Fauna Rehabilitation Plans
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Fauna Rehabilitation Plans Cremorne Point Port Jackson Catchment 2001 2.3 Management Plans for Bushland Reserves in the Port Jackson Catchment A) Cremorne Point Reserve INTRODUCTION Cremorne Point Reserve is a high profile area along the Sydney Harbour foreshore attracting many visitors daily. It has a large component of lawn and beautifully landscaped areas that are scattered alongside areas of remnant bushland. The bushland within the reserve consists of a thin strip (up to 100ft/30m wide) bordered by residential properties and the waters of Sydney Harbour from Bogota Avenue around to Bromley Avenue, Cremorne. A larger area of remnant bushland is found on Robertson=s Point which is located at the southern end of Cremorne Point Reserve. The entire area of remnant bushland on Cremorne Point is approximately 4.1 hectares. The dominant vegetation association is Angophora costata (Smooth-barked Apple) and Banksia integrifolia (Coast Banksia) Open Forest/Woodland. Weeds are common throughout much of the bushland, however, bush regeneration activities have transformed some of the areas of remnant bushland. Other bush regeneration activities have recently been initiated by contractors in 1998. These achievements have been made by the efforts of the dedicated Cremorne Point Bushcare Group, through funding provided by the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning and contributions from Council. In 2001, a grant was awarded from Coastcare to look into the causes and rehabilitation of the die -back in the Angophora Costata community along Cremorne Point. The bushland at Cremorne Point is being invaded by exotic species, noxious weeds and lawn grasses from landscaped areas. Due to its long, thin size and shape, weed species are a constant threat to the native species diversity of the area. Stormwater and hard surface runoff are contributing to the degradation of the bushland and this stands out as a significant issue in the area. Cats and dogs are frequently seen throughout the Reserve. 1.0 FLORA Refer to Map 1 - Vegetation Communities for location details. For further information, see: Section 3 – Indigenous Flora of North Sydney - Cremorne Point Bushland Reserve. 1.1 Nearby Parks and Verges containing Remnant Vegetation There are other areas along Cremorne Point that contain remnant patches of bushland but are not zoned as bushland areas and are therefore excluded from the scope of the rehabilitation plan. 1.2 Marine Environment The waters surrounding Cremorne Point Reserve are part of a large Intertidal Protection Area (IPA) for Sydney Harbour. For further information, contact: The Department of Fisheries, Wollstonecraft. Copyright North Sydney Council PDF Document Conversion -18/02/2002 25 2.0 FAUNA 2.1 Terrestrial Vertebrates Many bird species are resident to the bushland of Cremorne Point Reserve. The larger bird species are more common than the smaller wrens and robins. The larger birds are more common due to the degraded state of the bushland containing many berry-producing weed trees (eg. Large Leaf Privet Ligustrum lucidum) and the abundance of native berry-producing trees (eg. Elaeocarpus reticulatus (Blueberry Ash), Pittosporum undulatum and Glochidion ferdinandi (Cheese Tree)) which can effectively tolerate the high moisture and high nutrient conditions. The larger birds (eg. the Pied Currawong, Australian Magpie) compete with the smaller birds and the resulting ecosystem is in a state of imbalance. The Tawny Frogmouth Owl nests in the area annually. At present there are three pairs utilising the Reserve. These owls feed around the lights along the pathways at night, catching the insects that swarm in massive numbers. The Grey-headed Flying-fox is often seen passing over the Reserve in large numbers. Cremorne Point Reserve acts as a rest stop for many of the Flying-foxes as they regularly travel in summer from Gordon just after dusk to feed. The Flying-fox is an important pollinator for the remnant forests of the Sydney Region. Grey-headed Flying-foxes are often seen electrocuted on power-lines in and around Cremorne Point Reserve and elsewhere along their various flight paths. Other important fauna species include migratory species such as the Channel-billed Cuckoo and the Common Koel which rely on the areas of bushland as breeding sites and to nourish themselves for the long journey back home to Papua New Guinea each year. The Powerful Owl and Barn Owl have been sighted through the Wildlife Watch program. The Powerful Owl was recorded in the reserve along Cremorne Point. The Barn owl was sighted in a street of Kirribilli, close-by. Ring-tailed Possums are residents of the bushland as indicated by the numerous possum dreys in the mid-storey and canopy of the bushland. A small group of Little Penguin has occasionally been seen feeding in Mosman Bay on the eastern side of Cremorne Point Reserve. A Leopard Seal has also been seen swimming the waters surrounding Cremorne Point Reserve. Water birds eg. Great Cormorant, Silver Gull, are also frequently seen along the foreshore areas. There is a lack of nesting hollows in the North Sydney area due to the lack of old native trees that tend to bear such hollows. Native birds, arboreal mammals and bats suffer from the lack of safe nesting and roosting sites. These creatures play an important role in the ecology of the remnant vegetation communities of Cremorne Point. 