The Vertebrate Fauna of Southern Yengo National Park and Parr State Conservation Area

THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF SOUTHERN YENGO NATIONAL PARK AND PARR STATE CONSERVATION AREA

FINAL REPORT

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For enquiries regarding this report please Published by: contact Elizabeth Magarey of the Information Department of Environment and Climate and Assessment Section, Metropolitan Branch, Change Environment Protection and Regulation Group, 43 Bridge St, Hurstville NSW 2220 Department of Environment and Climate PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 1482 Change, Hurstville. Phone (02) 995 5000 (switchboard) www.environment.nsw.gov.au This report should be referenced as follows: DECC (2008) The Vertebrate Fauna of The Department of Environment and Climate Southern Yengo National Park and Parr State Change is pleased to allow this material to be Conservation Area. Department of reproduced in whole or in part, provided the Environment and Climate Change NSW, meaning is unchanged and its source, Hurstville. publisher and authorship are acknowledged.

Map data is supplied by the Department of ISBN 978 1 74122 597 6 Environment and Climate Change. Maps are DECC 2008/184 copyright Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW. They are not July 2008 guaranteed to be free from error or omission. The Department of Environment and Climate Change and its employees disclaim liability for any act done on the information in the map and any consequences of such acts or omissions.

Photographs are copyright Department of Environment and Climate Change or the individual photographer.

Cover Photos Front cover Feature Photo, Mount Yengo: N. Williams Giant Burrowing Frog: N. Williams Hawkesbury Dry Shrub Forest: E. Magarey White’s Rock Skink: N. Williams Back cover Koala: P. Madden Mellong Sand Swamp Woodland: E. Magarey Southern Freetail-bat (long penis form): N. Williams

Thankyou to: Landholders who provided access and assistance during the surveys, particularly Viki Winton, Tony Harvey, Dale Segut and Ryan Lambert, amongst others. Field volunteers who generously and keenly offered their time: Henry Cook, Ian Elton, Anthony Kerr and Andrew Smith.

OVERVIEW

Southern Yengo National Park and Parr State Conservation Area together comprise approximately 155 000 hectares of land primarily within the catchments of the Macdonald River and Webbs Creek, north of the Sydney metropolitan area. This report compiles Atlas of NSW Wildlife data on the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of these reserves and documents the extensive systematic surveys undertaken by the Department of Environment and Climate Change between 1997 and 2007. A total of 290 systematic survey sites have sampled birds, frogs, reptiles, bats, arboreal and terrestrial mammals. This is the first time that a thorough inventory of all vertebrate fauna within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves has been compiled. The project has contributed greatly to knowledge of the current composition and distribution of wildlife across the study area, identified numerous threatened species, and improved the understanding of conservation management priorities. Some of the key findings are summarised below.

• Two hundred and fifty-three (253) species of native terrestrial vertebrate fauna are known to inhabit the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. This is made up of 19 frogs, 45 reptiles, 139 native diurnal birds, eight nocturnal birds and 42 native mammals. In addition, the Dingo, 10 feral introduced mammals and one introduced bird species have been detected. • Of the 30 threatened fauna species confirmed to occur in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby is considered to be the highest priority for conservation management. A further fifteen threatened species are considered a high priority for conservation management being the Regent Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Speckled Warbler, Squirrel Glider, Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies), Broad-headed Snake, Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies), Masked Owl, Turquoise Parrot, Barking Owl, Grey-headed Flying-fox, Koala, East-coast Freetail-bat, Black Bittern and Brush-tailed Phascogale. The last species was identified in the reserves for the first time during the 2006-07 surveys. • Four high conservation priority fauna habitats have been identified: Grassy Alluvial Forests and Woodlands; Coastal River Oak or Swamp Mahogany Forests; Ironbark Forests; and Mellong Swamps Woodlands. Directing resources to management of these habitats will confer maximum benefit to threatened fauna in the reserves. A number of threatening processes continue to operate within the Grassy Alluvial Forests and Woodlands, in particular, which should be the focus of key management actions. • A number of threatened species were found to be widespread and relatively abundant in the reserves including Red-crowned Toadlet, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Glossy Black-cockatoo and Yellow-bellied Glider. At this stage these species do not require targeted management actions. The eastern and southern sections of the study area support a large number of Koalas and include some of the largest expanses of protected habitat for this species in the northern half of the Sydney Basin. The study area and adjacent land to the east and west is likely to play a critical role in the regional conservation of the Koala. • Pest species are widespread across the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, with the Fox and Wild Dog being the most commonly recorded. Foxes were more frequently recorded in Parr SCA, with records from southern Yengo concentrated towards the perimeters of the park. Importantly, Foxes have not been recorded to date between the Macdonald River and Timor Creek, where much of the Grassy Alluvial Forests and Woodlands high priority fauna habitat occurs. Feral Goat, Feral Deer and Common Starling are currently only limited in extent in the study area, but have the potential to have significant impacts on native fauna in the future if not actively managed.

• The composition of the vertebrate fauna is largely typical of Sydney Basin hinterland sandstone plateau. However, the proximity of the south-eastern corner of the study area to the coast, and of the northern end of the study area to the drier environments of the Hunter Valley translates to the occurrence of a few additional fauna species that are more typical of those regions. Examples include the coastal Little Bentwing-bat and the inland Southern Freetail-bat (long penis form).

This project has identified key areas for threat abatement, set priorities for future land acquisition, suggested focus areas for community awareness and involvement, and provided key recommendations for further targeted survey and monitoring. The data collected for this project will later be used to model habitat for threatened species across the region.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Reserves – Final Report i CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...... II OVERVIEW ...... I CONTENTS ...... II 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 PROJECT RATIONALE ...... 1 1.2 PROJECT AIMS ...... 1 1.3 STUDY AREA ...... 1 1.3.1 Biogeography, geology, geomorphology and soils ...... 3 1.3.2 Elevation and climate ...... 4 1.3.3 Vegetation ...... 4 1.3.4 History of land use...... 6 1.4 PROJECT TEAM ...... 6 2 METHODS ...... 7 2.1 PRE-EXISTING FAUNA DATA ...... 7 2.1.1 Major sources of non-systematic records ...... 7 2.1.2 Systematic fauna survey data ...... 7 2.2 SURVEY SITE SELECTION...... 8 2.2.1 Desktop gap analyses and selection of priority areas for survey...... 8 2.2.2 Fine scale selection of survey sites...... 8 2.3 SURVEY TECHNIQUES ...... 9 2.3.1 Systematic site-based methods ...... 9 2.3.2 Transect based methods...... 11 2.3.3 Opportunistic methods ...... 11 2.4 SURVEY TIMING ...... 12 2.5 SURVEY SITE LOCATIONS...... 12 3 FAUNA SPECIES INVENTORY AND OVERVIEW OF SURVEY RESULTS ...... 17 3.1 REVIEW OF PRE-EXISTING FAUNA RECORDS ...... 17 3.2 FAUNA SPECIES INVENTORY...... 20 3.2.1 Amphibians...... 20 3.2.2 Reptiles...... 21 3.2.3 Native diurnal birds...... 22 3.2.4 Nocturnal birds ...... 23 3.2.5 Arboreal mammals ...... 24 3.2.6 Native ground mammals ...... 24 3.2.7 Bats ...... 25 3.3 INTRODUCED SPECIES ...... 26 3.3.1 Introduced mammals...... 26 3.3.2 Predator scat analysis ...... 27 3.3.3 Introduced birds...... 27 3.4 ADDITIONAL SPECIES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO OCCUR ...... 27 4 PROFILES OF THREATENED AND PEST SPECIES ...... 29 4.1 THREATENED SPECIES...... 30 Giant Burrowing Frog ...... 30 Red-crowned Toadlet ...... 31 ii The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Rosenberg’s Goanna ...... 32 Broad-headed Snake ...... 33 Black Bittern ...... 36 Gang-gang Cockatoo...... 37 Glossy Black-cockatoo...... 38 Turquoise Parrot ...... 39 Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies)...... 40 Speckled Warbler...... 41 Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies) ...... 42 Regent Honeyeater ...... 43 Grey-Crowned Babbler (eastern subspecies)...... 44 Barking Owl...... 47 Powerful Owl ...... 48 Masked Owl ...... 49 Sooty Owl ...... 50 Spotted-tailed Quoll...... 52 Brush-tailed Phascogale ...... 54 Koala ...... 55 Eastern Pygmy-possum...... 56 Yellow-bellied Glider ...... 57 Squirrel Glider ...... 58 Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby...... 59 Grey-headed Flying-fox...... 63 East-coast Freetail-bat...... 64 Large-eared Pied Bat ...... 65 Little Bentwing-bat...... 66 Eastern Bentwing-bat...... 67 Greater Broad-nosed Bat...... 68 4.2 PEST SPECIES...... 71 Common Starling ...... 71 Feral Deer ...... 72 Feral Deer ...... 73 Feral Cat ...... 74 Feral Goat ...... 75 Feral Pig ...... 76 Fox ...... 77 Rabbit ...... 78 Wild Dog ...... 79 5 PRIORITIES FOR FAUNA CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT...... 82 5.1 THREATENED SPECIES CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES ...... 82 5.2 THREATENING PROCESSES ...... 86 5.3 RELATIVE PRIORITY OF FAUNA HABITATS...... 88 6 SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS...... 94 6.1 PEST SPECIES...... 94 6.1.1 Fox ...... 94 6.1.2 Wild Dog...... 95 6.1.3 Feral herbivores ...... 95 6.1.4 Common Starling ...... 96 6.2 FIRE MANAGEMENT AND FAUNA ...... 96 6.3 ECOLOGICAL REHABILITATION AND RESTORATION...... 97 6.4 OFF-RESERVE CONSERVATION ...... 98 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Reserves – Final Report iii 6.4.1 Co-operative pest management ...... 98 6.4.2 Community awareness and involvement ...... 98 6.5 LAND ACQUISITION PRIORITIES FOR FAUNA...... 99 6.6 FURTHER SURVEY AND MONITORING ...... 99 6.6.1 Threatened species projects ...... 99 6.6.2 Other future work...... 100 REFERENCES ...... 102 APPENDIX A – LOCATION OF SURVEY SITES ...... 115 APPENDIX B – FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA..... 138 APPENDIX C – FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED AROUND (BUT NOT WITHIN) SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA ...... 145 LIST OF MAPS MAP 1: LOCATION OF STUDY AREA AND SURROUNDING CONSERVATION AREAS ...... 2

MAP 2: STATEWIDE VEGETATION CLASSES WITHIN SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA...... 5

MAP 3: LOCATION OF SYSTEMATIC FAUNA SURVEY SITES IN SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA ...... 13

MAP 4: THREATENED HERPETOFAUNA RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES...... 35

MAP 5: PART ONE OF THREATENED DIURNAL BIRD RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES ...... 45

MAP 6: PART TWO OF THREATENED DIURNAL BIRD RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES ...... 46

MAP 7: THREATENED NOCTURNAL BIRD RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES...... 51

MAP 8: THREATENED ARBOREAL MAMMAL RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES...... 61

MAP 9: THREATENED GROUND MAMMAL RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES...... 62

MAP 10: PART ONE OF THREATENED BAT RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES...... 69

MAP 11: PART TWO OF THREATENED BAT RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES...... 70

MAP 12: INTRODUCED BIRD RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES...... 72

MAP 13: INTRODUCED HERBIVORE RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES...... 80

MAP 14: INTRODUCED CARNIVORE AND OMNIVORE RECORDS WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES OF THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES ...... 81

MAP 15: INTERIM HIGH PRIORITY FAUNA HABITATS IN THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES BASED ON LOCATION AND HABITAT PREFERENCES OF HIGH PRIORITY THREATENED FAUNA SPECIES...... 93 iv The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report

LIST OF TABLES TABLE 1: SYSTEMATIC FAUNA SURVEY EFFORT PRIOR TO JULY 2006...... 8

TABLE 2: TIMING OF BSP 2006-07 SYSTEMATIC FAUNA SURVEYS WITHIN SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA...... 12

TABLE 3: VEGETATION TYPES WITHIN SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA AND CORRESPONDING ALLOCATION OF SYSTEMATIC FAUNA SURVEY EFFORT AS AT JULY 2007 ...... 14

TABLE 4: FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED ON ATLAS OF NSW WILDLIFE FOR WHICH THERE IS SOME DOUBT ABOUT THEIR CURRENT OCCURRENCE IN THE STUDY AREA AND THAT HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SPECIES INVENTORY PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT...... 17

TABLE 5: NUMBER OF VERTEBRATE FAUNA KNOWN TO OCCUR IN SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA...... 20

TABLE 6: ADDITIONAL SPECIES THAT HAVE BEEN RECORDED WITHIN FIVE KILOMETRES AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO OCCUR IN THE STUDY AREA...... 28

TABLE 7: THREATENED FAUNA SPECIES CONFIDENTLY RECORDED WITHIN SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA, THEIR RELATIVE MANAGEMENT PRIORITY, KEY LOCATIONS AND POTENTIAL THREATS...... 83

TABLE 8: RELATIVE PRIORITY AND KEY LOCATIONS OF KEY THREATENING PROCESSES86

TABLE 9: OTHER THREATENING PROCESSES ACTING IN THE SOUTHERN YENGO AND PARR RESERVES ...... 87

TABLE 10: VEGETATION COMMUNITIES IN WHICH HIGH PRIORITY THREATENED FAUNA WERE RECORDED DURING SYSTEMATIC SURVEYS (OTHER SURVEYS EXCLUDED DUE TO LOWER LEVEL OF SPATIAL ACCURACY)...... 90

TABLE 11: SUMMARY OF INTERIM HIGH PRIORITY FAUNA HABITATS WITHIN SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA...... 92

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Reserves – Final Report v

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PROJECT RATIONALE

The Central Branch of the Parks and Wildlife Group of the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) has established a biodiversity survey priorities (BSP) program for DECC managed estate within the Branch. This program recognises that information which documents the biodiversity values held within reserves is fundamental to successful reserve management and to generating an improved understanding of the contribution reserves make to the protection of vegetation communities, plant and animal populations and their habitats. Currently there is only sparse and incomplete information that describes the role reserves play in ensuring the viability of fauna species across large regions and local areas. Typically the largest reserves, which potentially offer a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation, are the most poorly understood and the most deficient in data quality and quantity. The BSP program goes some way towards addressing this information shortfall by surveying the most poorly known reserves first and combining this work with larger regional conservation assessment projects. Currently the Hunter and Central Coast region is the focus of considerable biodiversity assessment and environmental planning investigation. In terms of human population it represents one of the fastest growing regions in the state and extreme pressures are being placed on many habitats. Knowledge of the values of the large sandstone reserves that fringe the southern Hunter and Goulburn Valleys is fundamental to understanding the conservation priorities for many species. In 2003, Yengo National Park and Parr State Conservation Area were recognised as having low levels of information on their fauna values (NPWS 2003a) and hence as a priority for wildlife survey. The northern section of Yengo National Park (Hunter Range Area) was the subject of study in 2004-05, following which a report on The Vertebrate Fauna of Northern Yengo National Park was produced (DEC 2005a). The adjacent northern Wollemi National Park was surveyed in 2004-05 (DEC 2005b) and 2005-06 (DEC 2006a). Southern Yengo National Park (Yango Area) was the next priority, and together with Parr State Conservation Area was the focus of study in 2006-07.

1.2 PROJECT AIMS

The specific objectives of the 2006-07 project were to: • Document, review and collate pre-existing data on terrestrial vertebrate fauna. • Carry out field sampling of all terrestrial vertebrate fauna groups using systematic, replicable techniques to establish a baseline data set. • Store this systematic survey data in corporate databases to make it accessible to land managers and the broader community for use in conservation planning and biodiversity monitoring. • Identify broad-scale patterns in fauna occurrence and habitat use across the study area and identify habitats of particular conservation significance. • Identify and profile threatened fauna species, pest species, and regionally significant fauna that are known or likely to occur. The 2006-07 program and report are designed to accompany DEC (2005a) and together provide comprehensive information on vertebrate fauna across the entire Yengo National Park and Parr SCA.

1.3 STUDY AREA

The study area extends from Howes Valley trail in the north to roughly the Hawkesbury and Colo Rivers in the south, and between the Great North Road and Putty Road to the east and west respectively. It encompasses approximately 155 720 hectares of land (120 080 of southern Yengo National Park (NP) and 35 640 of Parr State Conservation Area (SCA). This area is located approximately 25 kilometres north of Windsor and 70 kilometres north-west of the Sydney metropolitan area (Map 1).

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 1 Map 1: Location of study area and surrounding conservation areas

2 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report The vast majority of the study area lies within the catchment of the Hawkesbury River, with southern Yengo draining largely via the Macdonald River (and a small section in the west via Wollemi Creek) and Parr SCA draining via Webbs Creek. The far north-eastern section of the study area (north-east of the Yengo trail) drains via Wollombi Brook into the Hunter River.

Wollemi NP lies along the entire western boundary, with a few private lands north and south of Gibba Swamp. Comleroy State Forest lays to the south, and beyond that the Hawkesbury River and the Cumberland Plain. The southern boundaries of the park adjoin the outer fringes of the Sydney area, which are undergoing an increase in human population and changing from rural to more urban land uses. The south-eastern corner of the study area abuts Dharug NP. The eastern boundary is formed by the watershed of the Macdonald River, with the catchment of Mangrove Creek Dam in the south- east and the commencement of the Wollombi Valley in the north-east. To the north lies the remainder of Yengo National Park.

Yengo National Park forms part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in November 2000. Yengo NP and Parr SCA, together with nearby areas of crown, lease and freehold land, were nominated as a wilderness area under the Wilderness Act (1987). An assessment carried out under the Act in 2001 identified the large majority of the study area as meeting wilderness criteria (NPWS 2001a), however no declaration has yet been made. Yengo NP and Parr SCA are important members of the system of reserves that preserve the sandstone-based links between the Sydney, Hunter and Central West regions of New South Wales.

1.3.1 Biogeography, geology, geomorphology and soils The study area lays roughly in the centre a distinct environmental region known as the Sydney Basin Bioregion (Thackway and Cresswell 1995). This Bioregion extends from just north of Batemans Bay to Nelson Bay on the central coast, and almost as far west as Mudgee (inset Map 1). The Bioregion is characterised by a temperate climate with warm summers and no dry season (NPWS 2003b). This bioregion has been further divided into ‘landscapes’ by Mitchell (2002), based on patterns in geology, landform and environmental influences. These landscapes form a useful basis for understanding the broad environmental patterns across the study area, as they are likely to influence fauna species.

The study area lies on the north-western edge of the Hornsby Plateau, which extends eastwards to the coast and is bounded to the west by the higher Blue Mountains Plateau. A small portion on the western edge of Yengo National Park is part of the Mellong Plateau, a structural anomaly located between the Blue Mountains and Hornsby Plateaux. The study area is composed of layers of sedimentary rock which gently tilt upward towards the north. The oldest exposed stratum is the Narrabeen Series, comprised primarily of sandstone but also holding bands of fine-grained shale (Sanders et al. 1988). This Series is visible only along the major gullies and river valleys such as the Macdonald River and its major tributaries, as well as Yengo, Mogo and Webbs Creeks. Narrabeen sandstones tend to weather to form large vertical cliff faces with shale benches. The ‘Upper Macdonald Valleys’ Mitchell landscape primarily comprises this region.

The Hawkesbury Sandstone, which overlies the Narrabeen Series is the predominant geological type across the study area. These rocks are mainly sandstone, but also include some small lenses of mudstone and siltstone (Sanders et al. 1988). The Hawkesbury sediments tend to weather to form smaller sloping rock faces. ‘Howes Range’ Mitchell landscape is dominated by Hawkesbury Sandstone and makes up the large majority of the study area. In the central east, this landscape gives way to the ‘Bucketty Ridges’, which receive a higher average annual rainfall. In the south east the ‘Macdonald Ranges’ landscape occurs, differing from ‘Howes Range’ by the coastal influence on weather patterns and hence higher rainfall. ‘Macdonald Ranges’ includes small areas of the Narrabeen Series and alluvial deposits along Wrights Creek.

Both Hawkesbury and Narrabeen Sandstone topography is characterised by narrow rocky ridges, often bounded by rock-faces, above stepped slopes that also feature rock outcrops. Erosion of the rock-faces has resulted in the formation of caves, vertical fissures, overhangs and crevices. South and south-east facing slopes are generally steeper than north and north-west facing slopes (Sanders et al. 1988). Soils derived from Narrabeen and Hawkesbury Sandstones are generally sandy (though they can have as much as 30 % clay content) and are characterised by low nutrient levels. These soils erode quickly and thus tend to be shallow to skeletal on ridgetops, but deeper on benches or at the bottom of slopes. Shale lenses within these layers form deeper, more clayey soils.

The youngest sedimentary rocks in the study area are deposits of shale of the Wianamatta Group, which lie above the Hawkesbury Sandstones. These are very restricted in extent, primarily occurring

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 3 in the far south of the Parr SCA, along Wheelbarrow Ridge and around Colo Heights. The soils that arise from this parent material are clayey with relatively high fertility. The Mitchell landscape comprising this geology is ‘Bilpin Ridges’.

Two types of Tertiary volcanic rocks occur within the study area. Mount Yengo is a basalt extrusion that towers high above the surrounding sandstone landscape. It is the only basalt cap mapped within the study area and erodes to form clay and clay-loam soil. This distinctive feature forms part of the ‘Sydney Basin Basalt Caps’ Mitchell landscape. More common, though still limited in distribution, are volcanic ‘diatremes’ that form part of the ‘Sydney Basin Diatremes’ landscape. These were formed as extinct volcanic vents eroded away faster than the surrounding sandstone into which they were intruded, often leaving saucer-shaped depressions and valleys (NPWS 2001a). These hollows are also known as ‘holes’, ‘craters’ or ‘clears’, and hold rich basalt-derived soils. Some examples within or immediately adjacent to the study area are the Terraborra, Pierces Hole, Mogo Hole and Frog Hollow. In the study area, diatremes are more common in Parr SCA.

The other major geological types in the study area are alluvial deposits, consisting mainly of deep sand. Quaternary alluvium occurs at the bottom of major valleys such as the Macdonald River, Mogo Creek and Webbs Creek, and forms the ‘Macdonald Channel and Floodplain’ Mitchell landscape. Quaternary alluvium also occurs on the Mellong Plateau at the Mellong Swamps. This area is of low relief and differs strikingly from the surrounding landscape. This area has been classified by Mitchell (2002) as the ‘Mellong Range’ and ‘Putty Sands’ landscapes. The soils in this latter area are referred to as ‘perched alluvium’ and ‘perched wet silty loams’ (Bell et al. 1993). The deep alluvium soils tend to have a moderate to high fertility, derived from accumulation of organic matter.

1.3.2 Elevation and climate Climate patterns across the study area are directly related to topography. Most of the of the area lies between 100 and 400 metres above sea level (asl), with the Mellong Range on the western boundary being the most extensive high plateau. The climate of Yengo NP and Parr SCA is typical of the Sydney Basin hinterlands at moderate to low elevations. Due to a ‘rainshadow’ effect, the parks receive lower rainfall than the coastal ranges to the east or the higher tableland areas to the west (DECC rainfall data). Annual rainfall is lowest in the north-west (averaging 750-850 millimetres per year) as this area is on the edge of the dry Hunter Valley. Annual rainfall is highest along Judge Dowling Range along the eastern boundary (980-1050 millimetres per year), and remains quite high in the Wrights Creek and Mogo Creek catchments (880-980 millimetres per year). Average annual rainfall gradually declines generally west of St Albans Common, being lowest through the central part of the Macdonald River catchment before rising again towards the Mellong Range. The highest elevation in the study area is Mount Yengo, which reaches over 600 metres asl. Mount Yengo receives more rainfall than the majority of the Macdonald River catchment due to local orographic effects. The Macdonald River, Yengo Creek and Webbs Creek Valleys sit mostly below 100 metres asl, dropping to about 30-odd metres asl before they flow onto private lands. 1.3.3 Vegetation

Concurrently with the 2006-07 wildlife surveys, a project was undertaken to describe and map the vegetation of Yengo NP and Parr SCA. This has resulted in the production of a detailed vegetation map (available in hard copy or as a GIS layer) and a corresponding report profiling each of the vegetation communities (DECC 2008a). These documents (available on the internet) provide detailed discussion of the vegetation of the study area and should be read in conjunction with this report to gain an understanding of the relationship between flora and fauna of the study area, and a description of vegetation communities and associations referred to herein. Map 2 presents a broad overview of vegetation in the study area by presenting the vegetation communities grouped into the Statewide Vegetation Classes used by Keith (2004).

4 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Map 2: Statewide Vegetation Classes within southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 5 1.3.4 History of land use

The study area has a long history of Aboriginal habitation. The Macdonald River area forms part of a territory identified with the Darkinjung people. Mount Yengo is a site of cultural significance to Darkinjung people (NPWS 2001b). Numerous Aboriginal art sites are located within the study area, and it is believed that many of these are connected in some way to Mount Yengo. In 2001 there were 648 Aboriginal sites recorded within Yengo and Parr and nearby lands. Aboriginal use of the natural resources of the study area are not well understood although some references are made by early explorers to Aboriginal burning practices (Parr 1817 in Macqueen 2004). It is highly likely that the well-watered and fertile environments would have been extensively used, with the remote and rugged environments providing sites of spiritual and cultural significance.

European settlement established quickly in the early 1800s due to the proximity of the area to Sydney. Early exploration identified the alluvial valleys of Webbs Creek and the Macdonald River as suitable for settlement and agriculture, while land away from the alluvial flats was recognised as sterile (Strom 1981). The rapid development of the Hunter Valley produced demands by the landed gentry for a land crossing between Sydney and Newcastle to overcome the dependency on sea transport. Between 1810 and 1830 explorers such as Parr, Howe, Morisset, Blaxland and Finch traversed routes across the study area in search of an easy passage to the Hunter Valley. Some of these remain today including the Putty Road in the west and the Great North Road in the east. Access opened up areas for grazing at Colo Heights, the Putty Valley and Boree, as well as rough grazing near watered sites in the diatremes and flats of the sandstone plateau itself. Agricultural endeavours are still in practice in these areas today. Clearing of ‘Big Yengo’ took place in the years up to the early 1900s, after being settled in 1851. Wild Cattle have been known from the Big Yango area since the early 1900s, while domestic Cattle were farmed on Big Yango, Nowlands and Timor holdings until 2000 (NPWS 2001a). Evidence of past land uses on marginal lands is still present across the Yengo and Parr reserves. While much of this disturbance is localised to small diatremes and alluvial flats, it remains a testament to how far and remote early settlers were prepared to search for suitable lands.

Timber getting took hold in the area after the 1950s after an extensive system of fire-trails was built by the army shortly after the Second World War (Sanders et al. 1988). Until then, selective logging had supplied landowners with timber for housing, fencing and firewood. Mechanised harvesting techniques targeted Ironbarks, Blue Gums, Turpentine, Stringybarks and Blackbutt and fed sawmills located in Colo Heights, Putty and Muswellbrook. With the declaration of the Yengo and Parr reserves in 1989 logging ceased. However, evidence of logging remains in a large number of gully systems, where regrowth stands of Sydney Blue Gum, Narrow-leaved Ironbark or Blackbutt occur.

Other localised land uses include mining of blue metal and road base from Mogo Creek and Boree Track, and sand mining at the Mellong Swamps near the western boundary of the study area. Bushrock collecting appears to have been an intensive practice along some of the ridges of the western and southern portions of the study area (NPWS 2001b).

1.4 PROJECT TEAM

Elizabeth Magarey, Daniel Connolly and Martin Schulz were primarily responsible for the management of this project. Elizabeth Magarey undertook field survey planning and logistics, report writing and map production. 2006-07 (BSP) field surveys were undertaken by Narawan Williams, Clive Heywood Barker, Martin Schulz, Elizabeth Magarey, Alexander Dudley, Lucinda Ransom, Richard Colbourne, Catherine Gallery and Jeff Betteridge. 1997 (CRA) field surveys were undertaken by Debbie Andrew, Clive Heywood Barker, Alexander Dudley, David Geering, Jeremy Little, Michael Murray, Dick Turner, Richard Wells, Arthur White and Ray Williams. Staff of the Yango Area and Central Coast Hunter Range Region provided assistance in planning and logistical support. Valuable comments on earlier drafts of this report were provided by Daniel Connolly, Doug Beckers, Narawan Williams and Martin Schulz. Kerry Oakes designed the report cover and formatted the report.

6 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 2 METHODS

2.1 PRE-EXISTING FAUNA DATA

2.1.1 Major sources of non-systematic records The Atlas of NSW Wildlife is the state’s major fauna database and was the primary resource used to access existing data on the fauna of the study area. A number of sightings have been entered into the Atlas over several decades. Opportunistic records within the Atlas of NSW Wildlife derive from observations made by: park rangers and field officers; bushwalkers and naturalists; scientific researchers working in the area; neighbouring landholders and other visitors to the park; and the specimen register of the Australian Museum. These records have various levels of reliability depending on the type of observation, as well as the certainty and identification experience of the observer.

In addition to the above, several dedicated surveys have been undertaken, either on a small scale or for particular fauna groups or species. Only a limited amount of the data from these studies has been stored in the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. Where possible, results from these surveys have been included in the discussion of species occurrence and distributions in this report. The known surveys are summarised below. • Bird surveys by the Royal Australian Ornithologists Union (RAOU) (undertaken between 1977 and 1981; Blakers et al. 1984) and by Birds Australia (undertaken in 1999 and 2000; Barrett et al. 2003). RAOU data is at a course spatial scale and there is no guarantee that all or even any of these sightings actually occurred at the given point locality. Consequently some of this bird data presents a misleading picture of the species composition of the study area. Seven point localities for these surveys lie within the study area. Most of the records collected by Birds Australia have a higher degree of spatial accuracy and are more useful for the purposes of this project. Observations arising from this data were sourced from major access points, particularly along the Putty Road, in the lower Macdonald River Valley, in the north-east of the study area near Mogo Creek and Stockyard Creek, and in the vicinity if Big Yango Station. • Microbat and herpetofauna survey of Yengo NP (Kendall and Kendall 1995). Sites of this survey are located in the southern half of the study area, between St Albans and Bucketty as well as around Terraborra and Pierces Hole diatremes. • Survey for Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in Yengo NP and Parr SCA, undertaken in 1995 (Rummery et al. 1995). • Survey for Koala in Yengo NP and Parr SCA. This involved a community questionnaire and a field survey based on scat searches (Curtin et al. 2002). • Survey for Broad-headed Snake as part of an honours research project. This involved actively searching thirty 10 x 100 metre transects along ridges or rock shelfs (Baker 2003). • Elliott trapping, Cage trapping, hair tube surveys, nocturnal call playback census and microbat surveys on Big Yango Station, as part of a study by T. Horwood, DECC Yango Area Manager. • Twice yearly monitoring of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in the form of scat searches at Mogo Creek, Yondy, Cobblers Peg and Big Yango, undertaken by DECC Yango Area staff. • Twice-yearly sand-pad surveys along tracks in St Albans area and Big Yango area, undertaken by DECC Yango Area staff. These surveys primarily record feral predator usage of the tracks. • Surveys for Wild Dogs and Dingoes using soft-jaw traps, by DECC Yango Area staff. These surveys included genetic testing of captured animals.

2.1.2 Systematic fauna survey data

Prior to the current study a few projects had included implementation of systematic fauna survey techniques in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA (Table 1, see Section 2.3 for technique description).

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 7 Table 1: Systematic fauna survey effort prior to July 2006

y Diurnal bird survey herpetofauna Diurnal spotlighting site Nocturnal surve trapping Harp Bat ultrasonic call recording Nocturnal streamside search Nocturnal call playback A trapping Elliott Number or records stored in Atlas Locations sites of Timing of Survey

Comprehensive 35 33 1 8 38 8 46 2 1446 Womerah Track, February to Regional Gorricks Creek November Assessment Track, Howes 1997 Surveys Range Track, Boree Track & Yengo Track

Biodiversity Survey 1 3 4 5 0 0 3 2 162 Howes Valley January and Priorities Year 2: Track May 2005 Northern Yengo National Park

Total 36 36 5 13 38 8 49 4 1608

2.2 SURVEY SITE SELECTION

The aim of the fauna survey site selection process was to proportionately sample the full range of habitat types contained within Yengo NP and Parr SCA. The process of site selection involved several steps, as summarised below. 2.2.1 Desktop gap analyses and selection of priority areas for survey

Prior to the commencement of the current project, 78 systematic fauna survey sites had been established as part of the CRA and BSP Year 2 survey programs. The site selection process ensured that the data collected in 2006-07 would complement, rather than duplicate, this work. A series of analyses were undertaken to identify gaps in the existing fauna data set. These included:

• Identification of ‘spatial gaps’ in systematic fauna survey effort across the whole of Yengo NP and Parr SCA.

• Identification of Mitchell Landscapes that were under sampled by systematic survey in proportion to their size across the whole of Yengo NP and Parr SCA.

• Identification of vegetation types as mapped by Bell et al. (1993) that were under sampled by systematic survey in proportion to the amount of area they occupy across the whole of Yengo NP and Parr SCA.

• Identification of spatial gaps in the distribution of fauna sightings, including both systematic and opportunistic records.

2.2.2 Fine scale selection of survey sites

These four gap analyses led to the identification of five priority areas for fauna survey. The actual locations of survey sites within these areas were then chosen using a combination of desktop and on- ground techniques. An effort was made to sample the full topographic variation within each priority area (i.e. to sample the range of aspects and positions in the landscape from exposed ridgeline to most sheltered gorge), and in conjunction to sample all vegetation communities present within each priority area, as identified using API and on-ground truthing.

Proposed site locations were ground-truthed to ensure that they were representative of the intended stratum, had been minimally affected by recent burning or other habitat modification, and comprised a

8 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report single vegetation community. If these criteria were not met, an alternative location was found. Systematic survey sites were 100 by 200 metres in area, and where possible were spaced a minimum of one kilometre from each other (two kilometres for nocturnal call playback surveys). In some cases during hikes, due to the terrain and the time taken to walk between sites, survey sites were placed closer than one kilometre. In this case, care was taken to ensure that adjacent sites sampled different habitats and that animals were never double counted.

2.3 SURVEY TECHNIQUES

The systematic fauna survey methods used were based on those developed by the NPWS Biodiversity Survey Coordination Unit (NPWS 1997). The techniques were used to sample the following vertebrate fauna groups: diurnal and nocturnal birds, diurnal and nocturnal reptiles, bats, arboreal mammals, amphibians, and terrestrial mammals. Consistency in the use of these techniques allows comparison between fauna species detected across different vegetation types and environments within the study area. Furthermore, it will allow comparisons with future consistent surveys of the park and of environments elsewhere. Field survey teams were supplied with field proformas to facilitate comprehensive, consistent recording of field data and to increase accuracy and efficiency of data entry into the DECC Biodiversity Subsystem (BSS) of the Atlas of NSW Wildlife computer database. The names of observers and recorders were noted on every data sheet to aid data verification and entry. 2.3.1 Systematic site-based methods Site attributes A site attribute form, aiming to characterise fauna habitat, was filled out at every systematic site where survey techniques were conducted. A 20 by 20 metre quadrat typical of the overall 100 by 200 metre site was used for the assessment. The site attribute locates and describes the site in a format that is comparable to other sites. Data relating to physio-geographic, disturbance, structural and floristic, microhabitat and stream categories were recorded. Standard codes provided by the Australian Soil and Land Survey Handbook (McDonald et al. 1990), particularly for vegetation (i.e. Walker and Hopkins 1990) were used wherever possible. Diurnal bird survey Diurnal bird censuses comprised a twenty-minute observation and listening search within a two hectare (100 by 200 metre) area, conducted by an experienced bird surveyor. Censuses were conducted only during periods of relatively high bird activity (usually in the early morning) and reasonable detectability (e.g. low wind and cicada activity). Almost all surveys were undertaken in spring and summer. All bird species and the abundance of individuals seen or heard were recorded. Individuals were scored as on-site if they were detected within the two hectare plot. Individuals recorded outside the plot, in adjacent vegetation types or flying overhead were recorded as off-site. Diurnal herpetofauna search A standard half hectare (50 by 100 metre) area was searched for one person-hour at each site (standardised regardless of the number of persons searching). Censuses were restricted to spring and summer during the period between mid-morning to late afternoon, when temperature and insolation are sufficient to ensure maximum reptile activity. Surveying was not conducted on overcast or rainy days or in extreme heat. This census technique entailed active searching of potential reptile and frog microhabitats within the half hectare area. Active or basking reptiles were identified by sight or captured and identified by the use of keys. Sheltering or cryptic species were detected by searching around, under and within fallen logs, litter, decorticating and fallen bark, rock outcrops and other likely shelter sites. Incidental observations of other fauna were also recorded. Nocturnal site spotlighting survey This census comprised searching for arboreal mammals along a 200 metre transect within a site for half a person hour. Fifty watt spotlights were used to scan the vegetation for animals and enable detection of reflected eye shine. Surveyors also listened intently for fauna calls during the survey period. All fauna observed or heard within the census period were recorded, noting whether they were on or off site.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 9 Harp trapping While ultrasonic recorders were used principally to detect high-flying bat species, collapsible bat traps, known as harp traps (Tidemann and Woodside 1978), captured low-flying species. Two nights of trapping were conducted at each bat trap site, in spring and summer. Sites were selected for their perceived potential to interrupt bats along their flight paths, and were usually positioned on tracks or creeklines or in gaps between trees where adjacent vegetation may ‘funnel’ flying bats. Traps were checked each morning. Captured bats were identified by external morphology, forearm measurement and body weight, and keyed out where necessary using Parnaby (1992a) and Churchill (1998). Animals were released on the following night at the point of capture. Bat ultrasonic (‘Anabat’) call recording Ultrasonic recorders (Corben 1989) are particularly useful for detection of high-flying species, which often comprise more than one third of an area’s bat species (Parnaby 1992b), yet are under sampled by harp trapping (Richards 1992). Additionally, ultrasonic detectors also record low-flying species. The method requires the recording and identification of high frequency, echo-location “calls” made by bats, which, except for one or two species, are ultrasonic, that is, inaudible to humans. All recordings were made during spring and summer, when bat activity is highest. CRA The recording equipment for the surveys consisted of an Anabat II® detector and a tape recorder. Census duration was 30 minutes. Censuses were conducted between dusk and up to two hours after dusk, a peak activity period for microchiropteran bats. A 40 kilohertz calibration tone was recorded for a few seconds at the start and end of each recording session and sometimes at intervals during the recording period. BSP The recording equipment for the surveys consisted of an Anabat II® detector and digital flash card recorder, housed within a Tupperware box for weather protection. The box was set up in locations where bats were expected to fly, such as over water bodies, at cave entrances and along tracks. The Anabat was set to commence detection at dusk and turn off at dawn. During the night, a delay switch operated to turn on the recording device when bat activity was detected and then de-activate the device while no bat activity was occurring. The equipment was left in each location for one night only, then moved elsewhere. A 40 kilohertz calibration tone was recorded for a few Plate 1: Anabat in place on Mellong Plateau © E. Magarey/DECC seconds at the start and end of each recording session. Anabat recordings were transferred onto computer and analysed by Narawan Williams, a recognised expert in this field. Troublesome calls were further verified by Michael Pennay. Identification was designated as definite, probable or possible, following the methodology of Parnaby (1992b) and Pennay et al. (2004). Reference calls were collected for a number of species in order to document local call patterns and to assist with the identification and verification of non-reference calls. Nocturnal streamside search Streamside searches for frogs were undertaken for half a person hour in one of two ways: in stream or gully habitats a 200 metre stretch was searched; at standing water bodies a half hectare (50 by 100 metre) area was surveyed. The searches were only conducted on warm, dark, humid and wet nights or nights within two days of rain. All frogs, and other animals, identified visually or by call within the time period were recorded, together with the weather conditions at the time of the survey.

