ARBOREAL MAMMAL SPOTLIGHT SURVEY 2014

Transcription

ARBOREAL MAMMAL SPOTLIGHT SURVEY 2014
Melissa Snape, Ben Stevenson and Murray Evans
Technical Report No 30
July 2015
Conservation Research | Environment Division | Environment and Planning Directorate
Technical Report 30
Arboreal Mammal Spotlight Survey 2014
Melissa Snape, Ben Stevenson and Murray Evans
Conservation Research
Environment Division
Environment and Planning Directorate
July 2015
1
ISBN 978-0-9871175-0-2
© Environment and Planning Directorate, Canberra, 2015
Information contained in this publication may be copied or reproduced for study, research, information or educational
purposes, subject to appropriate referencing of the source.
This document should be cited as: Snape M, Stevenson B and Evans M. 2015. Arboreal mammal spotlight survey
2014. Environment and Planning Directorate, ACT Government Canberra.
http://www.environment.act.gov.au
Telephone: Canberra Connect 13 22 81
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views,
opinions or policy of funding bodies or participating member agencies or organisations.
Front cover: All photos by Esther Beaton. Left to right: Sugar Glider, Eastern Pygmy Possum, Brushtail Possum, Goulds
Wattled Bat.
Contents
1
Purpose .........................................................................................................................................1
2
Background ...................................................................................................................................1
3
Aims...............................................................................................................................................2
4
Sites ...............................................................................................................................................2
5
Methods ........................................................................................................................................2
6
5.1
Survey conditions ..................................................................................................................2
5.2
Spotlight survey methods ......................................................................................................2
5.3
Call-playback survey methods ...............................................................................................3
5.4
Variables recorded.................................................................................................................5
Results ...........................................................................................................................................5
6.1
Transects completed .............................................................................................................5
6.2
Observations and calls ...........................................................................................................5
7
Discussion and Summary ............................................................................................................12
8
Acknowledgements.....................................................................................................................12
9
References ..................................................................................................................................13
Appendix 1. Bendora Return Transect ..............................................................................................14
Appendix 2. Moonlight Hollow Transect ...........................................................................................15
Appendix 3. Honeysuckle Transect ...................................................................................................16
Appendix 4. Smokers Trail Transect ..................................................................................................17
Appendix 5. Camelback Transect ......................................................................................................18
Appendix 6. Fishing Gap Transect .....................................................................................................19
Appendix 7. Mt Franklin Road Transect ............................................................................................20
Appendix 8. Yaouk Gap Transect.......................................................................................................21
Appendix 9. Brandy Flat Transect .....................................................................................................22
Appendix 10. Old Boboyan Road Transect ........................................................................................23
Appendix 11a. Datasheet ..................................................................................................................24
Appendix 11b. Datasheet ..................................................................................................................25
Appendix 12. Summary of Species Observed....................................................................................26
Arboreal Spotlight Survey 2014
i
Figures
Figure 1. Survey transects ................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2. Bendora Return and Moonlight Hollow transects ............................................................... 6
Figure 3. Honeysuckle and Smokers Trail transects ........................................................................... 7
Figure 4. Fishing Gap and Camelback transects ................................................................................. 8
Figure 5. Yaouk Gap and Mt Franklin Road transects ........................................................................ 9
Figure 6. Brandy Flat and Old Boboyan Road transects ................................................................... 10
Tables
Table 1. Start and end points for survey transects from 2014 arboreal fauna survey. ..................... 3
Table 2. Description of post-fire (2003) and current known distribution of individual species. ..... 11
ii
Summary
A survey conducted in Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve shortly after the
2003 Canberra wildfires provided baseline data on the distribution of arboreal mammal species in
these areas. The present study was undertaken to establish whether the diversity and range of
arboreal fauna has changed in the 11 years post-fire. Survey transects were positioned along
roads and fire trails and were searched using white spotlights. Call-playback was also used to
detect cryptic species. A total of 128 observations of arboreal mammals were made over 140 km
of transects during this study. All species present in 2003 were re-sighted in 2014, including the
Greater Glider, Common Brushtail Possum, Mountain Brushtail Possum, Common Ringtail Possum
and Sugar Glider. Yellow-bellied Gliders (Petaurus australis), which were not detected in the 2003
survey, were also recorded during call-playback in this survey.
iii
1
Purpose
This report describes a spotlighting survey for arboreal mammals that was conducted in Namadgi
National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in autumn 2014. The survey aimed to revisit sites
surveyed for arboreal mammals shortly after the 2003 wildfires, but also to set up repeatable
transects as a baseline for a long-term monitoring program. A combination of spotlighting (from a
vehicle) and call-playback methods were employed. The latter technique aimed to increase
detectability of the Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis), which is rarely sighted in the ACT.
