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O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Program South East Queensland

N E W S L E T T E R

South East Queensland

Published with assistance of the Australian Government.

Contents2 Editorial2 Contacts

Celebrations4-5 2000th Land for Wildlife Registration in SEQ

Fauna1 MammalIdentificationusing Remains and Traces.3 Red-bellied Black Snake10-11 KingfishersofSEQ14-15 BrushTurkeys

Practicalities7 WaterTube

8-9 ControllingWeedTreesusing Stem Injection Methods

Pests6 Fox and Dingo Monitoring andControlatMudgeeraba

Bush Regeneration12 Factors that Affect Rainforest Regeneration

13 Book Reviews

15 Letters to the Editor

16 LandforWildlifeinKilcoyShire

Findingsomeofourshyandelusivenativeanimalscanbeverytricky.Itoftenrequiresspecificskills,lotsofpatienceandpossiblytrapsandassociatedethicspermits.Asaresult,manynativeanimals,suchassmallnocturnalmammals,areputinthetoohardbaskettofindandidentify.

Earlierthisyear,LandforWildlifeExtensionOfficersattendedaworkshopattheQueenslandMuseuminBrisbanetolearnabouttheidentificationofSouthEastQueensland’ssmallmammals.TheMuseumcontainsremarkablecollectionsofskulls,scats,bones,wholespecimensandotherremainssuchasbarkchewings,nestsandowlpellets.

Ifyouareluckyenoughtohaveanowlnestingonyourproperty,thenyouhaveagreatresourcetofindoutaboutpreyspeciesthroughtheexaminationofowlpellets.Owlsswallowtheirpreywholeorinlargechunksandhavetoregurgitatepelletsofindigestiblematerialsuchasfurandbones.Pelletsarefoundaroundnests and roosting sites and often contain identifiablebones,asshowninthesephotographsofPowerfulOwlpellets.ThispelletshowsthatPowerfulOwlsatMt.Coot-thahadsnackedonaSugarGlider.

Smallmammalscanalsobeidentifiedbytheirscats,diggings,chewingsandothermarks.Forexample,someglidersmakeidentifiablemarksontreestoextractsapwhereasKoalashaveidentifiablescratchmarksfromtheirstrong,sharpclaws.

Ifyoudocomeacrossbonesorskullsofarelativelycommonmammal,youmaybeabletoidentifyityourselfusinga reference book. The easiest bones toidentifyareskulls,jaws,humerus(upperarmbone)andfemur(thighbone).However,ifyoudon’thaveaccesstoareferencebook,oriftheanimalisunusualtoyourareaorrare,thenyou

mayhavetocontactanexperttoobtainacorrectidentification.YourLandforWildlifeExtensionOfficershouldhaveacopyofareferencebookifyouwantedtodoyourownresearch,otherwiseyoumaywishtocontacttheQueenslandMuseumand ask for their assistance.

ReferencesTriggs,B.(2004).Tracks, Scats and Other Traces: A Field Guide to Australian Mammals.OxfordUniversityPress.

Article and photos by Deborah Metters.

Top image: Humerus (upper arm bone) and lower jaw of a Sugar Glider. These bones were found in the Powerful Owl pellet (middle image) and identified by referring to “Tracks, Scats and Other Traces” (lower image from page 307).

Mammal Identification using Remains and Traces

editorialWelcome to the Land for Wildlife

newsletterforSouthEastQueensland

SeptemberandOctoberarewonderfulmonthstoliveinSEQ.Migratorybirdsreturnfromtheirwinterbreedingandfeedinggroundsinthenorth.MorningandduskyouhearthereturnofChannel-billedCuckoos,RainbowBee-eatersandCommonKoels.IfyouvisitsomebeachesandmudflatsyoumayseethereturnofmigratoryshorebirdssuchasBar-tailedGodwits,GreatKnotsandEasternCurlews.Combinedwithallthewildflowers,emergingreptilesandincreasedinvertebrateactivity,youknowthatsummerisnearlyhere.Hopefully,therecentstormshaveboughtsomespringraintoyourproperty.

ThisnewslettereditioncontainsnumerouscontributionsfromLandforWildlifemembers,whichisgreat.SuchadiversityofactivitiesandideassuchascontrollingfoxesandDingoes,keepingBrushTurkeysoutofyourgarden,photographingoursevenlocalkingfisherspeciesandtheorisingonsymbioticrelationshipsbetweenrainforestplants.ThesearticlesconfirmthediverseinterestsandnatureconservationactivitiesundertakenbyLandforWildlifelandholders.Itisinspiringtoreadyourarticles.

In a milestone for the Land for Wildlife program,werecentlycelebratedtheregistration of 2000 Land for Wildlife propertiesinSEQ.Although,itwasn’tjustonepropertythatwascreditedwithbeingthe 2000th,butthree!Allthreepropertieswereregisteredonthesamedaytakingthe total from 1999 to 2002 Land for Wildlifeproperties.Soinsteadofpickingoutone,wedecidedtorecogniseallthree.Seethearticleonpages4-5aboutthesenewpropertieswithsomeinformativequotesfromthelandholdersastowhytheyjoinedLandforWildlife.Localmediaalsoprovidedsomefurtherrecognitionofthis milestone.

Therehasbeensomeothersuccessstoriesaroundtheregiontoo.Firstly,KilcoyShireCouncil,inpartnershipwiththeBrisbaneValleyKilcoyLandcareGroup,haverecentlyre-affirmedtheirsupportforLandforWildlife.AnarticleonthebackpagediscussesthehighecologicalvaluesofKilcoyandhowLandforWildlifewillbeabletosupportnew and existing landholders in this shire.Alocal,knowledgeableKilcoylandholder,MichelleLedwith,haswelcomed the role as Land for Wildlife ExtensionOfficer.

Secondly,MartinBennetthasrecentlystarted as Land for Wildlife Extension OfficerforGattonShire.Martinbringsa wealth of local knowledge to this position.Iamsurethatlandholderswillgreatlyappreciatehisbotanicalskills,especiallydryvinescrubs,ecologicalknowledge,culturalhistoryandhiscommitmenttothelocalcommunity.

Thirdly,CaloundraCityCouncilhasrecentlyappointedanewofficer,AlanWynn,inresponsetogrowingdemandsontheLandforWildlifeandVoluntaryConservationAgreementsprograms.AlanwillbefocussingonnewLandfor Wildlife registrations and revisits. Alan’secologicalknowledgeandbushregenerationskillswillbemuchappreciatedbylandholders.

JoshBirsehassteppedintothepositionpreviouslyheldbyStephanieReifatMaroochyShireCouncil.Joshwillbeworking on both the Land for Wildlife andVoluntaryConservationAgreementprogramsinMaroochyShire.

Welcome to all the new Land for WildlifeOfficers.Pleasecontactyourlocalofficerifyouneedanynatureconservation information or advice. IhopeyouenjoythisnewsletterandIwelcomeanycontributionsorcommentsthatyoumayhave.

Deborah MettersLand for Wildlife Regional CoordinatorSEQ CatchmentsPhone: 07 3211 [email protected]

Landholder Registrations, Land for Wildlife SEQ - 01/10/2007

Registered Properties

Working TowardsRegistration

Total Area RetainedTotalAreaunder

Restoration

2051 428 40,624ha 2,719ha

Forward all letters to:

The EditorLand for Wildlife NewsletterSEQ CatchmentsPO Box 13204GeorgeStreetQLD4003

Contact details for your local Land for Wildlife Extension Officers

Beaudesert Shire Council KeithMcCosh,55405436

Boonah Shire Council Positionvacant,54633000

Brisbane City Council AndrewMeiklejohn,34036530 SusanFinlay,34036575

Caboolture Shire Council MelindaBarlow,5420 0472

Caloundra City Council NickClancy,54396433 AlanWynn,54396477

Gatton Shire Council MartinBennett,0428198353

Gold Coast City Council DarrylLarsen,55828896 MichaelBanks,55828047

Ipswich City Council StuartMutzig,38106618

Kilcoy Shire MichelleLedwith,54220516

Logan City Council PennydeVine,34125321

Maroochy Shire Council JoshBirse,54418002 AmandaOzolins,54418414

Noosa Shire Council DaveBurrows,54495202

Pine Rivers Shire Council LyndallRosevear,34806529

Redland Shire Council GavinHammermeister,38201102

Toowoomba City Council VeronicaNewbury,46886572

ForallotherSEQLocalGovernmentareaspleasecontacttheRegionalCoordinator,DeborahMetters,on(07)32114404.