10 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Nocturnal call playback Nocturnal birds and mammals are often detected only when they vocalise for territory or social contact, behaviour which can be elicited by broadcasting specific calls. A standard survey census involved broadcasting the calls of each of the four large forest owls - Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua), Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) Sooty Owl (T. tenebricosa) and Barking Owl (N. connivens) - from the centre of a site. Prior to call broadcasts, on arrival at the site, the surrounding area was searched by spotlight for five minutes to detect any fauna in the immediate vicinity and then a ten minute period of listening was undertaken. A pre-recorded compact disc of each species’ call series was played, amplified through a megaphone. Calls of each species were played for five minutes, followed by a five minute listening period. The surrounding area was again searched by spotlight after a final ten minute listening period. After the census, the response or presence of any fauna, date and time that response occurred, and weather details such as amount of cloud cover was recorded. Very windy and rainy periods were avoided where possible. Censuses conducted in poor weather were noted. Censuses were undertaken in autumn and winter. Elliott trapping This technique involved setting ten Elliott A traps at approximately twenty metre intervals along a 200 metre transect through a site. Traps were baited with a mixture of peanut butter, oats and honey. Traps were left in place for four nights, checked and emptied every morning soon after dawn. Any animals captured within the traps were identified, sexed if possible, and released. Hair tube sampling During CRA, twenty large hair-sampling tubes (nine centimetre diameter, after Scotts and Craig 1988) were placed at 100 metres intervals along a two kilometre transect. Alternate tubes were baited with meat or a mixture of peanut butter, honey and rolled oats. During BSP ten large hair-sampling tubes were placed at approximately twenty metre intervals along a 200 metre transect. All tubes were baited with a mixture of peanut butter, honey, rolled oats and sardines. In both cases each tube was fitted with adhesive paper to collect hairs of small and medium sized mammals that were attracted to the bait. Tubes were left on site for a minimum of ten nights. Hair samples were identified using the techniques described by Brunner and Coman (1974) by an expert in the field, Barbara Triggs. Identifications were classified into three levels of reliability: definite, probable and possible. Pitfall trapping A minimal amount of pitfall trapping was undertaken in an attempt to sample ground-dwelling reptiles and mammals on the Mellong plateau. This technique involved placing five 20 litre buckets into the ground at approximately five metre intervals. The buckets were buried flush with the ground, and connected by shade-cloth fencing designed to divert animals into the traps. Pitfall traps were left in place for between three and four nights. Traps were checked shortly before dusk and after dawn each day, upon which captured animals were identified, sexed if possible, and released. 2.3.2 Transect based methods Transect spotlighting survey The method employed varied on a site by site basis, and was only undertaken during the CRA surveys. A team of two surveyors walked or drove along a transect, varying between 300 metres and eight kilometres in length, searching for arboreal mammals with 50 watt spotlights. An AMG was calculated for each sighting along the transect and entered into the data sheet. 2.3.3 Opportunistic methods Predator and herbivore scat and pellet collection The presence of hairs, and occasionally skeletal remains, in predator scats and owl pellets can result in the identification of prey species at a high level of confidence and is hence an efficient sampling technique for prey animals. In addition, the recording of predator or non-predator scats constitutes records for the species that deposits the scat, providing locality records for species such as the Spotted-tailed Quoll, Fox, Dingo, Wild Dog and Pig. Due to the unmeasurable time delay between prey ingestion and defecation, the location in which the prey animals lived cannot be accurately known, so this technique is useful only for detecting the species presence within a general area. However, it has been shown previously that predators defecate an average of two kilometres from the point of prey ingestion (Lunney et al. 2002).

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 11 Predator scats were collected, placed in paper envelopes, labelled and sent to specialist Barbara Triggs for analysis. Hair samples were identified using the techniques described by Brunner and Coman (1974). Identifications were classified into three levels of reliability: definite, probable and possible. The location of herbivore scats was also noted on an opportunistic basis to indicate the presence of an animal. If there was any doubt in herbivore scat identification in the field, samples were brought back for identification by an expert. Searches of caves and overhangs When come across, caves and overhangs were thoroughly searched with a head torch for animals such as cave-roosting bats, geckos and nesting birds. Incidental records Surveyors driving or walking through the study area recorded the location of interesting fauna when it was seen or heard. Particular animals targeted by this technique were those under-sampled by systematic surveys, including large ground mammals, non-vocalising birds, and secretive, shy and/or rare animals. The date, time, map grid location (usually obtained from a GPS (Geographic Positioning System)) and microhabitat of the animal were recorded on a data sheet.

2.4 SURVEY TIMING

Table 2 summarises the timing of the 2006-07 BSP surveys and the techniques that were undertaken in each period. Table 2: Timing of BSP 2006-07 systematic fauna surveys within southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA Survey program Timing Techniques employed

Biodiversity Survey Priorities Year 4 September – November Diurnal bird census, reptile search, site spotlighting, all (BSP) 2006 night bat call detection, harp trapping, nocturnal call playback, nocturnal streamside search, Elliott trapping, pitfall trapping, opportunistic methods March – May 2007 Nocturnal call playback, hair tubes, opportunistic methods, a single diurnal bird census

2.5 SURVEY SITE LOCATIONS

For the 2006-07 project, DECC established and surveyed 212 systematic survey sites. Map 3 shows the location of these survey sites, together with the 78 systematic survey sites established during the CRA, 2004-05 BSP, Mixophyes and Yango Area fauna surveys. A breakdown of sites by technique type and vegetation type is presented in Table 3. Appendix A provides the specific AMG (Australian Map Grid) and the survey techniques undertaken at each site. The tables and map include all systematic surveys undertaken within the study area by DECC between 1997 and 2007 (i.e. during both CRA and BSP programs).

12 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Map 3: Location of systematic fauna survey sites in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 13 Table 3: Vegetation types within southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA and corresponding allocation of systematic fauna survey effort as at July 2007 Diurnal bird survey Diurnal bird survey search Diurnal herpetofauna survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping recording call Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback Nocturnal call Elliott A trapping sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Vegetation Type (DECC 2008a) Area (hectares, approx. only)

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow Bloodwood Woodland 40041.9 17 24 12 10 14 1 36 4 5

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple Forest 32552.3 23 17 12 11 8 12 2 1

Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 17158.3 12 13 8 5 2 2

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 16485.9 13 7 9 11 10 1 9 2 2 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum-Turpentine Gully Forest 13176.1 15 11 9 2 3 3 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered Turpentine-Apple Forest 10963.4 15 12 7 1 4 1 6 2

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum Forest 5862.0 5 4 2 1 2 1 5

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Scribbly Gum Woodland 5251.5 1 1 2 1 2 1

Hunter Range Flats Apple-Stringybark-Gum Forest 3176.7 7 10 6 3 1 2 3

Hunter Range Exposed Stringybark-Grey Gum Woodland 3163.5 1 4 1 2 1

Hunter Range Hillgrove Gum Gully Forest 1847.2 3 2 3 1 1 1

Mellong Sands Scribbly Gum Woodland 1138.2 5 3 3 3 1

Sydney Hinterland Dwarf Apple Scrub 1076.2 4 4 2 1 2

Sydney Hinterland Bloodwood-Mahogany Transition Forest 694.4 5 2 4 1 1

Cleared Lands 642.9 2 2 1 3 6 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered Turpentine-Blackbutt Forest 544.4 2 1 2 1 1

14 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Diurnal bird survey Diurnal bird survey search Diurnal herpetofauna survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping recording call Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback Nocturnal call Elliott A trapping sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Vegetation Type (DECC 2008a) Area (hectares, approx. only)

Mellong Sands Drooping Red Gum Sedge Woodland 424.1 4 4 4 1 3 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sandstone Riparian Complex 246.0 2 3 1 1

Hunter Range Grey Myrtle Dry Rainforest 191.1 2 2 1

Hunter Range Basalt Red Gum-Grey Box Forest 171.2 3 3 2 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Warm Temperate Rainforest 155.7

Acacia Regeneration 141.0

Sydney Hinterland Rock Complex 135.9 1 1

Regenerating Trees and Shrubs 83.1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Diatreme Forest 60.7

Sydney Hinterland Shale Ironbark Forest 53.2

Hunter Range Footslopes Ironbark-Red Gum Forest 42.9

Hunter Range Stinging Tree Dry Rainforest 35.5 1 1 1 1 2 1

Coastal Riverflat Paperbark Thicket 11.5

Coastal River Oak Forest 11.2

Hunter Range Flats Freshwater Wetland 9.0

Coastal Riverflat Swamp Mahogany Forest 7.5 1 1 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 15 Diurnal bird survey Diurnal bird survey search Diurnal herpetofauna survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping recording call Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback Nocturnal call Elliott A trapping sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Vegetation Type (DECC 2008a) Area (hectares, approx. only)

Hunter Range Flats Paperbark Thicket 4.6

Sydney Hinterland Sandstone Upland Swamp 3.3 1 1

Water 2.4

Coastal Floodplain Wetland 1.1

Exotic Species 0.3

Coastal Estuarine Swamp Oak Forest 0.04

Total 155566 145 132 92 56 62 10 79 16 15 3

16 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report

3 FAUNA SPECIES INVENTORY AND OVERVIEW OF SURVEY RESULTS

3.1 REVIEW OF PRE-EXISTING FAUNA RECORDS All records of vertebrate fauna for the study area on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife were reviewed as part of this project. Several records were identified as having a low degree of spatial accuracy, or as potential mis- identifications or database errors. Other species were accurately recorded at the time of survey, but are now considered to be locally extinct. In order to make the species inventory provided in this report as accurate as possible, all species that have only been recorded during the first RAOU survey (between 1978 and 1981) have been excluded. This includes several sea-birds and water-birds for which habitat does not occur in the reserves. Table 4 provides a list of all species that have been removed from the fauna inventory given in Appendix B of this report, together with the reason for their removal. The species in Table 4 are presented here for reference, as it is possible that some of the species will be confirmed to occur in the study area in the future. This table includes escapees and vagrants recorded on one or two occasions, but that would not be residents or regular visitors to the area. Table 4: Fauna species recorded on Atlas of NSW Wildlife for which there is some doubt about their current occurrence in the study area and that have been removed from the species inventory provided in this report.

Scientific Name Common Name Reason for omission from species inventory

Adelotus brevis Tusked Frog Single record of low spatial accuracy from 1975 Single record only; potential mis-identification or Litoria freycineti Freycinet's Frog database error Tiliqua rugosa Shingleback Lizard Record of low spatial accuracy from 1988 Known from a single individual near Wisemans Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu Ferry that is an escaped farm animal. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Suitable habitat limited within the reserve proper. Anas castanea Chestnut Teal May utilise larger creeks in times of flood. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Aythya australis Hardhead Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Suitable habitat limited in reserve proper. May Cygnus atratus Black Swan utilise larger creeks in times of flood. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Poliocephalus poliocephalus Hoary-headed Grebe Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Daption capense Cape Petrel Sea-bird. No habitat in study area. Puffinus assimilis Little Shearwater Sea-bird. No habitat in study area. Puffinus tenuirostris Short-tailed Shearwater Sea-bird. No habitat in study area. Garrodia nereis Grey-backed Storm-Petrel Sea-bird. No habitat in study area. Sula leucogaster Brown Booby Sea-bird. No habitat in study area. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Anhinga melanogaster Darter Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Black Cormorant Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Pelecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 17 Scientific Name Common Name Reason for omission from species inventory Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Ardea alba Great Egret Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Ardea ibis Cattle Egret Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Ardea intermedia Intermediate Egret Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Ardea pacifica White-necked Heron Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Egretta garzetta Little Egret Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Platalea flavipes Yellow-billed Spoonbill Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Platalea regia Royal Spoonbill Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Threskiornis molucca Australian White Ibis Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Threskiornis spinicollis Straw-necked Ibis Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Circus approximans Swamp Harrier Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Falco longipennis Australian Hobby Suitable habitat limited in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Fulica atra Eurasian Coot Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Gallinula tenebrosa Dusky Moorhen Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Gallirallus philippensis Buff-banded Rail Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Porzana pusilla Baillon's Crake Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Elseyornis melanops Black-fronted Dotterel Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Larus novaehollandiae Silver Gull Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Columba livia Rock Dove Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-Dove Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Single record on edge of reserve in 1983. Suitable Cacatua tenuirostris Long-billed Corella habitat not present in reserve proper. Only occurs on edges of clearings, not in park Eolophus roseicapillus Galah proper. Recorded on the perimeter of Yengo NP with very low spatial accuracy in 1979. A dead animal was collected from St Albans common in 1991. This latter sighting was a vagrant animal; the species would occur in the study area or adjacent lands only on extremely rare occasions, such as during Tyto capensis Grass Owl times of drought (D. Hobcroft pers. comm.). Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Alcedo azurea Azure Kingfisher Suitable habitat limited in reserve proper.

18 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Scientific Name Common Name Reason for omission from species inventory

Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill Suitable habitat limited in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera Crescent Honeyeater Suitable habitat limited in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin Suitable habitat limited in reserve proper. Petroica phoenicea Flame Robin Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Strepera versicolor Grey Currawong Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Corvus mellori Little Raven Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Passer domesticus House Sparrow Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Carduelis carduelis European Goldfinch Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Lonchura castaneothorax Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail Suitable habitat limited in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Taeniopygia bichenovii Double-barred Finch Suitable habitat limited in reserve proper. Cheramoeca leucosternus White-backed Swallow Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Petrochelidon ariel Fairy Martin Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Acrocephalus australis Australian Reed-Warbler Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Records of low spatial accuracy prior to 1981. Cisticola exilis Golden-headed Cisticola Suitable habitat not present in reserve proper. Single record from hair collected in 1997, but identified to ‘possible’ level only and considered Macropus parma Parma Wallaby unreliable. Specimen collected ‘three miles from St Albans’ at unknown date. The genus has since undergone taxonomic revision and been split into two species Mormopterus planiceps Little Mastiff-bat in NSW, one of which is the Southern Freetail-bat. Recorded from ultrasonic call detection at two locations, but identification uncertain. Calls are easily confused with Eastern Broad-nosed and Falsistrellus tasmaniensis Eastern False Pipistrelle Greater Broad-nosed Bat. Recorded from ultrasonic call detection at a single Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat location, but identification uncertain. Recorded from ultrasonic call detection at two locations, but identification uncertain. Never captured even though harp traps are a reliable Vespadelus darlingtoni Large Forest Bat means for detecting this species. Vespadelus regulus Southern Forest Bat Database error.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 19 3.2 FAUNA SPECIES INVENTORY

A total of 253 native vertebrate fauna species are currently confirmed to occur within southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA. This total is comprised of 19 frogs, 45 reptiles, 139 native diurnal birds, eight nocturnal birds and 42 native mammals. In addition, the Dingo, 10 feral introduced mammals and one introduced bird species have been detected. Table 5 presents the total numbers of native, threatened and introduced fauna known to occur within southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA. A complete species list for all terrestrial vertebrate fauna groups is provided in Appendix B. Table 5: Number of vertebrate fauna known to occur in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA Total no. native fauna species known to occur 253 No. species listed as threatened under the TSC Act 30 No. species listed as threatened under the EPBC Act 7 No. introduced mammals 10 No. introduced birds 1

A total of 238 fauna species were recorded during the 2006-07 BSP surveys, including 18 fauna species not previously recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. The surveys more than doubled the number of fauna records within the reserves, increasing the number from 5670 to over 11630.

3.2.1 Amphibians A total of nineteen species of frog are known to occur in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA, including nine Myobatrachidae (ground frogs), which lack toe discs and rarely climb trees, and ten Hylidae (tree frogs), which have toe discs and frequently climb trees or rocks (Robinson 1993) (Appendix B). The systematic nocturnal streamside searches undertaken between 1997 and 2007 detected eleven of these species, while eight species were detected during diurnal herpetofauna searches, site spotlighting, nocturnal call playback census or opportunistically. Only three species that were previously known to occur in the park were not detected during the 2006-07 BSP surveys, while one species, Stoney Creek Frog, was recorded for the first time. The most significant finding is the large number of locations of Red-crowned Toadlet and to a lesser extent Giant Burrowing Frog, which are each listed as Vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995) (TSC Act). The moderately high number of locations of Bibron’s Toadlet holds regional significance, as this species is thought to have undergone a decline in abundance in the Sydney Basin (Thumm and Mahony 1996). Bibron’s Toadlet is associated with larger creeklines in the study area, often where soils are slightly enriched, such as Pierces Hole, the vicinity of Mount Yengo Plate 2: Broad-palmed Frog from Bala Range © N. Williams/DECC and the Wallabadah valley. The Green Tree Frog is another species of uncertain conservation status, with some herpetologists considering it to have declined in some parts of its range. This species has only been recorded on three occasions within the study area, and was not seen or heard during the 2006-07 BSP surveys, despite heavy downpours of rain prior to and during the surveys. The frog fauna is largely typical of sandstone dry hinterland reserves, and similar to that recorded in the incised sandstone plateaux of northern Yengo and northern Wollemi NPs. As for these areas, the most commonly recorded species is the Common Eastern Froglet, which was detected during 60 % of streamside searches, and opportunistically in almost every surveyed waterbody in the study area. Other species frequently recorded during nocturnal streamside searches are Peron’s Tree Frog, Broad-palmed Frog, Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog and Striped Marsh Frog, each during 50 % of systematic searches. Both Red- crowned Toadlet and Smooth Toadlet were more frequently detected by opportunistic means, with the latter

20 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report a common occurrence in still water bodies such as dams and puddles in road-side ditches. In contrast, Tyler’s Tree Frog is rare in the study area, having only been detected twice. This species is strongly associated with coastal environments, and approaches the western limit of its distribution in Yengo and eastern Wollemi NPs. The frog surveys undertaken for this survey continue to improve our understanding of the distribution of newly-defined species. The Stoney Creek Frog (Litoria wilcoxii) has only recently been formerly recognised as a separate species than Lesueur’s Frog (Litoria lesueurii). The former species appears to be more widespread in the study area, recorded on the Macdonald River, Mogo Creek and a tributary of Webbs Creek. Lesueur’s Frog has only been confirmed in the central portion of Yengo NP. As was found to be the case in northern Wollemi NP (DEC 2006a), the species ranges overlap within the study area, with both species seen at the same location on the Macdonald River in November 2006. 3.2.2 Reptiles Forty-five species of reptile have been recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife in the reserves. The systematic surveys undertaken between 1997 and 2007 confirmed the presence of 36 of these species during systematic diurnal reptile searches and an additional four species were identified opportunistically during other survey work. The remaining five species (Broad-headed Snake, Eastern Brown Tree Snake, Green Tree Snake, Southern Death Adder and Eastern Bandy-bandy) are each quite rare, and have been recorded on only a handful of occasions. The 2006-07 BSP surveys discovered four reptile species that had not previously been recorded in the reserves. The reptile fauna is comprised of one turtle, four geckoes, three legless lizards, four dragons, three monitors, eighteen skinks and twelve species of snake (Appendix B). Only two of the reptiles occurring in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA are listed as threatened, being Broad- headed Snake (Endangered under the TSC Act and Vulnerable under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) (EPBC Act)) and Rosenberg’s Goanna (Vulnerable under the TSC Act). The Punctate Worm-skink is regionally significant, as this species has a very restricted distribution, occurring only in the northern half of the Sydney Basin, from just south of Sydney to the Hunter Valley (DECC 2007a). The BSP surveys undertaken in the Central Coast and Hunter Range area over the last three years have greatly contributed to the understanding of the species distribution and habitat preferences. Like in northern Wollemi, northern Yengo and Manobalai, the species was found to occur in alluvial gullies and adjacent slopes, as well as on Mount Yengo itself. It is restricted to the far north of the study area, where environments are influenced by the lower rainfall and slightly higher fertility soils of the Hunter Valley. Based on the results of the systematic diurnal herpetofauna searches, the most common reptile species in the study area are the Copper-tailed Ctenotus and White’s Skink, detected during 33 (25 %) and 30 (23 %) of searches respectively. These species are both abundant in rocky sandstone environments, and reflect the dominant habitat type available in the reserves. Also frequently detected are the Eastern Water Skink (16 % of sites), Cream-striped Shinning Skink (15 %), Dark-flecked Garden Sunskink (13 %), Broad-tailed Gecko (13 %) and Red-throated Cool-skink (12 %). The most commonly encountered dragons are the Jacky Lashtail and Mountain Heath Dragon, each recorded during 9 % of systematic searches. The Plate 3: Burton's Snake-lizard near Yango Track © N. Williams/DECC Lace Monitor was detected during 11 % of systematic searches, but also over 60 times opportunistically, being widespread across the reserves in a wide range of habitat types. The richness of the reptile fauna is significantly lower than that occurring in northern Yengo NP (DEC 2005a) and northern Wollemi (DEC 2006a), and more similar to what would be expected for a coastal ranges sandstone reserve. The exceptions to this generalisation are several species that approach their distributional limit in the park, reflecting other regional environmental influences. The Punctate Worm-skink is one such species that has already been discussed above. The single sighting of Leaden Delma made in

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 21 the reserve (in Howes Swamp during CRA surveys) is the southern-most record of the species on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. The Pink-tongued Skink also approaches the southern limit of its range in the study area and it is more typical of rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest of the North Coast (Swan et al. 2004). The Southern Rainbow-skink is a species more typical of the central western slopes of NSW, and occurs only in the northern and western parts of Yengo NP where mean annual rainfall is lower. The occurrence of the Sand Monitor is also worthy of note, as this species is only infrequently recorded in the Sydney Basin, normally inhabiting dry environments further west. 3.2.3 Native diurnal birds

The review of records undertaken for this report indicates that at least 139 species of native diurnal bird use the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. Some of these are sedentary, while others are migratory, seasonal visitors or nomads. The systematic surveys undertaken between 1997 and 2007 confirmed the presence of 113 of these species during systematic diurnal bird censuses and an additional sixteen species incidentally (see Appendix B for list of species). The remaining twelve confirmed species are each much rarer within the reserves, and some such as the Black Bittern and Regent Honeyeater are likely to only be infrequent visitors. The 2006-07 BSP surveys discovered three diurnal bird species that had not previously been recorded in the reserves.

Nine of the diurnal bird species are listed as Threatened under the TSC Act, being Black Bittern, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Glossy Black-cockatoo, Turquoise Parrot, Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies), Speckled Warbler, Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies), Regent Honeyeater and Grey-crowned Babbler (eastern subspecies). Of these, the study area supports a sizeable amount of habitat for only the Gang-gang Cockatoo, Glossy Black-cockatoo and to lesser extent Turquoise Parrot and Black-chinned Honeyeater; habitat for the remaining threatened species is quite restricted in extent or of marginal quality, as will be discussed individually for each species in Section 4 of this report. Also of conservation significance is the presence of several species that are thought to be in decline, though they have not yet been listed on the TSC or EPBC Acts. A recent review of bird records across the

nation identified numerous species that appear to have Plate 4: Rockwarbler nest in sandstone overhang © M. declined in numbers in recent years (Barrett et al. Schulz/DECC 2003). Of the species identified, the following occur within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves: Rockwarbler; White-winged Chough; Spotted Quail-thrush and Red-browed Treecreeper. In addition, a number of species are thought to have declined in the Sydney Basin Bioregion in recent years (Barrett et al. 2003). These include the Southern Emu-wren, Jacky Winter, Restless Flycatcher, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Dusky Woodswallow, Brown Falcon, Australian Pipit, Scarlet Robin, White-winged Triller and White-throated Needletail. The national parks of the Blue Mountains and Hunter Range play an integral role in the ongoing regional conservation of habitats for these species.

Based on the results of the systematic diurnal bird surveys, the most common species are those that flourish in a range of dry sclerophyll woodlands and forests on the sandstone plateau, such as the Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow Bloodwood Woodland. These include Spotted Pardalote (95 % of sites), Yellow-faced Honeyeater (84 %), White-throated Treecreeper (77 %), Grey Shrike-thrush (75 %), Eastern Spinebill (69 %), White-naped Honeyeater (68 %), Noisy Friarbird (66 %), Rufous Whistler (61 %) and Brown Thornbill (58 %). These birds are not only habitat generalists but are also highly vocal or highly visible, making them easy to detect during bird surveys. These species are also commonly recorded in shrubby sandstone environments across northern Yengo and northern Wollemi NPs (DEC 2005a, DEC 2006a). Other species occupy a much smaller range of habitat types, or habitat types that are more restricted in extent in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. Species that were only detected during systematic censuses in incised gullies with mesic vegetation or rainforest include Large-billed Scrubwren (3 % of sites), Bassian Thrush (2 %) and Yellow- throated Scrubwren (1 site), while Red-browed Tree-creeper, Lewin’s Honeyeater and Brown Gerygone occur in these habitats as well as in sheltered wet sclerophyll forests.

22 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report The composition of the bird fauna in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA reflects regional environmental influences. By and large the bird list is what would be expected for a coastal ranges sandstone reserve. As is the case with reptiles, the exceptions to this generalisation are several species that approach their distributional limit in the park. The reserves’ proximity to the coast is reflected in the occurrence of species such as White-bellied Sea-eagle (which travels along the Hawkesbury River and up the major waterways of the Macdonald River and Webbs Creek), Emerald Dove (which has only been sighted on a single occasion on Mogo Creek and would only be likely to occur in the most sheltered gully lines within the higher rainfall areas of Parr SCA and south-eastern Yengo NP), Black Bittern (only recorded along Doyles Creek and only expected to occur along major watercourse in the south-east of the study area), Southern Emu-wren and Black-faced Monarch.

In contrast, the western and northern sections of southern Yengo NP provide moderately small and fairly isolated areas of habitat for a few species more typical of drier environments. These include Grey-crowned Babbler (eastern subspecies), Speckled Warbler, Australian Pipit, Peaceful Dove, Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies), Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies), Weebill and Turquoise Parrot. Habitat for these species is not as extensive as that present along the northern boundaries of northern Yengo and northern Wollemi NPs. The first three of these species have only been recorded in the vicinity of Big Yango Station and the Nowlands and Timor holdings, which receive the lowest average annual rainfall in the study area. This area is of high conservation significance. Interestingly the latter six species also occur on the Mellong Plateau, which is quite high in altitude and moderately high in rainfall for these species. This is likely to be due to the vicinity if Putty/Howes Valley, which provides a landscape connection from the Mellong Plateau, along the north-western edge of northern Yengo NP and through to more extensive habitat areas in the Hunter Valley.

One of the more visible groups of birds in the reserves is the birds of prey, of which at least eleven species are known to occur. These birds are rarely recorded during systematic diurnal bird censuses, and hence their abundance tends to be underestimated by this method. However, they are frequently encountered opportunistically. The most commonly recorded is the Wedge-tailed Eagle, which is easily recognised by its silhouette as it soars above the tree canopy. As mentioned above, White-bellied Sea-eagle is irregularly observed along the major waterways of the study area. Less common species include Collared Sparrowhawk, Brown Goshawk, Nankeen Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite, Grey Goshawk, Whistling Kite, Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon and Little Eagle.

3.2.4 Nocturnal birds The suite of nocturnal birds occurring in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA is shared by the other large reserves of the Sydney Basin. Eight species are confirmed to occur, including five owls, the Tawny Frogmouth, Australian Owlet-nightjar and White- throated Nightjar. All of these species were recorded during the 2006-07 BSP surveys. Four of the owls occurring in the study area are listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act: Powerful Owl, Barking Owl, Masked Owl and Sooty Owl. These owls will be discussed in detail in Section 4. Based on the results of the nocturnal call playback surveys, the most commonly encountered nocturnal bird is the Australian Owlet Nightjar, heard during 41 % of censuses (as well as during numerous site spotlighting surveys and occasional diurnal bird surveys). This bird calls year-round and so it detected during spring, summer and autumn censuses. The Southern Boobook, on the other hand, primarily calls during the spring and summer months and hence is less frequently detected during nocturnal call playback surveys undertaken in autumn. It was heard calling during 32 % of nocturnal call playback surveys, as well as 40 % of site spotlighting censuses and numerous times opportunistically. It is widespread through a range of habitat Plate 5: Koala near Bala Range Track © N. types in Yengo NP and Parr SCA, as it is through neighbouring Williams/DECC reserves.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 23 3.2.5 Arboreal mammals

Nine species of arboreal mammal have been recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife for southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA. The systematic spotlighting surveys undertaken in 2006-07 confirmed the presence of seven of these species, while an eighth, the Eastern Pygmy-possum, was detected for the first time in the reserves during the BSP surveys, identified from two separate introduced predator scats. The ninth species of arboreal mammal, the Squirrel Glider, has only been reported from two locations, and has only limited areas of suitable habitat in the reserves. These latter two species, together with the Koala and Yellow-bellied Glider, are listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act.

The most commonly detected arboreal mammal during the systematic site spotlighting surveys is the Common Brushtail Possum, which was observed or heard calling during 25 % of censuses. Though widespread, this possum is almost never encountered on Hawkesbury Sandstone ridgetops or exposed slopes. Instead it is abundant along more major creeklines and particularly wider valley flats, such as the Wallabadah and Nowlands valleys. It also occurs in areas of higher soil fertility, such as on Mount Yengo and Wheelbarrow Ridge. This result is consistent with patterns observed in northern Yengo and northern Wollemi NPs. The second most frequently detected species by site spotlighting is the Sugar Glider (22 % of sites). This species occurs in a wider range of habitat types, including on sandstone ridges tops and slopes. However, it is also more abundant in gullies and sheltered environments, probably because of the higher density of tree hollows in such environments (as compared to ridgetops), on which the species depends for nesting (Suckling 1995a). As will be discussed in Section 4, the Koala is a notable feature of the study area, particularly the eastern side of Yengo NP and the whole of Parr SCA. This iconic mammal was detected during 12 % of spotlighting censuses, 4 % of nocturnal call playback surveys and numerous times by non- systematic methods.

3.2.6 Native ground mammals

Records exist for a total of seventeen native terrestrial ground mammal species. This includes one monotreme, six dasyurids, a species of bandicoot, one wombat, five macropods, and three rodents. The 2006-07 BSP surveys confirmed the presence of fourteen of these species using a combination of Elliott trapping, hair tube surveys, analyses of predator scats and owl pellets, and opportunistic sightings. The remaining five species are either rare, restricted in extent, or of uncertain status in the reserves, and have each been recorded at only one or two locations. The BSP surveys discovered two native ground mammal species not previously recorded in the reserves, the most exciting of which was the Brush-tailed Phascogale. A skull and several dentary bones of this Vulnerable species were discovered underneath a Masked Owl roost site on the Macdonald River. Unfortunately, however (as will be discussed in Section 4) the age of the bones is not known, and it cannot be confirmed at this stage whether the species persists in the park, or indeed where the Masked Owl captured the individuals.

In addition to the Brush-tailed Phascogale, the Spotted-tailed Quoll and Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby are also listed under the Plate 6: Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby near Yokey TSC Act. The first two of these species have only been Creek © N. Williams/DECC detected through remains and scats respectively. It is thus impossible at this stage to ascertain the status of these species in the study area, or indeed whether they persist at all. Further targeted survey would be required to answer such questions for these species. The status of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, in contrast, is moderately well understood as it has been the focus of a monitoring programme for the last four years. These issues will be discussed further in Section 4.

In contrast, several species of ground mammal are known to be abundant and widespread. The most frequently recorded species are large, highly visible animals that also leave easily-identifiable traces, in particular the Common Wombat and Swamp Wallaby, and to a lesser extent Common Wallaroo and Short- beaked Echidna. Also common, but generally only detected by trapping, are the Brown Antechinus and Bush Rat, detected at 13 and 44 % of Elliott trap sites respectively, each most often in taller woodlands or

24 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report forests. The other small ground mammals are much more rare or restricted in extent, such the Swamp Rat which has only been trapped in the Mellong area.

There is evidence to suggest that the Dingo (Canis lupus dingo) still occurs in Yengo NP, constituting an 18th species of native ground mammal. A recent study by DECC Yango Area included genetic testing of animals trapped in soft-jaw traps in the vicinity of, and to the north of, Big Yango Station. Individuals trapped around the homestead were found to have a high degree of Dingo heritage (up to 98 %). One to two family groups of Dingo are thought to live around this area, in approximately a ten kilometre radius from the homestead (T. Horwood pers. comm.). Approximately four Dingoes were heard howling to the south of the Calore Range during a nocturnal call playback survey in March 2007. Further to the north-west, towards Howes Valley, trapped animals exhibited a higher degree of hybridisation with Wild Dogs, and only 10-15 % Dingo heritage (T. Horwood pers. comm.). The existence of Dingoes in the core of Yengo NP has high conservation significance. Dingoes play an important role in the ecosystem as a top-order predator and probably assist in controlling numbers of some feral species such as Foxes (Glen and Dickman 2005). The Dingo is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to a 30 % decrease in numbers across its distribution (Corbett 2004). Populations from Sturt NP, the coastal ranges and some coastal parks have been nominated as Endangered under the TSC Act (Colong Wilderness Foundation 2002). In contrast to this, Dingoes are declared a pest animal under the Rural Lands Protection Act (1998) (RLP Act). Nevertheless, DECC recognises the expectation amongst the community that the Dingo be conserved (NPWS et al. 2000, Fleming et al. 2001, DEC 2005c). Yengo NP is considered to be important for the conservation of the Dingo in a submission to the RLP Act by all key land management agencies (NPWS et al. 2000, DEC 2005c). The Yango Area of DECC is currently addressing this issue by balancing the conservation of the Dingo with the need for Wild Dog control, a cautionary approach that should be maintained.

3.2.7 Bats

A total of sixteen species of bat are confirmed to occur in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, including one Megachiroptera (fruit bat) and fifteen Microchiroptera (small insectivorous bats). All of these species were recorded during the 2006-07 BSP surveys (including three for the first time); thirteen Microchiroptera species were detected by the Anabat system while a partly overlapping total of eleven species were captured using harp traps. Six of the bat species are listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act: the Grey-headed Flying- fox, East-coast Freetail-bat, Large-eared Pied Bat, Little Bentwing-bat, Eastern Bentwing-bat and Greater Broad-nosed Bat. There is uncertainty about the occurrence in the reserves of a further two threatened species, the Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat and Eastern False Pipistrelle, for which further survey would be required to confirm their status.

The composition of the microbat fauna is largely typical of Sydney Basin coastal plateaux. By far the most widespread and frequently recorded species is the Little Forest Bat (46 % of Anabat sites and 86 % of Harp trap sites), as is the case in northern Yengo and northern Wollemi NPs, and across the southern half of the Sydney Basin (DECC 2007b). Other species frequently captured in harp traps are Gould’s Long-eared Bat (49 % of sites), Lesser Long-eared Bat (42 %), Chocolate Wattled Bat (37 %), Gould’s Wattled Bat (32 %) and Large-eared Pied Bat (25 %). The latter four of these species are also frequently detected from their ultrasonic calls, as are the White-striped Freetail-bat (37 % of sites), Eastern Horseshoe-bat (24 %), Eastern Bentwing-bat (22 %) and Eastern Freetail-bat (17 %). Four of the microbats that occur in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves roost in caves, including Eastern Bentwing-bat, Little Bentwing-bat, Eastern Horseshoe-bat and Large-eared Pied Bat. The first two of these species require deep caves for breeding sites, but temporarily roost at other times of the year in shallower caves and overhangs (and sometimes in tree hollows or under bark). Eastern Horseshoe-bat and Large-eared Pied Bat appear to more readily use sandstone overhangs and the ‘twilight’ areas of caves (Churchill 1998). Two temporary roost sites of Eastern Bentwing-bat and three of Eastern Horseshoe-bat were discovered during the 2006-07 BSP surveys, and would be widespread along sandstone escarpments and gully lines. The remaining microbat species roost in tree hollows and under exfoliating bark, and thus are probably less limited in abundance and distribution by roost site availability.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 25 The distribution of some microbat species reflects the different environmental influences acting within the study area. The Little Bentwing-bat is recognised as a coastal species, particularly near this southern end of its range. It has only been recorded in the higher rainfall environments of the south- eastern corner of the study area. This species is not likely occur through the remainder of the study area, and has not been recorded further from the coast in northern Yengo or northern Wollemi NPs. In contrast, the Southern Freetail-bat (Mormopterus sp. 4 (long penis form)) has only been recorded in the northern half of the study area, in areas of lower rainfall. This species is more common in western NSW, typically inhabiting dry or semi-arid areas inland of the Great Dividing Range (Churchill 1998). It Plate 7: Southern Freetail-bat © N. Williams/DECC also occurs in northern Yengo and parts of northern Wollemi NP, within areas influenced by the rainshadow of the Hunter Valley (DEC 2006a). As would be expected, a number of species that occur in the low rainfall areas of northern Wollemi NP and in the Hunter Valley itself have not been recorded within the study area, including Greater Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus timoriensis) and Inland Freetail-bat (short penis form) (Mormopterus sp. 3). The microbat surveys undertaken across the region in the last few years have greatly increased our understanding of species distribution, as surveys planned for southern Wollemi and northern Blue Mountains NPs over the next few years will continue to do.

3.3 INTRODUCED SPECIES

3.3.1 Introduced mammals

Ten species of feral ground mammal have been recorded in the Yengo and Parr reserves. This includes two species that are known to be common and widespread (Fox, Wild Dog), one species that is widespread but very cryptic (Feral Cat), one species that roams widely but probably only in low numbers (European Cattle), and several species which are currently only limited in extent (Rabbit, Fallow Deer, Pig, Goat, Black Rat and House Mouse). The House Mouse and Black Rat have each only been recorded in areas that have been disturbed in the past (including Big Yango and the Wallabadah valley) and are unlikely to be having a significant impact on native fauna. Evidence of an eleventh introduced mammal, the Horse, was collected at two locations during the 2006-07 surveys, being the Terraborra Plate 8: Cattle on Yengo Creek near Macdonald River © M. South Track and Howes Swamp Track (Map 13). Schulz/DECC However, these traces are very unlikely to be from Feral Horses, but rather from domestic Horses with riders. Horse riders also frequently use the Grono South Track and Womerah Range Track, amongst others, as well an established network of off-road horsetrails in Parr and south-eastern Yengo. Horse riding within the reserves should continue to be managed in line with current legislation and local agreements, and riders educated as to the potential environmental impacts of taking their horses off established tracks and horsetrails. At this stage, riding of horses along well established tracks is likely to be having minimal impact on native fauna, though it would provide a vector for the spread of weeds, particularly into fertile areas.

