THE NEWSLETTER OF THE RUBICON KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA The Newsletter of the Rubicon Estuary Interest Group In this issue: • Bi-annual Shorebird Counts in NE Arm… • A short report on a Coordinated Count of Australian Pied Oystercatchers • Developments of Concern • Narawntapu NP News • A’Sea Spurging at NNP’- Report • Plants of the herblands • Rice Grass removal from the Rubicon-Port Sorell Estuary • Feral Cat Management within the Rubicon Estuary Photo by Faye Beswick region • Book Review • More opportunities to Newsletter 2 – July 2020 learn more about birds • Photo Feature- Pacific Gull We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this country on which we live, learn and work. In the first issue of this Newsletter I explained about the Rubicon Estuary being designated a Key Biodiversity Area by BirdLife Australia and also why I thought it a good idea to start a Newsletter. I received an enthusiastic response to Issue 1 and hope that Issue 2 will continue to connect and inform all those interested in the natural and cultural values of this region with recent developments. I have also solicited articles about various aspects of the region which I hope will be of interest. Bi-Annual Shorebird Counts in NE Arm Narawntapu NP The counts were undertaken on 12th February and 7th July. On the summer count we recorded 3 Eastern Curlew, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Pacific Golden Plovers and 30 Red-necked Stints. However, on 21st February we found 77 Red-necked Stints out on an island in the Arm closer to Springlawn. In winter we could only find 4 Red-necked Stints remaining and 149 Double Banded Plovers (migrants from New Zealand). This year 3 Bar-tailed Godwits have remained in the Estuary all winter and are frequently seen at various locations such as the Port Sorell Boat Ramp, Hawley Beach and Penguin Island. Two of the 3 birds were captured on camera by Tony Harris (below). THE NEWSLETTER OF THE RUBICON KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA 2 A short report on a Coordinated Count of Australian Pied Oystercatchers Haemotopus longirostris in the Rubicon Estuary KBA, Tasmania on 7th July 2020. We are continuing our monitoring program once a year in winter using the same survey method as for the previous four years. High Tide on 7/7/20 was 3.35 m at 13:20 hrs. The weather was cool, sunny with a southerly breeze, giving excellent viewing conditions. This tide was slightly higher than last year. Roost 1. Counters in NE Arm at Narawntapu NP were also doing the NW Tasmania Winter Shorebird Count. Counters were situated at each end of the roost area and were in position from 12:30 to 2pm. Roost 2. Counters were present at the boat ramp and the corner of Mary Creek. Only 20 birds were present at the roost area and two pairs were located outside the roost. Roost 3. The birds at this roost were present throughout the count period with no disturbance or movements noted. Results 2020 2019 2018 2017 Roost 1 – Springlawn/NE Arm 115 213 214 155 Roost 2 – Boat Ramp 24 11 93 48 Roost 3- South of Squeaking Point 118 125 96 126 Birds within KBA that did not go 36 31 n/c 71 to a roost TOTAL = 293 380 403 400 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE RUBICON KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA 3 Discussion This year our count was way down on previous years. Last year we attributed a decline of around 20 birds from the estimated population in the estuary of 400 to the loss of the Roost at the Boat Ramp. However, this year the count in the NE Arm at Narawntapu NP was also low. A drop in the count of around 25% is naturally of considerable concern and we will be doing further counts in September/October and in March/April 2021. It may be that with so much wet weather some birds are feeding up in nearby paddocks. Another possibility is that birds have moved out of the estuary to occupy their breeding territories. Eighteen pairs outside of roost sites is comparable to previous counts. However, this is all conjecture and we will do our best to locate more birds. Coincidentally, the shorebird counts to the west of Stanley on 4th July also showed a similar decline in Pied Oystercatcher numbers, particularly at Kingston Point where the Pied Oystercatchers from the Duck River Estuary roost at high tide. Volunteers participating were: Springlawn Roost – Geoff Shannon, Bob Read, Mark Temple-Smith, Tony Britz and Alison Parks; Boat Ramp Roost – Greg and June Hilder, Janie Black; S.of Squeaking Point – Julie Serafin, Libby Prescott and Denise Press ; Mike Serafin and Hazel Britton in the boat. Hazel Britton Resident Shorebird Monitoring Programme, Stanley to Narawntapu NP January 2010 to December 2019 At the end of last year we completed this 10 year community project to monitor the resident