Dr Stephen Ambrose (Ornithology)

1___________________________________________AMBROSE ECOLOGICAL SERVICES PTY LTD

DR STEPHEN AMBROSE

Principal OrnithologistAmbrose Ecologist Services Pty Ltd

Qualifications

Ph.D (Zoology), Univ of Western Australia, 1987.

B Sc (Hons 1), Univ of Western Australia, 1980.

Professional memberships

Ecological Consultants Association of NSW Inc:

Royal Zoological Society of NSW Inc.

Environment Institute of Australia Inc.

Ecological Society of Australia Inc.

Birdlife Australia (formerly RAOU)

Australian Bird Study Association Inc.

Dr Stephen Ambrose is the Principal Ornithologist of Ambrose Ecological Services Pty Ltd with more

than 31 years professional experience in ecological research and management. His qualifications and

relevant experience are shown below:

1. A doctorate (Ph.D) in Zoology, obtained from the University of Western Australia, specialising in bird

ecology.

2. Seventeen (17) years as Principal Ornithologist at Ambrose Ecological Services Pty Ltd (1999 to

present). Key components of this work include:

monitoring terrestrial bird populations (woodland, forest, heathland, scrubland, grassland,

coastal, rural, urban, rehabilitated and biodiversity offset habitats), aquatic species (esp.

waterbird and shorebird populations), and threatened and migratory species;

assessment of the potential impacts of human activities and developments on native bird species

and populations;

design of environmental management plans (EMPs) to avoid or mitigate significant impacts of

human activities and developments on native bird populations (esp. threatened and migratory

species);

evaluating the effectiveness of EMPs in protecting conservation-significant bird species and

populations;

design and evaluation of bird pest management plans (esp. in rural and urban areas);

provision of expert bird advice in the Land and Environment Court of NSW; and

presentation of ornithological training seminars and workshops to industry groups, government

agencies and universities.

3. Ten (10) years as an employee of Birdlife Australia (formerly named the Royal Australasian

Ornithologists Union, RAOU), first as the National Co-ordinator of the Australian Bird Count (ABC)

Project (1989-94) and subsequently as the Head of Bird Research and Conservation (1995-1998).


Projects under Dr Ambrose’s direction at Birdlife Australia as Head of Research and Conservation

included regional and national monitoring projects of bird populations and their habitats, especially

threatened bird species, waterbirds and migratory birds.

During the ABC Project, Stephen created, managed and maintained a database of bird data

collected by members of the community. This database was initially created using Paradox software,

but data were subsequently imported into a Microsoft Access Database. The ABC Database

contains bird count and bird habitat data collected by 952 community birdwatchers, resulting from

78,938 standardised surveys at 1,681 locations around Australia www.crdc.com.au/uploaded/File/E-

Library/E-ENVIRO/2-WheredoBushBirdsGo.pdf.

4. Editor (Social Organisation and Behaviour Section) of Volume 1 of the Handbook of Australian, New

Zealand Antarctic Birds: Ratites to Ducks (Marchant & Higgins 1990).

5. Publication of over 25 ornithological papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and conference

proceedings. Publication of over non-refereed 70 articles about birds in hard-copy and online

magazines, newsletters and blogs.

6. Five (5) years as a Lecturer in Zoology at the University of New England, Armidale (1985-86) and the

Australian National University, Canberra (1987-89), specialising in Vertebrate Population Ecology

(UNE) and Conservation Ecology (ANU).

7. Member, of the Helmeted Honeyeater and Swift Parrot Recovery Teams, 1996-98.

8. Past President (May 2007- Sept 2010) of the Ecological Consultants Association of NSW Inc

(ECA)., the peak professional body of practising ecological consultants in NSW

www.ecansw.org.au. In addition to the presidency, he served on the ECA Council from May 2002

to July 2013 in various roles including as Vice President and Ordinary Councillor.

9. Member of the ECA Certification Assessment Panel, which assesses the certification applications

of ecological consultants operating in NSW (established in January 2016).

10. Elected member of the Executive Council of the Royal Zoological Society of NSW (April 2015

onwards).

Dr Ambrose has extensive experience in a range of other ecological research projects. He has

specialised competence in bird ecology, arid, semi-arid, woodland and wetland fauna ecology,

threatened and pest fauna species management, computer modelling and database management,

ecological assessment for environmental impact studies, and community co-ordination of survey work.

