Mount Gibson and Charles Darwin


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2009 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year[s] of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Malleefowl Leipoa ocellata VU resident (1994–2008) frequent A1
Inland Dotterel Peltohyas australis LC resident (1998–2008) rare A3
Western Corella Cacatua pastinator LC resident (1998–2008) uncommon A2, A3
Bourke's Parrot Neopsephotus bourkii LC resident (1998–2008) uncommon A3
Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus LC resident (1998–2008) frequent A3
Rufous Treecreeper Climacteris rufus LC resident (1998–2008) frequent A3
Blue-breasted Fairywren Malurus pulcherrimus LC resident (1998–2008) rare A3
Black Honeyeater Sugomel nigrum LC resident (1998–2008) uncommon A3
Pied Honeyeater Certhionyx variegatus LC resident (1998–2008) uncommon A3
Slaty-backed Thornbill Acanthiza robustirostris LC resident (1998–2008) rare A3
Chiming Wedgebill Psophodes occidentalis LC resident (1998–2008) rare A3
Western Yellow Robin Eopsaltria griseogularis LC resident (1998–2008) uncommon A3

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2008) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2008 not assessed high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset medium

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Natural system modifications happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) no or slight decline (<1% over 3 gener­ations) low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
- Charles Darwin Conservation Reserve (II) 28
- Charles Darwin Reserve (-) 29

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Shrubland 75 Acacia shrublands
Savanna 22 Eucalypt open woodlands
Grassland 3

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research 80
not utilised 20

Land ownership
Charles Darwin Reserve is managed by Bush Heritage Australia, Mount Gibson Station is managed by Australian Wildlife Conservancy, unallocated Crown Land is vested in the state government.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mount Gibson and Charles Darwin (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-gibson-and-charles-darwin-iba-australia on 06/12/2024.