South East Queensland JULY 2012 Volume 6 Number 3 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Program South East Queensland ISSN 1835-3851

CONTENTS

1 Motion sensor cameras capture our wildlife

2 Editorial and contacts

3 Fauna Vignette

4 Weed Profi le: Busy Lizzie (Impatiens) The Noisy Pitta (above) is a colourful Motion sensor rainforest bird that specialises in eating 5 Fauna Profi le: cameras capture rainforest snails and was caught on fi lm at Room for Rent (for the a Land for Wildlife property in Logan. These Australian Owlet-nightjar) our wildlife Mountain Brushtail Possums (bobucks) shown below were photographed at night uite a number of fauna monitoring near Toowoomba. 6-7 Our Wondrous Flying: Qcameras have been set-up around Mammals (Part 2): SEQ on Land for Wildlife properties and on Flying Foxes and people Council reserves. Some of the data received If you would like to share wildlife pictures to date has been fascinating, showing that 8-9 Property Profi le: that you have taken on your property, there is a lot more activity occurring during or have any tips on fauna monitoring Partnerships in Ecological daylight hours than anticipated. Some data techniques, or ways to capture images of has been especially rewarding for property Restoration (the GCCC’s animals at night, please contact your local owners who have put eff ort into retaining VCA program) Land for Wildlife Offi cer. and restoring habitat for certain animals, and they are now seeing wildlife using 10-11 Fauna Profi le: these areas. Article continued on page 15. Crakes and Rails of SEQ