He has a general interest and expertise in biodiversity and habitat management, and environmental

legislation.

EXAMPLES OF BIRD CONSULTANCY PROJECTS

(a) Threatened Woodland Bird Surveys, Hume Highway Duplication Project

Client: NSW Roads and Maritime Services.

Contact Person/Referee: Ms Erica Adamson, General Manager, Environment, RMS, North Sydney.

Tel: (02) 8588 5730. Mobile: 0439 401 052. Email: [email protected]

Brief: Quarterly surveys of threatened woodland bird species in roadside woodland remnants before,

during and post-construction road works associated with the widening of the Hume Highway between


Tarcutta and Albury, South-west Slopes Region. This work includes the ongoing provision and

assessment of recommendations for the management of protected woodland habitats along the Highway

to minimise the impacts of the road works on threatened woodland bird populations in nearby uncleared

woodland.

Period of Contract: May 2007 – September 2013.

(b) Woodland Bird Surveys, Tarcutta, Holbrook and Woomargama Bypasses of the HumeHighway.

http://ecoltrans.net/wp-content/uploads/Stephen-Ambrose.pdf

Client: NSW Roads and Maritime Services (via subcontract with SMEC).

Contact Person/Referee: Ms Josie Stokes, Senior Biodiversity Officer, RMS, North Sydney. Tel: 131

782. Currently on secondment to the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage (Email:

[email protected]).

Brief: Twice-yearly (spring and autumn) surveys of woodland bird species in roadside woodland

remnants before, during and post-construction road works associated with the construction and

operation of the Hume Highway’s Woomargama, Holbrook and Tarcutta Bypasses. This work includes

the ongoing provision and assessment of recommendations for the management of protected woodland

habitats along the Highway to minimise the impacts of the road works on threatened woodland bird

populations in nearby uncleared woodland. A significant proportion of the study involves observations of

woodland bird movements across the Hume Highway to determine potential barrier effects of each

bypass.

Period of Contract: May 2010 – November 2016. Tarcutta & Woomargama Bypass bird surveys and

analysis completed. Holbrook Bypass surveys & reporting scheduled for completion in November 2016.

(c) Woodland Bird Surveys, Kapooka Bridge Realignment, Olympic Highway, NSW.

Client: NSW Roads and Maritime Services (via subcontract with SMEC).

Contact Person/Referee: Mr Jamie McMahon, Manager of Environmental Services, SMEC. Email:

[email protected].

Brief: Twice-yearly (winter) surveys of woodland bird species in roadside woodland remnants and at

control sites in Pomingalarna Reserve during construction and post-construction road works associated

with the realignment and operation of the Kapooka Road Bridge near Wagga Wagga, NSW. This work

includes the ongoing provision and assessment of recommendations for the management of protected

woodland habitats along the Olympic Highway to minimise the impacts of the bridge works on threatened

woodland bird populations in nearby uncleared woodland. A significant proportion of the study involves

observations of woodland bird movements across the Olympic Highway to determine potential barrier

effects of each bypass.

Period of Contract: June 2015 – November 2019.

(d) Bird Survey & Impact Assessment, Proposed 30 MW Solar Thermal Facility, Jemalong

Station (30 km west of Forbes)

Client: Vast Solar Pty Ltd (via subcontract with ngh Environmental Pty Ltd).

Contact Person/Referee: Mr Andrew Want, CEO of Vast Solar Pty Ltd. Mobile: 0408 956 210. Email:

[email protected].


Brief: Woodland bird surveys at Jemalong Station and an assessment of the potential impacts of the

construction and operation of the solar thermal facility bird mortality and injury (e.g. burns and collisions

risks). Potential for ongoing bird monitoring and forensic investigation of bird injuries if solar facility is

approved.

Period of Contract: November 2014 to present.

(e) Bird Survey & Impact Assessment, Proposed Hybrid Renewable Wind Turbine Project, LordHowe Island, NSW

Client: Lord Howe Island Board (via subcontract with ngh Environmental Pty Ltd).

Contact Person/Referee: Mr Nick Graham-Higgs, Principal of ngh Environmental Pty Ltd.

