Threatened species & ecological communities

National recovery plan for the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl Ninox natalis

Prepared by Richard Hill
Birds Australia
Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2004
ISBN0 642 55010 7

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Recovery Objectives and Timelines

Recovery Objectives and Timelines

Overall objective

To downgrade the conservation status of the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl to Conservation Dependent within 10 years.

Specific objectives

To reduce the risk of extinction and improve the conservation status of the species by:

  1. Maintaining (or increasing) extent of occurrence and total population size at 1994-96 levels.
  2. Implementing threat abatement strategies.
  3. Increasing community involvement in and awareness of the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl.
  4. Implementing the Recovery Plan through a Recovery Team.

Performance Criteria

Actions

Specific Objective:

1. Maintain extent of occurrence and total population size at 1994-96 levels.

Criteria:

Owls widespread on the island in all suitable habitats

Total population size not less than 556 ± 101 occupied territories.

Action:

1. Monitor the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl population every two years to detect any significant change in the distribution or abundance

The monitoring program will census owls in Primary Rainforest, Marginal Rainforest and regrowth vegetation and aims in Primary and Marginal Rainforest to identify a greater than 20% change in population size. In regrowth vegetation and rehabilitation areas the monitoring program may indicate trends, but due to the small sample size and small area of this habitat it is not feasible to identify significant trends. Monitoring data should also be used to determine habitat requirements, to refine the definition of habitat critical to survival.

In Primary and Marginal Rainforest 18 sites should be censused five times each. In regrowth vegetation, three sites are censused five times each, and a Rehabilitation Area is censused five times. The minimum interval between censuses of a particular site is two weeks to avoid owls habituating to playback of their call. The method is described in detail in Hill (1996). If a significant population decline is detected the Recovery Team will need to: consider the effect of this increased risk to extinction and whether a captive population should be established; and establish a research program to investigate the causes of decline. This will require detailed planning and substantial funding and is beyond the scope of this current plan.

Specific Objective:

1. Maintain extent of occurrence and total population size at 1994-96 levels.

Criteria:

Protection of all habitat critical to survival outside the national park.

Action:

2. Develop and implement a wildlife management plan for Hawk-Owl habitat outside the national park

Action:

3. Ensure protection of habitat critical to survival outside the national park

Most forested land outside the National Park is publicly owned, by the Commonwealth. Parks Australia North (PAN) staff are routinely involved with other stakeholders in negotiations over development proposals. This is ongoing. Proposals can occur unexpectedly and, as there is no overall wildlife management plan outside the park, are assessed on an ad hoc basis. Consultation with other agencies and proponents on projects which may impact on listed threatened species is essential and ongoing (under the EPBC Act referrals process). However, achievement of longterm protection of species outside the park requires a more considered approach. The EPBC Regulations include that actions under an approved management plan are not considered offences in relation to protected species, and that a management plan must not, or not be likely to, adversely affect the conservation status of a protected species or a population of a protected species. The Hawk-Owl meets the definition of a protected species.

The plan should allow for input of relevant landholders and decision-makers, while facilitating greater certainty for environmentally sensitive developments. The plan should also allow for adaptive management as better information becomes available on the Christmas Island Hawk- Owl and other threatened species, in particular greater definition of the areas of habitat critical to survival.

Specific Objective:

1. Maintain extent of occurrence and total population size at 1994-96 levels.

Criteria:

A continuing increase in suitable habitat through implementation of the Christmas Island Rainforest Rehabilitation Program (CIRRP).

Action:

4. Continue effective and long-term rainforest rehabilitation program managed by DOTARS, supported by PAN and the mining company

In 2002, the Government decided to redirect payment of the conservation levy to the portfolio agency with responsibility for the mine lease (DOTARS). This program is critical to increase rainforest habitat to further protect a range of species including the Hawk-Owl. A MoU between PAN and DOTARS was signed in February 2004 to continue the CIRRP within Christmas Island National Park. The program is linked to the Christmas Island Phosphates (CIP) mine lease, and DOTARS should ensure lease conditions are adhered to, allowing effective and efficient rainforest rehabilitation.

