VICFORESTS PRE-LOGGING FAUNA SURVEYS 2012-13 · VicForests pre-logging surveys- package 12 report 11 Table 5 Results of spotlighting surveys for package 12 coupes. Significant findings

VICFORESTS PRE-LOGGING

FAUNA SURVEYS 2012-13

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

PACKAGE 12

Orbost and Swifts Creek districts

WILDLIFE UNLIMITED PTY LTD

PO BOX 255

BAIRNSDALE 3875

ACN 147 131 119

VicForests pre-logging surveys- package 12 report 2

Survey Methods

Tracks and traces transects Target Species: Long-footed Potoroo, Koala, large forest owls, Spot-tailed Quoll, Spiny Crayfish.

Tracks and traces transects were conducted along habitat corridors such as vegetated gullies with the aim of locating owl roosts and potoroo/bandicoot diggings. Transects of at least 500m were conducted at each coupe. Relevant findings were photographed and coordinates recorded. Scats and pellets were collected for analysis if encountered.

Transects targeting Spiny Crayfish were not conducted if creeks were dry, but cray holes were photographed and coordinates recorded when found within coupes. Searches for burrows and individuals in water pools and beneath rocks were conducted where possible.

Remote cameras Cameras (Scoutguard & Moultrie passive infra-red) were maintained in situ for a minimum of 20 days, which is regarded as being a suitable timeframe to guarantee a 90% chance of species detection. Cameras were photographed in situ and coordinates and time of deployment recorded. Effort was combined for some coupes that were small and in close geographical proximity, ie, two cameras were deployed per coupe rather than the usual four

TARGET SPECIES:

Spot-tailed Quoll

Two camera traps were deployed at each coupe. Sites of habitat significance for Spot-tailed Quoll (large logs, riparian verges, rocky areas) were selected if present. Bait holders containing fish baits were pinned to the ground for attracting predators such as quolls.

Long-footed Potoroo

Two camera traps was deployed at each coupe. Sites of habitat significance for Long-footed Potoroo, such as gullies with suitable thick vegetation were selected if present. Bait baskets were set up to contain a bait mixture (peanut butter, oats and pistachio oil) suitable for attracting omnivores such as bandicoots and potoroos.

Spotlighting and call playback Target Species: Powerful Owl, Sooty Owl, Masked Owl, Greater Glider, Yellow-bellied Glider, all frogs

A minimum of 1km/1hr spotlighting was conducted along road/track corridors adjacent to each coupe, which may have included some distance on either side of the coupe boundary. Species and coordinates were recorded for each observation. Playback locations and spotlight transects were combined for some coupes due to close geographical proximity

The spotlighting transects included:

- an on-dusk 15 min listening period initiated at dusk

- a 20 min playback session of Powerful, Boobook, Sooty and Masked Owls

- a 1km/1hr spotlighting transect by 2 observers.


Results

Table 1 Summary of surveys and significant results for package 12 coupes; X, no significant species detected; B, bandicoot; G, glider; L, lace monitor.

District Coupe No Coupe Name Tracks-Traces Playback Spot light CamerasOrbost 823-506-0011 Discussions

X X G L

Sw ifts Creek 765-529-0016 Roast PorkX G G X

Sw ifts Creek 765-529-0017 Pork BellyX G G X

Sw ifts Creek 770-507-0013 Dougs DelightB G G B

Sw ifts Creek 770-507-0014 DeludedB G G B

Sw ifts Creek 771-507-0025 Flat OutX X G B


Tracks and Traces Transects

Table 2 Results of tracks and traces recorded for package 12 coupes. Significant results in bold.

Coupe No. Coupe Name Date Surveyers Observations Easting Northing823-506-0011 Discussions 29.11.12 MC, AC Creek stagnant, not running

Hollow-bearing stag 616682 5830881

Wombat activity throughout coupe

Hollow-bearing stag 616602 5830859

Red-bellied black snake near creekline

Hollow-bearing tree 617003 5830423

Vegetation denser and more herb-rich on E slope

Large hollow-bearing tree 616698 5830177765-529-0016 Roast Pork 3.12.12 MC, AC Many large hollow-bearing trees thru coupe

Trib of creek on W boundary running. Ferns

and blanket leaf along creek

Very thick fern understorey

Extensive lyrebird, wombat and brushtail possum

activity

Creek on W boundary also running765-529-0017 Pork Belly 3.12.12 MC, AC Large hollow-bearing trees throu coupe