12 Letters to the Editor: % How to deter window attacking kookaburras % The advance of Cat’s Claw Creeper

13 Book Reviews

14 The Carbon Farming Initiative

16 A New Quoll Record for SEQ

Published by SEQ Catchments, through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country editorial ext month marks my eighth year in this This edition has a bit of a bird and bat focus Njob. Almost unheard of by modern day with great articles on our little-known chop-and-change standards. A few Land for nocturnal owlet nightjar and the six species Land for Wildlife Wildlife Offi cers in SEQ beat my tenure and of rarely seen crakes and rails. I aspire to Extension Offi cers we have about 200 members who joined take photos as impressive as the ones the program back in 1998 and are still in the shown in this article by Todd Burrows. South East Queensland program. About 200 new members join the It is rare that weeds or pest animals SEQ Land for Wildlife program annually and suddenly “disappear” from our Brisbane City Council it is nice to be a part of something that is environment. I can think of house sparrows All enquiries, 3403 8888 still as relevant today as it was when it fi rst and the prickly pear as two examples; both Jenny Staples Anna Barnes started. of which have declined signifi cantly due to Cody Hochen Scott Sumner I recently purchased a SLR camera and its known (cactoblastis) and unknown reasons. Peter Hayes Tony Mlynarik arrival has sparked a surprising level of Nick Clancy provides us with another Catherine Madden delight and a necessity to learn about all species, Impatiens, a previously common Gold Coast City Council those dials and buttons usually ignored on environmental weed, now hardly seen at Darryl Larsen, 5582 8896 cameras. With a professional photographer all. Lexie Webster, 5582 8344 who knew exactly how to use his camera, The backpage depicts a photo of SEQ’s Todd Burrows, 5582 9128 I recently visited several Land for Wildlife most endangered mammal. Although this properties to capture images of properties Ipswich City Council specimen was found dead, I take hope and their owners. After such days I know Andrew Bailey, 3810 6633 from this fi nding as it indicates that we still exactly why I have worked here for eight Stephani Grove, 3810 7173 have enough habitat to support this top years. predator. Lockyer Valley Regional Council The Land for Wildlife program seems Kaori van Baalen, 5462 0376 Thank you to those Land for Wildlife to do so much more than off er nature members who contributed stories and I Logan City Council conservation advice. It is one of the am always delighted to receive images or Lyndall Rosevear, 3412 4860 only extension programs still off ered by articles from our readers. Stay warm this Nicole Walters, 3412 4859 governments and gives some landholders chilly winter and I hope you enjoy this a sense of connection with other like- Rachel Booth, 3412 5321 edition. minded landholders and verifi es that Rebecca Condon, 3412 4979 other landholders and agencies value Moreton Bay Regional Council “messy”, “unkept”, “grassy”, “shrubby” and Danielle Crawford, 5433 2240 “unproductive” areas of bushland. Some Deborah Metters Clinton Heyworth, 5433 2351 landholders just like the greenery and others Land for Wildlife Redland City Council have expert ecological knowledge, but they Regional Coordinator Maree Manby, 3820 1106 are all contributing to the protection of our SEQ Catchments native wildlife. So thank you. Scenic Rim Regional Council Keith McCosh, 5540 5436 Landholder Registrations, Land for Wildlife SEQ - 1/7/2012 Somerset Region Trevor Page, 5424 4000 Registered Working Towards Total Area under Total Area Retained Michelle Ledwith, 5422 0516 Properties Registration Restoration Sunshine Coast Council 2905 702 53,759ha 4,367 ha Alan Wynn, 5439 6477 Dave Burrows, 5485 0229 Ed Surman, 5475 7358 Marc Russell, 5475 7345 Forward all Letters to the Editor, Land for Wildlife South East Queensland is Nick Clancy, 5439 6433 Fauna Vignettes and My Little Corner a quarterly publication distributed free of charge to members of the Land for Wildlife Stephanie Reif, 5475 7395 contributions to: program in South East Queensland. Toowoomba Regional Council The Editor Print run - 4895 All enquiries, 4688 6611 Land for Wildlife Newsletter Back copies from 2007 - 2012 SEQ Catchments available for download from PO Box 13204 www.seqcatchments.com.au/LFW.html George Street QLD 4003 Back copies from 1998 - 2006 Burnett Mary Region 07 3211 4404 available upon request to the Editor. [email protected] ISSN 1835-3851 Gympie, Fraser Coast, Land for Wildlife is a voluntary program North & South Burnett, that encourages and assists landholders Bundaberg and to provide habitat for wildlife on their Baffl e Creek Regions properties. For all regions contact the Burnett Mary Regional Group, 4181 2999 www.seqcatchments.com.au/LFW.html

2 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 FREEFR BOOKS SEQSE Catchments is giving away free copiesco of Mangroves to Mountains revisedre edition RRP $50.00 to selecteds contributors of published FaunaF Vignettes and My Little Corner fauna articlesa in 2012. Limit of two free books per newsletter edition. Please send your article and/or vignette photographs to the Editor (details pg. 2) Hollow, Snakes and Nightjars

ur property fronts a saltwater creek nightjar and it did not seem worried Othat has mangrove covered banks. at all by the python. In the past, I have Occasionally, I explore this corridor of noticed that owlet-nightjars will move mangroves for rubbish and wildlife. to another hollow when disturbed. On one excursion I spotted a brushtail I wonder if during the night, owlet- possum in a hollow. After casually nightjars check out a range of hollows passing this hollow on a later date I to make sure there are safe places for noticed it had fi lled with freshwater retreat during the day if they have to from all the recent rain. As I approached fl ee from disturbance. it, I noticed a slight ripple in the water. The sunlight refl ected a pattern I was I guess snakes would be keeping owlet- familiar with – Carpet Python. It was nightjar numbers in check and this coiled into a very tight ball completely would be just part of nature. submerged underwater. I waited for The last time I saw the snake, it was about 15 minutes for it to surface and up on the roof beams in our shed for when it didn’t, I decided to go and get maximum heat. This is also where the my camera. I visited the site a couple of possums live. I have also noticed that times over the next week and noticed owlet-nightjars like to sun themselves in it had moved to another branch and it the afternoon. They move to the edge of had shed its skin. their hollow during the day and it would I emailed a photo of the submerged appear that they pick hollows that face snake (see lower right image) to a west. friend who was a reptile breeder and Amanda Johnston he informed me that snakes often soak Land for Wildlife member in water to loosen their skin before Ransome, Brisbane shedding and also to kill mites. He also said that Carpet Pythons can stay underwater for up to an hour. Photos right from top: An Australian I went back to the site a week later Owlet-nightjar, Common Brushtail to check on the snake and found it Possum and a Carpet Python entering another hollow 20 metres submerged in water to soften its skin away in a Grey Mangrove tree. This tree prior to shedding. All three animals were had three tall hollow trunks and the photographed utilising hollows in old mangrove trees. snake had entered through one of these hollows. I noticed that the hollow above Photo below: The Carpet Python after it was occupied by an Australian Owlet- shedding its skin.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 3 weed profi le Now you see me, now you don’t: Busy Lizzie and the amazing disappearing act

