REVIEW OF THREATENED FAUNA MONITORING ON EYRE PENINSULA, November

							  REVIEW OF THREATENED FAUNA MONITORING ON EYRE PENINSULA,
                        November 2005.

Australian Sea Lion Neophoca cinerea                             Vulnerable (EPBC), Rare(SA)
Project 1: Monitoring Australian Sea Lion breeding colonies in southern Spencer Gulf, and west coast
of Eyre Peninsula, SA
Project coordinator/s: Dr Simon Goldsworthy & Dr Peter Shaughnessy
Agency: South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

CSIRO have been monitoring Australian Sea Lion abundance on EP since 1990. During this time, six
new breeding colonies were identified: Four Hummocks, Price, North Rocky, Dorothee, West
Waldegrave and Nicolas Baudin Islands. Breeding colonies are expected at Ward Island, Middle and
Western Nuyts Reef (Shaughnessy et al 2005).
Recent cooperative efforts with SARDI have identified:
   • 	 Breeding colonies have been confirmed at Olive Island, Liguanea, English Island and 

       Dangerous Reef. 

   • 	 Walter, Jones, Nicolas Baudin & Olive Islands have had constant breeding over the last 3
       seasons.
   • 	 Breeding is suspected at Hopkins, Smith & Lewis Islands in the lower Spencer Gulf and will be
       investigated in the future.
The Australian Sea Lion breeding colony on Dangerous Reef has been monitored for 10 seasons and
2005 will be the 11th season. A marked-recapture of Australian Sea Lion pups conducted at Dangerous
Reef in July 2005 towards the end of the breeding season estimated a mean of 326 pups. The best
estimate of pup numbers at Dangerous Reef, based on data collected from six monitoring trips
throughout the pupping season is 560 pups (P. Shaughnessy, pers. comm.).
Monitoring is expected to continue in 2006, subject to funding.

References:
McKenzie, J., Goldsworthy, S.D., Shaughnessy, P.D. & McIntosh, R. (2005). Understanding the
     impediments to the growth of Australian sea lion populations. South Australian Research and
     Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Adelaide. SARDI publication Number RD04/0171.
Shaughnessy, P., Dennis, T.E. and Seager, P. (2005). Status of Australian sea lions, Neophoca
     cinerea, and New Zealand fur seals, Arctocephalus forsteri, on Eyre Peninsula and the far west
     coast of South Australia. Wildlife Research. 32, 85-101.
Shaughnessy, P. (In preparation). Population assessment of New Zealand fur seals and Australian
     sea lions in South Australia, 2004-05. Report to Department for Environment and Heritage, South
     Australia.
Australian Sea Lion Ark on Eyre Information Sheet, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/sheet_7.pdf
Project 2: Resource use by Australian Sea Lions
Project coordinator/s: Dr Simon Goldsworthy & Brad Page
Agency: Department of Primary Industries and Research, South Australia (PIRSA), Aquaculture Unit

Scientists from the Aquaculture Unit are researching resource use and foraging patterns by Australian
Sea Lions using remote satellite radio tracking. Field sites where animals have been fitted with
transmitters include Dangerous Reef.

References: n/a. Contact Dr Simon Goldsworthy at SARDI, Adelaide for more information.

Other relevant work being undertaken by SARDI includes monitoring pup growth and several foraging
and breeding parameters of New Zealand Fur Seals Arctocephalus forsteri on North and South
Neptune Islands. Further information is available in:
Goldsworthy, S., Page, B. and Ward,T.M. ( 2005) Establishing Methods For Comparing Growth Rates And
     Reproductive Success Of Key Predators In The Eastern GAB. IN: Trophodynamics of the GAB: assessing
     the need for an ecological allocation in the SA pilchard fishery. Tim M. Ward, Simon D. Goldsworthy and
     Brad Page (eds), South Australian Research And Development Institute (SARDI). Final Report to the
     Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, Project No. 2003/072



Brush-tailed Bettong                          Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi                     Rare,
Cons.Dep. (SA)
Project 1: Monitoring of re-introduced Brush-tailed Bettong population in Lincoln NP.