Specific Objective:

2. Implement threat abatement strategies

Criteria:

Crazy Ants have a negligible impact on populations.

Action:

5. Invasive Ants on Christmas Island Action Plan

PAN is currently implementing an Invasive Ants on Christmas Island Action Plan, aiming to control and minimise Crazy Ant impacts across the island. This will require ongoing monitoring of Crazy Ant numbers and control as detected. The recovery team must ensure this control program does not have negative impacts on Christmas Island Hawk-Owls.

Specific Objective:

2. Implement threat abatement strategies

Criteria:

Maintenance of effective quarantine against the introduction of all avian diseases

Action:

6. Maintenance [and regular review] of a quarantine barrier between Christmas Island and all other lands which minimises the risks of new avian diseases establishing on Christmas Island.

As part of the regular review process of the Christmas Island Quarantine Service, the effectiveness of the quarantine barrier preventing the man-made introduction of avian diseases onto Christmas Island should be assessed. Review of the Christmas Island Quarantine Service is undertaken by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, with input from PAN and in consultation with DOTARS. There is no additional cost for this action.

Specific Objective:

3. Increasing community involvement in and awareness of the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl

Criteria:

Demonstrated increase in community awareness and support for habitat protection

Action:

7. Community education program to raise awareness and interest in the conservation of Christmas Island Hawk-Owls.

As part of the Christmas Island Education and Interpretation Plan, which has a key objective of increasing knowledge of and local support for habitat and species protection, develop a multilingual pamphlet on Christmas Island Hawk-Owls stressing their uniqueness and vulnerability, and talking more generally about life in the forest at night. This should be further supported by a conservation related curriculum unit for both primary and secondary school students that raises awareness of Christmas Island habitats and species generally.

Specific Objective:

4. To implement the Recovery Plan through a Recovery Team

Criteria:

Demonstrated successful operation of the Recovery Team over five years.

Actions:

8. Establish a recovery team which meets regularly

9. Carry out a major review of the recovery plan

A recovery team shall be formed to implement this recovery plan. The team should comprise staff from PANCI, the Shire of Christmas Island and other affected Christmas Island interests, such as the Christmas Island Phosphates, Union of Christmas Island Workers, the Asia Pacific Space Centre Pty. Ltd, the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS), the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA), and other specialists where necessary. Progress will be monitored and evaluated yearly by members of the recovery team through an annual review. The monitoring process will include: compiling information from resighting of banded birds, success of monitored nests, and assessing progress of all actions against the criteria and objectives of the recovery plan (data comparisons performed by participating biologist). A major review of this performance must be conducted at the end of the first five years of implementation, by an independent reviewer.

Specific Objective Performance Criteria Actions
1. Maintain (or increase) extent of occurrence and total population size at 1994-96 levels.
  • Total population size not less than 562 ± 105 occupied territories as measured by the monitoring program.
  • Owls widespread on the island in all suitable habitats as measured by the monitoring program.
  • Protection of all habitat critical to survival outside the national park.
  • A continuing increase in suitable habitat through implementation of the Christmas Island Rainforest Rehabilitation program.
  1. Monitor the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl population every two years to detect any significant change in the distribution or abundance
  2. Develop and implement a wildlife management plan for Hawk-Owl habitat outside the national park
  3. Ensure protection of habitat critical to survival outside the national park.
  4. Continue an effective and long-term rainforest rehabilitation program managed by DOTARS and supported by other government departments, PAN and the mining company.
2. Implement threat abatement strategies
  • Crazy Ants having a negligible impact on Christmas Island Hawk-Owls populations.
  • Maintenance of effective quarantine against the introduction of all avian diseases
  1. Implement the Invasive Ants on Christmas Island Action Plan
  2. Maintenance [and regular review] of a quarantine barrier between Christmas Island and all other lands which minimises the risks of new avian diseases establishing on Christmas Island.
3. Increase community involvement in and awareness
  • Demonstrated increase in community awareness and support for habitat protection
  1. Community education program to raise awareness and interest in the conservation of Christmas Island Hawk-Owls.
4. Implement the Recovery Plan through a Recovery Team
  • Demonstrated successful operation of the Recovery Team over five years.
  1. Establish a recovery team which meets regularly
  2. Carry out a major review of the recovery plan