Wild Cattle have been known from the Big Yango area since the early 1900s, while domestic Cattle were farmed on Big Yango, Nowlands and Timor holdings until 2000 (NPWS 2001a). Wild Cattle are still frequently sighted on Big Yango Station, and during the 2006-07 surveys fresh signs were also recorded in Timor and Nowlands holdings, along the Macdonald River and near Pierces Hole (Map 13). Wild Cattle have

26 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report also been seen in the Mogo Creek Area, in Frog Hollow diatreme (T. Horwood pers. comm.) and on the Mellong Plateau (DECC 2007a). One of the herds of Cattle observed along the Macdonald River in November 2006 had eartags, indicating them to be escaped domestic animals or animals let out for rough grazing, probably from private lands in the lower Macdonald Valley. Whether Feral or farm animals, the Cattle in Yengo NP and Parr SCA would still be having an impact on the bush, particularly along major creeklines and in diatremes. Depending on its intensity, Cattle grazing is likely to affect the regeneration of some plants, spread weeds, foul waterholes and cause harm by trampling and compacting the soil. Wild Cattle in the Timor and Nowlands holdings are likely to be reducing the regeneration of native vegetation in previously cleared areas. These impacts would have flow-on effects for the native fauna that rely on these creek-line or diatreme habitats.

The other feral species will be individually discussed in Section 4, together with a map of their known locations.

3.3.2 Predator scat analysis

A limited number of Fox scats collected from within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves have been analysed, revealing the following vertebrate prey species: Eastern Pygmy-possum, Common Brushtail Possum, Swamp Wallaby, and probably Brown Antechinus. A larger number of Wild Dog/Dingo scats have been analysed and, as has been found in northern Wollemi and northern Yengo, were dominated by Swamp Wallaby remains (present in 75 % of scats). Wild Dog/Dingo was also found to include Common Brushtail Possum, Sugar Glider, Short-beaked Echidna and Long-nosed Bandicoot in it’s diet, and possibly Eastern Pygmy-possum (in this latter case the identity of the Eastern Pygmy-possum was confirmed but the identity of the predator is not certain). Sheep remains were identified from one Dog scat found on Rush Creek.

3.3.3 Introduced birds

The only species of introduced bird that occurs within the reserves proper is the Common Starling, which has been seen near the homestead at Big Yango Station. As discussed in Section 4.2, though the area of impact of this species is highly restricted, the Big Yango Station area has relatively high conservation significance due to the presence of several species of ‘declining woodland bird’ with which the Starling may compete.

Several additional species of introduced bird have been recorded outside the boundaries but within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves (Map 12), most notably the Common Myna and Spotted Turtledove. Of these species the Common Myna has the greatest potential to impact on native wildlife, as though it is usually closely associated with human habitation it will occupy open grassy woodlands supporting hollow-bearing trees (Pell and Tidemann 1997). The Common Myna is infamous for its aggressive nature and has been known to evict native birds from their nests and threaten the local survival of hollow-dependant mammals such as the Sugar Glider (Environment ACT 2004). Barrett et al. (2003) listed the Common Myna and Eurasian Blackbird as species that had increased in the frequency of recordings across their distribution between 1984 and 2002. Thus any sightings or reports of Common Myna or Eurasian Blackbird within the park should trigger management actions, and warrant study into the feasibility of removing the population.

3.4 ADDITIONAL SPECIES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO OCCUR

An examination of records occurring within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves provides some insight into species that may occur within the study area, but gone undetected to date. Table 6 lists such species that are considered highly likely to occur within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. This includes one threatened species, the Swift Parrot. A full list of species detected within five kilometres of the reserves is provided in Appendix C.

Though the Large-footed Myotis (Myotis adversus) has not been recorded in the vicinity of southern Yengo NP or Parr SCA on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife, it is highly likely that the species utilises rivers and creeks with permanent water for foraging. In addition, Brown-headed Honeyeater and Scaly-breasted Lorikeet have been observed in the Big Yango area but not yet entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife (H. Cook pers. comm.).

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 27 Table 6: Additional species that have been recorded within five kilometres and have the potential to occur in the study area Common name Scientific name Reason it is considered likely to occur

Suitable habitat is present and the species can Blackish Blind Snake Ramphotyphlops nigrescens easily go undetected due to its cryptic nature

Golden Crowned Snake Cacophis squamulosus Suitable habitat present in south-eastern Yengo NP.

Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor The species may be an extremely rare winter visitor to the study area when stands of Swamp Mahogany are in flower, particularly along Greens Swamp in southern Parr SCA.

Platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus Anecdotal report from the owner of the Terraborra inholding, who observed Platypus in the 1980s (T. Horwood pers. comm.). The Macdonald River may have sedimented up too much to still support the species, but it may persist in some of the major tributaries such as Webbs Creek.

Yellow-bellied Sheathtail- Saccolaimus flaviventris The Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat has never been bat directly observed within the study area, though a landholder living adjacent to the park in the Wallabadah Valley has reported a mother and baby of the species roosting in a towel on the clothesline on several occasions. The species is may be either an uncommon resident or infrequent visitor to the southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA, being most likely to utilise the wide more fertile valleys (such as Wallabadah, Timor and Nowlands valleys and around Big Yango) as well as flat areas such as the Mellong Plateau.

28 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 4 PROFILES OF THREATENED AND PEST SPECIES

This section provides a profile of each of the threatened fauna species and key pest species that are known or considered highly likely to occur within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. The aim of these profiles is to provide: a background on the species biology; a summary of threats to the species; an assessment of how well the species is protected in the region; a map of known records of the species in the study area and the surrounding five kilometres (as at 24th July 2007); and an appraisal of the distribution and status of the species in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves and the surrounding area. Due to the spatial inaccuracy of records from the first Birds Australia atlas, these records have not been included on the species distribution maps contained herein. Similarly, records with a low reliability of identification have not been included on the maps.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 29 4.1 THREATENED SPECIES

GIANT BURROWING FROG

Species Profile The Giant Burrowing Frog (Heleioporus australiacus) is a large rotund ground-dwelling frog. Its powerful limbs are used to excavate burrows where it can stay for long periods of time during unfavourable conditions. This species has a large black tadpole with a purple ventral surface that takes up to eleven months to metamorphose (Anstis 2002). The species has two disjunct populations, with one restricted to sandstone geology of the Sydney Basin as far south as Jervis Bay, and the other to the south between Narooma and eastern Victoria (NPWS 2001c). It has been suggested that this disjunct distribution may reflect two separate species, though at present evidence is inconclusive (Penman et al. 2004). Plate 9: Giant Burrowing Frog © N. Williams/DECC Threats The primary threat to the Giant Burrowing Frog in NSW is development of its preferred habitat for housing and agriculture (NPWS 2001c). Other threats are not well known but may include alteration of drainage patterns, infection by Chytrid fungus, road mortality, water pollution, frequent fire, forestry operations (DEC 2006b), and predation by Foxes and Feral Cats. Long wall mining may be a significant future threat (NSW Scientific Committee 2005a). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Giant Burrowing Frog is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act and the EPBC Act. The Sydney Basin population is thought to have declined considerably, with tadpoles being encountered far less frequently than in the past (Anstis 2002). The species has been recorded within a number of Sydney Sandstone reserves including Royal, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Garigal and Brisbane Waters NPs and across the Woronora Plateau. Fewer records have been obtained in Blue Mountains, Nattai, Wollemi and Yengo NPs and Bargo SCA. Penman et al. (2004) consider the Giant Burrowing Frog to be well represented within the reserve system in the Sydney Basin Bioregion. The Giant Burrowing Frog has been recorded in both breeding and non-breeding sites within the study area, most frequently in Parr SCA. Males were heard calling from rock pools at three locations during the 2006-07 surveys, including near Waterhole Road in September 2006, in the upper reaches of Doyles Hollow in September 2006 and on Nowlands Creek in March 2007 (Map 4). The species would potentially breed in similar habitats throughout the study area, particularly near the shallow headwaters of minor drainage channels where sandy soils have accumulated, or on larger creeklines with alluvial sand and rocky pools. No tadpoles have been directly observed in the study area to date. In addition to the breeding habitat, individuals have been sighted dispersing along ridgetops, particularly in the south-east of the study area as this area was surveyed after a period of heavy rain when frogs take the opportunity to move through the landscape without risk of desiccation (Map 4). The frogs would use such habitats extensively during and after rainy periods, and thus a large proportion of the reserves can be considered potential habitat for this species. Yengo NP lies towards the northern limit of the range of the Giant Burrowing Frog, with the southern escarpment of the Hunter Valley appearing to form the northern boundary of the species distribution (DECC 2007a). Conservation of the species within Yengo, Parr and neighbouring reserves is therefore important. The species currently appears to be secure in this reserve system, and no specific management actions are required at this stage. Management may be required in the future if Chytrid fungus is discovered to be affecting populations, or if scientific research confirms that feral predators and/or frequent fire pose a significant threat to the species in wilderness areas.

30 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report RED-CROWNED TOADLET

Species Profile The Red-crowned Toadlet (Pseudophryne australis) is a small, strikingly coloured, litter-dwelling frog. It is restricted in its distribution, generally only occurring on the Hawkesbury and Narrabeen Sandstone geologies of the Sydney Basin. The Red-crowned Toadlet lays its eggs in moist leaf litter, relying on rain to wash the eggs into ephemeral ponds where they can complete their development (NPWS 2001d). The species is gregarious, being found in colonies of up to 30 individuals (Barker et al. 1995). It will breed at any time of year in order to take advantage of unpredictable rainfall events (Thumm and Mahony 2002). The Red-crowned Toadlet has a high level of reproductive failure (Thumm and Mahony 2002) and Plate 10: Red-crowned Toadlet © N. Williams due to its size and morphology, has only a limited ability to disperse. Threats Development of ridgetop land and creek headwaters is the primary threat to the Red-crowned Toadlet. Other threats may include habitat alteration due to frequent fire, bush rock removal, water pollution and Chytrid fungus (NPWS 2001d). The species may also be impacted upon by the removal of dead wood and trees and by habitat alteration due to longwall mining (NSW Scientific Committee 2003a, 2005a). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Red-crowned Toadlet is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Suitable habitat for this species is widespread across the sandstone plateaux of the Sydney Basin Bioregion, with major populations occurring in the upper Blue Mountains, around the mouth of the Hawkesbury River and on the Woronora Plateau extending to Royal National Park. Throughout its range it has been recorded in numerous reserves, from Yengo and Wollemi National Parks in the north to Barren Grounds Nature Reserve in the south (DECC 2007a), including some within the Sydney urban area, such as Lane Cove National Park (DEC 2004a). The Red-crowned Toadlet has been recorded at over 30 widely distributed locations in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA (Map 4). In most cases this small frog has been heard calling from underneath leaf litter at the edge of pools or seepage areas on first and second order creeks and drainage channels. The species has been found in such locations in a range of aspects, and would have gone unrecorded in many more throughout the study area, including the more inaccessible areas south of Mount Yengo. It is particularly worthy of note that the Red-crowned Toadlet appears to currently be relatively abundant within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, despite the occurrence of a number of extensive and intense wildfires over the past twenty years. The Red-crowned Toadlet is restricted to the sandstone geologies of the Sydney Basin Bioregion, and reaches the northern limit of its distribution at the southern escarpment of the Hunter Valley. The large reserves within the Bioregion, particularly Yengo, Wollemi, Blue Mountains and Nattai NPs, as well as Parr SCA, play a vital role in the conservation of this species over the long term. As the threatening processes known for this species are not present throughout the majority of these reserves, the Red- crowned Toadlet appears to currently be secure within the area and does not require any immediate management action. Management may be required in the future if Chytrid fungus is discovered to be affecting populations or if scientific research confirms that frequent fire imposes a significant threat to the species in wilderness areas.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 31 ROSENBERG’S GOANNA

Species Profile Rosenberg’s Goanna (Varanus rosenbergi) (also known as Heath Monitor) is a large, powerful lizard that occurs in the greater Sydney Basin and the Southern Highlands, but then discontiguously through Victoria, South Australia and south- western Western Australia (King and Green 1999). It is superficially similar to the commonly encountered Lace Monitor though morphologically and taxonomically it is closer to the Sand Monitor. It can be distinguished from the Lace Monitor by the fine barring on its lips and tail and the spots on front and back legs, and from the Sand Monitor by the lack of a distinctive plain yellow tail tip. This goanna is known to be associated with sandstone environments, but is relatively cryptic and can be difficult to detect. It is usually found in heath and woodlands where it shelters in burrows, hollow logs and rock crevices (Cogger 2000). Threats Rosenberg’s Goanna is particularly threatened in urban fringes, due to development of the flat sandstone ridgetops that are its preferred habitat as well as road mortality (NPWS 2002a). Goannas have been identified as taking 1080 baits (Thomson and Kok 2002) and thus may be impacted upon by Plate 11: Rosenberg’s Goanna © N. Wild Dog and Fox control programs. Eggs and juveniles may Corkish/DECC also be vulnerable to predation by Feral Cats and Dogs (DEC 2005d). Rosenberg’s Goanna is listed as a species adversely affected by the Key Threatening Process removal of dead wood and dead trees (NSW Scientific Committee 2003a). Local and Regional Conservation Status Rosenberg’s Goanna is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. The NSW population was once thought to be restricted to the Hawkesbury and Narrabeen Sandstones (particularly coastal areas such as Ku-ring-gai Chase NP, Woronora Plateau and Morton NP), but survey work conducted by DECC over the last few years has confirmed it to be present elsewhere in the region, with confirmed sightings from Abercrombie River, Turon NPs. In addition, there are anecdotal records of this species from the south-western slopes as far west as Bathurst and for the region around Goulburn (R. Wells pers. comm.), Braidwood and parts of the ACT (M. Schulz pers. comm.). The species is moderately well represented in conservation reserves in the Sydney Basin, including in Wollemi, Yengo and Blue Mountains NPs (DECC 2007a). On the Atlas of NSW Wildlife Rosenberg’s Goanna has been recorded at nine widely spaced locations in the Yengo and Parr reserves, as well as further locations in the adjacent Wollemi and Dharug NPs (Map 4). All of these observations were made on ridgetops, where the species roams widely in search of prey. The species has also been reported from the Big Yango Area (H. Cook pers. comm.). Rosenberg’s Goanna is likely to be patchily distributed right across the sandstone plateau, particularly on rocky ridges and upper slopes. However, the density of occurrence is unknown and would only be able to be determined by further survey. There is anecdotal evidence that the species is moderately abundant in the fact that over ten individuals were captured in cage traps during a survey on the Western Commission Road in neighbouring Dharug NP (T. Horwood pers. comm.). Sightings data indicate that the Hunter and Goulburn Valley escarpments form the northern boundary of the species distribution in central NSW (DECC 2007 Atlas). The large reserves at this northern limit of the species range, including Yengo and Wollemi NPs and Parr SCA incorporate extensive areas of occupied habitat and therefore play a vital role in conservation of the species in the Sydney Basin. Within this system of reserves, there are few threats to the species, with predation by introduced carnivores likely to be the most significant. No immediate management actions are currently required for the species.

32 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report BROAD-HEADED SNAKE

Species Profile The Broad-headed Snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides) is a semi-arboreal species that spends the cooler part the year under sandstone exfoliations and around rock outcrops, and the summer sheltering in tree hollows in woodland (Webb and Shine 1997). It averages about 60 centimetres in length and is recognisable by its black and yellow patterning. It is restricted to the sandstone environments of the Sydney Basin between Wollemi National Park and the Clyde River catchment, south west of Nowra. Within this range it has disappeared from such areas as Plate 12: Broad-headed Snake © A. Dudley Port Jackson and Middle Harbour, and on the western edge of its distribution around Bathurst. It is primarily a nocturnal ambush predator (NPWS 1999a) and is known to prey on Lesueur’s Velvet Gecko (Oedura lesueurii). Threats Known key threats to the Broad-headed Snake include removal and disturbance of bush rock (Shine and Fitzgerald 1989) and collection of specimens from the wild by snake-collectors (NPWS 1999a). Other potential threats include: urbanisation of sandstone ridgetops; logging operations; and altered fire regimes including an increase in vegetation density due to long term fire suppression that results in a reduction in winter habitat (Pringle et al. 2003). Feral animals may threaten the species through both predation and disturbance (NPWS 1999a), in particular the disturbance of rock outcrops by Feral Goats (Murphy 1996). Habitat alteration by longwall mining and the removal of dead wood and dead trees are other Key Threatening Processes thought to impact upon this snake (NSW Scientific Committee 2005a, 2003a). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Broad-headed Snake is listed as Endangered under the TSC Act and Vulnerable under the EPBC Act. It is restricted to the Hawkesbury and Narrabeen Sandstones of the Sydney Basin Bioregion and has disappeared from many locations where it was once well-known to occur. Remaining strongholds appear to be the upper Blue Mountains, southern Wollemi and Royal National Parks extending on to the Woronora Plateau. There is also a population in eastern Morton National Park, west of Nowra, where recent targeted surveys in high quality habitat detected two individuals in approximately 27 hours of searching by expert herpetologists (P. Craven pers. comm.). Locations of the Broad-headed Snake have been accurately recorded in the Atlas of NSW Wildlife on only two occasions in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, each around Howes Swamp (Map 4). In addition an individual was observed in the vicinity of Mogo Creek in 2007 and three individuals have so far been recorded as part of the habitat replacement trials that are currently being undertaken in Yengo NP (M. Ewings pers. comm.). The snake has also been seen on the Wollemi NP side of the Mellong Plateau (Map 4). A study undertaken within the study area by Baker (2003) identified potential Broad-headed Snake habitat at 30 locations in Yengo NP and Parr SCA, yet after turning 4377 rocks located just one individual, leading to the conclusion that the snake is present only at very low abundance in Yengo NP. No Broad-headed Snakes were observed during the CRA or BSP surveys. Targeted searches for Broad-headed Snake in the last decade suggest the species to be rare in reserves in the northern half of the Sydney Basin (Newell 1998 in Baker 2003). Over 540 systematic reptile searches undertaken in Yengo and Wollemi NPs in the last three years have found just one individual (in north-western Wollemi NP see DEC 2006a), though only a proportion of these searches were undertaken in appropriate habitat and during an appropriate season to detect the species. This low level of sightings, despite extensive survey effort, is typical of the Broad-headed Snake across its range. These data do not indicate whether the Broad-headed Snake has undergone a decline in numbers in the region, or whether it is naturally low in abundance. The Broad-headed Snake is extremely difficult to locate during the summer months when it utilises tree hollows, and hence it is very difficult to gain an understanding of the species distribution and density. The number of winter

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 33 shelter rocks suitable for Broad-headed Snake in Yengo NP is low in comparison to Royal NP, and thus the study area may not represent prime habitat for the species (Baker 2003). However, this possibility by no means discounts Yengo NP and Parr SCA as a significant contributor to the conservation of this Endangered species in the north of the Sydney Basin. The recent sightings of Broad-headed Snake in 2007 and 2008 are an indicator of how easily the species can go undetected even when it is present. Individuals would survive along ridgelines located far from roads, such as in the north-west of the study area. Where populations do survive, low abundance would make them highly vulnerable to local extinction. Postulated threats to the species in the Yengo and Parr reserves include: previous removal of bush rock leading to current low availability of winter shelter sites; previous removal of hollows during logging operations leading to reduced availability of summer shelter sites; frequent high intensity wildfire; and possibly predation by introduced carnivores. The relative importance and degree of impact of these threats is unknown. Management actions for the Broad-headed Snake in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves would ideally commence with gaining a better understanding of the species current distribution and status. However, due to the notorious difficulty in surveying this species, further surveys would be very expensive and likely to provide little, if any, return. Until more efficient survey protocols are identified for this species, further surveys are therefore not recommended. Management should instead focus on mitigating key threats to the species, including ensuring that access to mapped areas of extensive outcropping and exfoliating rock is highly restricted, that Feral Goats do not gain a hold in the reserves and that natural maturation and senescence of forest and woodland is enabled to allow the re- establishment of hollows in previously logged and cleared areas. The study area is also being incorporated into a research programme currently underway trialling the introduction of replacement bush rock to potential habitat areas (M. Ewings pers. comm.).

34 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report

Map 4: Threatened herpetofauna records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 35 BLACK BITTERN

Species Profile

The Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis) is a medium-sized, dark grey-black heron, with a distinctive yellow stripe on the head and neck. It is usually found singly or in pairs in thick vegetation at the margins of freshwater and estuarine wetlands, with breeding occurring in thick leafy trees overhanging water (Marchant and Higgins 1990). Within Australia, it is widespread in the coastal region between the Kimberleys in Western Australia and extreme eastern Victoria. It is rare south of Sydney and there is an isolated declining population in south-western Western Australia (Garnett and Crowley 2000).

Threats

Habitat alteration is the greatest threat to the Black Bittern with practices that are known to have severely affected the species in Western Australia likely to have had similar impacts in New South Wales. Identified threats include clearing of riparian vegetation for agriculture and urbanisation, and the resultant increase in salinity and sedimentation (Marchant and Higgins 1990, Garnett and Crowley 2000). Other threats that are likely to be important are other factors impacting on water quality, weeds and introduced predators, especially Foxes. The NSW Scientific Committee (2005a) listed the species as one that has the potential to be affected by subsidence due to longwall mining.

Local and Regional Conservation Status

The Black Bittern is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Within NSW, the majority of records are from the three coastal Bioregions, with the occasional historic record west of the Divide (DECC 2007a). In the Sydney Basin Bioregion most records are along coastal waterways or the major rivers, such as the Hawkesbury, which are often poorly reserved. Nevertheless, a number of records occur in Dharug and Scheyville NPs.

The Black Bittern has not been recorded within the study area boundary, but has been sighted on a few occasions immediately to the south (along the Hawkesbury River, Doyles Creek and Webbs Creek) and to the north near Werong Creek. In addition to these records, a sighting was made further north in Yengo NP, along Drews Creek, during BSP surveys in January 2005 (DEC 2005a).

It is unlikely that the Black Bittern would utilise the study area proper on a regular basis, but may be an infrequent visitor along the major rivers and creeklines, particularly the Macdonald River and Webbs Creek, during periods when standing water is present. The study area would provide only peripheral habitat for the species, but is likely to make an important indirect contribution to the species conservation in the region by improving water quality further downstream. More significant habitat lies in the riverflat wetlands situated in private lands along the Hawkesbury and Macdonald Rivers.

36 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report GANG-GANG COCKATOO

Species Profile The Gang-gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum) is a small, stocky cockatoo with dark grey feathers on its body, narrowly margined with pale grey, orange and red (Pizzey and Knight 1999). Both sexes have a wispy crest that is curved forward and twisted, with the males crest and head being a bright fiery red. The species is endemic to south eastern Australia, ranging from the mid north coast and central tablelands of NSW to far south west Victoria and occasionally into South Australia (Higgins 1999). Gang-gangs are seasonally nomadic, inhabiting tall mountain forests and woodlands in the summer then moving to lower altitudes to drier, open eucalypt forests and woodlands in the winter (Higgins 1999) when they may also be found in urban areas and farmlands. It is gregarious in nature and primarily arboreal, roosting in tall trees and foraging in pairs or family groups for seeds, berries, fruits, nuts and insects in the canopy or occasionally in the understorey or on Plate 13: Gang-gang Cockatoo © K. Madden/DECC the ground (Higgins 1999). The Gang-gang Cockatoo requires hollows in large trees for breeding, which occurs between October and January (Pizzey and Knight 1999). Threats Threats to the Gang-gang Cockatoo are poorly known but are thought to include habitat destruction and degradation; in particular the loss of food trees and large old trees required for roosting and breeding (NSW Scientific Committee 2001a, 2005b). An important threat is that a large amount of winter habitat has been cleared for agricultural and urban development. Competition for nest hollows with other species may also be problematic (NSW Scientific Committee 2001a), while Psittacine Circoviral (Beak and Feather) Disease may threaten small populations that are already stressed (DEH 2004a). Climate change may alter the extent and nature of the cool temperate vegetation that the species utilises (Olsen et al. 2003, NSW Scientific Committee 2005b). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Gang-gang Cockatoo has recently been listed as a Vulnerable Species under the TSC Act. The listing was made on the basis of a decline in the reporting of this species across its distribution between 1984 and 2002, though the reliability of this trend was low (Barrett et al. 2003). In the Sydney Basin Bioregion it is abundant south of the Hunter River, though there are relatively few records in the Sydney and Wollongong urban areas. Numerous records of the species occur within many reserves, including Kanangra-Boyd, Blue Mountains, Nattai, Wollemi and Yengo National Parks. The Gang-gang Cockatoo has been recorded at over 70 locations in the Yengo and Parr reserves, including almost 50 times during the 2006-07 BSP surveys (Map 5). This species has been recorded in all areas where systematic surveys have been undertaken, but was least frequently observed in the south-western third of the study area. It occurs in a wide range of habitats, most frequently sheltered forest types and Ironbark forest. It has been recorded feeding on Conesticks (Petrophile pulchella) fruit, Rough-barked Apple fruit and bracket fungus, though its diet is by no means restricted to these plants. Records have been collected during various times of the year, including spring, summer, autumn and winter, suggesting that the study area provides habitat for the cockatoo all year round. Of the known potential threats to this species, the only ones relevant to the study area are loss of tree hollows from previous logging operations, and potentially climate change. The study area is clearly important to the local protection of the Gang-gang Cockatoo and contributes significantly to its regional conservation. However, the species is widespread across the sandstone reserves of the Sydney Basin, and is currently considered to be relatively secure in the region. No management actions are currently required for the Gang-gang Cockatoo in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 37 GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO

Species Profile The Glossy Black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) is a medium to large black cockatoo, which has a diagnostic black- brown head, with yellow patches in the female, and red tail panels. It is usually seen in pairs or trios (with dependant young) in eucalypt woodland or forest, where it nests in hollows. This species feeds almost exclusively on Sheoaks (Allocasuarina species including A. verticillata, A. torulosa and A. littoralis) (Higgins 1999). Two subspecies are restricted to eastern Australia between Queensland (Eungella) and eastern Victoria, with the nominate lathami found in NSW, and a third, isolated, endangered subspecies on Kangaroo Island (South Australia) (Higgins 1999). Threats The major threat appears to be habitat destruction for agricultural or residential development, causing the removal of nesting and feeding sites and also increased competition from more open habitat species such as Galahs. Because many Allocasuarina species are fire sensitive, inappropriate burning Plate 14: Glossy Black-cockatoo © N. regimes may affect food supplies (NSW Scientific Committee Williams/DECC 2000a). In addition, the removal of dead wood and dead trees is a Key Threatening Process that may impact on this species (NSW Scientific Committee 2003a), as is competition from Feral Honeybees (Apis mellifora) (NSW Scientific Committee 2002a). In addition, DEH (2004a) lists the Glossy Black-cockatoo as a species that has exhibited symptoms of Psittacine Circoviral (Beak and Feather) Disease. Local and Regional Conservation Status The Glossy Black-cockatoo is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Being a large, conspicuous species there are numerous records in the coastal third of the state, though it is also found on the western slopes and an apparently isolated population occurs in the Narrandera-Lake Cargelligo area of the Riverina (NSW Scientific Committee 1999a). Relatively large areas of the Sydney Basin provide suitable habitat for the species and there are a large number of records throughout the Bioregion (DECC 2007a). Feeding habitat is well protected, occurring in numerous DECC reserves, including Morton, Nattai, Blue Mountains, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Yengo and Wollemi NPs. The Glossy Black-cockatoo has been recorded at approximately 80 locations in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves (Map 5). Approximately 25 % of these records derive from evidence of the birds’ activity (as opposed to direct observation) in the form of chewed Allocasuarina cones that are left behind after feeding. The species has been encountered most frequently in the eastern half of the study area, where sheltered forests that support Forest Oak as a component of the small tree layer are widespread. None-the-less, the distinctive bird has also been heard and observed in more sheltered locations in the north (such as along Nowlands Creek) and west (such as creeks that run east off the Mellong Plateau). The southern Yengo and Parr reserves provide an extensive area of high quality habitat for the Glossy Black-cockatoo, and appear to support greater numbers than northern Yengo NP (DEC 2005a). The study area thus contributes significantly to the regional conservation of the species. The Glossy Black-cockatoo is well protected across the sandstone environments of the Sydney Basin, and appears to have few threats acting upon it within the reserve system. No management actions are currently required for the Glossy Black-cockatoo in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA. Fire management may be necessary in the future if research indicates that burning regimes are reducing the abundance or distribution of Allocasuarina species.

38 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report TURQUOISE PARROT

Species Profile The Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella) is a small, brightly coloured parrot, distinguished by its bright green upper parts, yellow under parts and blue face and shoulder patch. The male is considerably brighter than the female, and also has a red shoulder band. The bird usually occurs in pairs or small family parties in eucalypt woodlands and open forests that have a ground cover of grasses. It nests in tree hollows, and has a usual clutch size of two to five eggs (Higgins 1999). It is restricted to eastern Australia, where its range has contracted by over 50 percent since the 1890s (Garnett and Crowley 2000). Threats Garnett and Crowley (2000) summarise the main threats as: clearing for agriculture, which has greatly reduced the overall distribution of the species; predation by Cats and Foxes; loss of hollows that are used for nesting in managed forests; and inappropriate burning regimes that may favour a shrubby rather than a grassy understorey. The species is listed as potentially threatened by the removal of dead wood and dead trees (NSW Scientific Committee 2003a). Psittacine Circoviral (Beak and Feather) Disease is not known from this species, but has been Plate 15: Turquoise Parrot © DECC recorded in the congeneric Orange-bellied Parrot (N. chrysogaster) (DEH 2004a). The species may also be threatened by competition for nesting sites with introduced birds, such as the Common Myna, as well as Feral Honeybees. Local and Regional Conservation Status The Turquoise Parrot is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Within NSW the number of records is highest along the western slopes (Nandewar, Brigalow Belt South and NSW South West Slopes Bioregions) and in the Sydney Basin Bioregion (DECC 2007a). In the latter, the species is most commonly found within dry grassy woodland environments in the Hunter and Capertee Valleys and to a lesser extent the Cumberland Plain. Important conservation reserves for this species in this Bioregion include, Wollemi, Yengo and Goulburn River NPs, Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve and Yerranderie SCA. The Turquoise Parrot has been recorded at just over 30 locations within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves (Map 5). These records are in three main clusters, being the Mellong Plateau, around Mile Ridge north of Colo Heights, and along Mogo Creek Road south-west of Bucketty (Map 5). In the last decade the Turquoise Parrot has been recorded most frequently on the Mellong Plateau, within the woodlands on perched sands. During the 2006-07 BSP surveys the species was also observed on a handful of occasions in the north of the study area, between Mount Yengo and Sandy Creek. In these areas the species utilises Ironbark woodlands on Narrabeen Series geology, and it is likely to visit this vegetation community during periods of flowering elsewhere in the north and centre of southern Yengo NP. The southern Yengo and Parr reserves support only a limited amount of habitat for the Turquoise Parrot, with only the Mellong Plateau, the Ironbark woodlands on Narrabeen Series geology, and grassy vegetation in wider alluvial valleys being frequently used by the species. The majority of the study area does not provide suitable habitat. However, due to the fact that large amounts of Turquoise Parrot habitat in the Goulburn, Capertee, Hunter and Howes Valleys have been cleared in the past for agriculture, or are still under threat from urban development and expansion of mining activities, all habitat that is conserved in reserves has high conservation value. The study area therefore provides a small yet significant contribution to the regional conservation of the species. The greatest threat to the species within the study area is likely to be predation by Fox and Feral Cat, both of which have been recorded in Turquoise Parrot habitat areas. The Mellong Plateau and Ironbark woodlands on Narrabeen Series geology should therefore be included in any Fox or Cat control programmes, to aid abatement of this threat.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 39 BROWN TREECREEPER (EASTERN SUBSPECIES)

Species Profile The Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus) is a medium-sized brown bird that is superficially similar in appearance to the Red-browed and White-throated Treecreepers. It is distinguished from both by its slightly larger size, distinctive pale eyebrow stripe and distinctive call. It is typically a bird of eucalypt woodlands with a grassy or open shrub understorey and abundant fallen timber and/or dead trees. Unlike most treecreepers, the species spends approximately half of the time on the ground feeding on insects, particularly ants and beetles, taken from live and dead trees, fallen branches and off the ground. It occurs in pairs or small groups in permanent territories where tree hollows are utilised for breeding (Higgins et al. 2001). The eastern subspecies (victoriae) occurs along the coast and ranges in Victoria, New South Wales and south-east Queensland, with the other two subspecies occurring either further west (picumnus) or further north (melanotus) (Schodde and Mason 1999). Threats The eastern subspecies of the Brown Treecreeper is one of a suite of woodland birds that have declined throughout their range due to habitat clearance (Reid 1999). Traill and Duncan (2000) estimated that the population has declined by at least twenty percent in the last fifteen years. As with most treecreepers, once extinction occurs in an isolated vegetation remnant, natural recolonisation is unlikely (Garnett and Crowley 2000). The problem is compounded by competition for tree hollows from introduced species like the Common Starling, Common Myna and Feral Honeybee (Higgins et al. 2001, NSW Scientific Committee 2001b). Stock grazing impacts on the species by decreasing the diversity of ground-dwelling invertebrates, which reduces food availability (NSW Scientific Committee 2001b). The Brown Treecreeper is also listed as a species threatened by the removal of dead wood and dead trees (NSW Scientific Committee 2003a). Local and Regional Conservation Status The eastern subspecies of the Brown Treecreeper is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. It is found through all the eastern Bioregions in NSW, though it is least common in the South East Coast and Australian Alps, and has declined significantly within the Sydney Basin and NSW North Coast. Within the Sydney Basin Bioregion, the species is restricted to open woodlands of the central tablelands and open coastal plains and valleys such as the Capertee and Hunter Valleys and the Cumberland Plain (DECC 2007a). These environments are all characterised by agricultural and urban clearing with scattered small isolated fragments of native vegetation. The species is very close to extinction from the Cumberland Plain, with recent sightings consisting of only a small isolated population in the south (DECC 2007c). Habitat for the species is contained within a limited number of reserves within the Sydney Basin Bioregion, including Yerranderie SCA, Nattai NP (Burragorang and Nattai Valleys), Wollemi, northern Yengo, Blue Mountains and Goulburn River NPs and Manobalai Nature Reserve. The Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies) has been recently recorded at 10 locations in southern Yengo NP (Map 6). All but two of these locations are on the Mellong Plateau, particularly near the western end of the Wallaby Swamp Track. The other two locations are isolated sightings, one on Calore Creek south of Mount Yengo, and the other on the edge of the park in Wallabadah Valley (Map 6). Southern Yengo NP supports only peripheral habitat for the Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies), with only the Mellong Plateau and adjacent woodlands and the grassy Red Gum and/or Ironbark woodlands on Narrabeen Series geology being frequently used by the species. The majority of the study area does not provide suitable habitat. However, due to the fact that only small amounts of Brown Treecreeper habitat in the Goulburn, Capertee, Hunter and Howes Valleys are located in public lands or reserves, all habitat that is conserved has high conservation value. Southern Yengo NP therefore provides a small yet significant contribution to the regional conservation of the species. Potential threats to the species within the study area are not known, but may include grazing by introduced herbivores (including wild Cattle in the valleys within and surrounding Big Yango Station and Fallow Deer on the Mellong Plateau), competition for hollows from the Feral Honeybee and/or Common Starling and removal of large logs through firewood collection or frequent hot fires. The Mellong Plateau and the old inholdings in the north of the study area should therefore be included in Deer and Cattle eradication programmes, to aid abatement of this potential threat, while the Common Starling should be monitored on Big Yango Station to assess its abundance and habitat use.

40 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report SPECKLED WARBLER

Species Profile The Speckled Warbler (Pyrrholaemus sagittata) is a small, primarily ground-dwelling bird. It is similar in size to the Buff- rumped Thornbill but can be identified by its boldly streaked underbody, distinctive facial pattern, noticeably longer tail and distinctive call. It usually occurs in dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands with low shrub thickets and a grassy understorey, where it feeds on insects and seeds. Pairs, and occasionally trios, live in permanent territories, in which a domed nest is built on the ground in grass tussocks, usually under logs or other cover. Two to four eggs are laid per clutch, though breeding success can be low. The Speckled Warbler is endemic to south- eastern Australia, occurring between Maryborough in south- eastern Queensland western Victoria (Higgins and Peter 2002). Plate 16: Speckled Warbler © N. Williams/DECC Threats The Speckled Warbler is one of a number of woodland birds that has declined in density throughout its range due mainly to agricultural land clearing (Reid 1999). Speckled Warbler populations are estimated to have declined by at least twenty percent in the last fifteen years (Traill and Duncan 2000). Populations in small isolated vegetation patches may experience local extinction due to natural fluctuations (Garnett and Crowley 2000). The species nests and forages on the ground and hence is susceptible to predation by feral carnivores, loss of ground cover by stock and Rabbit grazing, and weed invasion (NSW Scientific Committee 2001c, Garnett and Crowley 2000). Speckled Warbler is listed as potentially adversely affected by the Key Threatening Process of invasion of native plant communities by exotic perennial grasses (NSW Scientific Committee 2003b), as well as by inappropriate fire regimes that alter vegetation structure. Local and Regional Conservation Status The Speckled Warbler is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. It is widespread in the eastern Bioregions of the state, extending as far west as the Cobar Peneplain, but is scarce or absent from the South East Coast and Australian Alps. Within the Sydney Basin Bioregion most records are in areas supporting dry woodlands, including the Burragorang Valley, lower Hunter Valley and Goulburn River Valley. Its preference for woodlands on higher fertility soils means that it mostly occurs outside the reserve system. Habitat is contained within a limited number of reserves in the Sydney Basin Bioregion including Wollemi, Nattai, Yengo and Goulburn River NPS and Munghorn Gap and Manobalai Nature Reserves (DECC 2007a). The majority of records within these reserves occur near the edges adjacent to more fertile land. Historical records exist for the Speckled Warbler in the Yengo and Parr reserves, however these have low spatial accuracy and do not give information about current distribution of the species (hence they have not been displayed on Map 6). The only current known localities for the species in southern Yengo NP were first recorded in November 2006 during the BSP surveys, and include a single individual flushed during a spotlighting survey at the junction of Big Yengo and Mountain Creeks, and two individuals seen during a systematic diurnal bird survey on Nowlands Creek (Map 6). In addition to these records, the species has recently been sighted outside the reserve in Howes Valley, Putty Valley and Wollombi Valley (DECC 2007a). In the study area the Speckled Warbler has been observed in Ironbark-dominated woodlands and forests as well as adjacent to clearings in alluvial valleys. Southern Yengo NP supports only peripheral habitat for the Speckled Warbler, with only the valley floors and lower slopes supporting Red Gum and/or Ironbark woodlands on Narrabeen series geology being frequently used by the species (particularly the old inholdings in the north of the study area). The majority of southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA does not provide suitable habitat for the species. However, due to the fact that only small amounts of Speckled Warbler habitat in the Goulburn, Capertee, Hunter, Putty and Howes Valleys are located on public lands, all habitat that is conserved in reserves has high conservation value. Southern Yengo NP therefore provides a small yet important contribution to the regional conservation of the species. Threatening processes are likely to still act upon this species within the old inholdings along Nowlands Creek and Big Yango Station, including Fox predation, grazing by Rabbits and wild Cattle and weed invasion. Mitigation of these threats should therefore be targeted towards Speckled Warbler habitat.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 41 BLACK-CHINNED HONEYEATER (EASTERN SUBSPECIES) Species Profile The Black-chinned Honeyeater (Melithreptus gularis) is a small, rather stocky and short-tailed honeyeater. It is distinguished from other related honeyeaters by its relatively larger size, bright blue or jade green eye-wattle and distinctive call. The species is nomadic, moving within and between drier eucalypt woodlands that feature Ironbark and/or Box species. It is usually found in pairs or small groups of up to twelve and feeds on insects, nectar and lerp usually in the upper canopy and outermost flowers and leaves. There are two subspecies, which have in the past been named as two separate species. The eastern, nominate subspecies (gularis) is found along the inland slopes of the Great Plate 17: Black-chinned Honeyeater © Dividing Range, extending to the coast in the Sydney Basin and P. Mahoney Clarence River Valley of NSW, and again between Brisbane and Rockhampton, Qld, as well as westward into south-eastern South Australia. The ‘Golden-backed Honeyeater’ (laetior) is widespread across northern Australia (Higgins et al. 2001). Threats The eastern subspecies of the Black-chinned Honeyeater is one of a suite of woodland birds that have declined throughout their range due to habitat clearance (Reid 1999). They are threatened by clearance and fragmentation of woodland habitat and do not appear to use small remnants less than 200 hectares in area (NSW Scientific Committee 2001d). The species appears to occur naturally at low densities (NSW Scientific Committee 2001d). The species is likely to experience high levels of competition from aggressive honeyeater species associated with smaller fragments and may suffer increased nest predation from such species as the Pied Currawong (NSW Scientific Committee 2001d). Local and Regional Conservation Status The eastern subspecies of the Black-chinned Honeyeater is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Scattered records occur in the eastern half of the state, with the highest number in the Nandewar, Sydney Basin and NSW South West Slopes Bioregions (DECC 2007a). In the Sydney Basin region most records come from drier areas with fertile soils such as the Capertee and Hunter Valleys and western Sydney, where it is often associated with winter-flowering tree species such as White Box (Eucalyptus albens) and Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata). All of these areas have been heavily cleared in the past and remain subject to numerous ongoing threatening processes. Most of the records for the species are outside of conservation areas. However, it has been recorded in a small number of DECC reserves, notably Goulburn River and Werakata NPs and Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve, as well as northern Yengo and Wollemi NPs (DECC 2007a). All of the records for Black-chinned Honeyeater within southern Yengo NP derive from the 2006-07 BSP surveys. The bird was recorded at six locations, including the old inholdings south and east of Big Yango Station (a total of six birds in November 06 and March 07), the confluence of the Macdonald River and Yengo Creek (two heard calling in November 06), and the Mellong Plateau (one heard calling in October 06) (Map 6). With the exception of the records on the Mellong Plateau, all of these sightings were made in woodland or forest dominated by Ironbarks (Eucalyptus crebra and/or E. fibrosa). The Black-chinned Honeyeater has not been observed in Parr SCA, and would be unlikely to occur due to lack of suitable habitat. The Black-chinned Honeyeater is a mobile species that moves around the landscape in response to local flowering events. The species is therefore likely to utilise the extent of vegetation communities in the park that contain Ironbark species in the canopy, which most frequently occur on lower slopes on Narrabeen Series geology. Though the amount of habitat available to the Black-chinned Honeyeater in southern Yengo NP is limited in extent, the area plays a very significant role in regional conservation of the species. The large majority of other recent records in the northern half of the Sydney Basin are either on unreserved lands still under threat from fragmentation or development (such as the Hunter Valley) or on the margins of reserves (such as western Wollemi NP) (DECC 2007a). In contrast, Black-chinned Honeyeater has been recorded deep within Yengo NP, in areas less vulnerable to disturbance and other threatening processes. No known threats are acting on the species in the reserve. The protection of Black-chinned Honeyeater habitat within Yengo NP has high local and regional conservation significance and, together within neighbouring Wollemi NP, is vital to the ongoing survival of the species east of the Great Dividing Range in central NSW.

