Mal’s Ecological Mal’s Environmental & & Environmental & Services Ecological ServicesPTY. LTD.

Consulting Consultingin Ecological in ManagementEcological Management and Restorationand Restoration ABN 70 165 787ACN 370 166 603 345 ABN 791 666 033 45

Fauna assessment of

Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve Balnarring Beach

Final Report Prepared for Balnarring Foreshore Reserve Committee of Management Inc. th 12 November 2014

Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

FAUNA ASSESSMENT OF BALNARRING BEACH FORESHORE & PARKS RESERVE, BALNARRING BEACH, 12TH NOVEMBER 2014 Document information

Mal’s Ecological Report prepared for: Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve Committee of Management & Inc. Environmental Services PTY. LTD. Prepared by: Malcolm Legg

Consulting in Ecological Citation: Mal’s Ecological & Environmental Services 2014, Fauna Management assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve, Balnarring and Restoration Beach, November 12th 2014. Report for the Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve Committee of Management Inc. Author Malcolm Legg. ACN 166 603 345 ABN 70 165 787 370 Document control

PO Box 247 Version Reviewed Date issued Shoreham Draft 01 Com. of man. October 10th 2014 Victoria 3916 Final Version Com. of man. November 12th 2014

M 0438 898 325 Acknowledgements

Mal’s Ecological & Environmental Services acknowledges the contribution Email of the following people in undertaking this study [email protected]

Committee. of Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve Management Inc. Paul Wittwer Manager of Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve Mark Dunball Former manager of Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve

Karen Anderson & pre Balnarring Pre-school primary students Belinda & Phillip Everett Balnarring Beach Resident Geoff Hall Local Somers resident who lives near Merricks Creek Estuary mouth

Profiles Front Page

Top to bottom:  Female Koala photographed in Reserve B  Red-browed Finch photographed in Reserve C  Red-capped Plover photographed down near Tullum Beach  Common Blue-tongue photographed in adjoining backyard  Tawny Frogmouths photographed at the toilet block in Reserve B  Black Wallaby photographed on the Spit

All other images through-out this report were photographed at the study site and are Copy-right M. Legg 2014

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Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Foreword

Balnarring Foreshore Parks and Reserves Committee of Management Inc. PO Box 14 BALNARRING VIC 3926. Phone: (03) 5983 5582 Mobile: 0419 596 549 E-Mail [email protected] ABN 11 721 878 414.

15th June 2015

The Balnarring Foreshore Parks and Reserves Committee of Management Inc. (BBFCoM) is happy to release the Fauna Assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve completed by Malcolm Legg to the public. The comprehensive survey of vertebrate fauna was conducted over 12 months from December 2013 to November 2014 with emphasis on obtaining:- base line data on all vertebrate fauna species, population densities of birds, amphibians, nocturnal fauna & feral species, conducting FEIS assessments of Broad Vegetation Communities within the reserve, results from the resident’s fauna census of nominated fauna species, and listing recommendations to help manage the site in order to retain its biodiversity values into the future. The Committee of Management has reviewed the report and its recommendations. We have decided upon (and budgeted for) a range of actions in response to the consultants recommendations as outlined below. Each action relates to the associated recommendation in the Report. We would like to thanks Malcolm for his dedication over the year and the production of such a thorough report. It has made a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of the reserves and will make a significant contribution to their ongoing management. Yours sincerely,

Belinda Williams President Balnarring Foreshore Parks and Reserves Committee of Management Inc.

3 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Actions in response to the Fauna Survey from the committee of management:

1.1 Continue conducting comprehensive fauna surveys every 20 years to maintain our longitudinal record of fauna on the Reserves.

1.2 Monitor threatened fauna, FEIS’s and feral fauna population density as part of our feral animal control program

2. Work with interested members of the community to develop a community monitoring program to monitor Red-capped Plover populations and to map breeding sites.

3. Approach Victorian Universities with the aim of them undertaking studies of the local Koala population.

4. Continue monitoring dolphin interactions on ranger patrols and notify the relevant authorities of any breach of regulations.

5.1 Continue conducting comprehensive fauna surveys every 20 years to maintain our longitudinal record of fauna on the Reserves.

5.2 Consider appropriate responses to identified changes in the surveys.

6.1 Continue our regular feral animal control program

6.2 Cooperate with DELWP and the Mornington Peninsula Shire in any actions undertaken to address European Rabbit populations within the area.

7. Develop and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) within 18 months.

8.1 The recommendations for fauna species contained in Action Plans and Recovery Plans under the EPBC Act 1999 and the FFG Act 1988 will be included within the EMP (see 7 above).

8.2 That the BBFCoM work with neighbouring land managers in implementing actions arising from the EMP.

9. Rangers continue acting to protect significant fauna and the management requirements (as set out in Appendix 4) are included in the EMP.

10. The landcare team will continue to maintain and increase crucial indigenous habitats through-out the reserve.

11. The landcare team will continue with their program to remove exotic eucalypts over a ten year period and replace with indigenous eucalypts.

12. The landcare team shall continue to weed out and control habitat changing weeds. The re- establishment of the understorey will remain a high priority.

13. The landcare team will continue their focus on rehabilitation along the Spit, weeding out all habitat changing weeds and re-establishing indigenous ecosystems. This will be undertaken over a ten year period and be supported by grants and green army volunteers.

14. Work with the Mornington Peninsula Shire, Melbourne Water and DELWP to increase the priority to rehabilitate bio-links along Merricks Creek, associated creeks and along foreshore reserves.

15.1 Construct a pathway linking C Reserve to the Coolart Bridge along the bay side of the Spit. The pathway is designed to link the community of Balnarring Beach with the Coolart Wetlands, six kilometres of pathways within Coolart and the neighbouring town of Somers.

15.2 Employ local specialists in flora, fauna and indigenous heritage to decide upon the most appropriate route and help develop the interpretive materials.

15.3 Conduct three annual surveys monitoring target species that may be affected by the development and close the pathway if there are impacts on native fauna diversity or density.

16. Include the deployment of fauna nesting boxes in the EMP.

17. Continue to retain and deploy additional terrestrial habitat logs with hollows through-out different habitats and leave fallen trees in place in accordance with our policy.

4 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Executive Summary

Mal’s Ecological & Environmental Services PTY. LTD. was commissioned by the Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve Committee of Management Inc. to conduct a vertebrate fauna assessment within the reserve. The study site is 76 hectares in size and habitat within includes 12 identified EVC’s, estuaries, drainage lines, beaches and Westernport Bay. The reserve is also part of the Merricks Creek biolink and the western coastline of Westernport Bay bio-link. The presence of threatened or endangered EVC’s, flora and fauna species, rates the reserve at a state significance rating.

Fauna surveys and mapping were undertaken from December 2013 to November, 2014 with emphasis on obtaining:-  base line data on all vertebrate fauna species,  population densities of birds, amphibians, nocturnal fauna & feral species,  conducting FEIS assessments of Broad Vegetation Communities within the reserve,  results from the resident’s fauna census of nominated fauna species, and  listing recommendations to help manage the site in order to retain its biodiversity values into the future.

Key ecological values

The field study identified key ecological values for the reserve and are as follows:-

 114 species of native fauna and eleven species of introduced fauna were recorded and composed of:- o Three species of Decapod Crustacean. o Six species of fish of which no species are introduced. o Four species of Amphibians. o 12 reptile species of which one species is a tortoise, nine species are lizards and two species are snakes. o 84 species of birds of which six species are introduced. o 21 species of mammals of which five species are introduced species.

 One nationally significant species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act) was detected during this survey. Five species detected are listed as internationally migratory under the EPBC Act.

 13 state significant species were recorded during this study, four species are listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) as threatened, one species is nominated under the FFG Act and another species is ineligible under the FFG Act.

 In addition, a further 29 species recorded are considered to be of regional significance and five species recorded are considered to be of high local significance.

 Due to large population and habitat losses within the local area (Mornington Peninsula Shire) the remaining native fauna can be considered to be at local significance levels.

5 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Government legislation and policy

Key biodiversity legislation and policy is provided and summarised in the table below.

Table A: Key biodiversity legislation and policy

Legislation / Policy Relevant ecological feature on site

EPBC Act Habitat for Nationally threatened fauna species and migratory bird species. FFG Act Study area provides habitat for some FFG listed fauna species. Planning & Environmental Act Future indigenous vegetation to be cleared for development, pathways and fire protection measures. CaLP Act <10 noxious weeds recorded.

National and State significant species identified during this survey at the study area

The National and State significant species identified during this survey is provided and summarised in the table below.

Table B: Summary of significant species observed within the reserve

Species name Area of value within the study site EPBC Act listed species Shy Albatross Utilizes southern Westernport Bay and Bass Strait to forage for food.

Listed Migratory birds Black-browed Albatross Utilizes southern Westernport Bay and Bass Strait to forage for food. Shy Albatross Utilizes southern Westernport Bay and Bass Strait to forage for food. Short-tailed Shearwater Utilizes southern Westernport Bay and Bass Strait to forage for food. Occasional specimen washes up dead along the beaches. Great Egret Wetlands provide foraging sites and possible breeding sites. White-throated Needletail Coastal updrafts provide conditions to feed on.

FFG Act/ DSE Advisory List species Common Long-necked Tortoise Creeks provide feeding and breeding habitats. Black-browed Albatross Utilizes southern Westernport Bay and Bass Strait to forage for food. Shy Albatross Utilizes southern Westernport Bay and Bass Strait to forage for food. Black-faced Cormorant Utilizes southern Westernport Bay to forage for food and roosts on boating pylons. Pied Cormorant Utilizes Westernport Bay and Merricks Creek Estuary to forage for food and roosts on boating pylons, moored boats, buoys and intertidal reefs. Lewin’s Rail Dense vegetation along Merricks Creek Estuary edges provides foraging and breeding habitats. Great Egret Merricks Creek Estuary provides foraging sites. Nankeen Night Heron Swamp Scrub provides roosting sites and Merricks Creek Estuary provides foraging sites. Royal Spoonbill Wetlands provide foraging sites and possible breeding sites 6 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Species name Area of value within the study site

Hooded Plover Utilizes the intertidal sandy areas at Merricks Creek mouth, Pacific Gull Utilizes Westernport Bay to forage for food and roosts on boating pylons, moored boats, buoys, beaches and intertidal reefs. White-throated Needletail Coastal areas provide updrafts to feed on. Burrunan Dolphin Utilizes Westernport Bay and comes in close to shore to feed and be inquisitive.

Aims and Objectives

The brief for this project is to identify the presence of vertebrate fauna and Decapod Crustaceans within the reserve.

The outcomes of the study will inform the reserve’s managers and rangers:-  Regarding sustaining the significant & common fauna, their habitats that have been detected and to identify possible impacts or risks associated with threatening processes.  Comparisons between this fauna assessment and previous fauna assessment (1994).  Development and implementation of an endangered and threatened fauna species monitoring program within the reserve.

Study limitations

The field survey was conducted during all months of the 12 month study period which is commonly an optimal time to survey all species that usually utilize the reserve. However a number of reasons exist as to why not all vertebrate species may have not been detected at the site including low individual local species populations, migration, predation of native species by native & introduced fauna and variable seasonal conditions. The reserve is partially subject to dense vegetation which may have reduced the detection of faunal species and population densities.

Vegetation

In 2006 a study conducted by Arthur Rylah Institute for the Mornington Peninsula Shire determined that 18.5 % of complex native vegetation remained across the Mornington Peninsula.

The vegetation and associated habitat of the reserve is today highly modified and fragmented, associated with changes to the broader Merricks Creek and Tulum Creek catchments following European settlement.

The native vegetation within the study area has high connectivity with broader areas of vegetation along foreshore reserves of south-west Westernport coastline and along Merricks Creek & its tributaries.

The study area supports 12 Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC’s) as follows:- (002) Coast Banksia Woodland, (009) Coastal Salt Marsh, (053-061) Freshwater Swamp Scrub, (053 - 062) Estuarine Swamp Scrub, (083) Swampy Riparian Woodland, (140) Mangrove Shrubland, (160) Coastal Dune Scrub, (161) Coastal Headland Scrub, (175) Grassy Woodland, (538) Brackish Wetland, 7 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

(821) Tall Marsh and (879) Coastal Dune Grassland. Half of these EVC’s are assessed as endangered within the Gippsland Plains Bioregion. The quality of vegetation within these EVC’s is generally of medium standard with weed invasion persistent in the understorey and in parts the middlestorey.

Methods

Methods, undertaken in accordance with permit conditions included:-  identifying appropriate habitat,  mapping all vertebrate fauna species,  active searching,  scat analysis,  digging analysis,  deploying Scout-guard cameras,  deploying Elliot and bait traps,  spotlighting,  Anabat 2 Bat Detector,  vocalization identification and  FEIS assessments.

Conclusion and General Recommendations The reserve contains a wide range of terrestrial, coastal & aquatic habitats and creek estuaries which supports a diverse range of EVC’s that are assessed as endangered in the bio-region. The reserve also support a diverse and significant range of indigenous fauna species listed under commonwealth and state biodiversity acts. A recommendation is made, that collectively, the reserve is of state significance and continues to be protected accordingly. The following are general recommendations to help protect and maintain the reserve’s diverse habitats and fauna species. 1. Continue to conduct fauna surveys every five years and yearly monitor threatened fauna, FEIS’s and feral fauna population density fluctuations. 2. Monitor Red-capped Plover population on a regular basis. Map breeding sites and keep public, dogs, foxes and cats away from these important sites. 3. Monitor koalas on a regular basis and create digital maps of locations and movements. 4. Implement the regulations set aside to protect the Burrunan Dolphins from human activities, 5. Since the 1994 fauna survey 33 species of fauna have disappeared from the reserve. Additionally 29 species of fauna identified during this survey are new species and were not detected during the 1994 survey. Look into ways to stop future fauna species extinctions within the reserve and document new arrivals. 6. Continue to conduct fox control programs on a regular basis and develop and implement *Feral Cat, *European Rabbit and *Black Rat control programs. Investigate methods into controlling introduced birds. 7. The results from this study are recommended to inform the development and implementation of a longitudinal environmental monitoring program that captures changes

8 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

to species diversity and abundance in response to variable seasonal conditions particularly for endangered and threatened species. 8. Recommendations for fauna species contained in Action Plans and Recovery Plans under the EPBC Act 1999 and the FFG Act 1988 be sought to be implemented within the reserve. This also includes the surrounding catchment on both public and private land tenure. 9. In order to maintain the significant fauna within the reserve the rangers need to adopt the significant fauna management requirements set out in Appendix 4 of this report. 10. Maintain and increase crucial indigenous habitats through-out the reserve. 11. Remove exotic eucalypts over a ten year period and replace with indigenous eucalypts 12. Continue to weed out and control habitat changing weeds. Strong emphasis should be implemented on the control of understorey weeds such-as *Smilax, *Sea Spurge and *Angled Onion Weed. The re-establishment of the all important understorey must become a high priority. 13. Develop and implement a rehabilitation program along the Spit, weeding out all habitat changing weeds and re-establishing indigenous ecosystems. This could occur over a ten year plus period. Apply for grants to achieve such a task.

Management actions should include the following and during weeding programs follow these simple rules: o Continue to conduct weeding in sections and span the process over a staged period. o Start from the good areas and work outwards and control invading weeds on the edges. o Only remove woody weeds during the non-bird breeding season. o Leave if Eastern Yellow Robins or other birds are nesting. o Allow natural regeneration to occur. o If ringtail possum dreys or bird nests occur in weeds then ring-bark with-out poisoning and follow-up after a year.

14. That the shire, Melbourne Water and DEPI increases the priority to rehabilitate biolinks along Merricks Creek, associated creeks and along foreshore reserves. 15. Retain the Spit and its fauna as a high conservation area and do not construct a walking pathway through it. However if the committee of management decides to construct the pathway then it should be constructed on the bay side of the Spit and in the dune swale behind the primary dune. 16. Continue to implement and deploy fauna nesting box program and monitor. 17. Continue to retain and deploy additional terrestrial habitat logs with hollows through-out different habitats.

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Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 12 1.1 Project Background 12 1.2 Study site 13 1.2.1 EVC's 14 1.2.2 Management Zones 16 1.3 Geology 22 1.4 History 22

2. METHODS 26 2.1 Existing Information 26 2.2 New Information 26 2.2.1 Further details of the fauna survey techniques 26 2.3 Limitations 28 2.4 Research Permit 29 2.5 Data handling and storage 29 2.6 Mapping 29 2.7 Rapid Assessment Tool using FEIS's in BVT's 32

3. RESULTS 33 3.1 Fauna identified within the study site 33 3.1 1 Decapod Crustacean 33 3.1.2 Fish 33 3.1.3 Amphibians 33 3.1.4 Reptiles 33 3.1.5 Birds 33 3.1.6 Mammals 34 3.2 Results of field work conducted within the study site 35 3.2.1 Bait trap deployment results 35 3.2.2 Bird species and population densities recorded for each month 35 3.2.3 Elliot trap survey results 43 3.2.4 Spotlight walk results 43 3.2.5 Anabat 2 Bat Detector results 46 3.2.6 Scout-guard camera deployment 46 3.2.7 Current status of BVT ecosystems using FEIS rapid assessment tool 47

4. SIGNIFICANT FAUNA 51 4.1 Faunal significance of the study area 51 4.2 Habitat significance 51 4.3 Defining significant species 52 4.4 Significant fauna detected within the reserve 52 4.5 Discussions on national & state significant species 54

5. DISCUSSION 67 5.1 Indigenous Fauna 67 5.1 1 Decapod Crustacean & Fish 67 5.1.2 Amphibians 67 10 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

5.1.3 Reptiles 68 5.1.4 Birds 70 5.1.5 Mammals 76 5.2 Feral Mammals 82 5.3 Habitat changing weeds 83 5.4 Habitats 86 5.5 Comparing surveys 86 5.6 Construction of a walking pathway along the Spit 87 5.7 Bio-links 88 5.8 Key biodiversity issues 88 5.8.1 Relative importance of key habitats 88 5.8.2 Broad biolinks across the shire & region 89 5.9 FEIS assessments 89 5.10 Local resident’s fauna census 90 5.11 Future survey work 95 5.12 Climate change 95 5.13 Monitoring FEIS's, Red-capped Plover’s and their population densities 95 5.14 Installing & monitoring nesting boxes 96

6. RECOMMENDATIONS 98

7. RELEVANT GOVERNMENT POLICIES 100 7.1 National 100 7.2 International 100 7.3 State 102 7.4 Regional 107

8. REFERENCES 108

APPENDIX 1. FAUNA SPECIES DETECTED DURINGTHIS SURVEY 109 APPENDIX 2. FAUNA SURVEY RESULTS FOR THE RESERVE 114 APPENDIX 3. FEIS ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 121 APPENDIX 4. THREATENED FAUNA MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 128 APPENDIX 5. BALNARRING BEACH RESIDENT’S FAUNA CENSUS 132

MAP 1 Location of study site within the sub-region 13 MAP 2 Locations of the 13 management zones within the reserve 21 MAP 3 Locations of fauna survey effort 31 MAP 4 Locations of identified Koalas, including local resident’s sightings 81 MAP 5 Locations of Nationally significant fauna species 101 MAP 6 Locations of State significant fauna species 106 MAP 7 Locations of fauna sampling sites 134

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Malcolm Legg from Mal’s Ecological & Environmental Services PTY. LTD. (MEES) was commissioned by the Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve Committee of Management Inc. (BBF&PRCM) to conduct a fauna survey within the Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve, Balnarring Beach, Victoria. The study was conducted between December 2013 and November 2014.

This report provides information on:  Habitats,  endangered & threatened fauna species locations within the study site,  lists of fauna detected within the study site by methods outlined in the method section of this report,  results of fish trap survey, monthly bird surveys, Elliot trap deployment, spotlight walks, Anabat 2 Bat Detector surveys, Scout-guard camera deployment, Fauna Environmental Indicator Species (FEIS’s) assessments, fauna diggings and scat assessments,  discussions on fauna species, bio-diversity issues, monitoring and feral management,  results from the resident’s fauna census of nominated fauna species, and  recommendations to ensure that fauna biodiversity values are maintained.

1.1 Project background

The scope of works proposed by MEES and BBF&PRCM included the following:  a review of fauna databases at the site,  targeted fauna surveys using various methods,  to obtain baseline data on fauna species and their population densities,  to compare this survey with previous surveys, and  write a comprehensive report on the project.

This report aims to:  Maintain the study site’s known significant fauna values,  assess all fieldwork data and information,  discuss indigenous and feral fauna detected at the site,  discuss fauna not present during survey period,  compare fauna and population densities from this survey and previous survey,  provide recommendations to ensure the site’s significant biodiversity values are maintained, and  develop a monitoring program of FEIS’s within the site. 12 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

1.2 Study site

Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve is located along the south-western coastline of Westernport, which is situated within the Mornington Peninsula Shire, Victoria and falls within the Gippsland Plains Bioregion (DNRE 1997). The reserve is approximately 76 hectares in size and comprises extensive remnant indigenous vegetation, the Spit, Westernport coast and bay, Merricks Creek & Tulum Creek estuaries, drainage lines, camping reserves with visitor amenities, buildings and the manger’s residence (Melways reference number 193 D9). The area has a maritime climate with wet moist winters and dry warm summers.

Study site

Map 1 Location of the study site within the Mornington Peninsula.

13 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

1.2.1 Ecological Vegetation Class Habitats

12 Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC’s) were identified within the study site. These EVC’s constitutes different habitats which provide homes for a high diversity of fauna species. The EVC’s are of medium quality and majority of the habitat changing weeds have been removed from the over & middle stories. However habitat changing weeds still dominate the understories and along the Spit. The EVC’s identified during the survey period and their status is displayed in the table below.

Table 1: EVC’s and their status within the reserve

EVC No EVC’s Status within Bioregion Current distribution within the study site

002 Coast Banksia Woodland Vulnerable Mainly through-out most management zones 009 Coastal Salt Marsh Least Concern Parts of Merricks Creek Estuary. 053-061 Freshwater Swamp Scrub Endangered Low lying areas that drain into Merricks Creek Estuary. 053-062 Estuarine Swamp Scrub Endangered Along the banks of Merricks Creek Estuary. 083 Swampy Riparian Endangered Swampy parts in Reserve B where it Woodland meets Merricks Creek Estuary and along some drainage lines. 140 Mangrove Shrubland Least Concern Recently colonized parts of Merricks Creek Estuary. 160 Coastal Dune Scrub Least Concern Along the Spit. 161 Coastal Headland Scrub Depleted On coastal bluff west main beach car park. 175 Grassy Woodland Endangered Mainly within camping reserves A, B & C and possible areas along the Spit. 656 Brackish Wetland Endangered Adjacent to Reserve C along Merricks Creek Estuary. 821 Tall Marsh No listing Swampy parts and along the banks of upper Merricks Creek Estuary. 879 Coastal Dune Grassland Endangered Coastal along the primary dunes.

Merricks Creek Estuary EVC’s Coastal Salt Marsh with Estuarine Swamp Scrub behind. Photos M. Legg, 2014.

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EVC Tall Marsh along the banks of Merricks Creek Estuary. EVC Mangrove Shrubland. Photos M. Legg, 2014.

EVC Coastal Dune Scrub EVCs Coastal Salt Marsh and Brackish Wetland. Photos M. Legg, 2014.

EVC Coast Banksia Woodland EVCs Coastal Dune Grassland. Photos M. Legg, 2014.

EVC Grassy Woodland EVCs Coastal Headland Scrub. Photos M. Legg, 2014.

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1.2.2 Management Zones

This fauna assessment adopts the 12 management zones which are described in the Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve Management Plan. An additional management zone was included in this report which is ‘Zone 13’ Merricks Creek Estuary. Map 2 displays the boundaries of the 13 management zones and they are described below along with aerial photos displaying the boundaries and are as follows:

Management Zone 1: Restoration area Location: Western edge of the foreshore reserve. Size: 100m by 260m. EVC’s Present: Coastal Dune Scrub (160) and Coastal Dune Grassland (879). Habitat Description: Recently revegetated consisting of patches of Coast tea-tree and indigenous grasses. Some weeds present including *Polygala and *Sea Spurge. Habitat Quality: Low to medium.

Management Zone 2: Coastal (beached) areas Location: From the mouth of Merricks Creek Estuary to the western boundary of the reserve including 200m offshore Size: 50hectares+ EVC’s Present: Nil. Habitat Description: Sand beaches, intertidal reefs and Westernport Bay. Habitat Quality: High, but highly disturbed by human activities.

Management Zone 3: Bird Sanctuary Location: West from the Rotunda cark park to point Size: 3 hectares EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002) and Coastal Headland Scrub (161) Habitat Description: Largish stand of Coast Banksia Woodland and scrub species. Recent habitat restoration has enhanced this zone. Habitat changing weed species include: *Angled Onion,*Smilax and weed grasses etc. Habitat Quality: Medium

16 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Management Zone 4: Car Park and Rotunda Location: Adjacent to general store and Reserve B. Size: less than 1 hectare EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002) Habitat Description: Consisting of the main beach car park, the Rotunda, toilet blocks and remnant indigenous vegetation. Habitat Quality: Remaining indigenous vegetation can be considered to be at a medium level.