usy Lizzie or Impatiens (Impatiens in urban bushland throughout South Landholders who were battling with this Bwalleriana) belongs to the East Queensland (SEQ). Its preference for invasive plant on their properties may Balsaminaceae family and originates shaded, damp habitats meant that it was have been granted a rare opportunity to from eastern Africa. It was introduced a common feature in paperbark swamps, eradicate an invasive weed. If you had to Australia as a garden plant and has rainforest, along watercourses as well as on Impatiens on your property and it has subsequently become a bushland weed forest margins. disappeared, it is recommended that you in coastal eastern Australia. Lizzie has also monitor the sites where it was growing been very busy invading natural areas in In the early 2000’s, I distinctly recall visiting and, if you fi nd a re-occurrence, remove numerous other countries that lie in similar a couple of properties with large wetland it as soon as possible as these plants may climatic zones. areas infested with Busy Lizzie and I have some resistance to the Downy Mildew. struggled to off er any useful advice on The recommended control method is to Impatiens is a succulent-stemmed, how it could practically be controlled. The carefully hand pull plants taking care not perennial fl owering plant that grows to reality was that in all likelihood this weed to disturb the explosive seed pods. Place about half a metre in height. Unlike many was there to stay and it would continue to all plant material in a bag to be removed weeds it also grows happily under the spread further down the catchment. from the site. Away from watercourses and shade of a forest canopy, where it forms a Five years on and perhaps the weed wetlands a foliar application of herbicide is bright blanket of pink, red, purple, orange also an option. or white fl owers. fairy does exit! Busy Lizzie seems to have suddenly disappeared from many of its For more information contact you local Like most invasive species Impatiens is a former sites, and presumably gardens. Land for Wildlife Offi cer. successful disperser, which is why it’s near A quick check with some other Land for impossible to keep contained in backyards. Wildlife Offi cers across SEQ supports When ripe, the fruiting capsule ‘explodes’ this. What is obviously a problem for the dispersing hundreds of tiny seeds to Impatiens selling sector of the nursery germinate in the surrounding soil. While industry appears to be a lucky break for the succulent stems that are easily broken local ecosystems. However, before I go (for example in a high fl ow event along a and tear the Busy Lizzie page out of my creek) can also regrow from the smallest weed book I will wait (impatiently) to hear of fragments. Add some human aided from anyone out there that has seen any dispersal via garden waste dumping in infestations recently. The apparent cause bushland and you have the perfect recipe for this disappearance is Downy Mildew for an environmental weed. (Plasmopara obducens) which is a disease that aff ects the foliage and fl owers of Given its preference for riparian and Impatiens species. wetland areas, the use of herbicides to control this weed is often not an option. Overseas outbreaks have had a major In addition, its ability to regrow from the impact on nurseries and garden smallest broken fragment of its brittle populations. In Australia the disease stems means that hand weeding requires was fi rst detected in Victoria in 2006 and meticulous care. Without vigilant follow- from there it appears to have spread up maintenance you are quickly back to quite quickly into New South Wales and square one. Queensland. As is the case with Myrtle Rust, this mildew can move over longer distances Prior to 2007, Busy Lizzie kept bushland on air currents, and also like Myrtle Rust, Article by Nick Clancy weeders very busy indeed. This notorious it is likely that this plant pathogen was Land for Wildlife Offi cer garden escapee was a particularly imported to Australia via infected plant Sunshine Coast Council common invader of forest understoreys materials.