42 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report REGENT HONEYEATER Species Profile The Regent Honeyeater (Xanthomyza phrygia) is a medium-sized honeyeater with striking black and yellow plumage. It typically favours Box-Ironbark woodland, though it also utilises River Oak forests and coastal habitats such as Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta) or Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata) dominated forest. The species is semi-nomadic and seems to undertake complex movements, generally dependent on where flowering food trees are available. It feeds on nectar, lerps and insects and nests in the crown of eucalypts where it usually lays two or three eggs. It is endemic to south-eastern Australia, formerly occurring between central Queensland and South Australia. It is now rare in Queensland and probably extinct in South Australia, with a general contraction of range in the other two states (Higgins et al. 2001). There is thought to be only a single population of approximately 1500 individuals remaining, Plate 18: Regent Honeyeater © DECC with numbers considered to be still decreasing (Garnett and Crowley 2000). Threats Land clearance for agriculture has removed about three-quarters of habitat that was suitable for the Regent Honeyeater across its range. The remaining habitat is highly fragmented, and continues to be degraded by the removal of larger trees as well as grazing by domestic stock and Rabbits (NPWS 1999b). Habitat alteration may also advantage more aggressive honeyeaters, such as miners (Manorina spp.) and friarbirds (Philemon spp.), which may displace the Regent Honeyeater. Local and Regional Conservation Status The Regent Honeyeater is listed as Endangered under the TSC Act and as Endangered under the EPBC Act. Within NSW the greatest numbers occur in the Sydney Basin, Nandewar and New England Tableland Bioregions (DECC 2007a). Important areas in the Sydney Basin are the Capertee and lower Hunter Valleys, the northern Cumberland Plain and the Central Coast. The species is primarily observed outside of reserves, although a small number of parks are regularly used, including Goulburn River and Nattai NPs, Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve, and occasionally Wollemi NP (DECC 2007a). The Regent Honeyeater has been recorded on a single occasion within the study area, right on the eastern boundary near Mount Manning in 1983 (Map 6). The spatial accuracy of this record is low, and it is uncertain whether the bird was actually observed within Yengo NP or not. In addition to this, the Regent Honeyeater has been observed on several occasions adjacent to the Yengo and Parr reserves in the last decade, including one individual in St Albans in 2005, 13 animals near Laguna in 1997, and one sighting in the Putty/Howes Valley in 1999 (DECC 2007a). The species has been observed within these areas on several occasions prior to 1997, and also around Colo Heights during the 1980s (Map 6). The southern Yengo and Parr reserves contain only a very small fraction of marginal habitat for this Endangered species. The Regent Honeyeater favours creeklines and valley flats that support River Oak with mistletoe, Red Gum, Swamp Mahogany or Rough-barked Apple, as well as lower slopes that are dominated by Box and Ironbark species. A small amount of such habitat occurs along Greens Swamp/Creek, along the Macdonald River, Mogo and Wallabadah Creeks, and in the old inholdings south of Yengo Track, including Big Yango Station. It is possible that the Regent Honeyeater visits such areas on rare occasions where favoured food trees are in heavy flower or food is limited elsewhere. Clearing has reduced the available habitat in the region to remnants on creek flats and lower escarpment slopes, with the greater extent of quality habitat located on private lands. Much of the remaining high quality habitat within the region is fragmented and continues to be degraded or under pressure from development. Any habitat that is preserved within the reserve system therefore has high conservation significance. Though the study area contains only a small amount of peripheral habitat, it may none-the- less play an important role as part of the network of foraging resources available to the Regent Honeyeater in the region. Management actions should be focussed on targeted surveys during peak flowering periods of favoured food trees, over several years, in order to ascertain the extent to which the species currently utilises the study area, if at all.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 43 GREY-CROWNED BABBLER (EASTERN SUBSPECIES)

Species Profile The Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis) is the largest of the four Australian babbler species, and the only one with a light- coloured crown. Other distinctive features are a long, decurved bill and a dark band that passes from the bill through the eye, giving it a “masked” appearance (Higgins and Peter 2002). There are two subspecies in Australia, the nominate being temporalis, which occurs in eastern Australia from Cape York to north- east NSW then south and west through central NSW and Victoria to south-eastern South Australia (Higgins and Peter 2002). It is widespread on the inland slopes of the Great Dividing Range in NSW and on Plate 19: Grey-crowned Babbler © N. Williams the western plains. The Grey-crowned Babbler lives in open forest and woodland, Acacia shrubland and adjoining farmland, preferring Box-Gum woodlands on slopes and Box-Cypress and open Box woodlands on alluvial plains (Garnett and Crowley 2000). The species feeds on invertebrates gleaned from vegetation or the ground (Garnett and Crowley 2000). The birds form family parties which are thought to be vital for predator avoidance and co-operative feeding of the young (King 1980). Threats The Grey-crowned Babbler has been identified as one of a number of birds that have declined significantly in range and population in the sheep-wheat belt of central west NSW due to the degradation and fragmentation of woodland habitats (Reid 1999). Much remaining Babbler habitat occurs in isolated fragments, from which the species has gradually disappeared (Garnett and Crowley 2000). Once lost from a habitat fragment, natural recolonisation is unlikely (Robinson and Traill 1996). Agricultural practices such as grazing and associated weed invasion also pose a threat (NSW Scientific Committee 2003b), as does increased competitor abundance in disturbed habitats (NSW Scientific Committee 2004a), removal of important feeding sites in the form of dead wood and dead trees and possibly predation by Feral Cats. Local and Regional Conservation Status The eastern subspecies of the Grey-crowned Babbler is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. It is most common in the central western Bioregions of NSW, particularly the NSW South Western Slopes and Brigalow Belt South, but also occurs in the NSW North Coast Bioregion in areas such as in the Clarence River Valley (DECC 2007a). Within the Sydney Basin Bioregion the species is largely restricted to the Hunter Valley, with a few records also in the Capertee Valley, where it is closely associated with the drier woodland habitats. Within the Bioregion it is poorly represented in reserves, but has been detected within Wollemi, Goulburn River, Yengo and Werakata National Parks and Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve (DECC 2007a). The Grey-crowned Babbler has been accurately recorded at just two locations in the study area in the last decade, including around the homestead at Big Yango Station, and on Calore Creek west of Mount Calore (Map 6). Other potential habitat for this species occurs in the old inholdings east of Big Yango Station, where a mix of cleared and lightly timbered country occurs along the wider creek flats of Nowlands and Timor Creeks. It may also occur in low numbers on the Mellong Plateau, as it has recently been seen near Six Brothers Waterhole. The species is unlikely to occur in Parr SCA or south-eastern Yengo NP, as the habitat and average rainfall patterns are not suitable. The Grey-crowned Babbler has been recorded much more frequently outside of the Yengo and Parr reserves, including in the Howes and Putty Valleys, around Laguna and Wollombi (Map 6) and, further a field, through the Hunter and Capertee Valleys. Southern Yengo NP supports only a very small amount of habitat for the Grey-crowned Babbler. However, as most of the remaining habitat for this species east of the Great Dividing Range is still under threat from further fragmentation and development, all habitat contained within the reserve system makes a significant contribution to the species long term conservation in eastern central NSW. The species is subject to ongoing threats even within the reserve system, including grazing by introduced herbivores, weed invasion and possibly predation by introduced carnivores. Ongoing management of these threats on Big Yango Station, Timor and Nowlands Creeks will be important to the long term survival of Grey-crowned Babbler in Yengo NP.

44 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Map 5: Part one of threatened diurnal bird records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 45 Map 6: Part two of threatened diurnal bird records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

46 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report BARKING OWL

Species Profile The Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) is of intermediate size between the larger Powerful Owl and the Southern Boobook. It has dark brown upper- parts and a white underbody with coarse brown streaking (Higgins 1999). It is often identified by its call, which is a distinctive, dog-like barking that can be confused with Fox or Dog barks. It usually inhabits dry open eucalypt forests and woodlands, where it is associated with hydrological features such as rivers and swamps (Taylor et al. 2002a). It nests in hollows, usually of large eucalypts, where it lays one to three eggs. It is an opportunistic feeder, eating more insects than other large forest owls, but consumes small terrestrial and arboreal mammals and birds during the breeding season. The race connivens occurs east of a line connecting Cooktown (Queensland) and the Flinders Ranges (South Australia) with an isolated population in the south west of Western Australia. Other races occur across northern Plate 20: Barking Owl © S. Australia, in New Guinea and the Moluccas (Higgins 1999). Cottrell/DECC Threats The main identified threat to the species is habitat destruction, particularly the removal of woodlands and forests from more low-lying fertile areas for agriculture (Taylor et al. 2002b). Remaining habitat is often subject to degradation through grazing or forestry operations that fell old-growth and over-mature trees, thus reducing available nest sites (NPWS 2003c). However, the owl is frequently located at the edge of forest blocks adjacent to cleared land, possibly due to increased prey availability at such locations (Taylor et al. 2002b). Other threats include predation (particularly of fledglings), mortality from collisions with fences and vehicles, secondary poisoning from rodenticides, collection of firewood and removal of dead wood and trees and competition from Feral Honeybees (Garnet and Crowley 2000, NSW Scientific Committee 2003c). The long generation time of this species (ten years) is a further issue, as it compromises the ability to recover after suffering population declines (NSW Scientific Committee 1998a). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Barking Owl is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Records occur throughout NSW, though it is rarer in the far west and at higher altitudes in the south-east (DECC 2007a). Records are scattered throughout the Sydney Basin Bioregion, the most important locations appearing to be the Capertee and Hunter Valleys. Within this Bioregion very few records are located on conservation reserves, with most being on private lands (DECC 2007a). However, recent DECC surveys have obtained a small number of records from the dry woodlands on the periphery of northern Yengo and Wollemi National Parks (DEC 2005a, 2005b) as well as Manobalai Nature Reserve and Crown Lands (DEC 2005e). Recent accurate records of Barking Owl on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife are concentrated in the northern half of the study area, particularly around Big Yango Station, Nowlands Creek, and adjacent sections of the Yengo Track, where the species has been seen or heard six times between 1998 and 2007 (Map 7). In addition the species has been recorded near the eastern and western boundaries of the park (on the edge of the Putty Valley and near Bucketty), while anecdotal records exist for the lower reaches of Webbs Creek (V. Winton pers. comm., on ‘Parrawirra’ property). The Barking Owl was detected during just three of the 81 nocturnal call playback surveys undertaken in the study area in the last decade, indicating it to be low in abundance and/or restricted in extent. Habitat for the Barking Owl occurs along creeklines and lower slopes in drier parts of the study area, and in addition to where it has been recorded, may include the upper reaches of the Macdonald River and its major tributaries. The species is highly unlikely to occur in south- eastern Yengo or southern Parr, as the average annual rainfall is too high. Though still recorded very rarely, call playbacks undertaken in the dry woodland habitats of the reserves along the southern escarpment of the Hunter Valley (particularly north-eastern Wollemi and northern Yengo) have resulted in higher response rates than have been achieved on reserves in the southern Sydney region (DECC 2007b). The preferred habitat of the Barking Owl in the Capertee, Goulburn and Hunter Valleys has been widely depleted by clearing for agriculture, industry and settlements and much remaining habitat is under continued pressure from these threats. These two facts together indicate the high degree of importance of northern Yengo and Wollemi NPs to the regional conservation of the Barking Owl. Current threats to the Barking Owl within Yengo NP are not known, but likely to be few within the study area. Management of the owl in the park and the region should be undertaken in accordance with the state-wide recovery plan (currently in draft form, NPWS 2003c).

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 47 POWERFUL OWL

Species Profile The Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) is the largest owl in Australia and is distinguished by its relatively small, round head and long tail. It is dark brown above with prominent off-white barring, and paler underneath with diagnostic dark chevrons. It inhabits various forest habitats, though it usually breeds and roosts in dense forest types, including rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest. It hunts in more open forests, where it feeds mainly on arboreal mammals, particularly Common Ringtail Possums and Greater Gliders (Kavanagh 2002a). This species usually nests in a hollow in a eucalypt within or below the canopy, and normally lays two eggs. It usually maintains a territory of between 300 and 1500 hectares, with size dependent on habitat quality and prey density. The species is endemic to eastern Australia, being recorded between Eungella (Queensland) to near the South Australia-Victoria border (Higgins 1999). Threats Plate 21: Powerful Owl © Past land clearance for agriculture has reduced the area of habitat N. Williams available for the Powerful Owl (Garnett and Crowley 2000), particularly the availability of nest sites. The owl can, however, survive in areas with some levels of disturbance, such as in selectively logged forests (Kavanagh 1997) and suburban areas of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne (Garnett and Crowley 2000, DEC 2004a). Two of the determining factors for the species persistence in disturbed areas are the presence and suitable abundance of prey species (Chafer 1992) and suitable nesting/roosting sites (Debus and Chafer 1994). Other factors that may affect this species include predation of fledglings by Foxes and secondary poisoning, though neither is thought to be a significant cause of mortality (DEC 2006c). In addition, the foliage roosts of the Powerful Owl are vulnerable to regular hazard reduction burning (DEC 2006c). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Powerful Owl is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Within NSW, the majority of records occur within the three coastal Bioregions, but occasional sightings have also been made further west, particularly in the South Eastern Highlands Bioregion. It is regularly recorded throughout the Sydney Basin Bioregion, from the rural-urban fringes of the Sydney Metropolitan area to west of the Dividing Range onto the Central Tablelands. Recent work within the Sydney Catchment Authority Special Areas (Woronora and Warragamba) has found Powerful Owls to be in higher densities and more widespread within the sandstone country of the Sydney Basin than previously thought (DECC 2007c). Most reserves within the Sydney Basin Bioregion support known territories of this species, though they are at lower densities in the drier environments of the north-west. The Powerful Owl has been recorded at 10 locations within southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA between 1985 and 2007 (DECC 2007a). These records are widely scattered across the reserves, from the far north (Yengo Track north-east of Mount Yengo) to the far south (south of Wheelbarrow Ridge) and west (Mellong Plateau) to east (southern end of Old Great North Road (Map 7). The species has not been detected in the central north-western portion of the study area, but this is likely to simply be an artefact of the lower amount of survey effort in that area. In total, the species responded to three of the 81 nocturnal call playback surveys undertaken in the last decade. The Powerful Owl would be sparsely distributed across the study area, within the vicinity of sheltered environments where tree hollows are present and preferred prey species are more abundant. The Powerful Owl has been recorded much more frequently in higher rainfall climates to the east of the study area, including on reserves such as Jilliby SCA, and off reserve in vegetation remnants on the Central Coast. Though the study area appears to support only a low density of the species, the expanse of suitable habitat plays an important role as part of the wider system of reserves that connect coastal habitats and populations to those on the Great Dividing Range. The Powerful Owl is considered to be relatively secure when located in protected areas and no management actions are currently required for this species in the study area. However, known locations and habitats should be considered during fire management planning, to ensure that the quality of canopy foliage is not altered by regular hazard reduction burning. Natural maturation and senescence of previously logged forests in the study area will increase the availability of roosting sites for the species in the long term. Management of the owl across the region should be undertaken in accordance with the state-wide recovery plan (DEC 2006c).

48 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report MASKED OWL

Species Profile The Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) is a large owl that is distinguished from the similar Barn Owl by its larger size, more thickset and hunchbacked appearance, fully feathered legs and larger feet (Higgins 1999). It inhabits a wide range of open forest and woodland habitats, requiring large hollows for roosting and nesting and open areas for hunting. It feeds mostly on ground- dwelling mammals such as rats and Antechinus, and occasionally on diurnal birds, Sugar Gliders and insects (Kavanagh 2002a). It appears to forage near ecotones, either at the boundary of forests of different structural composition or at the forest edge, and may thus benefit from the mosaic of burnt-unburnt patches in the landscape after fire (DEC 2006c). The owl has a home range of 800 to 1200 hectares (Kavanagh 2002b). It nests in hollow trees, usually eucalypts, where two to three eggs are the normal clutch (Higgins 1999). The nominate subspecies novaehollandiae was formerly found around the southern coast of Australia between Fraser Island (Queensland) and Carnarvon Plate 22: Masked Owl © (Western Australia), though its range has contracted, particularly in Western M. Todd Australia (Garnett and Crowley 2000). Other subspecies occur in Tasmania, northern Australia and in New Guinea and adjoining islands, some of which are sometimes considered separate species (Higgins 1999). Threats Clearance of native forest for agriculture and urban development, and the resulting fragmentation of habitat, is the primary threat to the Masked Owl (Garnett and Crowley 2000). The species does not persist within fragments of forest smaller than 200 hectares (Kavanagh 2002b). The core areas of the species distribution in NSW are located on the Central Coast and Lower Hunter Valley where much habitat is not reserved and therefore under continued pressure from urban and industrial development. The owl may be affected by logging, through removal of hollows or reduction in foraging habitat due to vigorous regrowth (Garnett and Crowley 2000). However it has been suggested that modern mosaic logging operations do not cause major changes to the abundance of the species (Kavanagh 2002b). The removal of dead wood and dead trees is considered to be a Key Threatening Process affecting this species (NSW Scientific Committee 2003a). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Masked Owl is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Most records for the species in NSW are located within the three coastal bioregions (NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner), with a few scattered records west of the Divide (DECC 2007a). Within the Sydney Basin Bioregion, the woodlands of the coastal plains between Wyong and Port Stephens support high numbers of this species, with concentrations of records also occurring in the south and to a lesser extent across the southern Blue Mountains. Records of the Masked Owl are scattered within a number of DECC reserves, including Royal, Blue Mountains, Nattai, Kanangra-Boyd, Brisbane Water, Wollemi and Dharug NPs and Berowra Valley Regional Park (DECC 2007a). The Masked Owl has been observed on four occasions in the study area, between 1995 and 2007 (Map 7). It was recorded during just one nocturnal call playback survey (1.2 %), played from the Bala Range Track during CRA surveys, suggesting that the species occurs only at very low density. This result is consistent with surveys of other sandstone reserves, including northern Yengo, northern Wollemi and reserves south of Sydney (DECC 2007a and DECC 2007b). The other three records for the study area derive from opportunistic observations, and include the discovery of a roost site near the junction of Yengo and Little Jimmys Creek during the 2006-07 BSP surveys. Several pellets were collected from this roost site, from which the following prey species were identified: Brown Antechinus, Common Dunnart, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Sugar Glider, possible Eastern Pygmy-possum, Rat (Rattus sp.) and, most excitingly, Brush-tailed Phascogale. The analysis of these pellets gives an insight into the diversity of the Masked Owl diet, and the occurrence of small ground mammal species that are otherwise difficult to survey effectively. The majority of Masked Owl records in the region occur outside or on the margins of DECC reserves, particularly in the Lower Hunter Valley and on the Central Coast. The habitat within southern Yengo and Parr is probably only of secondary quality. Never-the-less, as it is subject to fewer pressures than most of the primary habitat, it is likely to be key to the long term survival of the species in the region. No specific actions can be recommended for the species at this time, but management of the owl in the region should be undertaken in accordance with the state-wide recovery plan (DEC 2006c).

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 49 SOOTY OWL

Species Profile The Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa) is a medium to large ‘barn’ owl, with sooty grey plumage that is finely spotted and flecked with white. It is found in tall wet forests, including wet sclerophyll and rainforest, where it is often first detected by its distinctive ‘falling bomb’ call. It roosts and breeds in tree hollows (often located in old emergent trees) as well as in deep sandstone overhangs or dark caves (DEC 2006c). It is usually located within 100 metres of a stream (Kavanagh 1997). Pairs probably maintain permanent territories that are between 200 and 800 hectares in area, depending on the availability of prey (Higgins 1999). The species feeds on a wide range of arboreal and terrestrial mammals (Kavanagh 2002a). In Australia the subspecies tenebricosa is distributed along the east coast between Queensland and Victoria. A smaller subspecies (arfaki) occurs in New Guinea (Higgins 1999). Threats Garnett and Crowley (2000) list the main threat as habitat clearance for agriculture and urban development, along with additional fragmentation or degradation caused by logging, burning and dieback. The exact impacts of logging remain unclear (Higgins 1999). Where the species is at the margins of its ecological tolerance, frequent fire may threaten its occurrence when it results in the replacement of mesic plants with fire tolerant species and impacts on nest and roost sites. The Sooty Owl is a highly specialised species occupying a narrow range of habitats, which makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change (NSW Scientific Committee 2000b). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Sooty Owl is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Within NSW it is largely restricted to the three coastal Bioregions, with a few records in the extreme east of the South Eastern Highlands Bioregion. The distribution of this species in the Sydney Basin Bioregion is strongly tied to the presence of wet sclerophyll forests and rainforests. The Illawarra escarpment behind Wollongong and the Watagan Ranges between the Central Coast and Newcastle support the largest areas of high quality habitat (NPWS 2002a). In these areas it has been most often recorded in Illawarra Escarpment and Jilliby State Conservation Areas, with other records in Royal, Blue Mountains and Bouddi National Parks (DECC 2007a). The Sooty Owl was recorded for the first time on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife in 2007, including once during a BSP nocturnal call playback survey above a tributary of Wellums Creek, and once opportunistically by another animal researcher on Wheelbarrow Ridge (Map 7). Both of these records come from higher rainfall areas, where the average is greater than 900 millimetres per annum. Potential habitat for the Sooty Owl is quite limited in extent in the study area, restricted to the higher rainfall areas and sheltered habitats that support mesic vegetation with rainforest elements. In addition to where it was recorded, the species may also occur on Womerah Creek and its tributaries, parts of upper Webbs Creek and its tributaries, and elsewhere in the Wrights Creek Catchment. In the last decade the Sooty Owl has been far more commonly recorded east of the study area, in regions that receive an average of greater than 1000 millimetres of rain per annum (DECC 2007a). Habitat occurs on several public lands, particularly Jilliby SCA, Watagans NP and Olney and Watagans State Forests (DECC 2007a). Given this, the study area is considered to play only a minor role in the conservation of the species in the northern half of the Sydney Basin. The greatest threat to the Sooty Owl in the study area is likely to be changes in vegetation characteristic resulting from frequent fire, leading to a reduction in the availability of suitable mesic habitat. To reduce the potential for this to occur, fire management practices should aim to ensure at least some sections of mesic and rainforest vegetation are always left in a long unburnt state. Natural maturation and senescence of previously logged forest will result in the re-establishment of hollows and potentially increase the amount of suitable roosting habitat for the species within the reserves in the long term. In general, management of the owl in the region should be undertaken in accordance with the state-wide recovery plan (DEC 2006c).

50 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Map 7: Threatened nocturnal bird records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 51 SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL

Species Profile The Spotted-tailed or Tiger Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is a medium- sized marsupial carnivore that is identifiable by its rufous to dark brown fur and white spots which are present on the body and tail. It is essentially terrestrial, but is also an agile climber. It feeds on a wide variety of birds, reptiles, mammals and invertebrates and will also take carrion and domestic poultry (NPWS 1999c). Two subspecies of Spotted-tailed Quolls have been recognised: D. maculatus gracilis from north Queensland and D. m. maculatus from south-eastern Queensland, New South Wales, Plate 23: Spotted-tailed Quoll © N. Fenton/DECC Victoria and Tasmania (Edgar and Belcher 1995). However, genetic work has shown that the true genetic split occurs between Tasmania and the rest of the mainland (Firestone et al. 1999). Within NSW the species utilises a variety of habitats on both sides of the Great Dividing Range, including sclerophyll forest and woodlands, coastal heath and rainforest (NPWS 1999c). Habitat requirements include suitable den sites, an abundance of food and large areas of intact vegetation (NPWS 1999c). Threats The main problems confronting the Spotted-tailed Quoll are believed to be habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation (Belcher 2004). Other threats include: predation and competition by introduced predators such as Feral Cat, Fox and Wild Dog; disease such as toxoplasmosis; road mortality; and direct mortality at the hands of humans (Mansergh 1984). Quolls were heavily persecuted as killers of domestic fowl, and have been hunted and trapped to extinction in many parts of eastern Australia. In recent years evidence has been collected to suggest that baiting using 1080 (sodium monoflouroacetate) has significant negative impacts on Quoll populations (Belcher 2004, Murray and Poore 2004), however other research contradicts this (e.g. Kortner and Watson 2005). Wild Dog/Dingo control also has the potential to indirectly impact on Quolls as it can result in greater numbers of Foxes and/or Feral Cats (Glen and Dickman 2005). The Spotted-tailed Quoll has been listed as a species affected by the following Key Threatening Processes: removal of dead wood and dead trees (NSW Scientific Committee 2003a); high frequency fire (NSW Scientific Committee 2000a); and removal of bushrock (NSW Scientific Committee 1999b). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Spotted-tailed Quoll is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act and as Endangered under the EPBC Act. The southern populations are believed to have contracted in range by up to 50 percent in recent years (Maxwell et al. 1996). Within NSW the species has been most frequently recorded in the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner Bioregions (DECC 2007a). There are few recent records for the Sydney Basin Bioregion, though it is still seen with some regularity on the Central Coast between Hornsby and Newcastle, in the upper Blue Mountains and to a lesser extent in the Kangaroo Valley (DECC 2007a). It may have recently become extinct in other areas. The species has been recorded in a number of conservation reserves in the Sydney Basin Bioregion, most recently within Blue Mountains, Brisbane Water, Popran and Wollemi National Parks (DECC 2007a). The Spotted-tailed Quoll is a very cryptic species. Where it occurs in low density, it is difficult to trap and can require an immense effort to detect using standard survey techniques (Lunney and Matthews 2001). The majority of recent records for the species in the Sydney Basin come from traces left by the animals (such as tracks, remains or scats), road kills and opportunistic sightings. This behaviour is reflected in the fact that only a single record of Spotted-tailed Quoll exists on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife for the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, being a scat found at Heartbreak Hill campsite during the CRA surveys (Map 9). The species is more often seen on private lands adjacent to the park, where individuals have been trapped in aviaries in the Macdonald River Valley, raided chicken coups along the Hawkesbury River (DECC 2007a) and also been seen by locals in the Wallabadah Creek and Werong Creek Valleys. This pattern does not necessarily indicate a preference of Quolls for human

52 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report inhabited areas, but more likely reflects the fact that this is where they are more easily observed and recorded by humans. The current status of Spotted-tailed Quoll in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA is unknown. The species was not detected during the BSP surveys, however the systematic survey techniques implemented did not target this species and are unreliable for detecting the presence of Spotted-tailed Quoll where it only occurs at low abundance. A limited amount of potential habitat occurs within moister vegetation types on gully lines and sheltered lower slopes, particularly in the south and east of the study area. It is likely, however, that this habitat is only of low value compared to that present in other sandstone reserves that receive higher average annual rainfall, such as southern Wollemi and northern Blue Mountains NPs. If this native carnivore does persist within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, it would be subject to several ongoing threats including competition and predation from Foxes, Feral Cats and Wild Dogs, and potentially high intensity or high frequency fire. Management of the species in the reserves should consider interactions between Quolls, Dingoes and Foxes and the potential impact of 1080 baiting, with the results of latest research incorporated into any feral animal control programmes. Priority should be given to increasing public awareness of the Spotted-tailed Quoll, its identification and conservation status, and to encouraging neighbours and park visitors to report any sightings, together with accurate location information.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 53 BRUSH-TAILED PHASCOGALE

Species Profile

The Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa) is a moderately small Dasyurid wiith a conspicuous black “bottle-brush” tail that has hairs up to 55 millimetres long (Soderquist 1995). Colour is a uniform grizzled grey above with a cream to white underside. The species feeds primarily on invertebrates and nectar but will occasionally attack small vertebrates and even poultry (Soderquist 1995). The Brush-tailed Phascogale is mostly arboreal; its hind-feet are able to rotate 180 degrees making it an agile climber. The species has often been observed running along the underside of branches. There is a a northern subspecies (P. tapoatafa subsp. pirata) which inhabits the northern points of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, while the southern subspecies (P. tapoatafa subsp. tapoatafa referred to here) occurs from Rockhampton to the Mount Lofty Ranges and in a disjunct population in south western Western Australia (Soderquist 1995).

Threats

Threats to the Brush-tailed Phascogale are numerous and include habitat loss and fragmentation, including as a result of clearing for agriculture. Small populations are now confined to isolated patches of remnant bushland which impede genetic interchange (Soderquist 1995) and increase the potential for predation. A vast reduction in the number of hollow-bearing trees through logging is a significant threat (NPWS 1999d). Van der Ree et. al. (2002) stress the importance that even single and isolated hollow-bearing trees can have for the species. Predation by the Fox and Feral Cat is an issue with individuals falling victim if they are weakened from stress-induced illness (Soderquist 1995). NPWS (1999d) cites inappropriate fires regimes as an issue, destroying foraging and sheltering habitat in what are usually already fragmented areas. Competition for hollows with the Feral Honeybee has also been cited as threat (NSW Scientific Committee 2002a). Although arguably not a human influenced process, drought is considered to be a factor in population decline particularly in the Western Australian population (Rhind and Bradley 2002).

Local and regional conservation status

The Brush-tailed Phascogale is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. In NSW the species known core distribution is among the forested habitats of the northern and southern ranges (Dickman and Read 1992, Ayers et al. 1996). State-wide predicted distribution is from the coast west to around Dubbo (NPWS 1999d). Within the Sydney Basin Bioregion the species has been recorded mostly from the Singleton and Maitland areas of the Hunter Valley (DECC 2007a). Scattered records exist from the Newcastle, Springwood, Northern Sydney and Camden areas although most of these predate 1900 and are of very low spatial accuracy.

The Brush-tailed Phascogale has only been recorded on a single occasion in the study area. It was identified from skull and dentary bone fragments collected from underneath a Masked Owl roost in an overhang on a tributary of Little Jimmys Creek, north of the Bala range (Map 8). The age of the bones could not be determined. There is a considerable degree of uncertainty regarding the existence of Brush-tailed Phascogale in the study area, as it is possible that: the bone fragments are old and the species is no longer extant in the area; the individuals were captured by the Masked Owl outside of the study area; the species still exists but live specimens have gone undetected due to restriced extent, low population numbers or simply the absence of appropriate targeted survey techniques. The Brush-tailed Phascogale is known to still occur in the Upper Hunter Valley, including Wollombi Valley and around Singleton, and is well known from the Lower Hunter Valley particularly between Maitland and Nelson Bay (DECC 2007a). The species is more common north of the Hunter Valley, with very few records to the south, until south of the Shoalhaven Local Government Area (DECC 2007a).

The status of the Brush-tailed Phascogale in the Yengo and Parr reserves is currently unknown. The species is notoriously difficult to detect, and many survey methods are not cost effective, not proven to work effectively, or present a danger to the animals themselves. However, given the very high regional conservation significance of this species it is recommended that further targeted surveys be undertaken. The most effective method is likely to be erection of nest boxes in potential habitat areas (T. Soderquist pers. comm.) being wider alluvial valleys that support open forest or woodland with a grassy or herbaceous ground layer (see grassy alluvial forests and woodlands fauna habitat group description in Section 5.3), including in the vicinity of the Masked Owl roost. These nest boxes would need to be periodically checked for Brusth-tailed Phascogale individuals, nests or scats over several years to accurately assess whether the species is extant in the Yengo and Parr reserves or not.

54 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report KOALA

Species Profile The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a distinctive arboreal mammal of eucalypt forest and woodland. It feeds on a wide range of eucalypt and other tree species, though in a local area a few species will be preferred almost exclusively. Historic records and recent research (DECC 2007c) suggest that the Koala generally has a preference for higher fertility soils. Individuals spend most of the day resting in the forks of trees, and are most active following sunset (NPWS 1999e). The species generally moves within a home range, the size of which varies on the density of food trees and population size, but ranges between 15 and 100 hectares (Lunney et al. unpublished data). Three subspecies occur between north Queensland and the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. However, the distribution is now fragmented and introductions, such as to Plate 24: Koala © P. Madden Phillip Island in Victoria, have possibly altered the genetic diversity of many of the populations (Martin and Handasyde 1995). Threats Threats to the Koala across its range include: habitat loss for urban development, agriculture and mining; degradation of habitat through fragmentation and disturbance such as fire or weed invasion; mortality from collision with motor vehicles; predation by introduced mammals including Wild Dog, Fox and Feral Cat; and infection by Chlamydia which causes keratoconjunctivitis (an infection of the eyes) and infertility (NPWS 1999e, NPWS 2003d). In NSW, Chlamydia mostly afflicts animals that are already stressed and is not considered to be a major problem (Menkhorst 1995a, NPWS 2003d). Throughout its entire range loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat is the greatest threat (NPWS 2003d). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Koala is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. The species is widespread across the eastern third of the state, with a number of records throughout the Sydney Basin Bioregion. In this Bioregion, concentrations of records occur around the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, the fringes of the Cumberland Plain and the Woronora Plateau (DECC 2007a). Records from reserves within the Sydney Basin are uncommon, though sightings have been made in Morton, Dharug, Nattai, Blue Mountains, Brisbane Water, Wollemi and Yengo National Parks (DECC 2007a). The Koala is well known within southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA, and has been the focus of at least one dedicated study (Curtin et al. 2002). The species has been recorded on over 50 occasions during the systematic survey projects undertaken in 1997 and 2006-07, as well as over 55 times by DECC field staff and park users. The largest concentration of records is in the north-east of the study area, from Bucketty to Bala Range and north to the Yengo Track (Map 8). This connects with records in the Watagans and Olney State Forests to the east, which are likely to be part of the same population. No estimate of population size was made during the 2006-07 surveys, but animals appeared healthy and widespread, though only at moderate density. Scattered individuals have been recorded through south-eastern Yengo, and larger numbers throughout Parr SCA, with another concentration of records around Wheelbarrow Ridge and Colo Heights (Map 8). A few sightings have been made on the Mellong Plateau, but it is possible that these were of males moving through the area rather than indication of a breeding colony in the west. Southern Yengo and Parr support the greatest collection of Koala records on DECC estate in the northern half of the Sydney Basin (DECC 2007a). Records are more concentrated in Brisbane Water and Ku-ring-gai NPs, as well as Watagans and Olney State Forest, but the extent of protected habitat is smaller in these reserves. Only scattered sightings have been made through northern Yengo and northern Wollemi NPs in recent years (DEC 2005a, DEC 2005b). Many records on the Central Coast fall outside of the protected area system. The study area therefore plays a critical role in the regional conservation of the Koala. Of the known threats to the species, two which occur in the study area are predation (from Wild Dog, Fox and Feral Cat) and fire. However, no direct evidence of predation from feral species has been collected to date, and the population(s) appears to have remained healthy after the extensive 1994 and 2001 wildfires. The key to management of the Koala in southern Yengo and Parr SCA is likely to be retaining connectivity with habitat areas to the east, by working with adjacent landholders to conserve Koala habitat and prioritise reserve acquisitions towards lands that support high quality Koala habitat.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 55 EASTERN PYGMY-POSSUM

Species Profile The Eastern Pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) is a very small possum that is found in a wide variety of habitats, including rainforest, sclerophyll forest and woodland and heaths. It is generally nocturnal, and is an opportunistic omnivore, including nectar, pollen, insects, seeds and fruit in its diet (Tulloch 2003). Each individual has a number of nests, which are usually constructed in tree hollows, throughout their territory. The species will move through tree, shrub and ground layers (Turner and Ward 1995). It is patchily distributed between far south east Queensland and the far south east of South Australia, and Tasmania, though it is only found at higher altitudes in the north of its range and is generally more abundant in southern latitudes (Bowen and Goldingay 2000, Menkhorst 1995b). It is very difficult to detect without the use of pitfall trapping (Tulloch 2001) and hence its distribution and Plate 25: Eastern Pygmy- possum © K. Gillett/DECC abundance may often be underestimated. Threats The NSW Scientific Committee (2001e) listed the following potential threats to the Eastern Pygmy- possum: isolated sub-populations with little dispersal potential which increases the risk of local extinction; habitat loss and fragmentation caused by clearing; inappropriate fire regimes that may effect understorey plants; the loss of nest sites through intensive forestry and firewood collection; and predation by Foxes and Feral Cats. Local and Regional Conservation Status The Eastern Pygmy-possum is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. This listing appears to be chiefly based on Bowen and Goldingay (2000), which showed that despite intensive survey effort throughout the known distribution, relatively few individuals have been detected. However, the survey techniques used in many of these surveys may have underestimated the abundance of this species. Kavanagh (2004) concluded that the species is inadequately studied in NSW for its conservation status to be accurately assessed. Records of the Eastern Pygmy-possum are sparsely distributed throughout eastern NSW and in the central west and north west of the state, with the majority of records from the South East Corner and Sydney Basin Bioregions (DECC 2007a). Within the Sydney Basin Bioregion records are concentrated within the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and the Woronora Plateau (DECC 2007a). The species has been recorded in a number of reserves including Dharawal, Morton, Royal, Blue Mountains, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Wollemi and Brisbane Water National Parks (DEC 2007b). The Eastern Pygmy-possum was recorded for the first time in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves during the 2006-07 systematic surveys. Both of the records derive from remains located in predator scats, including one found in Pierces Hole and one on the Old Great North Road north of Sullivans Arm Track (Map 8). The species has been observed in the Mangrove Dam catchment and on many occasions in MacPherson State Forest to the east of the study area (DECC 2007a). The Eastern Pygmy-possum is a highly cryptic animal, and survey techniques that target the species, particularly pitfall trapping, have only been undertaken to a very limited extent. The species would be more widespread than records indicate. Based on records elsewhere, the species is most likely to occur within woodlands that have a dense shrub layer and an abundance of flowers, particularly of the genus Banksia. Potential habitat is widespread, and includes heathlands and low open woodlands along the Old Great North Road, the Mellong Plateau and sections of Parr SCA, and potentially taller woodlands and open forests around Wheelbarrow Ridge and the catchment of Wrights Creek. Records of Eastern Pygmy-possum in the study area are too sparse to assess the current status of the species. An intensive targeted trapping program would be required in order to assess the abundance and distribution of the Eastern Pygmy-possum within the locality and region. Trapping would need to include use of pitfall traps with drift fences, Elliott traps and nest boxes positioned against flowering shrubs and trees, as these techniques have been found to be the most effective capture method for the species in other areas (Bladen et al. 2002, Shelley 1998, M. Schulz pers. comm.). However, as habitat for the Eastern Pygmy-possum is relatively well reserved in the Sydney Basin, further surveys are a moderately low conservation priority. The largest threat to Eastern Pygmy-possum within the study area is likely to be predation by the Fox, and as such if locations of the species are discovered they should be included in Fox control programs.