Management Zone 5: Habitat Zone Location: Between the Yacht Club and the Bird Sanctuary. Size: App. 3 hectares EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002) and Coastal Dune Scrub (160). Habitat Description: Largish patch of woodland and scrub which acts as a bio-link between the Spit and the Bird Sanctuary. Habitat changing weeds include: *Dolichos, *Polygala, *Angled Onion, *Smilax and weedy grasses etc. Habitat Quality: Medium to high.

Management Zone 6: Yacht Club and adjoining Car Park. Location: Adjacent to Reserve C Size: less than I hectare EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002). Habitat Description: The only indigenous vegetation retained is around the car park. Habitat Quality: Low

17 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Management Zone 7: The Spit Location: Between Merricks Creek Estuary mouth, Westernport Bay and Reserve C. Size: app. 30 hectares EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002), Coastal Salt Marsh (009), Mangrove Shrubland (140), Coastal Dune Scrub, (175) and Coastal Dune Grassland (879) Habitat Description: Large extent of remnant bushland on sand dunes with severe weed invasion . Habitat Quality: Medium.

Management Zone 8: Fethers Road Location: Between Fethers Road, Merricks Creek Estuary and Reserve C. Size: App. 1 hectare EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002), Coastal Salt Marsh (009), Estuarine Swamp Scrub (053-062) and Mangrove Shrubland (140). Habitat Description: Remnant habitat link between Reserves B and C. Mainly understorey weeds remain.

Habitat Quality: Medium to high.

Management Zone 9: Camping Reserve A Location: Off Mason Smith Drive. Size: App. 2.5 hectares. EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002) Habitat Description: Retains Old-growth eucalypts and banksias with hollows. Highly disturbed site due to human activities. Habitat Quality: Low to medium.

18 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Management Zone 10: Camping Reserve B Location: Off Balnarring Beach Road and runs along Merricks Creek Estuary. Size: App. 2.9 hectares. EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002), Freshwater Swamp Scrub (53-061), Estuarine Swamp Scrub (053-062), Swampy Riparian Woodland (083) and Grassy Woodland (175). Habitat Description: Retains Old-growth eucalypts and banksias with hollows. Highly disturbed site due to human activities.

Habitat Quality: Medium.

Management Zone 11: Camping Reserve C Location: At the end of Fethers Road to the beginning of the Spit. Size: App. 1.1 hectares. EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002), Coastal Salt Marsh (009), Estuarine Swamp Scrub (053-062), Mangrove Shrubland (140), Grassy Woodland (175) and Brackish Wetland (656). Habitat Description: Retains Old-growth eucalypts and banksias with hollows. Highly disturbed site due to human activities.

Habitat Quality: Medium.

Management Zone 12: Rangers Compound Location: Off Balnarring Beach Road. Size: less than I hectare. EVC’s Present: Coast Banksia Woodland (002), and Grassy Woodland (175). Habitat Description: Retains Old-growth eucalypts and banksias with hollows. Highly disturbed site due to human activities. Habitat Quality: Low to medium.

19 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Management Zone 13: Merricks Creek Estuary

Location: North-west corner of Reserve B to the end of the Spit.

Size: App. 2 km long EVC’s Present: Tall Marsh (821). Habitat Description: Long estuary which retains good habitat for aquatic and semi- aquatic fauna species. Habitat Quality: Medium to high.

20 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Map 2: Locations of the 13 management zones within the Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve

KEY

Zone 1 (Restoration area) Zone 2 (Costal or beach areas) Zone 8 (Fethers Road) Zone 3 (Bird Sanctuary) Zone 9 (A Reserve) Zone 4 (Rotunda and car park) Zone 10 (B Reserve) Zone 5 (Habitat zone) Zone 11 (C Reserve) Zone 6 (Yacht Club and car park Zone 12 (Ranger compound) Zone 7 (The Spit) Zone 13 (Merricks Creek Estuary)

21 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

1.3 Geology

Geologically the foreshore is made up of four formation origins and are as follows (Geological Survey of Victoria 1967).  Majority of the site is derived from fluviatlic clays, consisting of silt & sands and formed into siliceous sand sheets. This formation was formed in the Pleistocene period of the Quaternary era.  The beaches consist of sandy beaches which were formed in the Recent period of the Quaternary era.  Intertidal reefs are derived of older volcanics consisting of basalt, tuff and agglomerate which were formed in the Eocene period of the Tertiary era.  Merricks Creek Estuary Creek, associated creeks & drainage lines are derived from swamp and younger fluviatilis deposits which consist of clay, silt & sand and are often peaty. This formation was formed in the Pleistocene period of the Quaternary era (Geological Survey of Victoria 1967).

Exposed reefs at low tide along the Spit are derived from Ferruginous Sandstone.

1.4 History

The site falls within the traditional lands of the Aboriginal territory of the Boonwurrong clan of the Kulin Nation. Prior and post European settlement the site was and is an important area to the Boonwurrong people with high cultural evidence found through-out. Similar evidence of past aboriginal occupation is scattered through-out the Mornington Peninsula in the form of midens and tool artifacts (Adam Magennis MPS Cultural Heritage Officer).

In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s Port Phillip and Western Port Bays were discovered by Europeans and the area was settled soon after. Since the mid 1800’s around 80% of the Western Port catchment has been cleared of its indigenous vegetation. Historical clearing occurred from the foothills right down to the coast including drainage of swamps (such-as the Koo wee Rup Swamp) and pastures and market gardens were created through-out. Since then small pockets of indigenous vegetation and weeds have grown back mainly along the coast, roadsides on private properties and waterways.

The following are extracts from historical records of the fauna that used to occur in Western Port and catchment area during the late 1700’s and early to late 1800’s:

The first published comment on the fauna was made by George Bass when he entered Western Port in 1798. He was amazed at the large numbers of waterfowl and commented

22 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

‘black swans went by in hundreds of a flight, and ducks a small but excellent kind, by thousands, and the usual wildfowl were in abundance’.

The next visitor to the bay was Lieutenant J. Grant in March 1801, who spent some time exploring the area and commented on the extensive mudflats and on the abundance of pelicans, black swans, ducks and oystercatchers.

L. H. Tuckey arrived in the Western Port region in 1804 after travelling overland from Port Phillip. Along the western shore he found pools covered with a ‘teal of a beautiful plumage’ (most likely Chestnut Teal). He also commented on large numbers of parrots inhabiting the woods, and black and white cockatoos and bronzewings. These species still occur in the area, but in much lower numbers.

In 1826 Dumont D’Urville visited Western Port and recorded large numbers of parrots and some fine red-tailed cockatoo. By the 1850’s Wheelwright records that the Glossy Black Cockatoo as being rare. They are now extinct in the region.

In 1842 George D Smythe in his map described the area as “plain and open forest with ti tree along the lower lying areas and creeks with sheoaks and banksia” Following settlement and clearing by 1882 (A C Allen) this had become rough pasture with thick timber and undergrowth, lightly timbered open forest and scattered burnt dead timber” (from Arthur Woodley & Bruce Bennett’s Book ‘Morradoo about Nothing’)

In January 1855 William Blandowski, the first government zoologist of Victoria conducted an excursion down the western side of Western Port to Phillip and French Islands. He stated that kangaroos and wallabies abound in such large numbers in the Western Port district as to be a perfect annoyance to the settlers of these parts.

Between 1853 and 1857 Horace Wheelwright became a professional hunter in the area between Port Phillip and Western Port Bays. He describes all the species with which he was familiar in his book entitled ‘Bush Wanderings of a Naturalist’. He was one of the first naturalists to write about and shoot so many of) the region’s fauna. He records Dingos “lying up generally in thick patches of tea-tree…” (p. 35) and being common in thick forests, deeply scrubbed gullies, in belts of timber bordering the large plains and in patches of tea-tree on the plains themselves.” (p35). Wheelwright also described many of the fauna species – Common Wombats, Koalas, the two possums, Sugar Gliders, Feathertail Glider, bandicoots (two species), Short-beaked Echidnas, Eastern Water Rat and various smaller bush animals, such as field-mice and rats.

Wheelwright also shot both species of quolls. He found the Spotted-tail Quolls rare, but the Eastern Quolls to be “one of the commonest of all bush animals” (p.48). He found Eastern 23 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Quolls especially common in the belts of timber around swamps. Wheelwright was concerned about the number of birds and animals being shot and states that due to continued hunting, clearing of bush and drainage of swamps many species have greatly decreased in numbers and others have become locally extinct. The latter include Emu, Magpie Goose, Plains Wanderer, Brolga, and Australian Bustard. Parrots had also suffered greatly with five of the 17 species recorded by Wheelwright becoming extinct in the area and the majority of the other species being greatly reduced in numbers. He also describes that birds of prey were really common in species diversity and populations and noted that a dozen or so Wedge-tailed Eagles could be seen at any time flying at various heights. Later he became concerned in the greatly decreasing numbers of birds of prey. Wheelwright recorded snakes as being extremely abundant, ‘I do not believe any part of the world can be more infested with these reptiles in the summer season’.

Extracts from Tuck 1971 In the mid 1800’s the numbers of kangaroos must have been enormous. “Kangaroos were formerly so plentiful that they resembled flocks of sheep. At Sandy Point they erected yards for a big kangaroo drive. Messrs, Clark, White, Benton and others got 1500 in the first drive. Stakes seven foot high were driven into the ground and interwoven with ti-tree. In the last drive they got 800 kangaroos. On the plain they were in thousands, as also were possums. Bandicoots and goannas were also very numerous.” (Tuck, 1971, p. 10). Also, “The place was full of wild animals – wild cats, kangaroos, possums, snakes, emus and everything…” (Tuck, 1971, p.10)

The Balnarring Beach Township was first gazetted in 1886, in a street configuration quite different to what exists today.

The beach first began to attract holidaymakers in the 1910s, and beach stores and kiosks commenced operations, serving both day-trippers and campers. The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Club set up base here after their formation in 1924. During World War II, businesses were sustained by servicemen training at Somers.

In 1944, a mobile library operated from a private home for the Flinders Shire by Wally Turner. Balnarring Beach Post Office opened on 1 July 1947 and closed in 1978. In 1960 the yacht club was given permission to erect a winch and slipway and build a clubhouse.

Balnarring Beach today consists primarily of holiday homes and camping grounds and contains a general store, picnic facilities and several caravan parks. Most other services are provided by nearby Balnarring Township.

24 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

The Spot-tailed Quoll and the Dingo are now extinct within the Gippsland Plain Bio-region, M. Legg 2010.

Tasmanian Pademelon is now extinct on mainland Australia and Long-nosed Potaroo range has been reduced to French Island, M. Legg 2011.

. The Water Rat is presumed extinct within the Mornington Peninsula and Frankston area while the Tasmanian Bettong is now extinct on Mainland Australia, M. Legg 2011. .

The Bush Stone-curlew and the Emu have become extinct within the Gippsland Plain Bio-region, M. Legg 2010.

25 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

2.0 METHODS

2.1 Existing information

2.1.1 Desktop Assessment

The following resources and databases were reviewed as part of the desktop assessment:

 DSE’s Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna 2013  EPBC Act Protected Matters Search Tool (DEWHA 2010.

Previous fauna surveys of Balnarring Beach Foreshore & Parks Reserve were reviewed and include:

 M. Legg. Mornington Peninsula Wildlife Atlas, October 2007 to November 2011.  M. Legg. Fauna Survey of Balnarring Foreshore Reserves, October 1994.

2.2 New information

Fauna surveys were deployed using the following methods.

 Decapod Crustaceans were sampled by site and within bait traps.  Fish were sampled by deploying bait traps within Merricks & Tulum Creeks estuaries.  Amphibians were identified by listening to male vocal calls during day and spotlight walks.  Reptiles were sampled by hand-capture, Elliot traps, randomly searching and turning over logs and debry.  Birds were visually & call identified during daytime and spotlight walks. Each species population densities were also recorded for each month.  Mammals were identified by identifying diggings & scats, deploying Elliot traps, during spotlight & day walks and deploying Scout-guard cameras.  Nocturnal fauna were identified whilst conducting four spotlight walks.  During spotlight walks microbats were recorded on the Anabat 2 Bat Detector and identified using specialized software.

2.2.1 Further detail of some of the fauna survey techniques listed above includes:

BAIT TRAPS Bait traps were deployed in Merricks Creek and Tulum Creek estuaries to sample fish and Decapod Crustaceans.

26 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

AMPHIBIAN CALL IDENTIFICATING Amphibians were identified whilst listening to male vocal calls and identifying each species calls during spotlight and day walks. Some species were also identified by turning over logs or debris near water bodies.

RANDOM SEARCHING FOR REPTILES Reptiles were identified by turning over fallen logs, within leaf-litter or by observing and identifying basking species.

VISUAL BIRD DETECTING Birds were identified by walking through out the site, listening to calls or looking through binoculars and identifying individuals. Bird species population densities were counted for each month during the duration of the survey. Nocturnal birds were identified by calls and sight during spotlight walks.

SCAT ANALYSIS Indigenous and feral fauna scats were analyzed to determine species and what feral predators had been preying upon.

SPOTLIGHTING Spotlighting was conducted over four nights during mild weather conditions and during the pre full & new moon cycles in 2014.

ELLIOT TRAPS Five days before the full and new moons fifteen Elliot traps were deployed along five transects within the study site (refer to map 7 for locations of transects). Bait used was peanut butter, honey & oats were placed at the back of the traps and used to lure small mammals and possibly the Swamp Skink within the traps. Fauna sampled included: Blotched Blue-tongue, Agile Antechinus, Swamp Rat and the introduced *Black Rat & *House Mouse.

Elliot trap deployed along the Spit. Photo M. Legg 2014.

27 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

SCOUT-GUARD CAMERAS Scout-guard cameras are designed to capture on photo or video fauna that passes through its range either at night (infra-red) or during daylight (color). The images are stored within the camera on SD cards. Three cameras were deployed between July and November 2014 at three sites along the Spit. All Scout-guard cameras (550V) were fixed to a stake in a position so as to obtain the best video footage (30 second duration) of the fauna interacting with the bait and lures. A tea infuser loaded with peanut butter, honey and oats was deployed one meter from the terrestrial camera and peg down with a hair tube peg. All cameras were configured similarly using the normal sensitivity and a delay of one second between recordings. Any vegetation that may have obstructed view between the camera and bait was carefully trimmed to minimize wind moving the vegetation, which would trigger the camera. Each camera site was re-baited and SD cards down-loaded once a fortnight during the project time frame.

The above shows a Scout-guard camera deployed along the Spit. Photo M. Legg 2014.

ANABAT 2 BAT DETECTOR Micro bats omit echo-location while flying around at night. Each species has a different call frequency and thus their calls are detected and recorded on the Anabat 2 Bat Detector. Those calls are down-load on to computer and analyzed using specialized software to determine species.

2.3 Limitations

The field survey was conducted during all months of the 12 month study which is commonly an optimal time to survey all species that usually utilize the study site. However a 28 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

number of reasons exist as to why not all vertebrate species may have not been detected at the site including low individual local species populations, migration, predation of native species by native & introduced fauna and variable seasonal conditions. The reseve is partially subject to dense vegetation which may have reduced the detection of faunal species and population densities.

2.4 Research permit

All fauna sampling within the study site was carried out legally under Wildlife Act 1975/FFG Act 1988 Research Permit Number 10005998. The procedures used in this study were discussed prior to initiation of work with the BBF&PRCM, the foreshore manager and Malcolm Legg from MEES.

2.5 Data handling and storage

Listings of all fauna taxa detected throughout this assessment, within the reserve have been submitted to the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Nicholson Street and recorded on the Atlas of Victoria Wildlife for future reference. All fauna data has also been submitted onto the new Mornington Peninsula Shire Wildlife Atlas.

2.6 Mapping

Fauna surveys were conducted through-out the entire reserve and were traversed by foot during numerous field trips from December 2013 to November 2014. During this time, fauna surveys were undertaken throughout the different habitats within the site. Dedicated searches for rare or threatened fauna species were also made during fieldwork. Fauna surveys were conducted by Malcolm Legg.

A GIS mobile mapping specialist set up a handheld computers or iPAQ Navigation System programmed into HP iPAQ pocket PC using Arcpad 9 software for locating sampling sites and significant species. The PDA was set up for collecting point-source fauna recorded in the field.

Figure 1. PDA used in the field to record fauna and vegetation 29 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

A fauna species list for the study site is compiled in Appendixes 1& 2 of this report. This included species recorded during targeted surveys and general observations. Over 150 fauna survey points have been collected during the survey period and entered into the Mornington Peninsula Wildlife Atlas. These consist of Decapod Crustaceans, fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal census data. Current fauna survey effort is displayed on map 3 of this report below.

30 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014 Map 3 MAP 3: Locations of fauna survey effort

Fauna ID points

31 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

2.7 Rapid assessment tool using Fauna Environmental Indicator Species (FEIS’S) to measure the health of an ecosystem.

A rapid assessment tool to measure health of fauna diversity has been developed by Malcolm Legg in an attempt to gauge the level of ecosystem health through fauna species diversity. This considers two aspects:

1. The five phases of extinction since European settlement – five broad categories of extinction based on a benchmark of what fauna were present prior to European settlement

2. Indicator species which provide a benchmark for a particular habitat type

This tool is still in development phase, and has not undergone rigorous testing. It has not been developed using detailed academic study or received peer review. Therefore, it should be used with some caution. However, as there is no other easy-to-use assessment tools (to the authors` knowledge); this is presented for interpretation of results and for rapid assessment of the health of bush land for the fauna species diversity. There are many rapid assessment tools developed by DSE and other organizations to measure the health of native vegetation, habitat, creeks and rivers. However few tools exist to measure fauna species diversity or aspects of ‘ecological processes’.

The FEIS assessment criteria is discussed and listed in Appendix 3 of this report.

32 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

3.0 RESULTS

3.1 Fauna identified within the study site

During this survey three species of Decapod Crustacean and 122 species of vertebrate fauna were recorded within the reserve. Of these 114 species are native and eleven species are introduced.

3.1.1 Decapod Crustaceans

One species of Decapod Crustacean was sampled in bait traps which were deployed in Merricks Creek Estuary and Tulum Creek Another two species were visually detected. (Appendix1).

3.1.2 Fish

Six species of fish were detected during this survey within Merricks Creek Estuary and two species within Tulum Creek Estuary (Appendix 1). Other fish species are probably present but were not detected during this survey.

3.1.3 Amphibians

During this survey four species of amphibians were recorded within the study site (Appendix 1), mainly along the estuaries and within inundated areas.

3.1.4 Reptiles

During this survey 12 species of reptiles were recorded within the reserve, of which one species is a tortoise, nine species are lizards and two species are snakes (Appendix 1). There appears to be a high diversity of reptiles within different habitats through-out the reserve.

3.1.5 Birds

Within the reserve 84 species of birds were recorded during this survey (Appendix 1). 78 of these are native species and six species are introduced.

33 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

3.1.6 Mammals

During this survey 21 species of mammals were recorded within the reserve (Appendix 1) of which five species are introduced. There appears to be a medium diversity of terrestrial and arboreal mammals still inhabiting the site.

Eastern Yellow Robin photographed in Reserve B. Photo M. Legg 2014.

A Spotted Pardalote with nesting material in its beak. Photo M. Legg 2014.

34 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

3.2 Fauna sampling results including: bait traps, bird population surveys, Elliot traps, spotlighting, bat detection, Scout-guard cameras, FEIS assessments and observations.

3.2.1 Bait trap deployment results

TABLE 2: Results of bait trap deployment within Merrick’s Creek and Tulum Creek Estuaries, December 2013 to October 2014. Species Date Number Area sampled sampled

Merricks Creek Estuary Freshwater Shrimp 10-09-14 2 Site 2, Merricks Creek. Short-finned Eel 17-12-13 2 Site 1, Balnarring Road Bridge. 11-09-14 3 Site 3, Merricks Creek. Common Galaxias 17-12-13 20+ Site 1, Balnarring Road Bridge. 10-09-14 3 Site 1, Merricks Creek. 10-09-14 4 Site 2, Merricks Creek. 11-09-14 5 Site 2, Merricks Creek Spotted Galaxias 10-09-14 1 Site 3, Merricks Creek. Tupong 11-09-14 1 Site 1, Merricks Creek Tulum Creek Estuary Freshwater Shrimp 10-09-14 6 Site 4, Tulum Creek. Short-finned Eel 10-09-14 1 Site 5, Tulum Creek. Common Galaxias 10-09-14 7 Site 4, Tulum Creek.

3.2.2 Bird species and population density results

TABLE 3: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 1 (Restoration Area) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 *Spotted Turtle-dove 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B White-throated Needletail 4 6 Superb Fairy-wren 6B 6B 6 6 4 4 5 5 6B 8B 8B 8B Spotted Pardalote 3 4 6 2 White-browed Scrub-wren 4B 4B 4 4 4 5 6 6 6B 6B 6B 6B Brown Thornbill 8B 7B 8 8 6 6 6 8 8B 8B 8B 8B Red Wattlebird 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Little Wattlebird 1 3 2 4 4 6 4B 4B 4B 4B Grey Fantail 2B 2B 2 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B Grey Butcherbird 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Australian Magpie 1 1 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Australian Raven 1 2 Little Raven 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 Welcome Swallow 4 6 3 2 2 3 2 Silvereye 6B 8B 9 6 5 7 8 6 6B 6B 6B 6B *Common Blackbird 2B 2B 2 2 2 2 3 4 4B 4B 4B 4B *Common Myna 4 4 2 2 2 2 4 4 6 8 6 7 *Common Starling 2 6 5 7 6 6 4 4 4 4 6 8

35 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

TABLE 4: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 2 (Coastal Areas) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Little Penguin 3 5 Black-browed Albatross 2 2 Shy Albatross 2 1 3 Short-tailed Shearwater 27de 2de Australasian Gannet 4 6 8 6 3 Black-faced Cormorant 3 3 2 Pied Cormorant 2 2 4 4 4 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 Little Pied Cormorant 8 4 5 11 2 9 4 3 6 4 4 3 Great Cormorant 2 1 2 2 Grey Teal 4 5 2 4 Chestnut Teal 4 3 4 3 White-faced Heron 2B 2B 2 3 3 3 3 2 2B 2B Australian White Ibis 2 3 2 Masked Lapwing 2 2 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Hooded Plover 2 Red-capped Plover 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B Silver Gull 18 50+ 12 13 23 6 12 16 11 12 10 11 Pacific Gull 4 2 3 2 2 5 2 3 2 Crested Tern 3 4 3 Welcome Swallow 6 8

TABLE 5: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 3 (Bird Sanctuary) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Silver Gull 4 Brown Goshawk 1 2 2 1 *Spotted Turtle-dove 10B 10+B 8 6 4 4 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B Galah 4 3 3 4 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 2 3 4 4 2 Rainbow Lorikeet 6 3 4 Eastern Rosella 2 2 2 2 Fantail Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 3B 2B 2B 2B White-throated Needletail 5 8 Laughing Kookaburra 2 2 2 2 2 2 Superb Fairy-wren 20+B 20+B 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 18 18B 18B 18B 18B Spotted Pardalote 20+ 20+ 10+ 4 White-browed Scrub-wren 20+B 20+B 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 18 16 16B 16B 16B 16B Brown Thornbill 18B 22B 18 16 18 20+ 18 15 14B 14B 14B 14B Red Wattlebird 8B 8B 8 6 4 6 4 6 6B 6B 6B 6B Little Wattlebird 12B 14B 18 16 17 18 18 18 18B 18B 18B 18B Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater 4 Yellow-faced Honeyeater 6 4 5 2B 2B 2B New Holland Honeyeater 4B 4B 6 4 2 2 3 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Eastern Spinebill 2 Grey Shrike-thrush 2B 2B 2B 2B 2B 2B Golden Whistler 2 4 Grey Fantail 6B 8B 8 6 2 2 4B 8B 10B 10B Magpie-lark 2B 2B 2 2 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Grey Butcherbird 2 2 2 2 Australian Magpie 2B 2B 4 3 4 3 2 2 2B 2B 2B 4B Australian Raven 2 3 2 Little Raven 3 2 2 3 2 Welcome Swallow 2 4 6 4 6 Silvereye 20+B 20+B 20+ 10+ 12 14 6B 6B 6B 10B *Common Blackbird 6B 6B 8 6 6 6 4 4 6B 6B 6B 6B *Common Myna 10B 10+B 8 6 4 4 4 4 5B 4B 6B 6B *Common Starling 8B 9B 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+B 8B 8B 8B

