Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00386:body:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00386
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 30288–33332

has material from Christmas Island Goshawks.

               Specific objective 2. Determine and maximise total population size and area of occupancy
               Performance Criteria  Distribution of Christmas Island Goshawks widespread on the island in all suitable habitats as demonstrated by population monitoring
                 Density of Christmas Island Goshawks increased as demonstrated by population monitoring
               Action 2. Conduct detailed population survey
The recovery team will obtain estimates of population size, distribution, age structure, fledging success, and survival rates. This is required to assess the status of this taxon. Data on age structure and fledging success will be used to monitor the population, and will, over time, indicate whether or not any significant change in population size is occurring.

Trap and colour band the Christmas Island Goshawk population across the island with the aim of individually marking the majority of the population. A majority of the population will remain individually marked by periodic supplementary trapping after this initial program. This action will provide data on the age-structure of the population, distribution on Christmas Island (including some information on habitat), ranging behaviour and spacing of individuals from resightings during the 18 month study, and thus some data on population size.

The members of the Australasian Raptor Association (ARA), part of Birds Australia, include many of the Australian professional and amateur experts on birds of prey. They may be able to provide unpaid assistance in trapping and marking birds, and in training of local staff in trapping techniques. The cost of their involvement would be airfares from Australia and accommodation and transport on Christmas Island. With the involvement of the ARA this project lends itself to being done by a post-graduate student. If ARA involvement was not possible dedicated researchers would re required, and the cost would be substantially higher.

               Action  3. On-going monitoring of the population
It is essential to formally and regularly monitor the size of the population, and breeding success. The recovery team will monitor the total population size at regular intervals (initially annually) such that, if a decline takes place, it provides sufficient warning to managers to allow remedial management and research to take place.  The monitoring program shall be based on observations of the individually marked population of Christmas Island Goshawks. PAN Christmas Island staff, tour operators, and the community in general will be encouraged to record all observations of goshawks, and to report their locations accurately. This will provide an ongoing data set on the proportion of resightings of marked birds, and on the habitats in which birds are seen. Once every five years, volunteers from the ARA will visit the island and trap and mark additional birds to maintain a majority of marked birds in the population.

In addition a sample