56 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report YELLOW-BELLIED GLIDER

Species Profile The Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis) is a medium-sized nocturnal mammal found in tall open sclerophyll forests and woodlands of eastern Australia. As an arboreal species, it requires mature hollow bearing trees within which to den during the day, and at night from which to leap and glide using a membrane that extends from the wrists to the ankles (NPWS 1999f). It is characterised by grey fur above and a whitish to orange fur underneath with large bare ears. The species is more often heard than seen, as it frequently emits a distinctive throaty call, which can be heard from some distance. It feeds on eucalypt nectar, sap, manna and invertebrates found under shedding bark. Its feeding habits to extract sap Plate 26: Yellow-bellied can leave deep V-notched incisions in the bark of eucalypts, with Glider © J. Winter/DECC individuals and families demonstrating preference for repeated use of individual trees for many seasons (Mackowski 1988). Yellow-bellied Gliders are known to utilise a home range of between 30 and 65 hectares (Goldingay and Kavanagh 1991). The southern, nominate subspecies ranges between south-eastern South Australia and central coastal Queensland with a separate subspecies isolated in the wet tropics of north Queensland (Russell 1995). Threats Yellow bellied Gliders are known to be greatly affected by the reduction of nesting resources when the availability of hollow-bearing trees is lost through clearing, fragmentation or timber extraction (NPWS 1999f). Predation by Feral Cats and Foxes is also thought to contribute to the species vulnerability. Impacts of fire regimes are poorly understood, although some studies suggest that high intensity fire reduces populations and the availability of food resources (NPWS 1999f, 2003e). The Yellow-bellied Glider is also listed as potentially negatively affected by the Key Threatening Process of competition from feral Honeybees (NSW Scientific Committee 2002a). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Yellow-bellied Glider is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Within NSW, records are largely concentrated within the coastal Bioregions, being NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner, as well as parts of the South East Highlands Bioregion (DECC 2007a). Recent surveys have significantly expanded the knowledge of its distribution and habitat preferences in the Sydney Basin. For example, as little as ten years ago the species was thought to be uncommon in the greater southern Sydney region, however, the converse has been found to be the case (DECC 2007c). Here the species has been found to strongly associate with habitats that have a high cover of Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata) and Forest Red Gum (E. tereticornis), with large numbers located in the Blue Mountains escarpments and gullies (DECC 2007c). Population strongholds elsewhere in the Sydney Basin include the tall forests of the Central Coast and Watagan Ranges (DECC 2007c). Numerous records are known from a large number of reserves including Jervis Bay, Morton, Nattai, Blue Mountains, Yengo, Watagans and Wollemi National Parks amongst others (DEC 2007d). In fact, the large number and wide distribution of records of Yellow-bellied Glider that have been collected in the past decade, together with the extent to which threatening processes (logging and land clearing) have been controlled, has led some researches to suggest that the conservation status accorded to the species should be reviewed and possibly down-listed (Kavanagh 2004). Over 70 percent of records for the Yellow-bellied Glider in the study area were collected during the CRA and BSP surveys. Approximately half of all records derive from the distinctive ‘V’-shaped notches that the gliders make on tree trunks. In the study area these notches have been recorded by far the most frequently on Grey Gum, but also on Red Bloodwood and Rough-barked Apple. Yellow- bellied Glider is restricted to taller open forests in the study area, and though it is likely to be present in the majority of wet sclerophyll forests it appears to be most abundant in areas of higher fertility such as the Wallabadah Valley, around Big Yango Station and in the vicinity of Wheelbarrow Ridge (Map 8). Recent surveys on reserves in the northern half of the Sydney Basin concur with findings in the greater southern Sydney region, that Yellow-bellied Gliders are widespread and relatively common throughout the moderate to high rainfall areas in the large sandstone reserves of the Sydney Basin. Most threats outlined in the species recovery plan are not present within large sections of these reserves. The Yellow-bellied Glider can thus be considered relatively secure in the Sydney Basin Bioregion, and does not currently require any specific management actions in the Yengo and Parr reserves.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 57 SQUIRREL GLIDER

Species Profile The Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is a small to medium-sized nocturnal mammal that inhabits dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands where it shelters in leaf-lined nests in tree hollows. It is similar in appearance to the smaller and more common Sugar Glider (P. breviceps). However, the Squirrel Glider is larger, has a longer more pointed face, longer and narrower ears and a bushier tail, particularly at the base. It also lacks the persistent yapping call of the Sugar Glider, instead infrequently emitting a deeper call. It has a varied diet comprised of insects, nectar, pollen, seeds, Acacia gum and sap from eucalypts (Suckling 1995b). The Squirrel Glider usually occurs in family groups of up to ten, consisting of one male, one or more females and their dependant young. Home ranges vary between 0.65 and 8.55 hectares and individuals have been known to move up to 500 metres in one night. It is patchily distributed along the east coast and inland slopes between north Queensland and northern Victoria (NPWS 1999g) in habitats that comprise sufficient numbers of hollow-bearing trees for Plate 27: Squirrel shelter and winter flowering plant species for food (Quin 1995). Glider © N. Williams Threats The greatest threat to the Squirrel Glider is loss of habitat by broadscale clearing for agriculture (Kavanagh 2004). Most clearing in NSW has occurred in open forests and woodlands growing on relatively fertile soils on gentle topography, especially in river valleys (Lunney and Leary 1988), which comprises the prime habitat of the Squirrel Glider. Clearing of land for mining has also resulted in habitat loss in the Hunter Valley (N. Williams pers. comm.). NPWS (1999g) lists further threats to the Squirrel Glider as: loss of nesting resources when the availability of hollow bearing trees are lost through fragmentation or timber extraction; predation by Feral Cats and Foxes; and the entanglement of individuals on barbed-wire fences. The species is also listed as susceptible to the following Key Threatening Processes: removal of dead wood and trees (NSW Scientific Committee 2003a); ecological consequences of high frequency fire (NSW Scientific Committee 2000a); and competition for tree hollows with Feral Honeybees (NSW Scientific Committee 2002a). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Squirrel Glider is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. It occurs patchily throughout the eastern Bioregions of NSW, and is only recorded regularly in the NSW North Coast, Nandewar and Sydney Basin (DECC 2007a). Across its range, habitat for the Squirrel Glider occurs primarily outside of public lands (Kavanagh 2004). In the Sydney Basin Bioregion the dry woodlands of the Central Coast provide very high quality habitat and is a stronghold for the species (Smith and Murray 2003). Elsewhere in the Bioregion the species has only been patchily recorded at very low densities, including in a small number of reserves such as Yengo, Wollemi, Blue Mountains, Dharug, Goulburn River and Werakata NPs (DECC 2007a). The Squirrel Glider has only been recorded right on the boundary of Yengo NP, including once on the Mellong Plateau and once in the Wallabadah Valley (Map 8). The species was not recorded during the BSP surveys, despite extensive searching using techniques known to be suitable for detecting the species. Potential habitat for the species is very restricted in extent, occurring primarily along the wider alluvial valleys in the north of the study area, including Wallabadah, Sandy, Timor and Nowlands Valleys, and possibly also Wollombi Arm. It is possible that the species occurs at low density through these valleys, though past clearing may have caused local extinction through removal of tree hollows. The majority of the study area does not provide suitable habitat. Southern Yengo NP supports only a small fraction of marginal habitat for the Squirrel Glider. However, as much of the remaining habitat in the Hunter Valley and Central Coast is still under threat from further fragmentation and development, all habitat that is conserved has high conservation value. Southern Yengo NP therefore provides a small yet significant contribution to the regional conservation of the species. The Squirrel Glider is subject to ongoing threats even within the reserve system, including low density of hollows due to past logging/clearing, and predation by Fox and Feral Cat. Ongoing management of these threats on Big Yango Station, Timor and Nowlands Creeks will be important if the Squirrel Glider is to survive in Yengo NP in the long term. Management of the Squirrel Glider in southern Yengo will require further survey to determine the species current extent, and potentially targeted management of introduced predators in areas where the Glider is discovered. In addition, adjoining landholders should be encouraged to maintain paddock trees near the park boundaries, even if dead, in order to ensure a sufficient supply of tree hollows.

58 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report BRUSH-TAILED ROCK-WALLABY

Species Profile The Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) is a medium-sized macropod, characterised by its distinctive facial markings, black paws, and long thickly furred tail which has a distinctive brush-like appearance near the tip (NSW Scientific Committee 2003c, NPWS 2002b). Habitats occupied by this species tend to take one of three forms: loose piles of large boulders containing a maze of subterranean holes and passageways; cliffs (usually over fifteen metres high) with many mid level ledges covered by overhangs; or isolated rock stacks, usually sheer sided and often girdled with fallen boulders (NPWS 2002b). Vegetation forms a vital component of the habitat, especially as refugia near major rock outcrops. The Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby was once abundant and ubiquitous throughout the mountainous country of south- eastern Australia, from the Grampians in western Victoria to

Nanango in south-east Queensland (Short and Milkovits Plate 28: Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby © E. 1990). This wallaby has declined significantly in the west and Holland/DECC south of its former range, and populations have become more fragmented throughout (NSW Scientific Committee 2003c). It was thought to be extinct in Victoria until small populations were rediscovered in the Grampians and near the Snowy River (Eldridge and Close 1995). Threats The historical decline of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby is attributed to three factors: hunting for bounty and fur; predation by introduced predators; and competition with introduced herbivores (especially Feral Goat, Rabbit and domestic stock (NSW Scientific Committee 2003c). The major threats continuing to impact on the species include ongoing predation and competition with feral species such as Feral Goat, Fox and Wild Dog, habitat modification by fire, vegetation clearing, disease transmission (toxoplasmosis and hydatosis) by feral carnivores (NSW Scientific Committee 2003c) and inbreeding (Environment ACT 1999a). The species typically exhibits low migration rates between colonies, impeding persistence and recovery of populations affected by these threatening processes. Local and Regional Conservation Status The Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby is listed as Endangered under the TSC Act and as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act. In the Sydney Basin Bioregion the species forms part of one of the three Evolutionary Significant Units (ESU) that summarise genetically distinctive groups on the basis of DNA. The nominate ESU encompasses closely related populations in central NSW including Kangaroo Valley, Jenolan Caves, the Hunter Valley and the Warrambungles. This central ESU is one of the most fragile in NSW and all sites within it are of very high conservation significance (NSW Scientific Committee 2003c). Recent records from reserves within the Sydney Basin are mostly confined to Yengo, Wollemi, the Watagans and Morton NPs and Parr SCA as well as a recently discovered colony in Nattai National Park (DEC 2004b). Yengo NP and Parr SCA were surveyed for Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in 1995, including a community survey, aerial survey and on ground searches for Rock-wallabies and scats (Rummery et al. 1995). That survey identified Rock-wallabies at nine locations in the study area, including above Webbs Creek, Doyles Hollow, ‘Cobblers Peg’ behind St Albans, ‘Yondi’ and ‘Reid’ along the Macdonald River, Boggy Swamp Creek and three locations on Mogo Creek (Rummery et al. 1995). The Central Coast Hunter Range Region of DECC has been monitoring the species in southern Yengo and Parr at three of these locations for four years (Yondi, Mogo Creek, Cobblers Peg) and a fourth location for two years (Big Yango) (D. Beckers pers. comm.). Of these, Mogo Creek is currently considered to be the best site for Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, followed by Big Yango, Yondi and then Cobblers Peg (D. Beckers pers. comm.). The BSP surveys detected Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby at five locations, four of which had not previously been recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. In summary, the species is currently known to persist at least twelve locations in the study area (Map 9). Potential habitat for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby is widespread and it is expected that the species persists undetected at several more remote locations in the study area, particularly along slopes above the Macdonald River, Toorwai Creek and Yengo Creek.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 59 Colonies of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in southern Yengo NP, together with those in northern Yengo and northern Wollemi NPs, are highly significant as they encompass one of the few remaining strongholds for the species, not only within the region but also within the central ESU. These colonies are important to the conservation of the species across the state. A significant population also occurs not far to the east, in Watagans National Park (DECC 2007a). However, the Wollemi-Yengo population(s) is the most northerly known significant population within the central ESU. Another healthy population of the species does not occur until the Apsley and Macleay River gorges over 160 kilometres to the north (Wong 1994), where the animals are of a different ESU. The primary threat to the persistence of Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves is likely to be predation by Foxes and Wild Dogs. The proximity of the Yondi and Cobblers Peg colonies to agricultural land make them susceptible to disease transmission from feral carnivores. The small size and apparently scattered nature of the colonies also makes them susceptible to intense wild fire. Continued survival of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby in Yengo, Parr, Wollemi and adjacent areas will require active targeted management and is a matter of the highest conservation priority. Management of the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby must be coordinated with management of the species across the state, the key being to maintain regular communication with the NSW Brush-tailed Rock- wallaby recovery team.

60 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Map 8: Threatened arboreal mammal records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 61 Map 9: Threatened ground mammal records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

62 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report GREY-HEADED FLYING-FOX

Species Profile The Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) is a large fruit bat that has dark grey body fur, a slightly paler grey head and a russet collar. It is the largest bat in the study area, with a wingspan of up to one metre. It is a highly mobile species and numbers roosting at specific camps may vary depending on season and food availability. It feeds on nectar and pollen of various trees including Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and Banksia as well as fruits, originally of rainforest species, but now including commercial and garden crops. The species can travel up to twenty kilometres to a food source, and is an important pollinator and disperser of native plants. The Grey- headed Flying-fox is endemic to eastern Australia, between Melbourne, Victoria and Bundaberg, Queensland (NPWS 2001e). The species range has contracted, previously occurring as far north as Rockhampton (NPWS 2001e). It primarily occurs along the eastern coastal plain, east slopes and tablelands, although regular movements occur over the Great Dividing Range to the western slopes in northern NSW (NPWS 2001e). A number of studies have noted the annual southerly movement of animals in spring and Plate 29: Grey-headed Flying-fox summer and their return to north-east NSW and south-east © N. Williams Queensland in winter (NPWS 2001e). Threats The main threats to the Grey-headed Flying-fox are: destruction of habitat, particularly of foraging habitat, by clearing for urban development and agriculture; disturbance at roosting sites, particularly of pregnant females; unregulated shooting, particularly when feeding on commercial crops or close to residential developments; electrocution on power lines, particularly in urban areas; and accumulation of pollutants and pesticides (NPWS 2001e, Duncan et al. 1999). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Grey-headed Flying-fox is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act and is also listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act. The species is regularly recorded in all three coastal bioregions (DECC 2007a). Current locality data suggests the species to be primarily distributed across the coastal and hinterland environments of the Sydney Basin, although this may reflect reporting bias in the data. The species has been recorded foraging in numerous conservation reserves, including Royal, Lane Cove, Dharug, Blue Mountains, Wyrrabalong, Yengo and Werakata National Parks (DECC 2007a), as well as southern and eastern Wollemi National Park. However, a greater number of records occur off reserve, including within parks and gardens in metropolitan areas between Sydney and Newcastle. The majority of known camps are not within national parks. The Grey-headed Flying-fox was recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife for the first time within southern Yengo NP in November 2006, when four individuals were seen on the Macdonald River, just south of the junction with Yengo Creek (Map 10). Within a five kilometre distance of the park the species has been seen in Howes Valley and along the Colo River (Map 10). The species is more commonly recorded on the coastal plain east of the study area. The Grey-headed Flying-fox is likely to be only a moderately infrequent visitor to the study area. The Yengo and Parr reserves would form a component of the foraging habitats on which Grey-headed Flying-foxes in the northern half of the Sydney Basin depend and large numbers are likely to congregate in the study area only when an abundance of eucalypts are in heavy flower, or when food resources are limited elsewhere. There is no indication of a Grey-headed Flying-fox camp in the study area. Southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA contribute significantly to the regional system of large reserves (also including Northern Yengo and Wollemi NPs) that provide a natural foraging area for Grey- headed Flying-foxes in spring and summer, and therefore holds conservation significance to the species. The area may also play an important role during southward/northward population movements. However, at this stage no specific management actions are required for this species within the study area.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 63 EAST-COAST FREETAIL-BAT

Species Profile The East-coast Freetail-bat (Mormopterus norfolkensis) is a member of a group of bats that remain in a state of taxonomic uncertainty (Churchill 1998). The species can be distinguished from other members of the group by its long forearm, upright ears and robust build (Allison and Hoye 1995, Parnaby 1992a). Reinhold et al. (2001) describes the ultrasonic call as “a pattern of alternating pulses”, making it unique among Mormopterus, though it can also call without this pattern. It appears to be restricted to the east of the Great Dividing Range between approximately Brisbane (Queensland) and Picton (New South Wales) (Duncan et al. 1999). The species appears to favour Plate 30: East-coast Freetail-bat © N. dry eucalypt forest and woodland, though it has also been Williams/DECC captured in rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest (Churchill 1998). It usually roosts in tree hollows (Gilmore and Parnaby 1994), though it has been recorded in the roof of a hut and under the metal caps of telegraph poles (Churchill 1998). Threats The threats to this species are poorly known, though it is suspected that agricultural clearing, development and logging have serious impacts (Duncan et al. 1999). These threats are of heightened significance because the species’ distribution centres areas of concentrated human population density and increasing urban development. The East-coast Freetail-bat is listed as threatened by the Key Threatening Process removal of dead wood and trees (NSW Scientific Committee 2003a) and it has been suggested that pesticide use may also be a problem (NPWS 2002c). Local and Regional Conservation Status The East-coast Freetail-bat is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Most records for the species in NSW occur within the NSW North Coast, South East Corner and Sydney Basin Bioregions. Within these bioregions it appears to prefer the coastal plains and larger incised valleys of the Dividing Range, with relatively large numbers of records from the Cumberland Plain, Central Coast and Hunter Valley (DECC 2007a). The majority of records for the species within the Sydney Basin Bioregion occur outside of reserves. However, it has been detected within Nattai, Blue Mountains, Dharug, Wollemi, Yengo and Marramarra National Parks and Western Sydney Regional Park (DECC 2007a). The East-coast Freetail-bat has been confidently recorded on just two occasions, including once in Parr SCA and once in south-eastern Yengo NP (Map 10), each time from ultrasonic call analysis. The species was recorded to the ‘probable’ confidence level from four further locations in the northern half of the study area, including the Mellong Plateau, Bala Range and Big Yengo Creek (these sites have not been indicated on Map 10 due to the low level of identification confidence). Outside of the reserves the species has been detected near Webbs Creek, the Hawkesbury River and the northern end of the Mellong Plateau (Map 10). The East-coast Freetail-bat has never been captured in a harp trap within Yengo NP, Parr SCA or adjacent areas. This is a typical result for this species which generally flies high or ranges widely through more open habitats where it is difficult to capture, and sometimes is even beyond the range of Anabat detectors. Current records are therefore likely to be an underestimate of the number and distribution of the species in the region. Recent work in the southern Sydney region has found the East-coast Freetail-bat to be strongly associated with fertile valleys and plains (DECC 2007c), while in the northern half of the basin cursory examination of records shows the greatest concentrations on the flats of the Central Coast and Hunter Valley. The low number of records within the study area itself makes it difficult to assess distribution, but extrapolating patterns elsewhere the species is likely to be most closely tied to alluvial areas, though also move through more open areas of the sandstone plateaux. The majority of the Yengo and Parr reserves are likely to provide only peripheral habitat for the East-coast Freetail-bat. However, due to the fact that large amounts of habitat are still under threat outside of the reserve system, all habitat that is conserved has high conservation value. As threats to the species in the reserves are poorly understood, no active management actions can currently be recommended. Natural maturation and senescence of forest and woodland in previously logged and cleared areas may lead to an increase in the availability of roost sites in the long term.

64 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report LARGE-EARED PIED BAT

Species Profile The Large-eared Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri) is readily distinguished from other members of its genus by the combination of large ears and overall black colour, with bands of white fur along the undersides of the body, that typically join to form a V-shape (Parnaby 1992a, Churchill 1998). The call (undetectable by the human ear) is an alternate pattern made at a low frequency, which is readily distinguishable from all other species (Reinhold et al. 2001). It has been recorded from a number of scattered locations on either side of the Great Dividing Range between Rockhampton (Queensland) and Bungonia (New South Wales) (Hoye and Dwyer 1995). It Plate 31: Large-eared Pied Bat © N. Williams/DECC occurs in a wide range of habitats, including wet and dry eucalypt forest, rainforest, Cypress (Callitris) forest and sub-alpine woodland (Duncan et al. 1999). It is a cave-roosting species, though it has also been detected roosting in disused mine shafts and overhangs (Churchill 1998) as well as abandoned Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel) nests (Schulz 1998). It seems to prefer the ‘twilight’ areas of caves, and may be dependent on sandstone outcrops (Duncan et al. 1999, Hoye and Dwyer 1995). Threats Threats to this species are poorly understood but thought to include: clearing, isolation and alteration of forest and woodland foraging habitat near cliffs, caves and old mines; damage to roosting and maternity sites from mining operations and recreational caving activities; and use of pesticides (DEC 2005f). Predation by feral animals is also thought to be a threat (Duncan et al. 1999), as is disturbance of roost sites by Feral Goats (M. Schulz pers. comm.). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Large-eared Pied Bat is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act and also as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act. The Sydney Basin is extremely important to the species, holding a large proportion of overall records. Only scattered records occur to the north, south and west of the Bioregion (DECC 2007a). There is a concentration of records across the Blue Mountains plateau, particularly within Nattai and Blue Mountains National Parks, as well as in the upper Hunter Valley in Yengo, Wollemi and Goulburn River National Parks (DECC 2007a). However these concentrations are likely to reflect the locations of recent DECC survey effort. Records are scattered throughout the Bioregion, including southern Wollemi, Kanangra-Boyd, Royal, Gardens of Stone and Morton National Parks (DECC 2007a) However, despite this wide distribution the species is infrequently detected, suggesting that it only occurs at low abundance. The Large-eared Pied Bat was captured at fourteen harp trap locations (25 % of harp trap sites) and identified to the definite level of confidence from a eleven (17 %) Anabat sites. These sites are widely distributed across both southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA (Map 10), through a range of habitat types. No roost sites have been located within the study area, but are sure to occur in deep sandstone overhangs and holes in cliff faces. Maternity roost requirements for the species are poorly understood, but are located within deeper cave systems, which are comparatively rare. It is however likely that a maternity roost site(s) occurs within the reserve. Systematic surveys conducted in northern Wollemi, northern Yengo and Goulburn River National Parks since 2002 have shown the reserves of the upper Hunter Valley and Goulburn Valley region to be a stronghold for the species (DEC 2006a). The 2006-07 surveys have shown this stronghold continues through southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA at least to the Colo River. A greater number of records now exist for the northern Wollemi, Yengo and Parr reserves than for the plains of the Hunter Valley or Central Coast. The records continue to provide evidence that the bat is more common in sandstone reserves in the Sydney Basin Bioregion than previously thought, and is likely to be relatively well protected. The study area, in conjunction with the remainder of the Yengo and Wollemi reserves are critical to the ongoing conservation of the Large-eared Pied Bat in the northern half of the Sydney Basin. The primary threat at to the species in the study area at this stage is likely to be predation by feral animals and possibly wildfires that scorch roost and maternity caves. If any maternity caves are discovered they should become a focus of feral predator and wildfire control programmes. In the mean time, however, no immediate management action is thought to be required for this species in the reserves.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 65 LITTLE BENTWING-BAT

Species Profile

The Little Bentwing-bat (Miniopterus australis) is a small, insectivorous bat, which is chocolate-brown above and lighter below. This species, like other Bentwing-bats, gains its common name from a bend in its wing that folds back when the bat is at rest, due to a very long third finger and a narrow wingtip (Dwyer 1995a). Its coastal distribution ranges from the northern half of NSW through all of eastern Queensland, and is also found outside Australia in New Caledonia, New Guinea, Malaysia and the Philippines (Dwyer 1995a). The Little Bentwing-bat forages for small, mostly flying insects within well- vegetated habitat, including rainforest, swamp and dry sclerophyll forest, requiring agile flying capabilities and manoeuvrability (DEC 2005g Dwyer 1995a). It is predominantly a cave-dwelling species (though also known to roost in tree hollows), and commonly shares roost sites with the Eastern Bentwing-bat, often forming mixed clusters during winter (Australian Museum 1999, DEC 2005g Dwyer 2005a). The Little Bentwing-bat relies on particular nursery sites to raise its young, with mothers leaving their furless juveniles behind each night while they forage.

Threats

With colonies reaching such large sizes, disturbance of nursery or over-wintering sites from mining or caving activities could prove catastrophic. Only a small number of nursery sites are known in Australia, with a few located in areas of limestone mining (Dwyer 1995a). Modification of habitat, especially that surrounding maternity sites is likely to impact on foraging activities and efficiency (Australian Museum 1999, DEC 2005g). Increased pesticide use may result in decreased prey availability and possibly toxic build-up within the bats’ tissues (DEC 2005g). There is also some suggestion that around maternity colonies and hibernation sites the species may be susceptible to predation by Foxes and Feral Cats (DEC 2005h)

Local and Regional Conservation Status

The Little Bentwing-bat is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. The species is widely recorded throughout the coast and ranges in the northern half of NSW, with the number of records decreasing with distance from the coast (DECC 2007a). Sightings for the species within the Sydney Basin Bioregion are almost entirely restricted to the coast north of Broken Bay and high numbers have been recorded throughout the North Coast Bioregion (DECC 2007a). A roost of Little Bentwing-bat was found in a disused rail tunnel near Otford, south of Sydney, in early 2007, which is amongst the most southerly records for the species (DECC 2008b). Individuals have been recorded in a number of coastal reserves such as Bouddi, Myall Lakes, and Wallingat NPs.

The Little Bentwing-bat was recorded for the first time in Parr SCA in September 2006, when detected by its ultrasonic call just south of Wheelbarrow Ridge (Map 11). The species is rarely recorded so far from the coast, particularly near this southern end of its range. The individual was utilising Sydney Hinterland Sheltered Turpentine-Blackbutt Forest which is generally a coastal vegetation community and only occurs in the far south-east of the study area. The Little Bentwing-bat may utilise other areas of similar habitat in eastern Parr SCA and south-eastern Yengo NP, particularly along creeklines and water courses, but is unlikely to occur further north-west, particularly not within the lower rainfall areas. As mentioned above, the Little Bentwing-bat is much more commonly recorded on the coastal plain to the east of the study area, such as between Brisbane Water and Tuggerah Lake. No roost sites are known from the Yengo and Parr reserves, and the species may be using the study area only as foraging habitat.

Though only a small amount of habitat for Little Bentwing-bat occurs within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, the area never-the-less makes an important contribution to conservation of the species towards the south-western end of its known range. The extent of this contribution, and status of the species in the study area, could only be ascertained by further survey in the form of harp trapping, ultrasonic bat call detection and searching for roost sites. The discovery of a roost site within the Yengo and Parr reserves would be highly significant and trigger immediate targeted management. In absence of this, no specific management actions are currently required in the study area for this species.

66 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report EASTERN BENTWING-BAT

Species Profile The Common Bentwing-bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) is the most widely distributed bat in the world, occurring through Europe, Africa and Australasia (Churchill 1998). However, recent research suggests there to be three taxa in Australia (Duncan et al. 1999). The subspecies oceanensis occurs in eastern Australia and extends from central Victoria to Cape York Peninsula, Queensland (Duncan et al. 1999). This subspecies is commonly called the Eastern Bentwing-bat. This species is distinguished from most other bats by the long last bone in the third wing digit and from the Little Bentwing-bat (M. australis) by the longer forearm (greater than 44 millimetres) (Parnaby 1992a). The ultrasonic call can be distinctive, although it is often inseparable from Vespadelus darlingtoni and V. regulus (Reinhold et al. 2001). The species utilises a wide variety of habitats where it usually roosts in caves, though it has been known to use mines and road culverts (Churchill 1998). It is a fast flying bat that usually feeds above the canopy or in canopy gaps (Churchill 1998) and has been known to Plate 32: Eastern Bentwing- travel up to 65 kilometres in a night (Dwyer 1966). Though individuals bat © S. Eberhard often use numerous roosts, they congregate en masse at a small number of sites to breed and hibernate (Churchill 1998). Threats Damage and disturbance to hibernating and maternity roosting sites is the greatest known threat to this species. As only relatively few nursery sites are used, significant population changes can occur if these sites are damaged (Dwyer 1995b) or inappropriately gated (e.g. Hoye 2001). Disturbance of hibernating colonies can lead to starvation (Gilmore and Parnaby 1994). Alteration of drainage patterns in or near roost sites may also be a threat, by leading to changes in roost site microclimate (N. Williams pers. comm.). Disturbance of smaller diurnal roosts by recreational caving and tourism may also be significant. Other potential threats include modification to feeding habitat by agriculture and urban development (Gilmore and Parnaby 1994), application of pesticides in or adjacent to foraging areas (DEC 2005i) and predation by Feral Cats and Foxes (Dwyer 1995b). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Eastern Bentwing-bat is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. The species is widely distributed in the eastern third of NSW, with the number of records decreasing with distance from the coast (DECC 2007a). Records are widespread within the Sydney Basin Bioregion, but strong clusters are present in the Lower Hunter and Central Coast, Cumberland Plain, Woronora Plateau and across the southern Blue Mountains. Individuals have been recorded flying through a diverse range of habitat in a number of reserves including Royal, Nattai, Kanangra-Boyd, Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Parks (DECC 2007a). However, roost sites for the species, particularly maternity roosts, are much less frequently recorded and poorly reserved. The Eastern Bentwing-bat has been directly observed in three occasions in southern Yengo NP, including twice captured in harp traps and one sighting of four individuals roosting in an overhang on Little Mogo Creek. A further two roost sites have been recorded for the species, evidenced by distinctive scat deposits on the floor of the overhangs, including along Sullivans Arm Track and a spur on the eastern edge of the Mellong Plateau. Many more temporary roost sites would be scattered throughout southern Yengo NP, but no maternity roosts are known. In addition to the above, Eastern Bentwing-bat has been detected at 14 locations by its ultrasonic call (Map 11). It has not been recorded in Parr SCA, but is never-the-less likely to use this reserve for foraging. Though the Eastern Bentwing-bat is widespread in the study area, the density of records suggest that it is less common here than in other parts of the region, particularly in comparison to north-eastern Wollemi NP where a maternity roost site occurs (DEC 2005b). The reserves never-the-less make up an important component of the matrix of foraging and temporary roost site habitat for the species in the region. As urban and industrial expansion continues to place pressure on off-reserve roost sites, any roost sites that are located in reserves will take on increasing conservation importance. Known roost sites, especially if any maternity or hibernation sites are discovered, should be managed to minimise disruption from visitation and fire. It is not known where the Eastern Bentwing-bats that utilise southern Yengo NP breed, but their ongoing survival in the reserve may depend on appropriate management of the Baerami mine sites in north-eastern Wollemi NP.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 67 GREATER BROAD-NOSED BAT

Species Profile The Greater Broad-nosed Bat (Scoteanax rueppellii) is a large microchiropteran bat usually found in gullies draining east from the Great Dividing Range between south east New South Wales and north-eastern Queensland. The species can be confused with the Eastern False Pipistrelle from which it can be distinguished by its single pair of upper incisors and its smaller ears (Parnaby 1992a). The ultrasonic call overlaps in frequency and may be confused with Eastern False Pipistrelle, Eastern Broad-nosed Bat and Inland Broad-nosed Bat, though they can be distinguished if a good call sequence is recorded (Pennay et al. 1994). The Greater Broad- nosed Bat utilises creeks and clearings for hunting (Churchill 1998, Hoye and Richards 1995). In southern New South Wales the species appears to be restricted to lower altitude forests (McKean 1966), while in the centre of its range it occurs at a wide range of altitudes from near sea level to upland areas (Calaby 1966 in Duncan et al. 1999). It usually roosts in tree hollows, in cracks and fissures in trunks or under exfoliating bark, and in old buildings Plate 33: Greater Broad-nosed Bat © (Churchill 1998). N. Williams/DECC Threats The threats to this species are poorly known, but thought to include: disturbance to roosting and breeding sites; clearing and fragmentation of foraging habitat; and application of pesticides and herbicides in foraging areas or near waterways (DEC 2005j). Logging may remove suitable hollows and alter the availability of prey (Duncan et al. 1999), while urban expansion continues to pose a threat to the species in the Sydney Basin (DECC 2007c). Local and Regional Conservation Status The Greater Broad-nosed Bat is listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. The majority of records for the species in NSW occur in the NSW North Coast, South East Corner and Sydney Basin, with some records in the New England Tableland Bioregion and South-eastern Highlands Bioregion (DECC 2007a). Within the Sydney Basin the species is mainly restricted to the eastern half of the Bioregion, with the greatest density of records on the Central Coast, and to a lesser extent the Cumberland Plain and the southern Blue Mountains. The species is reasonably well reported from DECC reserves within the Sydney Basin, including Nattai, Kanangra-Boyd, Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Parks (DECC 2007a). Greater Broad-nosed Bat has been trapped at four harp trap locations and confidently identified from its ultrasonic call from a further two sites (Map 11). As mentioned above, unless a long sequence is recorded, the ultrasonic call of this species is easily confused with those of the Eastern Broad-nosed Bat and Eastern False Pipistrelle (Pennay et al. 2004). This has led to the ‘probable’ and ‘possible’ identification of Greater Broad-nosed Bat from Anabat recordings at a number of further locations (however due to low reliability these have not been included on Map 11). Greater Broad-nosed Bat was recorded in a range of vegetation types, but most frequently along alluvial flats or lower slopes such as Hunter Range Flats Apple-Stringybark-Gum Forest, Hunter Range Ironbark Forest, Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum Forest, Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum-Turpentine Gully Forest and Sydney Hinterland Sheltered Turpentine-Apple Forest. The Greater Broad-nosed Bat remains a poorly understood species. Recent surveys on reserves between the Hawkesbury and the Hunter have found it to be only sparsely scattered across the Yengo and Wollemi reserves (DEC 2006a), as is thought to be the case across its range (Parnaby 1992b). Recently completed studies in southern Sydney found the bat to prefer forested lowlands (such as the edges of the Cumberland Plain) and forested highlands (such as the southern Blue Mountains). Continued scientific survey and research of the species is crucial to guiding its conservation management. Targeted management actions are not immediately required for the species within the Yengo and Parr reserves, but ongoing survey in the region, and eventually habitat modelling, will lead to a greater understanding of the conservation requirements of this species in the future.

68 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Map 10: Part one of threatened bat records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 69 Map 11: Part two of threatened bat records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

70 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 4.2 PEST SPECIES

COMMON STARLING

Species Profile

The Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a medium-sized blackish bird with a distinctive yellow beak and plumage with a glossy sheen. A European native, birds were released at multiple locations in south-east Australia between 1850 and 1880; though the exact reason is unknown (Long 1981). It spread rapidly and by 1926 was established throughout the settled parts of NSW (Long 1981). It is a common species in urban areas, and particularly in cleared agricultural lands; but will also utilise areas of native vegetation, such as open woodland, reedbeds and riparian vegetation (Pizzey and Knight 1997). They require hollows for nesting but will use a wide range of substrates including trees, buildings, fence posts or cliffs where they raise up to three clutches of chicks per year (Pizzey and Knight 1997, IUCN 2005). Common Starlings are omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of insects, seeds and fruit, and are a pest in orchards (IUCN 2005). Common Starling will roost communally, usually choosing thick, exotic vegetation, such as Canary Island Date Palms (Phoenix canariensis) which may provide better heat conservation than more open-canopied plant species (Gochfeld 1977).

Impacts

The Common Starling has been listed as one of the ‘World’s Worst Invaders’ (IUCN 2005). Despite this, it is not formally listed as a conservation problem in Australia. The primary impact of this species on native wildlife is competition for, and contamination of, nesting sites. Direct competition for hollows with parrots, including common species such as the Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus), and threatened species such as the Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii), is suspected (Gibbons and Lindenmayer 2002, Garnett and Crowley 2000). It may also compete with the threatened Brown Treecreeper (Environment ACT 1999b) and other native species (Loyn and French 1991). Common Starlings coat their nest cavities with a deep lining that quickly becomes contaminated with parasites, and hollows become unsuitable for other species (IUCN 2005). They are implicated in the spread of invasive weed species, including African Olive (Olea europaea) (Cuneo and Leishman 2006).

Local and Regional Status

The Common Starling is unprotected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974) (NP&W Act). It is the most widely distributed of all introduced birds in NSW; though it is most regularly reported in the south and east. Nationally, between 1984 and 2002 this species showed no change in frequency or distribution, though regional increases were noted in both the Sydney Basin and South Eastern Highlands Bioregions (Barrett et al. 2003). It mostly occurs outside of conservation reserves, though it is found within the smaller, urban parks such as Sydney Harbour and Werakata NPs and Western Sydney Regional Park and on the edges of larger reserves that abut urban or agricultural areas.

