4.5.1.7 White-throated needletail – likely to occur The white-throated needletail ( Hirundapus caudacutus ) is listed as vulnerable and migratory under the EPBC Act and vulnerable under the NC Act. This species is a trans-equatorial migrant that breeds in the Northern Hemisphere during the boreal summer and migrates south during the boreal winter. This species is widespread in eastern and south-eastern Australia and is recorded in all coastal regions of Queensland and NSW, extending inland to the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range and occasionally onto the adjacent inland plains. The species is also widespread in Victoria and Tasmania and occurs in south-eastern South Australia (TSSC, 2019). The species is almost exclusively aerial, occurring from heights of less than 1 m up to more than 1,000 m above the ground (TSSC, 2019). The species forages at heights up to cloud height over a range of habitat types including woodland, open forest, rainforest, heathland and partly cleared pasture and agricultural land (TSSC, 2019). In Australia, confirmed and high confidence records of white-throated needletail roosting indicate the species roosts in dense foliage of canopy trees in large tracts of treed remnant vegetation along or contiguous with mountain ranges. The species is also reported to roost in tree hollows (TSSC, 2019a), bark on trees or rock faces and is likely to have traditional roost sites (DoE, 2015b). Research has shown that roosts are typically located in tall woodland on ridgelines and clifftops, where the birds can easily alight (Tarburton, 2021). The white-throated needletail was not detected during field surveys, and the nearest historical records are 27 north of the project area (from 1994). Based on the species potential to occur above terrestrial habitats, the species is considered likely to occur based on nearby historical records and the presence of foraging habitat above all areas of the project area. The white-throated needletail is considered likely to occur, no suitable roosting habitat is present and the species has the capacity to forage above the entirety of the project area. Suitable habitat distribution is shown in Figure 4.12.
GHD | Heritage Minerals Pty Ltd | 12626510 | Heritage Minerals Mount Morgan 57 This document is in form. The contents, including any opinions, conclusions or recommendations contained in, or which may be implied from, this document must not be relied upon. GHD reserves the right, at any time, without notice, to modify or retract any part or all of the document. To the maximum extent permitted by law, GHD disclaims any responsibility or liability arising from or in connection with this document.
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