Project coordinator/s: Dr Paula Peeters & Tim Hall

Agency: DEH, West Region


Brush-tailed Bettongs (BtB) were released into Lincoln National Park on five occasions. A total of 113 

bettongs were released into Lincoln National Park over 5 translocation events between September 

1999 and April 2001. Monitoring of BtBs is conducted twice once a year in the months of April and 

September. The aim is to confirm presence, monitor distribution and detect any newly recruited 

individuals. Five transects (Memory Cove 1& 2, Entrance, Taylor’s Landing and Donnington) 

throughout the park are trapped over five nights. Each transect is 4km in length and has a trap every 

100m. Trapping results so far from 2005 (July and November) detected three individuals along only 

the Donnington transect. This is similar to past trapping results (DEH 2002, Martin et al. 2004). One 

tagged female (638) with pouch young and two new adult males were captured. Both were weighed 

and measured and the new males were ear-tagged (218 & 209). Data suggests that the BtB 

population is persisting at low densities. 


References:
DEH (2002). Brush-tailed Bettongs – Lincoln National Park. Update June 2001 to February 2002
Martin, S., Ball, S. and Peeters, P. (2004). Reintroduction of the Brush-tailed Bettong (Bettongia
        penicillata ogilbyi) into Lincoln National Park. Program review up to July 2004. DRAFT report
        for the Department for Environment and Heritage, West Region, Port Lincoln.



Review of Threatened Fauna Monitoring on Eyre Peninsula, November 2005.                                        2
Delroy L.B., J. Earl, I. Radbone, A.C. Robinson and M. Hewett. (1986). The Breeding and Re-
         establishment of the Brush-tailed Bettong, Bettongia penicillata, in South Australia. Aust. Wildl.
         Res. 13, 387-96

Nelson, L.S., R.F. Storr and A.C. Robinson. (1992). Plan of Management for the Brush-tailed Bettong,
        Bettongia penicillata Gray, 1837 (Marsupialia, Potoroidae) in South Australia. National Parks &
        Wildlife Service - South Australia.
Brush-tailed Bettong in SA, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/bettong.html


Brush-tailed Bettong project details, Ark on Eyre webpage, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/threatened_animals.html - other_projects

Brush-tailed Bettong Ark on Eyre Information Sheet, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/sheet_2.pdf

Project 2. Monitoring of the re-introduced Brush-tailed Bettong population at Venus Bay Conservation
Park.
Project coordinator/s: David Armstrong
Agency: DEH, West Region

The first trial re-introduction of six male Brush-tailed Bettongs into Venus Bay Conservation Park
(VBCP) was conducted in April 1994. The bettongs were radio-collared and tracked over several
months to monitor their behaviour and survival. Following the success of the release, four subsequent
releases occurred between September 1994 and January 1995. A total of 61 animals (22 males and
39 females) were released during this time, taking the total number of released individuals to 67. All
individuals were sourced from Dryandra Reserve in western Australia.

Spotlight surveys along oat trail transects (12km) are conducted every two-three months to monitor the
bettong population. Numbers recorded vary according to food availability (e.g. less numbers recorded
when natural food resources are high) and visibility (e.g. grasses at maximum growth height). Recent
results to date:
    • December 2004: 185
    • April 2005: 482
    • July 2005: 387
    • October 2005:161
Additional monitoring to collect data on reproductive and general body condition is due to begin in late
2005. This will involve trapping at four sites over four nights twice a year.

References: See web links above. For more information, contact David Armstrong, Senior Ranger,
Venus Bay Conservation Park.




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Project 3: Monitoring of Brush-tailed Bettongs on St Peters Island Conservation Park and Wedge 

Islands, Eyre Peninsula.