36 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

TABLE 6: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 4 (Car Park and Rotunda) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Buff-banded Rail 2 3 3 2 2B 2B 2B Australian White Ibis 2 1 *Spotted Turtle-dove 2B 2B 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B Galah 3 4 3 2 3 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 2 2 2 3 4 4 3 Rainbow Lorikeet 2 3 4 Fantail Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B White-throated Needletail 3 4 Superb Fairy-wren 6B 6B 8 7 7 5 5 6 6B 6B 6B 6B Spotted Pardalote 3 4 White-browed Scrub-wren 4B 4B 6 8 8 6 6 6 6B 6B 6B 6B Brown Thornbill 6B 6B 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 8 7 8B 8B 8B 8B Red Wattlebird 2B 2B 4 4 4 3 2 3 4B 4B 4B 4B Little Wattlebird 6B 6B 12 12 8 5 4 6 8B 8B 8B 8B New Holland Honeyeater 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Grey Fantail 4B 4B 6 3 4B 4B 4B 4B Magpie-lark 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Grey Butcherbird 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Australian Magpie 2B 2B 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 Australian Raven 1 3 2 Little Raven 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 2 3 *House Sparrow 6 6 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 6 6 Silvereye 6B 6B 10+ 10+ 10+ 4 6 5 6 4B 4B 4B *Common Blackbird 4B 4B 6 8 4 3 4 2 2B 2B 4B 4B *Common Myna 3 2 2 2 3 *Common Starling 6 4 2 3 3 4

TABLE 7: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 5 (Habitat Zone) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Silver Gull 2 Brown Goshawk 1 2 *Spotted Turtle-dove 6B 6B 6 5 4 4 3 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Common Bronzewing 2 2 Galah 2 4 4 2 3 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 3 4 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 Rainbow Lorikeet 3 4 4 3 Musk Lorikeet 2 4 3 Crimson Rosella 5 6 3 2 Eastern Rosella 2 2 2 2 2 2 Fantail Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 4B 2B 2B 2B White-throated Needletail 6 4 Superb Fairy-wren 20+B 20+B 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 18 17 18B 18B 18B 18B Spotted Pardalote 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 6 4 4B 4B 4B 4B White-browed Scrub-wren 16B 16B 20+ 18 16 18 18 16 16B 16B 16B 16B Brown Thornbill 18B 22B 24 21 16 14 14 15 16B 16B 16B 16B Red Wattlebird 6B 7B 6 6 4 5 6 4 4B 4B 6B 6B Little Wattlebird 8B 18B 12 10 12 14 13 12 12B 12B 12B 12B Yellow-faced Honeyeater 6 4 5 5 2B 2B 2B New Holland Honeyeater 2B 2B 4 4 2 2 2 2 2B 4B 4B 4B Eastern Spinebill 2 2 3 Eastern Yellow Robin 4B 4B 6 6 5 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Grey Shrike-thrush 2B 2B 4 4 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Golden Whistler 2 2 2 Grey Fantail 6B 8B 12 8 2 4 6B 6B 6B 6B Magpie-lark 2B 2B 2 2 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Grey Butcherbird 2B 2B 2 3 3 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Australian Magpie 2B 2B 3 3 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Australian Raven 2 1 3 Little Raven 2 4 4 5 3 2 1 1 2

37 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Welcome Swallow 5 6 6 2 4 2 4 Silvereye 18B 20+B 20+ 10+ 8 6 5 5 8B 6B 6B 6B *Common Blackbird 6B 10+B 10+ 8 8 4 4 4 4B 4B 6B 6B *Common Myna 8B 10+B 10+ 10+ 6 6 4 4 6 *Common Starling 10+B 20+B 20+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 6 7 6B 6B 6B 6B

TABLE 8: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 6 (Yacht Club) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Silver Gull 8 6 2 *Spotted Turtle-dove 2B 4B 4 3 4 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Rainbow Lorikeet 2 3 2 Eastern Rosella 2 2 2 2 Fantail Cuckoo 1 2B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B White-throated Needletail 3 2 Superb Fairy-wren 8B 10+B 8 8 10+ 10+ 9 8 6B 6B 6B 6B Spotted Pardalote 6 4 4 White-browed Scrub-wren 6B 10+B 12 9 11 12 8 8 6B 6B 6B 6B Brown Thornbill 6B 6B 9 7 12 10 9 12 6B 6B 6B 6B Red Wattlebird 4B 6B 7 4 3 4 3 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Little Wattlebird 8B 10+B 12 8 6 6 7 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Yellow-faced Honeyeater 2 2 New Holland Honeyeater 2 2 2 2 3 Grey Fantail 2B 4B 4 2 2 2 2B 2B 4B 4B Australian Magpie 2B 3B 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 Australian Raven 1 2 2 2 2 Little Raven 3 4 4 3 Welcome Swallow 3 4 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Silvereye 10+ 8 6 7 5 *Common Blackbird 2B 4B 4 2 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B *Common Myna 4B 4B 6 4 6 6 4 3 4B 4B 4B 4B *Common Starling 6B 8B 6 7 4 5 6 10+ 10+B 8B 8B 8B

TABLE 9: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 7 (The Spit) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Painted Button-quail 10+ 10+ 10+ Masked Lapwing 4 2 2 Wedge-tailed Eagle 1 1 1 Brown Goshawk 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 Swamp Harrier 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 Nankeen Kestrel 2 2 *Spotted Turtle-dove 10+B 16B 18 20 18 17 14 16B 16B 16B 16B Common Bronzewing 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 8B 8B Brush Bronzewing 2B 2B Galah 3 4 6 6 4 4 3 4 4 3 4 5 Rainbow Lorikeet 6 8 9 3 4 Musk Lorikeet 10+ 10+ 10+ Eastern Rosella 4 4 6 6 3 Fantail Cuckoo 2B 6B 6B 6B 6B Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo 4B 4B 6BB 6B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 8B 8B 8B 8B White-throated Needletail 10+ 10+ Laughing Kookaburra 2 4 4 3 Superb Fairy-wren 100+B 100+B 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+B 100+B 100+B 100+B Spotted Pardalote 10+B 16B 20+ 30+ 30+ 30+ 20+ 10+ 10+B 10+B 10B 10B White-browed Scrub-wren 100+B 100+B 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+B 100+B 100+B 100+B Brown Thornbill 80+B 100+B 100+B 100+B 80+ 80+ 80+ 100+ 100+B 100+B 100+B 100+B Red Wattlebird 10+B 16B 26 30+ 30+ 30+ 16 18 20B 20+B 20+B 20+B Little Wattlebird 30+B 40+B 50+ 50+ 50+ 50+ 50+ 38 28B 30B 30+B 30+B

38 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater 4B 8B 8 9 5 6B 6B 6B 6B Yellow-faced Honeyeater 10+B 16B 18 14 12 6 8B 8B 10B 10B White-plumed Honeyeater 4B 6B 8 8 4B 4B 4B 4B New Holland Honeyeater 4B 8B 12 10 8 10+ 10+ 12 12B 12B 12B 12B Eastern Yellow Robin 4B 6B 8 8 8 8 6 6 6B 6B 6B 6B Grey Shrike-thrush 2B 4B 6 6 6 6 6 4 4B 4B 6B 6B Golden Whistler 2B 6B 8 8 8 8 6 6 6B 6B 6B 6B Rufous Whistler 4B 8B 8 6 18 22 Grey Fantail 10+B 14B 22 24 12 6 28B 34B 34B 36B Willy Wagtail 2B 4B 4 4 4 4 4 3 3B 2B 2B 2B Magpie-lark 4 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 2 3 2 4B 4B 4B Grey Butcherbird 2B 2B 4 4 4 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Australian Magpie 8 12B 12 10 8 8 8 8 8B 8B 8B 8B Australian Raven 3 4 4 2 2 2 4 Little Raven 8 12 14 8 8 5 6 7 5 6 5 Grey Currawong 2 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 Welcome Swallow 10+ 12 30+ 20+ 12 16 12 12 Red-browed Finch 20+ 20+ 20+ Mistletoebird 4B 4B 8 4 4 2 Silvereye 80+B 100+B 200+ 100+ 50+ 50+ 60+ 60+ 70+ 60B 60B 60B *Common Blackbird 10+B 18B 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 14 14B 14B 14B 14B *Common Myna 4 6 3 4 6 *Common Starling 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+

TABLE 10: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 8 (Fethers Road) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Masked Lapwing 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 *Spotted Turtle-dove 4B 4B 4 4 4 3 3 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Galah 2 3 3 3 2 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 2 2 2 2 4 Rainbow Lorikeet 3 6 4 Musk Lorikeet 4 3 Eastern Rosella 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B Fantail Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 4B 2B 2B 2B White-throated Needletail 6 4 Superb Fairy-wren 10+B 10+B 10+ 10+ 10+ 12 8 8 8B 8B 8B 10B Spotted Pardalote 4B 8B 10+ 10+ 6 8 4 5 4B 4B 4B 6B White-browed Scrub-wren 10+B 10+B 10+ 10+ 12 14 10 10 8B 8B 8B 10B Brown Thornbill 8B 10+B 14 16 14 16 10 8 10B 10B 12B 14B Red Wattlebird 6B 6B 7 4 3 4 4 4 4B 4B 6B 6B Little Wattlebird 18B 8B 12 10 8 9 8 6 8B 8B 10B 12B Yellow-faced Honeyeater 3 4 2 4B 4B 4B New Holland Honeyeater 2B 2B 3 3 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 4B Eastern Spinebill 2 2 3 Eastern Yellow Robin 2 2B 2B 4B Grey Shrike-thrush 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B 2B Golden Whistler 2 2 2 3 Grey Fantail 6B 6B 8 8 4 2 2 2 6B 6B 8B Magpie-lark 2B 2B 3 3 2 Grey Butcherbird 2B 2B 2 2 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Australian Magpie 2B 2B 3 2 2 2 2B 2B 4B Australian Raven 2 1 2 3 Little Raven 2 3 4 2 1 Silvereye 4B 10+B 12 10 4 5 6 4 4B 4B 6B 10B *Common Blackbird 4B 6B 4 3 4 4 2 2 4B 4B 4B 4B *Common Myna 4 10+ 8 9 4 *Common Starling 20+ 12 4B 4B 6B

39 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

TABLE 11: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 9 (Camping Reserve A) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Australian White Ibis 2 4 2 3 4 Masked Lapwing 2 3 2 *Spotted Turtle-dove 12B 11B 10 16 10 6 6 6 6B 6B 6B 6B Common Bronzewing 2B 2B 4 4 2B 2B 2B 2B Galah 6 5 4 2 5 3 3 2 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 6 6 3 2 Rainbow Lorikeet 10+ 10+ 10+ 8 6 4 Musk Lorikeet 3 5 Crimson Rosella 3 Eastern Rosella 6B 6B 8 8 5 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Fantail Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo 3B 2B 2B 2B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 6B 4B 4B 4B Tawny Frogmouth 2 2 2 2 2 White-throated Needletail 6 5 Superb Fairy-wren 30+B 30+B 30+ 30+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 22 20B 20B 20B 20B Spotted Pardalote 10+B 10+B 16 20+ 20+ 24 16 4 8B 6B 6B 6B White-browed Scrub-wren 20+B 30+B 30+ 30+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 18 18B 18B 18B 18B Brown Thornbill 30+B 20+B 30+ 20+ 16 20+ 22 18 16B 16B 16B 16B Red Wattlebird 10+B 16B 11 20+ 14 10+ 10+ 7 10B 8B 8B 12B Little Wattlebird 20+B 30+B 30+ 35 25 20+ 20+ 19 18B 16B 18B 20B New Holland Honeyeater 4 3 2B 2B 2B 2B Eastern Spinebill 2 3 3 Eastern Yellow Robin 2B 2B 4 4 4 4 4 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Grey Shrike-thrush 2B 2B 4 4 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B 4B 4B Grey Fantail 10+B 10+B 10+B 12 4 4 4 6B 8B 10B 12B Magpie-lark 4 3 Grey Butcherbird 2B 2B 3 6 4 4 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Australian Magpie 6B 4B 4 4 3 3 3 4 4B 4B 4B 6B Australian Raven 3 4 Little Raven 3 6 5 6 2 2 2 3 Welcome Swallow 4 2 4B 4B 4B 4B Silvereye 10+B 20+B 30+ 30+ 20+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 10B 10B 10B 10B *Common Blackbird 10+B 10+B 10+ 10+ 8 6 6 6 6B 6B 8B 10B *Common Myna 10+B 16B 18 14 10+ 12B 12B 14B 16B *Common Starling 10+B 12B 16 8 10B 10B 10B 14B

TABLE 12: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 10 (Camping Reserve B) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Australian Wood Duck 4B 4B 4B Buff-banded Rail 2 3 3 Lewin’s Rail 2B 2B 2B 2B Masked Lapwing 2 2 2 2 Silver Gull 2 3 Wedge-tailed Eagle 2 ` Brown Goshawk 2 1 1 2 1 *Spotted Turtle-dove 6B 8B 8 10 6 6 4 4 8B 8B 8B 8B Crested Pigeon 2 Galah 2 5 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 2 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 2 4 5 5 5 4 4 3 2 4 Rainbow Lorikeet 12 10+ 6 7 4 Musk Lorikeet 6 10+ 10+ Crimson Rosella 4 2 3 Eastern Rosella 8B 8B 8 4 4 6B 6B 6B 6B Fantail Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo 4B 2B 2B 2B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 6B 4B 4B 4B Southern Boobook 2 Tawny Frogmouth 2B 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2B 2B 2B White-throated Needletail 6 8 Superb Fairy-wren 30+B 30+B 26 40+ 30+ 40+ 40+ 40+ 30B 30B 30B 30B Spotted Pardalote 6B 18B 20+ 10+ 20+ 20+ 16 6 6B 6B 8B 10B

40 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014

White-browed Scrub-wren 30+B 30+B 24 26 30+ 40+ 30+ 30+ 30B 28B 28B 28B Brown Thornbill 40+B 30+B 28 36 40+ 30+ 18 22 30B 32B 32B 32B Red Wattlebird 16B 12B 18 20+ 16 21 16 12 12B 12B 12B 14B Little Wattlebird 50+B 30+B 30+ 40+ 30+ 36 32 30+ 20+B 22B 24B 30B Noisy Miner 6B 6B 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 6 4 4B 4B 4B Yellow-faced Honeyeater 10+B 8B 10+ 4 4B 4B 4B 4B White-plumed Honeyeater 4B 4B 6 6 4 4B 4B 4B 4B White-eared Honeyeater 2 4B 4B 4B New Holland Honeyeater 8B 10+B 6 10+ 10+ 6 6 8 8B 8B 8B 10B Eastern Spinebill 2 3 3 Eastern Yellow Robin 4B 4B 6 6 6 6 6 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Grey Shrike-thrush 4B 4B 4 6 4 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Golden Whistler 4B 4B 6 8 4 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Rufous Whistler 6B 4B 2 6B 6B Grey Fantail 16B 16B 20 14 8 4 6 16B 14B 14B 16B Magpie-lark 4B 4B 5 6 6 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Grey Butcherbird 4B 4B 8 6 6 4 4 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Australian Magpie 8B 10B 6 4 4 3 3 6 4B 4B 4B 4B Australian Raven 4 4 Little Raven 4 5 4 4 3 4 Welcome Swallow 8 12 4 4B 4B 4B 4B Red-browed Finch 10+ 10+ Silvereye 10+B 16B 10+ 36 16 10B 10B 10B 10B *Common Blackbird 8B 8B 8 10 10+ 10+ 8 6 6B 6B 8B 10B *Song Thrush 2 *Common Myna 10+B 10+B 20+ 10+ 10+ 12B 12B 14B 18B *Common Starling 8B 8B 18 12 10+ 10+ 10+ 10B 10B 10B 16B

TABLE 13: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 11 (Camping Reserve C) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Masked Lapwing 4 4 Wedge-tailed Eagle 2 1 *Spotted Turtle-dove 4B 4B 6 6 6 4 4 4 6B 6B 6B 6B Galah 2 3 2 4 4 3 3 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 4 5 3 3 3 2 Rainbow Lorikeet 4 3 6 Musk Lorikeet 2 4 6 Eastern Rosella 4B 4B 6 4 4 4B 4B 4B Fantail Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo 4B 4B 4B 4B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 4B 2B 2B 2B Southern Boobook 1 White-throated Needletail 8 6 2 2 Laughing Kookaburra 6 5 5 Superb Fairy-wren 10+B 10+B 20+ 20+ 20+ 25+ 20 22 22B 22B 22B 22B Spotted Pardalote 6B 20+B 30+ 6 16 8 4B 4B 4B 4B White-browed Scrub-wren 10+B 10+B 20+ 20+ 20+ 25+ 18 18 20B 20B 20B 20B Brown Thornbill 16B 14B 30+ 30+ 25 20+ 8 19 18B 18B 18B 18B Red Wattlebird 12B 10+B 18 10 12 8 8 8 8B 6B 6B 6B Little Wattlebird 20+B 16B 30+ 20+ 18 18 14 16 16B 16B 16B 16B Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater 2 3 Noisy Miner 6 Yellow-faced Honeyeater 3 6 5 4 4B 4B 4B White-plumed Honeyeater 4B 4B 8 6 White-eared Honeyeater 2 2 New Holland Honeyeater 4B 4B 8 6 4 4 6 6 6B 6B 6B 6B Eastern Spinebill 3 4 2 Eastern Yellow Robin 4B 4B 6 6 4 4 6 6 4B 4B 4B 4B Grey Shrike-thrush 2B 2B 4 4 4 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Golden Whistler 2 4 4 Rufus Whistler 4B 4B Grey Fantail 12B 24B 28 20 8 4 4 4B 8B 8B 8B Magpie-lark 2B 2B 3 2 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 2 2B 2B 2B Grey Butcherbird 2B 2B 2 2 2 2 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Australian Magpie 2B 2B 4 3 3 2B 2B 4B

41 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Australian Raven 3 3 1 2 4 4 Little Raven 4 4 5 6 4 1 2 2 Grey Currawong 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 Welcome Swallow 10+ 5 2 Red-browed Finch 20+ 20+ Mistletoebird 2 4 Silvereye 6B 20+B 26 16 8 8 4B 4B 4B *Common Blackbird 6B 6B 8 6 6 6 4 4 4B 6B 6B 6B *Common Myna 4B 10+ 4B 4B 4B 4B *Common Starling 30+ 10+ 6B 6B 6B 6B

TABLE 14: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 12 (Rangers Compound) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Australian Wood Duck 2B 2B 2B Brown Goshawk 1 1 *Spotted Turtle-dove 2B 2B 4 4 2B 2B 2B 2B Galah 2 5 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 4 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 2 4 6 6 5 4 4 2 2 3 Rainbow Lorikeet 4 6 6 Musk Lorikeet 2 3 6 Eastern Rosella 2B 2B 4 2B 2B 2B 2B Fantail Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo 2B 2B 2B 2B Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 4B 4B 4B 4B White-throated Needletail 6 8 Laughing Kookaburra 3 4 3 Superb Fairy-wren 4B 4B 7 7 7 6 6 6 6B 6B 6B 6B Spotted Pardalote 6 8 7 4 White-browed Scrub-wren 4B 4B 8 6 6 6 6 6 6B 4B 4B 4B Brown Thornbill 6B 6B 12 10 8 8 7 6 6B 4B 4B 4B Red Wattlebird 4B 4B 6 6 8 4 4 6 4B 4B 4B 4B Little Wattlebird 6B 6B 12 8 6 6 6 6 6B 6B 6B 8B Yellow-faced Honeyeater 2B 2B 4 2B 2B 2B 2B New Holland Honeyeater 2B 2B 4 4 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Eastern Spinebill 2 2 2 Grey Shrike-thrush 2B 2B 3 3 2 2B 2B 2B 2B Grey Fantail 6B 6B 9 8 2 4B 4B 4B 4B Magpie-lark 2 2 2 2 2 Grey Butcherbird 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Australian Magpie 2 2 2 2 Australian Raven 3 4 2 1 Little Raven 3 2 2 4 3 Welcome Swallow 5 6 2 2 3 2 2 Silvereye 4B 4B 6 6 4B 4B 4B 4B *Common Blackbird 2B 2B 4 4 4 4 2 2 2B 2B 2B 2B *Common Myna 6B 6B 10 8 4B 6B 6B 6B 6B *Common Starling 4B B 8 8 9 4B 4B 4B 4B 4B

TABLE 15: Bird species and population densities detected for each month throughout Zone 13 (Merricks Creek Estuary) of the reserve, December 2013 to November 2014 ‘B’ denotes when species bred.

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Pied Cormorant 2 2 1 1 Little Pied Cormorant 1 1 2 1 1 2 Great Cormorant 1 1 1 1 Chestnut Teal 8 12 26 32 38 18 16 12 6 3 6 5 Pacific Black Duck 2 6 8 12 12 6 4 2 2 2 Australian Wood Duck 2 4 4 6 6 4 4 Buff-banded Rail 2B 2B 4 4 3 2B 2B 2B Lewin’s Rail 2 2 2B 2B White-necked Heron 1 1 White-faced Heron 2 4 2 2 2

42 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

SPECIES Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 2013 2014 Great Egret 1 1 1 1 1 Nankeen Night Heron 1 2 1 Australian White Ibis 6 2 3 2 Royal Spoonbill 1 Masked Lapwing 4 4 Swamp Harrier 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Barn Owl 1

3.2.3 Elliot trap deployment results

TABLE 16: Fauna sampled in Elliot traps deployed within the reserve, April to September 2014. Species Date Number Area sampled sampled

Blotched Blue-tongue 15-04-14 1 female Transect 1, trap 6. Agile Antechinus 12-09-14 1 female Transect 4, trap 3. Swamp Rat 15-04-14 2 Transect 1, traps 2 & 7. 15-04-14 1 Transect 2, trap 10. 16-04-14 3 Transect 1, traps 3, 4 & 11. 16-04-14 3 Transect 3, traps 1, 5 & 6. 11-09-14 1 Transect 4, trap 11. 12-09-14 1 Transect 4, traps 6 & 12. 12-09-14 2 Transect 5, traps 9 & 11. *Black Rat 15-04-14 1 Transect 2, trap 14. 16-04-14 3 Transect 1, traps 1, 7 & 13. *House Mouse 15-04-15 1 Transect 2, trap 9. 11-09-14 2 Transect 4, traps 2 & 4. 12-09-14 1 Transect 4, trap 14. 12-09-14 3 Transect 5, traps 3, 5 & 8. 13-09-14 2 Transect 5, traps 4 & 6.

3.2.4 Spotlight walk results

Four spotlight walks were conducted within the reserve during this fauna assessment and the results are displayed in the table below.

43 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

TABLE 17: Fauna observed during spotlighting within the reserve, February to October 2014.

Species Date Number of each fauna species detected in each zone per spotlight walk

Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9 Zone 10 Zone 11 Zone 12 Zone 13 Amphibians Common Froglet 13-02-14 5+ 5+ 5+ 5+ 14-04-14 5+ 10+ 4 10+ 20+ 10+ 20+ 10-09-14 5+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 20+ 50+ 06-10-14 5+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ 20+ 20+ Southern Bullfrog 14-04-14 3 10+ 2 6 4 8 2 10-09-14 2 5 06-10-14 5+ 5+ Southern Brown Tree Frog 13-02-14 2 4 3 5+ 2 20+ 6 10+ 20+ 10+ 3 20+ 14-04-14 2 10+ 2 4 8 3 10+ 10-09-14 5+ 10+ 6 4 4 30+ 10+ 20+ 30+ 20+ 2 100+ 06-10-14 5+ 10+ 10+ 5+ 5+ 30+ 10+ 20+ 30+ 20+ 100+ Verreaux’s Tree Frog 13-02-14 10+ 6 3 10+ 4 20+ 14-04-14 5 2 4 7 2 6 10-09-14 30+ 6 7 20+ 14 1 50+ 06-10-14 30+ 10+ 5+ 20+ 10+ 50+ Birds Nankeen Night Heron 13-02-14 1 14-04-14 2 10-09-14 1 Masked Lapwing 13-02-14 2 14-04-14 2 4 10-09-14 2 2 06-10-14 2 2 Southern Boobook 10-09-14 2 1 2 Barn Owl 14-04-14 1 Tawny Frogmouth 13-02-14 2 3 14-04-14 2 3 10-09-14 2 06-10-14 2 Mammals Common Brushtail Possum 13-02-14 2 1 3 2 3 4 6 3 2 14-04-14 2 2 2 5 7 5 1 10-09-14 2 1 2 1 4 4 6 8 4 2 06-10-14 2 2 4 4 6 7 4 3

44 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Species Date Number of each fauna species detected in each zone per spotlight walk

Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8 Zone 9 Zone 10 Zone 11 Zone 12 Zone 13 Sugar Glider 13-02-14 3 3 6 8 2 1 14-04-14 2 2 4 6 3 10-09-14 2 2 5 6 2 06-10-14 3 4 6 8 2 Common Ringtail Possum 13-02-14 2 6 3 12 4 30+ 6 11 15 8 2 14-04-14 2 4 2 9 2 20+ 5 9 13 7 2 10-09-14 3 5 3 8 3 30+ 6 10 16 8 3 06-10-14 2 6 4 7 2 28 5 12 18 6 2 Koala 13-02-14 1m 1f 1f 14-04-14 1m 1f 1f 10-09-14 1f 06-10-14 1m,1f 1m,2f 1f Black Wallaby 13-02-14 3 14-04-14 4 10-09-14 3 06-10-14 3 Micro-bats 13-02-14 1sp 3sps 2sps 1sp 1sp 4sps 2sps 3sps 5sps 4sps 1sp 3sps 14-04-14 1sp 1sp 2sps 2sps 1sp 1sp 2sps 2sps 3sps 3sps 3sps 1sp 1sp 10-09-14 1sp 1sp 2sps 2sps 1sp 1sp 3sps 2sps 3sps 5sps 4sps 1sp 3sps 06-10-14 1sp 1sp 2sps 1sp 1sp 2sps 2sps 2sps 5sps 3sps 1sp 3sps Introduced Mammals *Red Fox 13-02-14 2 1 2 1 2 14-04-14 1 1 2 2 1 10-09-14 2 2 1 2 06-10-14 1 3 1 1 *Feral Cat 14-04-14 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 10-09-14 2 1 1 06-10-14 1 1

45 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

3.2.5 Anabat 2 Bat Detector results

TABLE 18: Micro bats recorded on the Anabat 2 Bat Detector through-out the reserve, February to October 2014. Species Date Number of calls Area Observed recorded

White-striped Freetail Bat 13-02-14 15 Through-out woodlands. 10-09-14 7 As above. 06-10-14 21 As above. Gould’s Wattled Bat 13-02-14 38 As above. 14-04-14 21 As above. 10-09-14 14 As above. 06-10-14 23 As above. Lesser Long-eared Bat 13-02-14 18 As above. 06-10-14 11 As above. Large Forest Bat 13-02-14 16 As above. 14-04-14 12 As above. 10-09-14 6 As above. 06-10-14 17 As above. Southern Forest Bat 10-09-14 4 Little Forest Bat 13-02-14 27 As above. 14-04-14 16 As above. 10-09-14 43 As above. 06-10-14 31 As above.