4 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 fauna profi le Room for Rent

am not sure how we came by the hollow Ilog in the fi rst place but it seemed like a good idea to turn it into a room for rent (nest box).

Having covered the ends and cut an need tree hollows to breed. He (or maybe So what are the threats to this bird? Habitat entrance to the nest box it was hoisted she) makes a noise like a chuckle, “chirr chirr destruction is the greatest threat to Owlet- up into the Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus chirr” which we have heard both night and nightjars as fewer trees mean fewer places racemosa) near the house. There it was day. for them to live and raise their young. easily visible from the kitchen window. We watched and eagerly awaited the log’s fi rst Did you know? The nightjar is nocturnal but apparently tenant. › The Australian Owlet-nightjar is the likes to sun itself during the day sometimes coming out far enough to perch on the We waited, and we waited some more, but smallest nocturnal bird found in edge of the entrance. You would think birds it seemed that our ‘room for rent’ was not Australia. that usually operate at night would shun to the liking of any creature using the tree › They are harder to fi nd with a torch the sunshine particularly in the summer or in the area. Time passed and we had just or spotlight than some other animals months, when we have often see it, but about given up even looking at the nest because their large brown eyes do not maybe it just likes to keep an eye on its box so it was a great surprise when fi nally refl ect the light. neighbours. there appeared a face in the entrance hole. But what on earth was it we were looking › They prefer a tree-studded area where We took pleasure in watching the nightjar at? The face seemed to be light brown with there are suitable hollows, although for a few seasons until disaster struck and vertical black stripes and it was quite small. open areas are also visited when needed. the nest box fell out of the tree. Fortunately when we checked there was no nightjar It wasn’t until it turned its head and we › The Australian Owlet-nightjar is in the fallen box. When the nest box was could see it in profi le that we realized the insectivorous and enjoys a variety of repositioned in the tree more securely it animal had a small beak and was actually a insects. didn’t take the nightjar very long to re- bird. Well that made the identifi cation a bit › They readily take prey in fl ight, or will establish itself as the tenant which we were easier! pounce on prey either on the ground or very happy about. Reference to the bird book identifi ed our in trees. If you have been thinking about installing little tenant as an Australian Owlet-nightjar › Hunting is within a territory and they a nest box on your property don’t wait any (Aegotheles cristatus). It is described as usually hunt in pairs. They watch for longer. Build the home and they will come. being slightly larger than a Willy Wagtail food while in fl ight, or by sitting and with a small black beak and large eyes. searching from a suitable perch. Article by Doreen Payne The head was wide with black eye stripes › Australian Owlet-nightjars raise one Land for Wildlife member and a little black in the centre of the head. Thornlands, Redland Our tenant seemed to be mostly reddish brood per season. They form permanent brown in colour but apparently they can be bonds and both sexes construct the nest, grey. They are said to be found throughout which is a bed of green leaves, placed Australia and are classed as common, but in a suitable tree hollow. Both birds rarely seen. Like so many other birds they incubate eggs and care for chicks.

