- Charles Darwin Reserve
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The reserve is an important area for Malleefowl
Charles Darwin Reserve is a 686 km2 nature reserve in Western Australia. Formerly Whitewells Station, it is 90 km from Wubin and 355 km north of Perth. It lies within the South West Botanical Province on the northern edge of the Wheatbelt, and is owned and managed by Bush Heritage Australia (BHA), by which it was purchased and renamed in 2003.[1] The purchase of the reserve was partly funded by a donation by Charles Darwin's great-great-grandson Chris Darwin.
Contents
Natural values
The reserve has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with an annual average, mainly winter, rainfall of 282 mm. It protects York Gum and Salmon Gum woodlands as well as heath and sand-plains. The old-growth woodlands contain tree-hollows suitable for many animals. Birds recorded on the reserve include Malleefowl, Australian Bustard, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Peregrine Falcon, Crested Bellbird, and the Wheatbelt form of the White-browed Babbler. Mammals include the Echidna, Euro and Red Kangaroo.[1]
Important Bird Area
The reserve, along with the neighbouring Mount Gibson Sanctuary, forms part of the 2335 km2 Mount Gibson and Charles Darwin Important Bird Area (IBA), so identified by BirdLife International principally because it supports populations of Malleefowl and Western Corellas, as well as several other species restricted to either the arid or mallee biomes.[2]
References
- ^ a b BHA: Charles Darwin Reserve
- ^ "IBA: Mount Gibson and Charles Darwin". Birdata. Birds Australia. http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
External links
Bush Heritage Australia Reserves Bon Bon • Boolcoomatta • Brogo • Burrin Burrin • Carnarvon Station • Charles Darwin • Chereninup Creek • Cravens Peak • Currumbin Valley • Edgbaston • Ethabuka • Eurardy • Fan Palm • Friendly Beaches • Goonderoo • Kojonup • Liffey Valley • Monjebup • Nameless Sylvan • Nardoo Hills • Peniup Creek • Reedy Creek • Scottsdale • South Esk Pine • Tarcutta Hills • Yarrabee Wesfarmers • Yourka
Coordinates: 29°34′55″S 116°57′50″E / 29.582°S 116.964°E
Categories:- Bush Heritage Australia reserves
- Protected areas of Western Australia
- Wheatbelt (Western Australia)
- Important Bird Areas of Australia
- 2003 establishments in Australia
- Australian protected area stubs
- Western Australia geography stubs
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