Whilst surveying for arboreal mammals the opportunity was taken to survey for Powerful Owls
(Ninox strenua) using the call playback method.
2
Background
Namadgi National Park (NNP) and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (TNR) together protect almost half
(~114,000ha) of all land in the Australian Capital Territory. The primary functions of these reserves
are to protect natural landscapes (and hence maintain water quality for Canberra), provide
recreation opportunities and to conserve biodiversity. In January 2003 large areas of these
reserves (~90%) were burnt by a wildfire of geographic extent and severity previously
unprecedented in the ACT within recorded history. Substantial areas of mature eucalypts were
lost in the fire (particularly stands of Alpine Ash Eucalyptus delegatensis and Snowgum Eucalyptus
pauciflora) and these areas still lack a canopy of mature trees. In these areas and also in areas
where mature trees have survived, post-fire regeneration has produced a dense mid-story of
eucalypt and acacia regrowth, resulting in a forest structure and composition different to that
which existed pre-fire 2003 or immediately post-fire.
Conservation Research (then called the Wildlife Research and Monitoring Unit of Environment
ACT) conducted a fauna survey within weeks of the 2003 wildfires to assess the immediate impact
of the fires on wildlife. A range of survey methods were employed including spotlighting, small
mammal trapping, pitfall trapping, hand searches for reptiles, bat trapping, opportunistic
observations and indirect methods (e.g. scat analyses), which aimed to sample a broad range of
fauna species. Some surveys targeted threatened species such as the Northern Corroboree Frog,
Smoky Mouse, Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, Broad-toothed Rat and Spotted-tailed Quoll.
The survey undertaken in 2014 and described in this report aimed to re-assess the presence and
distribution of arboreal mammals. Data from this survey will also be used as a baseline for future
surveys in these areas.
________________________________________________________________________________
1
3
Aims
The specific aims of this survey are to:
 Compare the current distribution of arboreal fauna species in Namadgi National Park and
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve along specific transects with that observed immediately after the
2003 wildfires,
 Establish a baseline for future surveys of arboreal species in these areas (survey intervals of 510 years are proposed),
 Trial the use of a practical and consistent survey method.
4
Sites
Efforts were made to survey a range of areas across Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature
Reserve. Specific areas were included if:
 They were surveyed after the wildfire in 2003, or
 ACT Parks Rangers had identified locations as having potential areas of ‘good fauna habitat’.
The start and end points of transects mapped for survey in 2014 can be found in Table 1 and
transects are shown in Figure 1 and Appendices 1 to 10. Due to time constraints on individual
survey nights, the actual start and end points for some transects differed from those that were
initially planned. Transect lines used for both spotlighting and call-playback surveys followed
established fire trails and management tracks.
5
Methods
5.1
Survey conditions
Spotlighting and call-playback surveys were conducted between 31 March and 1 May 2014 on
nights where the moon was half-full or less and there was little or no wind or rain. Surveys were
started at least 1 hour after dark.
5.2
Spotlight survey methods
Spotlight surveys were conducted by two observers, a driver and a ‘scribe’ in a vehicle travelling at
5-15 km/h along predetermined track-based transect lines. The vehicle speed was adjusted
according to the density of vegetation being searched. All persons were inside the cabin of the
vehicle, with a spotlight shining out of a window on each side of the vehicle. Each observer
surveyed one side of the transect using a handheld 50W spotlight (‘Enforcer’, LightForce Pty. Ltd.,
Australia) and relayed observations to the scribe. For each observation, GPS coordinates of the
vehicle were recorded in addition to the species observed, the side of the transect on which the
observation was made, the time and any additional notes (e.g. the presence of young).
2
Table 1. Start and end points for survey transects from 2014 arboreal fauna survey.
‘Mapped’ start and end points show the transects as planned, whilst ‘Surveyed’ start and
end points show the actual area surveyed during the 2014 survey.
