arboreal mammal spotlight survey 2014 · national park and tidbinbilla nature reserve in autumn...

Conservation Research | Environment Division | Environment and Planning Directorate

ARBOREAL MAMMAL SPOTLIGHT SURVEY 2014

Melissa Snape, Ben Stevenson and Murray Evans

Technical Report No 30

July 2015

1

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

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.

Arboreal Spotlight Survey 2014 i

Contents

1 Purpose ......................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Background ................................................................................................................................... 1

3 Aims ............................................................................................................................................... 2

4 Sites ............................................................................................................................................... 2

5 Methods ........................................................................................................................................ 2

5.1 Survey conditions .................................................................................................................. 2

5.2 Spotlight survey methods ...................................................................................................... 2

5.3 Call-playback survey methods ............................................................................................... 3

5.4 Variables recorded................................................................................................................. 5

6 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

ii Arboreal Spotlight Survey 2014

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

Arboreal Spotlight Survey 2014 iii

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.

________________________________________________________________________________ Arboreal Spotlight Survey 2014 1

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.

2 Arboreal Spotlight Survey 2014

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 5-10 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).


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 Mapped Start Mapped End Surveyed Start Surveyed End

Bendora Return 0662983; 6078690

0664475; 6079170

0662960; 6078709

0664999; 6079107

Brandy Flat 0681154; 6048960

0681028; 6042940

0682565; 6048035

0681520; 6043342

Camelback 0673921; 6074330

0673958; 6074350

0673909; 6074336

0673187; 6076508

Yaouk 0671266; 6059040

0664706; 6045580

0664682; 6045646

0667680; 6057308

Fishing Gap 0674608; 6074650

0674688; 6074510

0674060; 6074365

0674490; 6073934

Honeysuckle 0680587; 6062140

0680280; 6051760

0680570; 6062214

0676759; 6055267

Moonlight Hollow 0664272; 6082350

0664276; 6082330

0664228; 6082126

0664644; 6080050

Mt Franklin Road 0661566; 6063870

0665054; 6054140

0661191; 6063125

0663541; 6054565

Old Boboyan Road 0678538; 6041240

0679953; 6029190

0679967; 6029219

0677947; 6040564

Smokers Trail 0674908; 6068580

0676207; 6056040

0675148; 6067079

0672259; 6058211

5.3 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.


Figure 1. Survey transects


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.


Figure 2. Bendora Return and Moonlight Hollow transects


Figure 3. Honeysuckle and Smokers Trail transects


Figure 4. Fishing Gap and Camelback transects


Figure 5. Yaouk Gap and Mt Franklin Road transects


Figure 6. Brandy Flat and Old Boboyan Road transects


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.


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 Yellow-

bellied 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.


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.


Appendix 1. Bendora Return Transect


Appendix 2. Moonlight Hollow Transect


Appendix 3. Honeysuckle Transect


Appendix 4. Smokers Trail Transect


Appendix 5. Camelback Transect


Appendix 6. Fishing Gap Transect


Appendix 7. Mt Franklin Road Transect


Appendix 8. Yaouk Gap Transect


Appendix 9. Brandy Flat Transect


Appendix 10. Old Boboyan Road Transect


Appendix 11a. Datasheet

Section Species WPt No. Side Obs. Response?

INSTRUCTIONS AND CODES CAN BE FOUND ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET

Wind Level: Precipiation: Moon Phase:

Transect: Left Observer:

Right Observer:Date: Start Time: End Time:

Octaves Cloud Cover: Temperature:

Notes


Appendix 11b. Datasheet

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

2 SG 5 L NA

2 RTP 8 L NA

2 BTP 9 R NA

Call-3 POW 10 - Yes

3 MTP 13 L NA

Call-4 - 15 - No

BTP

RTP

MBT

GG

SG

YBG

ONJ

BOO

POW

TFM

Wind Level: 1 Precipiation: 0

Powerful Owl

Sugar Glider

In tree hollow

Approx. 350m away

Juvenile?

Common ringtail possum

Mountain brushtail possum

Greater Glider

Notes

Right Observer: Murray E

Moon Phase: 0

Left Observer: Mel STransect: CAMEL BACK FIRE TRAIL LOOP

Date: 26/3/14 Start Time: 20:15 End Time: 23:00

% Cloud Cover: 40% Temperature: 15oC

END OF TRANSECT (Only 1.4km from previous call-back)

3 adults seen in one tree

Tawny Frogmouth

Yellow-Bellied Glider

Owlet Nightjar

Boobook Owl

Species Abbreviations

Common brushtail possumInstructions:

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.

Wind Level:0 - calm1 - leaves/twigs rustle2 - small branches move3 - large branches move4 - whole trees move

Precipitation:0 - none1 - drizzle2 - patchy showers3 - constant light rain4 - heavy rain

Moon Phase:0 - new moon1 - first quarter2 - second quarter3 - third quarter4 - full moon

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 YBG SG BTP MBT RTP POW BOO TFM KOO ONJ RWB SH BAT

Bendora Return 12.65 3 1 2 2 1 2 1

Brandy Flat 10.23 12 2

Camelback 11.50 3 2 1 5 1

Yaouk Gap 18.12 7 1 2

Fishing Gap 11.58 1 1 2 3 2 1 1

Honeysuckle 13.42 1 2 3 6 1 4 1

Moonlight Hollow 11.30 1 1҂ 4 1 2 1

Mt Franklin Rd 17.16 1 1 5 2 6

Old Boboyan Rd 14.30 27 3 1 1 1

Smokers Trail 19.28 3 14 2 3

Total 139.54 9 4 11 80 2 22 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 · national park and tidbinbilla nature reserve in autumn...

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