Report Nocturnal Survey for Arboreal Mammals and Forest Owl Species

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Anissa Anderson
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1 Report Nocturnal Survey for Arboreal Mammals and Forest Owl Species Study location Survey Road Coupe Number Date March 9, 2009 Motive of research According to logging and fire history the habitat requirements for arboreal animals and forest owls are present in forest areas near Survey Road. This research has taken place within boundaries of planned logging coupe If high densities of arboreal animals or forest owls occur, the area should be part of a Special Protection Zones or conservation strategies should be applied as per the East Gippsland Forest Management Plan. 1 Aim of study The aim of this study is to investigate and verify whether the coupe near Survey Road has a high density of arboreal mammals or forest owls and can be determined as significant habitat for these species The goal of this study is to show the presence or absence of the species shown in table 1 and in what numbers they occur. Other species observed during this study are also included in the findings of this study. 1 Forest Management Plan for East Gippsland, Chapter 3 Arboreal mammals. For each of the following occurrences, approximately 100 ha of suitable habitat will be included in the SPZ: resident Koala populations. Greater Glider and Common Brush tail - <2 individuals per ha, >10 per km, or >15 per hour of spotlighting. Yellow-bellied Glider - >0.2 per ha, >5 per km, or >7 per hour of spotlighting. Eastern Pygmy - >5 per standard pitfall line over 5 days. substantial populations of the above species that are isolated or in unusual habitat. Forest Owls: Conservation reserves and State forest will both contribute to conservation of owl habitat. Areas that count towards meeting the target include: known owl localities in conservation reserves; parts of the SPZ and SMZ designed around known owl localities in State forest; and a conservative estimate of the extent of habitat in conservation reserves, or in larger parts of the SPZ and SMZ (based on other features such as old-growth forest). Nocturnal Survey Report Arboreal Animals and Forest Owls: Survey Road Version 2 Page 1 of 5

2 Table 1: Studied species Powerful Owl Sooty Owl Masked Owl Greater Glider Scientific name Ninox strenua Tyto tenebricosa Ninox novaehollandiae Petauroides volans Yellow bellied Glider Petaurus australis Method of Study The survey is done with the aid of acoustic equipment and spotlights. The goal is to observe individual animals visually by the reflection of the eye, or vocally by the response of species specific call played from a megaphone. The fieldwork is ideally preformed on warm nights without rain on which higher activity can be recorded. Fieldwork should be commenced at dusk and is continued for two hours throughout the site. Date and time of study Weather conditions Surveyors habitat scan: March 3, 2009 Surveyors nocturnal activity: March 7, 2009 Used method of Study 23 February :15pm 12:00pm Calm, mild evening on arrival at 9:15pm. Mr. A. Lincoln Mr. A. Lincoln, Mr. P. Calle, Mr. J.C.W. Cöp BSc. Spotlighting commenced at 9:15pm along the length of a bulldozer track through the center of the coupe for approximately 1,000 meters until 11:25. Observations where done in one direction into the site to prevent double counts. Auditory observations with the aid of acoustic equipment where done whilst exiting the site. Nocturnal Survey Report Arboreal Animals and Forest Owls: Survey Road Version 2 Page 2 of 5

3 Study location Near Survey Road. The studied area is indicated in figure 1 at map location X: 61.6 / Y: Figure 1: Study area Timber Release Plan Bendoc Map Habitat description Results of nocturnal survey The study location consisted of a mixed age wet sclerophyll forest. During the nocturnal survey on the 6th of March between 9:15pm and 11:25pm, 11 visual observations of Greater Glider were confirmed. Also heard were many Yellow Bellied Gliders and Sugar Gliders, and one species of forest owl, the Southern Boobook Owl. Results are noted in table 2. Table 2: Recorded species Time of record Observation method Direc tion Remarks 9:17 Southern Boobook Owl Auditory S 9:18 Mountain Brushtail Visual W 9:19 Common Ringtail Visual E 9:22 Samba Deer Auditory NE 9:23 Greater Glider Visual 9:23 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory 9:23 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory Responding to 9:27 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory NE 9:27 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory NE Responding to 9:34 Greater Glider Visual N 9:35 Sugar Glider Auditory N Nocturnal Survey Report Arboreal Animals and Forest Owls: Survey Road Version 2 Page 3 of 5

4 Continued Table 2: Recorded species Time of record Observation method Direc tion Remarks 9:36 Mountain Brushtail Visual 9:36 Mountain Brushtail Visual 9:38 Greater Glider Visual 9:39 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory N on ground on ground 9:39 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory N Responding to 9:46 Greater Glider Visual S in adjacent trees 9:46 Greater Glider Visual S in adjacent trees 9:50 Mountain Brushtail Auditory E 9:51 Mountain Brushtail Visual W 9:57 Greater Glider Visual in same tree 9:57 Greater Glider Visual in same tree 10:05 Southern Boobook Owl Auditory 10:05 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory 10:05 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory Responding to 10:06 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory N 10:07 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory W 10:13 Southern Boobook Owl Auditory ESE Nest defence call 10:14 Greater Glider Visual W 10:16 Southern Boobook Owl Auditory N Distant 10:16 Southern Boobook Owl Auditory W Near by 10:20 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory E 10:36 Greater Glider Visual E 10:38 Greater Glider Visual SE 10:48 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory W 11:00 Mountain Brushtail Visual 11:10 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory Different directions 11:10 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory Responding to 11:10 Yellow Bellied Glider Auditory Responding to 11:14 Greater Glider Visual W 11:16 Sugar Glider Auditory N 11:25 Mountain Brushtail Visual Nocturnal Survey Report Arboreal Animals and Forest Owls: Survey Road Version 2 Page 4 of 5

5 Conclusions Recommendations The coupe number supports a high density of arboreal mammals. Our preliminary survey on the 6 th of March 2009 showed the area to be important habitat which supported high numbers of gliders. Along a 1,000 meter stretch of bulldozer track there were 11 Greater Gliders observed and several other arboreal species where heard. As per the East Gippsland Forest Management plan, it is recommended that the Department of Sustainability and Environment carry out immediate surveys to confirm this area s importance as critical habitat for arboreal mammals. To conduct a survey by DSE a moratorium should be placed on any logging proceeding in this coupe until this surveying work is completed and findings have been confirmed by the department. Authors: Quality check: Mr. J.C.W. Cöp BSc. Mr. A. Lincoln, Mr. P. Calle Nocturnal Survey Report Arboreal Animals and Forest Owls: Survey Road Version 2 Page 5 of 5

VicForests Pre-harvest Targeted Fauna Surveys

VicForests Pre-harvest Targeted Fauna Surveys District Coupe Number Coupe Name Bendoc 892-507-0020 Squirrels Paw Bendoc 892-507-0021 Coyotes Paw Bendoc 892-507-0006 Quick Step Report prepared by Wildlife