Pools of water in creek - potential frog habitat

Wombat, brushtail possum, lyrebird and

Brushtail possum activity thru coupe

Very damp gully with sassafras and large DBH 591245 5886306

tree ferns. Some rainforest elements near

gully, ie, black olive berry and sassafras

Many large fallen hollow logs - potential quoll

den sites770-507-0013 Dougs Delight 4.12.12 MC, AC Wombat, brushtail possum, lyrebird, wallby and

deer activity throu coupe

Many large fallen trees - good habitat/den sites

for quoll

Large hollow-bearing grey gum 547849 5869986

Euphrasia species (collina?) 547518 5869779

Many hollow-bearing trees 547518 5869779

Small mammal dig 547374 5869707

Poa/tussock grass meadow close to creek line 547265 5869638

boundary between coupes - potential habitat for

broad-toothed rat?770-507-0014 Deluded 4.12.12 MC, AC Large old stag with many spouts and hollows near 547315 5869552

large fallen tree - potential habitat for gliders, quoll

and small mammals

Trigger plant - unknown species 547409 5869551

Small mammal dig 547210 5869423

Many large hollow-bearing trees 547295 5869427

Bird orchid species 547714 5869238

Wombat, possum, emu and deer activity noted771-507-0025 Flat Out 12.12.12 MC, RB Bird orchid species - many plants thru coupe

Many hollow-bearing trees 546949 5871667

wombat, brushtail possum, wallaby and deer

activity throughout coupe


Figure 1. Images of significant observations noted during tracks and traces surveys; A, Euphrasia species at Dougs Delight; Small mammal digs at B, Dougs Delight and C, Deluded.

B A C


Remote Cameras Table 3 Remote camera results for package 12 coupes. Significant findings in bold.

Effective days

Coupe No. Coupe Name Surveyers Date deployed Target sp. Easting Northing in operation Species identified 823-506-0011 Discussions MC, AC 29.11.12 quoll 616903 5830625 41 Rattus species

Antechinus species

Brushtail possum

Wonga pigeon

Black wallaby

29.11.12 potoroo 616584 5830852 41 Pied currawong

White-winged cough

Echidna

Brushtail possum

Black wallaby

Deer

29.11.12 quoll 616873 5830945 41 Rattus species

Black wallably

Brushtail possum

Feral cat

Emu

Lace monitor

Common wombat

Superb lyrebird

Spotted quail thrush

29.11.12 potoroo 617036 5830411 41 Black wallaby

Superb lyrebird

Common wombat

Rattus species

Brushtail possum

29.11.12 potoroo 616679 5830147 41 Wonga pigeon

Brushtail possum

Wild dog

Black wallably

Superb lyrebird

Feral cat

Common wombat765-529-0016 Roast Pork MC, AC 3.12.12 quoll 590369 5886181 37 Rattus species

Pilotbird

Mt. Brushtail possum

Bassian thrush

Common wombat

Superb lyrebird

Black wallaby

3.12.12 potoroo 590872 5885992 37 Rattus species

Pied currawong

Bassian thrush


Superb lyrebird

Feral cat

3.12.121 potoroo 590603 5885948 37 Mt. Brushtail possum

Superb lyrebird

Rattus species

Pilotbird

Feral cat

Black wallaby

Bassian thrush


Table 3 cont…

Effective days

Coupe No. Coupe Name Surveyers Date deployed Target sp. Easting Northing in operation Species identified 765-529-0017 Pork Belly MC, AC 3.12.12 potoroo 591244 5886312 37 Superb lyrebird

Bassian thrush

Rattus species

Feral cat

3.12.12 quoll 591442 5886236 37 Superb lyrebird

Rattus species

Bassian thrush

Feral cat

Pied currawong

Black wallaby

3.12.12 potoroo 591355 5885987 37 Bassian thrush


Superb lyrebird

Black wallaby

Rattus species

Pilotbird

Eastern whipbird770-507-0013 Dougs Delight MC, AC 4.12.12 quoll 548071 5869920 37 Mt. Brushtail possum

Rattus species

Superb lyrebird

Feral cat

4.12.12 potoroo 547737 5870046 37 Mt. Brushtail possum

Bassian thrush

Common wombat

Superb lyrebird

4.12.12 potoroo 547758 5869818 37 Superb lyrebird

Feral cat

Long-nosed bandicoot

Echidna



12.12.12 potoroo 547222 5870192 37 Deer

Grey currawong


Common wombat770-507-0014 Deluded MC, RB 4.12.12 potoroo 547535 5869560 29 Superb lyrebird


Common wombat


Black wallaby


Black wallaby


12.12.12 quoll 547913 5868993 30 Black wallaby

Common wombat

Bluetongue lizard

Pied currawong


12.12.12 quoll 547295 5869425 29 Deer

Common wombat



Table 3 cont…

Effective days

Coupe No. Coupe Name Surveyers Date deployed Target sp. Easting Northing in operation Species identified 771-507-0025 Flat Out MC, RB 12.12.12 quoll 546921 5871570 29 Common wombat



Black wallaby

Crimson rosella



Common wombat


12.12.12 potoroo 546926 5871292 29 Black wallaby


Laughing kookaburra



Superb lyrebird


Figure 2 Significant images captured by remote cameras set in package 12 coupes; Long-nosed bandicoots at A, Dougs Delight and B, Flat Out.

A

B

B


Call Playback and Spotlighting

Table 4 Results of call playback surveys for package 12 coupes. Significant findings in bold.

