WHITE-FOOTED DUNNART Sminthopsis leucopus SURVEY AT TOOTGAROOK SWAMP RESERVE, BONEO AND SANCTUARY PARK BUSHLAND RESERVE, ROSEBUD WEST SEPTEMBER, 2006

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1 WHITE-FOOTED DUNNART Sminthopsis leucopus SURVEY AT TOOTGAROOK SWAMP RESERVE, BONEO AND SANCTUARY PARK BUSHLAND RESERVE, ROSEBUD WEST SEPTEMBER, 2006 Field work and report writing Malcolm Legg Mal s Environmental & Ecological Services ABN PO Box 247 Shoreham 3916 P M mees@primusonline.com.au

2 WHITE-FOOTED DUNNART SURVEY AT TOOTGAROOK SWAMP RESERVE, BONEO AND SANCTUARY PARK BUSHLAND RESERVE, ROSEBUD WEST, SEPTEMBER, INTRODUCTION Malcolm Legg from Mal s Environmental & Ecological Services was commissioned by Matt Stahmer to carry out a White-footed Dunnart survey in two MPS reserves associated with Tootgarook Swamp. Those were Tootgarook Swamp Reserve, Boneo and Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve, Rosebud West. STUDY SITES Tootgarook swamp Reserve is approximately 22.6 Hectares in size which encompasses swamp, poa grasslands and tea-tree and paperbark thickets (Melways reference map 169 H12). The main access to the reserve is from Browns Road. North of the reserve are large pockets of Tootgarook Swamp which are on private land and Eagle Ridge Golf Course encompasses the western side while pastoral land encompasses the east and south boundaries. Altitude is approximately 10 meters above sea level. Geologically there are two different soil types. The swamp deposits were formed in the Lower Pliocene period of the Tertiary era and are derived from Lagoonal Deposits which consists sandy and concretionary limestone, and calcareous and ligneous clay. The soils throughout the raised areas were formed in the Pleistocene period of the Quaternary era and were derived from Aeolian deposits shaped into subdued dunes which siliceous and calcareous sand with aeolianite. Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve is approximately Hectares in size which encompasses swamp, poa grasslands and tea-tree and paperbark thickets (Melways reference map 169 H6). The main entrance to the reserve is located at the end of Sanctuary Park Drive. South and west of the reserve are large pockets of Tootgarook Swamp which are on private land and housing and a small golf course encompass the north and east boundaries. Altitude varies from five (the swamp) to 15m (poa grasslands). Geologically there are two different soil types. The swamp deposits were formed in the Lower Pliocene period of the Tertiary era and are derived from Lagoonal Deposits which consists sandy and concretionary limestone, and calcareous and ligneous clay. The soils throughout the poa grasslands were formed in the Pleistocene period of the Quaternary era and were derived from Aeolian deposits shaped into subdued dunes which siliceous and calcareous sand with aeolianite. 1.0 METHODOLOGY White-footed Dunnarts were sampled for by using the following methods: -Pitfall traps -Elliot traps -Hair tubes 1.1 Research Permit All fauna sampling was carried out legally under Research Permit Number Limitations White-footed Dunnarts appear to only be active three days prior and three days after the full moon and the same with the new moon. This limits sampling time. Also the Dunnarts are very hard to catch as they are very timid and shy animals. 1.3 Data Storage Listings of all taxa recorded during this survey have been submitted to DSE (Nicholson Street) and recorded on the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife for future reference. 1.4 Habitat Values The raised grasslands in both reserves appear to be the prime habitat for the Dunnarts. Here they hide under the poa tussock skirts were they build a small nest. Within Sanctuary Park Reserve the poa grassland has been severely disturbed in the past with the loss of essential poas due to clearing and intense stock grazing. However large areas still remain along the edges and within the Vic Roads land. 2