3.2.6 Scout-guard camera results

Through-out the Spit three Scout –guard cameras were deployed between July and November 2014. The results are recorded in the table below.

Graph 1: Scout-guard camera results deployed along the Spit, July to November 2014.

Cam 1 Results of Scout guard cameras deployed in the reserve Cam 2 Cam 3 120 100 80 60 40 20

0

No. of fauna filmed per deployment filmed fauna of No.

*Rabbit

Echidna

Nothing

*Black Rat *Black

*Blackbird

SwampRat

Black wallaby Black

WBScrubwren

Ringtail possum Ringtail

GreyCurrawong

Agile Antechinus Agile

Brushtail possum Brushtail

Superbfairy-wren

Greyshrike-thrush Painted Button-quail Painted

Species filmed on camera Honeyeater Yellow-faced

46 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

3.2.7 Current status of Broad Vegetation Class ecosystems within the reserve using FEIS rapid assessment tool

After accessing the reserve using the FEIS rapid assessment tool, the tables below list the FEIS’s that still occur and the species which have disappeared within Broad Vegetation Classes across the site. A score is also given at a rating from 1 to 5 (which relates to which extinction phase the site is currently experiencing) depending on loss of FEIS’s.

3.2.7.1 FEIS assessment of woodlands

Table 19: FEIS Assessment of BVT ‘woodlands’ within the reserve. Decapod Reptiles Birds Mammals No. Of FEIS’s present Crustaceans and extinction phase

Engaeus sp Tree Dragon Painted Button Quail Short-beaked Echidna 19 of the 48 FEIS’s have Whites Skink Buff-banded Rail Agile Antechinus disappeared from Southern Water Skink Southern Boobook White-footed Dunnart woodlands within the Eastern three-lined Powerful Owl Southern Brown reserve. Skink Eastern Rosella Bandicoot Delicate Skink Crimson Rosella Long-nosed Bandicoot 61% of FEIS’s still McCoy’s Skink Sacred Kingfisher Sugar Glider remain which indicates a Southern Grass Skink Varied Sitella Feathertail Glider phase 2 extinction rate Blotched Blue-tongue White-throated Black Wallaby within the woodlands or Treecreeper Sothern Forest Bat through-out the reserve. Common Blue-tongue White-eared Large Forest Bat White-lipped Snake Honeyeater Swamp Rat Red writing Brown-headed indicates species Honeyeater that have either Crescent Honeyeater disappeared or New Holland become extinct Honeyeater within the reserve. Pink Robin . Eastern Yellow Robin Crested Shrike-tit Grey Shrike Thrush Golden Whistler Rufous Whistler Rufous Fantail Grey Fantail Satin Flycatcher Grey Currawong Mistletoebird Stubble Quail Brush Bronzewing

47 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

3.2.7.2 FEIS assessment of scrub (wet areas)

Table 20: FEIS assessment of BVT ‘wet scrub’ within the reserve. Decapod Crustaceans, Birds Mammals No. Of FEIS’s present Amphibians and and extinction phase Reptiles

Engaeus sps Lewin’s Rail Short-beaked Echidna 13 of the 33 FEIS’s Victorian Smooth Froglet Buff-banded Rail Agile Antechinus have disappeared from Southern Toadlet Nankeen Night Heron Dusky Antechinus the reserve. Swamp Skink Brush Bronzewing Southern Brown Bandicoot Southern Water Skink Eastern Rosella Long-nosed Bandicoot 61% of FEIS’s still Glossy Grass Skink Sacred Kingfisher Black Wallaby remain which indicates Southern Grass Skink Southern Emu-wren Water Rat a phase 2 extinction Blotched Blue-tongue Crescent Honeyeater Large Forest Bat rate within the Swamp New Holland Honeyeater Swamp Rat Scrub through-out the Eastern Yellow Robin reserve. Grey Shrike Thrush Red writing indicates Golden Whistler species that have Rufous Whistler disappeared from the Grey Fantail reserve. Rufous Fantail Grey Currawong

3.2.7.3 FEIS assessment of scrub (coastal)

Table 21: FEIS Assessment of BVT: ‘coastal scrub’ within the reserve. Reptiles Birds Mammals No. of FEIS’s present and extinction phase

Tree Dragon Stubble Quail Short-beaked Echidna 10 of the 32 FEIS’s Whites Skink Painted Button Quail Agile Antechinus have disappeared Eastern Three-lined Eastern Rosella White-footed Dunnart from Coastal Scrub Skink Crimson Rosella Southern Brown within the reserve. Metallic Skink Southern Boobook Bandicoot Blotched Blue-tongue Powerful Owl Long-nosed Bandicoot 69% of FEIS’s still Common Blue-tongue Singing Honeyeater Black Wallaby remain which White-lipped Snake Spiny-cheeked Water Rat indicates a phase 2 Honeyeater Large Forest Bat extinction rate Crescent Honeyeater Swamp Rat within coastal scrub New Holland of the reserve. Honeyeater Eastern Yellow Robin Red writing indicates Grey Shrike Thrush species that have Golden Whistler either disappeared or Rufous Whistler become extinct within Grey Fantail the reserve. Mistletoebird

48 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

3.2.7.4 FEIS assessment of grasslands

` Table 22: FEIS Assessment of BVT: ‘grasslands’ within the reserve.

Reptiles Birds Mammals No. of FEIS’s present and extinction phase

Tree Dragon Stubble Quail Short-beaked Echidna 10 of the 22 FEIS’s Whites Skink Painted Button Quail White-footed Dunnart have disappeared Swamp Skink Buff-banded Rail Southern Brown from grasslands Eastern three-lined Southern Emu-wren Bandicoot within the reserve. Skink Golden-headed Long-nosed Bandicoot Delicate Skink Cisticola Black Wallaby 55% of FEIS’s still Metallic Skink Little Grassbird Swamp Rat remain which Southern Grass Skink indicates a phase 3 Glossy Grass Skink extinction rate within Blotched Blue-tongue the Grasslands or through-out the Common Blue-tongue reserve. White-lipped Snake

Red writing indicates species that have either disappeared or become extinct within the reserve.

3.2.7.5 FEIS assessment of wetlands and swamps

Table 23: FEIS Assessment of BVT ‘wetlands and swamps’ within the reserve. Decapod Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals No. of FEIS’s Crustaceans & present and Fish extinction phase

Engaeus sp Victorian Smooth Common Long- Lewin’s Rail White-footed Dunnart 15 of the 26 Spotted Froglet necked Tortoise Buff-banded Rail Southern Brown FEIS’s have Galaxias Southern Toadlet Swamp Skink Baillons Crake Bandicoot disappeared from Dwarf Galaxias Growling Grass Frog Metallic Skink Spotless Crake Black Wallaby the wetlands and Glossy Grass Australasian Bittern Water Rat swamps within Skink Nankeen Night Swamp Rat the reserve. Heron Red writing Great Egret 43% of FEIS’s indicates Royal Spoonbill still remain which species that Southern Emu-wren indicates a phase have either White-fronted Chat 3 extinction rate disappeared or Clamorous Reed within the become extinct Warbler wetlands and within the swamps through- reserve. out the reserve.

49 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

3.2.2.6 FEIS assessment of creeks

Table 24: FEIS Assessment of BVT ‘creeks’ within Merricks Creek Estuary. Decapod Amphibians Reptiles Birds Mammals No. of FEIS’s present Crustaceans & and extinction phase Fish

Engaeus sp Growling Grass Common Long-necked Royal Water Rat Four of the 9 FEIS’s has Spotted Galaxias Frog Tortoise Spoonbill disappeared from Broad-finned Great Egret creeks within the creek. Galaxias Red writing Dwarf Galaxias indicates species 89% of FEIS’s still that have either remain which indicates disappeared or a phase 1 extinction become extinct rate within the creeks within the creek. through-out the creek.

3.2.2.7 FEIS assessment of mangroves and salt marsh

Table 25: FEIS Assessment of BVT: ‘mangroves & salt marsh’ within the reserve. Decapod Reptiles Birds Mammals No. of FEIS’s present and Crustacean extinction phase

Helograspsus sp Swamp Skink Lewin’s Rail Southern Brown 9 of the 16 FEIS’s have Glossy Grass Buff-banded Rail Bandicoot disappeared from the Skink Nankeen Night Heron Black Wallaby Mangroves and Coastal Salt Great Egret Water Rat Marsh within the reserve. Royal Spoonbill Red writing Blue-winged Parrot 44% of FEIS’s still remain indicates species Sacred Kingfisher which indicates a phase 3 that have either Southern Emu-wren extinction rate through-out disappeared or Striated Field-wren the Mangrove Shrubland become extinct White-fronted Chat and Coastal Salt Marshes within the within the reserve. reserve.

50 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

4.0 SIGNIFICANT FAUNA

One nationally significant species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 was detected during this survey. Five species detected are listed as internationally migratory under the EPBC Act. 13 state significant species were recorded during this study and four species are listed, one species is nominated and one species is ineligible under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 as threatened. In addition, a further 29 species recorded are considered to be of regional significance and five species recorded are considered to be of high local significance. Due to large population and habitat losses within the local area (Mornington Peninsula shire) the remaining native fauna can be considered to be at local significance levels.

4.4 Faunal significance within the study site.

On the basis of EPBC Act and FFG Act listed fauna species and six EVC’s listed as endangered within the Gippsland Plains Bioregion the reserve and Merricks Creek Estuary can be considered to be of state significance. This significance level will continue to rise as habitats are restored back to a natural condition.

4.2 Habitat significance

The reserve and its unique range of habitats support a high diversity of vertebrate fauna species and population densities. Merricks Creek Estuary and Westernport support a rich diversity of aquatic fauna species including several bird species.

In addition the indigenous treed communities support a high diversity of arboreal mammals and many species of avifauna which are now threatened within the Gippsland Plains Bioregion. It also represents some bird species which have disappeared from several bushland sites across the Mornington Peninsula. The ground vegetation supports a medium to high diversity of terrestrial fauna and scrub-dwelling avifauna whose population densities are usually greatly reduced when confronted with high population densities of *Red Fox and *Feral Cats across other parts of the Mornington Peninsula.

The high invasion rate of understorey weeds has the potential to reduce habitat quality if restoration programs aren’t adopted in the near future. Currently weed invasion through- out the Spit is also degrading essential habitats through-out and needs to be restored accordingly.

51 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

4.3 Defining significant species

Fauna within the reserve and estuary were classed according to their high local, regional, State and National significant levels. As lists of regionally and locally significant fauna aren’t available from relevant government authorities, those significant taxa were assessed by the author from his previous records within the bioregion and Mornington Peninsula Shire.

4.4 Significant fauna detected throughout the reserve during this survey.

Key to defining significant species

Signif Significant/status of species is designated by: N National S State R Regional HL High Local DEWLP Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria-2013 (DSE 2013) DEPI Department of Environment & Primary Industries 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 (CAMBA) and J=Japan (JAMBA). Cen critically endangered End endangered Vul vulnerable LR lower risk-near threatened NT Near Threatened DD data deficient Ls Listed M Migratory under the EPBC Act No Nominated I Ineligible Un Uncommon MC Moderately Common LC Locally Common C Common Lim Limited

TABLE 26: Significant fauna detected throughout the reserve during this survey. Common Name Scientific Name Signif DELW FFG ActPl EPBC TR P

Fish Spotted Galaxias Galaxias truttaceus R MC Reptiles Common Long-necked Tortoise Chelodinia longicollis S DD Eastern Three-lined Skink Bassian duperreyi R MC Southern Water Skink Eulamprus tympanum R MC Delicate Skink Lampropholis delicata R Un Metallic Skink Niveoscincus R MC Southern Grass Skink Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii R Un Weasel Skink Saproscincus mustellina R MC Blotched Blue-tongue Tiliqua nigrolutea R MC White-lipped Snake Drysdalia coronoides R Un Birds Painted Button-quail Turnix varia R Un

52 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Common Name Scientific Name Signif DELW FFG ActPl EPBC TR P

Little Penguin Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae R C Black-browed Albatross Diomedea melanophris S Vul I M Shy Albatross Diomedea cauta N Vul Ls Vul M Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris R C M J Black-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens S LR Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius S LR Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis R Un Lewin’s Rail Rallus pectoralis pectoralis S Vul Ls White-necked Heron Ardea pacificus HL Un Great Egret Ardea alba S Vul Ls Yes M Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus hillii S LR Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia S LR Hooded Plover Thinornis rubricollis S Vul Ls Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus R Un Pacific Gull Larus pacificus S LR Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax R Un Swamp Harrier Circus approximans HL MC Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera HL Un Brush Bronzewing Phaps elegans R Un Musk Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna HL MC Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae R Un Barn Owl Tyto alba R Un White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus S Vul M Jamba White-eared Honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis HL MC Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis R Un Grey Currawong Strepera versicolor R Un Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum R Un Mammals Short-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus R C Agile Antechinus Antechinus agilis R MC Koala Phascolarctos cinereus R MC Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps R MC Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor R C Micro bats occurring through-out. Tadarida, Chalinolobus, Nyctophilus & R C Vespadelus sps. Swamp Rat Rattus lutreolus R C Australian Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus R MC Burrunan Dolphin Tursiops australis S En N

53 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

4.5 Discussions on National and State significant fauna species

MPS- through-out this section of the report refers to Mornington Peninsula Shire BBFPR- through-out this section of the report refers to Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve

COMMON LONG-NECKED TORTOISE Chelodina longicollis

Conservation Status VIC-DSE (2013) Data Deficient. MPS-Uncommon to rare. BBFPR-Common.

Most recent record This survey IN Merricks Creek Estuary.

Distribution MPS-Wetlands, lakes, swamps, dams and creeks. BBFPR-Merricks Creek Estuary.

Long-necked Tortoise photographed in Reserve B. Photo Mal Legg 2014. General Biology The Common Long-necked Tortoise occurs in all freshwater bodies within the shire and is occasionally washed out into the bays during high-flow peaks. They feed underwater on a variety of aquatic vertebrates (such-as frogs, tadpoles and fish) and invertebrates (such-as Freshwater Macro Invertebrates and Decapod Crustaceans) (M.Legg fld. obs.).

Breeding Season Mating occurs in mid to late spring. Females lay eggs in short burrows above the high water mark on banks adjacent to their water bodies. Young hatch out in early January to February, enter the water body and are independent from their parents.

Tree hollow requirement-Will hibernate in or under submerged logs.

Migration-Males migrate locally during spring to find a female to mate with.

Special Comments The Common Long-necked Tortoise is the only species of tortoise to occur within the Mornington Peninsula. During spring several males are squashed on the roads by cars during their spring migration to find a female to mate with. Eggs are laid on banks of the surrounding water bodies and are constantly dug-up by foxes and cats (M. Legg fld. obs.). During this survey specimens were observed in Merricks Creek Estuary and travelling across land in Reserve B.

54 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS Diomedea melanophris races melanophris and impavida

Conservation Status NATIONAL- EPBC Vulnerable VIC- Vulnerable MPS- Uncommon winter visitor. BBFPR- Rare.

Most recent record This survey occurring approximately 200m off Balnarring Beach

Distribution MPS- Uncommon winter visitor which can be seen off the ocean beaches of the Southern Mornington Peninsula, Mornington Peninsula and Point Nepean National Parks. BBFPR- Westernport Bay during winter.

General Biology The Black-browed Albatross’s habitat is pelagic feeding upon squid, cuttlefish, fish, crustaceans and follows fishing boats feeding on gallery refuse and carrion (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season Not in Australia.

Tree hollow requirement Nil.

Migration Around the southern oceans searching for food.

Comments During winter it occasionally enters southern Westernport Bay but is usually observed hunting over and diving for food in Bass Strait (M. Legg fld. obs).

55 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

SHY ALBATROSS Thalassarche cauta

Conservation Status VIC- Vulnerable and listed on the FFG Act MPS- Uncommon winter migrant. BBFPR- Rare.

Most recent record-This survey occurring approximately 200m off Balnarring Beach

Distribution- MPS- Waters of Southern Westernport and Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait. BBFPR- Southern Westernport Bay and Bass Strait.

General Biology- The Shy Albatross can be observed in winter and early autumn from coastal cliffs and fishing boats which it usually follows. They feed upon the surface of the sea on squid, cuttlefish, crustaceans and carrion (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season- October to April where they breed on islands in Bass Strait and off Southern Tasmania.

Tree hollow requirement- Nil

Migration- After breeding (April) spreads out across the seas to find adequate sought after food and returns in October to breeding islands.

Special Comments- During winter the Shy Albatross was occasionally observed feeding approximately 200m off Balnarring Beach and in association with the Black-browed Albatross (M. Legg fld. obs.).

Two Shy Albatross photographed off Balnarring Beach during winter 2014. Photo M. Legg 2014

56 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

BLACK-FACED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax fuscescens

Conservation Status VIC- DEWLP-Near Threatened MPS- Common BBFPR- Rare

Most recent record This survey occurring off Balnarring Beach

Distribution MPS- Coastal in both bays: Corsian Rocks Point Nepean National Park. BBFPR- On pylons off Balnarring Beach

General Biology The Black-faced Cormorant is a diving bird which utilises coastal waters to hunt and dive for fish (Readers Digest 1979). They can be observed sunning themselves on shipping pylons, off Balnarring Beach and southern Westernport Bay (M. Legg fld. obs.). Pebbles are swallowed and used as a ballast to keep buoyancy in salt water and they are known to dive for up to 3 minutes (Readers Digest 1979). Nesting sites include Seal Rocks and other small off-shore islands and situated on the ground usually on bare rocks and man-made structures at sea (M. Legg fld. obs.).

Breeding Season September to January- nest constructed of seaweed, grass, other plants, and debris.

Tree hollow requirement Nil

Migration Sedentary

Comments The Black-faced Cormorant can be confused with Pied Cormorant and Little Pied Cormorant (M. Legg fld. obs.). During this survey the occasional specimen were observed sunning themselves on channel markers and boating pylons off Balnarring Beach.

57 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

PIED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax varius race hypoleucos

Conservation Status VIC- DEWLP-Near Threatened. MPS- Common. BBFPR- Rare.

Most recent record This survey occurring off Balnarring Beach Either roosting on intertidal reefs, moored boats or pylons.

Distribution MPS- Bays, estuaries lakes and large dams. BBFPR- Intertidal reefs and Westernport Bay.

Pied Cormorant photographed on the exposed Intertidal reef. General Biology Photo M. Legg 2014. The Pied Cormorant is an excellent diver where it captures fish, crustaceans and other marine fauna underwater. After eating they roost on poles pylons, jetties and dead trees to dry their feathers. They nest in trees, mangroves, bushes or man-made platforms at sea and occasionally on the ground (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season All year round depending on available food supply. Nest constructed of sticks or debry.

Tree hollow requirement Nil dependency.

Migration Nomadic moving around to find available food source.

Special Comments The Pied Cormorant is larger than the Little Pied Cormorant and can be distinguished from other similar cormorants by yellow face patch in front of eye (M. Legg fld. obs.). During this survey occasional specimens were observed resting on exposed intertidal reefs, roosting on moored boats and were observed hunting fish off Balnarring Beach.

58 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

LEWIN'S RAIL Rallus pectoralis race pectoralis

Conservation Status VIC- DSE (2013) Vulnerable and FFG listed. MPS- Rare. BBFPR- Rare.

Most recent record This survey along the banks off Merricks Creek Estuary.

Distribution MPS- Coastal areas and along creeks with grassy, reedy and thickly vegetated areas near water. BBFPR- Exposed banks along the high water mark of Merricks Creek Estuary.

General Biology Lewin’s Rail weaves grass and rushes into a nest, sometimes pulling the surrounding plants down to form a roof. It is shy and lives in dense vegetation of swamps, lagoons and creeks and is seldom seen. They create runways through the vegetation and can swim on or under water. It feeds on insects and crustaceans by using its long thin beak to probe in all sorts of cracks and holes (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season August to December.

Tree hollow requirement Nil.

Migration Sedentary.

Comments Lewin’s Rail has been largely reduced in population densities due to extensive habitat loss, stock damage to remaining habitat and high feral predation (M. Legg fld. obs.). During this survey the occasional specimen was observed hunting small crustaceans along the banks of Merricks Creek Estuary. Breeding probably occurs within the vicinity of the creek.

59 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

GREAT EGRET Ardea modesta Conservation Status EPBC-Migratory VIC- DSE (2013) Vulnerable and FFG listed. MPS- Rare. BBFPR- Rare.

Most recent record This survey along Merricks Creek Estuary

Distribution MPS- Wetlands, estuaries and creeks. BBFPR- Merricks Creek Estuary.

General Biology Through-out Westernport Bay and the Mornington Peninsula the Great Egret is a tall wading bird found in wetlands, on the edges of estuaries and on the mudflats where it prefers to feed on fish, frogs, crustaceans and aquatic insects (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season- Through-out the year depending on availability of food. Nest a platform of sticks in a tree or sometimes in a reed bed at ground level.

Tree hollow requirement Nil.

Migration- Nomadic moving around to find available food source.

Comments The Great Egret has suffered a high decline due to loss of habitat and shooting in the past to obtain feathers for ladies hats. In winter, spreads out solitary, across the region’s water- bodies to feed upon tadpoles, frogs and fish before breeding (M. Legg fld. obs.). During this survey one specimen were observed feeding along the banks of Merricks Creek Estuary and within the vicinity of Reserve C. Another was observed along the banks of Merricks Creek Estuary and within the vicinity of Reserve B (M. Legg fld. obs.).

60 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

NANKEEN NIGHT HERON Nycticorax caledonicus race hilli

Conservation Status VIC- DSE (2013) Lower Risk Near Threatened. MPS- Rare. BBFPR- Rare.

Most recent record This survey along Merricks Creek Estuary

Distribution MPS- Wetlands and along creeks with large swamp paperbark patches. BBFPR- Within Swamp Paperbark thickets along Merricks Creek Estuary where it roosts and feeds.

General Biology The Nankeen Night Heron is a cryptic nocturnal species that usually roosts in old-growth paperbark thickets during the day and hunts at night along creeks and in wetlands. Prey consists of insects, crustaceans, fish and amphibians. At other bird colonial nesting sites they can also scavenge scrapes, and steel eggs and chicks (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season Breeds through-out year depending on food availability. Nest loosely built of sticks, usually placed in trees or bushes and occasionally on the ground.

Tree hollow requirement Nil dependency.

Migration Nomadic moving around to find available habitat and food source when old habitat becomes depleted.

Special Comments The Nankeen Night Heron has become rare on the Mornington Peninsula due to loss of habitat from reclamation procedures, clearing for stock, damage caused by stock and high feral predation on nest young and eggs (M. Legg fld. obs.). During this survey a pair were observed either roosting in Swamp Paperbark thickets along Merricks Creek Estuary or observed at night feeding along the shallow sections of the estuary.