Project coordinator/s: Jason van Weenen

Agency: DEH, Adelaide 


Brush-tailed Bettongs were introduced to St Peters Island CP in 1989 (128 individuals). In 2000, the 

population was estimated at between 5-6,000. In 1983, thirty-six BtBs were released on Wedge 

Island. In 2000, the population was estimated at between 4-5,000. These populations are monitored 

every five years. Monitoring is due again in 2005, but had not been completed at time of writing.


References: See web links above & combined field reports referenced with Greater Stick-nest Rat 

section below. 

Van Weenen, J. (1996). Brushtailed Bettong Monitoring St Peters Island (1996). Unpublished report, 

      Department for Environment and Heritage.



Bush Stone-curlew                    Burhinus grallarius                  Vulnerable (SA), Endangered (EP)
Project coordinator/s: Tim Hall
Agency: DEH, West Region
Project: Monitoring Bush Stone-curlew distribution in Lincoln NP.

Surveys began in 2000 to assess Bush Stone-curlew (BSc) numbers in areas around southern Eyre
Peninsula. These surveys are used to assess the success of predator control programs in Lincoln and
Coffin Bay National Parks, using the BSc as an indicator species, focussing on changes in distribution
and abundance of the population. Although a population estimate is unavailable, numbers of
individuals detected have risen since surveying began, indicating that the baiting program may be
positively influencing curlew numbers.

Surveys are conducted using call-playback to incite a response from any individuals in the area. A
spotlight is used to aid identification. Surveys are conducted quarterly (spring, summer autumn &
winter) in Lincoln NP: Seven sites at Memory Cove and six sites in the Donnington region including
Cape Donnington Lighthouse, Donnington Cottage, Engine Point, Stamford Hill, Surfleet Road and
Surfleet Campground, as well as annually at Coffin Bay, Port Lincoln township and the Sleaford
farming area. The last survey was conducted in October 2005 and five calls (suspected three
individuals) were detected from three sites in the Donnington area (Stamford Hill, Surfleet Road and
Campground) and one in the Memory Cove Wilderness Area near West Point. An opportunistic
observation in November 2005 has added to distributional data: three individuals were seen near the
Myoporum Flat Camping Area in Lincoln National Park.

References:
Stringer, R. (2004). Bush Stone-curlew Report, August 2004. Department for Environment and
      Heritage, Port Lincoln.




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Peeters, P. (2003). Bush Stone-curlew Report For WCF Projects 3160, 3172 and 3157. December
       2003. Department for Environment and Heritage, West Region, Port Lincoln.
Bush Stone-curlew Ark on Eyre Information Sheet, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/sheet_11.pdf



Common Brushtail Possum                                 Trichosurus vulpecula      Rare (SA),
Endangered (EP)
Project coordinator/s: Paula Peeters
Agency: DEH, West Region
Project: Survey of the Common Brushtail Possum in the Lower Eyre Peninsula bushfire area

Survey work is currently underway (January 2006) to determine the distribution of Common Brushtail
Possums throughout the Lower EP bushfire area and to identify recovery actions for the conservation
of this species on EP. The study is part of the scientific project component of the Lower Eyre
Peninsula Bushfire Re-establishment Program (LEPBRP).

References:
Pieck, A (2002). The distribution and habitat use of the common brushtail possum Trichosurus
       vulpecula, in the yellow-tailed black-cockatoo breeding area, Koppio Hills, Eyre Peninsula, South
       Australia. Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Applied
       Science (Honours) Conservation and Park Management, School of Environmental and
       Recreational Management, University of South Australia.
Common Brushtail Possum information, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/possums.html




 Eyre Peninsula Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo          Calyptorhynchus funereus
 xanthanotus    Vulnerable (SA), Critically Endangered (EP)

Project coordinator: Sarah Way
Agency: DEH, West Region
Project: Eyre Peninsula Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo habitat recovery project