PAG E 2LandforWildlifeSouthEastQueensland October 2007

faunaprofileRed-bellied Black Snakes have Rapidly Evolved Since Cane Toad Arrival

Article by Garry Sippel and Rob PrestonOperators of Dreamtime Reptiles

The Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)isoneof

theiconicnativeanimalsfoundinSouthEastQueensland.Ithasanunmistakableshinyblackbodywithredorbrightorangesidesandadullredorpinkbelly.Thissnakeinhabitslocalbushlandandfavourshabitatswithcreeks,swamps,lakesorotherwatercourses.

Thispreferenceofawateryenvironmentreflectsthered-belliesmainfoodsource,withfrogspeciesmakingupmorethan60%oftheirdiet.Theyalsofeedonrats,mice,lizardsandbirds.Red-belliesaregood swimmers and can catch eels and fishtosupplementtheirdiet.

Frogsbeingthefirstchoiceofdiethascausedtroubleforthespeciesasthepoisonouspest,theCaneToad,invadedtheecosystem.TheRed-belliedBlackSnakewouldnotresistafeedoftheplentifultoad,andthereforemanyofthesenativesnakesdiedasaresultofingesting toxic toads. The Red-bellied BlackSnake’spopulationdeclinedrapidly,andit’sonlybeenrecentlythatthenumbershavestartedtore-developtosubstantiallevels.Reasonsforthismayincludeevidencegainedfromrecentstudiesinvolvingthered-belly’smorphologicaladaptations.

Snakesaregape-limitedpredators.Themaximumsizeoftheirpreydependsonthesizeoftheirheadandgape.Theabilityofsnakestopoisonthemselvesbyeatingtoadsisdependentontheirheadsizerelativetotheirbodymass.Asnakewithasmallerheadandgaperelativetoitsbodymasswillfaceasmallerriskofdyingasaresultofeatingatoad.

Researchers have observed that Red-belliedBlackSnakescurrentlyhavelonger bodies and smaller heads than specimensfound50yearsago.Smallerheadsbeinganadvantage,limitingthesnaketoingestsmallersizetoads(lessvenomingested)andlargerbodiestobeabletocompensatethetoxinsaffectonthebody.

ThisresearchhasshowedrapidevolutionarychangesinRed-belliedBlackSnakesasaresultofdirectinteractionswith Cane Toads. These changes have occurredinarelativelyshorttimespanwith at least 20 generations of Red-

bellied Black Snakes living since the initialexposuretotoadsinsomeareas.

TheRed-belliedBlackSnakeiscertainlynotabadsnaketohavearound,havingafarbetterreputationthantheEasternBrown Snake. Black snakes are not so aggressiveandfarlessvenomous.Therehavebeennorecordedadultdeathsfromthisspecies.TheRed-belliedBlackSnakevenomisatissuedestroyingvenomandbitescanbeexcruciating.

Aswithanysnakebite,ifyouarebitten,thepressureandimmobilisationmethodoffirstaidisrecommended.Thismethodstopsthevenomfromspreadingthroughthebodyandgivesyoutimetoseekmedicalattention.MostAustralianhospitalshavesnakevenomdetectionkits to ascertain the correct antivenom.

TheRed-belliedBlackSnakeusuallyreachesabout1.5metresinlength,butindividualsupto2.5metreshavebeenrecorded.Youngarebornlive(viviparous)in broods of between 10-20 neonates (babysnakes).

Theauthorsarebothregisteredaslicensed snake catchers which enables themtoreleasecertain“unwanted”red-belliesontosuitableproperties.Aftermonitoringpopulationsofthesefantasticanimals,it’ssopleasingtoobservethembuildingupnumbersonceagain.Ifyouhavetheminyourarea,appreciatetheirpresenceasanimportantpartofthenaturalbiodiversity.Theyarequitemajestictowatchglidingthroughgrassandgracefullytakingtothewater.

DreamtimeReptilesofferareptilecatchandreleaseserviceandalsoconducteducationalsnakedemonstrations.Theycan be contacted on 0407 681 131.

References

Phillips,B.L.&Shine,R.(2004).Adaptingtoaninvasivespecies:ToxiccanetoadsinducemorphologicalchangeinAustraliansnakes.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,101(49),17150-5.

Sutherland,S.&J.(2004).Venomous Creatures of Australia: a Field Guide with Notes on First Aid, 5th edition. Oxford UniversityPress.

The distinctive Red-bellied Black Snake.

Relocation of a Red-bellied Black Snake by Rob Preston.

PAG E �LandforWildlifeSouthEastQueensland October 2007

propertyprofiles

Onthe21stMarch2007,amilestonefortheLandforWildlifeprogramwas

reached.Onthisday,threepropertieswere registered as Land for Wildlife. Ratherthansingleoutoneproperty,theyhavebeencollectivelyidentifiedasthe2000th Land for Wildlife registration in SouthEastQueensland(SEQ).

LandforWildlifestartedinQueenslandin1998andhasbeenwelcomingabout220propertieseachyear,withanadditional50propertieslistedas‘WorkingTowards’registrationannually.

ThesethreemilestonepropertiesreflectthediversityoflandscapesacrossSEQfromSpottedGumforestsinBeaudeserttorainforestgulliesontheSunshineCoast hinterland. This article celebrates these landholders and the 2000 landholders that have come before them.

One of the best things that Trevor and Jennifer Sanders gained from their

LandforWildlifepropertyassessmentwaslearningthattheirpropertycontainsanEndangeredRegionalEcosystemofSpottedGumsonrhyolite(volcanicrocks).Thismeansthatlessthan10%ofthisecosystemremainsintheSEQBioregioncomparedtoitspre-clearingextent.

TheSanders’arepleasedthattheir4.3hapropertyfeaturesanEndangeredecosystemaswellasbeinghometoahostofwildlifeincludingEchidnasandRed-necked Wallabies.

“It’sanhonourtobethe2000th landholdertosignupforthisprograminSouthEastQueensland.Oneofthemainreasonswegotinvolvedwasbecausewecouldseethedegradationintheenvironmentthathashappenedoverthelast150yearsandwewantedtomakeourcontributiontoretainsomesemblanceofnaturalbushland,”Jennifersaid.

“LandforWildlifeisanexcellentwaytogainanunderstandingofthefloraandfaunaonyourblock.I’dencourageanyoneinterestedongivingtheenvironmentahelpinghandtogetinvolved,”shesaid.

2000 Land for Wildlife Registrations in South East Queensland

Jennifer Saunders (right) was congratulated by local Councillor, Virginia West, for joining Land for Wildlife.

Spotted Gums on rocky rhyolite soils form this Endangered Regional Ecosystem on the Saunders’ Land for Wildlife property in Beaudesert. Photos by Lisa Martin.

“It’s important to be environmentally aware due to climate change. I truly believe the more trees we remove, the less chance there is of rain. We need to continue to plant more native trees and preserve the ones we have” Jennifer Saunders.


Michael Parr looking out over the portion of his property where he has removed lantana and privet and is now revegetating the rainforest edge. Photos by Nick Clancy.

MichaelandPaddyParrowna6hectarepropertyatBooroobin

whichcontainsasmallintactpatchofrainforest.AsaresultofMichaelandPaddyremovingweeds,thereisnowgoodnaturalregenerationoccurringaroundtheexisting vegetation.