3 CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER INTRODUCTION.. 2 STUDY SITES 2 CONTENTS METHODOLOGY Research Permit Limitations Data Storage Habitat values RESULTS Elliot traps Pitfall traps Hair tubes DISCUSSION SIGNIFICANT SPECIES Significant Fauna RECOMENDATIONS TABLES Table 1 Taxa sampled in Elliot traps in Tootgarook Swamp Reserve Table 2 Taxa sampled in Elliot traps in Sanctuary Park Reserve Table 3 Taxa sampled in Pitfall traps in Tootgarook Swamp Reserve Table 4 Taxa sampled in Pitfall traps in Sanctuary Park Reserve Table 5 Significant taxa... 8 Table 6 Significant taxa and their habitat requirements and management actions Profile 1- White-footed Dunnart investigating a Meal Worm 6 Profile 2- White-footed Dunnart eating a Meal Worm.. 6 Profile 3- Male White-footed Dunnart.. 7 Profile 4-Male White-footed Dunnart.. 7 REFERENCES.. 11 APPENDIX 1- TAXA SAMPLED AT BOTH RESERVES MAP 1-Sampling sites within Tootgarook Swamp Reserve. 13 MAP 2-Sampling sites within Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve

4 2.0 RESULTS 2.1 Elliot Trap Sampling Survey. Twenty Elliot traps were deployed along one transect (refer to map one for location) in Tootgarook Swamp Reserve. They were deployed in habitat where the White-footed Dunnart was likely to occur. One species of mammal was sampled during this survey, the Swamp Rat. The bait used in order to sample mammals was peanut butter, honey and oats. However no Dunnarts were sampled during this sampling survey. A total of 60 trapping nights were conducted throughout this Elliot trap sampling survey (each trap deployed is counted as one trapping night). Table 1: Elliot traps deployed at Tootgarook Swamp Reserve, August, Common Name Date No sampled Area sampled Mammals Swamp Rat 25/08/06 2 Transect 1, traps 3 &7. 27/08/06 1 Transect 1, trap 11. Twenty Elliot traps were deployed along one transect (refer to map two for location) in Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve. They were deployed in habitat where the White-footed Dunnart was likely to occur. One species of mammal was sampled during this survey, the Swamp Rat. The bait used in order to sample mammals was peanut butter, honey and oats. However no Dunnarts were sampled during this sampling survey. A total of 60 trapping nights were conducted throughout this Elliot trap sampling survey (each trap deployed is counted as one trapping night). Table 2: Elliot traps deployed at Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve, August, Common Name Date No sampled Area sampled Mammals Swamp Rat 10/08/06 1 Transect 1, trap Pitfall Trap Sampling Survey Two pitfall trap sampling lines were deployed within the Tootgarook Swamp Reserve to sample for Whitefooted Dunnarts. A total of 36 trapping nights were conducted throughout this pitfall trap sampling survey (each trap deployed is counted as one trapping night). For locations of all transect sites refer to map one. Frogs, lizards, the White-footed Dunnart and the Swamp Rat were sampled during this survey. Table 3: Pitfall traps deployed at Tootgarook Swamp Reserve, August, Common Name Date No sampled Area sampled Amphibians Common Froglet 24/08/06 4 Pitfall 1. 26/08/06 2 Pitfall 2. Lizards Metallic Skink 27/08/06 1 Pitfall 1. Mammals White-footed Dunnart 25/08/06 1m Pitfall 1. 26/08/06 1m Pitfall 2. Swamp Rat 27/08/06 2 As above. Two pitfall trap sampling lines were deployed within the Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve to sample for White-footed Dunnarts. 4