The project has been running in earnest since 1998. Recovery actions include nest monitoring, nest
and habitat protection and population monitoring. Before the lower EP fire in January 2005, there was
thought to be between 30-34 Eyre Peninsula Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos (EPYTBC) on EP. The fire
burnt through the entire breeding area of the EPYTBC during the breeding season. Two nestlings and
one fertile egg were lost in the fire. Consequently, no juveniles were recruited to the population for the
04-05 breeding season. One fertile egg was salvaged from a nest before the fire and was hatched
successfully at the Gorge Wildlife Park, increasing the number of EPYTBCs in captivity to seven birds.
Counts conducted in July 2005 of the winter flock at Mount Damper/Mt Cooper on the NW EP



Review of Threatened Fauna Monitoring on Eyre Peninsula, November 2005.                                    5
confirmed 14 individuals: 6 males (banded individual Blue/Left, Silver/Right), 7 females (banded
individual 932/Left Yellow/Right) and one 03_04 juvenile (316). Two individuals were also observed
near Edilillie and Wanilla this winter and, along with observations of the far northern flock of seven birds
near Ceduna in October, this confirms the survival of at least 23 birds since the January 2005 bushfire.
There were 4, potentially five breeding pairs in the breeding area at time of writing in January 2006.

References:
Van Weenen and Cooper (2002). Progress report for the critically endangered population of Yellow-
       tailed Black-Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus funereus) on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.
       Department for Environment and Heritage, West Region, Port Lincoln.
EPYTBC Recovery project details, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/yellowtailed.html
EPYTBC Ark on Eyre project information:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/threatened_animals.html - eyre_peninsula



Fairy Tern                  Sterna nereis                        Vulnerable (SA)
Project coordinator: Peter Wilkins
Agency: DEH, West Region
Project: Monitoring of Fairy Terns in Coffin Bay National Park (CBNP)

Opportunistic observations of Fairy Tern numbers and breeding pairs along Seven Mile Beach in CBNP
have been recorded during the breeding season (summer months) by various DEH ranger staff since
1997.

The EPNRM Board is also coordinating surveys of water birds and waders, including Fairy Terns and
Hooded Plovers (see below). These surveys are part of a monitoring program assessing the
effectiveness of widespread feral animal control across EP (e.g. Integrated Pest Management
Programs). Contact Justine Graham, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, Eyre Peninsula Natural
Resources Management Board for more details.

References:
Fairy Tern Ark on Eyre Information Sheet, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/sheet_20.pdf



Greater Bilby               Macrotis lagotis                  Vulnerable (EPBC), Endangered, Cons.Dep. (SA)
Project 1: Monitoring of the captive re-introduced population of Greater Bilby at Venus Bay
Conservation Park.
Project coordinator: David Armstrong
Agency: DEH, West Region




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There have been four releases of Greater Bilby into Venus Bay Conservation Park (VBCP) between 

September 2002 and July 2003. In total, 19 bilbies, consisting of 10 males and 9 females, have been 

translocated from a breeding colony at Monarto Zoo. Release animals were monitored using radio 

telemetry each night for the first week, twice weekly for the remainder of the first four weeks and weekly 

for the remainder of the first three months post release. Attempts are made to recapture each animal 

at the end of each of the first three months for health check, including obtaining weight and transmitter 

replacement as necessary. Another release of four individuals (2 females and 2 males) from Monarto 

is planned for November 2005. Current monitoring involves spotlight counts along oat trails transects 

(4.5km) conducted every two-three months and has shown a slow but relatively steady increase in 

numbers: 

Four spotlighting surveys conducted in 2005 recorded 21, 19, 31 and 37 individuals.


References: For more information, contact David Armstrong, Senior Ranger, Venus Bay Conservation 

Park. 

DEH (2003) Release of Bilbies to Venus Bay Conservation Park. Progress Report to June 30th 2003. 


Greater Bilby project information, DEH website: 

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/bilby.html


Greater Bilby Ark on Eyre Information Sheet, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/sheet_6.pdf

Project 2: Monitoring of the introduced population of Greater Bilby at Thistle Island.