“Wearebothretiredandweenjoyrestoringthehabitatonourland.Itprovidesuswithagoodgoal”Michaelsaid.

SandeeBurnellandhertwosons,JakeandDanny,havebeenlivingon

this10hectarepropertyinEerwahVale,MaroochyShireforthepast12years.

“Ourpropertyhasalwaysbeenlandforwildlife,butwejoinedtheprogramtomakeitofficialandgiveoureffortssomerecognition”Sandeesaid.

Sandee is considering setting aside partofherpropertyasaVoluntaryConservationAgreementtoprotectitevenmore.Herpropertybacksontoaconservationparkandconnectstootherareas of core vegetation.

ItisnotsurprisingthatJakeandDannyare“realwildlifeboys”onthisproperty.TheylovetocheckoutscorpionsandhavetakensnakessuchasCarpetPythonsandGreenTreeSnakesintoshow-and-tellattheirschool.TheBurnellsalsorescuewildlifesuchasturtlesofftheroads.

Sandee believes that the Land for Wildlife workshopsandnewsletterswillbeuseful

MichaelusedtobeafarmerinNewZealand and when he came to this property,herecognisedthelimitationsofthelandforproductionpurposes.Insteadoffarmingtheydecidedto“joinLandforWildlifetoputbackthenativebush”.

“The best part of the Land for Wildlife assessment was the advice and encouragement as well as the plant ID” Michael Parr.

tolearnaboutweedsandotherissues.The Land for Wildlife assessment made Sandee more aware of weeds and more inspiredtocontrolthem.

The Burnell family (Sandee, Jake, Danny and Steven) on their healthy and diverse Land for Wildlife property. Photos by Amanda Ozolins.

“Having a Land for Wildlife sign makes you remember that you are a carer for wildlife” Sandee Burnell.


pestprofile

It was 2003 and things were looking good. We had been regenerating for tenyearsonourisolatedpropertyinupperMudgeerabaCreek.Therainforestwasdevelopingahealthyunderstoreywithvirtuallynoevidenceoftheoncedominantweeds.Habitatwasforming,andtreeswerestartingtofruit,whichwas bringing in more birds. The whole ecologicalprocessseemedtobeinthepreliminarystagesofrevival.

Butsomethingwasn’tquiteright.Althoughbirdactivityseemedtobeimproving,wewereseeingvirtuallynoactivityontheground.Nomacropods,nobandicoots,fewerpythonsandfewerLandMullets(Egernia major).

WeraisedourconcernswithGoldCoastCityCouncilandtheyengagedPhDstudent,AmberHooke,toconductextensivesandpitmonitoringsurveys.This monitoring indicated that we had a verysignificantfoxanddogproblem.

ThroughthisprocesswelearntthatDingoesandfoxesareextremelyopportunisticfeeders.Theirdietincludesworms,snakes,insects,frogs,nativefruits,avocados,bananasandourbelovednativeground-dwellinganimals.

Amberrecommendedpossible1080baitingandachangeinpracticeswithoursmallfruitorchardasshethoughtthatfallenfruitmightbeattractingthepestanimals.Wenowcollectfruitscrapsandensurethatnoanimalshaveaccesstothem.Wecarriedoutsomebaitingandtrappedonefox.However,wehadnolong-termplanandtheseactivitiesgraduallyceased.

InAugust2006,MichaelDickinson,arespectedspotter-catcher,tookaninterestinourproblem.

Overthelastyear,Mikehassetupanetwork of infra-red triggered cameras aroundour25hectareproperty.Thecamerashavegivenussomefascinatingresults.InitiallywephotographedtheoddfoxandDingo.However,bysummerwe were monitoring an incredible seven Dingoesandfourfoxeswithregularphotographsofeach.

FromtheoutsetMikehastakenanobjective“evidence”basedapproachtothework. He advocated gaining afullunderstandingofthebehaviourandactivitiesofthepestanimalsbeforecarryingoutanymanagementactions.

A few things we have discovered aboutDingoesandfoxesinourarea:•Activitypeaksinsummeranddropsoffinwinter

•PhotographsshowthatfoxesandDingoesco-exist,withimagestaken10minutesapart

•Theytendtofollowsetpathsthroughthebush

•Despiteourchangeinmanagement,avocadosremainasignificantpartoftheir diet

•FoxescantakeonanimalsalmostaslargeasthemselvessuchasMountainBrushtailPossums

•Theyarenumerousandveryactive.

Arecentfourdayfaunasurveyofthepropertybyconsultingecologist,BoydEssex,confirmedoursuspicionsthatthereisahealthyarboreal(tree-dwelling)animalpopulationofgliders,Koalas,possumsandbirds.Incontrast,thereisarelativelylowpopulationofground-dwellinganimals.Clearlyifweweretomeetourobjectivesofdevelopingafunctioningecologyintheareaweneededtomanagethepestanimals.

Management needs to be ongoing becauseassoonasonefoxistakenoutofthesystemanotherreplacesit.Thekeyistomaximisethetimewithoutfoxesbyeliminatingthosesoonaftertheyarrive.

WiththefinancialhelpofSEQCatchmentswearenowembarkingonatrappingprogramonourpropertyandatotherstrategiclocationsinUpperMudgeerabaCreek.Initially,wewilltraponlyfoxesaswearemaintaininganopenmindontheDingoasapossiblemanageroffoxnumbers,eventhoughourmonitoringhasnotshownanyevidenceofthis.

Thetrapswillbelarge,non-threateningandwillbetriggeredbyinfra-redsensors.Theywillalsoallowthereleaseofnon-targetanimalswithoutinflictinginjury.

Itishopedthatthismanagementandourincreasedunderstandingoffoxbehaviourwillenableustostartmanagingtheserampantvacuumcleanersofthebushandweencouragethereturnofournativeground-dwellinganimals.

Dingo and Fox Impacts on Native Ground-dwelling AnimalsArticle by Wal Mayr Land for Wildlife landholderMudgeeraba, Gold Coast hinterland

Wal and Heather’s property at the head of Mudgeeraba Creek.

A fox with a Mountain Brushtail Possum in its mouth and a Dingo caught on infra-red triggered cameras set up on Wal’s property to monitor pest animal numbers.


practicalitiesWater Tube - Trialling New Technology

Article by Gavin Hammermeister Land for Wildlife Extension OfficerRedland Shire Council

WaterTube.WhatisthatIhearyouask?

WaterTubeisapolyethylenetubeweldedtoformribsthatarecapableof holding 20 litres of water. Placedaroundatreewiththreewooden stakes it offers the same protectionasastandardtreeguardhoweveritsadvantageisitsabilitytodeliverthewatertotheplantviaaspeciallymadecoildripperfromthebottomofthetube.The20litresofwatercanlastupto2weeks,assistingtheplantduringtheinitialestablishmentphase.TheWaterTubeisthenrefilledafter30daysfromthedateofplantingforanother2weeksofdripwatering.TheWaterTubecanbereused,is100%recyclableandshouldlastupto2yearsinthefield.

HereattheRedlandsIndigiScapesCentre we have been trialling the WaterTubesincemidJuly2007usingCelerywood(Polyscias elegans)asthedemonstrationspecies.AsacomparisonwealsoplantedavarietyofothernativespeciesincludingEprapahwattle (Acacia perangusta),Pointed-leaf Hovea (Hovea acutifolia)andSmall-leafedLillypilly(Syzygium leuhmanii)withstandardtreeguardsaroundthem.

Within6weeksofplanting,theWaterTubeCelerywoodhaddoubledthegrowthrateoftheother natives with the standard treeguards.Having40litresofwater being delivered over 4 weeks withinthe6weekperiodviathecoildrippergreatlyassistedtheestablishment and growth rate oftheWaterTubeCelerywood.Particularlygiventhefactwehadverylittlerainfallduringthisperiod.

Another advantage was that we didn’thavetocontinuallychecktoseeiftheCelerywoodwasunderwaterstressandneededatopup

as we had to with the standard tree guardnatives.Weplantedit,setuptheWaterTubeandwalkedawayforthenext2weeksknowingfullwellitwouldn’tbeunderwaterstress.