.

61 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

ROYAL SPOONBILL Platalea regia

Conservation Status VIC- DSE (2013) Lower Risk near Threatened. MPS- Uncommon. BBFPR- Rare.

Most recent record This survey along Merricks Creek Estuary.

Distribution MPS- Wetlands, estuaries, tidal creeks and occasional rural dam. BBFPR-Shallows of Merricks Creek Estuary.

General Biology The Royal Spoonbill prefers shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands including intertidal flats. It feeds by sweeping its submerged bill from side to side capturing aquatic invertebrates. Nests are located in bushes, trees, over water and amongst other nesting birds such-as ibis, darters and small cormorants (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season October to May, nest a shallow nest of sticks.

Tree hollow requirement Nil.

Migration Sedentary to Nomadic moving around after breeding when habitat dries up.

Special Comments The Royal Spoonbill has become rare on the Mornington Peninsula since European settlement due to large-scale loss of habitat, stock damage to habitat, feral predation and shooting for plumage (M. Legg fld. obs.). During May 2014 one individual was observed feeding in the shallows of Merricks Creek Estuary, adjacent to Reserve C.

62 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

HOODED PLOVER Thinornis rubricollis

Conservation Status VIC-DEWLP-Vulnerable and FFG listed. MPS- Rare. BBFPR - Rare

Most recent record This survey occurring at Merricks Creek mouth in the intertidal zone.

Distribution of records/habitat MPS- Ocean beaches and occasional southern bays along Hooded Plover pair at the mouth of Merricks Creek 2014. Photo: M. Legg Southern Mornington Peninsula. BBFPR - occurring at Merricks Creek mouth in the intertidal zone.

General Biology The Hooded Plover’s habitat is coastal beaches where it forages on the shoreline and amongst washed up sea weed and washed up debry. It feeds on small insects and small aquatic fauna. Nests are built just above the high-tide mark (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season August to January- nest a small circular depression in the sand, above the high tide mark and sometimes lined with small stones and dried seaweed.

Tree hollow requirement Nil.

Migration Sedentary.

Comments The Hooded Plover is listed as Vulnerable in Victoria by DSE (2013) and listed on the Flora and Fauna Guaranteed Act. It is a small coastal bird that inhabits the sandy beaches along the Bass Strait Coast line on the Mornington Peninsula. After breeding they can flock to the southern beaches of Western Port. It is highly susceptible to human activity, cats, dogs and foxes (M. Legg fld. obs.).

63 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

PACIFIC GULL Larus pacificus pacificus

Conservation Status VIC- DEWLP-Near Threatened. MPS- Reasonably common. BBFPR- Uncommon to rare.

Most recent record This survey occurring at Balnarring Beach.

Distribution MPS- Costal areas and bays around the peninsula. BBFPR- Coastal areas.

General Biology The Pacific Gull is a large coastal bird that scavengers along the coastal areas of the Mornington Peninsula. It usually nests on rock faces or ridges along the coast and feeds on molluscs, crabs, squid, small fish and scavenges for scrapes, baby birds and eggs (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season Spring and early summer, nest is on the ground and made from grass, seaweed and debris.

Tree hollow requirement Nil dependency.

Migration Sedentary to nomadic moving around to find food especially younger birds.

Special Comments The Pacific Gull could become displaced by the recently colonised Kelp Gull (M. Legg fld. obs.). During this survey occasional specimens were observed along Balnarring Beach mainly on the exposed intertidal reefs or roosting on the beaches and moored boats.

64 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL Hirundapus caudacutus

Conservation Status EPBC-Internationally migratory VIC- DSE (2013) Vulnerable. MPS- Common at times. BBFPR- Rare.

Distribution MPS- Thermals over the Mornington Peninsula. BBFPR- Flying over the reserve.

General Biology The White-throated Needletail are the fastest flying birds in the world and feed and drink while flying. They feed on insects high on thermals to just above ground level. At night they roost in trees in forested hill country (Readers Digest 1979).

Breeding Season Not in Australia

Tree hollow requirement Nil dependency.

Migration Migrate from northern Asia in October and work their way down the Great Dividing Range to Victoria by mid to late summer. Migration back to the Northern Hemisphere occurs in mid March.

Special Comments The White-throated Needletail can be observed in January and February flying in mixed flocks with woodswallows, martins and swallows, while flying high above the Mornington Peninsula in front of thunderstorms and feeding upon small insects which are sucked up into thermals (M. Legg fld. obs.). During this survey in summer, small flocks were observed feeding on insects high over the reserve.

65 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

BURRUNAN DOLPHIN Tursiops australis

Conservation Status International: IUCN: Not listed National: EPBC: State: DEWLP: Endangered Mornington Peninsula Shire: Endangered BBFPR: Rare

Most Recent Record This survey occurring off Balnarring Beach.

Distribution Mornington Peninsula Shire: Mainly occurs in the southern waters of Port Phillip Bay and is regularly seen by swimmers and boaters. Occurs in small numbers in Westernport Bay. BBFPR: Off Balnarring Beach.

General Biology The Burrunan Dolphin is a placental marine mammal and is an alert opportunist, preying on a wide variety of organisms including fish, squid and crustaceans. They are a smaller version of the Bottlenose Dolphin and are only found in Port Phillip and Westernport Bays.

Breeding Summer

Tree Hollow Requirement Nil

Migration Nomadic moving around the bay to find available food source.

Comments It is estimated that 100 individuals occur in Port Phillip Bay and possible less than 10 occur in Westernport Bay (M. Legg fld. obs.). Research is currently on the way to determine population status. During this survey the occasional pair were observed swimming off Balnarring Beach and occasional are known to swim with racehorses that train along the beach during early mornings.

66 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

5.0 DISSCUSSION

5.1 Indigenous fauna

5.1.1 Decapod Crustacean & Fish

Merricks Creek and estuary is a relatively healthy system with many native fish and Decapod Crustacean species present. These include: Freshwater Shrimp, one Engaeus species, a small burrowing crap species, Short-finned Eel, Common Galaxias, Spotted Galaxias, Broad-finned Galaxias, Flat-headed Gudgeon, Tupong, Cobbler, Black Bream and Yellow-eyed Mullet. During this survey bait traps were deployed in the estuary to sample for fish species. Aquatic fauna sampled included: Freshwater Shrimp, Short-finned Eel, Common Galaxias, Spotted Galaxias and Tupong. Black Bream and Yellow-eyed Mullet were observed in the estuary jumping out of the water for insects and other species are probably present but weren’t sampled during this assessment.

Tulum Creek Estuary is a small estuary compared to the much larger Merricks Creek Estuary. It is also only a small creek system whose length is approximately 500m. However it still supports aquatic fauna species and is relatively rich in invertebrates. Fauna sample with the estuary included: Freshwater Shrimp, Short-finned Eel and Common Galaxias.

Freshwater Shrimp and Tupong photographed from Merricks Creek Estuary. Photos M. Legg 2014.

5.1.2 Amphibians

Small population densities of Common Froglet, Southern Bullfrog, and Verreaux’s Tree Frog were found to inhabit edges of the estuaries and inundated areas through-out the reserve. Larger population densities of Southern Brown Tree Frog were found to occur in vegetation adjacent to the estuaries and close to inundated areas through-out the reserve. During winter and spring these species were heard calling from vegetation found around these

67 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

water bodies and bred within. The occasion bullfrog was observed jumping in vegetation during spotlight walks.

Rarer species which weren’t sampled during this survey and are probably extinct within the area include: Victorian Smooth Froglet, Haswell’s Froglet, Southern Toadlet, Spotted Marsh Frog and Growling Grass Frog. It is unlikely that future surveys within the reserve would identify these species.

Common Froglet and Southern Brown Tree Frog. Photo M. Legg 2014.

5.1.3 Reptiles

During the survey period reptile species and population densities appeared to be at a medium to high diversity and density level within the reserve. This is due to medium quality understorey habitat and terrestrial habitat logs retaining within the reserve which provides a variety of homes for reptile species to exist. Within these habitats there still remains intact understorey habitat especially since the majority of overstorey habitat changing weeds have been eradicated. However understorey weeds still dominate across most sites through-out the reserve. In the past high feral predation of reptile species by feral predators such-as *Red Fox and *Feral Cat has occurred. However over the last few years feral control programs have helped to decrease feral predator population densities. The Skink family is the most diverse, with nine species recorded. The reptiles identified during this survey period and their habitats are discussed below.

Reptiles identified within the reserve include tortoises, lizards and snakes. These include: Common Long-necked Tortoise, Eastern Three-lined Skink, Southern Water Skink, Delicate Skink, Garden Skink, Metallic Skink, Southern Grass Skink, Weasel Skink, Blotched Blue- tongue, Common Blue-tongue, Lowland Copperhead and White-lipped Snake. All species of lizards and snake are terrestrial and the tortoise is semi aquatic. The tortoise feeds on aquatic life forms within Merricks Creek & estuary and the lizards feed on a variety of

68 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

insects and fruits. The snake species feed upon frogs, lizards, small birds and mammals found through-out their habitats.

Common Long-necked Tortoise photographed in Reserve B. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Delicate Skink and Metallic Skink photographed within the spit. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Common Blue-tongue photographed within an adjacent backyard. Photo the Everett’s December 2013.

69 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Blotched Blue-tongue photographed within Reserve B. Photo M. Legg 2014.

5.1.4 Birds

A large diversity of birds still inhabits the various habitats found through-out the reserve and can be divided into four categories:  coastal birds  wetland birds  woodland birds  Introduced birds

Coastal birds Coastal birds were mainly observed along the beaches, feeding on intertidal reefs, roosting on pylons and moored boats or feeding off the coast in Westernport Bay. These include: Little Penguin, the state threatened Black-browed Albatross, the nationally threatened Shy Albatross, international migratory Short-tailed Shearwater, Australasian Gannet, state threatened Black-faced Cormorant & Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, White-faced Heron, Australian White Ibis, Masked Lapwing, state threatened Hooded Plover, regionally threatened Red-capped Plover, Silver Gull, state threatened Pacific

70 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Gull and Crested Tern. Of these the most threatened within the reserve is the Red-capped Plover which requires full protection along the beaches especially within breeding sites.

Juvenile Red-capped Plover found dead on Tulum Beach on the 20-08-14. Photo Renae Haylock. Adult Red-capped Plover. M. Legg 2014.

Between late November 2014 and mid January 2015 a pair of Hooded Plovers were observed feeding and roosting at the Merricks Creek mouth mainly in the sandy intertidal zone. They are not breeding residents but were observed as immature adults.

Wetland birds During this survey the wetland bird species identified throughout the reserve were mainly found in or around Merricks Creek Estuary. These include: Little Pied Cormorant, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Australian Wood Duck, Buff-banded Rail, state threatened & FFG listed Lewin’s Rail, White-necked Heron, White-faced Heron, state threatened & FFG listed Great Egret, state threatened Nankeen Night Heron and Royal Spoonbill. Majority of these birds did not breed within the reserve but utilize it as a foraging source.

Buff-banded Rail photographed at the Rotunda. Photo M. Legg 2014.

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Woodland birds Several species of woodland birds were found to inhabit the woodlands, scrub and understoreys found through-out the reserve and are discussed below.

Small flocks of Painted Button-quail where observed along the Spit where it still retains some understorey grasses and sedges. They are probably breeding residents and ware likely to increase post feral predator control programs.

Birds of prey were occasionally observed flying over the reserve, while hunting for food or performing courtship display. They include Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brown Goshawk, Swamp Harrier and nankeen Kestrel. The Brown Goshawk is the only breeding resident of the reserve while the Swamp Harrier is are breeding resident at nearby Coolart.

The occasional Common Bronzewing inhabits the woodland areas of the reserve and is a breeding resident. A pair of breeding Brush Bronzewing was occasionally observed half way along the Spit.

Small to medium-sized flocks of Galahs and Cockatoos were regularly observed flying overhead or observed feeding on seed either in trees or on the ground. Flocks of Rainbow Lorikeets are recent arrivals to the Mornington Peninsula and are breeding residents within the reserve. Here they are out-competing rosellas for essential sought after breeding hollows. Smallish flocks of Musk Lorikeet visited the reserve during the warmer months to feed on flowering blossoms. Small flocks of Crimson and Eastern Rosellas are breeding residents within the reserve as adequate tree hollows still exist.

Migratory birds within Australasia arrived into the reserve during spring & autumn and include Fantail Cuckoo, Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Rufous Whistler, Grey Fantail, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Welcome Swallow, Mistletoebird and Silvereye. Majority of the species mentioned above arrive in spring or summer to breed and leave for New Guinea and northern or eastern Australia during autumn. After breeding and during autumn the Silvereye migrates from Tasmania back to the mainland especially to the Mornington Peninsula. The cuckoos are parasitic and lay their eggs in the nests of honeyeaters, finches, wrens & thornbills and migrate to New Guinea after breeding.

During a spring spotlight walk a pair of Southern Boobook was heard calling within Reserves B & C and are probably breeding residents within the area. During the April spotlight walk a Barn Owl was observed flying along Merricks Creek Estuary and are known to breed at nearby Coolart. Tawny Frogmouths were observed during spotlight walks in Reserves A & B and feed upon large insects and frogs. They are breeding residents within these reserves.

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Silvereye photographed on the Spit in April 2014. Photo M. Legg..

This pair of Tawny frogmouths was photographed in Reserve B opposite the toilet block. Photo M. Legg 2014.

During summer small flocks of internationally migratory White-throated Needletail where observe flying over the reserve on high thermals and feeding on insects.

Breeding pairs of Kookaburras were regularly encountered through-out the reserve’s woodlands, where sought after food sources and breeding hollows are present.

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This pair of Laughing Kookaburras was photographed adjacent to the Bird Sanctuary. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Superb Fairy-wren, Spotted Pardalote, White-browed Scrubwren and Brown Thornbill are common permanent breeding residents of thickets, undergrowth and canopies within the reserve.

Nine species of honeyeaters were recorded throughout the reserve, mainly within the woodlands and scrub areas. These include the Red Wattlebird, Little Wattlebird, Spiny- cheeked Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, White-plumed Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, and Eastern Spinebill. They are common to rare breeding residents with some species staying all year round while others migrate to other parts of eastern and south-eastern Australia after breeding. The Wattlebirds and Noisy Miners are large dominating birds whom chase essential smaller leaf gleaming birds away. This phenomenon can result in the die-back of eucalypt trees.

The Eastern Yellow Robin and Grey Shrike Thrush are uncommon breeding resident within the reserve and can often be heard calling or observed feeding on insects. Whistlers are also breeding residents within the reserve with the Golden Whistler staying as a permanent resident while the Rufous Whistler migrates to northern Australia after breeding.

Common open country birds such-as the Magpie-lark, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Australian Raven and Little Raven are common to rare breeding residents or visitors to the reserve. The Grey Currawong was occasionally observed but didn’t breed within the reserve but is known to breed within nearby Coolart.

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This Grey Currawong was photographed in Reserve C. Photo M. Legg 2014.

During autumn small flocks of Red-browed Finch were observed feeding on grass seed through-out the reserve.

These Red-browed finches were photographed in Reserve C during autumn. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Introduced Birds The introduced *Spotted Turtle-Dove appears to be relatively common and a breeding resident throughout the reserve and greater area. They are extremely competitive towards the rarer Common Bronzewing for territory and food.

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*House Sparrows are mainly confined to the general store and Rotunda. The *Common Blackbird is common throughout the reserve and is a prolific breeder and spreader of noxious and environmental weed seed. Whereas the *Song Thrush is rare within the reserve.

Both the *Common Starling and *Common Myna are common species, depriving native birds and mammals of nesting tree hollows. They both prefer nearby human habitation to roost and utilize the reserve’s tree hollows to breed.

Female Superb Fairy-wren photographed in B Reserve. Photo M. Legg 2014.

5.1.5 Mammals

Mammal species that should occupy appropriate habitats within the reserve were recorded, but some species were found to be absent and include: Dusky Antechinus, White-footed Dunnart, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Eastern Pygmy Possum, Common Wombat, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Water Rat and possibly the New Holland Mouse. Some of these species were known to occur within the area up to twenty or so years ago or still do occur in other areas on the Mornington Peninsula. The mammals recorded during this survey are discussed below

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Monotremes The Short-beaked Echidna and their diggings were commonly encountered throughout the Spit but not in any of the other areas of the reserve. Echidnas are breeding residents within the Spit and surrounding bushland whom utilize the area and most habitats that contain a year-round supply of sought-after termites and ants.

Typical echidna diggings pictured above were regularly observed along the Spit. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Marsupials Agile Antechinus still exist within the reserve, but only along the Spit. Smallish populations of Agile Antechinus still remain within adjacent Coolart and within Somers & Merricks Foreshore Reserves (M. Legg fld. obs.). The Spit population appears to be small but habitat restoration projects and feral predator control programs could increase essential habitat for this ancient marsupial carnivore.

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This female Agile Antechinus was sampled in an Elliot trap deployed along the Spit. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Approximately eight Koalas inhabit the reserve and greater area. Six of those are photographed below. There appears to be more females than males which can be attributed to aggressive territorial displays by dominate males. Koalas regularly utilize the sought after eucalypts (mainly Manna Gum Swamp Gum and some exotic gums) of the reserve and at times travel through-out the greater Balnarring Beach area and along Merricks Creek. Threats to the future survival of Koalas at Balnarring Beach include loss of essential food trees and habitat through development & dieback, ongoing urbanization of the area, road deaths, deaths from dogs, disease and prolonged heat waves etc. Refer to map 4 for the locations of koalas identified during this assessment and by local residents.

Two male Koalas in Reserve A. Photo M. Legg 2014.

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Two female Koalas in Reserve B. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Two female Koalas in Reserve C. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Nocturnal possums include the Common Brushtail Possum and Common Ringtail Possum which were observed during spotlight walks conducted through-out the reserve. Here they were observed either feeding in the canopy or calling when disturbed. Juveniles of these species were observed in summer and autumn. The ringtail possum population is larger than the brushtail possum population and populations of both species appear to be secure. However recent dramatic population crashes have been experienced during prolonged heat waves. Both species occupy tree hollows which are present mainly within Reserves A, B & C. However ringtails will also build dreys which are occasionally found in the scrub patches through-out the reserve.

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Small colonies of Sugar Gliders were found to be present through-out the reserve mainly within reserves A, B & C and were observed during spotlight walks. They are hollow dependant and old-growth trees with appropriate hollows are essential for their survival. Several of the old-growth trees are senescing or have died due to various impacts. The deployment of additional nesting boxes will help to increase the over-all population.

The occasional Black Wallaby was only found to occur along the Spit and no others were found to occur through-out the remainder of the reserve. This shy and cryptic macropod is easily displaced by human and dog disturbance. Future habitat restoration projects along the Spit will provide additional feeding and sheltering habitats which will help to increase the over-all population.

Black Wallaby and scats pictured above were occasionally observed along the Spit during this fauna assessment. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Lesser Long-eared Bat. Photo M. Legg

80 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014 Map 4: Locations of sighted Koalas, including local resident’s sightings

Key

Malcolm Legg’s sightings Local resident’s sightings

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Placental Mammals Four nights of recording micro-bat echolocation calls were conducted throughout this assessment. Micro-bats were seen on warm nights flying past the light beam of a torch while catching and eating insects in flight. The species identified include White-striped Freetail Bat, Gould’s Wattled Bat, Lesser Long-eared Bat, Large Forest Bat, Southern Forest Bat and Little Forest Bat. Future micro-bat recordings could result in further species identification, as some species are common one month and then absent the next. All species of micro-bats that occur within the reserve are hollow dependent, nocturnal, and eat three times their body weight in insects each night. This makes them very important around urban and agricultural areas. During the colder months of the year they shut down and hibernate within tree hollows or under bark, venturing out only as climatic conditions become warmer. Microbats are also known to roost in camper’s annexes.

Swamp Rat populations appears to be stable through-out the reserve especially where indigenous grasses and sedges occur. The Spit retains the largest population within the reserve as largish extents of sword-sedge and native grasses still occur. Through-out the reserve they occupy areas which don’t become inundated with water and have a dense understorey of various graminoids, either indigenous or introduce grasses. Underneath this vegetation they excavate runways and build nest chambers at the end in burrows up to one meter long. These are apparent throughout their distribution within the reserve. They feed on a variety of rhizomes, seeds and other various vegetation matters from the local graminoids.

Marine Mammals Marine mammals that were observed between the beaches and 200m off shire include the Burrunan Dolphin and Australian Fur Seal. Small pods of Burrunan Dolphins are occasionally observed by visitors to the beaches and are known to swim along-side racehorses training during the early morning period. This species is listed as endangered in Victoria and DEPI regulations regarding the protection of dolphins needs to be adopted. The occasional Australian Fur Seal are known to beach themselves on Balnarring Beach to rest. Others are washed up dead along the beaches which is usually the result from shark attack, malnutrition or disease. These seals come from Seal Rocks at the mouth of Westernport Bay where a largish colony resides.

5.2 Feral mammals

Introduced rodents *House Mice were sampled in Elliot traps and occupy most areas across the reserve. They appear to be reasonably common at some sites and probably provide a large food source for

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predatory fauna. They probably impact on fauna in various ways, spreading parasites and disease to small mammals and displacing other fauna.

*Black Rats appear to be relatively common through-out most habitats and an occasional specimen was sampled in Elliot traps or observed during field work. *Black Rats impact on fauna in various ways, spreading parasites and disease to small mammals and displacing hollow-dependant and hollow-breeding fauna. They probably take a large proportion of essential food items which are essential for the survival of threatened mammal species. *Black Rats are also known to eat and kill the state threatened Swamp Skink, other small lizards and other reptiles while in a state of torpa.

In the past feral rodent control programs have been deployed within the reserve, which has greatly reduced the *Black Rat population.

*European Rabbit *European Rabbits were found to occur through-out most areas of the reserve. Rabbits are causing detrimental impacts upon native vegetation habitat, threatened indigenous flora such-as orchids and lilies etc. Rabbits are also known to be aggressive and are known to displace terrestrial fauna species. Urgent rabbit control methods need to be adopted to control the ever increasing population.

*Feral Cat and *Red Fox *Feral Cats and *Red Foxes were observed through-out the reserve during day and night field work. Previous control programs have helped to reduce the over-all populations but individuals still persist. Both of these introduced predators cause large scale destruction of several fauna species population densities and can cause local extinctions of threatened fauna species. On-going and integrated *Red Fox and *Feral Cat control programs must continue on a yearly basis in order to maintain important terrestrial fauna species and their population densities.

5.3 Habitat changing weeds

Middle and overstorey habitat changing weeds have been removed from majority of the reserve apart from the Spit. However the reserve still retains severe weed infestations within the understorey. Understorey habitat changing weeds include *Angled Onion, weedy grasses, *Blue Periwinkle and *Smilax. ‘Habitat changing weeds’ are weed species which quickly invade vital habitats, changing the structure of the habitat which in turn causes a decline in ecosystem functuality, diversity and health.

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*Angled Onion is a major concern as it makes-up majority of the understorey through-out majority of the reserve. This urgently needs to be controlled and replaced with indigenous grasses, sedges and lilies.

Angled Onion pictured above dominates large areas of understorey through-out the reserve. Photo M. Legg 2014.

On the Spit large infestations of habitat changing weeds still occurs and include *Polygala, *Dolichos, *Sweet Pittosporum, *Angled Onion, *Monterey Pine and weedy grasses etc. *Monterey Pine is starting to spread along the eastern end of the Spit and can rapidly spread, changing and killing off important faunal habitat. A weeding program designed and adopted over a ten year period along the Spit could see the elimination and control of the above mentioned weeds, including the re-establishment of vital understorey habitats.

Dolichos pictured above is strangling essential habitats along the Spit. Photo M. Legg 2014.

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Through-out the remainder of the reserve the most serious habitat changing weeds that still exist but only occur in small outbreaks include: *Smilax, *Sweet Pittosporum, *Polygala, *Dolichos, *Sallow Wattle, *Blue Periwinkle, *Angled Onion, *Cape Ivy *Cotoneaster and weedy grasses such-as: *Panic Veldt Grass, *Sweet Vernal & some pasture grasses etc.

Along the primary dune of the spit small out breaks of Sea Spurge are occurring towards the eastern end. This species of weed is highly adaptable to dune conditions and rapidly spreads causing severe infestations within five to ten years. Control of this weed needs to continue on a yearly basis.

Small out breaks of Sea Spurge picture above are occurring along the Spit’s primary dunes. Photo M. Legg 2014.

Recent and current weeding operations have greatly reduced previous stands of habitat changing weeds but they still persist at some sites within the reserve. Some weedy grasses provide habitat for terrestrial species such-as amphibians, reptiles, some bird species and small mammals. Removal of weedy grasses should be staged over a number of years to allow indigenous grasses and habitat to establish and not to displace terrestrial fauna which utilize it.