Within the study area the Common Starling has been recorded at a single location, near the homestead at Big Yango Station (Map 12). The species is most likely restricted to the disturbed lands around Big Yango station and potentially the Nowlands and Timor holdings, but may also infiltrate into adjacent open woodland areas. As the Common Starling is well known to compete with native birds and bats for nest sites, making sites such as tree hollows unsuitable for other species (IUCN 2005), the presence of the species may further limit this already restricted resource. Though the area of impact of this species is highly restricted, the Big Yango Station area and the Nowlands and Timor holdings have relatively high conservation significance due to the presence of several species of threatened hollow-dependant fauna such as Turquoise Parrot and Barking Owl. A monitoring programme for the Common Starling could easily be set up in this area, aimed at determining the conservation incentives and feasibility of removing the population. Such a programme is recommended in Section 6.1.4 of this report.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 71 Map 12: Introduced bird records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

72 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report FERAL DEER

Species Profile

The Fallow Deer (Dama dama) was the first species of deer to become widely naturalised in Australia, with populations established in all States except Western Australia (Bentley 1995). It is native to the Middle East and Europe. It is smaller than other introduced deer species in the region, weighing between 36-97 kilograms. Most Fallow Deer are spotted to a lesser or greater degree, though variation does occur (Bentley 1995). Deer farms became popular in the 1970s and 1980s, and since this period many deer species have become established from escapees (Moriarty 2004). Between 2002 and 2004/05 Feral Deer have been reported to increase in abundance and range in NSW more than any other pest species (West and Saunders 2007) and hence are an emerging pest animal management issue.

Impacts

Herbivory and environmental degradation by Feral Deer has been listed as a Key Threatening Process in NSW (NSW Scientific Committee 2004b). The impacts of Fallow, Red, Sambar and Rusa Deer are similar, and include overgrazing, trampling, ring-barking, dispersal of weeds, acceleration of erosion, concentration of nutrients and degradation of water quality (NSW Scientific Committee 2004b). Like other species of deer, Fallow Deer can cause serious traffic accidents. There are a number of other significant socio-economic impacts of deer populations including damage to residential gardens and fences, attracting illegal hunting, carrying diseases and parasites that may be transmitted to humans and impacts on agriculture (DEC 2006d).

Local and Regional Status

Fallow Deer are listed as unprotected under the NP&W Act. The species is not formally listed as a pest animal by the Rural Lands Protection Board, however herbivory and land degradation caused by Feral Deer is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the TSC Act. Within NSW, the distribution of Fallow Deer is patchy and not well understood. Wild populations have established from multiple escapes and releases and the species has not reached the full extent of its potential range (Moriarty 2004).

On the Atlas of NSW Wildlife within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves Feral Fallow Deer have only been recorded on the Mellong Plateau, between Tari Creek and High Wollemi (Map 13). The species is also known to occur in the Putty Valley and in adjacent Wollemi NP (DECC 2007a). The Deer are likely to be having a significant impact on native vegetation in this area, and consequently on native fauna, particularly after fire when Deer would feed on the abundance of shoots and new leaves of trees, shrubs and grasses. The density, population characteristics and distribution of Fallow Deer on the Mellong Plateau is currently not known, making it difficult to assess impacts or recommend management options. Of further concern is the report of Feral Deer by locals on Webbs Creek (L. Stein pers. comm.)

Based on the recent spread of Fallow Deer in other parts of the Sydney Basin (DECC 2007c) the pest is considered to have the potential to increase in density and distribution in Yengo NP if not addressed. Furthermore, Fallow Deer may become a significant traffic hazard on the Putty Road. As the Feral Deer become more established they would become increasingly difficult or near impossible to control or eradicate. Development of a research, monitoring and control programme for Fallow Deer is therefore a high conservation priority. Deer are currently managed in south-eastern Wollemi NP, with several eradication methods being trialled (D. Monahan pers. comm.). It is highly recommended that the Yango and Hawkesbury Areas of the Parks and Wildlife Division work together to comprehensively address this emerging conservation issue as soon as practicable. Members of the public, and all government staff, should be encouraged to report sightings with accurate location information for entry into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 73 FERAL CAT

Species Profile

The Cat is a medium-sized carnivore that was first domesticated in the eastern Mediterranean about 3000 years ago (IUCN 2005). The exact origin of the Cat in Australia is unknown, however they were deliberately introduced into the wild during the 19th Century to control Rabbits, Rats and Mice (Rolls 1984) and are now found in virtually all terrestrial habitats across the continent, except some of the wettest rainforests (Environment Australia 1999a). Feral Cats can survive with limited access to water, obtaining moisture from their prey (Newsome 1995). They prefer live prey and while small mammals make up the majority of their diet they will also take birds, reptiles, frogs, fish and insects (Dickman 1996a). They are capable of killing vertebrates up to two kilograms in weight but prefer smaller species weighing less than 220 grams (Dickman 1996a).

Impacts Plate 34: Feral Cat © M. Schulz

Predation by Feral Cats is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the TSC and EPBC Acts and has been listed by the World Conservation Union as among 100 of the ‘World’s Worst Invaders’ (IUCN 2005). Although it is known that Feral Cats prey on native animals, the details and extent of their impact remain poorly understood. Predation by Cats has been implicated in the extinction and decline of many species of mammals and birds on islands around Australia, and in NSW has been linked to the disappearance of thirteen species of mammal and four species of birds (NSW Scientific Committee 2000c). Current impacts on native fauna are likely to be most severe in modified, fragmented environments and in areas where the abundance of alternative prey (such as Rabbits and Mice) fluctuates widely (NSW Scientific Committee 2000c). In Australia, Feral Cats are not recorded to have impacted on any species of reptiles, amphibians, fish or invertebrates (Dickman 1996a). The impact of domestic and stray Cats on native wildlife in suburbia and urban bushland remains poorly understood and controversial.

Local and Regional Status

The exact distribution of the Feral Cat in NSW is poorly known, however there are records from throughout all the Bioregions in NSW, with concentrations in the urban areas on the coast. The majority of records within the Sydney Basin Bioregion are from within 50 kilometres of the coast and to the north of the Shoalhaven River, while they are much more thinly scattered in the South Eastern Highlands Bioregion. It is highly likely that this species occurs at low densities in most environments and conservation parks from the smallest to the largest reserves such as Wollemi and Kosciusko NPs.

The distribution and abundance of the Feral Cat in southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA remains poorly understood. Several individual sightings have been made, including around Big Yango Station and on the Mellong Plateau (Map 14), but these give little indication as to the size and distribution of the Feral Cat population. The frequency of sightings around Big Yango Station suggests that a population lives in this vicinity. All sightings and traces of the Feral Cat within five kilometres of the study area come from areas either currently or previously inhabited by humans. However, it is not known whether this reflects a greater density of Feral Cat in these areas or is simply a sampling bias. The Feral Cat is a very elusive animal and because scats are typically buried and difficult to locate, it is much less frequently detected than Fox or Wild Dog/Dingo. The lack of records from the majority of the Yengo and Parr reserves does not necessarily indicate an absence of Feral Cat. It is more likely that the species occupies most habitats in the study area at a low density, with concentrations around rural properties. This would only be confirmed by further survey and reporting of sightings. DECC staff and other visitors to the Yengo and Parr reserves should be encouraged to accurately report all Feral Cat sightings, for entry in the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. The control of Feral Cats is extremely difficult, and it is not feasible to eradicate the species from the reserves, at least in the medium term. Any control efforts should instead be targeted towards areas where susceptible threatened species, including Turquoise Parrot and Speckled Warbler, are known to occur.

74 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report FERAL GOAT

Species Profile

The Feral Goat is a medium-sized generalist herbivore descended from animals first domesticated in Asia (IUCN 2005). Goats were introduced to Australia by the First Fleet in 1788 and on many subsequent occasions due to their ability to thrive on tough grazing land, reproduce rapidly and provide a ready source of meat, milk and fibres (Henzell 1995). Feral Goats are descendants of various breeds of domestic stock that have escaped, were abandoned or were deliberately released (DEH 2004b). They now occur in all Australian states and offshore islands, but are most common in the rocky or hilly semi-arid to arid areas of western NSW, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland (DEH 2004b). They have a varied diet; browsing trees and shrubs, grazing forbs and grass, and eating fruit, bark, roots and dead plant material (NSW Scientific Committee 2004c). Feral Goats are largely suppressed in areas where Dingos and/or Wild Dogs are present, but reach high densities where these predators have been controlled (Henzell 1995).

Impacts

Competition and habitat degradation by Feral Goats are listed as a Key Threatening Process under the TSC Act and the EPBC Act and has been listed by the World Conservation Union as among 100 of the ‘World’s Worst Invaders’ (IUCN 2005). The species has a major impact on native vegetation through soil damage and overgrazing and can cause significant habitat degradation by trampling, deposition of droppings, and the introduction of weeds (NSW Scientific Committee 2004c). Feral Goats are a major contributor to soil erosion and can prevent the regeneration of palatable trees and shrubs (Henzell 1995). Feral Goats compete with native fauna for food, water and shelter and have been implicated as a threat to the endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and the Broad-headed Snake (Environment Australia 1999b, NSW Scientific Committee 2003c, 2004c).

Local and Regional Status

Feral Goats have been recorded in all Bioregions of NSW but are rare in the Australian Alps and South East Corner Bioregions (DECC 2007a). Most records are in the rocky hills and the mulga and mallee areas in western NSW, though patches of high density occur throughout the tablelands as well. In the Sydney Basin and South Eastern Highlands Bioregions, scattered records occur throughout, though the highest densities appear to be in the Southern Highlands, including Abercrombie River and Tarlo River NPs, and Bungonia SCA, and the far north, such as in eastern Goulburn River NP and Munghorn Gap NR (DECC 2007a).

Goat droppings have only been recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife on a single occasion in the study area, above Webbs Creek near the end of Webbs Creek Track during the 2006-07 surveys (Map 13). A Goat farm occurs on the opposite side of the valley, and it is possible that the individual recorded in 2006 was an escaped or roaming farm animal, rather than a Feral. Goat sightings have also been reported by members of the public south of Wrights Creek (T. Horwood pers. comm.). It is not currently known whether these sightings are one-off escapees or whether several Goats exist in the park and thereby have the potential to become Feral. Though the species is unlikely to be having a significant impact on native fauna at this stage, should animals form a Feral population they have a high potential to cause environmental damage in the future. Given the vicinity and importance of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby populations, this development would be an extremely high conservation concern. In neighbouring areas, Feral Goat have been recorded on the western side of the Putty Road, in Wollemi NP and on private lands in the Putty Valley (DECC 2007a).

The Goat must be managed within southern Yengo and Parr at this early stage, before any potential Feral populations gain a hold. The area above Webbs Creek around the 2006 sighting should be monitored on a six-monthly basis to ascertain whether a single escaped individual or a Feral population occurs. If a Feral population is discovered here, or on the western boundary of the park near Putty Road, swift action should be taken to control the animals before they spread. In addition, neighbouring landholders should be made aware of the high conservation value of southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA to the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, and of the damage that escaped Goats could cause, particularly if they become Feral. The western side of Webbs Creek immediately above the Goat farm could also be monitored for evidence of escaped Goats, and the landholder encouraged to work cooperatively with DECC to prevent a Feral population from becoming established.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 75 FERAL PIG

Species Profile

The Feral Pigs in Australia are descendants of various domestic breeds that were introduced by the first English settlers and transported around the country by 19th Century pastoralists (DEH 2004c). Since that time, there have been repeated escapes from domestic stock and intentional releases of animals for recreational hunting (DEH 2003). Feral Pigs are now found across Australia, reaching highest densities in eastern NSW, the ACT, Queensland and through northern Australia to the Kimberley Region (NSW Scientific Committee 2004d). They occupy a wide range of habitats, but Plate 35: Feral Pig © DECC are restricted by their requirement for shade and access to water (Choquenot et al. 1996). Throughout their range, Pigs show a preference for moist habitats, such as riparian zones, swamps, wet sclerophyll forests and forested gullies (NSW Scientific Committee 2004d). Feral Pigs have a varied diet that includes grasses, bulbs, tubers, roots, seeds, fruit, mushrooms, carrion, vertebrate and invertebrate prey (NSW Scientific Committee 2004d).

Impacts

Pigs have been declared a pest species throughout NSW under the RLP Act. Predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by Feral Pigs is listed as Key Threatening Processes under the TSC Act and the EPBC Act and the species has been listed by the World Conservation Union as among 100 of the ‘World’s Worst Invaders’ (IUCN 2005). The species poses a significant threat to native species and ecological communities through its behaviour and feeding habits. The Feral Pig consumes a range of birds, reptiles, frogs, small mammals and soil invertebrates (Pavlov 1995) and competes with native fauna for food resources (NSW Scientific Committee 2004d). They cause extensive habitat alteration by wallowing, rooting and foraging, including: destruction of plants, reduced regeneration of plants, alteration of soil structure, spread of weeds, creation of drainage channels in swamps, reduction of water quality and spread of disease such as root-rot fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) (DEH 2004c).

Local and Regional Status

The Feral Pig occurs across the Sydney Basin Bioregion, especially around Goulburn River NP and the Boyd Plateau. The species has also been recorded in high numbers between Tumut and Bega in the South Eastern Highlands Bioregion, with many records from reserves such as Kosciusko NP and Tinderry NR (DECC 2007a). It is common on both private and public land, though this species is probably under-recorded outside of the reserve system. The Feral Pig is currently very restricted in extent within southern Yengo NP, and has not been recorded in Parr SCA. The majority of the reserves do not offer suitable habitat for the species, which prefers deep soils particularly along river flats and swamps. Within the study area, Feral Pigs are known to occur on the Mellong Plateau, including in Gibba Swamp/Tinda Creek, Howes Swamp and Wallaby Swamp (Map 14), and have been reported in the Wallabadah Valley (NPWS 2001b). The species also occurs in Mellong Swamp and Stoney Waterhole on the western side of the Putty Road in Wollemi NP, and extends at least as far west as Wollemi Creek (DECC 2007a). Feral Pigs have also been reported in the Putty Valley (NPWS 2001f). The size of the Feral Pig population(s) in the study area and adjacent lands is not known at this stage, but only seven records from the Mellong Area have been entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife between 1993 and 2007. Given the relatively restricted distribution of the Feral Pig in and surrounding the study area, an ongoing targeted and strategic approach to control should help to mitigate damage and potentially lead to eradication in the medium term. Some successful control programs have recently been implemented elsewhere in the Sydney Basin, particularly in the Murruin Wilderness and the Wollondilly River (DECC 2007c). A management program involving trapping, selected poisoning and shooting should continue to be implemented as resources permit and should implement a cooperative cross-tenure and cross-PWG Area approach.

76 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report FOX

Species Profile

The Fox is a small, lithe canid that occurs naturally in Europe, Asia and North America. Foxes were successfully introduced for sport hunting in Victoria in the 1870s and since then they have spread rapidly throughout the southern two-thirds of mainland Australia and have recently been introduced to Tasmania. Foxes are generalist predators and will prey on vertebrates and invertebrates, including crayfish. Unlike Feral Cats, they will also scavenge carrion and consume plant material such as berries.

Impacts Plate 36: Fox © N. Williams Predation by the Fox is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the TSC Act and EPBC Act and it is also listed as a pest species under the RLP Act (NSW Scientific Committee 1998b, Environment Australia 1999c). It is known to impact on a range of native species by either preying on them or competing with them for food and other resources. In particular medium sized mammals, ground-dwelling and semi-arboreal mammals, ground-nesting birds and chelid tortoises are thought to be affected (Dickman 1996b, NPWS 2001g). As pests in an agricultural landscape, Foxes are known to prey on lambs and domestic fowl and can be a significant problem in some areas. Foxes have been shown to have a role in regulating the populations of some of their prey species, including Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) (Banks et al. 2000).

Local and Regional Status

Foxes are ubiquitous throughout vegetated, rural and urban areas of the eastern half of NSW, including the Sydney Basin and South Eastern Highlands Bioregions. They are an extremely common species, and even though they are under-recorded off park, there are few areas without sightings. In response to the listing of predation by this species as a Key Threatening Process, a Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) was endorsed in 2001. This Plan outlines management priorities for NSW including a research program investigating Fox control and threatened species populations (NPWS 2001g).

As elsewhere in the Sydney Basin, the Fox is widespread and common in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. The species has been sighted on only five occasions, but detected from its scats on thirteen occasions, from tracks on seven occasions and once by it’s call (DECC 2007a). As can be seen from Map 14, the species has been recorded on many more occasions in Parr SCA, with records from southern Yengo concentrated towards the perimeters of the park. Interestingly, Fox has not been recorded in the vicinity of Big Yango Station or Mount Yengo, despite the relatively high level of visitation to this area, nor along the wider alluvial valleys of the Macdonald River, Nowlands or Timor Creeks. DECC staff and park visitors should be encouraged to accurately report any Fox sightings in this area, in order to help ascertain whether this represents a true absence/low abundance of the species or simply a lack of detection. There is a possibility that the comparatively high number of Cats and Dingoes in this area may be suppressing Fox numbers through competition, but research would be required to confirm this. It is difficult to ascertain from scat records the preferred habitat of the Fox, as scats are mostly collected from roads and trails where they are easily visible. However, the species has been recorded in all major habitat types. Recent modelling of Fox habitat in the Greater Southern Sydney Region found the species to prefer areas with moderate to high rainfall, which may go towards explaining the low numbers in the drier north-western corner of the study area.

Foxes are unlikely to ever be eradicated and priority areas for control should be chosen on the basis of conservation value, particularly habitats for susceptible threatened species. Based on research elsewhere, fauna species in the study area thought to be most at risk from Fox predation are: Brush- tailed Rock-wallaby, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Speckled Warbler, Turquoise Parrot, Koala, Yellow-bellied Glider and Rosenberg’s Goanna. Habitats of high conservation significance are described in Section 5.3 and should also be included in any Fox control programmes. Foxes should continue to be monitored in the vicinity of known Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies, and data entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife and subject to statistical testing to detect changes in abundance over time. Minimising roads, tracks and other cleared access ways in these habitats, and baiting along those access paths which are retained may help to control Fox numbers. Ultimately Fox control will not be successful without the adoption of a multi-faceted approach including cooperative cross-tenure programmes and consideration of the competitive interactions with other mammalian carnivores.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 77 RABBIT

Species Profile

The Rabbit is a grazer that occurs naturally in Spain and was introduced into south-eastern Australia from England in 1858 (Myers 1995). The species has since spread throughout mainland Australia with the exception of the northern most areas of the continent (DEH 2004d). Rabbits occupy a wide range of habitats, including native and modified grasslands, woodland, heath, forest, agricultural and urban areas (NSW Scientific Committee 2002b). They are scarce in areas that lack suitable soil for digging warrens (such as clay soils) and require access to water in arid areas, though elsewhere they can obtain enough water from their food (DEH 2004d). Feral Rabbits prefer green grass and herbs to forage on, but will also dig below grasses to reach roots and seeds (DEH 2004d) and in times of drought will consume the bark and roots of shrubs (NSW Scientific Committee 2002b).

Impacts

The Rabbit is declared a pest species under the RLP Act and it has been rated as among 100 of the ‘World’s Worst Invaders’ (IUCN 2005). Impacts of this species are listed as a Key Threatening Process under the TSC Act and the EPBC Act. Rabbits cause significant land degradation by altering the structure and composition of vegetation communities, removing above and below ground plant biomass, preventing plant regeneration, ring-barking of trees and shrubs and digging of burrows, which in turn contribute to soil erosion. They compete for food and/or shelter with some native fauna species, such as the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (NSW Scientific Committee 2002b), and are thought to have contributed to the extinction of several small mammals (DEH 2004d). Rabbits form the major component of the diet of Cats and Foxes in many areas and can maintain populations of these predators at high levels. Sharp declines in Rabbit numbers (such as those caused by disease outbreaks) can cause these introduced predators to switch to preying on indigenous fauna (Smith and Quin 1996).

Local and Regional Status

The Rabbit has been recorded in all Bioregions of NSW, though it is found at greater densities on the coast and western slopes. Sightings occur across the Sydney Basin and South Eastern Highlands Bioregions with the highest numbers occurring along the Cumberland Plain, Central Coast and Hunter Valley, and low numbers in the large sandstone reserves, such as Wollemi and Morton NPs. The Rabbit has long been established in this area, and there is little reason to believe it is expanding in range.

The Rabbit is very restricted in extent in southern Yengo NP and has not been recorded in Parr SCA (Map 13). Within the park boundary, the Rabbit is only known to occur in the vicinity of Big Yango Station, between Mount Yengo, Nowlands Creek and the Howes Valley Trail (Map 13). Features that make this area suitable habitat for the Rabbit include: the alluvial soils that are of slightly higher fertility than the surrounding sandstone; the associated grassiness of the ground cover; and the previous disturbance and canopy clearing/thinning. Similar habitat features occur along sections of Timor, Wallabadah and Boree Creeks, and it is possible that the Rabbit also exists in these systems, as they are known to occur on private lands in the Wallabadah Valley (Map 13). Rabbits also occur on the Mellong Plateau, in deep sandy areas along the creeklines. Though not recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife to date, the species is sure to occur in rural lands of the lower Macdonald River valley.

The Rabbit is unlikely to expand beyond existing areas of establishment. Management should be targeted towards areas of high conservation value that contain habitat for susceptible threatened species. The threatened species thought most likely to be impacted is Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, making the Big Yango Station-Mount Yengo-Yokey Creek area a high priority for control. Current management of the Rabbit around Big Yango Station appears to be having some success. The release of Calici virus dramatically reduced numbers, while the maintenance of long grass has kept numbers low (J. Betteridge pers. comm.). At this stage the only additional management action recommended is annual monitoring of Rabbits in the vicinity of known Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies. The two species currently do not appear to coincide (except potentially in the Wallabadah Valley), but if Rabbit numbers are found to rise, or distribution expand, targeted control of the Rabbit could be required at a site-by-site level. In the absence of this, Rabbit control is a moderately low priority. However, any control of Fox or Wild Dog should include concomitant control of Rabbits which otherwise may increase sharply in abundance.

78 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report WILD DOG

Species Profile

Wild Dogs are the feral descendants of domesticated European Dogs, introduced into Australia with first British settlement. They vary in appearance and are found throughout a range of habitat types, though they are most often associated with areas that have been cleared for agriculture. Wild Dogs prey on a range of medium to large mammals, such as kangaroos and wallabies, though they will also consume reptiles, birds, insects and carrion. Prey may also include livestock, and pest species, including Rabbits and Pigs (Fleming et al. 2001). Wild Dogs will interbreed with the Dingo (C. l. dingo). Wild Dogs may not impact on native fauna as significantly as other introduced predators because the native dog, the Dingo, has been a top-order carnivore for approximately 5000 years (Savolainen et al. 2004). Species that survived the arrival of the Dingo should be able to co-exist with Wild Dogs, with important exceptions occurring when other threatening processes are involved, such as habitat loss, disease, altered fire regimes and predation by Foxes. Wild Dogs may be a particular problem for isolated populations of threatened species.

Impacts

The Wild Dog is declared a pest species throughout NSW under the RLP Act. They are not listed as a Key Threatening Process, however they are known to impact on a number of threatened mammal and bird species including the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Koala, Long-nosed Potoroo and Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus) (NPWS 2002c, 2003d, NSW Scientific Committee 2003c). Wild Dogs are also responsible for livestock losses, which may be considerable in some areas. A further threat is that they have been found to carry diseases, such as Cryptosporidium and Hydatid disease, which may be transmissible to humans. Hybridisation with Dingoes is ongoing and Wild Dogs and hybrids are probably expanding into remote areas once occupied only by Dingoes.

Local and Bioregional Conservation Status

Wild Dogs are not protected under the NP&W Act. Wild Dogs are widespread throughout the Bioregions of the Great Dividing Range and some coastal areas.

Of the 104 records of Wild Dog/Dingo within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, only eight derive from direct sightings, including sightings of two packs of Wild Dogs in 2007 (one pack of three near the western end of the Wallaby Swamp Track and one of six on the Howes Swamp Track) and eight from hearing barking. The remainder of the records derive from tracks (24 locations) or scats (72 locations), from which it is impossible to determine the relative percentage of Wild Dog or Dingo heritage. Records in Map 14 are therefore presented as ‘Wild Dog/Dingo’ to indicate that the sightings may represent either subspecies. The Wild Dog/Dingo complex is widespread throughout the reserves, having been recorded in all major habitat types. Unsurprisingly records are concentrated along tracks and major creeklines, which represents a bias in sampling effort rather than true habitat preferences. Never-the-less, Wild Dog/Dingo is known to travel along trails (J. Betteridge pers. obs.), which may increase the ease of incursion for the species into remote areas.

Yengo NP is considered to be important for the conservation of the Dingo (NPWS et al. 2000, DEC 2005c), such that management of the Wild Dog must be balanced against the need to conserve the Dingo. Yango Area currently takes a cautionary management approach, which includes research into the relative distribution of Wild Dogs and Dingoes, and deployment of soft-jaw traps (T. Horwood pers. comm.). This programme is yielding interesting results, and should be continued in southern Yengo and Parr, and indeed extended to the neighbouring conservation areas of northern Yengo and Wollemi NPs. While this programme is ongoing, aerial baiting is not recommended for this region. The primary threatened species vulnerable to predation by the Wild Dog is thought to be Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby. Wild Dog/Dingo numbers should hence continue to be monitored in the vicinity of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies, as is currently being undertaken in conjunction with FoxTAP monitoring. Monitoring data should be entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife and subject to statistical testing to detect changes in abundance over time. Minimising roads, tracks and other cleared access ways into remote areas may help to control the incursion of Wild Dogs into the centre of the reserves. Any control of Wild Dogs in the future should focus on the peripheries of the reserve to manage impacts on adjoining landholders and protect Dingoes that occur in more remote areas. Control may also become necessary around Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies in the future. Any control programmes must be undertaken in conjunction with Fox management and employ a cooperative cross-tenure approach.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 79 Map 13: Introduced herbivore records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

80 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Map 14: Introduced carnivore and omnivore records within five kilometres of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 81 5 PRIORITIES FOR FAUNA CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

5.1 THREATENED SPECIES CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES

Land managers are faced with an ominous list of threatened fauna species. However, not all threatened species warrant equivalent management efforts in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. There are a number of threatened species within the study area which at this stage do not require any active targeted management, and others that require specific management, further survey and/or monitoring to be undertaken in order to increase their chances of long term survival.

Table 7 lists all of the threatened species currently known to occur in the study area, with a rating of their priority for conservation management. These ratings are derived from expert knowledge rather than quantitative assessment, and will require review and revision in the future when comprehensive information on the regional conservation status of each species becomes available. The ratings are defined as follows.

Highest: Species that are likely to become extinct from the study area in the short to medium term without action, and for which the study area plays a crucial role in the regional conservation of the species. These species require management at a site by site level.

High: Species that are at risk of becoming extinct from the region in the medium term without active management of remaining habitats and abatement of threats. This category includes species which are rare in the study area, or for which habitat is limited in extent, but for which the study area is never-the-less important to regional conservation, as well as species that are better represented in the study area than in other reserves in the region.

Moderate: Species for which the study area does not support a significant amount of habitat relative to that reserved elsewhere in the region. Though management of these species is not currently the highest priority for the reserves, an increase of pressure on these species elsewhere in the region, or the delineation of key threats within the study area, may require more active management in the future.

Low: Species for which habitat is widespread within the study area and well represented in the regional reserve system. These species do not require any specific active management in the study area at this stage, other than ongoing protection of important habitat features such as mature hollow-bearing trees.

82 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Table 7: Threatened fauna species confidently recorded within southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA, their relative management priority, key locations and potential threats

Priority for Species Number of Key Locations in the Study Area Potential Key Threats in the Study Area Significance of the Management in the Confirmed Study Area to Regional Study Area Records in the Conservation of the Study Area 1 Species Highest Priority Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby 22 Mogo Creek, the vicinity of Mount Yengo, slopes Predation by and disease transmission from High above the Macdonald River and its major Feral carnivores and potentially hot wildfire Require targeted tributaries. at rocky refuge sites. Competition from management at a site Feral Goats may be a significant future level threat. High Priority Regent Honeyeater A single record Creeklines and valley flats that support River Oak, Grazing by introduced herbivores. Fire Low with low spatial Red Gum, Swamp Mahogany or Rough-barked (including hazard reduction burns) during Require further survey accuracy Apple. Potential areas include Greens Swamp, nesting periods. and/or management of Macdonald River, Mogo and Wallabadah Creeks key habitats and key and the Timor and Nowlands holdings. threats Grey-crowned Babbler 2 Wider creek flats in the north and north-west of the Grazing by introduced herbivores, weed Low study area where a mix of cleared and lightly invasion and possibly predation by timbered country occurs. introduced carnivores. Speckled Warbler 3 Red Gum – Ironbark woodlands on Narrabeen Predation by Foxes, grazing by feral Low Series geology in north of the study area. herbivores, weed invasion. Squirrel Glider 2 Unknown. Potential habitat occurs in wider alluvial Low density of suitable hollow-bearing trees Low valleys in the north of the study area, including due to historical logging operations and Wallabadah, Sandy, Timor and Nowlands Valleys, clearing, and predation by Fox and Feral and possibly also Wollombi Arm. Cat. Brown Treecreeper 10 Mellong Plateau and Ironbark woodlands on Grazing by introduced herbivores, low Low Narrabeen Series geology in the north of the study density of suitable hollow-bearing trees due area. to historical logging operations and clearing, removal of logs through collection of firewood or frequent high intensity fire, and potentially competition for hollows from Common Starling or Feral Honeybee. Broad-headed Snake 3 Rock outcrops with exfoliating sandstone. Previous removal of winter shelter sites, Unknown frequent fire, feral predators. Low density of suitable hollow-bearing trees due to historical logging operations and clearing. Black-chinned 6 Ironbark-dominated woodlands, particularly lower Unknown Moderate Honeyeater slopes of Narrabeen Series geology.

Masked Owl 4 Not well understood but likely to be more open Low density of suitable hollow-bearing trees Low forests and woodlands along riparian zones due to historical logging operations and

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 83 Priority for Species Number of Key Locations in the Study Area Potential Key Threats in the Study Area Significance of the Management in the Confirmed Study Area to Regional Study Area Records in the Conservation of the Study Area 1 Species including the Macdonald River and its major clearing. tributaries. Turquoise Parrot 31 Mellong Plateau and areas of Narrabeen Series Predation by Foxes and Feral Cats. Low Moderate geology supporting Ironbark woodlands. density of suitable hollow-bearing trees due to historical logging operations and clearing. Barking Owl 7 Creeklines and lower slopes in the north and north- Low density of suitable hollow-bearing trees Moderate west of the study area. due to historical logging operations and clearing. Brush-tailed Phascogale A single record Unknown. Unknown. Potentially low density of suitable Unknown but likely to be with low spatial hollow-bearing trees due to historical low accuracy logging operations and clearing, and predation by Feral carnivores. Grey-headed Flying-fox 1 Potential foraging habitat widespread. None identified. Low Koala 115 North-east of the study area, from Bucketty to Bala None identified. Potentially future threats High Range and north to the Yengo Track. include loss of connectivity with habitats to the east of the study area, and frequent, large, high intensity fire. East-coast Freetail-bat 2 Unknown. Potentially associated with fertile valleys Application of pesticides adjacent to Unknown but likely to be and alluvial areas. foraging areas. Potentially low density of low suitable hollow-bearing trees due to historical logging operations and clearing. Black Bittern Historical Major tributaries of the Hawkesbury River, Unknown. Low records less particularly Macdonald River and Webbs Creek. than 200m from Parr SCA boundary Moderate Priority Spotted-tailed Quoll 1 Unknown. Likely to use moist creeklines and Potentially predation and competition by Low riparian zones. Feral Carnivores, and high frequency fire. Require management of Low density of suitable hollow-bearing trees key habitats and key due to historical logging operations and threats clearing. Little Bentwing-bat 1 Higher rainfall areas with a coastal influence. Unknown. Potentially application of Low Particularly creeklines and water courses in the pesticides adjacent to foraging areas. south-east. Greater Broad-nosed Bat 6 Unknown Application of pesticides adjacent to Unknown foraging areas. Low density of suitable hollow-bearing trees due to historical

84 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Priority for Species Number of Key Locations in the Study Area Potential Key Threats in the Study Area Significance of the Management in the Confirmed Study Area to Regional Study Area Records in the Conservation of the Study Area 1 Species logging operations and clearing. Sooty Owl 2 Southern half of the study area where mesic Potentially changes in vegetation Low vegetation with rainforest elements occurs, characteristics resulting from frequent fire. particularly Wrights and Webbs Creek catchments. Low density of hollow-bearing trees due to historical logging operations. Climate change may be a significant future threat. Lower Priority Rosenberg’s Goanna 9 Widespread. Rocky ridges and upper slopes. Predation by Feral Cats, Wild Dogs and Moderate Foxes. Do not currently require management actions Large-eared Pied Bat 31 Widespread through a range of habitat types. Potentially predation by Feral animals and High disturbance of roost sites by Feral Goats. Red-crowned Toadlet 32 Widespread. Breed in first and second order No threats currently identified. It is not High creeklines. known whether Chytrid fungus occurs, but may significantly affect this species if it does break out. Giant Burrowing Frog 8 Widespread. Breed at the headwaters of minor Predation by Foxes and Cats. It is not High drainage channels or on larger creeklines with known whether Chytrid fungus occurs, but alluvial sand and rocky pools. may significantly affect this species if it does break out. Eastern Pygmy-possum 2 records with Unknown. Potential habitat is widespread. Predation by Feral Cats and Foxes. Unknown low spatial accuracy Powerful Owl 10 Sheltered environments where tree hollows are Low density of suitable hollow-bearing trees Moderate present. due to historical logging operations. Frequent fire may damage foliage roosts and alter the abundance of prey species Eastern Bentwing-bat 19 Foraging habitat widespread. No maternity roost Application of pesticides adjacent to Moderate sites known. foraging areas and predation by Feral Cats. Gang-gang Cockatoo 72 Widespread. Primarily taller forests along gully Climate change may be a significant future Moderate lines and sheltered slopes. threat. Glossy Black-cockatoo 74 Widespread. Sheltered forest that includes Forest Changes in density of Allocasuarina species Moderate Oak in the small tree layer, particularly the eastern from frequent fire may be a significant future half of the study area. threat. Yellow-bellied Glider 74 Widespread. Taller open forests particularly in Low density of suitable hollow-bearing trees Moderate areas of higher fertility. due to historical logging operations. 1 Indicates the number of locations accurately recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 85 5.2 THREATENING PROCESSES

Several Key Threatening Processes (KTPs), as identified under state and federal legislation, act within the study area. Table 8 summarises the KTPs that are thought to occur within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, including threats that are currently thought to be having a significant impact on native fauna (shaded red), threats that are restricted in extent or which are not well understood (shaded pink) and threats that may arise in the future (shaded orange). Table 8: Relative priority and key locations of Key Threatening Processes

Key Threatening Process Key current locations of threat and areas to target for abatement/management

Predation by the European Red Fox Occurrence is widespread, particularly in the south of the study area. Extent of impact on animal populations is not well understood. Total eradication is not feasible, but populations can be reduced. Until further information is gained, key areas for monitoring/control are known locations and habitats of Brush-tailed Rock- wallaby, Speckled Warbler or Turquoise Parrot. Foraging efficiency seems to be maximal in habitats with an open understorey (Environment Australia 1999c).

Loss of hollow-bearing trees Areas of regrowth on formerly cleared lands, former grazing lands and logged gully systems. Vegetation communities most affected include Hunter Range Flats Apple- Stringybark-Gum Forest, Hunter Range Ironbark Forest, Hunter Range Blue Gum Turpentine Gully Forest, Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple Forest.

Ecological consequences of high Entire area at risk, particularly the northern third of the study area and along the frequency fire western boundary including the Mellong Plateau. The level of threat may increase in the future due to human-induced climate change.

Bushrock removal and disturbance Ridgelines across reserve, particularly where accessible by vehicle. No evidence of recent bushrock removal or disturbance was collected during the 2006-07 surveys. Historical records suggest removal was widespread through Parr SCA (Bell 1993) and western Yengo (NPWS 2001, Sanders 1988).

Infection of frogs by amphibian Chytrid Occurrence and distribution is not known. Headwaters of minor drainage channels fungus and larger creeklines with alluvial sand and rocky pools are the highest priority for research.

Predation by Feral Cats Distribution unknown and significance of impact on animal populations not well understood. All current records come from areas either currently or previously inhabited by humans. Most susceptible areas are known locations and habitats of Speckled Warbler or Turquoise Parrot.

Herbivory and environmental Mellong Plateau between Tari Creek and High Wollemi. Impact appears to be of low degradation caused by Feral Deer intensity and restricted extent at this stage, but has the potential to become significant if left unchecked.

Invasion of native plant communities by Two of the exotic perennial grasses listed in the determination have been recorded exotic perennial grasses in the study area, being Panic Veldgrass (Ehrharta erecta) and Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), but more are likely to occur in former grazing lands. Fauna habitats most susceptible are those of the Speckled Warbler, Grey-crowned Babbler and Turquoise Parrot, particularly around Big Yango Station and the former holdings along Timor, Nowlands and Calore Creeks.

Competition from Feral Honeybees Distribution and abundance not known. Anecdotal evidence suggests there is only low abundance of Feral Honeybees in the reserves (D. Beckers pers. comm.). Potential impacts may be exaggerated in areas where logging or clearing has occurred in the past due to the reduced availability of tree hollows.

Competition and Grazing from feral Grassy habitats in the vicinity of Big Yango Station between Mount Yengo, European Rabbit Nowlands Creek and the Howes Valley Trail.

Predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by Mellong Plateau, including in Gibba Swamp/Tinda Creek, Howes Swamp and Feral Pigs Wallaby Swamp, and the Wallabadah Valley.

Competition and land degradation Recorded from a single location above Webbs Creek; possibly an escaped farm caused by Feral Goats animal. Colonies of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby are located in this vicinity and highly susceptible to the impacts of Feral Goats.

86 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Key Threatening Process Key current locations of threat and areas to target for abatement/management

Infection by Psittacine circoviral (beak and feather) disease affecting endangered psittacine species and populations Not currently known from study area.

Human-caused climate change Potential impact on fauna species poorly understood at this stage. Vegetation communities at the margin of their range such as Sydney Hinterland Warm Temperate Rainforest may disappear from the study area in the future if rainfall decreases, temperature increases and fire frequency/intensity increases. This would potentially result in the loss of associated fauna such as Yellow-throated Scrubwren and Bassian Thrush.

Table 9: Other threatening processes acting in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves

Process Key locations of threat

Grazing by Wild Cattle affecting the regeneration of previously Creeklines, valley flats, lower slopes and diatremes that cleared areas, and potentially spreading weeds, fouling support open grassy woodland with River Oak, Red Gum, waterholes and causing harm by trampling and compacting Rough-barked Apple and/or Ironbarks. Known current the soil, with flow-on effects for native fauna locations are Big Yango Station, Nowlands and Timor holdings, Macdonald River and Pierces Hole. Wild Cattle have also been seen in the Mogo Creek Area, in Frog Hollow diatreme (T. Horwood pers. comm.) and on the Mellong Plateau (DECC 2007a).