WaterTubewasveryeasytoinstall.Asmentionedpreviouslyitisplacedaroundthetreewith3stakes(needtosupplyyourown)likeastandardtreeguard.Onceinpositionfillupthetubewith20litresofwaterandtheninsertthecoildripperatthebottomofthetubeandpositionnearthenewlyplantedtree.Literally,easyasone,two,three.

WehavebeenimpressedwiththeresultsofthetrialatIndigiScapesthatwehavepurchasedanother20WaterTubesandstartedtoreplacethestandardtreeguardswiththem.

WaterTubeisn’tthatcheapwithanindividualonecosting$8or$7.50eachwhenabundleof50arepurchased.Thiscomparestoroughly50centsforastandardtreeguardincludingthe3tomatostakeswhenpurchasedinbulk.

SoIguessthedecisiontopurchaseWaterTubewillbedependentonthenumberoftreesbeingplantedorthedepthofyourpockets.Forfurtherinformationaboutthisproductgotowww.watertube.com.auorphone(02)99567768.DistributorsinSouthEastQueenslandincludeLandforWildlife member Vera Robb at Mt. Cottonon32066676,orGreenHarvest on 1800 681 014.

SimilartothesetrialresultsatIndigiScapes,someLandforWildlifelandholdersnearIpswichhavealsousedWaterTubeandhavereportedexcellentresults.TheyusedWaterTubewhileawayonholidaysandfoundthatplantsreceivedwaterforabout3weeksfromafullWaterTube.

Demonstration of Water Tube at Redlands IndigiScapes Centre.

Close up of coil dripper inserted into the bottom of Water Tube and positioned near the base of a Celerywood seedling.

Demonstration of several Water Tubes filled with water.


Therearenumerousspeciesof‘weedtrees’thatareinvasiveinnaturalareasthroughoutSEQ.SomeofthemostcommonlyencounteredspeciesincludeCamphorLaurel(Cinnamomum camphora),ChineseElm(Celtis sinensis),Broad-leaved Privet (Ligustrum lucidum)and Small-leaved Privet (Ligustrum sinense).

Felling a large weed tree can be a majortaskthatdropslargeamountsofpotentiallydamagingdebris,oftenrequiringremovalormulching.Forthisreasonpoisoningtreeweedsin-situisoften recommended as a cost effective andlesslabourintensivesolution.

Allofthesespecieslistedwillsuckerbackiftheyaresimplycutdown.Inordertopreventsuckeringandtokillthetreeitrequirestreatmentwithherbicide.Thistechniqueretainsthestructureofthetreeashabitatfortheperiodthatthe dead tree remains standing. In rainforestsituationsthetreatedtreestendtodecomposequitequicklyaidedbysaprophyticfungi.

practicalitiesFrills, Drills and ‘Weed Tree’ Kills

Article and photographs by Nick ClancyLand for Wildlife Extension Officer Caloundra City Council

Frilling ‘Frilling’isanothereffectivetechniquethatsubstitutesadrillwithasmallaxeortomahawk.Aseriesofcutsaremadeatregularintervals(3cmapart)aroundtheentiretrunkclosetothebaseofthetree.Thesecutsshouldbeabout30-60mmdeepandangle downwards at 60 degrees. The herbicideisappliedbyleaningtheaxebladeoutwardstocreateapocketfortheherbicidetopool,ifitisallabsorbedapplyasecondapplication.Asecondrowofcutscanthenbemadebelowthegapsinthefirstrow.Avariationonthismethodistouseahammerandchiseltomakethecuts.

Anumberofdifferent‘in-situsteminjection’methodsaredescribedinthisarticle. All of these methods involve cuttingordrillingthroughthebarkofthetrunkintothesapwood(thecambiumgrowthlayer)oftheweedtree.Herbicideistheninsertedintotheholeorcutwhereitistransportedviathecambiumlayerthroughouttheplant.

Within a few weeks of treatment the treatedweedtreewillgenerallydropitsleaves. This defoliation adds leaf litter totheforestfloor.Italsoincreaseslightlevels,warmingthesoilandstimulatingthe soil seed bank. In most instances there will be a large germination of undesirableseedlingsfromtheparenttree.Dependingonthelandscapecontext(ieproximitytoamaturephaseseedsource)germinationofnativeplantswillalsocommenceinthefirst(wet!)summer.

Thesesteminjectionmethodsareonlysuitableforsituationswherethedeadtreedoesnotposeanysafetyrisksiftheyfall.

A dead Broad-leaved Privet tree that has been poisoned in-situ. About a year later the dead tree continues to provide perches and habitat for fauna. It is also covered with saprophytic fungi that aid with the decomposition process. By the time branches fall they are usually rotten and cause little damage to surrounding understorey plants.

Frilling technique.

What is saprophytic fungi?Fungithatfeedsonmaterialthatisalreadydeadiscalledsaprophytic.Thesefungiarecommonlyfoundondeadwood,leaflitterandanimaldung.Saprophyticfungiplayacrucialroleinthebreakdownandrecyclingofdeadplantandanimalmaterial.

Otherfungiincludemycorrhizalfungiwhichformsbeneficialrelationshipswithplants,andparasiticfungiwhichattackslivingplants,animalsandevensomeotherfungi.Somefungalspeciesfirstattackandkillahostplantasaparasiteandthenliveasasaprophyteon the dead wood.


Holes were drilled into the base and exposed roots of this Broad-leaved Privet tree and were then filled with Glyphosate herbicide at a rate of 1:1 with a pink marker dye to make it easier to see which trees have been treated.

ReferencesDiagramsbyVirginiaBear.

SpencerShaw,Personalcommunication.

TheBigScrubLandcareGroup(1998)Subtropical Rainforest Restoration.

Kleinschmidt,Holland&Simpson(1991).Suburban Weeds.

VanOosterhout.General Information on Control Methods for Environmental Weeds.DeptofNaturalResources.

Young,A.M.(2005).A Field Guide to the Fungi of Australia. UNSW Press.

Ring-barkingRing-barking–usingachainsawisatechniquethathasgainedpopularityespeciallyamongstbushregeneratorcontractorsontheSunshinecoast.ItiscommonlyusedfortreatingBroad-leavedPrivets.Acutismadeintothesapwoodwithachainsawaroundtheentirecircumferenceofthetrunk,closetothebaseofthetree.Thiscreatesashallow‘trench’thatisthentreatedwitha1:1herbicidesolution.

This Broad-leaved Privet has been ring-barked with a chainsaw and treated with 1:1 Glyphosate. A small ‘arborists’ chainsaw was used to make the task easier and safer. This style of saw is lighter, has a shorter bar and reduced kick back potential.

This Broad-leaved Privet dominated regrowth at Maleny has been stem-injected with Glyphosate resulting in nearly a 100% kill. Regrowth of privet seedlings are now being controlled and the area monitored for natural regeneration.

Existing native species amongst the regrowth are benefiting from the reduction in competition and taking advantage of canopy gaps. This patch is close to a rainforest remnant so the soil seed bank and ongoing seed input is likely to be sufficient to result in good natural regeneration and to avoid the need to replant.

Drill and Fill The‘Drill&fill’techniqueisdonebydrillingholes(usingapproximately10mmdrillbit)intothetreetrunkonadownward45degreeangleintothesapwoodandfillingthemwithherbicide.Toachievethebestresultstheholesneedtobedrilledaroundtheentirecircumferenceofthetreetrunk(approximately5cmapart)includingoneach‘stem’ofgrowthonamulti-stemmedspecimen.Exposedrootscanalsobetreated.

Aswiththecutandpainttechniquetheherbicideneedstobeappliedquickly,assoonasthedrillbitiswithdrawn,forthisreasonatwopersonoperationisworthconsidering.Squeezesaucebottleswithanarrownozzleareausefultoolfortheherbicideinjection.Glyphosateisgenerallyeffectiveinallinstancesatarateof1:1.ForlargeCamphorLaurelsitmayneedtobeappliedneat.Resultsalsotendtobebetterwhenthetreeisactivelygrowing.