Exotic eucalypts such-as Tasmanian Blue Gum and Southern Mahogany have been planted through-out the three camping reserves. These species have the potential to spread through-out the area and hybridize with the indigenous gums. Such species need to be

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removed over a ten year period and replaced with indigenous Manna Gums and Swamp Gums. Only remove if Koalas are not utilizing these exotic eucalypts.

5.4 Habitats

A diversity of EVC’s and fauna habitats occur within the reserve and include largish patches of woodlands, scrub and grasslands. Other habitats include creeks, beaches, Westernport Bay, drainage lines, some exotic native plantings, visitor buildings, pathways and roads. Majority of these habitats are quite extensive within the reserve and have reasonable flora species richness. These provide a variety of breeding and foraging habitats for a large variety of fauna species.

The creeks and estuaries provide habitat for a variety of aquatic fauna species along with a water source for other fauna species during dry conditions. The beaches and dunes provide extensive areas for coastal birds to forage and breed. Several of the coastal birds use Westernport and the intertidal reefs to hunt food or to rest on.

Adjacent habitats to the reserve which are of importance for faunal movement and recruitment include: Merricks Foreshore Reserve, Somers Foreshore Reserve, Coolart, Merricks Creek, Tulum Creek and remnant vegetation on private properties & along roadsides.

5.5 Comparing surveys

Results from the Legg, M. 1994 survey indicated that 136 species of fauna (123 species indigenous and 13 species introduced) were identified within the reserve. During this assessment 123 species of fauna (112 indigenous and eleven introduced) were identified within the reserve. This is a 10.3% decrease in identified fauna species during this fauna assessment compared to the 1994 fauna survey.

The following fauna species were not identified during this fauna assessment but were identified in the 1994 fauna survey which means they were either not detected during this assessment or have disappeared from the reserve since the 1994 survey: Bougainville’s Skink, Eastern Brown Snake, Australian Pelican, Little Black Cormorant, Great-crested Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Australasian Grebe, Black Swan, Cape Barron Goose, Australasian Shoveller, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Australian Spotted Crake, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Kelp Gull, White-fronted Tern, Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Little Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Brown Falcon, Striated Thornbill, Singing Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater, Jacky Winter, Crested Shrike-tit,

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White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Clamorous Reed-Warbler, *European Greenfinch and *Brown Rat (M. Legg fld. obs.).

The following fauna species are new to the reserve and were identified during this fauna assessment but not identified in the 1994 fauna survey: Freshwater Shrimp, Engaeus sp, Spotted Galaxias, Tupong, Verreaux’s Tree Frog, Lowland Copperhead, White-lipped Snake, Painted Button-quail, Buff-banded Rail, Lewin’s Rail, White-necked Heron, Crested Tern, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Crested Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Southern Boobook, White-throated Needletail, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Grey Currawong, Agile Antechinus, Sugar Glider, White-striped Freetail Bat, Gould’s Wattled Bat, Lesser Long-eared Bat, Large Forest Bat, Southern Forest Bat and Little Forest Bat.

5.6 Construction of a walking pathway along the spit

The Spit is zoned conservation and should be managed to its highest conservational values. It is the only area within the reserve that has minimal human impacts and has become a refuge for certain faunal species which are not found elsewhere within the reserve. These species include: Painted Button-quail, Short-beaked Echidna, Agile Antechinus and Black Wallaby. All of the above mentioned fauna species are shy, timid and cryptic in nature and soon disappear or become extinct locally when increased human impacts and activities occur.

As mentioned in section 5.5 of this report several fauna species have disappeared or become extinct within the reserve since the last fauna survey was conducted 20 years ago. Many of these species are wetland birds which use to utilize Merricks Creek Estuary but for some reason have recently disappeared. These wetland birds are shy in nature and disappear when human interactions occur. The estuary should be managed as a refuge for wetland birds where they can conduct their business with minimal stresses and impacts.

It is predicted that the construction of a walking pathway through the Spit will incur the following detrimental impacts upon residing fauna species:  Increase in human activities will cause stress to several fauna species in an area that is now protected from human activities.  A predicted increase in illegal dog walking will probably occur along the newly constructed walking pathway, causing stress and panic amongst fauna species.  *Red Fox & *Feral Cat activity will increase and the loss of fauna species and population densities will increase rapidly.  The spread of habitat changing weeds will occur rapidly along the walking pathway and hence begin to spread through-out.

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By opening up the Spit when constructing a walking pathway will probably see future losses of fauna species or declines in population densities which will have negative impacts upon the Spit and its ecosystems.

Allocated funding to construct a walking pathway should alternatively be used to weed the Spit in stages and over a ten year plus period. Applying for grants will also help to achieve restoration programs within this area.

However if the committee of management decides to go ahead and construct the walking pathway then it should be constructed along the bay side of the Spit and along the dune swale behind the primary dune. This will limit impacts on vegetation and fauna species within the dense vegetation of the spit. An additional track could be constructed off the new pathway and lead down to Merricks Creek Estuary for visitors interested in observing wetland birds. However a bird hide should be constructed at the end of this additional pathway to protect wetland birds from human disturbance.

Additional fox and feral cat control could be conducted along the new pathway to help prevent feral predation of indigenous fauna species.

5.7 Bio-link and significance rating of the reserve

The reserve is an important section and biolink within the Balnarring area and along the south-western Westernport coastline. It connects to remnant bushland along the coast linking Somers and Merrick’s Foreshore Reserves and inland along Merrick’s Creek. It also has links to adjacent Coolart.

The high bio-diversity site rating along with FFG Act listed fauna species, regionally & state threatened fauna species and EVC’s listed as endangered within the Gippsland Plains Bio region rates the reserve at a state significant site.

5.8 Key biodiversity issues

5.8.1 Relative importance of key habitats

The reserve is part of the 18.5% of remaining bushland found within the Mornington Peninsula Shire. It connects surrounding bushland with Merrick’s Creek and associated creeks, Coolart, vegetation on adjacent private properties, council reserves and roadside vegetation. These are some of the last remaining largish patches of remnant indigenous

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vegetation within the greater area. Such sites are extremely important for the large diversity of fauna species that remain in the greater area and provides some of the last remaining habitat as so much of the Mornington Peninsula Shire has been cleared in the past (around 82%).

The important faunal habitats must be allowed to flourish and increase not only within the environs of the reserve but in the surrounding landscape as it provides important habitat for threatened fauna species.

5.8.2 Broad bio-linkages across the shire and region.

Ideally the connecting of remaining bushland plots between remnant patches on private properties, public land and the reserve would achieve greater fauna diversity and population densities. Repairing existing breakages would see an increase in flora and fauna species within the greater area. This would help prevent future local extinctions. Further consideration and persuasion must be made to implement and construct rope-bridges across and culverts under roads.

It is the large remaining bushland patches (including the reserve and surrounding areas) that will retain future populations of diverse flora & fauna species and thus they need to be appropriately managed to ensure flora & fauna populations & diversity remain into the future.

5.9 FEIS assessments

During this survey Broad Vegetation Types (BVT) woodlands, scrub (wet), scrub (coastal), grasslands, wetlands & swamps, creeks and mangroves & salt marsh were assessed within the reserve using the FEIS rapid assessment tool. This is an assessment of habitat specific fauna species that quickly disappear when their habitat changes at a rapid rate. The assessments within the reserve indicated 61% of FEIS‟s were present within woodlands, 61% within scrub (wet), 69% within scrub (coastal), 55% within grasslands, 43% within wetlands & swamps, 89% within creeks and 44% within mangroves & salt marsh. This indicates a phase 1-3 extinction rate of FEIS’s for BVT’s assessed.

Assessments indicted that tree hollows are present and terrestrial logs with small hollows are mainly confined to the camping reserves especially under or around old-growth gums. On-going and integrated feral control programs need to continue in order to maintain and increase fauna species diversity and population densities within the reserve and surrounds.

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The construction and deployment of fauna nesting boxes has occurred over the years and erected in areas lacking old-growth eucalypts with hollows. This needs to continue especially for fauna species such-as Australian Wood Duck, rosellas, owls, kookaburras, Agile Antechinus, Sugar Gliders and microbats (refer to section 5.14 of this report).

5.10 Local resident’s fauna census

Part of the grant funding for this fauna assessment was to engage the public in identifying and locating nominated fauna species within Balnarring Beach but outside of the reserve. The nominated fauna species included: Common Bronzewing, Short-beaked Echidna, Koala, Sugar Glider Common Blue-tongue, Blotched Blue-tongue and any other rare or interesting fauna that were observed. On the 15th March 2014 a power point presentation was conducted by Malcolm Legg at Balnarring Community Hall to the public whom were interested in participating within the nominated fauna census.

Approximately 18 people participated in the meeting and were educated on the Balnarring Beach fauna, the current fauna assessment of the reserve and the need to have public participation in such a program. The participants were shown the fauna census sheets of which were distributed amongst them (see Appendix 5 for resident’s fauna census sheet). Participants were asked to hand in the sheets to the manager’s office by the end of September 2014.

Results from the residents fauna census included eleven individual sightings from two groups whom included: the Everett’s and Karen Anderson & the pre-primary school students. Koalas, Buff-banded Rails, a Common Bronzewing and a Common Blue-tongue were the targeted fauna species identified by the two groups.

The table below displays the results from the resident’s fauna census.

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Table 27: Targeted fauna species census survey for Balnarring Beach residents Date Residence name & Fauna species Male/ Number Comments Photographic evidence Location female, observed i.e. address , Melways young or reference number or adult GPS co-ordinates 29-12-13 The Everett’s Common Blue- Unknown One Sighted in backyard of the 16 Ferguson Drive tongue property. Balnarring Beach

26-04-15 The Everett’s Koala Female One Sighted behind the property in 16 Ferguson Drive a tree. See photo below. Balnarring Beach

18-05-14 The Everett’s Common Female One Sighted feeding along the Mason Smith Road Bronzewing roadside. Balnarring Beach

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Date Residence name & Fauna species Male/ Number Comments Photographic evidence Location female, observed i.e. address , Melways young or reference number or adult GPS co-ordinates 18-07-14 Karen Anderson and Koala Female Two Observed in tree with joey the pre-primary school with joey students Balnarring Beach Road

25-07-14 Karen Anderson and Koala Female One Possibly pregnant and gave the pre-primary school birth within the tree. Stayed in students same tree for three weeks. Balnarring Beach Road

01-08-14 Karen Anderson and Koala Male One In tree in camping reserve C the pre-primary school students Camping Reserve C

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Date Residence name & Fauna species Male/ Number Comments Photographic evidence Location female, observed i.e. address , Melways young or reference number or adult GPS co-ordinates 01-08-14 Karen Anderson and Buff-banded Rail Unknown One Feeding along the edge of the the pre-primary school car park students Balnarring Beach car park

08-08-14 Karen Anderson and Buff-banded Rail Unknown One Feeding along the edge of the Same as above. the pre-primary school car park students Balnarring Beach car park 15-08-14 Karen Anderson and Koala Male One In tree in camping reserve C Same as above. the pre-primary school students Camping Reserve C

24-08-14 The Everett’s Koala Unknown One Observed in a tree. Library Road Balnarring Beach

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Date Residence name & Fauna species Male/ Number Comments Photographic evidence Location female, observed i.e. address , Melways young or reference number or adult GPS co-ordinates 22-09-14 The Everett’s Koala Unknown One Observed walking along the No photo. Near the intersection gutter and then retreating into of Ferguson Drive and a tree. Highview Court Balnarring Beach

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5.11 Future survey work

Future fauna surveys every five years are warranted to determine the fluctuations within fauna populations & species diversity and whether the recommendations in this report have contributed to an increase or decrease in future fauna diversity & population densities. Yearly on-going monitoring of threatened fauna species & feral predators needs to commence at the end of this survey period in-order to determine future population fluctuations and possible extinctions which have & could occur within the reserve & surrounding area (refer to section 5.13 of this report).

5.12 Climate change

Predicted global warming could see future rising temperatures & sea levels and the reserve could lose several species of flora & fauna. Large losses of flora & fauna populations, especially those that are exposed directly to the aliments could also occur. This occurred during the 2008/2009 summer and the 2013 summer where large-scale loss of possum populations was experienced within the bio-region. Future rising temperatures will also cause severe drought along with large intense fires which were experienced during the recent drought. EVC’s could change from woodlands & scrub to heathland & grasslands. These factors will also result in the large scale loss of fauna species and population densities.

5.13 Monitoring FEIS’s, Red-capped Plover s and their population densities within the reserve

A monitoring program within the reserve for certain FEIS species (found to be present) needs to be developed to measure increases or decreases in population densities. Monitoring of certain FEIS’s is important as these are the species that quickly disappear when adverse elements are causing a decline in the health of a natural ecosystem such-as severe habitat changing weed invasion, high feral predation and where only small unconnected patches of remnant bushland remains.

A Red-capped Plover monitoring program is urgently required to maintain safe breeding and foraging sites into the future. The monitoring program should involve the following:  Fortnightly mapping of their locations on the beaches.  Locating breeding sites and mapping.  Compiling digital records of their locations on a yearly basis.

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 Maintaining viable breeding sites and monitoring chicks until they reach fledging stage.  Keeping the public, dogs’ foxes and cats away from their breeding sites. Possibly constructing temporary fencing of 20m around their breeding sites.  Educational program to the public of the potential risks involved with dog attacks and stopping of the breeding sites.

Table 28- FEIS’S to be monitored within the reserve’s Broad Vegetation Type’s Species Woodlands Scrub wet Estuaries Grassland Coastal & dry

Spotted Galaxias X Common Long-necked Tortoise X Southern Water Skink X X Blotched Blue-tongue X X X Common Blue-tongue X X Painted Button-quail X X Lewin’s Rail X X Buff-banded Rail X X X X Nankeen Night Heron X X Great Egret X Royal Spoonbill X Hooded Plover X Red-capped Plover X Southern Boobook X Eastern Rosella X X White-eared Honeyeater X Eastern Yellow Robin X X Grey Shrike Thrush X X Golden Whistler X X Rufous Whistler X X Grey Currawong X X Mistletoebird X Short-beaked Echidna X X X Agile Antechinus X X Sugar Glider X X Black Wallaby X X X X

5.14 Installation and monitoring of fauna nesting boxes

Previously some fauna nesting boxes have been erected within the reserve mainly within the camping reserves. However additional fauna nesting boxes need to be deployed within the camping reserves and along Merricks Creek & its estuary. This will help to compensate the lack of tree hollows and the senescing of old-growth eucalypts. Deploying nesting boxes for the following species: Australian Wood Duck, rosellas, owls, kookaburras, Agile Antechinus, Sugar Glider and micro bats allows additional breeding and roosting sites and an easy way to monitor population densities of such species. Scout-guard cameras can be mounted a

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meter away from the nesting boxes to establish when individuals take up residency and to measure population densities per box.

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6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

The following statements and management recommendations are set out to help the reserve’s managers to manage the flora and fauna more appropriately in accordance with flora and fauna requirements.

1. Continue to conduct fauna surveys every five years and yearly monitor threatened fauna, FEIS’s and feral fauna population density fluctuations.

2. Monitor Red-capped Plover population on a regular basis. Map breeding sites and keep public, dogs, foxes and cats away from these important sites.

3. Monitor koalas on a regular basis and create digital maps of locations and movements.

4. Implement the regulations set aside to protect the Burrunan Dolphins from human activities,

5. Since the 1994 fauna survey 33 species of fauna have disappeared from the reserve. Additionally 29 species of fauna identified during this survey are new species and were not detected during the 1994 survey. Look into ways to stop future fauna species extinctions within the reserve and document new arrivals.

6. Continue to conduct fox control programs on a regular basis and develop and implement *Feral Cat, *European Rabbit and *Black Rat control programs. Investigate methods into controlling introduced birds.

7. The results from this study are recommended to inform the development and implementation of a longitudinal environmental monitoring program that captures changes to species diversity and abundance in response to variable seasonal conditions particularly for endangered and threatened species.

8. Recommendations for fauna species contained in Action Plans and Recovery Plans under the EPBC Act 1999 and the FFG Act 1988 be sought to be implemented within the reserve. This also includes the surrounding catchment on both public and private land tenure.

9. In order to maintain the significant fauna within the reserve the rangers need to adopt the significant fauna management requirements set out in Appendix 4 of this report.

10. Maintain and increase crucial indigenous habitats through-out the reserve.

11. Remove exotic eucalypts over a ten year period and replace with indigenous eucalypts.

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12. Continue to weed out and control habitat changing weeds. Strong emphasis should be implemented on the control of understorey weeds such-as *Smilax, *Sea Spurge and *Angled Onion Weed. The re-establishment of the all important understorey must become a high priority.

13. Develop and implement a rehabilitation program along the Spit, weeding out all habitat changing weeds and re-establishing indigenous ecosystems. This could occur over a ten year plus period. Apply for grants to achieve such a task.

14. Management actions should include the following and during weeding programs follow these simple rules:

 Continue to conduct weeding in sections and span the process over a staged period.

 Start from the good areas and work outwards and control invading weeds on the edges.

 Only remove woody weeds during the non-bird breeding season.

 Leave if Eastern Yellow Robins or other birds are nesting.

 Allow natural regeneration to occur.

 If ringtail possum dreys or bird nests occur in weeds then ring-bark with-out poisoning and follow-up after a year.

15. That the shire, Melbourne Water and DEPI increases the priority to rehabilitate biolinks along Merricks Creek, associated creeks and along foreshore reserves.

16. Retain the Spit and its fauna as a high conservation area and do not construct a walking pathway through it. However if the committee of management decides to construct the pathway then it should be constructed on the bay side of the Spit and in the dune swale behind the primary dune.

17. Continue to implement and deploy fauna nesting box program and monitor.

18. Continue to retain and deploy additional terrestrial habitat logs with hollows through-out different habitats.

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7.0 RELEVANT POLICY AND LEGISLATION

The following section explores relevant policy and legislation pertaining to biodiversity from the National level through to the regional level. It provides a short overview of the policies in context of the findings of this study.

7.1 National

7.1.1 Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The EPBC Act is the principle piece of federal legislation that aims to guide a variety of planning processes or other actions with regard to any matters listed under the act. Under the Act species and communities can be listed as threatened. Fauna can also be listed as migratory. Within the reserve there is one species, the Shy Albatross which is listed under the EPBC Act as threatened or endangered. The location is indicated on map 5.

7.2 International

7.2.1 International migratory bird agreements

Several bird species recorded within the Mornington Peninsula are listed as ‘migratory’ under several bird agreements. These include:

 CAMBA (China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement 1986)  JAMBA (Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement 1974)  ROKAMBA (Republic of Korea-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement 2006)

Convention on Migratory Species or Bonn Convention, this includes birds listed under the agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) 2006. Internationally migratory species detected during this survey include: Black-browed Albatross, Shy Albatross, Short-tailed Shearwater, Great Egret and White-throated Needletail.

These are also listed as ‘migratory’ under the Federal Government’s EPBC Act 1999. The locations of internationally migratory birds ‘Black-browed Albatross, Shy Albatross, Short- tailed Shearwater and Great Egret’ recorded within the reserve are shown on map 5. White- throated Needletail is not included within maps 5 & 6 as it only flew over the reserve and did not land within.

100 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014 Map 5: Locations of Nationally significant and internationally migratory fauna species

KEY

Black-browed Albatross Shy Albatross Short-tailed Shearwater Great Egret

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7.3 State

7.3.1 Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management Framework

The objective of the Native Vegetation Management Framework is the retention and management of native vegetation (DNRE 2002:13). According to the DSE (2002:14) the goal of native vegetation management in Victoria is to achieve:

A reversal, across the entire landscape, of the long-term decline in the extent and quality of native vegetation, leading to a Net Gain.

Four individual actions to achieve the above goal are outlined in the DNRE’s (2002:14) Framework. These are:

 active improvement of the quality of existing vegetation;

 avoidance or minimization of further permanent losses through clearing;

 strategic increase in the cover of native vegetation through biodiverse revegetation;

and

 the flexibility that is required to support landholders as they move towards more sustainable land use.

To achieve the most strategic outcome for native vegetation across Victoria the DNRE’s (2002) Framework embraces a system of classification determining both the land protection and conservation significance of any given site. The determination of conservation significance through both background information and field assessments sets in motion a commensurate management response. The Net Gain methodology is intended to provide a systematic approach that ensures the conservation of the majority of remnant vegetation across Victoria. The DNRE (2002:23) has established a three step approach to use when applying the Nat Gain process. These steps are:

 To avoid adverse impacts, particularly through vegetation clearance.

 If impacts cannot be avoided, to minimize impacts through appropriate consideration in planning processes and expert input to project design or management.

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 Identify appropriate offset options.

Upon receiving planning applications to clear vegetation responsible authorities make their assessments relative to the conservation significance of the site. If all the preliminary processes have been correctly applied approval may be granted. The outcome of the Net Gain process is intended to ensure that the most significant vegetation incurs no losses (exceptions do apply) while less significant vegetation is adequately managed through commensurate offsets based on the level of significance.

During the process it must be assured that every effort has been made to avoid remnant vegetation at the outset and if clearance is unavoidable impacts have been minimized to avoid the most significant vegetation and reduce the amount of overall vegetation cleared. The application of this policy within the context of the reserve related to possible proposals for various vegetation or habitat removals during OH&s procedures, weeding & habitat restoration practices, the possible construction of future fire breaks and walking tracks etc. There may be impacts on native vegetation and loss of fauna species and densities as a result of these events. However, the policy does not apply to Commonwealth Land.

7.3.2 Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Guarantee Act

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) was legislated to ensure the continued survival of all Victorian species of flora and fauna and all Victorian communities of plants and animals.

Protected Flora Protected Flora species include all species listed as threatened, all species that belong to communities listed as threatened and plants requiring protection for other reasons.

Plants requiring protection for other reasons are listed to regulate exploitation including removal from the wild for cultivation and the cut-flower industry. Among others, the list includes all members of Asteraceae (daisies), all members of Epacridaceae (heaths), all members of Orchidaceae (orchids) and all Acacia’s (excluding Silver, Early Black, Lightwood, Blackwood and Hedge Wattles). DEPI regulate the issuing of permits relating to any proposed activities of works that might impact upon protected species. Again possible vegetation removal during OH&S procedures, weeding & habitat restoration practices and the possible construction of future fire breaks and walking tracks etc.

Potentially Threatening Processes Schedule three of the FFG Act lists numerous Potentially Threatening Processes. These

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processes have been identified as a threat to the survival of one or more species of flora or fauna or a community. A number of threatening processes operate across Victoria and across all land tenures while some are specific to a defined locality.

A number of the Potentially Threatening Processes are, or could be, operating within the reserve. These include:

 Collection of native orchids,  habitat fragmentation as a threatening process in Victoria  loss of hollow-bearing trees in Victorian native forests  predation of native wildlife by the cat Felis catus  predation of native wildlife by the introduced Red Fox Vulpes vulpes  reduction in biomass and biodiversity of native vegetation through grazing by the *European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus  spread of Pittosporum undulatum in areas outside its natural range  the invasion of native vegetation by environmental weeds.  inappropriate fire regimes causing disruption to sustainable ecosystem processes and resultant loss of biodiversity,  the introduction and spread of the Large Earth Bumblebee Bombus terrestris into Victorian terrestrial environments,  use of Phytophthora-infected gravel in construction of roads, bridges and reservoirs.

7.3.3 Catchment and Land Protection Act

The study site supports some weeds that are declared noxious under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CLP Act). Plants occurring on this list are known to or have the potential to result in detrimental environmental or economic impact.

Under the CLP Act declared noxious weeds are categorized into four groups depending on their known and potential impact and specific circumstances for each region. These categories are:

 State Prohibited Weeds (S);

 Regionally Prohibited Weeds (P);

 Regionally Controlled Weeds I; and

 Restricted Weeds

State Prohibited Weeds are either currently absent in Victoria or are restricted enough to be

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eradicated. The Victorian Government is responsible for their control.

Regionally Prohibited Weeds in the north Western Port Catchment area are not necessarily widespread but have the potential to become widespread. It is expected that weeds that meet this criteria can be eradicated from the region. Regionally controlled weeds are usually widespread but it’s important to prevent further spread.

Restricted Weeds occur in other states and are considered to be a serious threat to primary production, crown land, the environment and or community health if they were traded in Victoria. No weeds are currently listed as Restricted Weeds.

7.3.4 Species listed on DSE’s Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria, 2013.

Within the reserve there is 13 fauna species listed on the Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria – 2013 (DSE 2013) – see map 6 on following page, for coverage of recorded fauna species (Common Long-necked Tortoise, Black-browed Albatross, Shy Albatross, Black-faced Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Lewin’s Rail, Great Egret, Nankeen Night Heron, Royal Spoonbill, Hooded Plover, Pacific Gull, White-throated Needletail and Burrunan Dolphin) within the reserve. Note locations of Black-browed Albatross, Shy Albatross and Great Egret are indicated on map 5. White-throated Needletail is not included within map 6 as it only flew over the reserve and did not land within.