5 A total of 36 trapping nights were conducted throughout this pitfall trap sampling survey (each trap deployed is counted as one trapping night). For locations of all transect sites refer to map one. Frogs, lizards and the White-footed Dunnart were sampled during this survey. Table 4: Pitfall traps deployed at Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve, August, Common Name Date No sampled Area sampled Amphibians Common Froglet 10/08/06 4 Pitfall 1. 11/08/06 3 As above. 11/08/06 2 Pitfall 2. 14/08/06 5 As above. Lizards Glossy Grass Skink 09/08/06 1 Pitfall 1. Delicate Skink 11/08/06 1 As above. Mammals White-footed Dunnart 11/08/06 1m Pitfall Hair Tube Sampling Survey Hair tubes were deployed along one transect in both reserves. Hair tubes were left out for two weeks either side of the new moon. No hairs were sampled in Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve and only Swamp Rat hairs were sampled in Tootgarook Swamp Reserve. 3.0 DISCUSSION White-footed Dunnart One specimen of the White-footed Dunnart was sampled at Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve and two specimens at Tootgarook Swamp Reserve. All were adult males and all were sampled in the raised poa grasslands in both reserves. The population within Tootgarook Swamp Reserve appears to be healthier than the other. This is due to fewer disturbances in the raised grasslands and more on ground logs being present. The dense nature of the vegetation within the swamp reserve also helps to prevent predation by introduced predators. General Biology The White-footed Dunnart is listed as State Significant and Vulnerable in the State of Victoria and are a small Carnivorous Marsupial belonging to the Family Dasyuridae (same family as Quolls, Antechinus, Phascogales etc). They build a small nest under bark, rotting logs and grass tussocks. Nests are placed in a shallow depression with a few leaves and blades of grass. Diet consists of beetles, cockroaches, moths, spiders and small skinks which are rapidly killed and eaten. They hold their prey in their forepaws and break off morsels with their cheek teeth. In Victoria mating occurs in late July and August. In mid August to mid-september up to ten young are born. At about eight weeks old the young detach from the teats and are suckled in the nest for about a month (Strahan 1998). Males apparently do not survive to breed in a second year, but do not die off before the birth of young as do male Antechinus and phascogales. Adult males are usually dead within a month of young becoming independent (Menkhorst 1996). 5

6 Profile 1- White-footed Dunnart investigating a meal worm Profile 2- White-footed Dunnart feeding on a meal worm 6

7 Profile 3- Male White-footed Dunnart Profile 4- Male White-footed Dunnart 7

8 4.0 SIGNIFICANT SPECIES Both study sites are assigned State Significance due to several State significant species being present in both reserves. 4.1 Significant Fauna The following fauna species are assigned significant to the region as they are considered to be rare within the Gippsland Plain Bioregion. KEY Signif N S R HL Significant/status of species is designated by: National State Regional High Local NRE Threatened Vertebrate in Victoria-2000 (NRE 2000) FFG Flora and Fauna Guaranteed Act 1988 ActPl Action Plan approved by environmental Australia EPBC Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 TR International Treaties: C=China & J=Japan. Cen End Vul LR DD Ls Un MC LC C Lim A critically endangered endangered vulnerable lower risk-near threatened data deficient Listed Uncommon Moderately Common Locally Common Common Limited Abundant Table 5: Significant taxa sampled throughout this survey. Common Name Scientific Name Signif. NRE. FFG. ActPl EPBC TR Reptiles Delicate Skink Lampropholis delicata R MC Metallic Skink Niveoscincus metallicus R MC Glossy Grass Skink Pseudemoia rawlinsoni S LR White-footed Dunnart. Sminthopsis leucopus S Vul Swamp Rat Rattus lutreolus R C Table 6: Significant Taxa, their Habitat Requirements and Management Actions Species Habitat Requirements Management Actions Delicate Skink Confined to the raised grasslands where they live amongst this micro-climate Maintain grassland and place out logs for habitat. Control vermin such as cats, Metallic Skink Confined to the raised grasslands where they live amongst this micro-climate Black Rats and foxes Maintain grassland and place out logs for habitat. Control vermin such as cats, Black Rats and foxes 8

9 Species Habitat Requirements Management Actions Glossy Grass Skink Confined to humid microhabitats within the reserve such as under the graminoids within the area. Is diurnal in habit and eats arthropods. Is live-bearing producing four to eight live-young. hollows. White-footed Dunnart Confined to the raised grasslands where they build a nest under the poa skirts. Feeds on a variety of invertebrates and small lizards and possibly baby mice and rats. Maintain the dense understorey throughout where this species lives. Control weed and vermin species, especially cats. Place logs out with Maintain raised grasslands, revegetate where necessary and place out logs with small hollows. Control vermin such as cats, Black Rats and foxes. Swamp Rat Prefers areas of dense cover eg low-lying vegetation in the raised grasslands that don t become inundated. Feeds on rhizomes and excavates runways and burrows. After fire, habitat is not usually suitable for several years. Protect areas that have intact habitat. Ensure any revegetation areas include essential understorey plants such as grasses, sedges and other important understorey plants. Control vermin. 5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE SURVIVAL OF THE WHITE-FOOTED DUNNART AT BOTH RESERVES. 5.1 Management requirements for significant taxa in Table 6. In order to maintain the significant taxa within the reserves the managers need to adopt the management requirements set out in Table 6 of this report. * Implement management actions as outlined in Table Management of Weeds. On going eradication of weeds and re-establishing the poa grasslands at Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve is of high priority. * Continue to remove weeds from the reserves. * Allow natural regeneration to occur. * Re-establish the poa grasslands by using various methods. 5.3 Control of Introduced Rodents Introduced rodent control is very difficult to carry out in a natural ecosystem as poisons and traps can target native wildlife. Most rodent activity was based in the grasslands. The safest way of eradicating Black Rats is to use cage traps which don t kill the occupants. Black Rats can then be disposed of humainly. * Control introduced rats by using cage traps. 5.4 Fox Control Methods Fox populations appear to be relatively high throughout the reserves. Live specimens were seen throughout hunting during the day and at night. The most suitable methods of fox control are poisoning, foot-hold trapping, fumigating dens or shooting. Poisoning, foot-hold trapping and den fumigation are more targetspecific than the other options. Work in with other surrounding land owners to carry out a fox eradication program over the whole swamp and surrounding land. * Eradicate or control fox populations by using appropriate methods discussed. 9