The Australian Owlet-nightjar is Australia’s smallest nocturnal bird. Shown here is the grey form, diff ering from the predominantly reddish brown individual in the “room for rent”. This photo was taken at Eagleby Wetlands, Logan. Photo by Deborah Metters.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 5 fauna profi le Our Wondrous Flying Mammals (Part 2): Flying foxes and people

ollowing on from Part 1 in the April 2012 or may off er entertaining eavesdropping FLand for Wildlife newsletter, this article opportunities with a nice aroma for others. continues our journey with fl ying foxes, as presented by Dr Les Hall at a workshop The management of fl ying fox camps in in late 2011, and looks at how humans SEQ is an ongoing public interest issue with share the landscape, sometimes in close fl ying fox stories dotting the media from proximity, with fl ying foxes. time to time. As someone who has been studying fl ying foxes in SEQ since 1975, I Sharing our space with another species fi gure that Dr Hall is a good person to listen can be highly rewarding. Most of us who to regarding camp management and would own pets quite happily share our space have data on successful or unsuccessful activities include the planting of buff er with these “extended family members”. I camp relocation eff orts over that time. It trees around the camp, weed control would suggest that most Land for Wildlife was interesting to hear him say that there underneath camps, rezoning of fl ying fox member enjoy sharing their properties with have been only two known “successful” camps under Local Government planning wildlife especially “birds, butterfl ies and relocations in that time. In one case, the schemes, community involvement in camp frogs. However, it can get a bit challenging habitat was simply removed for urban management plans and planting quick- when we try to extend similar delight development, but you can not consider it growing roost-providing trees in nearby towards mosquitoes, ticks, snakes and truly “successful” because hundreds of bats locations to entice fl ying foxes away from other wildlife that can cause us stress. One died and most of them simply moved to contentious areas. such animal that can concern people is the other urban areas causing concerns at the fl ying fox, especially their camps. new locations. The second relocation was Any discussion about fl ying fox camps a result of illegal and repetitive shooting, would not be complete without an Flying fox camps are generally noisy and again resulting in huge mortalities and the understanding of how they have changed smelly places that can bother people remainder of the camp occupants moving over time. Camps in the greater Brisbane living nearby. Flying foxes are intelligent to an urban area, which is now Woodend region are probably the most studied. Not mammals that communicate to each other Nature Reserve in Ipswich. So, neither only has there been a signifi cant decline in using at least 30 known diff erent calls. “successes” were really successful at all. the number of fl ying foxes found around They are basically chatting to each other, Brisbane (or Eastern Australia for that calling to their young, telling other rival Current research and ecological matter), they have moved from several individuals to go away and warning others understandings recommend that fl ying large camps with millions of individuals on about potential threats. I am not so keen fox camps need to be well managed, the outskirts of Brisbane, to much smaller on their smell, but I know some people exactly where they are. Management camps throughout urban Brisbane. This fi nd it pleasant. So on one hand a fl ying fox activities can be designed to lessen is largely the result of three things. Firstly, camp may be stressful for some people, the impacts of camps on people. Such habitat removal; secondly, less food trees in

Case Study - Woodend Nature Reserve Woodend Nature Reserve off ers an example and resulted in pet dogs running away of how to, and how not to, manage and caged birds dying of fright. One fl ying fox camps. Historically, there were local landholder successfully took out an no records of fl ying foxes camping at injunction against these dispersal actions Woodend until 1984 when a large number based on the fact that Grey-headed of Grey-headed Flying Foxes moved in and Flying Foxes are a threatened species started breeding. Their arrival coincided under Commonwealth and Queensland with extensive shooting sprees at the legislation. Once the dispersal activities fl ying fox camp at Cameron’s Scrub about ceased, an advisory committee was 10kms away and Dr Hall believes that the formed involving Ipswich City Council, individuals from Cameron’s Scrub simply local landholders and researchers. The moved to Woodend. However, at Woodend, committee helped set up the Nature they were met with some hostility as Reserve, a management plan for the site they were basically camping in people’s and a highly-commended educational backyards, and thus Council approved their centre. Woodend Nature Reserve is a great dispersal. place to see all three species of fl ying fox found in SEQ (Black, Grey-headed and Little Loud noises, gas guns, drums and Red Flying Foxes). helicopters were all tried, unsuccessfully,