Coupe No. Coupe Name Date Surveyers Coords E/N Dusk listen results Est. position Playback Results Est. position Comments823-506-0011 Discussions 29.11.12 MC, AC 616893/5830526 Deer 20m SE southern boobook 100m

Macropod 50m N microbats overhead

southern boobook 100m765-529-0016 Roast Pork 9.1.12 MC, TL 590556/5886166 Diurnal birds southern boobook 500m Effort combined for Roast Pork and Pork765-529-0017 Pork Belly southern boobook 1km Belly due to close proximity

Yellow-bellied glider 200m770-507-0013 Dougs Delight 4.12.12 MC, AC 547983/5869588 Diurnal birds Yellow-bellied glider 100m Effort combined for Dougs Delight and770-507-0014 Deluded Deluded due to close proximity771-507-0025 Flat Out 10.1.13 MC, TL 546658/5871719 Diurnal birds Southern boobook >1km

microbats overhead Southern boobook 500mLitoria verreauxii near ck


Table 5 Results of spotlighting surveys for package 12 coupes. Significant findings in bold.

Coupe No. Coupe Name Date Surveyers Start coords End coords Results Easting Northing Est. positio Comments823-506-0011 Discussions 29.11.12 MC, AC 616836/5830970 616748/5830072 macropod

microbats overhead2x Brushtail possum 616599 5829952 along Stony CreekGreater Glider 616599 5829952 along Stony Creek

765-529-0016 Roast Pork 9.1.13 MC, TL 591064/5886285 590407/5886414 Mt. Brushtail possum 590708 5886201 10m S Effort combined for Roast Pork and Pork765-529-0017 Pork Belly Yellow-bellied glider 590708 5886201 300m S Belly due to close proximity

Southern boobook 590708 5886201 200m SRingtail possum 591035 5886260 20m EMt. Brushtail possum 591035 5886260 20m NNERingtail possum x2 590392 5886168 30m NW

770-507-0013 Dougs Delight 4.12.12 MC, AC 547983/5869588 547891/5870107 microbats overhead Effort combined for Dougs Delight and 770-507-0014 Deluded Mt. Brushtail possum 547973 5869662 10m ENE Deluded due to close proximity

Yellow-bellied glider 548138 5869921 50m NFeral cat 548138 5869921 20m NWMt. Brushtail possum 547990 5869996 50m NEMt. Brushtail possum 547990 5869996 5m N Sugar glider 547936 5870052 100m W

771-507-0025 Flat Out 10.1.13 MC, TL 546545/5871556 547099/5871390 Sugar glider 546637 5871713 10m ESESouthern boobook 546787 5871660 20m SSWGreater Glider 546947 5871701 30m N Mt. Brushtail possum x2 547082 5871440 20m SSWYellow-bellied glider 547082 5871440 200m SWMt. Brushtail possum 547099 5871390 50m SE


Appendix 1 Diurnal birds recorded for package 12 coupes.

Diurnal birds 823-506-0011 765-529-0016 765-529-0017 770-507-0013 770-507-0014 771-507-0025

Bassian Thrush X X X

Black faced Cuckoo Shrike X

Black faced Monarch X X X

Brown Gerigone X

Brown Thornbill X X X X X

Brush Bronzewing X X

Cicadabird X

Common Bronzewing X

Crescent Honeyeater X X X X X

Crimson Rosella X X X X

Eastern Spinebill X X X X X

Eastern Yellow Robin X X X X X

Eastern Whipbird X X X X X

Emu X

Fan-tailed Cuckoo X X X X X X

Flame Robin X X X

Gang Gang Cockatoo X X X X

Golden Whistler X X X X X

Grey Currawong X X

Grey Fantail X X X X X X

Grey Shrike Thrush X X X X X X

Laughing Kookaburra X X X X X

Leaden flycatcher X

Little Eagle X

Olive-backed Oriole X

Olive whistler X X X

Pied Currawong X X X X X X

Pilotbird X X X X X

Pink Robin X X

Red-browed Treecreeper X X

Red Wattlebird X X

Rose Robin X X X X

Rufous Whistler X X X X X

Sacred Kingfisher X

Satin Bowerbird X

Scarlet Honeyeater X

Shining Bronze Cuckoo X X X

Silvereye X X X X X

Spotted Pardalotte X X X X X X

Spotted Quail thrush X

Striated Pardalotte X X X X X

Striated Thornbill X X X

Superb Fairy Wren X X

Superb lyrebird X X X X X X

White-browed Scrubwren X X X X

White-eared Honeyeater

White-naped Honeyeater X X X X

White-throated Needletail X

White-throated Treecreeper X X X X X X

White-winged Chough X

Wonga Pigeon X

Yellow-faced Honeyeater X X X X X X

Documents

VICFORESTS PRE-LOGGING FAUNA SURVEYS 2012-13 · VicForests pre-logging surveys- package 12 report 11 Table 5 Results of spotlighting surveys for package 12 coupes. Significant findings