breeding shorebirds that are found on our beaches. This involved biannual counts at 45 beaches within the Cradle Coast region. Sites 1 (Badger Beach) to 7 (Northdown Beach) relate to beaches along the Rubicon Estuary and the beaches to the east and west. A report was compiled which included an entry for all 45 sites. If you would like an electronic copy of this report please email Hazel Britton at [email protected] THE NEWSLETTER OF THE RUBICON KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA 4 Developments of Concern The Rubicon Estuary Key Biodiversity is under pressure from increasing population and the activities this brings. In October 2019 Submissions were asked for by the Latrobe Council on an issue where a property owner (along the foreshore) had filled and compacted a wetland adjacent to the estuary and part of the salt marsh. The owner had requested a retrospective planning approval. In December the Latrobe Mayor considered the submissions of interest, including a submission from the Central North Field Naturalists Inc., which presented expert knowledge of the wetland soils, habitat and plants. The Council denied the planning approval and the owner has been given notice to engage an environmental consultant to review the best way to rehabilitate this wetland. The Council continues to be engaged with this pursuit. Another change to Freers Beach (feeding grounds for Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers) was the completion of a double storm water drain from the golf course to discharge into the estuary. Up until now, this has made no change to the beach as it appears to be deficient in performing its purpose. It is understood that a further plan is being undertaken to allow the outfall of water and its nutrients. We await the result. Julie Serafin Narawntapu National Parks News As part of the Tasmanian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic the decision was made to temporarily close Tasmania’s national parks and reserves on March 26th, and to remain closed until June 15th. During this period of almost 3 months, Parks staff at Narawntapu National Park were provided with the ideal opportunity to spend much needed extra time on works projects and maintenance within the Park. One major project within the Park which benefitted most from the Covid – 19 shut down was the re- sheeting of the main stretch of Bakers Beach Road from the Visitor Centre to Bakers Point Campground. The shutdown allowed for the continuous stream heavy vehicles to enter the Park without interruption from daily traffic, supplying the many tons of road base and gravel required to provide a sturdy, well- engineered road well into the future. THE NEWSLETTER OF THE RUBICON KEY BIODIVERSITY AREA 5 We were also fortunate enough to have an extra field officer or two on hand which enabled us to finalize the construction of the horse railings across the two new bridges providing access to the horse trail near Springlawn, allowing for clear guidance to horse riders. Walking tracks have also been cleared of debris and repairs completed where necessary. Copper Cove and Coastal Traverse Tracks have been tidied up and cleared of over-grown vegetation. The ongoing collection of rubbish from within campgrounds, carparks, walking tracks and beaches kept all parks staff busy during the shut-down. Unfortunately, this is one project that we can never entirely complete and will always require a hands-on approach. Another on-going project that requires a hands-on approach is the eradication of Sea Spurge. Unfortunately, there was not enough time allowed to dedicate to this activity and only small areas could be cleared of this invasive weed. With the recent rain and calm autumn weather, the park has taken on a fresh and enlivened atmosphere enabling all to enjoy the wide range of activities, and the wildlife in its abundance that Narawntapu has to offer. It’s an ideal time to come and explore the park afresh, or treat yourself to a new experience if you’re a first time visitor. Judy Westbrook, Narawntapu National Parks Staff A ‘Sea Spurging at Narawntapu’ Report 2019/20 Wildcaretas; Friends of Narawntapu have continued to work with PWS and continued volunteering many hours trying to control and eventually eradicate the section of sea spurge between Griffith point and Bakers point. To this end we are becoming more and more successful. As I have reported on our work before it doesn’t hurt to refresh our knowledge of why we chose Sea Spurge. Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias) is a well-established weed within the coastal dunes of Narawntapu National Park and along many of our beaches. The prevalence of the weed is in the dune complexes of both Bakers and Badger Beach. It is also present in suitable habitat around little Badger Head and Copper Cove.