Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA consists of hills next to the town of Wyndham in north-east Western Australia. The IBA boundary currently only includes the nature reserve on the Bastion Hills which is known to support breeding Gouldian Finches, although the reserve's current protection status is unknown. The water-holes around the town of Wyndham itself are not mapped. Further fieldwork is likely to discover additional breeding areas in more distant hills. The general region of the north Kimberley (including along the Ord, Dunham, Keep, Drysdale and Gibb and Durack Rivers and the Ellenbrae, Campbell and Dawn Creeks) probably supports pockets of breeding Gouldian Finches but this is the best-documented site and supports the largest known population. The IBA is dominated by gently sloping ranges with sandstone outcrops, with an exceptionally high density of cavity-bearing eucalyptus trees suitable as Gouldian Finch nest-sites, and seeding native grasses for Gouldian Finch food. The area is characterised by its prevalence of old-growth eucalypt stands providing natural hollows suitable for Gouldian Finch nesting. The close proximity of Wyndham township also provides a consistent supply of drinking water sources. Wyndham has a population of about 800 people. The mean minimum temperature is 17 Celsius in July, mean maximum temperature is 40 Celsuis in November and mean annual rainfall is 780 mm, mostly between November-March.
Other birds have not been documented for this IBA.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Undertake large-scale landscape management, including control over the frequency and timing of fires, and the reduction of feral mammals. Review current conservation programmes and develop formal conservation agreement with landholders. Survey surrounding hills for additional Gouldian Finch breeding areas.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The Jawoyn Aboriginal Corporation, in collaboration with Parks and Wildlife Service NT, conduct an annual program of fire management in the hills and intermittent feral pig control in the lowland areas fringing the hills.
The IBA is identical to the Bastion Hill Reserve no. 33896, the status of which is unknown.
West Australian State government with management the responsibility of the Shire of Wyndham.
Sarah Pryke and James Brazill-Boast wrote the nomination. Save the Gouldian Fund has supported various research projects and provided research facilities. The local residents and Shire of Wyndham have also supported research and conservation activities.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wyndham (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wyndham-iba-australia on 22/12/2024.