Project coordinator: Peter Copley & Jason van Weenen 

Agency: DEH, Adelaide 


The Greater Bilby was introduced to Thistle Island in 1998. The population is monitored once a year in 

winter by surveying abundance and distribution of burrows. This provides information on range 

expansion across the island and persistence at monitored sites. The island was last surveyed in April 

2005 and increased activity on the southern end of the island was noticeable, with high levels of 

foraging activity in areas where sour-sob bulbs were present. Dry conditions increased visibility of 

tracks at burrows and probably accounts for the decrease in number of 'possibly used' burrows. Of 

interest was the increase in the number of old and collapsed burrows observed during the field trip

(Jason van Weenen, pers. com.). 


References:
DEH (2005a). Distribution of Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) signs on Thistle Island, April 2005. Map
        produced by Jason van Weenen, Department for Environment and Heritage, Adelaide.
DEH (2005b). Distribution of Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) signs on Thistle Island, 2000-2005. Map
        produced by Jason van Weenen, Department for Environment and Heritage, Adelaide.
See also web sites above.




Review of Threatened Fauna Monitoring on Eyre Peninsula, November 2005.                                  7
Greater Stick-nest Rat                        Leporillus conditor                   Vulnerable (EPBC, SA)
Project: Monitoring of the re-introduced population of Greater Stick-nest Rat, Reevesby and St Peter
Islands.
Project coordinator: Peter Copley & Jason van Weenen
Agency: DEH, West Region & Adelaide

In 1990-91, releases were made of Greater Stick-nest Rat onto Reevesby Island (101 individuals) in
the Sir Joseph Banks Group and in 1993-4 on St Peter Island (27 individuals) in the Nuyts Archipelago.
An extant population exists on Franklin Island in the Nuyts Archipelago. Trapping grids have been
established and monitoring initially occurred annually in the years following re-introductions, but has
been scaled down to once every five years. Surveys have shown released populations have increased
and are actively breeding and recruiting. 703 SNR were detected during surveys on Reevesby Island
in 1998, a five-fold increase compared to 1997 survey results (van Weenen 1998a). The next survey is
scheduled for March 2006.

References:
Brandle, R. (1997). Saint Peter Island Monitoring Summaries: September 1997. Unpublished report,
       Department for Environment and Heritage
Copley, P. (1999). Natural histories of Australia’s Stick-nest Rats, genus Leporillus (Rodentia:
       Muridae). Wildlife Research, 26: 513-539.
Copley, P. (1995). The Greater Stick-nest Rat (Leporillus conditor) Recovery Plan Draft. Department
       of Environment and Natural Resources, Adelaide.
Lee, A.K. (1995). The Action Plan for Australian Rodents. Australian Nature Conservation Agency,
       Canberra.
Moseby, K. (1995). Stick-nest Rat Monitoring Progress Report – August 1995. Unpublished report,
       Department for Environment and Heritage.
Stewart, H (1996) Rare Rodents Project – Bi-annual monitoring of Leporillus conditor on St Peter Island
       (March 1996). Unpublished report, Department for Environment and Heritage.
Van Weenen, J. (1998a). Stick-nest Rat Monitoring Reevesby Island March 1998. Unpublished report,
       Department for Environment and Heritage.
Van Weenen, J. (1998b). St Peter Island Brush-tailed Bettong and Stick-nest Rat Monitoring May/June
       1998. Unpublished report, Department for Environment and Heritage
Van Weenen, J. (1997). Stick-nest Rat Monitoring Reevesby Island February 1997. Unpublished
       report, Department for Environment and Heritage.
Greater Stick-nest Rat Ark on Eyre Information Sheet, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/sheet_5.pdf



Hooded Plover Thinornis rubricollis                                       Vulnerable (SA)
Project coordinator: Peter Wilkins
Agency: DEH, West Region
Project: Monitoring of Hooded Plovers in Coffin Bay NP