6 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 The above two images show how What landholders can do: the rural landscape and; thirdly, more food landholders can reduce the risks of 9 Plant native fi g trees – they are an trees in urban areas. fl ying foxes becoming entangled in excellent source of calcium for fl ying barbed wire fencing. Metal disks or The lack of roosting and feeding options foxes and other wildlife. in rural landscapes has pushed fl ying foxes old CDs can be attached to the top into urban areas where they face new strand to increase visibility (shown 9 Replace the top strand of barbed wire threats. Suburban grevilleas and other high left) or old polypipe can be wrapped fences with plain wire, especially in nectar producing plants attract fl ying foxes around the top strand especially near high-risk entanglement sites such as to low fl owering shrubs where they can dams and fruit trees where the risks of ridgelines, near fruit trees and around come in contact with dogs, powerlines and entanglement are greatest (right). dams as fl ying foxes fl y close to the barbed-wire fences – all of which can harm ground in these sites. Or at least or kill fl ying foxes. improve visibility of the top-strand fair to say that it is not clear how horses are of barbed wire fences by attaching Within the fl ying fox colonies themselves, getting infected. Flying foxes are natural old CDs or wrapping them in old there is constant change. Individuals can carriers of the Hendra virus; however, the polypipe. migrate hundreds of kilometers per year. It virus seems to be benign in fl ying foxes - 9 If you fi nd a fl ying fox entangled in would seem that although there is constant they get the virus and then recover. barbed wire, contact Bat Conservation movement, individuals have an extremely We simply don’t know, if, or how, it gets & Rescue Qld on their 24 hr rescue strong connection to camps, and will from fl ying foxes to horses. Horses may hotline 0488 228 134. return year after year to exactly the same be catching Hendra from a completely tree branch in the same camp. Adult males 9 If you need to net fruit trees, use diff erent wild source, or it may travel from scent mark branches and will strongly appropriate netting and fi rmly anchor fl ying foxes via other vectors such as birds, defend them from intruders. It is therefore the net to the ground to prevent bats insects or even pets. Some horses have not surprising that relocation eff orts are from entangling themselves. been diagnosed with Hendra in areas unsuccessful. where fl ying foxes are not present, so this 9 Become a fl ying fox carer. Bat The fi nal bit I will mention about camp throws a spanner in the works. As I said, Conservation & Rescue Qld off ers relocation recounts Dr Hall’s experiments more questions than answers. excellent training and support to at Sydney Botanic Gardens where a fl ying carers. Visit www.bats.org.au Research has shown that Hendra does fox camp was destroying heritage trees and transmit from horses to humans and we 9 Do not handle any bats. If you are researchers were called in to try to move know that there have been four human bitten or scratched by a bat, you it. All kinds of things were tried – sound, deaths from the Hendra virus. should seek medical attention. lighting, sprinklers, fi sh paste sprayed on branches and carpet python dung (carpet Horse owners, veterinarians and the public 9 Purchase the excellent book co- pythons are a natural predator of fl ying all want to know how, or why, horses get authored by Dr Hall, reviewed on foxes) attached to branches. None of the Hendra virus and what they can do to page 13, to learn more about fl ying attempts were successful indicating that protect themselves and their horses. The foxes and other bats. humane methods of camp relocation are Queensland Government takes the issue 9 Visit the Queensland Government currently not feasible. I would have to agree of Hendra virus seriously and signifi cant website at www.daff .qld.gov.au for with Dr Hall when he stated that if we research is being directed towards more information on the Hendra decide to kill fl ying foxes to solve disputes, answering some of these questions. I hope virus. it is a sad indictment on humans as that some answers are found for us all in supposedly the smartest mammal on Earth. the near future. 9 Prevent horses and other stock from grazing on fallen fruit from trees Finally, we have to touch on the issue of the Flying foxes are a fi xture of SEQ. They travel where fl ying foxes are feeding. Hendra virus. Dr Hall talked at length on incredible distances, pollinate our eucalypt this subject, but it would seem that there forests and disperse rainforest fruits. The are more questions than answers. fact that they are also smelly and chatty should not annul their ecological roles and It is been 17 years since the fi rst outbreak the wonder of them being the largest fl ying of the Hendra virus and it seems to be Article by Deborah Metters mammal on Earth. Land for Wildlife Regional Coordinator, SEQ Catchments