Article by Katie HawtonEnvironment OfficerLogan City Council

All photographs by Tom TarrantLand for Wildlife landholder, SamsonvaleAustralian Bird Image Databasehttp://www.aviceda.org/abid/index.php

Astheweatherwarmsupforspringwewillseeincreasedactivityinthe

sevenspeciesofkingfisherthatcallSouthEastQueensland(SEQ)home.Frommangrovestomountainsanddrierwesternhabitats,thereisakingfisherathomeineachoftheseecosystems.ThespringbreedingseasonisagreattimetokeepaneyeoutforthesejewelsoftheAustralianlandscape.

Thename‘kingfisher’wasfirstgiventoanEnglishkingfisherinreferencetoitsroyalcolouringofbrilliantbluetopurpleanditsdietoffish.

Twokingfisherspecies(Red-backedKingfisherandLaughingKookaburra)areendemiconlytoAustralia,withanothereightspeciesbeingfoundhere.

Kingfishersnestinthreeplaces-earthbanks,termitemoundsandtreehollows.Theirpreferencefornestsitesdependsonthenaturalabundanceofthese.Northernkingfishersgenerallyusearborealtermitenests,southernkingfishersutilisetreehollowsandwesternonesusedrycreekbanks or abandoned mine shaft walls. All kingfishernests:

•arehorizontalorhaveaslightrise;•canbeuptoametrelong;and•haveachamberattheend,largeenoughforthekingfishertoturnaroundin.

Inthecoolermonthsmanyspecieswill migrate north as warmer weather helpsensureagoodfoodsupply.SEQ’spopulationoftheAzureKingfisher,SacredKingfisherandLaughingKookaburraaresedentary.Duringspringandsummerlatitudinalmigratorybirds,includingkingfishers,returntoSEQ.

Althoughallkingfisherspeciesarenotunderseriousthreat,theyarelesscommon in SEQ than in their northern Queenslandhabitatrangesduetodecreased habitat.

Kingfishersaresplitintotwosub-families;riverandforestkingfishers.

Riverkingfishersspecificallyfishforaquaticspeciesoffoodandhavelongslender bills and short tails. River Kingfishersneedclearwaterwithareasonableabundanceoffishmakingthem a good indicators of water quality.TheAzureKingfisheristheonlyriverkingfisherinSEQ.

Forestkingfisherseatawidevarietyofpreyincludingsmallreptiles,amphibians,insects,larvaeandsometimescrustaceansandsmallfish.

faunaprofileKingfishers of South East Queensland

ReferencesDengate,J.(1997).Attracting birds to your

garden in Australia.NewHollandPublishers.

Hollands,D.(1999).Kingfishers & Kookaburras: Jewels of the Australian Bush. Reed New Holland.

Morcombe,M.(2000).Field Guide to Australian Birds.SteveParishPublishing.

QueenslandMuseum(2007).The Wildlife of Greater Brisbane: a Queensland Museum Wild Guide.QueenslandMuseum.

Slater,P.P.&R.(2006).The Slater Field guide to Australian Birds. Reed New Holland.

Strahan,R.(ed.)(1994).Cuckoos, Nightbirds & Kingfishers of Australia.Angus&Robertson.

The Azure Kingfisher (Alcedo azurea)isfoundalongcoastalnorthernandeasternAustraliaincludingTasmania.InQueenslandtheyarelocatedeastoftheGreatDividingRangearoundfreshwaterrivers,streams,billabongsandlagoonswithoverhanging low branches.

Size: 17-19 cm

Diet.Fish,insectsandcrustaceanssuchascrabsandyabbies.

Breeding.Nestsaretunnelsupto1metre long in stream banks.

The Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)isthemostfamousKingfisherandisendemictoAustralia.ItprefersopenareaswithexposedperchesincludingopenEucalyptforest,rainforest,parks,suburbangardensandpaddocks.TheLaughingKookaburraisoftenfoundaroundbarbequeandpicnicareas.

Size: 40-47 cm

Behaviour:ThedistinctivelaughisaterritorialannouncementthatanareaisclaimedbyafamilyofLaughingKookaburras.

Breeding: The nest is a shallow horizontalhollowofatreeoraholein an arboreal termite nest. The breedingpairisassistedbyoffspringofpreviousyears.Theseoffspringarekeptinasub-dominantbreedingstatusforupto4years.

The Blue Winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii)ismorecommoninNorthernAustralia;howevertheycanbefoundinSEQ.TheyprefercreeksintropicalwoodlandareasandswampyMelaleucaforests.TheirrangeoverlapswiththeLaughingKookaburra,howevertheBlue-wingedKookaburrapreferscoastalhabitats.

Size: 40-46 cm

Similar Species:LaughingKookaburrawhichlacksthebrightbluewingandhasadarkeye-stripe.

Behaviour:Foundinfamilygroups,butwaryofhumans.

Breeding:Nestisusuallyahollowedoutarborealtermitenest.

PAG E 1 0LandforWildlifeSouthEastQueensland October 2007

The Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygia)isanendemicspeciesofdrierinlandAustralia.Theyarefoundindeserts,dryscrubsandmulgawoodlands,movingclosertothecoastindriertimes.Thespeciesisgenerallysolitaryandnomadicinwinter.TheRed-backedKingfisherisonlyanoccasionalvisitortoSEQduringwinter.

Size: 19-24 cm

Breeding.Nestsfoundincliffs,cuttings,creekbanks,quarriesandoldmineshafts.Eachyearanewnestisstarted,generallyneartheoldone.

The Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)isfoundalongthenorthandnortheastcoastofAustraliainopenwoodlandsandforests,mangroveandswampswithriparianvegetation.Itisoftenseenaroundmudflatshuntinginshallowpoolsleftbytheretreatingtide.

Maleshaveafullwhitecollar.Femaleshaveonlyapartialfrontcollar.Wings,backandtailareroyalbluewithablue-greentint.Underneaththebody,wingsandtailiswhite.Inflightthereisaprominentwhitepatchontheouterwing.

Size: 18-23 cm

Similar Species.CollaredKingfisherwhichislargerandgreener.SacredKingfisherwhichislargerwithbuff-brownunderparts.Neitherspecieshasthewhitewingpatch.

Behaviour.Migratesnorthinwinterafterthesummerbreeding season.

Breeding. Males have established territories with permanentmates,requiresforestorwoodlandforbreeding,usesanarborealtermitenest(occasionallyinatreehole).Theyoungareraisedbybothsexesandsometimeshelpersfrompreviousseasons.

The Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)isfoundalongthenorthandnortheastcoastofAustraliamainlyinmangroves and the lower reaches of rivers and creeks.

CollaredKingfishershavebrightgreenbackandwings,abluetailandabrightgreencap.Theyhaveathickblackeyestripewithawhitecollarandunderparts.Largebillandsmallwhitespoteithersideofthebill.

Size: 23-29 cm

Similar Species.SacredKingfisherwhichissmaller,lightercolouring,off-whitebelowandhasaproportionallyshorterbill.

Behaviour.Migratesnorthinwinter.Usuallysolitary.

Breeding.Arborealtermitenestsandtreeholesareused.Bothparentsincubateandfeedtheyoung.

The Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)isfoundovermostofAustraliaduetoitshighreproductionrateanditsabilitytoadapttomostenvironments.Itfavourstallopeneucalyptforest,Melaleucaforests,mangroves,parksandgolfcourses.

SacredKingfishershaveaturquoisebackwithabluerumpandtail;anoff-whitetoorangebreastandbelly;abroadcreamcollarandablackeyestripe.

Size: 19-23 cm

Similar Species.ForestKingfisherwhichissmallerandbrighter.CollaredKingfisherwhichislargerandhasawhitebellyandbreast.

Behaviour.Migratesnorthinwinter.Solitarywhennotbreeding.