Review of Threatened Fauna Monitoring on Eyre Peninsula, November 2005.                                     8
DEH rangers have participated in the National Hooded Plover count, coordinated by Birds Australia
every two years in November/December. Sites include Point Longnose, Lake Damascus, 7 Mile
Beach, Eely Point, Lake Jesse, Gunyah and Convention Beach in CBNP. Gunyah Beach is a key site
for Hooded Plovers in Coffin Bay NP and numbers seem to be gradually increasing: 19 adults and 5
immatures (2001), an average of 23 individuals (including 2 chicks) (2002) and 26 individuals (including
4 juveniles) (2004). Opportunistic observations of Hooded Plovers numbers and breeding pairs are
recorded during the breeding season (summer months) by various DEH ranger staff. There has been a
hiatus in surveying due to staff changes and vacancies, however it is hoped that involvement with the
National Hooded Plover Count will recommence in 2006.

References: n/a
Hooded Plover Ark on Eyre Information Sheet, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/sheet_12.pdf



Malleefowl                  Leipoa ocellata                      Vulnerable (EPBC, SA, EP)
Project coordinator: West Coast IPM Coordinator (Position vacant) & Andrew Freeman
Agency: EP Natural Resource Management Group (EPNRM) & DEH West Region
Project: Monitoring Malleefowl across EP.

Several grids have been set up by DEH, the EPNRM Group & volunteers to monitor the breeding and
distribution of Malleefowl across EP and to assess change in Malleefowl population over time and the
conservation benefits of widespread predator control programs.

A grid on a heritage Agreement (HA) near Cowell has been monitored by volunteers since 1995 and
was initially set up by Joe Benshemesh with the owners of the heritage agreement at the time.
Numbers of mounds have been seen to fluctuate and have not significantly increased or decreased in
numbers. Three other grids were established by DEH using Greencorp teams and surveyed in 1998:
Pinkawillinie, Hincks and Munyaroo Conservation Parks. Later in 2003, a fifth grid was established and
surveyed on a second HA near Lock. In 2003/2004 Munyaroo and Lock grid was re-surveyed and
known mounds checked for breeding activity in the Munyaroo, Cowell, Hincks, Lock and Pinkawillinie
grids. Survey methodology will now focus on visiting known mounds in all grids every year to check for
breeding activity as well as surveying one of the five grids for new mounds each year. In 2005,
Pinkawillinie grid will be searched for new mounds. The EPNRM’s West Coast Integrated Pest
Management Program (WCIPM) has committed to support in monitoring of Malleefowl population to
add to their monitoring program for pest management.

                                                  Year surveyed & no. active mounds
Location of Grid                      1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003           2004 2005
Munyaroo CP (total of 35 mounds)                     1                           4
Pinkawillinie CP (total of 34 mounds)                1                           0               0
Hincks CP (total of 22 mounds)                       2                      1    1           2   4
Cowell HA (total of 84 Mounds)        10   7    5          7    13 9        6    7           3
Lock HA (total of 54 mounds)                                                     6           5   6




Review of Threatened Fauna Monitoring on Eyre Peninsula, November 2005.                                  9
In 2002, four Malleefowl were released in Lincoln NP. Radio tracking discovered that one male had
paired up with what is believed to be an existing female and an active mound was found in late 2002.
DEH & EPNRM staff has been monitoring known mounds in the park during the breeding season and
the mound was found to be active again in the 04/05 breeding season.

