Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
Lake MacLeod is large evaporative basin about 120 km by 10-40 km, located about 30 km north of Carnarvon in Western Australia. The permanent ponds in the north of the lake provide about 60 square km of feeding and roosting habitat for shorebirds. The IBA matches the proposed Ramsar site boundary and includes all of the northern ponds which regularly support significant numbers of birds. Further surveys in times of flood may indicate that the rest of the lake could also qualify for IBA status. The northern ponds comprise intermittently inundated, brackish-hypersaline flats surrounding a series of saline springs and associated permanent saline channels and lagoons. The greater part of Lake MacLeod periodically receives freshwater from the Lyndon River in the north, Minilya River, Cardabia Creek and Boolathana Creek (a distributary of the Gascoyne River), but is usually dry from September to June. Major flooding from the Gascoyne River occurs infrequently, often following cyclones, with significant flow to the lake occurring in 1960, 1961, 1980, 1995 and 2000. The 2000 flood was the largest recorded over this period, with water contributed by all rivers and local rainfall. The lake also receives seawater inflows from subterranean sinkholes. Areas are used for salt and gypsum mining, and the surrounding land is leasehold grazing properties.
More than 114,000 waterbirds were recorded in 1987 and 80,000 in 2006, but usually closer to 50,000 have been recorded. Seventy species of waterbird have been recorded at Lake MacLeod. Notable counts include 2566 Red Knot in 1987, 1600 Australian Pelican in 2000, 2488 Little Black Cormorant in 2003, 66 Black-tailed Godwit in 2004 and 2008 Black-winged Stilt in 2005 (Jaensch and Vervest 1990, Davis et al. 2001, Davis 2003, Hassell 2006). Australian Yellow White-eye was the most common species in mangroves in 1977-1982 (Smith and Johnstone 1985); more recent records suggest that it continues to persist in good numbers (Atlas of Australian Birds database). Other species which have been recorded in the IBA include the near threatened Australian Bustard and biome-restricted Chiming Wedgebill (Atlas of Australian Birds database).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Follow recommendations in draft management report; notably: Monitor water quality and investigate effects of any changes in water composition on key birds or their habitat. Investigate impact of introduced species on key birds and instigate control programs if required. Investigate sustainable grazing levels on surrounding properties.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Rio Tinto Minerals / Dampier Salt Ltd has supported the regular shorebird surveys. The area has been proposed as a Ramsar site and a draft management plan developed, awaiting agreement by all stakeholders.
None.
Unallocated Crown Land and untenured water body under mining lease to Rio Tinto Minerals (Dampier Salt Limited).
Thanks to Chris Hassell as compiler.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake MacLeod (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-macleod-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.