Mobile: 0427 260 819. Email: [email protected]

Brief: Bird monitoring and impact assessment of proposed Transit Hill wind turbine project on Lord

Howe Island.

Period of Contract: February – April 2016.

(f) Duck River Biodiversity Corridor Bird Monitoring, Bankstown Local Government Area.

Client: Bankstown City Council.

Contact Person/Referee: Ms Robyn Young, Sustainable Development Unit, Bankstown City Council.

Tel: (02) 9707 9628.

Brief: Monthly surveys of the woodland, forest and grassland bird populations in the Duck River

Biodiversity Corridor. The purpose of the survey was to provide baseline information on the use of

habitats within the corridor by bird species. The data were used subsequently to evaluate the

effectiveness of Bankstown Council’s environment policies in maintaining biodiversity values of the

corridor.

Period of Contract: November 2013 to April 2014.

(g) V8 Supercar Race, Sydney Olympic Park

Client: V8 Supercars Pty Ltd.

Contact Person/Referee: Mr Adam Firth, General Counsel, V8 Supercars. Tel: (07) 5630 0310

Brief: Assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed V8 Supercar Race (4-6 December 2009) on

shorebirds and waterbirds using the Waterbird Refuge, Homebush Bay wetlands and other significant

bird habitats in Sydney Olympic Park.

Period of Contract: December 2008 to March 2009 (inclusive).

(h) Dredging Impacts on Migratory Shorebird Populations at Port Stephens, NSW

Client: Great Lakes Council.

Contact Person/Referee: Mr Gerard Tuckerman, Manager of Natural Systems, Great Lakes Council.

Tel: (02) 6591 7306. Email: gerard.tuckerman@greatlakes,nsw.gov.au.


Brief: Survey of migratory shorebird populations at Port Stephens and an assessment of the potential

impacts of dredging a boating channel through a sandbar at the entrance of the Myall River on these

populations.

Period of Contract: December 2013 to September 2014.

(i) Boardwalk Impacts on Shorebirds in Woolooware Bay

Client: Sutherland Shire Council.

Contact Person/Referee: Mr Mario Sherrie, Manager of Planning & Infrastructure Projects, Sutherland

Shire Council. Mobile: 0411 175 092.

Brief: Assessment of the potential construction & use of a boardwalk (pedestrian/cycleway) along the

Woolooware Foreshore on Taren Point and Towra Beach Shorebird Endangered Ecological

Communities. Provision of recommendations to minimise or avoid significant boardwalk impacts on

these shorebird communities.

Contract Period: March 2011-April 2012.

(j) Proposed Heliport at Hexham, NSW

Clients: Newcastle City Council and Slattery Auctions.

Contact Person/Referee: Ms Susan Kay, Senior Ecologist, Advitech Pty Ltd. Tel: (02) 4961 6544.

Brief: Identification of potential bird hazards to helicopters operating from a proposed heliport. An

assessment of the potential disturbance impacts of proposed helicopter operations on bird populations

inhabiting nearby Hunter Estuary wetlands (Ramsar site).

Period of Contract: May to October 2008.

(k) Competitive Rowing, Spring Creek Reservoir, Orange.

Clients: Orange City Council and Kinross Wolaroi School.

Contact Person/Referee: Mr Joe Donnelly, Principal, Kinross Wolaroi School, Orange. Tel: (02)

6392 0300.

Brief: Monitoring and assessment of impacts of regular rowing training and competitive rowing races on

waterbird populations inhabiting Spring Creek Reservoir.

Period of Contract: December 2007 to December 2009.

(l) Australian White Ibis Management at Lake Annan, Camden Local Government Area.

Client: Camden Council, NSW

Contact Person/Referee: Ms Sara Ormond, Natural Resource Officer, Camden Council. Tel: (02) 4645

5159. Email: [email protected].

Brief: Statistical analysis and scientific interpretation of Australian White Ibis population data collected

from 2009 onwards. The main purpose of this exercise was to investigate the effectiveness of a range of

environmental management measures that were implemented to control the breeding activity and

abundance of Australian White Ibises, a species that had reached pest status at Lake Annan, an

artificially created wetland in a residential urban environment. The study also recommended additional


management actions to implement in an effort to control the pest status of the Australian White Ibis at

Lake Annan.

Period of Contract: 1 March – 31 May 2016.