Guide for Decision-makers

The following management actions are required to aid the Christmas Island Hawk-owl viability and recovery:

  1. Adequate resourcing of the identified management activities for the species;
  2. Quarantine prevention of the introduction of new avian pathogens;
  3. Quarantine prevention of the introduction of new invasive weeds; and
  4. Quarantine prevention of the introduction of new predators.

This taxon is dependent on active conservation management.

Any action which would remove nesting sites or potential nesting sites; or remove or degrade habitat critical to survival, could result in a significant impact on the species and requires referral to the Commonwealth Environment Minister under the EPBC Act.

Tools to Assist Implementation

Costs

Action Likely expenses Cost estimate Responsibility Timeframe
Monitor the population every two years to detect any significant change in the distribution or abundance PANCI staff, training consultant, and local staff/contractor $17,500 in first year, then $9,500 / 2 year* PANCI Every two years
Develop and implement wildlife management plan for Hawk-Owl habitat outside the national park PAN staff time $10,000 then $5000 pa PANCI Ongoing
Ensure protection of habitat critical to survival outside the national park. PANCI staff time $2,000 pa PANCI Ongoing
Continue effective and long-term rainforest rehabilitation program managed by DOTARS & supported by other government depts, PAN and the mining company. DOTARS staff time, PANCI supervision and monitoring, contractors. $750,000^ pa DOTARS Until mine ceases operation & all levy funds expended
Implement Invasive Ants on Christmas Island Action Plan. PANCI staff, ant bait, contractors, research $475,000 in 2002/3 and $100,000 pa PANCI Ongoing
Maintain [and regular review] of quarantine barrier between Christmas Island and all other lands AQIS staff time, PANCI assistance to AQIS $2000 pa (PANCI) AQIS Ongoing
Community education program PANCI staff, brochure production costs. $2000 pa PANCI Ongoing
Establish a recovery team which meets regularly * PANCI $2000 pa PANCI Ongoing
Major review of the recovery plan Recovery Team $2500 PANCI Yr 5

Notes: PAN: Parks Australia North; PANCI: PAN Christmas Island staff
* Consultant for 15 days from mainland including airfares and on island expenses $8000 (first year only), Local trained staff: 25 nights work (4 sites/night) @$250/night + $1250 mileage: $7500/year, Staff time to analyse data: $2000/year
^ Funds provided by conservation levy, with total dependant on phosphate production levels

Summary table of costs

Year 1 2 3 4 5
Total Cost $1,310,500 $913,000 $922,500 $913,000 $925,000

Landholder incentives

Small opportunities exist for the Natural Heritage Trust to be used to protect remnant vegetation on private land. Management agreements can be put in place with landholders’ permission to protect and enhance native vegetation on the island.

Role and interests of indigenous people

Not relevant.

Interests that will be affected by the plan’s implementation or adoption

Parks Australia North, Shire of Christmas Island, Union of Christmas Island Workers, Asia Pacific Space Centre Pty. Ltd., Department of Transport and Regional Services, Department of Immigration Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, and Christmas Island Phosphates.