10 * Carry out a fox eradication program with surrounding land owners over the entire swamp and beyond. 5.5 Cat Control Some large cats were seen in the reserves, which are probably escapees from neighboring private properties or are feral. * Eradicate or control domestic and feral cats entering the reserves. * Domestic cats should be trapped in cage traps and taken to their owners who should be made aware of the impact their pets could have on native fauna populations. * Educate the surrounding public about the dusk to dawn cat curfew which is State Legislation. 5.6 Ground logs Tree trunks and fallen logs with small hollows need to be placed out or retained on the ground (especially in Sanctuary Park Bushland Reserve) in order to enhance the habitat for terrestrial taxa such as the Whitefooted Dunnart. These can include Tea-tree, Eucalypt, Moonah, Coast Banksia and Melaleuca which all contain small hollows. * Place out tree trunks and logs with small hollows on the ground to enhance terrestrial habitat and no collection of firewood. 5.7 Land Acquisition The raised grassland within Sanctuary Park reserve is up for sub-division. The MPS should look into by this land as it is important habitat for the White-footed Dunnart and several other species which utilize this are when the surrounding land becomes inundated. * Look in to buying the above mentioned land and including it into the reserve or use it as a net-gain off-set for other subdivisions within the area. 10

11 REFERENCES Cogger, H.G. (2000). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia (Sixth Edition). New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd, Sydney, N.S.W. Hero. J., Littlejohn, M., & Marantelli, M. (1991). Frogwatch Field Guide to Victorian Frogs. Dept. of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne. Menkhorst, W. (1996). Mammals of Victoria. Oxford University Press. Victoria, NRE 2000a. Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria. Oates, A. & Taranto, M Vegetation mapping of the Port Phillip & Westernport Region. Arthur Rylah Institute for environmental Research. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria. Strahan, R. (1998). The Mammals of Australia (Revised Edition). New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd, Sydney. Yugovic, J. Oct Mornington Peninsula Ecological Vegetation Class Profiles. Biosis Research. 11

12 Significance/status of species: N National S State R Regional L Local * Introduced Type of record: h Heard s Seen I Incidental (scats, feathers etc.) t Trapped/handheld A Recorded on the Anabat II Bat detector Appendix 1: Taxa sampled at both reserves during this survey September, Scientific Name Common Name Conservation status Type at both reserves. record Amphibians Crinia signifera Common Froglet Abundant Lt Lizards Lampropholis delicata Delicate Skink Uncommon Rt Niveoscincus metallicus Metallic Skink Uncommon Rt Pseudemoia rawlinsoni Glossy Grass Skink Common St Mammals Sminthopsis leucopus White-footed Dunnart. Rare St Rattus lutreolus Swamp Rat Common to Rare Rt of 12

13 MAP 1 FAUNA SAMPLING SITES IN TOOTGAROOK SWAMP RESERVE KEY Elliot trap transect Pitfall trap transect Hair tube transect 13

14 MAP 2 FAUNA SAMPLING SITES IN SANCTUARY PARK BUSHLAND RESERVE KEY Elliot trap transect Pitfall trap transect Hair tube transect 14