References:
DEH (2001). Malleefowl Re-introduction, Eyre Peninsula August 2001 Report. Report produced by
        Nigel Cotsell for the Department for Environment and Heritage.
Freeman, A., Peeters, P and Tonkin, G. (2004). Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata) conservation on Eyre
        Peninsula, South Australia. Proceedings for the National Malleefowl Forum, Mildura, Victoria.
http://www.malleefowlvictoria.org.au/Proceedings/Freeman.pdf

Malleefowl Ark on Eyre project details, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/threatened_animals.html - malleefowl

Malleefowl Ark on Eyre Information Sheet, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/sheet_4.pdf




 Southern Emu-wren (Eyre Peninsula subspecies)       Stipiturus
 malachurus intermedius Vulnerable (EPBC), Endangered (SA, EP)

Project coordinator: Dr Paula Peeters
Agency: DEH West Region
Project: Recovery Plan for the Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren (EPSEW)

Before the January 2005 Lower EP bushfire, surveys conducted as part of the draft Recovery Plan
(Pickett 2004) recorded EPSEWs from 50 sites across lower EP with five important populations
occurring at Marble Range, Kellidie Bay CP, MacLaren Point–Point Haselgrove, Whalers Way and
West Point. A reliable estimate of EPSEW population size is unavailable, however it is thought that
pairs number less than 100 at each of these five important sites. In August 2005, sites where EPSEWs
had been previously recorded in the fireground were revisited. It is believed that an isolated population
at Charlton Gully in the Koppio Hills has been lost, however birds were recorded on the edge of the
fireground near Murrunatta CR (Pickett 2005a). Suitable habitat remnants within the fireground were
also re-surveyed to identify priority areas for protection and increasing habitat links (Pickett 2005b).
Monitoring to assess success of recovery actions and weed control at revegetation sites are planned
throughout 2006/7 as part of the scientific program of the LEPBRP.

References:
Pickett, M (2004). Draft Recovery Plan for the Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren Stipiturus
     malachurus parimeda 2005–2009.




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Pickett, M (2005a). Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren 2005 Post-fire Survey. Unpublished report
       prepared for the Department for Environment and Heritage, SA.
Pickett, M (2005b). Habitat management planning for the Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren in the
       2005 bushfire area. Unpublished report produced for the Department for Environment and
       Heritage, SA.
Pickett, M (2002). Status review and Action Plan for the Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren Stipiturus
       malachurus parimeda. Report prepared for Southern Eyre Birds Inc and Department for
       Environment and Heritage, SA.
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/epsew_report.pdf

EPSEW Ark on Eyre Information Sheet, DEH website:
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/arkoneyre/pdfs/sheet_9.pdf

Project coordinator: Marcus Pickett for Hydro Tasmania
Agency: Hydro Tasmania
Project: Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren (EPSEW) monitoring at Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm
Heritage Agreement Area.

This project is linked to the monitoring of the Western Whipbird, also at the Cathedral Rocks site (see
EPSEW, below). It involved an assessment of the EPSEW’s status and distribution at the proposed
wind farm site prior to constructin, as well as monitoring following construction. EPSEWs have been
monitored at 20 sites throughout the Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm since Spring 2004 (Pickett 2004 and
2005). EPSEWs have been recorded at 13 of 20 sites throughout the windfarm. Approximately 20
individuals were recoreded in 2004 (Pickett 2004) and 13 in 2005, including two pairs and a female that
was flushed from a nest (Pickett 2005). Monitoring will continue for five years after which a review of
the program is planned.

References:
Pickett, M (2005). Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren and Western Whipbird monitoring at the
     Cathedral Rock Wind Farm Heritage Agreement area – Spring 2005. Unpublished report
     prepared for Hydro Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania.
Pickett, M (2004). Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren and Western Whipbird monitoring at the
     Cathedral Rock Wind Farm Heritage Agreement area – Spring 2004. Unpublished report
     prepared for Hydro Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania.
Pickett, M (2003). Status and distribution of the Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren at the proposed
     Cathedral Rocks windfarm Site. Unpublished report prepared for Hydro Tasmania, Hobart,
     Tasmania.




Review of Threatened Fauna Monitoring on Eyre Peninsula, November 2005.                              11
Various
Project coordinator: Dr Don Driscoll, Dr Meredith Henderson & Joe Tilley
Agency: Flinders University and DEH, West Region.
Project: Animal and plant responses to fire and fire frequency in agricultural remnants. In-situ recovery
versus recolonisation from refuges.