Breeding.Nestsitesareusuallyaburrowinatermitemound,hollowbranchorriverbank.Malesandfemalesboth excavate the nest.


Article by Ian Gasking Land for Wildlife landholderQuamby Falls Lodge, Natural BridgePhotographs by Michael Banks.

This contribution recounts Ian’s experience of rainforest regeneration of what works, what doesn’t and why. A landholder’s perspective is unique, vital and often difficult to replicate through scientific studies. I hope this article generates thoughts and debate among other landholders and may inspire you to write an article about your own bush regeneration experiences - Editor.

Althoughthemechanicsarenotfullyunderstood,chemicalreleasesfrom

rootsofrainforesttreesprovidesymbioticchemicalgrowththatassistsneighbouringplants,includingplantsofdifferentspecies.Consequentlyrainforestspeciesdo not grow well in isolated locations distantfromneighbours.Yes,theydogrow,butnotaswell.

Red Cedars (Toona ciliata)donotdowelloutintheopenpaddock.Likewise,theFlame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius)growsupto35metreshighinitsnaturalrainforesthabitatandflowersonlyafterdroughtorstress,butinparksandgardensettingsitismuchsmaller,evenwhenmature,andflowersprofusely.Prolificfloweringisanindicationinmanyspeciesofstress,theneedtoreproducedesperately,toensuresurvivalofthespeciesagainstthreatsbynature.

Inmyexperienceineradicatinglantanaalongrainforestmargins,rainforesttreeseedsgerminateinprofusioninthenewlycleared soil. I have seen 20-100 seedlings injustonehand-spansizearea.SeedlingsincludeRedCedar,WhiteCedar,BleedingHeart,SandpaperFig,Celerywoodandmanymorespecies.

Incontrast,thesurvivalrateawayfromadjacentshadecanopy,ormoreimportantlyrootspreadzone,isnexttozero.ExceptforWhiteCedar(Melia azedarach)whichunlikemanyrainforestspeciesgerminatesandsurviveswellafterfire.

Conventional wisdom credits the shade canopywithsurvivalcriteria.Whilethereisnodoubtregenerationdoesoccurmuchbetterunderthecanopyofneighbouringmaturetrees,myobservationisthatin

bushregenerationRainforest Symbiosis

manycaseswhereduetoorientationandangletothesun,noshadebenefitisprovided,survivalstilloccurs.Itappearstomethatthesesuccessfulseedlingsarerespondingtosymbioticchemicalreleasesfromtheimmediaterootzone.Itisdistinctlynoticeablethatimmediatelyoutsidetheshadeandrootzonethatnaturalregenerationisminimal.

Iamfortunatethatinsuitableareasregenerationofsomespecies,particularlyRedCedar,endemic,andpriortopioneerloggingveryprolific,growinsuchprofusionanddensitythatreachingmaturityisobviouslyimpossible.Theseseedlings,evenupto2metreshigh,canbeuprootedbymerelypullingbyhandandtransplantedwithnomoreholepreparationthanopeningaslotwithashovelandstampingthetransplantintoplace.Thisisbestdoneduringoraftergoodrain,butartificialwateringalsoworks.

Above: This site was lantana 3-5 years ago. Now it is dominated by Toona, Melia, Polyscias, Dendrocnide and Homalanthus species.

Iaverageremoval,relocatingandtransplantingonetreeevery3minutes,ie.60treesin3hours.Smallertrees(eg.300mmhigh)alsotransplantwell,butthesurvivalrateisnotasgoodbecauseofweedcrowdingandover-shadingduringthesummerraingrowthperiod.Thisisalsoaproblemfornaturallyoccurringandregenerating seedlings.

Weedprofusioncanshadeoutallbutthemostopportunesurvivors.Hopefully,asthetransplantsdevelopashadecanopyandtheirrootsclaimthesoilbelow,othernativespecieswillnaturallyregenerate.

Regeneration along rainforest margins doesoccurnaturally,sometimestakinghundredsofyears.Butwhohasthepatienceorevenlongevityforsuchperseverance,especiallywhenweedscantakeoverinamatterofweeks,andlantanaseeminglyassoonasyouturnyourback?Giventime,theencroachingrainforestcanopyshadesthemoutallowingseedlingstoadvanceatapainfullyandincrementallyslowpace.

Ishouldpointoutthatmyobservations,above,arebasedonmypersonalexperiencelivinginarainforestandwithmyhandsandfeetinthefertilesoil.Ascientificstudyinvestigatingthispremisewouldbeinteresting.Iwonderifotherreadershavesimilarexperience,orcanaddtheirfood(seedlings)forthought?

Left: A site of lantana removal with low levels of natural regeneration occurring afterwards.

White Cedar recruitment in a site where lantana has been removed.

PAG E 1 2LandforWildlifeSouthEastQueensland October 2007

book reviews

Sinceitsfirstreleasein1995,WildlifeofGreaterBrisbanehasbecomeamuch-

lovedandwell-usedcompaniontothosewishingtoidentifyandlearnaboutourlocal wildlife.

ThecuteTawnyFrogmouthsonthefrontoftheearliereditionhavebeenreplacedbyanequallycuteSugarGliderbuttherearehugeadditionsandimprovementstothecontentaswell.Therearemanymorefull-colourphotosandlinedrawingstoaididentification.

Thebookisverycomprehensive,coveringlargervertebrateslikemammals,reptiles,frogsandfreshwaterfish.Inaddition,thecoverageofcommonlyencountered

Habitat loss and degradation as a resultofhumanactivityisthesingle

biggestthreattobiodiversityintheworldtoday.Therearemanytopicsassociatedwiththeterm‘habitatfragmentation’-habitatloss,degradation,edgeaffects,landscapemosaics,wildlifecorridors,species-arearelationshipsandislandbiogeography.Theamountofinformationavailableonthesetopicsisenormousandevolvingrapidly.NearlyonemillionresultscomeuponawebsitesearchforAustralianpagesonhabitatlossorhabitatfragmentation,andafewmillionresultsworldwide!

Pullingmuchofthecurrentinformationtogether,alongwithlotsofcasestudies,isarecentbooktitledHabitatFragmentationandLandscapeChange–Anecologicalandconservationsynthesis.Incompilingthelargeamountofthecurrentinformation,thebookaimstodemonstratethethreatstheseprocessespose,andtohighlightopportunitiestoconserveasmuchoftheworld’sbiotaaspossiblewithinhuman-modifiedlandscapes.

Habitatloss,degradationandisolationhavemanycomplexandinterrelatedimpactsonfloraandfaunaduetolandscapefactorssuchaslandcoverchange,reducedpatchsizes,deteriorationofthephysicalenvironment,edgeeffects,reducedconnectivityandreducedspeciesrichness.

Five broad management strategies focusingonlandscapepattern,particularlyvegetationcover,arediscussedinregardstomitigatingthenegativeeffectsofhumanlandscapechangeonspecies.Theseare:

1.Maintain/restorelargeandstructurallycomplexpatchesofnativevegetation.

2.Maintain/restoreamatrix(surroundingareas)thatisstructurallysimilartonativevegetation.

3.Maintain/restorebuffersaroundsensitive areas.

4. Maintain/restore corridors and steppingstones.

5.Maintain/restorelandscapeheterogeneityandcaptureenvironmentalgradients(meaningprovidediversityofhabitatsthatareusefultoarangeofdifferentspecies,anddistributedifferentland-useintensitiesacrossnaturalgradientsinclimate,topographyandprimaryproductivity).

Eachoftheabovelandscapepattern-basedstrategiesinimportant,howeversomeindividualspecieswillnotbeadequatelyconservedbythemandsomekeythreateningprocesseswillremainunmitigated.Additionalapproachesmayberequiredandthesearealsoaddressed along with lots of fantastic specificexamplesfromaroundtheworld.

