Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA is a portion of Mount Lyndhurst Station, a large pastoral leasehold property located on the north-western margin of the Flinders Ranges in north-eastern South Australia. The IBA encompasses the entire extent of suitable habitat for the Mount Lyndhurst population of Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, as determined by studies in 1990, 1999 and 2007. The IBA extends east from a few hundred metres west of the summit of Mount Lyndhurst north to Leslie mine and then eastwards approximately 1 km south of Lyndy mine to the fence separating Lesley paddock from Doughboy paddock. Where this fence meets the Strzelecki Track the boundary continues about 4 km southwards (taking in the western end of Willow paddock) to the southern boundary of Mount Lyndhurst Station and then westwards to complete a rectangle. This IBA could be expanded to conserve more of the Thick-billed Grasswrens that occur throughout the area. The habitat of Mount Lyndhurst Station consists of low hills covered by gibber and shingle rock, these forming a bare stony surface that typically comprises 60 to 80% of the total terrain, and being dissected by numerous minor drainage lines. The station also supports patches of low, open shrubland, mostly comprising of bluebush
Maireana astrotricha mixed with saltbush
Atriplex vesicaria and other chenopod shrubs, with larger
Eremophila and
Acacia shrubs sparsely scattered across the site, mainly along drainage lines. The climate is arid with hot to extremely hot summers and dry, mild winters; at nearby Farina mean maximum temperatures range from 17.3
oC in July to 35.5
oC in January and mean annual rainfall is 162 mm.
A single dead Plains-wanderer was recovered at the station after it became trapped in fencing.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Continue to manage livestock and grazing conservatively to maintain shrubland habitat. Regulate public access to prevent damage to habitat and disturbance of birds.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board recently completed a wildlife survey at Mount Lyndhurst Station.
None.
Pastoral lease managed by Glenstrae Pastoral Company (Andrew Cleland, Norm Marston, Bob Campbell) of Willalooka, South Australia.
Site access / Land-owner requests
The site is well known to birdwatchers and can be accessed by the Strzelecki Track. The former owners discouraged camping because of concerns about habitat degradation and disturbance. The new owners have not yet been consulted but may retain the policy of the previous owners. Permission should be obtained before walking beyond the vicinity of the main road.
Lynn Pedler (South Australian Ornithological Association) wrote the nomination. Reece Pedler of the Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board supplied a copy of the NRM-funded report (Pedler et al. 2007). Keith Bellchambers provided comments.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mount Lyndhurst (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-lyndhurst-iba-australia on 23/11/2024.