Transect Name
Bendora Return
Brandy Flat
Camelback
Yaouk
Fishing Gap
Honeysuckle
Moonlight Hollow
Mt Franklin Road
Old Boboyan Road
Smokers Trail
5.3
Mapped Start
0662983;
6078690
0681154;
6048960
0673921;
6074330
0671266;
6059040
0674608;
6074650
0680587;
6062140
0664272;
6082350
0661566;
6063870
0678538;
6041240
0674908;
6068580
Mapped End
0664475;
6079170
0681028;
6042940
0673958;
6074350
0664706;
6045580
0674688;
6074510
0680280;
6051760
0664276;
6082330
0665054;
6054140
0679953;
6029190
0676207;
6056040
Surveyed Start
0662960;
6078709
0682565;
6048035
0673909;
6074336
0664682;
6045646
0674060;
6074365
0680570;
6062214
0664228;
6082126
0661191;
6063125
0679967;
6029219
0675148;
6067079
Surveyed End
0664999;
6079107
0681520;
6043342
0673187;
6076508
0667680;
6057308
0674490;
6073934
0676759;
6055267
0664644;
6080050
0663541;
6054565
0677947;
6040564
0672259;
6058211
Call-playback survey methods
Call-playback surveys were conducted every 2 km along the spotlight transects, with the first at
the start of the transect and the last at the transect end. At each call-playback location, the vehicle
was stopped and the engine, lights and spotlights were turned off. Each call-playback consisted of
playing a one-minute recording of Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis) calls, then one minute
of listening time, then playing a one-minute recording of Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) calls, then
another one minute listening time. Calls (sourced from www.naturesound.com.au) were stored on
a SD card and were played through a 30 W hand-held megaphone, which was slowly rotated
through 360 degrees whilst the calls were being played. The call-playback locations were recorded
using global positioning system (GPS) and any species heard calling during the listening periods
were recorded.
________________________________________________________________________________
3
Figure 1. Survey transects
4
5.4
Variables recorded
Data from each survey was recorded as follows;
For each transect:
 Transect name and name of observers
 Date and time survey was started and finished
 Cloud cover, temperature, wind level, precipitation and moon phase.
For each observation:
 Section number (0-2 km is Section 1; 2-4 km is Section 2 etc.)
 Species observed (abbreviated)
 Waypoint number (sequential default number given by Garmin GPSMap62s unit)
 Side observed (left or right)
 Notes
For each call-playback session:
 Call number (Call-1 at 0 km, i.e. transect start; Call-2 at 2 km; Call-3 at 4 km; etc.)
 Species heard (abbreviated/NA)
 Waypoint number (as for observations)
 Side heard (left/right/NA)
 Whether a response was heard (yes/no)
 Notes
A copy of the data sheet used for surveys can be found in Appendix 11.
6
Results
6.1
Transects completed
A total of 140 km of transects were surveyed in 2014, resulting in 128 observations of arboreal
mammals and 27 observations of sleeping or nocturnal birds. Maps of the completed transects
and the species observed along them can be found in Figures 2-6.
6.2
Observations and calls
A table of species observed for each transect is shown in Appendix 12. The distribution of arboreal
mammal species identified in the current survey, compared with those recorded in 2003, are
shown in Table 2.
________________________________________________________________________________
5
Figure 2. Bendora Return and Moonlight Hollow transects
6
Figure 3. Honeysuckle and Smokers Trail transects
________________________________________________________________________________
7
Figure 4. Fishing Gap and Camelback transects
8
Figure 5. Yaouk Gap and Mt Franklin Road transects
________________________________________________________________________________
9
Figure 6. Brandy Flat and Old Boboyan Road transects
10
Table 2. Description of post-fire (2003) and current known distribution of individual species.
Species
Results for 2003 Post-Fire
Results for 2014 Survey
Yellow-bellied
Glider
Not observed.
One animal heard calling on the Fishing Gap Fire Trail at
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (TNR), two animals heard
calling 2 km apart on the Honeysuckle transect and one
animal heard on Mt Franklin Road.
Greater Glider
Spotlight sightings
recorded in the Warks
Road and Moonlight
Hollow Road area,
including 13 animals in a
1 km section of Warks
Road near Warks Camp.
Three animals observed on the Camelback Fire Trail at
TNR, four animals observed on the Bendora Return and
Moonlight Hollow transects (including the Warks Road
area), and one animal each observed on the
Honeysuckle and Mount Franklin Road transects.
Common
Brushtail Possum
Sightings at several
locations in Namadgi
National Park during
spotlight surveys.
Animals were observed on all surveyed transects, with
especially large numbers being observed in southern
Namadgi along Old Boboyan Road (27) and Brandy Flat
(12) and along Smokers Trail (14).
Mountain
Brushtail Possum
Spotlight sightings at
Warks Road (5 animals)
and at Leura Gap Trail.
Two animals were observed on Mount Franklin Road
(north of Leura Gap). No observations recorded for the
Warks Road area.
Common Ringtail
Possum
Spotlight sightings at Leura
Gap Trail and at Snowy
Corner in Namadgi
National Park (NNP).