(m) Bird Pest Management

Example 1

Project Name: Bird Pest Control at Yarrawa Estate Winery.

Client: Yarrawa Estate Winery, 43B Scotts Road, Kangaroo Valley.

Contacts/Referees: Mark & Sue Foster, Vignerons, Yarrawa Estate.

Tel: (02) 4465 1165. Email:[email protected].

Brief: Prevention of bird pest species (Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Little Corellas and Galahs) eating

and spoiling commercial plantations of walnuts, pecans and macadamia nuts in vineyards. A range of

scare techniques are being trialled, including use of electronic repellers (digitally recorded distress calls

& predator calls), sonic nets, visual deterrents, propane cannons, sonic nets.

Period of Contract: January 2015 to present.

Example 2

Project Name: Darling Harbour Live National Convention Centre.

Client: Lend Lease Pty Ltd

Contact Person/Referee: Mr Michael Cama, Senior Design Manager, Lend Lease.

Tel: (02) 9236 6668. Mobile: 0407 079 747. Email: [email protected]

Period of Contract: December 2013 to February 2014.

Example 3

Project Name: Northwest Rail Link Railway Stations, Sydney.

Client: Hassell Architects Pty Ltd

Contact Person/Referee: Jason Hammond, Associate Architect, Hassell Architects.

Tel: (02) 9101 2072. Mobile: 0415 776 601. Email: JHammond&hassellstudio.com.

Period of Contract: January 2015 to present.

Example 4

Project Name: Wickham Transport Interchange and Hamilton Rail Stabling Yards, Newcastle, NSW.

Client: Aurecon Group

Contact Person/Referee: Helen Browne, Senior Civil Engineer, Aurecon Group.

Tel: (02) 9465 5771. Email: [email protected].

Period of Contract: December 2015 to June 2016.

Example 5

Project Name: The Darling Exchange Project, Sydney.


Client: Lendlease

Contact Person/Referee: Phil Kiene, Project Manager, Lendlease.

Mobile: 0400 395 357 Email: [email protected]

Period of Contract: April 2016 to present.

Briefs for Examples 2 to 5: Identification of potential pest bird species, building design features that

have the potential to attract these species to roost or nest in them and associated human health-related

issues. Design of specific bird pest management strategies for use in the buildings to deter bird pests.

(n) Ornithological Training Seminars

Example 1: King Island Wind Farm, Tasmania.

Client: King Island Council, Tasmania.

Contact Person/Referee: Ms Debbi Delaney (former Environment Officer, King Island Council).

Currently at Great Lakes Council: Tel: (02) 6591 7378. Email: [email protected].

Brief: Seminar presentation to King Island community about mortality and injury risks to birds arising

from wind farms and the mitigation and avoidance measures used to reduce these risks. Seminar

commissioned by King Island Council to present impartial information to its constituents to assist them to

vote for or against the Taswind Wind Farm proposal in a Council referendum. Powerpoint Presentation:

http://www.kingisland.net.au/28-wind.

Period of Contract: May 2013.

Example 2: Sydney Olympic Park Authority Training

Client: Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA).

Contact Person/Referee: Ms Kerry Darcovich, Senior Manager of Environment & Ecology, Sydney

Olympic Park Authority. Tel: (02) 9714 7332. Email: [email protected].

Brief: Presentation of a series of seminars to SOPA employees on the bird species of Sydney Olympic

Park and how to environmentally manage their habitats.

Period of Contract: October & November 2014.

(o) Expert Ornithological Evidence in the NSW Land & Environment Court

Example: Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group Inc. -v- Dart Energy Ltd

http://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/54a639923004de94513da7a5

Clients: Corrs Chambers Westgarth Lawyers and Dart Energy Ltd.

Contact Person/Referee: Dr Louise Camenzuli, Corrs Chambers Westgarth Lawyers.

Tel: (02) 9210 6621. Email: [email protected].

Brief: Provision of expert evidence about the potential impacts of exploratory drilling for coal seam gas

at Fullerton Cove (PEL 458) on threatened terrestrial birds and migratory shorebirds. Dr Ambrose’s

evidence demonstrated that there would be no significant impacts on threatened and migratory species

and the case against Dart Energy Ltd was dismissed.

Period of Contract: October 2012 to March 2013.

Dr Stephen Ambrose (Ornithology)

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