Predation by Wild Dogs and hybridisation between Wild Dogs Records of the Wild Dog/Dingo complex are widespread and Dingoes throughout the reserves. Key areas for management are the peripheries of the reserves and the vicinity of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies.

Competition for hollows from Common Starling Big Yango Station. The species has the potential to spread into adjacent open woodland areas and the Nowlands and Timor holdings.

Very high intensity fire Anywhere in the study area where no unburnt refugia are left, particularly near core areas for Koala.

Application of pesticides in neighbouring farmlands Extent of practice and level of impact on threatened fauna is not known. Potential problem areas are the north-eastern corner of the study area as well as the lower Macdonald River and lower Webbs Creek.

Collection of individual specimens of Broad-headed Snake Rocky outcrops on ridges and exposed slopes adjacent to trails.

Trail bike riding causing opening of tracks, erosion and First and second order creeklines, moderate to steep slopes hydrological change and riparian zones.

Firetrail and firebreak construction and maintenance that All ridgelines and upper slopes. alters local hydrology or destroys road-side ditches

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 87 5.3 RELATIVE PRIORITY OF FAUNA HABITATS

Vegetation communities within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, and the fauna habitat they provide, vary widely in their spatial extent, with some being widespread and some naturally restricted. They also vary in the level of disturbance imposed upon them in the past, with some having been heavily depleted due to clearing, some subject to rough grazing, some heavily logged, and others left largely undisturbed. Obviously, fauna species that are closely associated with habitats within vegetation communities that are naturally restricted and/or heavily disturbed are under greater threat than those which prefer widespread habitat types or are known to use a wide variety of vegetation communities.

Table 10 presents a summary of the vegetation communities in which the highest and high priority threatened fauna species were recorded during the BSP and CRA surveys of the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. Only the BSP and CRA records have been used for this analysis because they have the highest degree of spatial accuracy (usually about 10 metres) and the vegetation type in which individuals occur could be validated against field notes and data sheets. This table shows that some species have clear associations with the mapped vegetation communities, while others are more widespread or associated with specific landscape features that are not delineated by vegetation community, such as the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby association with boulder piles, cliffs and overhangs. Grassy alluvial flats are important for a number of the high priority threatened fauna species, including Grey-crowned Babbler, Speckled Warbler, Brown Treecreeper, Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies) and Barking Owl (Table 10). They also provide potential habitat for Squirrel Glider, Masked Owl, Turquoise Parrot and Brush-tailed Phascogale. Vegetation communities located on grassy alluvial flats are amongst the most disturbed in the study area, and fauna that prefer this habitat type are subject to ongoing threats including lack of hollow-bearing trees, ecological disturbance through weed invasion, grazing and trampling by feral herbivores, and more omnipotent threats such as predation by introduced carnivores. Furthermore, grassy alluvial forests and woodlands are generally poorly reserved and subject to severe ongoing pressures outside of the reserve system. The grassy alluvial forests and woodlands in and around the southern Yengo and Parr reserves therefore form the highest priority fauna habitat. Vegetation communities that comprise this habitat group are listed in Table 11.

Table 10 also suggests that woodlands on the Mellong Sands support a relatively high number of high priority threatened fauna species, particularly in relation to the small amount of land that these vegetation communities occupy. Where the structure of these woodlands is a fairly open woodland with a sparse shrub layer and grassy ground layer, habitat exists for the ‘declining woodland birds’, particularly Brown Treecreeper and Turquoise Parrot and to a lesser extent Speckled Warbler and Black-chinned Honeyeater and also potentially for Squirrel Glider (Table 10). The Mellong woodlands are unusual habitat for these ‘declining woodland’ species, which are more commonly associated with lower altitude dry grassy Box woodlands, such as occur along the northern perimeters of Wollemi and Yengo NPs. The primary threat to the Mellong vegetation communities at this time is likely to be ‘ecological consequences of high frequency fire’, particularly given their naturally restricted occurrence and their proximity to the Putty Road. The Mellong Sands and adjacent grassy woodlands are therefore considered a second high priority fauna habitat.

Though neither Swift Parrot or Regent Honeyeater have been recorded within the southern Yengo and Parr reserves in recent years, a small amount of potential habitat occurs therein which is worthy of identification and should be the focus for further survey for these species. Based on their potential to periodically support Swift Parrot and/or Regent Honeyeater, as well as potentially provide habitat for the Squirrel Glider, the Coastal Riverflat Swamp Mahogany Forest and Coastal River Oak Forest are also high priority fauna habitats. Regent Honeyeater may also utilise alluvial forests and woodlands already identified above as high priority fauna habitat.

The declining woodland birds, particularly Black-chinned Honeyeater, also utilise Hunter Range Ironbark Forest which occurs along shale bands in the sandstone of the Narrabeen series geologies, primarily on lower slopes through the northern half of the study area. Koala also utilises this habitat type. This vegetation community is largely in tact, though it has been affected by logging in the past. This community is the fourth priority fauna habitat.

The Information and Assessment Section is currently working towards undertaking modelling of habitat for threatened and regionally significant species across the northern half of the Sydney Basin. In the interim, a map has been produced for this report (Map 15) that highlights the above areas of ‘high

88 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report priority fauna habitat’. This delineation is based on high priority threatened species locality records and known habitat preferences for particular high priority threatened fauna species where these relate to the newly mapped vegetation communities in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. This map should be used as a guide only, until more detailed habitat modelling is undertaken across the region.

Habitat for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and Broad-headed Snake is not well delineated by the newly mapped vegetation communities, but rather determined by the occurrence of specific habitat features, as described for each species in Section 4. As all potential habitat for these species in the reserves has not been identified to date, a map has not been produced for this report. However, potential habitat for these species would also form high priority fauna habitat. In the absence of adequate habitat mapping for these species, the area around all known extant and historic Brush-tailed Rock- wallaby colonies is considered to be high priority fauna habitat (see Map 9), as are known and historic localities of Broad-headed Snake (see Map 4) and corresponding extensive areas of outcropping and exfoliating rock.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 89 Table 10: Vegetation communities in which highest and high priority threatened fauna were recorded during systematic surveys (other surveys excluded due to lower level of spatial accuracy)

Statewide Vegetation Class Coastal Valley Grassy North Coast Wet Sydney Sand Flats Dry Eastern Sydney Hinterland Dry Sclerophyll Forests Sydney Cleared Woodlands Sclerophyll Forests Sclerophyll Forests Riverine Coastal or heavily Forests Heaths disturbed

Vegetation Community (DECC 2008a) Hunter Range Ironbark Ironbark Range Hunter Forest Rocky Hinterland Sydney Yellow Bloodwood Woodland Exposed Hinterland Sydney Bloodwood-Stringybark Red Forest Hinterland Sydney Forest Peppermint-Apple Sheltered Hinterland Sydney Forest Turpentine-Apple Hunter Range Exposed Gum Stringybark-Grey Woodland Dwarf Hinterland Sydney Apple Scrub on occur These primarily flats alluvial Hunter Range Basalt Red Red Basalt Range Hunter Forest Box Gum-Grey Apple- Flats Range Hunter Forest Stringybark-Gum Sheltered Range Hunter Forest Grey Gum Blue Hinterland Sydney Gully Gum-Turpentine Forest Drooping Mellong Sands Woodland Sedge Gum Red Scribbly Mellong Sands Gum Woodland Hinterland Sydney Riparian Sandstone Complex

Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby 1 1 1 1 1

Regent Honeyeater Not recorded during systematic survey

Grey-crowned Babbler (eastern subspecies) 1 5

Speckled Warbler 1 1 1

Squirrel Glider 1

Brown Treecreeper 2 1 1 1 1 2

Broad-headed Snake Not recorded during systematic survey

Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies) 2 1 4

Masked Owl 3 1 2

Turquoise Parrot 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3

Barking Owl 1 2 1

Brush-tailed Phascogale Accurate location information not available

90 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Statewide Vegetation Class Coastal Valley Grassy North Coast Wet Sydney Sand Flats Dry Eastern Sydney Hinterland Dry Sclerophyll Forests Sydney Cleared Woodlands Sclerophyll Forests Sclerophyll Forests Riverine Coastal or heavily Forests Heaths disturbed

Vegetation Community (DECC 2008a) Hunter Range Sheltered Sheltered Range Hunter Forest Grey Gum Blue Hinterland Sydney Gully Gum-Turpentine Forest Drooping Mellong Sands Woodland Sedge Gum Red Scribbly Mellong Sands Gum Woodland Hinterland Sydney Riparian Sandstone Complex Ironbark Range Hunter Forest Rocky Hinterland Sydney Yellow Bloodwood Woodland Exposed Hinterland Sydney Bloodwood-Stringybark Red Forest Hinterland Sydney Forest Peppermint-Apple Sheltered Hinterland Sydney Forest Turpentine-Apple Hunter Range Exposed Gum Stringybark-Grey Woodland Dwarf Hinterland Sydney Apple Scrub on occur These primarily flats alluvial Hunter Range Basalt Red Red Basalt Range Hunter Forest Box Gum-Grey Apple- Flats Range Hunter Forest Stringybark-Gum

Grey-headed Flying-fox 1

Koala 1 1 3 4 2 6 4 2

East-coast Freetail-bat 1

Black Bittern Not recorded during systematic survey

Total 1 6 2 4 1 6 2 9 9 3 12 5 3 2 11

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 91

Table 11: Summary of interim high priority fauna habitats within Southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA

Habitat Type High priority threatened fauna Correlating vegetation communities species for which potential habitat within southern Yengo NP and Parr occurs SCA (from DECC 2008a)

Grassy Alluvial Forests and Woodlands Grey-crowned Babbler Coastal Riverflat Cabbage Gum Forest

Speckled Warbler Hunter Range Flats Apple-Stringybark- Gum Forest Brown Treecreeper Hunter Range Flats Red Gum-Apple Black-chinned Honeyeater Forest

Turquoise Parrot Partly cleared/highly disturbed lands around Big Yango, Mount Calore and Nowlands Creek Barking Owl

Squirrel Glider

Masked Owl

Brush-tailed Phascogale

River Oak or Swamp Mahogany Forests Regent Honeyeater Coastal Riverflat Swamp Mahogany Forest Swift Parrot Coastal River Oak Forest

Ironbark Forest Black-chinned Honeyeater Hunter Range Ironbark Forest

Koala

Mellong Sands Woodlands Brown Treecreeper Mellong Sands Drooping Red Gum Sedge Woodland Black-chinned Honeyeater Mellong Sands Scribbly Gum Woodland Turquoise Parrot

Speckled Warbler (limited areas)

Squirrel Glider

92 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report

Map 15: Interim high priority fauna habitats in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves based on location and habitat preferences of high priority threatened fauna species

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 93 6 SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

The purpose of this section is to bring together the results of the BSP surveys and the priorities set in Section 5 to provide interim management recommendations for fauna in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. These recommendations are intended to complement actions already identified in relevant threatened species Recovery Plans, Priority Action Statements (PAS), Threat Abatement Plans and in the Yengo National Park and Parr State Conservation Area Draft Plan of Management. Such documents are readily available and will therefore not be duplicated here. These management recommendations will be reviewed and refined as further information becomes available.

6.1 PEST SPECIES

In order to guide management of pest species in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, the following notes and recommendations are made. These recommendations are made primarily with regards to pest species impacts on fauna biodiversity and threatened fauna species.

6.1.1 Fox

• It is unlikely that Foxes will ever be eradicated from the reserves. The highest priority for ongoing monitoring and abatement is around known Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies and potential Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby habitat. Fox data collected in the vicinity of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies to date should be entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife and subject to statistical analysis to test for changes in abundance over time. The monitoring programme should be extended to the new colonies detected during the 2006-07 surveys. Predator scats should also be collected from these areas and sent to Barbara Triggs for identification and prey analysis. Findings should then be used to determine the need for implementation of a Fox control programme. Any findings and recommendations of the state-wide Fox Threat Abatement Plan (Fox TAP) as they relate to Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies should be implemented without delay.

• The Grassy Alluvial Forests and Woodlands, particularly in the vicinity of Big Yango and Nowlands holdings provide habitat for a number of threatened species vulnerable to Fox predation. Fortunately, however, the Fox has not yet been recorded in these areas. It is recommended that the current sand pad monitoring program be extended to these valleys with the aim of confirming whether or not the Fox does occur in these habitats and if so, it’s approximate abundance. Predator scats should also be collected from these areas and sent to Barbara Triggs for identification and prey analysis. If the Fox is detected in these valleys then the areas would become a high priority for control. Wild Dog/Dingo baiting should be avoided in the Big Yango/Nowlands/Timor Creek area as these predators may currently be suppressing Fox numbers.

• The impact of the Fox on Koala in the north-east of the study area is not currently known. At this stage there is no evidence that Koala numbers have declined in the reserves. If evidence is found to suggest the impact of Fox predation is significant, then Fox control may be necessary.

• Foxes readily utilise roads, tracks and other cleared access ways through denser vegetation or complex topography (Environment Australia 1999c). One option to minimise Fox impacts in the study area is to reduce such access points to a minimum. Such an approach may be appropriate on the Mellong Plateau, particularly in the vicinity of Turquoise Parrot records. A second option is to establish bait stations along access trails that are retained in this area.

• Use of 1080 baits for Fox in the study area should be carefully considered. Where use of 1080 is necessary, burying baits deeper than seven centimetres below the ground surface (rather than burying them in raised mounds) will decrease the number of baits removed by Spotted-tailed Quolls (Glen and Dickman 2003).

94 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 6.1.2 Wild Dog

• Mitigation of the impacts of Wild Dogs must be balanced against the need to conserve the Dingo. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty in differentiating Wild Dog from Dingo by indirect traces such as scats and tracks, the relative distribution of these subspecies is not clear from data on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. Research undertaken by DECC Yango Area suggests that Dingo occur at the core of the park and that animals closer to the park boundary have a higher degree of Wild Dog heritage. It is highly recommended that this research be continued and leads to the production of a Dingo management plan for the park.

• The highest priority for ongoing monitoring and abatement is around known Brush-tailed Rock- wallaby colonies and potential Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby habitat. Wild Dog/Dingo data collected in the vicinity if Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies to date should be entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife and subject to statistical analysis to test for changes in abundance over time. Predator scats should also be collected from these areas and sent to Barbara Triggs for identification and prey analysis. Findings should then be used to determine the need for implementation of a Wild Dog control programme.

• Current control of Wild Dog in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves should focus on the peripheries of the reserve. In particular, control should be considered in the north-eastern corner (between Boree and Wollombi in the vicinity of key Koala habitat) and along the Putty Road between Colo Heights and Howes Valley. Baiting (particularly aerial baiting) within the interior of the park should be avoided at this stage, including in the vicinity of Big Yango Station, Nowlands and Timor Holdings. Wild Dogs should continue to only be directly removed on a selective basis from these latter areas at least until further information is gained on the competitive relationship between Fox and Dog/Dingo in this area.

• It is recommended that wherever possible predator scats be collected by DECC staff and sent to Barbara Triggs for identification and prey analysis. Results, together with accurate location information, should be entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife in order to build up a database of the prey composition of predators in different parts of the reserves and the impact they are likely to be having on fauna species in particular habitats.

6.1.3 Feral herbivores

• The Goat must be managed within southern Yengo and Parr at this early stage, before any potential Feral populations gain a hold. The area above Webbs Creek around the 2006 sighting should be monitored on a six-monthly basis to ascertain whether a single escaped individual or a Feral population occurs. If a Feral population is discovered here, or on the western boundary of the park near Putty Road, swift action should be taken to control the animals before they spread. In addition, neighbouring landholders should be made aware of the high conservation value of Yengo NP and Parr SCA to the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, and of the damage that escaped Goats could cause, particularly if they become Feral. The western side of Webbs Creek immediately above the Goat farm could also be monitored for evidence of escaped Goats, and the landholder encouraged to work cooperatively with DECC to prevent a Feral population from becoming established.

• A monitoring and control programme for Feral Deer on the Mellong Plateau should be developed in cooperation with DECC Hawkesbury and Hunter Range Areas and neighbouring land holders. The sooner such a programme is implemented the higher the chance that the pest can be successfully eradicated from Yengo and adjacent reserves. As Fallow Deer have the potential to increase in Yengo and Wollemi NPs if left unchecked, this is a high management priority.

• It is recommended that a management program for Feral Pig be established on the Mellong Plateau in cooperation with DECC Hawkesbury and Hunter Range Areas and neighbouring land holders. The programme could variously involve trapping, selective poisoning and shooting and lead to removal of the species from the reserve in the medium term.

• Current management of Rabbit around Big Yango Station appears to be having some success (J. Betteridge pers. comm.) and should therefore be continued. At this stage the only additional management recommendation for Rabbit is bi-annual monitoring in the vicinity of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies. This could take the form of undertaking searches and

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 95 counts of Rabbit scats over a designated area. Any baiting of Fox around Big Yango and the Nowlands and Timor holdings must be accompanied by Rabbit control, and visa versa.

• It is recommended that the Feral Cattle control programme currently in place for Big Yango Station be extended to Timor and Nowlands holdings and Pierces Hole, with the first two locations taking higher priority. Surveys should be undertaken to determine the origin of Cattle along the Macdonald River, and if found to be Feral should also be removed.

6.1.4 Common Starling

Though the area of impact of Common Starling is currently restricted to disturbed lands on Big Yango Station the species has the potential to spread to other previously disturbed areas in the park, such as Timor and Nowlands holdings, and thus further limit the availability if tree hollows in these areas. In light of this it is recommended Common Starling be surveyed and monitored biannually around Big Yango Station, Timor and Nowlands holdings, in conjunction with threatened diurnal bird species as outlined in Section 6.6.2.

6.2 FIRE MANAGEMENT AND FAUNA

Due to characteristics of elevation, slope and aspect Yengo NP is rated as having a very high potential to carry fire, greater than that of neighbouring Wollemi NP (DEC 2005k). The impact of wildfire and controlled burning on fauna remains poorly understood. Research currently being undertaken by DECC (in prep.) is one of few studies comparing fauna composition in long unburnt vegetation to vegetation that has undergone extensive and severe wildfire. Findings of that study will aid in understanding the impacts of severe wildfire on fauna in the Yengo and Parr reserves. Though listed as a Key Threatening Process, the ecological impacts of frequent fire on the suite of fauna in an ecosystem remain poorly studied, and hence it is difficult to make informed management recommendations in this regard.

Preliminary examination of data collected during the DECC study (DEC 2004c) suggests that fauna groups particularly susceptible to high intensity fire are the arboreal mammals, shrub-frequenting birds and litter-dwelling skinks. The study highlights the importance of unburnt refugia in the recolonisation of burnt areas. Unburnt refugia remain important for many years after the fire, as a population source for recolonisation and by augmenting food and habitat for individuals occupying burnt areas. When few unburnt refugia remain, maintaining these in an unburnt state for many years is particularly important. It is worth noting that despite the history of numerous extensive and intense wildfires across the Yengo and Parr reserves (roughly between three and seven wildfires in the last 20 years), the suite of fauna expected to occur in Sydney hinterland sandstone environments remains present. Koala, for example, are widespread across the north-eastern corner of the study area, which has frequently been burnt in the last 20 years. The mechanism for these species survival was not examined as part of this study, but suggests that species such as Koala and Red-crowned Toadlet can survive in frequently burnt reserves where large interconnected areas of habitat exist.

Recent completion of detailed vegetation mapping across the Yengo and Parr reserves will enable the delineation of fire sensitive vegetation communities. The DECC Metro Information and Assessment Section is working towards undertaking fauna habitat modelling across the Yengo, Parr and Wollemi reserves to further delineate high conservation value and fire sensitive fauna habitats. That work would enable formulation of more prescriptive fire management strategies for biodiversity conservation.

In the mean time the following generic recommendations for fire management in relation to fauna are made:

• Fire management should always maintain a mosaic of fire regimes.

• Mosaic burning should retain some examples of all vegetation communities in a long unburnt state, especially representatives of the high priority fauna habitat vegetation types.

• Fire planning should recognise the crucial role that unburnt refugia play in the recolonisation of burnt landscapes, particularly after extensive and intense wildfire. When only small areas are left unburnt these should remain in an unburnt state for as long as possible, at the very least for ten years.

96 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report • Where possible, fire management in southern Yengo and Parr should aim to protect hollow- bearing trees and assist the establishment of new hollows in areas that have previously been cleared or logged. One example is not felling hollow-bearing dead or living trees during mop- up operations or during construction or upgrading of fire breaks and trails. Broadscale wildfire may temporarily disrupt the age structure of previously logged forests, but can also promote hollow formation in standing trees (Lindenmayer et al. 1991b in NSW Scientific Committee 2007).

• Fire intensity mapping should be carried out following all major wildfire events.

A number of threatened species warrant particular consideration when planning hazard reduction burns and attempting to control wildfires. In light of this the following recommendations are made.

• High intensity wildlife should be excluded from the rocky refugia of known extant Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies (see Map 15).

• During a wildfire it is critical to attempt to ensure that a proportion of Koala habitat is left unburnt. Fuel reduction burning should be conducted outside of the spring/summer period when Koalas are breeding, and crown scorch and crown burns should be avoided. Preferred feed trees, including Red Gums and Grey Gum should not be felled during mop-up operations or construction of fire breaks in areas that are known to be used by Koala. Introduced predator control, especially for Foxes should be undertaken in initial years following wildfire, as Koalas spend more time on the ground travelling between feeding areas.

• High intensity wildfire should be excluded, where possible, from creeklines and gorges that support habitat for the Sooty and Powerful Owls, in particular where territories of these species are currently known to occur (see Map 7). Too frequent hazard reduction burning, using low intensity fire with short burn intervals, should also be avoided in these areas. Vegetation communities considered to potentially provide habitat for these owls include Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum-Turpentine Gully Forest, Sydney Hinterland Warm Temperate Rainforest and Sydney Sandstone Riparian Complex, though the Powerful Owl may utilise other vegetation types where taller forest exists.

• The distribution of Spotted-tailed Quoll in the southern Yengo and Parr reserves is not currently known. Further survey, community consultation and habitat modelling may improve our understanding of patterns of habitat use, and enable more prescriptive recommendations for fire management. In the mean time, it is recommended that representative areas of each of the moister vegetation communities are always left in a long unburnt state, particularly in the south and east of the study area.

• Fire regimes in the grassy alluvial forests and woodlands, particularly around Big Yango and Nowlands holdings, as well as in the woodlands around the Mellong Sands, should be managed to ensure key habitat features for threatened species that occur therein are maintained and enhanced. Key habitat features include: diversity of native grasses; moderate density of shrub thickets; fallen logs and standing or fallen dead trees; hollow-bearing trees.

6.3 ECOLOGICAL REHABILITATION AND RESTORATION

Vegetation communities most affected by historical clearing, grazing and logging activities before the establishment of the Yengo and Parr reserves include Coastal Riverflat Cabbage Gum Forest, Hunter Range Flats Apple-Stringybark-Gum Forest, Hunter Range Flats Red Gum-Apple Forest, Sydney Hinterland Diatreme Forest, and taller forest on sheltered slopes and gully lines from where hardwoods such as Ironbark species, Sydney Blue Gum, Turpentine and Stringybark species were logged. The most appropriate restoration for the latter logged forests is natural regeneration, together with protection of existing hollow-bearing trees, as few, if any, weed species occur and the areas are subject to few ongoing threatening processes. The first four vegetation communities, however, could best be restored by assisted regeneration, with the main focus being the control of weed species.

The highest priority for assisted regeneration is the Hunter Range Flats Apple-Stringybark-Gum Forest and adjacent clearings, particularly where it occurs along wider alluvial valleys with Red Gums in the canopy and/or adjacent to Hunter Range Ironbark Forest. It is recommended that a survey of weeds

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 97 be commissioned for these areas, particularly around Big Yango, Timor and Nowlands holdings, and former grazing lands below Mount Calore. A weed management plan could then be established for these areas, particularly targeting any perennial grass species that are listed under the determination of invasion of native plant communities by exotic perennial grasses as a Key Threatening Process, and/or weed species that are most likely to inhibit natural regeneration of the native plant community. This weed management plan should be implemented in conjunction with a biannual survey of birds and arboreal mammals, to monitor any corresponding changes in abundance or distribution, as outlined below.

Management of the grasslands around Big Yango Station should also take into account the current habitat usage of high priority threatened species, particularly Grey-crowned Babbler and Speckled Warbler. These species have been recorded along wider creek flats at the interface of cleared and lightly timbered country and it is possible that their current occurrence in the study area depends on the maintenance of this grassland/woodland interface. It is therefore recommended that the grasslands around Big Yango Station be retained at their current extent, at least as long as Grey- crowned Babbler and Speckled Warbler continue to use this habitat. The monitoring of these threatened bird species, as recommended in Section 6.6.2, will reveal longer term patterns in habitat use and population status, and inform management of these habitats, as well as those within the Timor and Nowlands holdings, in the future.

6.4 OFF-RESERVE CONSERVATION

6.4.1 Co-operative pest management

Control of pests on the study area will not be successful without the adoption of a cooperative cross- tenure approach. It is therefore strongly recommended that a pest management program be developed for all of the catchments of which the study area is a part. Such a program will be particularly pertinent for successful control of Wild Dog, Feral Goat, Wild Cattle and Fox.

6.4.2 Community awareness and involvement

Private lands adjacent to the park, particularly in the Boree, Wallabadah, Macdonald, Mogo and Webbs Creek valleys, play an important role in the ongoing conservation of fauna in the area. Landholders should therefore be encouraged to participate in conservation programs and/or minimise the undertaking of activities that would decrease the value of habitats to native fauna. The 2006-07 BSP project could be used as a platform to launch a community awareness program for landholders in the Macdonald, Webbs, Wrights, Mogo, Boree, Wallabadah and Wollombi Valleys. Such a program could include the following:

• Helping the community to become aware of the conservation value of particular habitats within and adjacent to the southern Yengo and Parr reserves. High conservation value habitats include: Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies; mapped areas of vegetation that constitute the grassy alluvial forests and woodlands priority fauna habitat group (see Table 11); Koala habitat to the east of Yengo NP; creeklines and valley flats that support River Oak, Red Gums, Swamp Mahogany, Thin-leaved Stringybark or Rough-barked Apple; and Ironbark woodland on lower slopes.

• Helping the community become aware of the threat that actions they take can pose to fauna both on and off reserve. Landholders should be encouraged to prevent the progress of relevant threatening processes, which entails: in situ retention of fallen wood, dead trees, live hollow-bearing trees and bush rock; preventing domestic Cattle from grazing in either Yengo NP or Parr SCA; avoiding planting of exotic plant species, particularly exotic grasses; avoiding the use of pesticides in lands adjacent to the park boundary wherever possible.

• Encouraging landholders to accurately report any sightings of the following species in or adjacent to the park to the DECC Yango Area or the Atlas of NSW Wildlife. Species include Feral Cat, Goat, Feral Deer, Pig, Common Starling, Common Myna, Eurasian Blackbird, Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby and Spotted-tailed Quoll.

• Landholders could also be made aware of the possibilities available to them to develop conservation partnerships, such as through voluntary conservation agreements.

98 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 6.5 LAND ACQUISITION PRIORITIES FOR FAUNA

In terms of vertebrate fauna, priorities for land acquisition are areas that contain significant intact amounts of the high priority fauna habitats described in Section 5.3. Grassy alluvial forests and woodlands are generally poorly represented in the reserve system and are the highest priority for addition to the southern Yengo and Parr reserves, particularly where remnant vegetation is present and contiguous with larger areas of native vegetation. Previously disturbed lands remain worthy of addition to the reserve system if they hold enough ecological integrity to naturally regenerate in the long term. Vegetation communities that are a high priority for inclusion in the reserves are: Coastal River Oak Forest, Coastal Riverflat Cabbage Gum Forest, Coastal Riverflat Swamp Mahogany Forest, Hunter Range Flats Apple-Stringybark-Gum Forest, Hunter Range Flats Red Gum-Apple Forest, Hunter Range Ironbark Forest, Mellong Sands Drooping Red Gum Sedge Woodland and Mellong Range Scribbly Gum Woodland.

Any areas of high quality Koala habitat to the east of Yengo and Parr SCA that retain connectivity with habitats and Koala populations in Watagans and Olney State Forests are also a high priority for addition to the reserve system.

6.6 FURTHER SURVEY AND MONITORING

The systematic fauna surveys undertaken over the last decade have resulted in an adequate level of understanding of the occurrence of most fauna species, and there is now comprehensive documentation of the fauna characteristics of the Yengo and Parr reserves. The key priorities for further survey and analysis now lie in gaining a more detailed understanding of particular species not well sampled during the systematic survey process, as well as in developing information systems that accurately delineate the relative quality of habitats for particular threatened species and the key threats acting therein.

6.6.1 Threatened species projects

Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby

Potential habitat for the Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby is widespread, yet only a small number of locations are currently known to support the species, and even fewer of these are well understood. The discovery of Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby at four new locations during the 2006-07 surveys demonstrates the validity of undertaking further survey for the species in more remote sections of Yengo NP and Parr SCA, in order to gain an understanding of the role that these parks currently play in the state-wide conservation of the species. The delineation of rocky areas and the detailed vegetation mapping recently completed by DECC (2007a) could be used as a guide for further surveys, while habitat modelling to be completed by the Information and Assessment Section can be used in the future. The easiest techniques to employ would be searches for fresh scats. The surveys should be undertaken by personnel experienced in identifying potential Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby habitat on the ground, and identifying scats and individuals. Any newly discovered locations should be subject to a broad scale assessment of threats, particularly search and collection of predator scats, and search of Feral Goat and Rabbit scats.

Following the above, colonies and habitats should be priorities and ranked in terms of their importance to the long-term survival of the species in the region. High priority sites should be the first target for feral animal control and abatement of any other threatening processes that are identified during the study, in consultation with the species Recovery Team.

Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot

Targeted survey work is required to determine the relative importance of Yengo NP to conservation of the Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot. It is recommended that surveys be undertaken during peak flowering periods over several years, in order to ascertain the extent to which these species utilise the study area, if at all. Key areas for survey for Regent Honeyeater include Coastal Riverflat Swamp Mahogany Forest along Greens Swamp/Creek, riparian zones along the Macdonald River, Mogo and Wallabadah Creeks, and in the old inholdings south of the Yengo Track, including Big Yango Station. The key area for Swift Parrot survey is the Coastal Riverflat Swamp Mahogany Forest along Greens Swamp, during winter flowering events. Such surveys need to be undertaken by experienced observers familiar with the species calls.

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 99 Squirrel Glider

Potential habitat for the Squirrel Glider is very restricted in extent, occurring primarily along the wider alluvial valleys in the north of the study area, including Wallabadah, Sandy, Timor and Nowlands Valleys, and possibly also Wollombi Arm. It is possible that the species occurs at low density through these valleys, though past clearing may have caused local extinction through removal of tree hollows. Management of the Squirrel Glider in southern Yengo will require further survey to determine the species current extent. Surveys should involve systematic spotlighting in potential habitat areas, by surveyors highly experienced in differentiating Squirrel and Sugar Gliders in the field.

Brush-tailed Phascogale

Surveys for Brush-tailed Phascogale are considered to be worthwhile as the species is of high regional conservation significance, yet its status currently very poorly understood in the Yengo and Parr reserves. The most effective method for ascertaining whether Brush-tailed Phascogale occurs within the study area or not is likely to be the erection of nest boxes in potential habitat areas (Soderquist et al. 1996). Potential habitat areas are wider alluvial valleys that support open forest or woodland with a grassy or herbaceous ground layer, including Hunter Range Flats Apple-Stringybark-Gum Forest particularly where it is in the vicinity of Hunter Range Ironbark forest on lower slopes. Areas to be targetted should include in the vicinity of the Masked Owl roost and potentially along Nowlands and Tumbledown Creeks or south of Mount Calore. These nest boxes would need to be left in place for a long period of time (> 4 months) and periodically checked for Brush-tailed Phascogale individuals, nests or scats (Soderquist et al. 1996). Boxes should be no smaller than 150 x 150 x 300 millimetres, be placed at least four metres off the ground in trees greater than 25 centimetres in diameter and follow construction guidelines presented in Soderquist et al. (1996). Boxes should be checked in April- June (breeding season) and February-March (juvenile dispersal period), and though animals may be present from August-November it is best not to disturb them at this time (Soderquist et al. 1996). Evidence of Brush-tailed Phascogale activity can be gained by three means: a phascogale nest, phascogale scat or observation of an animal. Periodic checking of nest boxes would also yield information on other arboreal mammal species.

6.6.2 Other future work

Modelling of habitat for priority fauna species across the Yengo and Parr reserves

Modelling of habitat for threatened and regionally significant species has recently been completed across the Greater Southern Sydney region (DECC 2007b, c), leading to the setting of fauna species conservation priorities, identification of high priority fauna habitat, mapping of important fauna corridors and linkages and associated management recommendations. DECC Metro Information and Assessment Section is working towards implementing a similar project across the northern half of the Greater Sydney Region, including Yengo and Wollemi NPs and Parr SCA. Systematic fauna data collected in these parks during the last four years, and continuing to be collected in Wollemi NP over the next two years, will feed directly into this process, in combination with the detailed vegetation mapping recently completed in Yengo and Parr and currently being undertaken across Wollemi NP and neighbouring lands. Such work will enable more detailed and robust setting of fauna conservation priorities for the southern Yengo and Parr reserves in a regional context, as well as identification of high priority and highly sensitive habitats.

Long term monitoring of threatened birds and arboreal mammals around Big Yango Station, Calore Creek, Nowlands and Timor holdings

Due to the conservation significance of grassy alluvial forests and woodlands high priority fauna habitat in the above vicinities, and the ongoing threats acting upon these habitats, the establishment of a long term monitoring program is warranted. Monitoring sites should be established in each of the above areas, in the following habitat types: Ironbark on Narrabeen slopes, regenerating Red Gum, Rough-barked Apple, known current location of Speckled Warbler and Grey-crowned Babbler. The standard 20-minute systematic bird census could be used on an annual (or bi-annual) basis, including in spring and late autumn/winter. Censuses must be conducted by experienced observers familiar with calls of all of the declining woodland birds. Such monitoring should lead to a better understanding of the status of the declining woodland birds in the study area, particularly of Speckled Warbler and Grey-crowned Babbler, changes in relative species abundance over time as habitats in the previously cleared valleys regenerates, and whether further management actions are required for these species.

100 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report In addition, it would be worth considering the installation of next boxes in the Timor and Nowlands holdings in areas of open forest supporting Red Gum or Rough-barked Apple or Ironbark, and an open understorey. The primary objective of such a venture would be to determine whether Brush-tailed Phascogale occurs in this area, which would supplement such surveys in the vicinity of the junction of Yengo and Little Jimmy Creeks (see above).

Monitoring of Common Starling at Big Yango Station

Though the area of impact of this species is highly restricted, the Big Yango Station area and the Nowlands and Timor holdings have relatively high conservation significance due to the presence of several species of threatened hollow-dependant fauna such as Turquoise Parrot and Barking Owl. A monitoring programme for the Common Starling could easily be set up in this area, aimed at determining the conservation incentives and feasibility of removing the population. Surveys should be undertaken on an annual basis, and can be completed in conjunction with native diurnal bird censuses. Surveys should include systematic 20-minute bird census at set locations where Common Starlings are currently known to occur, as well as targeted opportunistic searches for the species in adjacent habitat areas and in the Calore Creek, Nowlands and Timor valleys. If the species is found to increase in abundance or distribution action should be taken to control the birds.

Further feral animal surveys

As outlined above further surveys are required for feral Fox, Goat and Deer. Suggestions for these programs are given in Section 6.1.

Ongoing collection and analysis of predator scats, particularly Fox scats

The analysis of predator scats yields important information on the distribution and relative abundance of predator species as well as the composition of predator diets. The development of a database on predator locations and prey species will over time help to quantify and locate the threats posed to native fauna by Dogs and Foxes. It is therefore highly recommended that predator scats, particularly Fox scats, be collected by DECC staff whenever they are encountered, placed in a paper envelope with accurate location information and date, and sent to a recognised expert such as Barbara Triggs for analysis. Results should be entered into the Atlas of NSW Wildlife using the Biodiversity Subsystem so that they are available not only to park managers but a wide range of audiences.

Research into the competitive relationship between Wild Dog/Dingo and Fox

Much research is currently being undertaken into the relationship between Dingo and Fox, and the role that the Dingo plays in the Australian ecosystem. The apparent absence or low abundance of Fox in the vicinity of Big Yango Station, Nowlands and Timor holdings could make the area ideal for inclusion in studies investigating these processes.