PublishedbyQueenslandMuseum,2007.Softcover,428pages,fullcolour. ISBN: 9 780 9775 94 313RRP$32.95

Wildlife of Greater Brisbane 2nd edition.by Queensland Museum

Habitat Fragmentation and Landscape Change.by David Lindenmayer and Joern Fischer

PublishedbyCSIROPublishing,2006.Softcover,344pages,black&white.ISBN: 978 0 643093 90 4RRP$69.95.

ExampleprovidedfromAustraliaincludetheEasternBristlebirdanditssensitivitytofrequentfire;promotinghabitatconnectivityfortheSugarGlider,CommonBrushtailPossum,andMountainPygmyPossum;andspecificpredationcontrol,habitatexpansionandrehabilitationfortheWesternSwampTortoise.

Thisisprobablythemostthoroughandreadablesynthesisofinformationonthistopiceverproduced,andmayinterest those landowners who want tounderstandthelandscapescaleprocesseswhichtheirpropertyandvegetationfitwithin,andhowtobestmitigatethese.Easytoread,andsetoutlikeatextbookwithusefulsummaries,casestudiesandfurtherreadingwithineachchapter.

Review by Amanda Ozolins.

invertebratesincludingants,spiders,beetles,mothsandbutterfliesshouldhelpclearupmanyquestions.

Theonlylimitationisthatitwasnotpossibletoincludeall370birdspeciesofthe greater Brisbane region in a book this size.Soyouwillstillneedabirdbook.

Additionalarticlesdiscussecology,conservationandhabitats.IntroducedanimalsliketheAsianHouseGeckoandRed Deer are also described.

IfyoucanbuyonlyonefieldguidetofaunaofSouthEastQueensland,thisisprobablytheonetochoose.

Review by Darryl Larsen.

PAG E 1 �PAG E 1 �LandforWildlifeSouthEastQueensland October 2007

faunaprofile

LivinginurbanBrisbane,Iappreciateanywildlifethatventuresintomybackyard,includingBrushTurkeys.Althoughtheycreatehavocwithmymulch,Idoadmirethemaleturkey’sdedicationtobuildingthebestmoundintheneighbourhood.Asarecentstudyhasshownthattheturkeymoundandtheirreproductiontraitsarealotmorecomplicatedthanapileofleaflitter.

Manybirdshavetheabilitytomanipulatethesexratiooftheirchicks.Apparently,somefemalebirdshavetheabilitytocontrolthesexoftheembryotheyproducewhereasotherbirdssimplygivemorefoodtotheirpreferredoffspringthusmanipulatingtheiroffspring’schanceofsurvival.

Allbirdsrequirespecifictemperaturestoincubatetheireggssuccessfully.Mostbirdschoosetodothisbyincubatingtheireggswiththeirownbodyheat.However,onegroupofbirds,theMegapodes,areuniqueinthattheyuseexternalsourcesofheatforincubatingtheir eggs.

TheAustralianBrushTurkeyisaMegapodeandusestheheatproducedfromdecompositioninmoundsofleaflittertoincubatetheireggs.

LaboratorystudieshaveshownthatartificialincubationofBrushTurkeyeggsatdifferenttemperaturesaffectsthesexratioofchicks.Incubationat34°C resultedinsimilarnumbersofmaleandfemalechicks,howeverat36°Cmorefemales hatched and at 32°C more males hatched.

ArecentstudylikewiseprovedthatBrushTurkeysinthewildcaninfluencethesexratiooftheirchicksbyregulatingthetemperatureoftheirincubationmounds.Femalechickshatchedoutofmoundswithhighertemperatures.Eggsincubatedatlowertemperaturesproducedmoremale chicks.

MaleBrushTurkeysspendalotoftimeandenergybuilding,maintaininganddefendingtheirincubationmounds.Maleturkeysarevirtuallyunstoppableoncetheystartbuildingamound.They

How Brush Turkeys can Determine the Gender of their ChicksArticle and photographs by Deborah MettersLand for Wildlife Regional CoordinatorSEQ Catchments

willscratchoutmulchfrompotplantsandpatientlyscratchleaflitterthroughwire fences with the goal of creating an incubationmoundthatisattractivetofemaleturkeys.Eachincubationmoundcontainsabout2-4tonnesoforganicmaterial.Themoundneedstohaveaspecificsize,compositionandlocationtoensurethattemperaturesareappropriateforeggincubation.

Thesizeofanincubationmoundiscrucialasanadditionofonly1cmofleaflittercanincreasethetemperatureby1.5°C.Theturkeyinmybackyardbuilthismoundlastyearandhasrevampeditwithmore organic material for this breeding season.Unfortunately,theoldmoundgeneratesverylittleheatandassuchabigmounddoesnotnecessarilyimplyanadequatelyheatedincubationsite.

Similarly,ifthemoundiscomposedoffresh,dampleaflitter,itwilldecomposequickerandcreatehighertemperaturesthanifthemoundisbuiltwithdryleaflitter,sticks,barkandrocks.

Malesreshapetheirmoundsregularly.Theydothistoregulatethetemperature.BrushTurkeyshavetemperaturesensorsintheirpalateallowingthemtomeasurethetemperatureinsidethemound.Ifthemoundistoohot,malesscratchoffmaterialandflattenthetopsurfaceareaofthemound.Ifitistoocold,theypilemorematerialontopofthemound.

Itappearsthatsomemaleturkeysarebetteratregulatingtemperaturesthanothers.Insomemoundseggtemperaturesdifferedby9°C. In other

birds,studieshaveshownthatnestqualityisstronglyrelatedtotheageofthebirdthatisbuildingthenest.Olderbirdsbuildbetternests.ThisisprobablyalsotruewithBrushTurkeys.

Sowhydoturkeysgotoallthisefforttobuildamound?Whynotjustsitontheireggslikeotherbirds?ItseemsthatthemainadvantageinadoptinganexternalincubationsourceisthatfemaleBrushTurkeyscanlayaneggevery2-5daysoverseveralmonths,anddon’thavetoinvestanytimeorenergyinincubationorrearing of chicks. Femaleturkeyslayeggsinmanydifferentmoundswithseveralfemaleslayingtheireggsinonemound.Upto53eggshavebeenfoundinoneincubationmound.

GiventhatSouthEastQueenslandispredictedtobehotteranddrierwithclimatechange,Iwonderifmorefemaleturkeyswillhatch,orifmaleturkeyswillbesmartenoughtoregulatetheirmoundsandmaintainahealthysexratiobalanceoftheiroffspring.

ReferencesGothA.(2007)IncubationtemperaturesandsexratiosinAustralianbrush-turkey(Alectura lathami)mounds.Austral Ecology32,378-385.

GothA.&BoothD.T.(2005)Temperaturedependentsex-ratioinabird.Biol. Lett.1,31-3.

JonesD.N.(1988)ConstructionandmaintenanceoftheincubationmoundsoftheAustralianBrush-turkeyAlectura lathami. Emu 88,210-18.

SeymourR.S.&BradfordD.F.(1992)Temperatureregulationsintheincubation

moundsoftheAustralianBrushturkey.Condor 94,134-50.

A male Brush Turkey scratches up leaf litter to build an incubation mound.

Two female Brush Turkeys investigate the completed incubation mound as a suitable egg-laying site.

PAG E 1 �LandforWildlifeSouthEastQueensland October 2007

BrushTurkeys.Lovethemorloathethem,wedolivewiththem.There’salsoabsolutelynodoubtthattheyarehard-

wiredtoscratchupeverybitofloosematerialtheycanreach.Awellmulchedopengardenbedisturkeyheaven!

Onewaytoreducetheirdepredationsistocreateagardenwhichsimplydoesn’tsuitthem.Thistypeofgardenusesdensegroundcoversandlowdenseshrubs.Observationindicatesthatsincetheyarelargebirds,theyhavetroublemovingunderneathlowfoliagewhichsweepstheground.Semi-prostrateCallistemonsandLeptospermums,MidyimBerry(Austromyrtus dulcis),nativegrasses,Lomandrasandevenlargershrubswilldeterthemsolongasthefoliageisdenseatgroundlevel.Scaevolas,GoodeniasandBillyButtons(Helichrysum ramosissimum)willcoverthegroundandkeepitcoolbutnotprovidematerialsforthenestingmound.Theydon’tevenseemtoscratchamongsttheleavesforfood.