Consultation with, and advice considered from relevant State and Territory Governments and the general public

There are no relevant state or territory governments to consult with. Whilst Christmas Island is a Commonwealth non-self governing Territory, Western Australian laws are applied to the island as Commonwealth applied laws. A number of Western Australian agencies have roles on Christmas Island through agreements with the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS). DOTARS has contributed to the development of this plan. This plan was originally written in 1996. The current version was completed by Birds Australia in consultation with Parks Australia North, staff of Christmas Island National Park, and the Department of the Environment and Heritage, Canberra. Both Christmas Island Phosphates and the Shire of Christmas Island were consulted during the preparation of this current plan. As part of the requirements for the EPBC Act, a three month public consultation phase was undertaken whereby the public was able to contribute comments on draft plans, and where relevant these comments were then incorporated.

Community Participation

Regular press articles in Christmas Island newspaper. Also see action 7 - includes production of a multi-lingual pamphlet on Christmas Island seabirds and a potential curriculum unit on endemic seabirds for both primary and secondary school students.

References

Carew-Reid, J. 1987. Rehabilitation of mined clearings on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Unpublished report to the Director of the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra.

Diamond, J.M. 1985. Population processes in island birds: immigration, extinction and fluctuations. In Conservation of Island Birds. ICBP Tech. Pub. 3.

Du Puy. 1993. Flora of Australia, Volume 50. Oceanic Islands 2. Australian Biological Resource Study, Canberra.

Environment Australia. 1994. Christmas Island National Park Management Plan. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

Environment Australia. 2002. Christmas Island National Park Management Plan. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

Hay, R. 1986. Bird Conservation in the Pacific Island. ICBP Study Rep. 7. Cambridge, England.

Hill, F.A.R. and J. Young. 1995. Searching for the nests of Christmas Island Hawk-Owls Ninox squamipila natalis. Unpublished report to the Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Darwin.

Hill, F.A.R. 1996. The Christmas Island Hawk-Owl: Its distribution, population size and conservation status. Unpublished report to the Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Darwin.

Hill, F.A.R. and A. Lill. 1998a. Density and Total Population Estimates for the Threatened Christmas Island Hawk-Owl Ninox natalis. Emu 98: 209-220.

Hill, F.A.R. and A. Lill. 1998b. Diet and Roost Site Characteristics of the Christmas Island Hawk- Owl Ninox natalis. Emu 98: 227-233.

King, W.B. 1985. Island Birds: will the future repeat the past. In Conservation of Island Birds. ICBP Tech. Pub. 3.

Garnett, S.T. and Crowley, G.M. 2000. The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Birds Australia, Melbourne and Environment Australia, Canberra.

Lacy, R.C. 1987. Loss of Genetic Diversity from Managed Populations: Interacting effects of drift, mutation, immigration, selection, and population subdivision. Conserv.Biol.1(2): 143-58.

Mitchell, B.A. 1974. Forest Flora of Christmas Island. Comm. For. Review 53: 19-29.

Norman, J.A., L. Christidis, M. Westerman and F.A.R. Hill. 1998. Molecular data confirms the species status of the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl Ninox natalis. Emu 98: 197-206.

Orchard, M, Comport, S. and P. Green. 2002. Control of the Invasive Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean; progress, problems, and future scenarios. Unpublished Discussion Paper 1 February 2002.

Reville, B.J., J.D. Tranter and H.D. Yorkston. 1990. Conservation of the Endangered Seabird Abbott's Booby on Christmas Island. 1983-1989. ANPWS Occ. Paper No. 20.

Stokes, T. 1988. A review of the birds of Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service Occ. Pap. No. 16.

Tidemann, C.R., H.D. Yorkston and A.J. Russak. 1994. The diet of feral cats (Felis catus) on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. Wildlife Research 21: 279-286.

Van der Lee, G. and P. Jarman. 1996. The status of cats Felis catus and prospects for their control on Christmas Island. Report to the Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

van Tets. 1975. A report on the conservation of resident birds on Christmas Island. XII Bulletin of the ICBP.

van Tets, G.F. and P.A. van Tets. 1967. A report on the resident birds of the territory of Christmas Island. Emu 66 (4); 309-19.

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