105 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014 Map 6: Locations of State significant fauna species

KEY

Common Long-necked Tortoise Black-faced Cormorant Pied Cormorant Lewin’s Rail Great Egret Nankeen Night Heron Royal Spoonbill Hooded Plover Pacific Gull Burrunan Dolphin

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7.4 Regional

7.4.1 The Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Charter

The conservation functions of the charter include;  The conservation of ecosystems and species  The enhancement of ecosystems and biological values  At the core of the Biosphere charter is the principle of nature conservation.

7.4.2 Regionally-significant species

Regional significance is often difficult to determine, however, an attempt at defining regionally significant species has been made. Within the Gippsland Plain Bio-region 115 fauna species are considered to be regionally significant according to three sets of criteria. Within the reserve 29 species of regional significance were recorded.

7.4.3 Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Catchment Strategy

The Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Catchment Strategy (Port Phillip and Western Port CMA 2004) is a broad policy document providing strategic direction in land, water and biodiversity management with the aim of increasing the protection of bays and waterways. The reserve falls within the region covered by this plan.

The reserve and surrounding remnant vegetation represents a unique ‘catchment asset’ within the region by providing substantial habitat and bio-links for flora & fauna of regional, state & national significance.

7.4.4 Port Phillip and Western Port Vegetation Management Plan

The Port Phillip and Western Port Native Vegetation Plan (Port Phillip and Western Port CMA 2006) establishes a strategic and coordinated approach to native vegetation within the CMA area. Its primary function is to provide a regional context to native vegetation management issues and compliment the DSE’s Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management: A Framework for Action (DNRE 2002).

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8.0 REFERENCS

Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve Committee of Management (2014). Balnarring Foreshore Pathways (Draft) Strategy 2014-2019.

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.

Jenkins, R. And Bartell, R. (1980). A Field Guide to Reptiles of the Australian High Country. Inkata Press Pty Ltd, Melbourne.

Legg M. (1994). Fauna Survey of Balnarring Foreshore Reserve, October 1994.

Legg M. (2007 to 2011). Development of the Mornington Peninsula Wildlife Atlas.

Menkhorst, W. (1996). Mammals of Victoria. Oxford University Press. Victoria, 1996.

DSE 2013 Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria-2013. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.

Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment and Land Protection Board. Draft Port Phillip and Westernport Native vegetation Plan. August, 2000.

Simpson, K. And Day, N. (1999). Field Guide to the Birds of Australia… (Sixth Edition). Penguin Books Australia.

Strahan, R. (1998). The Mammals of Australia (Revised Edition). New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd, Sydney.

Yugovic, J. Oct. 2002. Mornington Peninsula Ecological Vegetation Class Profiles. Biosis Research.

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Appendix 1- Fauna Species Detected During This Survey Within The Reserve.

Fauna taxa detected throughout study site during the survey by Malcolm Legg of Mal’s Ecological & Environment Services PTY. LTD. All fauna was detected throughout the study site during December 2013 to November 2014. Codes for status within the reserve and Victoria: * introduced species VU Vulnerable in Victoria (DSE 2013) EN Endangered in Victoria (DSE 2013) or Australia (EPBC Act 1999) NT Near threatened in Victoria (DSE 2013) L listed as threatened under FFG Act 1988 Invalid or ineligible under FFG Act 1988

KEY-Significance/status of species: N National S State R Regional HL High Local L Local * Introduced Type of record: h Heard s Seen I Incidental (scats, feathers etc.) t Trapped/handheld a recorded on Anabat 2 Bat Detector v Filmed on Scout-guard Camera B Breeding residential bird

Table 29. Decapod Crustacean results Scientific Name Common Name Conservation status within Type of the reserve. record

Paratya australiensis Freshwater Shrimp Common at times Lt Engaeus sps. Freshwater Crayfish species Common at times Lt Helograpsus haswellianus Burrowing Mud Crab Common Lts

Table 30. Fish results Scientific Name Common Name Conservation status within Type of the reserve. record

Anguilla australis Short-fined Eel Common Lt Galaxias maculatus Common Galaxias Common Lt Galaxias truttaceus Spotted Galaxias Rare Rt Pseudaphritis urvillii Tupong Rare Lt Acanthopagrus butcheri Black Bream Uncommon Ls Aldrichetta forsteri Yellow-eyed Mullet Common Ls

Table 31. Amphibian results Scientific Name Common Name Conservation status within Type of the reserve. record

Crinia signifera Common Froglet Common Lhs Limnodynastes dumerilli Southern Bullfrog Uncommon Lhs Litoria ewingii Southern Brown Tree Frog Common Lhs Litoria verreauxii Verreaux’s Tree Frog Common Lhs

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Table 32. Reptile results Scientific Name Common Name Conservation status Type of within the reserve. record

TORTOISES Chelodinia longicollis Common Long-necked Tortoise Rare Ss LIZARDS Bassiana duperreyi Eastern Three-lined Skink Common Rst Eulamprus tympanum Southern Water Skink Rare Rhs Lampropholis delicata Delicate Skink Uncommon Rst Lampropholis guichenoti Garden Skink Common Lst Niveoscincus metallicus Metallic Skink Uncommon Rst Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii Southern Grass Skink Rare Lt Saproscincus mustellinus Weasel Skink Uncommon Rst Tiliqua nigrolutea Blotched Blue-tongue Uncommon Rst Tiliqua scincoides Common Blue-tongue Uncommon Lst SNAKES Austrelaps superbus Lowland Copperhead Rare Lhs Drysdalia coronoides White-lipped Snake Rare Rs

Table 33. Coastal & wetland bird results Scientific Name Common Name Conservation status Type of within the reserve. record

Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae Little Penguin Rare Rs Diomedea melanophris Black-browed Albatross Rare Ss Diomedea cauta Shy Albatross Rare Ss Puffinus tenuirostris Short-tailed Shearwater Uncommon Rs Morus serrator Australasian Gannet Uncommon Ls Phalacrocorax fuscescens Black-faced Cormorant Rare Ss Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant Rare Shs Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant Uncommon Lhs Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant Rare Lhs Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck Uncommon Lhs Anas gracilis Grey Teal Rare Lhs Anas castanea Chestnut Teal Common Lhs Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck Uncommon Lhs Gallirallus philippensis Buff-banded Rail Rare Rhs Rallus pectoralis Lewin’s Rail Rare Shs Ardea pacifica White-necked Heron Rare HLhs Egretta novaehollandiae White-faced Heron Rare Lhs Ardea alba Great Egret Rare Shs Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron Rare Shs Threskiornis molucca Australian White Ibis Uncommon Lhs Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill Rare Shs Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing Uncommon Lhs Thinornis rubricollis Hooded Plover Rare Shs Charadrius ruficapillus Red-capped Plover Rare Rhs Larus novaehollandiae Silver Gull Common Lhs Larus pacificus Pacific Gull Uncommon Shs Sterna bergii Crested Tern Uncommon Lhs

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Table 34. Woodland bird results Scientific Name Common name Conservation status Type of within the reserve. record

Turnix varia Painted Button-quail Uncommon Rhs Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle Rare Rhs Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk Rare Lhs Circus approximans Swamp Harrier Uncommon HLs Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel Rare Lhs *Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-Dove Common hs Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing Rare HLhs Phaps elegans Brush Bronzewing Rare Rhs Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon Rare Lhs Eolophus roseicapillus Galah Common Lhs Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Common Lhs Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet Common Lhs Glossopsitta concinna Musk Lorikeet Uncommon HLhs Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella Rare Lhs Platycercus eximius Eastern Rosella Uncommon Lhs Cacomantis flabelliformis Fantail Cuckoo Rare Lhs Chalcites basalis Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Rare Lhs Chalcites lucidus Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Uncommon Lhs Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook Rare Rhs Tyto alba Barn Owl Rare Rhs Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth Uncommon Lhs Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail Uncommon Shs Dacelo novaehollandiae Laughing Kookaburra Uncommon Lhs Malurus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren Common Lhs Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote Common Lhs Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren Common Lhs Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill Common Lhs Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird Common Lhs Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird Common Lhs Acanthagenys riufogularis Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Rare Lhs Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner Uncommon Lhs Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater Uncommon Lhs Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater Rare HLhs Lichenostomus penicillatus White-plumed Honeyeater Rare Lhs Phylidonyris novaehollandiae New Holland Honeyeater Common Lhs Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill Rare Lhs Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow Robin Uncommon Rhs Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike Thrush Uncommon Lhsv Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler Uncommon Lhs Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Rare Lhs Rhipidura fuliginosa Grey Fantail Common at times Lhs Rhipidura leucophrys Willy Wagtail Rare Lhs Grallina cyanoleura Magpie-lark Uncommon Lhs Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Rare Lhs Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird Common Lhs Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie Common Lhs Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong Rare Rhs Corvus coronoides Australian Raven Uncommon Lhs Corvus mellori Little Raven Common Lhs Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow Uncommon Lhs *Passer domesticus House Sparrow Uncommon hs Neochmia temporalis Red-browed Finch Uncommon Lhs Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoebird Rare Rhs Zosterops lateralis Silvereye Common Lhs *Turdus merula Common Blackbird Common hs *Turdus philomelos Song Thrush Rare hs *Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling Common hs *Acridotheres tristis Common Myna Common hs

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Table 35. Mammal results Scientific Name Common Name Conservation status within Type of the reserve. record

MONOTREMES Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna Uncommon RsIv MARSUPIALS Antechinus agilis Agile Antechinus Rare Rhs Phascolarctos cinereus Koala Uncommon Rhs Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum Common Lhsv Petaurus breviceps Sugar Glider Uncommon Rhs Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum Common Lhs Wallabia bicolor Black Wallaby Rare Rhsv PLACENTAL MAMMALS MICROBATS Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail Bat Common Ra Chalinolobus gouldii Gould’s Wattled Bat Common Ra Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat Uncommon Ra Vespadelus darlingtoni Large Forest Bat Uncommon Ra Vespadelus regulus Southern Forest Bat Rare Ra Vespadelus vulturnus Little Forest Bat Common Ra RODENTS Rattus lutreolus ssp. Lutreolus Swamp Rat Common RtIv Marine Mammals Tursiops australis Burrunan Dolphin Rare Ss Arctocephalus pusillus Australian Fur Seal Rare Rs INTRODUCED MAMMALS *Rattus rattus Black Rat Common tv *Mus musculus House Mouse Common tv *Oryctolagus cuniculus European Rabbit Common s *Felis catus Feral Cat Uncommon s *Vulpes vulpes Red Fox Common s * Denotes introduced species

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Appendix 2 Fauna survey results for the reserves

Table 36: Fauna taxa detected throughout the reserve during the 1994 (Legg M.) fauna survey, bird species list compiled by local resident Geoff Hall, this survey 2013-14 and DEPI’s Atlas of Victorian Wildlife records. By Malcolm Legg of Mal’s Eco. & Enviro. Services PTY LTD. Scientific Name Common Name 1994 2013-14 survey Geoff DEPI’s Atlas of fauna Hall’s Victorian Wildlife Management Zones survey records (AVW), July 2013 edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Decapod Crustaceans Paratya australiensis Freshwater Shrimp C Engaeus sps. Freshwater Crayfish species C Helograpsus haswellianus Burrowing Mud Crab C Fish Anguilla australis Short-finned Eel C C Galaxias maculatus Common Galaxias C C Galaxias truttaceus Spotted Galaxias R Acanthopagrus butcheri Black Bream R Un Pseudaphritis urvillii Tupong R Aldrichetta forsteri Yellow-eyed Mullet C C Amphibians Crinia signifera Common Froglet Un R R R R R R Limnodynastes dumerilii insularis Southern Bullfrog Un R Un Un R R R R R Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Spotted Marsh Frog X Litoria ewingii Southern Brown Tree Frog A R R R Un R R R Un R R C Litoria verreauxii Verreaux’s Tree Frog R R R Un R R C Reptiles Chelodinia longicollis Common Long-necked Tortoise R R R Bassiana duperreyi Eastern Three-lined Skink A R Un R C R C R Un R Un R Eulamprus tympanum Southern Water Skink Un R Lampropholis delicata Delicate Skink Un Un R Un R R R Lampropholis guichenoti Garden Skink A Un R C C R Un Un Un R

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Scientific Name Common Name 1994 2013-14 survey Geoff DEPI’s Atlas of fauna Hall’s Victorian Wildlife Management Zones survey records (AVW), July 2013 edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Lerista bougainvillii Bougainville’s Skink R Niveoscincus metallicus Metallic Skink Un R R C R Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii Southern Grass Skink Un Un R Saproscincus mustelinus Weasel Skink Un R Un C R Un Un R R X Tiliqua nigrolutea Blotched Blue-tongue Lizard C R R Un R R R R R Tiliqua scincoides Common Blue-tongue C R Un Austrelaps superbus Lowland Copperhead R R R R R Drysdalia coronoides White-lipped Snake R Un R R Pseudonaja textilis Eastern Brown Snake R Birds Coturnix pectoralis Stubble Quail X Turnix varia Painted Button-quail Un Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae Little Penguin BW R X X Diomedea melanophris Black-browed Albatross R R X Diomedea cauta Shy Albatross Un R X Pachyptila turtur Fairy Prion X Puffinus tenuirostris Short-tailed Shearwater BW BW Pelecanoides urinatrix Common Diving-Petrel X X Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican C X Morus serrator Australasian Gannet Un Un X Anhinga melanogaster Darter X Phalacrocorax fuscescens Black-faced Cormorant Un R Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant C R R X X Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant C Un R X X Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant Un R R X X Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Black Cormorant Un X X Podiceps cristatus Great-crested Grebe Un X Poliocephalus poliocephalus Hoary-headed Grebe Un X X

114 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Scientific Name Common Name 1994 2013-14 survey Geoff DEPI’s Atlas of fauna Hall’s Victorian Wildlife Management Zones survey records (AVW), July 2013 edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Tachybaptus novaehollandiae Australasian Grebe Un X X Cygnus atratus Black Swan C X X Cereopsis novaehollandiae Cape Barron Goose R X X Tadorna tadornoides Australian Shelduck X X Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck C C X X Anas gracilis Grey Teal C R X X Anas castanea Chestnut Teal C R C X X Anas rhynchotis Australasian Shoveler Un X X Aythya australis Hardhead X X Malacorhynchus membranaceus Pink-eared Duck X Chenonetta jubata Australain Wood Duck Un R R Un X X Stictonetta naevosa Freckled Duck X X Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck X X Biziura lobata Musk Duck X Gallinula tenebrosa Dusky Moorhen Un X X Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Swamphen X X Fulica atra Eurasian Coot C X X Gallirallus philippensis Buff-banded Rail R R R X Rallus pectoralis Lewin’s Rail R R X X Porzana fluminea Australian Spotted Crake Un X Ardea pacifica White-necked Heron R X Egretta novaehollandiae White-faced Heron C R R X X Ardea ibis Cattle Egret X Ardea alba Great Egret C R X X Egretta garzetta Little Egret X Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret X Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron Un R X Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis X

115 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Scientific Name Common Name 1994 2013-14 survey Geoff DEPI’s Atlas of fauna Hall’s Victorian Wildlife Management Zones survey records (AVW), July 2013 edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Threskiornis molucca Australian White Ibis C R R Un X X Threskiornis spinicollis Straw-necked Ibis Un R X X Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill C R X X Platalea flavipes Yellow-billed Spoonbill Un X Gallinago hardwickii Latham’s Snipe X Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher X Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing Un R R R R R R R X X Thinornis rubricollis Hooded Plover R R X Erythrogonys cinctus Red-Kneed Dotterel X X Charadrius ruficapillus Red-capped Plover Un R X Elseyornis melanops Black-fronted Dotterel X X Larus novaehollandiae Silver Gull A C R R Un R X Larus pacificus Pacific Gull C R X Larus dominicanus Kelp Gull Un Chlidonias leucopterus White-winged Black Tern X Sterna caspia Caspian Tern X Sterna Hirundo Common Tern X Sterna striata White-fronted Tern Un Sterna bergii Crested Tern R X Elanus axillaris Black-shouldered Kite Un X Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite X Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle R Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle R R R Hieraaetus morphinoides Little Eagle R Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk Un R R R R R X Circus approximans Swamp Harrier Un R R X X Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Un Falco berigora Brown Falcon Un X

116 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Scientific Name Common Name 1994 2013-14 survey Geoff DEPI’s Atlas of fauna Hall’s Victorian Wildlife Management Zones survey (AVW), July 2013 records edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel R X *Columba livia Rock Dove X *Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-Dove C R C R Un R R Un C Un Un R X Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing R R R R X Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon R X Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo X Eolophus roseicapillus Galah C R R R Un R Un Un R Un X Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella Un X Cacatua tenuirostris Long-billed Corella X Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo C R R R R Un Un Un Un X Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet R R Un R Un Un C C Un Un X Glossopsitta concinna Musk Lorikeet R Un R Un C R Un X Glossopsitta pusilla Little Lorikeet X Alisterus scapularis King Parrot X Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella R Un R R X Platycercus eximius Eastern Rosella R R R R Un R Un Un Un R X Cacomantis flabelliformis Fantail Cuckoo Un R R R R Un R R R R R X Chalcites basalis Horsefield’s Bronze Cuckoo R R R R R R R R R Chalcites lucidus Shining Bronze-Cuckoo C R R R R Un R Un Un R R X Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook R R X Tyto alba Barn Owl R R Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth Un R R X Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail Un Un R R R Un R R Un Un Un Dacelo novaehollandiae Laughing Kookaburra Un R Un Un R X Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher X Cormobates leucophaeus White-throated Treecreeper X Malurus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren A Un C Un C C C C C C C Un X X Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote C R C R C Un C C C C C Un X

117 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Scientific Name Common Name 1994 2013-14 survey Geoff DEPI’s Atlas of fauna Hall’s Victorian Wildlife Management Zones survey records (AVW), July 2013 edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren A Un C Un C C C C C C C Un X Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill A Un C C C C C C C C C Un Acanthiza nana Yellow Thornbill Un X X Acanthiza lineata Striated Thornbill C X Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill X Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird A R Un Un Un Un C Un C C C Un X X Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird A R C C C C C C C C C Un X X Acanthagenys rufogularis Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater R Un R X Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner C R X Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater C Un Un R C R Un Un R X X Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater Un X Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater C R R X X Lichenostomus penicillatus White-plumed Honeyeater Un Un Un Un X Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater Un Melithreptus lunatus White-napped Honeyeater C X X Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera Crescent Honeyeater Un Phylidonyris novaehollandiae New Holland Honeyeater A Un R R R C R R C Un R X X Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill Un R R R R R R R X Petroica phoenicea Flame Robin X Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow Robin C Un Un R R Un X X Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter Un Falcunculus frontalis Crested Shrike-tit Un X Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike Thrush C R R Un R R R R R X X Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler C R R Un R Un R X Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler C Un R X Rhipidura fuliginosa Grey Fantail A R Un Un Un R C Un C C C Un X X Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail X Rhipidura leucophrys Willy Wagtail Un R X X

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Scientific Name Common Name 1994 2013-14 survey Geoff DEPI’s Atlas of fauna Hall’s Victorian Wildlife Management Zones survey records (AVW), July 2013 edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Grallina cyanoleura Magpie-lark C R R R R R R Un R R X X Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Un R R X Coracina papuensis White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Un Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow X Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird Un R R R R R R Un Un R R X Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie C R R Un R R C R Un Un R R X X Strepera graculina Pied Currawong X Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong R R X Corvus coronoides Australian Raven C R R R R R R R R R R R X X Corvus mellori Little Raven Un R R Un Un Un C R Un Un Un R X Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow C R Un Un Un R C Un Un Un Un X X Hirundo ariel Fairy Martin X Acrocephalus stentoreus Clamorous Reed-Warbler Un X *Passer domesticus House Sparrow C Un X X *Carduelis chloris European Greenfinch Un *Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch X Neochmia temporalis Red-browed Finch Un C Un Un X Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoebird Un R R Zosterops lateralis Silvereye C Un C Un C Un C C C C C Un X *Turdus merula Common Blackbird C R Un Un C R C Un C C Un R X X *Turdus philomelos Song Thrush Un R Un X *Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling C Un C Un C C C C C C Un Un X *Acridotheres tristis Common Myna C Un C R C Un R Un C C Un X X Mammals Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna Un R Un R Antechinus agilis Agile Antechinus R X Phascolarctos cinereus Koala C R R Un Un Un R Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum Un R R R C R Un C Un Un X

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Scientific Name Common Name 1994 2013-14 survey Geoff DEPI’s Atlas of fauna Hall’s Victorian Wildlife Management Zones survey records (AVW), July 2013 edition 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Petaurus breviceps Sugar Glider R Un R R Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum A R Un R C R R Un C C C Un Wallabia bicolor Black Wallaby R Un Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail Bat R R Un R C R C C C C C Un Chalinolobus gouldii Gould’s Wattled Bat R R C R C R C C C C C Un Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat R R R Un R R X Vespadelus darlingtoni Large Forest Bat R R Un Un R Un C R R Vespadelus regulus Southern Forest Bat R R Vespadelus vulturnus Little Forest Bat R Un R C C R Un C Un Un Rattus lutreolus ssp. Lutreolus Swamp Rat A R Un R C R C C Un C C R *Mus musculus House Mouse A Un C R C R C C C C C C *rattus norvegicus Brown Rat Un *Rattus rattus Black Rat A Un C R Un R C C C C C C *Oryctolagus cuniculus European Rabbit C C R Un R C C C C C R *Felis catus Feral Cat C R R R R R R C R Un Un R R *Vulpes vulpes Red Fox C Un Un Un R Un R C Un Un C Un R Arctocephalus pusillus Australian Fur Seal BW R X Tursiops australis Burrunan Dolphin R R

KEY for the above table R = Rare Un = Uncommon C = Common A = Abundant BW = Beach Washed X = Identified fauna species

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APPENDIX 3: FEIS Assessment criteria

PHASES OF EXTINCTIONS Different extinction levels are occurring on each allotment of remaining remnant native vegetation through-out the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston City, Western Port catchment and bio-region. This is based on the extinction rate of fauna species (in the past and at present) within remaining bush land sites. Factors that determine extinction of fauna species within remaining bush land sites include:

Size of remaining bush land, status of bush land health, amount of weed invasion, status of feral populations, status of native fauna populations, whether the site has bio-links, the determined future of the site and whether the site has tree hollows and fallen hollow logs. A large healthy parcel of vegetation with bio-links will have a high number of species diversity, where-as a small isolated parcel of vegetation with no bio-links will have a very low diversity of fauna species.

Each ecosystem within remaining native vegetation allotments can be categorized into the following processes of fauna extinctions which are all associated with post European settlement disturbance of the past and or present. These processes are explained in the ‘5 phases of extinction’ which are based on fauna data collected and collaborated from over 500 sites on the Mornington Peninsula, 50 sites within Frankston City and other significant sites within the sub-bioregion which have had fauna surveys conducted by the author Malcolm Legg in the last 15 years.

FIRST PHASE In the first phase of extinction the land has been cleared and only a few large and several small areas of indigenous bush remain. These areas have mostly been set aside for national parks and large foreshore reserves (Western Port side) which retain most species (especially if feral works and weeding have been conducted) apart from larger carnivores (which have been replaced by foxes and cats) and a few habitat specific species which are now extinct: Tree Goanna, Emu, Spot-tailed Quoll, Eastern Quoll, Common Wombat, etc. Several threatened species in phase two are still moderately common in this phase and most to all FEIS’s (80% to 100%) still remain and are present in low to high population densities. Such examples within the area include: Mornington Peninsula National Park, Point Nepean National Park, Devilbend Reservoir, Westernport coastal bio-link from Tooradin to Flinders, Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve, Langwarrin Fauna and Flora Reserve, and Quail Island. 80% to 100% of FEIS’s still remain.

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SECOND PHASE The second phase usually occurs in large bush land areas that have been set aside for state parks, regional reserves and remaining large bush patches on private land. Usually between 10% and 20% of fauna species have become extinct or disappeared and several species are either endangered or threatened at various levels. Around 60% to 80% of FEIS’s are present in this phase and at reasonable densities. Examples within the area include: Arthur’s Seat State Park, Peninsula Gardens Bushland Reserve, Mt Eliza Regional Park, Mt Martha Regional Park, Warringine Park, Tootgarook Swamp and Edithvale and Seaford Wetlands.

THIRD PHASE Phase 3 usually occurs in small to medium-sized Parks Victoria reserves, some foreshore reserves (Port Phillip Bay side), council reserves that retain good habitat, and smaller patches on private land. Most of these sites have weed infestations which has killed of essential understory including old-growth eucalypts with hollows and feral fauna dominates. Several species are threatened at a regional and local level. Some state significant species still remain and possibly one or two nationally threatened species. Several FEIS’s have disappeared and the health of the ecosystem is usually poor and failing. Some examples include rural roadsides, large urban bushland reserves usually over five hectares, small rural allotments usually under ten hectares and on private property which are less than ten hectares in size with some remnant bush land. 40% to 60% of FEIS’s still remain.