Duringestablishmentphasetheyoungplantsneedtobeprotected.Tryacircleofchickenmeshsecuredwithoneortwostakes.Thesewireguardswillalsokeepharesofftheyoungplants.Casualvandalismalongaccessibleedgesofthegardencanandprobablywilloccurbutoncethebirdsbecomeusedtothefactthatyourgardenisnotgoodscratchingterritory,they’lltendtoreducetheirvisits.

Thevegetablegardenwillneedtobefenced.There’sreallynootheroption.A1.1metrefencewitharelativelyloosetopwireseemstobeadequateandifthevegetablesaregrowninbinsratherthanbeds(essentiallyabovegroundgardening)withmowngrassinbetween,thenthere’sverylittletoattractthebirds.Thewallsofthebinsdon’tneedtobehigh(23cmwilldo)andcanbeconstructedfromtimber,roofingiron,bricksorblocks.Freshhomegrownproduceiswonderful,doesinvolvesomework,anddoesn’tneedtobesharedwiththeturkeys.

A turkey-proof loose wire fence in the foreground with turkey deterrent corrugated iron bins around raised vegetable garden beds.

Article and photograph by Joan Dillon Land for Wildlife landholderPalmwoods, Maroochy Shire

Brush Turkeys and our Gardens

Birdbath Cleaning with Vinegar

I havethreebirdbathsand,whenthegrungebuildsup,Iusewhitevinegartocleanthem.Icoverthebaseofthebirdbathwithwhitevinegar,scrubwithascouringbrush,fillwithwater,cover(sothebirdsdon’tdrinkit),andletitsitforabouttwentyminutes.Ithenscouritoutagain,andusetheJetsettingonthehosetoemptyitofanyresidualvinegarsolution.Thatseemstokeepabirdbathcleanforacoupleofweeks,withnormaldailyemptyingandrefilling.

S. SewellLand for Wildlife landholderTamborine Mountain

Moths, Powerful Owls and Fire

I writeregardingthreearticlesintheAugustLandforWildlifenewsletter.

Firstly,thefruit-piercingmothonthebackcover.Thesemothscandotremendousdamageincommercialcropsofsoftfruitduetothefactthatbytheirfeedinghabitstheyarenotvulnerabletousualpestcontrolandinfeedingfromfruittofruit,theytransmitbacteriawhichquicklysendsthesuckedfruitrotten.

Secondly,veryinterestingtoseethePowerfulOwlarticle.IknowtheyareinthisareaasforyearswehadapairnestinginatremendousolddeadFloodedGumtilitfellinthe1974cyclone.SincethenwehaveheardthemandveryinfrequentlyseenthemastheynowseemtoresideinaverylargeareaofStateForest/NationalParkadjoiningmypropertyinallbutimpenetrablemixtureofforestandvinescrubwithbigancienttrees.Regardingthepossumtails–whentheOwlswerenestingintheaccessibletree,Ifoundtheremainsofyoungfoxesandcats,bandicoots,variouspossums,gliders,smallwallabiesandassortedratsflungoverboardfromthenestingbranch.Theyevidentlyhuntedfromtheopenpaddockfringes.Asmorehabitatintheformof regrowth on once cleared land becomes available their numbersshouldincrease.

Thirdly,regardingthepropertyprofileontheremnantScribblyGumForestandtheirmentionofnofiresfor47years,Iofferthissuggestiontoopenuptheunderstoreyvegetationandpreventadisasterifafirewerestartedbylightningorvandals.Aseriesofsmallfiresassoonastheleaflitterandgrasseswillslowlyburnafterrainwithoutflaring.IgrewupinsimilarforestcountryaroundBeerwahandthisburningsystemwasusedthere.IfdoneasIsuggest,itwillbeaverypatchyburnbutshouldfulfiltheneed.

Ilikethearticles,keepupthegoodwork.

E. McCoskerLand for Wildlife and Nature Refuge landholderMapleton

Letters to the Editor


LandforWildlifeSoutheastQueenslandisproudlymanagedbySEQCatchments(theaccreditedregionalbodyforNaturalResourceManagementinSouthEastQueensland)andproudlydeliveredbythefollowing15LocalGovernments:

LandforWildlifeSoutheastQueenslandRegionalCoordinationissupportedbytheAustralianGovernment.

Opinions expressed by contributors to the Land for Wildlife newsletter are not necessarily those of the Land for Wildlife

program nor any of the supporting agencies.

Printed on Monza Satin Recycled paper.

WithsupportfromSEQCatchments,KilcoyShireCouncilhaverecently

joinedtheLandforWildlifeprogram.ThisrenewedinvestmentensuresthatKilcoylandholders will have access to Land for Wildlifepropertyassessments,revisitsandlocaladvice.Alocallandholder,MichelleLedwith,hasalreadystartedwork as the Land for Wildlife Extension OfficerforKilcoy.MichellemanagesherpropertyforgrazingandconservationintheSandyCreekcatchmentarea.RecognitionisalsoduetotheBrisbaneValleyKilcoyLandcareGroupwhohavepromotedLandforWildlifeoverthepastfewyears.

KilcoyShirehassignificantbiodiversityvalues,especiallyintheheadwatersofKilcoy,Sandy,StonyandSheepstationCreeks.Inaddition,Jimna,DiaperandYabbaStateForestsandConondaleNational Park form one of the largest andmostsignificanttractsofcontinuousnativevegetationintheSouthEastQueenslandBioregion.PrivatelandwithnativevegetationinKilcoyShireprovidesabuffertotheseStateForestsandreservesandhelpscontributetotheoverallconnectivityandhealthofthesecore vegetation tracts.

A green-coloured variation of the Southern Angle-headed Dragon spotted in rainforests near Springbrook. These dragons are shy, very well camouflaged and prefer undisturbed rainforest habitat. Consequently they are rarely seen. This dragon was found in a patch of naturally regenerated, but mature, rainforest that was a grassy paddock about forty years ago. Photograph by Darryl Larsen.

This recognised tract of continuousvegetation supportsahighdiversityoffloraandfaunaspeciesand

containsnumerousthreatenedspecies.

ThreatenedandprioritybirdspeciesofKilcoyShireincludetheBlack-breastedButtonQuail,PowerfulOwlandRedGoshawk.SignificantreptilesincludetheCommonDelma,ElfSkinkandStephen’sBandedSnake.SignificantmammalsofKilcoyShireincludetheYellow-belliedGliderandKoala.TheendangeredGiantBarredFrogisalsofoundinKilcoyShire.

KilcoyShirecontainsamappedbioregional wildlife corridor from the DiaperStateForesttoMooloolah.

SomeoftheecosystemsinKilcoyShirethatcontainsignificantplantsandanimalsarefoundonprivateland.AsmorepeoplearemovingtoKilcoyfortherurallifestyle,aninterestinnatureconservationisexpectedtogrow.Theselandholders will now be able to access

supportandadvicethroughtheLandforWildlifeprogram.

AfielddayforexistingLandforWildlifemembers and interested landholders will beheldinthenewyear.ThisfielddaywillaimtoshowcasesomeofKilcoy’snatureconservationvaluesandwillassistlandholderstomanagethesevaluesandminimisethreatssuchasweeds,pestanimals and soil erosion.

Michelle Ledwith can be contacted via the LandcareHubinKilcoyon54971253.

Kilcoy Landholders Invited to Join Land for Wildlife

A female Red Goshawk on her nest. The Red Goshawk is listed as Endangered

under the Qld Nature Conservation Act. Photograph by David Simpson, see

http://www.aviceda.org/abid/index.php for more bird images by David.


south east queensland - home - land for wildlifeother traces: a field guide to australian mammals....

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