Animals were observed on Mount Franklin Road (6
animals, north of Leura Gap), at Tidbinbilla Nature
Reserve (8 animals total) as well as on the Bendora
Return (2), Moonlight Hollow (1), Old Boboyan Road (3)
and Smokers Trail (2) transects.
Sugar Glider
Spotlight sightings at Corin
Dam, Leura Gap Trail and
Old Boboyan Road near
Hospital Hill.
Sugar gliders were observed in northern and central
NNP, including at TNR on both the Fishing Gap (1) and
Camelback (2) transects, and on the Bendora Return
(1), Honeysuckle (3), Moonlight Hollow (1) and Smokers
Trail (3) transects.
Squirrel Glider
No confirmed sightings.
A sighting on Moonlight Hollow transect was either a
Sugar Glider or a Squirrel Glider – which species was
unable to be confirmed. For analyses in this report this
sighting has been treated as being a Sugar Glider.
Feathertail Glider
No sighting recorded.
Species is difficult to
detect.
No sightings recorded in 2014.
Eastern Pygmy
Possum
No sighting recorded.
Species is difficult to
detect.
No sightings recorded in 2014.
________________________________________________________________________________
11
7
Discussion and Summary
Transects were surveyed using both spotlighting and call-playback methods in this study. For the
most part, species were recorded based on visual observations with the exception of the Yellowbellied Glider which was only ever recorded in response to call-playbacks. Powerful Owls were also
detected only by calls except for one instance when a non-calling owl was observed using a
spotlight (not during call playback). The use of call-playbacks proved to be an effective method for
detecting presence of the Yellow-bellied Glider and Powerful Owl in this survey.
All of the arboreal mammals that would be expected to be seen in Namadgi National Park were
encountered during the survey (Greater Glider, Yellow-bellied Glider, Sugar Glider, Common
Brushtail Possum, Mountain Brushtail Possum, Common Ringtail Possum) indicating the continued
presence of populations of these species in the park eleven years post the 2003 wildfires. The two
smaller arboreal mammals (Feathertail Glider and Eastern Pygmy Possum) were not seen during
the survey, though given the difficulty in observing these species, this is not an unexpected result.
Recent records of the Eastern Pygmy Possum from Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature
Reserve indicate populations are still present in the park.
The detection of Yellow-bellied Gliders from their calls is a significant result as this species was not
detected following the 2003 wildfires. Yellow-bellied Glider detections were made across a wide
area, including one at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, two on Orroral Ridge Road in the central area of
the park and one on Mount Franklin Road in the west of the park.
Powerful Owls were not included in the 2003 post-fire survey, so the impact on this species
immediately after the 2003 fires is unknown. However, there are records of Powerful Owls in the
ACT following the fires, prior to the current survey, including a juvenile Powerful Owl that took up
residence for a few weeks in the National Botanic Gardens on Black Mountain in Canberra. This
survey has confirmed the continued presence of these large birds (predators of arboreal mammals
such as possums and gliders) in Namadgi National Park.
8
Acknowledgements
This survey was completed with the help of many people who volunteered their time at
unsociable hours. We are very grateful to Kym Birgan, Jess Bolton, Scott Ryan, Debbie Worner,
Nina Bruns, Alison Mungoven, Danny Spelic, Brandon Galpin, Shelley Swain, Kate Grarock, Greg
Hayes, Elise Furlan, Diwani Velasquez, Katherine Jenkins, Josh Mulvaney, Julian Seddon and Liam
Henry for their help with spotlighting. We would also like to thank the Namadgi, Tidbinbilla,
Mitchell and Athllon ranger staff for their assistance with organising staff, equipment, vehicles and
access during the surveys.
12
9
References
Carey A, Evans M, Hann P, Lintermans M, MacDonald T, Ormay P, Sharp S, Shorthouse D, Webb, N.
2003. Wildfires in the ACT 2003: Report on initial impacts on natural ecosystems. Technical
Report 17. Environment ACT, Canberra.
________________________________________________________________________________
13
Appendix 1. Bendora Return Transect
14
Appendix 2. Moonlight Hollow Transect
________________________________________________________________________________
15
Appendix 3. Honeysuckle Transect
16
Appendix 4. Smokers Trail Transect
________________________________________________________________________________
17
Appendix 5. Camelback Transect
18
Appendix 6. Fishing Gap Transect
________________________________________________________________________________
19
Appendix 7. Mt Franklin Road Transect
20
Appendix 8. Yaouk Gap Transect
________________________________________________________________________________
21
Appendix 9. Brandy Flat Transect
22
Appendix 10. Old Boboyan Road Transect
________________________________________________________________________________
23
Appendix 11a. Datasheet
INSTRUCTIONS AND CODES CAN BE FOUND ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET
Transect:
Date:
Octaves Cloud Cover:
Wind Level:
Section
24
Species
Start Time:
End Time:
Temperature:
Precipiation:
WPt No.