2.2 Other Native Fauna Groups - Terrestrial Invertebrates - Marine Vertebrates - Marine Invertebrates A formal survey of the diversity and abundance of the above groups of organisms has never been undertaken by North Sydney Council. More detailed studies are required. Copyright North Sydney Council PDF Document Conversion -18/02/2002 26 2.3 Introduced and Feral Animals The fox has been sighted at Cremorne Point. Introduced species were recorded in the Fauna Survey: domestic cats and dogs; the Black Rat; House Mouse; and five species of exotic birds - Rock Dove, Spotted Turtle Dove, House Sparrow, Common Starling, and Indian Mynah. 2.4 Vulnerable and Threatened Species The Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus, listed as Vulnerable Schedule 2 under Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995, were observed flying over and feeding in the reserve. The Powerful Owl Ninox Strenua listed as Vulnerable Schedule 2 under Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995, was recorded in Bradley’s Head, Mosman. The Powerful Owl has been sighted and a scat collected and positively identified by the Australian Museum in 2000, along Cremorne Point by a local bird watcher and resident. 3.0 FAUNA REHABILITATION MANAGEMENT PLAN 3.1 Aim Strategy To restore and preserve habitat for the: Brushtail Possum Ringtail Possum Common Eastern Froglet Skinks Crimson Rosella Southern Figbird Grey-headed Flying-fox Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko Laughing Kookaburra Superb Blue Fairy-wren Little Pied and Little Black Cormorant Tawny Frogmouth Rainbow Lorikeet Visiting owls such as the Powerful Owl and Barn Owl 3.2 Summary of Fauna Survey Findings Despite the narrowness of Cremorne Point Reserve, possums were found to be particularly abundant, particularly Ringtail Possums. Other mammals recorded were: cats sighted at night; dog scats; Black Rat; House Mouse; and the Grey-headed Flying-fox. Twenty-nine bird species were recorded; three reptile species; and one frog species. The Powerful Owl was recorded in Bradley’s Head, Mosman. For further information, see Section 3 - Fauna Port Jackson Bushland Reserves North Sydney 2001 3.3 Site Issues · Site management needs to consider the high recreational usage of the reserve by residents and visitors. · Importance of harbour views for sightseeing and residents needs to be considered with regard to replanting. · The reserve is zoned both Open Space and Bushland. There are also ornamental plantings such as Coral Trees and Date Palms in the bushland. Copyright North Sydney Council PDF Document Conversion -18/02/2002 27 Objectives · Integrate conservation measures with recreational activities of the reserve. · Protect the diversity of vegetation communities and habitats. · Re-establish middle -storey vegetation. · Practise bush regeneration techniques that preserve existing habitat. · Create wildlife linkages. · Undertake ecological burning to promote biodiversity. · Increase fresh water sources in the reserve. · Reduce ‘edge effects’ by formalising tracks/paths. · Provide continued community education on the damage cats can have on wildlife. · Reduce feral animal predation on native fauna. · Reduce incidence of domestic animal attack on native fauna. · Provide additional habitat for possums and parrots. · Reduce footpath lighting entering the reserve. · Preserve Date Palms that provide nesting sites for Ringtail Possums and Rainbow Lorikeets. 3.5 Nesting Seasons of Scrub Birds Habitat requirements for birds that nest in the scrub layer will have implications for ecological burns and primary bush regeneration activities. Table 1 shows scrub birds found along Cremorne Point and their nesting seasons. Primary bush regeneration and clearing middle and under-storey vegetation should take place outside of nesting season. For maximum native regeneration potential, ecological burns should be carried out during or after spring when plants have produced seeds. However, spring and summer is often nesting season for birds also. Caution needs to be exercised when burning piles or undertaking broad area burns, that nesting sites are not destroyed. Table 1. Bird species, nesting height above ground and nesting season Data obtained from Fauna Survey (2001) and Fauna of North Sydney Database. Height Common Name J F M A M J J A S O N D (m) Superb Fairy-wren Up to 1m White-plumed Honey 1 – 20m Eater White-browed On or Scrub-Wren near ground Silvereye 1 – 5m Noisy Friarbird 1.5 – 17m New Holland 1 – 5m Honeyeater Brush Wattlebird 1.5m – 3.5m (-15) Red Wattlebird 3 – 10m (-20) Key Indicates breeding season Copyright North Sydney Council PDF Document Conversion -18/02/2002 28 4.0 ACTION PLAN Priority As a general principle, first priority (short and medium term) of bush regeneration works should be given to regeneration and protection of ‘good bush’ and revegetation in bare areas.