
Island;
2. Hydrological changes - particularly from upstream dams or
embankments that cause loss or reduction of surface flows
into habitat during the chat breeding season. Also
construction of levee banks, infilling of drainage channels
and groundwater extraction all represent known or possible
threats to the integrity of chat-dependent wetlands;
3. Loss of habitat from possible industrial activities such as
construction of salt ponds, possible shale oil extraction and
ecotourism;
4. Fires may damage tall groundcover species providing shelter for
chats;
5. Introduction of a salt-tolerant wet pasture species that may
potentially displace native tall groundcover species providing
shelter or disrupt feeding areas of yellow chats within open
vegetation near sedge beds.
Monitoring Yellow Chat populations and habitat (vegetation,
hydrology and salinity), eg using remote sensing to monitor changes
in vegetation extent and composition.
Education and engagement of landholders and community groups.
For more information and to offer your assistance with this project
please contact Wayne Houston, Research Officer, Centre for
Environmental Management, Central Queensland University on 07 4930
9087 or email
w.houston@cqu.edu.au
Central Queensland University Researcher Wayne Houston with signage
erected at Twelve Mile Creek, via Marmoor. A close up of this sign
is available under the documents section of this page.
Photo by Rod Elder.