Side Obs.
Response?
Left Observer:
Right Observer:
Moon Phase:
Notes
Appendix 11b. Datasheet
Transect: CAMEL BACK FIRE TRAIL LOOP
Date:
26/3/14
Start Time: 20:15 End Time: 23:00
% Cloud Cover:
40%
Temperature: 15oC
Wind Level:
1
Precipiation:
0
Left Observer:
Right Observer:
Mel S
Murray E
Moon Phase:
0
Section
Species
WPt No.
Side Obs.
Response?
Call-1
-
1
-
No
1
BTP
2
L
NA
1
RTP
3
R
NA
Call-2
YBG
4
L
Yes
Approx. 350m away
2
SG
5
L
NA
Juvenile?
2
RTP
8
L
NA
2
BTP
9
R
NA
Call-3
POW
10
-
Yes
3
MTP
13
L
NA
3 adults seen in one tree
Call-4
-
15
-
No
END OF TRANSECT (Only 1.4km from previous call-back)
In tree hollow
Precipitation:
0 - none
1 - drizzle
2 - patchy showers
3 - constant light rain
4 - heavy rain
Wind Level:
0 - calm
1 - leaves/twigs rustle
2 - small branches move
3 - large branches move
4 - whole trees move
Species Abbreviations
Common brushtail possum
Common ringtail possum
Mountain brushtail possum
Greater Glider
Sugar Glider
Yellow-Bellied Glider
Owlet Nightjar
Boobook Owl
Powerful Owl
Tawny Frogmouth
Notes
Moon Phase:
0 - new moon
1 - first quarter
2 - second quarter
3 - third quarter
4 - full moon
Instructions:
BTP
RTP
MBT
GG
SG
YBG
ONJ
BOO
POW
TFM
Call-backs: A call-back test should be performed at the
start of each 2km 'section' (1 min glider, 2 min listening, 30
sec owl, 2 min listening). The position of each call-back
should be recorded as a way point. 'Response' should be
classified as 'Yes' or 'No' and the species, if applicable,
recorded in the 'Species' column. A final call-back should
be done at the transect end.
Spotlighting: Two observers spotlight from the back seat of
a vehicle (searching one side of the road each) in 2km
sections. Sections should be measured using the vehicle
odometer. For each observation, record the 'Section'
number (0-2km = Section 1; 2-4km = Section 2 etc.), the
species, a unique waypoint number, and the side on which
the observation was made (left/right). If multiple animals
are seen in one spot this should be recorded in the notes
(e.g. mother and back young).
Recording: Each new observations should be written on a
new line with all boxes completed (even if '-' or 'NA').
Species can be recorded using the codes (left) and species
not on the list can be added in the blank spaces. Surveys
should focus on arboreal species.
________________________________________________________________________________
25
Appendix 12. Summary of Species Observed
The number of each species observed is given for each transect in addition to the length of the surveyed transect.
Transect Name
Length (km)
GG
Bendora Return
12.65
3
Brandy Flat
10.23
Camelback
11.50
Yaouk Gap
18.12
Fishing Gap
11.58
Honeysuckle
13.42
YBG
SG
BTP
1
2
MBT
RTP
POW
BOO
TFM
2
1
2
1
12
3
2
1
Moonlight Hollow
11.30
1
Mt Franklin Rd
17.16
1
Old Boboyan Rd
14.30
Smokers Trail
19.28
Total
139.54
9
1
2
3
1
5
1
4
3
4
5
SH
BAT
1
2
6
1
RWB
1
2
҂
ONJ
2
7
1
KOO
1
2
1
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
1
6
27
3
3
14
2
11
80
2
2
22
1
3
4
7
12
1
1
1
1
2
GG, greater glider (Petaurus volans); YBG, yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis); SG, sugar glider (Petaurus brevipes); BTP, common brushtail
possum (Trichosurus vulpecula); MBT, mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus); RTP, common ringtail possum (Psuedocheirus peregrinus);
POW, Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua); BOO, Southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae); TFM, Tawny Frogmouth (Podgarus strigoides); KOO, Laughing
Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii); ONJ, Australian Owlet Nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus); RWB, Red Wattle Bird (Anthochaera carunculata); SH, Swamp
Harrier (Circus approximans); BAT, unidentified microbat. ҂Species not confirmed – Sugar Glider or possibly a Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis).

ARBOREAL MAMMAL SPOTLIGHT SURVEY 2014

Transcription

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