Focussing on remnant mallee ecosystems on EP, the project aims to investigate the interacting effects
of fire and fox predation, and thereby to develop solutions to the problems posed by altered fire
regimes in remnant vegetation. Specific questions include:
     1. 	    Which species of ground-dwelling animals (e.g. reptiles and beetles) are fire specialists
             (only found in sites of a certain time since fire), and therefore are vulnerable to decline in the
             absence of appropriate fire regimes?
     2. 	    Does predation by foxes impact on populations of ground-dwelling reptiles and beetles?
     3. 	    Is there an interaction between fox predation and fire?
     4. 	    Do animals colonise burnt sites from adjacent unburnt areas or from low density populations
             in-situ?

Survey methods include:
   • 	 Pit-fall trap transects to assess impacts of fire, foxes and their interaction. There is one set of
       four transects in Hambidge, Hincks, Munyaroo and Pinkawillinie Conservation Parks. There are
       two sets of four transects in Heggarton Conservation Park.
   • 	 Fox baiting will be undertaken in Hambidge, Pinkawillinie and Heggarton Conservation Parks.
       Hincks and Munyaroo will remain unbaited.
   • 	 Grids to assess movement across fire edges: At each Conservation Park, one grid is located
       across the boundary between the existing burn and the unburnt mallee, while the second grid is
       located entirely within unburnt mallee, but half of those grids will be burnt in the experimental
       burns.
   • 	 Experimental fires will be set in Autumn 2006 by DEH staff. Each fire will cover approximately
       three square kilometres, and will burn one of the currently unburned transects, and half of both
       of the grids.
   • 	 Pre-burn sampling began in October 2003-March 2004 and the second year is scheduled for
       October 2005-March 2006.

References: n/a Publications have not been produced at this early stage of the project. For more
information, contact Dr. Don Driscoll, Flinders University.


Western Whipbird                     Psophodes nigrogularis               Vulnerable (EPBC), Vulnerable
(SA), Rare (EP)


Project coordinator: Marcus Pickett for Hydro Tasmania. 

Agency: Hydro Tasmania 

Project: Western Whipbird monitoring at Cathedral Rocks Wind Farm Heritage Agreement Area.





Review of Threatened Fauna Monitoring on Eyre Peninsula, November 2005.                                      12
This project is linked to the monitoring of EPSEW, also at the Cathedral Rocks site (see EPSEW,
above). Western Whipbirds have been monitored at 20 sites throughout the Cathedral Rocks Wind
Farm since Spring 2004 (Pickett 2004 and 2005). A population estimate for the site is estimated at
around 20 individuals. Monitoring will continue for five years after which a review of the program is
planned.

References:
Pickett, M (2005). Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren and Western Whipbird monitoring at the
     Cathedral Rock Wind Farm Heritage Agreement area – Spring 2005. Unpublished report
     prepared for Hydro Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania.
Pickett, M (2004). Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu-wren and Western Whipbird monitoring at the
     Cathedral Rock Wind Farm Heritage Agreement area – Spring 2004. Unpublished report
     prepared for Hydro Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania.



Threatened Fauna Officer

This report has been compiled by Sarah Way, Threatened Fauna Officer, West Region, Department for
Environment and Heritage. For further information, please contact:
         Sarah Way
         Threatened Fauna Officer, West Region
         Department for Environment and Heritage
         Phone (08) 8688 3111
         Email way.sarah@saugov.sa.gov.au
         Postal PO Box 22, Port Lincoln SA 5606.



Supporters of the Eyre Peninsula Threatened Fauna project

The Eyre Peninsula Threatened Fauna project is funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust
through the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board. It is also supported by the South Australian
Government’s Department for Environment and Heritage, and Nature Foundation SA.




Review of Threatened Fauna Monitoring on Eyre Peninsula, November 2005.                                       13