FOURTH PHASE Phase 4 extinction rate can usually be associated to Urbanization or highly degraded remnant rural sites. The only indigenous habitat that remains is a few isolated pockets along creeks, drainage lines and small shire reserves. Majority of these sites are highly degraded and facing extinction in the final stages. 20% to 30% of fauna species remains but several are quickly depleted by domestic cats, dogs and vermin. 20% to 40% of FEIS’s still remain and several FEIS’s have become extinct or disappeared. However a low percentage of significant species could still remain. Noisy Miners dominate on the fringes and chase smaller essential insect gleaming birds away.

FIFTH PHASE The fifth and final phase can be associated with suburbanization and rural allotments that have been 100% cleared of native vegetation, replanted with pine or conifer rows and European plants around the house. 90% to 100% of all fauna species have become extinct or disappeared apart from a few common species and introduced fauna species thrive. New vegetation planted within urban areas is usually exotic or non-indigenous and attracts

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exotic species and out of balanced native bird species. All significant and most FEIS’s have disappeared or become extinct with 0% to 20% of FEIS’s still remaining.

FAUNA ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATOR SPECIES (FEIS’S) How do we measure the health of ecosystems within remaining bush land sites in-order to be able to categorize each bush land site into the above five extinction phases? This can be achieved by assessing each site and determining how many FEIS’s remain. FEIS’s are a justification for the health of a particular ecosystem and are thus categorized using habitat specific fauna species which quickly disappear from an ecosystem which has been or continues to be altered by humans. These processes occur due to lack-of or changed management practices of pre 1750 Australia and includes weed invasion, lack of appropriate fire regimes, clearing practices, high predation by introduced predators, displacement by introduced fauna etc.

The author has determined which FEIS’s fit into each broad vegetation community that still exists within the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston City on and around Western Port catchment.

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FEIS’s and EVC’s that fit into Broad Vegetation Types & Assessment Tables.

Table 37- EVC’s that fit into Broad Vegetation Types (BVT).

EVC’s CB DS SH CS LF RS RF H- DF H SS ESS SR PG SW MS CD CH CT CH- G BG AH BW DH DH CA S- CD G SW Broad Vegetation W H- M rFF W W W S S G rW W S W S zCS G W Types rW Forest Y Y Y Y Woodland Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Scrub (coastal) Y Y Y Y Y Scrub (Wet sites) Y Y Y Grassland Y Y Y Y Heathland Y Y Drainagelines Y Riparian Zone Y Y Y Y Y Y Creeks Y Y Y Coastal Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Wetlands & Swamps Y Y Y Y Salt Marsh Y Mangroves Y

KEY to EVC’s CBW-Coast Banksia Woodland, DSH-rW-Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland, SH-Sand Heathland, CSM-Coastal Salt Marsh, LF-Lowland Forest, RS-Riparian Scrub, RF-Riparian Forest, H-rFF-Herb-rich Foothill Forest, DF-Damp Forest, HW-Heathy Woodland, SS-Swamp Scrub, ESS-Estuarine Swamp Scrub, SRW-Swampy Riparian Woodland, PGW-Plains Grassy Wetland, SW-Sedge Wetland, MS-Mangrove Shrubland, CDS- Coastal Dune Scrub, CHS-Coastal Headland Scrub, CTG-Coastal Tussock Grassland, CH-rW-Creekline Herb-rich Woodland, GW-Grassy Woodland, BGS-Berm Grassy Shrubland, AH-Aquatic Herbland, BW-Brackish Wetland, DH- Damp Heathland, DHW-Damp Heathy Woodland, CAS-Coastal Alkaline Scrub, S-zCS-Spray-zone Coastal Shrubland, CDG-Coastal Dune Grassland, GW-Gully Woodland and SW-Swampy Woodland.

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FEIS’s within broad vegetation types

Key to FEIS’s within broad vegetation types RF –Rain Forest, F –Forest, W- Woodland, GL –Grassland, Sco –Coastal Scrub, SWA- Scrub in wet areas, H –Heath, DL –Drainage lines, RZ –Riparian Zone, C –Creeks, Co –Coastal, WL&S –Wetlands and Swamps, M&S –Mangroves and Salt Mash and HR-Habitat Requirements

Table 38: FEIS’s of broad vegetation communities.

FEIS’s and seasons to survey for FEIS’s RF F W GL Sco SWA H DL RZ C Co WL&S M & S HR

DECAPOD CRUSTACEANS Engaeus sps. (All) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Damp & wet areas. Helograspsus sp (All) Y Coastal Salt Marsh. FISH Spotted Galaxias (All) Y Y Y Y Lower reaches of creeks. Broad-finned Galaxias (All) Y Y Y Upper reaches of creek. Dwarf Galaxias (All) Y Y Swampy parts of creek. AMPHIBIANS Victorian Smooth Froglet (Autumn) Y Y Y Dry swampy sites which are inundated in winter. Southern Toadlet (Autumn) Y Y Y Dry swampy sites which are inundated in winter. Growling Grass Frog (November to January) Y Y Deep fresh water with reeds.

REPTILES Common Long-necked Tortoise (All) Y Y Y Fresh-water bodies. Tree Dragon (Spring till autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Dry vegetation & fallen timber with hollows. Swamp Skink (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Wet sites with Decapod. Crustacean burrows. Southern Water Skink (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Riparian and coastal veg. with high rainfall. Whites Skink (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Dry vegetation & fallen timber with hollows. Eastern Three-lined Skink (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Sedgy and grassy understorey. Delicate Skink (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Sedgy & grassy understorey & fallen hollow logs. McCoy’s Skink (Autumn & winter) Y Y Y Grassy understorey with fallen hollow logs. Metallic Skink (Autumn) Y Y Y Y Grassy understorey & fallen hollow logs. Glossy Grass Skink (Spring) Y Y Y Y Slightly elevated veg. around wetland edges. Southern Grass Skink (Autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Grassy understorey & fallen hollow logs. Blotched Blue-tongue (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Sedgy & grassy understorey & fallen hollow logs. Common Blue-tongue (Spring) Y Y Y Y Sedgy & grassy understorey & fallen hollow logs. White-lipped Snake (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Sedgy & grassy understorey & fallen hollow logs.

BIRDS Painted Button Quail (Autumn) Y Y Y Y Sedgy & grassy understoreys. Red-capped Plover (Spring) Y Coastal with washed up seaweed. Lewin’s Rail (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Grassy & sedgy understory along creeks & coastal. Buff-banded Rail (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Grassy & sedgy understory along creeks & coastal. Baillons Crake (Spring) Y Y Sedges and reeds around wetlands. Spotless Crake (Spring) Y Sedges and reeds around wetlands. Australasian Bittern (Spring & summer) Y Y Sedges and reeds around wetlands or creeks. Nankeen Night Heron (Spring) Y Y Y Y Roosting in Swamp Paperbark thickets. Royal Spoonbill (All) Y Y Y Y Y Y Wetlands, swamps and coastal. Eastern Rosella (All) Y Y ? Y Y Y Y Y Forests & woodlands, tree hollows for breeding. Crimson Rosella (All) Y Y Y Y Forests & woodlands, tree hollows for breeding. Blue-winged Parrot (Autumn) Y Y Coastal Salt Marsh. Southern Boobook (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Forest, woodlands and scrub, hollow for breeding. Powerful Owl (May to June) Y Y Y Y Y Forest, woodlands and scrub, hollow for breeding. Sacred Kingfisher (Spring till early autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Y y Y Forest & woodland, tree hollow for breeding. White-throated Treecreeper Spring) Y Y Y Y Forest & woodland, tree hollow for breeding. Varied Sitella (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Forests and woodlands. Southern Emu-wren (Spring till early autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Coastal Grasslands & salt marsh and heathland. Striated Field wren (Spring) Y Coastal Grasslands & salt marsh. Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (spring) Y Y Coastal Scrub & woodland. White-eared Honeyeater (All) Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests, woodlands and scrub. Singing Honeyeater (Spring) Y Y Coastal Scrub.

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Brown-headed Honeyeater (Spring) Y Y Y Y Forests and woodlands. Crescent Honeyeater (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Coastal scrub and scrub along water courses. New Holland Honeyeater (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests, woodlands and scrub. White-fronted Chat (Spring) Y Y Edges of wetlands and Coastal Salt Marsh. Pink Robin (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Forests and woodlands. Eastern Yellow Robin (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests, woodlands and scrub. Crested Shrike-tit (Winter & spring) Y Y Y Y Y Trunks of gums along water courses. Grey Shrike-thrush (All) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests, woodlands and scrub. Golden Whistler (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests, woodlands and scrub. Rufous Whistler (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests, woodlands and scrub along water course. Grey Fantail (All) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests, woodlands and scrub. Rufous Fantail (Spring and autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Y Gullies of Forest and woodlands (higher rainfall). Satin Flycatcher (Spring till early autumn) Y Y Y Y Forests and woodlands. Grey Currawong (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests and woodlands. Mistletoebird (Spring and autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Forests, woodlands and scrub. Stubble Quail (Spring) Y Y Y Y Scrub, grasslands and intact understories. Brush Bronzewing (Spring) Y Y Y Y Grasslands and intact understories. Clamorous Reed Warbler (late spring to summer) Y Y Common Reed etc to nest in. Golden=headed Cisticola Y Tall grasses, indigenous or exotic. Little Grassbird Y Tall grasses, indigenous or exotic. Great Egret Y Y Y Y Y Open wet areas to feed and mangroves to roost. MAMMALS Short-beaked Echidna (Spring to autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Intact understories and fallen logs with hollows. Agile Antechinus (Winter & spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests, woodlands & scrub with tree hollows. Dusky Antechinus (Winter & spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests, with intact understory & fallen logs. White-footed Dunnart (August till October) Y Y Y Y Y Y Coastal woodlands, scrub & grasslands, fallen logs. Southern Brown Bandicoot (Winter to autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Grassy & heathy woodlands with understorey, Long-nosed Bandicoot (Winter & spring) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Coastal woodlands, scrub & grasslands. Sugar Glider (Spring till autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Forests & woodlands with tree hollows. Feathertail Glider (Spring) Y Y Y Y Y Forests & woodlands with tree hollows. Black Wallaby (All) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests. Woodlands, scrub and grasslands. Water Rat (Spring till autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Water bodies including coastal. Southern Forest Bat (Spring till autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Forests and woodlands with tree hollows. Large Forest Bat (Spring till autumn) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Forests and woodlands with tree hollows. Swamp Rat (All) Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Most habitats with intact understories. Totals 26 38 47 21 32 33 21 43 51 10 21 26 17

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Assessment Table for habitat structure and composition of Broad Vegetation Classes Assessed

NAME OF SITE- LOCATION- SIZE OF SITE- HABITAT-

TABLE 39: Evaluating the health of ecosystems by using the presence of habitat structure and composition of site to be assessed Broad vegetation classes to be assessed at site % of FEIS’s Old Growth trees Middlestorey (% .Understorey (% Fallen logs (% Feral control Presence of Connectivity or present in each (% present per present) present) present per program, (type habitat changing bio-link BVC hectare) hectare) deployed) weeds (% present) and main species

Assessment Table for habitat structure and composition of Creeks and still water bodies

NAME OF SITE- LOCATION- LENGTH OF CREEK- STRUCTURE- Includes dams, lakes, estuaries, drainage-lines and creeks.

TABLE 40: Evaluating the health of ecosystems by using the presence of habitat structure and composition of water bodies to be assessed. Creek or water-body-type % of in-stream logs Percentage of aquatic Presence of in-stream Presence of Presence of old- Feral control program, Connectivity or bio- present plants present macro-invertebrates High streamline growth trees alive or (type deployed) link species diversity vegetation along or dead, with breeding Medium species diversity around the water hollows or roosting Low species diversity body. sites, and still standing either in or on the edge of water body.

Upper reaches Middle reaches Lower reaches Estuary Still water body including dams and lakes.

127 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

APPENDIX 4: Threatened Fauna Management & Recommendations

Table 41: Significant fauna, their habitat requirements and management actions.

Species Habitat Requirements Management Actions

Spotted Galaxias Has unusual spawning sites where adults wait for a Keep creek free from pollutants and introduced high water flow in early winter and then scramble fish. over inundated banks where they lay their eggs amongst native grasses or sedges or on small stones and pebbles. When the water sub-sides, the eggs are exposed and out of water for days or weeks. To survive the eggs must remain moist shaded by native streamside trees or vegetation. Eggs exposed to direct sunlight will desiccate in seconds and perish. Hatching only occurs after banks are re-submerged by a subsequent high flow. Common Long-necked Tortoise Aquatic species preferring wetlands, swamps, Retain habitat and continue to control feral dams and creeks. predators, especially foxes during egg laying periods. Eastern Three-lined Skink Terrestrial dwelling species found on sandy soils Retain and increase terrestrial logs and grassy where intact understorey occurs. understorey. Continue to control habitat changing weeds and vermin. Southern Water Skink Medium-sized skink. During the breeding season Retain and increase terrestrial logs and grassy the male portrays a yellow throat and the female understorey. Continue to control habitat changing gives birth up to five live-young during late weeds and vermin. summer. They feed on a variety of insects and some berries. Delicate Skink Terrestrial dwelling species found amongst fallen Retain and increase terrestrial logs and grassy timber and leaf-litter where intact understorey understorey. Continue and control habitat occurs. changing weeds and vermin. Metallic Skink Semi arboreal skink preferring fallen logs to forage Retain and increase terrestrial logs and grassy amongst, along with indigenous grasses and understorey. Continue and control habitat sedges changing weeds and vermin. Southern Grass Skink Small skink species preferring grassy understoreys Retain and increase terrestrial logs and grassy with scattered terrestrial logs. understorey. Continue and control habitat changing weeds and vermin. Weasel Skink Shade hugging species found amongst fallen Retain and increase habitat logs, leaf-litter and timber and leaf-litter where intact understorey grassy understorey. Continue to control habitat occurs. changing weeds and vermin. Blotched Blue-tongue Large terrestrial dwelling skink species found Retain and increase indigenous understorey and where intact understoreys occur. Omnivore in habitat logs throughout. Continue to control choice of food. vermin and habitat changing weeds. White-lipped Snake Terrestrial dwelling species found amongst fallen Retain and increase indigenous understorey and timber where intact grassy understorey occurs. habitat logs. Continue to control habitat changing weeds and vermin. Painted Button Quail Semi Terrestrial species preferring woodlands with Encourage the spread of indigenous grasses an intact grassy understorey. through-out the sanctuary Continue to control feral species. Little Penguin Forages through-out Westernport Bay after small Educate boat owners and the public to keep away fish. Occasionally comes in close to shore at from foraging penguins. Balnarring Beach. Nest on Phillip Island. Black-browed Albatross Utilizes southern Westernport Bay and Bass Strait No management required to forage for food. Shy Albatross Utilizes southern Westernport Bay and Bass Strait No management required to forage for food.

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Species Habitat Requirements Management Actions

Short-tailed Shearwater Migrates from Japan during spring to raise chicks’ Keep humans and dogs away from specimens that ion burros on Phillip island. Utilizes Westernport to are resting after migration. forage for food. Occasional dead specimen is washed up along the Spit. Are known to use the beaches to rest after spring migration. Black-faced Cormorant Roosts on boating and shipping pylons and hunts No management required. for fish in Westernport Bay. Pied Cormorant Roosts on moored boats buoys, and exposed Keep humans and dogs away from specimens that intertidal reefs. Hunts for fish in Westernport Bay are resting on intertidal reefs. Buff-banded Rail Lives amongst dense vegetation in swamps, Maintain dense understorey vegetation along the lagoons, wet grasslands and along water courses. creeks in Reserve B and at the rotunda. Control Food consists of insects, small mollusks, and other cats and foxes. invertebrates, seeds and other vegetable matter. Nests are constructed under a grass tussock or in thick reeds that are growing in or near water. Is nomadic moving around to find new habitat when the old habitat has become dried out or depleted. Lewin’s Rail Weaves grass and rushes into a nest, sometimes Maintain dense vegetation along the creeks and pulling the surrounding plants down to form a control foxes and cats. roof. It is shy and lives in dense vegetation of swamps, lagoons and creeks and is seldom seen. They create runways through the vegetation and can swim on or under water. It feeds on insects and crustaceans by using its long thin beak to probe in all sorts of cracks and holes. White-necked Heron Largish heron that utilizes the estuary and Keep humans and dogs away from foraging areas. adjoining wetlands and Coolart to forage for Control foxes and cats. aquatic organism. Great Egret Feeds along the edges of the estuary before Keep roosting and feeding sites free of human and breeding. Migrates to Northern Asia. dog disturbance. Control foxes and cats. Nankeen Night Heron A cryptic nocturnal species that usually roosts in Maintain dense vegetation along the estuaries and old-growth paperbark thickets during the day and control foxes and cats. hunts at night along creeks and in wetlands. Prey consists of insects, crustaceans, fish and amphibians. Royal Spoonbill Prefers the shallows of Merricks Creek Estuary by Keep roosting and feeding sites free of human scooping its beak from side to side. disturbance. Control foxes and cats. Hooded Plover Small coastal species which spends considerable Monitor populations regularly and educate the time feeding amongst the intertidal zone. Nests public on this vulnerable species. Keep humans and breeds above the high tide mark. Highly horses and dogs away from breeding sites and susceptible to human, dog and fox disturbance. control foxes and cats. Red-capped Plover Small coastal species which spends considerable Monitor populations regularly and educate the time feeding amongst the intertidal zone. Nests public on this vulnerable species. Keep humans and breeds above the high tide mark. Highly horses and dogs away from breeding sites and susceptible to human, dog and fox disturbance. control foxes and cats. Pacific Gull Large predatory shore bird that feeds upon Keep roosting and feeding sites free of human and carrion, baby birds and eggs. Roosts on the dog disturbance. Control foxes and cats. beaches and intertidal reefs. Wedge-tailed Eagle Seen soaring over the reserve and breeds at Maintain bushland in the greater area as some nearby bushland sites within the foothills of the larger fauna species within or nearby are ideal southern peninsula. A carrion eater often seen food sources. Lobby to maintain rural areas around soaring on long, fingered upswept wings. their habitat. Swamp Harrier Large raptor which migrates from central-northern Maintain habitat free of habitat changing weeds Australia to breed and feed in swamps. Breeds in and vermin. Tall Marsh along the estuary and in adjacent Coolart. Common Bronzewing Feeds on the ground and nests throughout scrub Maintain and increase habitat free of habitat thickets. changing weeds and vermin.

129 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Species Habitat Requirements Management Actions

Brush Bronzewing Feeds on the ground and nests throughout scrub Maintain and increase habitat free of habitat thickets. Highly susceptible to cat and fox attacks. changing weeds and vermin.

Musk Lorikeet Migrates to the peninsula during late summer- Protect and maintain woodland and scrub free of autumn to feed on various flowering eucalypts at habitat changing weeds. the time. Southern Boobook Roosts in tree hollows or dense thickets during the Maintain old-growth trees with hollows which act day and hunts small mammals and large insects at as roosting or breeding sites free of habitat night. changing weeds. Control foxes and cats. Barn Owl Nocturnal utilizing the banks of the estuary to hunt Maintain old-growth trees with hollows which act small mammals and insects. as roosting or breeding sites free of habitat changing weeds. Control foxes and cats. White-throated Needletail Occurs in the summer-autumn period where it No management required. migrates from Northern Asia. Aerial, usually over coastal and mountainous areas on the peninsula and flies with flickering strokes, then long-winged raking glides and slow turns. White-eared Honeyeater Rare breeding resident of the reserve which Keep breeding and feeding sites free of vermin inhabits the woodland in Reserve B where it disturbance and maintain free of habitat changing forages for insects and nectar amongst the weeds and die-back. canopies. Eastern Yellow Robin Breeding resident of the reserve which inhabits the Keep breeding and feeding sites free of vermin scrub and woodlands where it forages for insects disturbance and maintain free of habitat changing amongst the canopies and on the ground. weeds and die-back. Grey Currawong A large foraging bird of tree trunks and on the Maintain habitat free of habitat changing weeds ground. Prey consists largely of insects but small and vermin. animals are also taken. They keep their territory all year round and fledglings will move out to claim new territory. Mistletoebird Visiting resident to the reserve which inhabits the Keep breeding and feeding sites free of vermin woodlands where it forages for insects amongst disturbance and maintain free of habitat changing the canopies. weeds and die-back. Short-beaked Echidna Is solitary and occupies a range of habitats along Do not remove fallen limbs or dead trees and the Spit that have year-round supply of ants and retain during possible controlled burns. Retain termites. Needs hollow logs on ground to nest ground cover and continue to remove threatening within and for food. weeds. Agile Antechinus A small carnivorous marsupial which builds nests Maintain the Spit free of habitat changing weeds. of eucalypt leaves in hollows of old growth trees Install breeding boxes and monitor. Control foxes, either at ground level or meters above the ground. cats and Black Rats. Nocturnal, sheltering in their nests during the day and venturing out to feed after dusk. Diet consists of invertebrates, small lizards and baby birds and their eggs. Breeding individuals within the rooves of the bird hides Koala A large arboreal mammal that spends most of its Maintain woodlands free of habitat changing life asleep in a tree folk only to wake up to browse weeds and vermin. Replace introduced eucalypts on eucalyptus leaves. Mothers care for their young with indigenous species over a ten year period. solitary and joeys are raised in their pouches until Monitor populations on a regular basis. they are too large and are then moved around on mothers back. Sugar Glider Requires old-growth tree hollows where they form Maintain woodlands free of habitat changing a den with up to 12 individuals occupying. Prefers weeds and die-back. Control foxes, cats, *Common large wattles to feed on the sap. Starlings and *Common Myna populations. Black Wallaby Is solitary in nature and feeds after dark. Hides in Maintain dense thickets and scrub free of weeds dense vegetation along the Spit during the day. and die-back. Control foxes and cats. Micro bat species occurring Utilize tree hollows, loose bark, buildings and Retain, maintain and restore habitat. Implement a through-out the reserve: caravans as roost sites through-out reserve. Feeds bat-box program using a variety of designs. Control on insects at night. habitat changing weeds and vermin.

130 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

Species Habitat Requirements Management Actions

Swamp Rat Prefers areas of dense undercover e.g. low-lying Protect areas that have intact habitats and vegetation and heaths that don’t become understoreys. Continue to control vermin and inundated. Feeds on seeds and rhizomes and weeds. excavates runways and burrows. After fire, habitat is not usually suitable for some years. Australian Fur Seal Forages through-out Westernport Bay after small Educate boat owners and the public to keep away fish. Occasionally comes ashore at Balnarring from seals\, especially if they have dogs. Beach to rest. Colony from Seal Rocks. Burrunan Dolphin Small [pod resides along the shores of southern Educate the public to maintain a safe distance Westernport Bay feeding upon fish, squid and from dolphins. other aquatic species. Known to be inquisitive towards humans.

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APPENDIX 5: Balnarring Beach resident’s fauna census

2014 Balnarring Beach Fauna Survey

Balnarring Foreshore Committee of Management Inc. (CoM) will be conducting a fauna survey in 2014. The CoM has contracted Malcolm Legg to conduct the 12 month fauna survey.

We are seeking community input into identifying certain fauna species within the confines of the Balnarring Beach parish. The species we are focusing on are Short-beaked Echidna, Koala, Sugar Glider, Common & Blotched Blue-tongue Lizards and Common Bronzewing Pigeon. If you see any other fauna species that you consider rare or of significance then could you please also enter their details in the table below. Photos of the species spotted will also be helpful.

The fauna census is being supported by a Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Authority Grant.

Table 42: Fauna census graph for Balnarring Beach Residents Date Location Fauna species Male/ Number Comments (address , Melways female, observed reference number or young or GPS co-ordinates) adult

132 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014

TARGETTED FAUNA SPECIES IDENTIFICATION PAGE Below are pictures to easily identify the fauna species we are targeting in the residence census.

Short-beaked Echidna Female Sugar Glider with babies Common Bronzewing Pigeon

Female Koala Male Koala with scent gland on chest

Common Blue-tongue Blotched Blue-tongue

SPECIES COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH THE ABOVE FAUNA SPECIES

Tiger Snake *Black Rat Common Ringtail Possum

Tiger Snakes can be confused with the Common Blue-Tongue and *Black Rats and Common Ringtail Possums can be confused with Sugar Gliders.

Please contact Malcolm Legg on 0438 898 325 or email [email protected] or Balnarring Foreshore Ranger on 5982 5583 or [email protected] with any questions, completed sheets or photos of fauna.

133 Fauna assessment of Balnarring Beach Foreshore and Parks Reserve, November12th 2014 Map 7: Locations of fauna sampling sites

BT3 T2 T3 T4

BT2 C1 T5 BT1 T1 C2

C3

BT4 KEY BT5 Bait traps Route of monthly bird walks and spotlight walks Elliot trap transects Scout-guard cameras

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