Fauna Rehabilitation Plans

Cremorne Point

Port Jackson Catchment

2001

2.3 Management Plans for Bushland Reserves in the Port Jackson Catchment

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.

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.

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.

· 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

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. Lowest priority (long term) should be given to regeneration of degraded areas.

ST (Short Term) Action completed within 2 years MT (Medium Term) Action completed within 2-4 years LT (Long Term) Action commenced after 4 years O (Ongoing) Action is carried out on a regular basis throughout the duration of the Action Plan C (Commenced) Action has commenced CP (Completed) Action has been carried out

Refer to Map 2 – Rehabilitation Zones for location details

Table 2. Management Strategies

Zone Issue Objective Action Comments Priority All Angophora costata Re-establish Research cause of Research is C die -back. Angophora costata die -back and currently being community. address the causes. undertaken with Coastcare funding through the ‘Protection and Rehabilitation of Angophora costata at Cremorne Point’ project.

Revegetate MT Angophora costata once the cause is established and able to be rectified.

Copyright North Sydney Council PDF Document Conversion -18/02/2002 29 Zone Issue Objective Action Comments Priority All Small isolated Create Wildlife Backyard Bushcare Discourage the MT bushland pocket. Corridors and Garden Program. planting of Robyn O vegetation linkages Gordon Grevillias that adjoin and other hybrid bushland. Grevillias that supply a large amount of nectar to Noisy Miners. Use of appropriate MT street tree and parkland plantings to create vegetation islands and linkages. All Lack of continuous Create continuous Plant canopy tree Need to take into ST canopy coverage. canopy coverage. species, where consideration views O regeneration is of residents and the unlikely. public. Trees can be planted in the parkland upon consultation with the Parks Department and residents. All Lack of middle - Re-establish Plant buffer shrubs MT storey vegetation middle -storey along the edges of and habitat. vegetation. reserve and around parkland trees. Pile burns and ST small area burns to stimulate natural regeneration. Direct seeding of ST middle -storey species to be scattered on bare ground. Preserve existing Limit primary bush Carefully consider O middle -storey. regeneration the removal of clearing of middle - weeds such as storey weeds in Pittosporum spring and nesting undulatum and season. (See Table Lantana Camara. 1). Reduce impact of Primary bush O primary bush regeneration to be regeneration works carried out in small on habitat. areas while leaving some areas undisturbed until vegetation has regenerated to a height of 1.5m.

Copyright North Sydney Council PDF Document Conversion -18/02/2002 30 Zone Issue Objective Action Comments Priority All Habitat provided by Preserve habitat Remove mature LT Lantana camara provided by Lantana gradually. for small Lantana. Remove once insectivorous birds surrounding and ringtail vegetation has possums. reached a height of 1.5m. All Loss of diverse Create diverse Plant species O vegetation ecological specific to communities. communities. environmental conditions and aspect of the area.

All Predation on native Reduce feral Den location and Baiting is not ST fauna from foxes. animal predation. fumigation. possible due to O close proximity to residential houses. All Predation on native Reduce incidence Enforce dogs to be Declaration of ST fauna from of domestic animal walked on a leash. Wildlife Protection O domestic cats and attack on wildlife. Use of educational Area at Cremorne dogs. signage and patrol Point currently from Rangers. appears unlikely, due to public opposition. Public education Zoning of a LT towards residents Wildlife Protection on the damage cats Area, may be able can cause on to be pursued in the wildlife. future after it has been successfully Possible use of implemented in educational other bushland signage. reserves. All Fire Management. Promote diversity Undertake pile Reserve is too ST through ecological burns. narrow to allow O burning. broad area burn. All Loss of habitat for Re-establish habitat Plant dense, spiky These plant species MT small insectivorous for small mid and under- do not also birds. insectivorous birds. storey species that encourage the are insect larger nectivore pollinating species. birds. All Coral Trees. Reduce non-native Plant around Coral Trees provide C tree species, in existing Coral habitat and food for LT particular Coral Trees or, where fauna. Trees. appropriate, encourage natural regeneration beneath trees.

Copyright North Sydney Council PDF Document Conversion -18/02/2002 31 Zone Issue Objective Action Comments Priority 2 Date Palms in Reduce the number Remove small Date Before removal, C bushland. of Date Palms in Palms up to a Date Palms need to ST the bushland and height of 2m. be inspected for restore native possums or vegetation. Rainbow Lorikeets living in the palms. Install Nesting LT Boxes close-by. All Street lighting Redirect lighting Installation of light Lighting into bush ST shining directly away from bush. shields. poses a problem to into bushland. nocturnal fauna, with the exception of Tawny Frogmouths.

All Informal walking Reduce informal Brush-mat informal MT tracks cutting track network. walking tracks to through bushland at block them off. Robertson’s Point. All Respectful and Increase public Educational The Cremorne CP informed visitation appreciation and signage about the Point Foreshore to reserves. understanding of local flora and Walk information native wildlife in fauna of the area signage has been the Reserve. along the walking installed. tracks. 3 Lack of fresh water Increase fresh- Build a frog pond Refer to Section 3 MT on eastern side of water sources for on the eastern side for details. Cremorne Point. frogs and other of the Point and animals. provide bird baths around the reserve. All Lack of nesting Increase artificial Install 6 possum Bee invasion may MT sites. nesting areas. nesting boxes occur. Install around the reserve. outside of bee Rosella boxes can swarming season be installed also. (September to December).