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114 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report APPENDIX A – LOCATION OF SURVEY SITES

Tabulated below is the location of systematic fauna survey sites in southern Yengo National Park and Parr State Conservation Area and the techniques undertaken at each site. All sites are located in Zone 56, using Australian Geodatum 66. survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

BSP Fauna Survey ABR001W 313003 6323874 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey ABR002O 308959 6332426 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey ABR003W 309233 6332738 Bloodwood Woodland 11

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey ABR004H 301623 6331844 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 11 11

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum BSP Fauna Survey ABR005W 300712 6331192 Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey ABR006O 300971 6329616 Turpentine Gully Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey ABR008W 310210 6332314 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum BSP Fauna Survey ABR009W 292710 6325075 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey CLH001O 288274 6309707 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Bloodwood- BSP Fauna Survey CLH002O 286168 6309396 Mahogany Transition Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey CLH003O 290371 6313764 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 115 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Hunter Range Hillgrove Gum Gully BSP Fauna Survey CLH004O 289686 6312976 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Bloodwood- BSP Fauna Survey CLH005W 288199 6314002 Mahogany Transition Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Bloodwood- BSP Fauna Survey CLH006W 286477 6313323 Mahogany Transition Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey CLH007W 289742 6310425 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Dwarf Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN001M 322132 6322491 Scrub 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sandstone BSP Fauna Survey KLN002S 321630 6323894 Upland Swamp 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN003W 321565 6324392 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey KLN004W 320413 6324453 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1 11 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey KLN005W 318473 6324931 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey KLN006O 317357 6324709 Turpentine Gully Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN007O 321156 6323268 Forest 1 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey KLN008W 322965 6323396 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN009O 314659 6323204 Forest 1 11

116 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

BSP Fauna Survey KLN010W 313924 6323736 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey KLN011O 316407 6322326 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey KLN012W 317267 6322792 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum BSP Fauna Survey KLN013O 317901 6325777 Forest 1 1 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey KLN014O 319442 6324651 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Dwarf Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN015H 322349 6324953 Scrub 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey KLN016O 318565 6326705 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey KLN017C 319777 6325652 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Dwarf Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN018H 322594 6326673 Scrub 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey KLN019W 313956 6323786 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey KLN020W 315958 6322037 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN021O 319868 6320877 Forest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Scribbly BSP Fauna Survey KLN022W 319628 6319682 Gum Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN023O 320862 6322481 Forest 1 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 117 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Dwarf Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN024W 322667 6323088 Scrub 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN025W 321606 6323259 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN026W 322758 6323191 Forest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey KLN028W 313683 6332810 Bloodwood Woodland 11

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN029W 316582 6332703 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN030W 322551 6325632 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey KLN031O 317591 6322870 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey KLN032W 319566 6322597 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey KLN033O 321401 6320543 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey LPR001W 301671 6303003 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Dwarf Apple BSP Fauna Survey LPR002H 306619 6304207 Scrub 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey LPR003W 301807 6300323 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey LPR004O 297085 6304280 Turpentine-Blackbutt Forest 1 11 1 1

118 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey LPR005O 299266 6303730 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey LPR006W 305862 6303651 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Coastal Riverflat Swamp Mahogany BSP Fauna Survey LPR007W 303549 6301482 Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey LPR008W 296869 6303828 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MLG001W 289456 6302313 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MNG001O 314782 6312658 Forest 1 11 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey MNG002W 316285 6312375 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MNG003O 317347 6311720 Forest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MNG004W 314268 6313971 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey MNG005O 319511 6316299 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey MNG006O 320407 6316904 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey MNG007O 317762 6317261 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey MNG008W 317162 6311914 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 119 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey MNG009W 318296 6311108 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey MNG010O 318542 6315838 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MNG011W 318900 6319056 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MNG012W 315979 6316220 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey MNG013W 314442 6314643 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey MOR001O 294167 6336235 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MOR002W 290150 6337217 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey MOR003O 306720 6333725 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MOR004W 307917 6333140 Bloodwood Woodland 11

BSP Fauna Survey MOR005O 312243 6342395 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR006O 312430 6343331 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1 1 1

Hunter Range Flats Apple- BSP Fauna Survey MOR007O 310684 6345491 Stringybark-Gum Forest 1 1 1

Hunter Range Flats Apple- BSP Fauna Survey MOR008O 310625 6346426 Stringybark-Gum Forest 1 1 1 1

120 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Hunter Range Flats Apple- BSP Fauna Survey MOR009O 311233 6345470 Stringybark-Gum Forest 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR010W 312249 6342477 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR011W 311384 6343490 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1

Hunter Range Hillgrove Gum Gully BSP Fauna Survey MOR012C 302110 6342790 Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MOR013W 301145 6344258 Bloodwood Woodland 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MOR014O 300440 6343764 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR015W 300416 6344754 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR016O 306941 6346480 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum BSP Fauna Survey MOR017O 308362 6345929 Forest 1 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR018O 301679 6343265 Cleared Lands 1 1 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR019W 301634 6345985 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1

Hunter Range Flats Apple- BSP Fauna Survey MOR020O 302014 6346086 Stringybark-Gum Forest 1 1 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR021W 304976 6333974 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR022H 303978 6333161 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR023O 305644 6334740 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 121 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey MOR024W 304331 6335287 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey MOR025O 302583 6333015 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey MOR026W 303425 6334877 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey MOR027O 304016 6336239 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1

Hunter Range Grey Myrtle Dry BSP Fauna Survey MOR028W 301551 6333355 Rainforest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey MOR029O 301345 6334466 Turpentine Gully Forest 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR030W 305065 6334835 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1

Hunter Range Flats Apple- BSP Fauna Survey MOR031O 300626 6334117 Stringybark-Gum Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MOR032W 300704 6345227 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MOR033W 307781 6333060 Bloodwood Woodland 1

BSP Fauna Survey MOR034O 297758 6341174 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MOR035W 296305 6338468 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MRY0001O 320420 6338519 Forest 1 11

122 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey MRY0004W 323209 6337849 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey MRY002O 321808 6338424 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MRY003C 324200 6336648 Forest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MRY005W 316799 6334600 Bloodwood Woodland 1

BSP Fauna Survey MRY006W 316758 6333482 Sydney Hinterland Rock Complex 1

Sydney Hinterland Dwarf Apple BSP Fauna Survey MRY007W 317238 6338774 Scrub 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MRY008W 318670 6339195 Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MRY009W 314114 6344969 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MRY010O 315338 6346120 Forest 1 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MRY011W 324614 6336788 Forest 1

Hunter Range Flats Apple- BSP Fauna Survey MRY012W 318120 6337938 Stringybark-Gum Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MRY013W 318264 6336523 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MRY014W 316345 6334541 Forest 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 123 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey MRY015W 321648 6337332 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey MRY016W 313567 6345154 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum BSP Fauna Survey MRY017O 316382 6334627 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MRY018W 319519 6337985 Bloodwood Woodland 1

BSP Fauna Survey MRY019S 318000 6339275 Sydney Hinterland Rock Complex 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MRY020W 319526 6335602 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MRY021W 320887 6338181 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum BSP Fauna Survey MRY022O 313289 6342984 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MRY023O 315097 6342474 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY001O 303545 6354397 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY002O 304934 6353824 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY003O 302308 6354072 Bloodwood Woodland 11

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY004W 310488 6352925 Bloodwood Woodland 1

124 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MTY005O 305888 6353618 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY006O 303737 6354344 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY007O 302744 6354029 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MTY016O 312703 6352040 Forest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MTY034O 300010 6354600 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MTY036O 300010 6354600 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY037W 304119 6354140 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY038W 312196 6351713 Bloodwood Woodland 1

BSP Fauna Survey MTY040O 311477 6346991 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1

Hunter Range Flats Apple- BSP Fauna Survey MTY041O 298317 6353357 Stringybark-Gum Forest 1 1 1 1

Hunter Range Hillgrove Gum Gully BSP Fauna Survey MTY042C 296874 6353290 Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sandstone BSP Fauna Survey MTY043O 296388 6352705 Riparian Complex 1

Hunter Range Basalt Red Gum-Grey BSP Fauna Survey MTY044O 299252 6347595 Box Forest 1 11

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 125 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Hunter Range Basalt Red Gum-Grey BSP Fauna Survey MTY045O 298781 6348125 Box Forest 1 11

Hunter Range Basalt Red Gum-Grey BSP Fauna Survey MTY046O 299891 6348472 Box Forest 1 1

Hunter Range Hillgrove Gum Gully BSP Fauna Survey MTY047O 302899 6348318 Forest 1 1 1 1 1

Hunter Range Flats Apple- BSP Fauna Survey MTY048O 306018 6352126 Stringybark-Gum Forest 1 1

Hunter Range Flats Apple- BSP Fauna Survey MTY049O 306736 6349802 Stringybark-Gum Forest 1 1 1 1 1

Hunter Range Exposed Stringybark- BSP Fauna Survey MTY050W 302124 6351126 Grey Gum Woodland 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MTY051O 299998 6350174 Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey MTY052O 300932 6350774 Forest 1

BSP Fauna Survey MTY053W 308226 6350677 Regenerating Trees and Shrubs 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey MTY054O 307145 6351071 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1 1 1

BSP Fauna Survey MTY055W 306798 6348698 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum BSP Fauna Survey MTY056W 308325 6347234 Forest 1 1

Hunter Range Hillgrove Gum Gully BSP Fauna Survey MTY057O 297753 6353130 Forest 1

126 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum BSP Fauna Survey MTY058O 301974 6347124 Forest 1 11

Hunter Range Stinging Tree Dry BSP Fauna Survey MTY059O 298901 6347384 Rainforest 1

Hunter Range Basalt Red Gum-Grey BSP Fauna Survey MTY060O 298998 6348828 Box Forest 1

BSP Fauna Survey MTY061O 306214 6350816 Cleared Lands 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey MTY062O 307994 6350521 Turpentine Gully Forest 1

BSP Fauna Survey MTY063O 305892 6351701 Cleared Lands 1

BSP Fauna Survey MTY064O 301800 6347038 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1

Hunter Range Stinging Tree Dry BSP Fauna Survey MTY065W 299076 6347610 Rainforest 1

BSP Fauna Survey MTY067W 303765 6350181 Cleared Lands 3

Hunter Range Stinging Tree Dry BSP Fauna Survey MTY068C 299547 6347839 Rainforest 1 1 1 1 1

Hunter Range Basalt Red Gum-Grey BSP Fauna Survey MTY069O 298632 6347899 Box Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY070W 305624 6352350 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey MTY071W 298967 6352769 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum BSP Fauna Survey MTY072O 307292 6347632 Forest 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 127 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Hunter Range Basalt Red Gum-Grey BSP Fauna Survey MTY073O 299540 6347633 Box Forest 1

Hunter Range Exposed Stringybark- BSP Fauna Survey MTY074O 299045 6347309 Grey Gum Woodland 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey 121-G 306250 6353475 Forest 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey 123-R 307150 6353250 Bloodwood Woodland 1

BSP Fauna Survey STA001O 305730 6308987 Hunter Range Ironbark Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey STA002W 304980 6309720 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey STA003O 308594 6307372 Turpentine-Blackbutt Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey STA004W 309799 6310578 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey STA005O 308860 6309164 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey STA006O 306466 6312338 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey STA007O 305740 6305332 Forest 1 111

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey STA008W 307667 6306982 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Bloodwood- BSP Fauna Survey STA009O 296169 6305513 Mahogany Transition Forest 1 1 1 1

128 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey STA010O 300206 6312333 Forest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey STA011O 292671 6309358 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Scribbly BSP Fauna Survey STA012W 293457 6308167 Gum Woodland 1 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Bloodwood- BSP Fauna Survey STA013W 292395 6306464 Mahogany Transition Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- BSP Fauna Survey STA014R 292623 6308506 Turpentine Gully Forest 1

Mellong Sands Scribbly Gum BSP Fauna Survey STA015O 291815 6307818 Woodland 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Scribbly BSP Fauna Survey STA016W 292864 6309227 Gum Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey STA018W 309006 6308024 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey STA019W 309296 6309422 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey STA020W 310187 6310794 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey STA021O 297738 6306135 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey STA022W 298004 6308004 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Dwarf Apple BSP Fauna Survey STA023H 297321 6306777 Scrub 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 129 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Sheltered BSP Fauna Survey STA024O 296930 6306332 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey STA025O 293328 6307934 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Hunter Range Grey Myrtle Dry BSP Fauna Survey STA026C 292060 6312348 Rainforest 1 11

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey STA027W 292242 6312489 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Scribbly BSP Fauna Survey STA028W 293084 6309507 Gum Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey STA029W 313144 6306368 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey STA030W 299897 6318452 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Mellong Sands Drooping Red Gum BSP Fauna Survey SXB001W 284327 6323339 Sedge Woodland 1 1 1 1

Mellong Sands Drooping Red Gum BSP Fauna Survey SXB002W 285196 6325218 Sedge Woodland 1 1 1 1

Mellong Sands Scribbly Gum BSP Fauna Survey SXB003W 286711 6326766 Woodland 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple BSP Fauna Survey SXB004O 286290 6324597 Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey SXB005W 288277 6323190 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey SXB006O 287280 6324127 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1

130 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Mellong Sands Scribbly Gum BSP Fauna Survey SXB007W 283787 6322028 Woodland 1 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey SXB008W 286966 6327753 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey SXB009W 286128 6325600 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 11

Mellong Sands Drooping Red Gum BSP Fauna Survey SXB010W 285453 6326089 Sedge Woodland 1

Mellong Sands Scribbly Gum BSP Fauna Survey SXB011W 285364 6331788 Woodland 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey SXB012W 284871 6331860 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Mellong Sands Drooping Red Gum BSP Fauna Survey SXB013S 284708 6331790 Sedge Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey SXB014W 285192 6325992 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow BSP Fauna Survey WLM014O 313221 6351949 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Mellong Sands Drooping Red Gum BSP Fauna Survey WRB001W 285925 6337875 Sedge Woodland 1 1 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey WRB002W 287046 6337673 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1

Mellong Sands Scribbly Gum BSP Fauna Survey WRB003W 285493 6335956 Woodland 1 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey WRB004W 288185 6337744 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 131 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey WRB005W 285508 6339064 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1

Mellong Sands Drooping Red Gum BSP Fauna Survey WRB006W 284930 6339933 Sedge Woodland 1 1 1 1

Mellong Sands Scribbly Gum BSP Fauna Survey WRB007W 286434 6337921 Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red BSP Fauna Survey WRB008W 288369 6338294 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

Mellong Sands Scribbly Gum BSP Fauna Survey WRB009W 286707 6337997 Woodland 1

BSP Fauna Survey WRB010W 286245 6338798 Cleared Lands 1

Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple CRA Fauna Survey 9COP-DB01 314400 6349025 Forest 1

Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 9COP-ET01 314275 6348950 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

S-F-LNE-41- CRA Fauna Survey 101-G 286400 6331850 Cleared Lands 1 1 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-41- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 102-M 288900 6331800 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-41- Sydney Hinterland Sheltered CRA Fauna Survey 103-R 288050 6331650 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-41- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 106-M 298030 6322050 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-41- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 107-R 296250 6321500 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1 1 1

132 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

S-F-LNE-41- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 111-R 294200 6321750 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 062-R 297350 6315290 Bloodwood Woodland 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 062-R 297350 6315290 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 063-M 297095 6316320 Bloodwood Woodland 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 063-M 297095 6316320 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 064-G 296120 6317780 Bloodwood Woodland 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 064-G 296120 6317780 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 2 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 066-R 297590 6317478 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 066-R 297590 6317478 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Sheltered CRA Fauna Survey 067-M 298820 6317720 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Sheltered CRA Fauna Survey 067-M 298820 6317720 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 068-G 304256 6316320 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 068-G 304256 6316320 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1 1 1 1 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 133 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Sandstone CRA Fauna Survey 070-G 298220 6314340 Riparian Complex 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- CRA Fauna Survey 071-M 298600 6314500 Turpentine Gully Forest 1 1

S-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Sandstone CRA Fauna Survey 072-G 297550 6314200 Riparian Complex 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 113-G 314450 6350325 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 114-M 313975 6350800 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 115-R 314925 6349275 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Sheltered CRA Fauna Survey 117-G 318375 6342000 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1 1 2 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple CRA Fauna Survey 118-M 317750 6342800 Forest 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple CRA Fauna Survey 119-R 317025 6343225 Forest 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple CRA Fauna Survey 121-G 306250 6353475 Forest 1 1 1 1

S-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 123-R 307150 6353250 Bloodwood Woodland 1 1 1 1

T-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple CRA Fauna Survey 503 304038 6316593 Forest 1

T-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 504 305333 6313957 Bloodwood Woodland 1

134 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

T-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 505 303050 6316560 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

T-F-LNE-42- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 506 305171 6313290 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

T-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 144 314900 6349350 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

T-F-LNE-43- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 145 311450 6352250 Bloodwood Woodland 1

T-F-SYD-42- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 001 290020 6322367 Bloodwood Woodland 1

T-F-SYD-42- Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum CRA Fauna Survey 012 320850 6329850 Forest 1

T-F-SYD-42- Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple CRA Fauna Survey 129 304811 6316368 Forest 1

T-F-SYD-43- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 017 315943 6345386 Bloodwood Woodland 1

T-F-SYD-43- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 121 314225 6353125 Bloodwood Woodland 1

T-F-SYD-43- Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple CRA Fauna Survey 122 307225 6353125 Forest 1

T-F-SYD-43- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 123 314400 6348875 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

T-F-SYD-43- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 143 314275 6348950 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 007 314838 6326070 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 135 survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple CRA Fauna Survey 008 315706 6327900 Forest 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 009 315382 6330025 Bloodwood Woodland 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 010 316337 6331657 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 011 315522 6333066 Bloodwood Woodland 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Peppermint-Apple CRA Fauna Survey 012 313641 6332901 Forest 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Exposed Red CRA Fauna Survey 020 286750 6323770 Bloodwood-Stringybark Forest 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 021 290500 6322389 Bloodwood Woodland 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 022 292411 6320510 Bloodwood Woodland 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 023 294500 6318900 Bloodwood Woodland 1

T-F-SYD-50- Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow CRA Fauna Survey 024 296891 6317044 Bloodwood Woodland 1

Sydney Hinterland Blue Gum- Mixophyes Survey F-MIX-00106 314700 6326200 Turpentine Gully Forest 1

Hunter Range Sheltered Grey Gum Mixophyes Survey F-MIX-00107 320200 6329150 Forest 1

State Forest Fauna Sydney Hinterland Sheltered Surveys SF180959-1 3085656318830 Turpentine-Apple Forest 1

136 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report survey bird Diurnal search herpetofauna Diurnal survey spotlighting site Nocturnal Harp trapping call recordning Bat ultrasonic search streamside Nocturnal playback call Nocturnal trapping Elliott A sampling Hair tube Pitfall trapping Survey program Site number Easting Northing Vegetation Community (as mapped by DECC 2008a)

State Forest Fauna Sydney Hinterland Exposed Scribbly Surveys SF182829-2 3244006334080 Gum Woodland 1

Yengo Fauna Survey BIG YANGO Sydney Hinterland Rocky Yellow - CCHR 1 305180 6353343 Bloodwood Woodland 6 2

Yengo Fauna Survey BIG YANGO Hunter Range Flats Apple- - CCHR 3 311490 6351850 Stringybark-Gum Forest 4 2

Yengo Fauna Survey BIG YANGO Hunter Range Exposed Stringybark- - CCHR 4 301580 6351260 Grey Gum Woodland 3 2

Total 145 13292 56 62 10 79 16 15 3

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 137 APPENDIX B – FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED IN SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA

Below is a list of the fauna species recorded within southern Yengo NP and Parr SCA on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife (as at 24th July 2007). Taxonomical nomenclature follows that used on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife, with more updated scientific names noted where relevant. Records are derived from DECC systematic surveys (Biodiversity Survey Priorities and Comprehensive Regional Assessment), licensed data sets (Birds Australia and the Australian Museum) and incidental observations submitted by individuals, including park rangers and field officers; catchment officers; bushwalkers and naturalists; scientific researchers working in the area; and other visitors to the park.

The list contains records of various levels of reliability and spatial accuracy. Species where there is doubt about their occurrence within the study area due to possible identification inaccuracy have been marked with an asterisk * and due to spatial inaccuracy have been marked with an ^. I Introduced species are indicated with the addition of an .

Family Scientific name Common name NSW Legal Status National Legal Status Status Legal National BSP CRA Birds Australia Australian Museum Other Sources Frogs Myobatrachidae Crinia signifera Common Eastern Froglet P x x x Myobatrachidae Heleioporus australiacus Giant Burrowing Frog V V x x Myobatrachidae Limnodynastes dumerilii Bullfrog P xx x Myobatrachidae Limnodynastes ornatus Ornate Burrowing Frog P x x Myobatrachidae Limnodynastes peronii Striped Marsh Frog P x x x Myobatrachidae Pseudophryne australis Red-crowned Toadlet V xx xx Myobatrachidae Pseudophryne bibronii Bibron's Toadlet P x x Myobatrachidae Uperoleia fusca Dusky Toadlet P x x Myobatrachidae Uperoleia laevigata Smooth Toadlet P x x Hylidae Litoria caerulea Green Tree Frog P x x Hylidae Litoria dentata Keferstein's Tree Frog P x x Hylidae Litoria fallax Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog P x x Hylidae Litoria latopalmata Broad-palmed Frog P xx xx Hylidae Litoria lesueuri Lesueur's Frog P x x Hylidae Litoria peronii Peron's Tree Frog P xx x Hylidae Litoria phyllochroa Green Stream Frog P xx x Hylidae Litoria tyleri Tyler's Tree Frog P x Hylidae Litoria verreauxii Verreaux's Tree Frog P x Hylidae Litoria wilcoxii Stoney Creek Frog P x Reptiles Chelidae Chelodina longicollis Eastern Snake-necked Turtle P x x x Gekkonidae Diplodactylus vittatus Eastern Stone Gecko P xx xx Gekkonidae Oedura lesueurii Lesueur's Velvet Gecko P xx x Gekkonidae Phyllurus platurus Broad-tailed Gecko P x x x Gekkonidae Underwoodisaurus milii Thick-tailed Gecko P x x Pygopodidae Delma plebeia Leaden Delma P x Pygopodidae Lialis burtonis Burton's Snake-lizard P xx xx Pygopodidae Pygopus lepidopodus Southern Scaly-foot P x x Agamidae Amphibolurus muricatus Jacky Lashtail P xx x Agamidae Physignathus lesueurii Eastern Water Dragon P x x x

138 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Family Scientific name Common name NSW Legal Status National Legal Status Status Legal National BSP CRA Birds Australia Australian Museum Other Sources Agamidae Pogona barbata Eastern Bearded Dragon P x x x Agamidae Rankinia diemensis Mountain Heath Dragon P x x xx Varanidae Varanus gouldii Sand Monitor P x x Varanidae Varanus rosenbergi Rosenberg's Goanna V x x xx Varanidae Varanus varius Lace Monitor P x x xx Scincidae Acritoscincus platynota Red-throated Cool-skink P x x x Scincidae Anomalopus swansoni Punctate Worm-skink P x x Scincidae Carlia tetradactyla Southern Rainbow-skink P x x x Scincidae Cryptoblepharus virgatus Cream-striped Shinning-skink P x x x Scincidae Ctenotus robustus Robust Ctenotus P x x xx Scincidae Ctenotus taeniolatus Copper-tailed Ctenotus P x x xx Scincidae Cyclodomorphus gerrardii Pink-tongued Skink P x Scincidae Egernia cunninghami Cunningham's Spiny-tailed Skink P x x x Scincidae Egernia whitii White's Rock-skink P x x x Scincidae Eulamprus quoyii Eastern Water-skink P x x xx Scincidae Eulamprus tenuis Bar-sided Forest-skink P x x Scincidae Lampropholis delicata Dark-flecked Garden Sunskink P x x x x Scincidae Lampropholis guichenoti Pale-flecked Garden Sunskink P x x x Scincidae Lerista bougainvillii South-eastern Slider P x Scincidae Lygisaurus foliorum Tree-base Litter-skink P x x x Scincidae Saiphos equalis Yellow-bellied Three-toed Skink P x x x Scincidae Saproscincus mustelinus Weasel Shadeskink P x x x Scincidae Tiliqua scincoides Common Bluetongue P x Boidae Morelia spilota spilota Diamond Python P x x Colubridae Boiga irregularis Eastern Brown Tree Snake P x Colubridae Dendrelaphis punctulatus Green Tree Snake P x Elapidae Acanthophis antarcticus Southern Death Adder P x Elapidae Cryptophis nigrescens Eastern Small-eyed Snake P x Elapidae Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whipsnake P x x x Elapidae Furina diadema Red-naped Snake P x x xx Hoplocephalus Elapidae bungaroides Broad-headed Snake E1 V x Elapidae Notechis scutatus Mainland Tiger Snake P x Elapidae Pseudechis porphyriacus Red-bellied Black Snake P x x x Elapidae Pseudonaja textilis Eastern Brown Snake P x x Elapidae Vermicella annulata Eastern Bandy-bandy P x Birds Megapodiidae Alectura lathami Australian Brush-turkey P x x x Phasianidae Coturnix pectoralis Stubble Quail P x x x Phasianidae Coturnix ypsilophora Brown Quail P x x x x Anatidae Anas gracilis Grey Teal P x x Anatidae Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck P x x x x x Anatidae Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck P x x x x Tachybaptus Podicipedidae novaehollandiae Australasian Grebe P x x Ardeidae Egretta novaehollandiae White-faced Heron P x x x x Ardeidae Ixobrychus flavicollis Black Bittern V x x Ardeidae Nycticorax caledonicus Nankeen Night Heron P x x Accipitridae Accipiter cirrocephalus Collared Sparrowhawk P x x x Accipitridae Accipiter fasciatus Brown Goshawk P x x x x

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 139 Family Scientific name Common name NSW Legal Status National Legal Status Status Legal National BSP CRA Birds Australia Australian Museum Other Sources Accipitridae Accipiter novaehollandiae Grey Goshawk P x Accipitridae Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle P x x xx Accipitridae Elanus axillaris Black-shouldered Kite P x x Accipitridae Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-eagle P x x x Accipitridae Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite P x x Accipitridae Hieraaetus morphnoides Little Eagle P x Falconidae Falco berigora Brown Falcon P x x Falconidae Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel P x x Falconidae Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon P x x x Rallidae Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Swamphen P x x x Turnicidae Turnix varia Painted Button-quail P x x x x Charadriidae Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing P x x x x Columbidae Chalcophaps indica Emerald Dove P x Columbidae Columba leucomela White-headed Pigeon P x x Columbidae Geopelia humeralis Bar-shouldered Dove P x Columbidae Geopelia placida Peaceful Dove P x x x Columbidae Leucosarcia melanoleuca Wonga Pigeon P x x x x Columbidae Macropygia amboinensis Brown Cuckoo-Dove P x x x x Columbidae Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon P x x Columbidae Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing P x x x Columbidae Phaps elegans Brush Bronzewing P x Cacatuidae Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo P x x x x Cacatuidae Callocephalon fimbriatum Gang-gang Cockatoo V x x x x Cacatuidae Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo P x x x x Cacatuidae Calyptorhynchus lathami Glossy Black-cockatoo V x x x x Psittacidae Alisterus scapularis Australian King-parrot P x x x x Psittacidae Glossopsitta concinna Musk Lorikeet P x x Psittacidae Glossopsitta pusilla Little Lorikeet P x x x Psittacidae Neophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot V x x x x Platycercus adscitus Psittacidae eximius Eastern Rosella P x x x Psittacidae Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella P x x x x Cuculidae Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo P x x x x Cuculidae Cacomantis variolosus Brush Cuckoo P x x x x Cuculidae Chalcites basalis Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo x Cuculidae Chalcites lucidus Shining Bronze-cuckoo P x x x x Cuculidae Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo P x x x x Cuculidae Eudynamys orientalis Pacific Koel P x x x Cuculidae Scythrops novaehollandiae Channel-billed Cuckoo P x x x x Strigidae Ninox boobook Southern Boobook P x x x x Strigidae Ninox connivens Barking Owl V x x x Strigidae Ninox strenua Powerful Owl V x x Tytonidae Tyto novaehollandiae Masked Owl V x x x Tytonidae Tyto tenebricosa Sooty Owl V x x Podargidae Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth P x x x x Caprimulgidae Eurostopodus mystacalis White-throated Nightjar P x x x Aegothelidae Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar P x x x x Apodidae Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail P x x x x Halcyonidae Dacelo novaeguineae Laughing Kookaburra P x x x x

140 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Family Scientific name Common name NSW Legal Status National Legal Status Status Legal National BSP CRA Birds Australia Australian Museum Other Sources Halcyonidae Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher P x x x x Meropidae Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater P x x x Coraciidae Eurystomus orientalis Dollarbird P x x x x Menuridae Menura novaehollandiae Superb Lyrebird P x x x x Climacteridae Climacteris erythrops Red-browed Treecreeper P x x x x Climacteridae Climacteris picumnus Brown Treecreeper V x x x x Climacteridae Cormobates leucophaeus White-throated Treecreeper P x x x x Maluridae Malurus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren P x x x x Maluridae Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren P x x x x Maluridae Stipiturus malachurus Southern Emu-wren P x x x Pardalotidae Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote P x x x x Pardalotidae Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote P x x x x Acanthizidae Acanthiza lineata Striated Thornbill P x x x x Acanthizidae Acanthiza nana Yellow Thornbill P x x Acanthizidae Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill P x x x x Acanthizidae Acanthiza reguloides Buff-rumped Thornbill P x x x x Acanthizidae Calamanthus pyrrhopygius Chestnut-rumped Heathwren P x x x x Acanthizidae Gerygone mouki Brown Gerygone P x x x Acanthizidae Gerygone olivacea White-throated Gerygone P x x x x Acanthizidae Origma solitaria Rockwarbler P x x x x Acanthizidae Pycnoptilus floccosus Pilotbird P x x Acanthizidae Pyrrholaemus sagittatus Speckled Warbler V x x Acanthizidae Sericornis citreogularis Yellow-throated Scrubwren P x x Acanthizidae Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren P x x x x Acanthizidae Sericornis magnirostris Large-billed Scrubwren P x x x Acanthizidae Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill P x x x Acanthorhynchus Meliphagidae tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill P x x x x Meliphagidae Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird P x x x Meliphagidae Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird P x x x x Meliphagidae Entomyzon cyanotis Blue-faced Honeyeater P x x x x Meliphagidae Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater P x x x x Meliphagidae Lichenostomus leucotis White-eared Honeyeater P x x x x Meliphagidae Lichenostomus melanops Yellow-tufted Honeyeater P x x x x Meliphagidae Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner P x x x x Meliphagidae Manorina melanophrys Bell Miner P x x x x Meliphagidae Meliphaga lewinii Lewin's Honeyeater P x x x x Black-chinned Honeyeater Meliphagidae Melithreptus gularis gularis (eastern subspecies) V x x x x Meliphagidae Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater P x x x x Meliphagidae Myzomela sanguinolenta Scarlet Honeyeater P x x x Meliphagidae Philemon corniculatus Noisy Friarbird P x x x x Meliphagidae Phylidonyris nigra White-cheeked Honeyeater P x x x x Phylidonyris Meliphagidae novaehollandiae New Holland Honeyeater P x x x x Meliphagidae Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater E E x Petroicidae Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow Robin P x x x x Petroicidae Microeca fascinans Jacky Winter P x x x x Petroicidae Petroica boodang Scarlet Robin P x x x x Petroicidae Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin P x x x

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 141 Family Scientific name Common name NSW Legal Status National Legal Status Status Legal National BSP CRA Birds Australia Australian Museum Other Sources Petroicidae Petroica rosea Rose Robin P x x x x Pomatostomus temporalis Grey-crowned Babbler (eastern Pomatostomidae temporalis subspecies) V x x x Eupetidae Cinclosoma punctatum Spotted Quail-thrush P x x x x Eupetidae Psophodes olivaceus Eastern Whipbird P x x x x Neosittidae Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella P x x x x Pachycephalidae Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush P x x x x Pachycephalidae Falcunculus frontatus Eastern Shrike-tit P x x x x Pachycephalidae Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler P x x x x Pachycephalidae Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler P x x x x Dicruridae Dicrurus bracteatus Spangled Drongo P x Dicruridae Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark P x x Dicruridae Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch P x x x x Dicruridae Myiagra inquieta Restless Flycatcher P x x x Dicruridae Myiagra rubecula Leaden Flycatcher P x x x x Dicruridae Rhipidura albiscapa Grey Fantail P x x x x Dicruridae Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail P x x x x Dicruridae Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail P x x x Campephagidae Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike P x x x x Campephagidae Coracina papuensis White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike P x x x x Campephagidae Coracina tenuirostris Cicadabird P xx x x Campephagidae Lalage tricolor White-winged Triller P x x Oriolidae Oriolus sagittatus Olive-backed Oriole P x x x x Artamidae Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow P x x x x Artamidae Cracticus nigrogularis Pied Butcherbird P x x Artamidae Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird P x x x x Artamidae Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie P x x x x x Artamidae Strepera graculina Pied Currawong P x x x x Corvidae Corvus coronoides Australian Raven P x x x x Corcorax Corcoracidae melanorhamphos White-winged Chough P x x x x Ptilonorhynchidae Ptilonorhynchus violaceus Satin Bowerbird P x x x x Motacillidae Anthus australis Australian Pipit P x x x Estrildidae Neochmia temporalis Red-browed Finch P x x x x Estrildidae Stagonopleura bella Beautiful Firetail P x Dicaeidae Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoebird P xx x x Hirundinidae Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow P x x x x Hirundinidae Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin P x x Sylviidae Cincloramphus mathewsi Rufous Songlark P x x Sylviidae Megalurus gramineus Little Grassbird P x x Zosteropidae Zosterops lateralis Silvereye P xx x x Muscicapidae Zoothera lunulata Bassian Thrush P x x x Sturnidae Sturnus vulgaris Common Starling U U x x Mammals Tachyglossidae Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna P xx xx Dasyuridae Antechinus flavipes Yellow-footed Antechinus P x Dasyuridae Antechinus stuartii Brown Antechinus P xx xx Antechinus swansonii Dusky Antechinus P x Dasyuridae Dasyurus maculatus Spotted-tailed Quoll V E x x Dasyuridae Phascogale tapoatafa Brush-tailed Phascogale V x

142 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report Family Scientific name Common name NSW Legal Status National Legal Status Status Legal National BSP CRA Birds Australia Australian Museum Other Sources Dasyuridae Sminthopsis murina Common Dunnart P x x x Peramelidae Perameles nasuta Long-nosed Bandicoot P x x Phascolarctidae Phascolarctos cinereus Koala V x x x Vombatidae Vombatus ursinus Common Wombat P x x x Burramyidae Cercartetus nanus Eastern Pygmy-possum V x Petauridae Petaurus australis Yellow-bellied Glider V x x x Petauridae Petaurus breviceps Sugar Glider P x x x Petauridae Petaurus norfolcensis Squirrel Glider V x x Pseudocheiridae Petauroides volans Greater Glider P x x xx Pseudocheiridae Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum P x x x Acrobatidae Acrobates pygmaeus Feathertail Glider P x x xx Phalangeridae Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum P x x x Macropodidae Macropus giganteus Eastern Grey Kangaroo P x x x Macropodidae Macropus robustus Common Wallaroo P x x x Macropodidae Macropus rufogriseus Red-necked Wallaby P x x Macropodidae Petrogale penicillata Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby E V x x Macropodidae Wallabia bicolor Swamp Wallaby P x x x Pteropodidae Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox V V x Rhinolophidae Rhinolophus megaphyllus Eastern Horseshoe-bat P x x xx Molossidae Mormopterus norfolkensis East-coast Freetail-bat V x x Mormopterus species 2 Molossidae (Adams et al. 1988) Eastern Freetail-bat P x x Mormopterus species 4 (long penis form) (Adams Southern Freetail-bat (long Molossidae et al. 1988) penis) P x Molossidae Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat P x x x Vespertilionidae Chalinolobus dwyeri Large-eared Pied Bat V V x x x Vespertilionidae Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat P x x x Vespertilionidae Chalinolobus morio Chocolate Wattled Bat P x x x Vespertilionidae Miniopterus australis Little Bentwing-bat V x Miniopterus schreibersii Vespertilionidae oceanensis Eastern Bentwing-bat V x x x Vespertilionidae Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat P x x x Vespertilionidae Nyctophilus gouldi Gould's Long-eared Bat P x x x Vespertilionidae Scoteanax rueppellii Greater Broad-nosed Bat V x x x Vespertilionidae Scotorepens orion Eastern Broad-nosed Bat P x x x Vespertilionidae Vespadelus vulturnus Little Forest Bat P x x x Muridae Mus musculus House Mouse U U x Pseudomys Muridae novaehollandiae New Holland Mouse P x Muridae Rattus fuscipes Bush Rat P x x x Muridae Rattus lutreolus Swamp Rat P x x x Muridae Rattus rattus Black Rat U U x Leporidae Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit U U x Canidae Canis lupus Dingo/Wild Dog U U x x x Canidae Vulpes vulpes Fox U U x x x Felidae Felis catus Feral Cat U U x x Equidae Equus caballus Horse U U x Suidae Sus scrofa Feral Pig U U x Bovidae Bos taurus European Cattle U U x x Bovidae Capra hircus Feral Goat U U x

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 143 Family Scientific name Common name NSW Legal Status National Legal Status Status Legal National BSP CRA Birds Australia Australian Museum Other Sources Cervidae Cervus sp. Unidentified Deer U U x Cervidae Dama dama Fallow Deer U U x

144 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report APPENDIX C – FAUNA SPECIES RECORDED AROUND (BUT NOT WITHIN) SOUTHERN YENGO NP AND PARR SCA

Below is a list of fauna species recorded on the Atlas of NSW Wildlife within a five kilometre radius of the study area boundary, but not recorded from within the study area (as at 24th July 2007).

Family Scientific name Common name NSW Legal Status National Legal Status Status Legal National Frogs Myobatrachidae Mixophyes iteratus Giant Barred Frog E E Myobatrachidae Paracrinia haswelli Haswell's Froglet P Myobatrachidae Pseudophryne coriacea Red-backed Toadlet P Myobatrachidae Uperoleia marmorata Marbled Toadlet P Myobatrachidae Uperoleia rugosa Wrinkled Toadlet P Hylidae Litoria aurea Green and Golden Bell Frog E V Hylidae Litoria chloris Red-eyed Tree Frog P Reptiles Chelidae Emydura macquarii signata Brisbane River Short-necked Turtle P Gekkonidae Christinus marmoratus Marbled Southern Gecko P Gekkonidae Saltuarius swaini Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko P Scincidae Egernia striolata Tree-crevice Skink P Scincidae Hemiergis decresiensis Three-toed Earless Skink P Scincidae Morethia boulengeri South-eastern Morethia Skink P Typhlopidae Ramphotyphlops nigrescens Blackish Blind Snake P Elapidae Cacophis squamulosus Golden Crowned Snake P Elapidae Hoplocephalus stephensii Stephens' Banded Snake V Elapidae Parasuta dwyeri Variable Black-naped Snake P Elapidae Pseudechis guttatus Spotted Black Snake P Birds Anatidae Anas platyrhynchos Mallard U Ardeidae Butorides striatus Striated Heron P Accipitridae Aviceda subcristata Pacific Baza P Accipitridae Milvus migrans Black Kite P Accipitridae Pandion haliaetus Osprey V Falconidae Falco subniger Black Falcon P Rallidae Porzana fluminea Australian Spotted Crake P Rallidae Porzana tabuensis Spotless Crake P Rallidae Rallus pectoralis Lewin's Rail P Scolopacidae Calidris acuminata Sharp-tailed Sandpiper P Burhinidae Burhinus grallarius Bush Stone-curlew E Charadriidae Erythrogonys cinctus Red-kneed Dotterel P Columbidae Lopholaimus antarcticus Topknot Pigeon P Psittacidae Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot E E Psittacidae Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet P Cuculidae Cuculus saturatus Oriental Cuckoo P Centropodidae Centropus phasianinus Pheasant Coucal P

The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report 145 Family Scientific name Common name NSW Legal Status National Legal Status Status Legal National Tytonidae Tyto alba Barn Owl P Halcyonidae Todiramphus macleayii Forest Kingfisher P Meliphagidae Lichmera indistincta Brown Honeyeater P Meliphagidae Philemon citreogularis Little Friarbird P Petroicidae Petroica phoenicea Flame Robin P Dicruridae Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher P Oriolidae Sphecotheres vieilloti Australasian Figbird P Artamidae Artamus superciliosus White-browed Woodswallow P Ptilonorhynchidae Ailuroedus crassirostris Green Catbird P Pycnonotidae Pycnonotus jocosus Red-whiskered Bulbul U U Muscicapidae Turdus merula Eurasian Blackbird U U Mammals Ornithorhynchidae Ornithorhynchus anatinus Platypus P Peramelidae Isoodon macrourus Northern Brown Bandicoot P Macropodidae Macropus Hybrid Euro/Red Kangaroo P Macropodidae Macropus sp. kangaroo P Emballonuridae Saccolaimus flaviventris Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat V Molossidae Mormopterus loriae Little Northern Freetail-bat P Vespertilionidae Kerivoula papuensis Golden-tipped Bat V Vespertilionidae Nyctophilus timoriensis Eastern Long-eared Bat V Vespertilionidae Vespadelus pumilus Eastern Forest Bat P Vespertilionidae Vespadelus troughtoni Eastern Cave Bat V

146 The Vertebrate Fauna of the Southern Yengo and Parr Reserves – Final Report