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 7 property profi le Partnerships in Ecological Restoration

n 1991 when David Blomfi eld purchased apparent that with an excellent seed source and reimbursement of management costs Ihis 66 hectare property on the upper from surrounding intact forest, natural incurred in protecting or restoring the reaches of Mudgeeraba Creek he knew he regeneration was very vigorous and could conservation area. David found that this had a lot of work ahead of him. For years be relied on to quickly fi ll the gaps. enabled him to make excellent progress the property, which contains dry eucalypt with the restoration work as some of the open forest, wet sclerophyll forest and At that time the thought of restoring the VCA money could be used to employ a subtropical rainforest had been logged. entire property seemed hardly possible contractor to assist with lantana clearing Timber was milled on site and parts of the but, encouraged by his success in one small and some of the follow-up weeding. property were heavily disturbed. Buried area, David decided to continue the work amongst the thick lantana, David came by extending the initial project to a new Gold Coast City Council has recently across the rusted remains of old logging area along the driveway. At this time the revised its VCA policy to provide increased wagons and equipment. critical importance of follow-up weeding incentives for ecological restoration. became apparent. It was found that after Council sees this as an essential part of its Despite the impacts of logging and other a couple of years of follow-up work, the Nature Conservation Strategy that aims disturbance, David soon became aware of canopy had closed suffi ciently to shade to increase the native vegetation cover in the importance of the property for nature out the lantana and prevent it re-infesting the City. Higher VCA landholders are now conservation. It adjoined Springbrook restored areas. entitled to claim up to $5,000 per annum National Park and a botanical survey of and the policy is more fl exible in extending the rainforest confi rmed the presence of David registered the property with Land for eligibility for a VCA to partly cleared or numerous rare and threatened species. The Wildlife in 1999. Then, wishing to protect disturbed properties in critical corridors or question was, “how to make a start with the property permanently, applied for a other strategic locations. such a big job of restoration?” Higher Voluntary Conservation Agreement (VCA) with Gold Coast City Council in 2003. By encouraging and assisting the eff orts of While working full time during the week, The Higher VCA places a covenant on the dedicated landholders like David Blomfi eld, David devoted his weekends to restoring conservation land and is binding on future Council sees an excellent return on its a rainforest gully near his house. After owners. investment in the form of biodiversity clearing the lantana by hand he planted conservation and a buff er to protect some native rainforest species including All Gold Coast VCA property owners adjoining national park and Council- some propagated from seed collected on receive fi nancial support in the form of managed conservation reserves. the property. However, it soon became a rate rebate (referred to as a ‘donation’)

Gold Coast City VCA Program at a glance

Program VCA Area Annual Rates Donation Annual Management (hectares) (% of annual general rates) Reimbursement

Higher VCA < 10 50% up to $5000 > 10 50 - 100% up to $5000

General VCA < 10 50% up to $5000 (for existing Nature Refuge properties) > 10 50 - 100% up to $5000

General VCA < 10 50% up to $4000 (placed in Conservation Domain or > 10 50 - 100% up to $4000 equivalent in GCCC zoning policy) General VCA < 10 30% up to $2500 > 10 50% up to $2500

8 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 Photographs (top to bottom):

The work ahead - a lantana infested gully (shown on the left) contrasts dramatically with the restored subtropical rainforest on the right side of the image.

In partnership with landholders, Gold Coast City Council’s VCA program helps to protect and restore areas of high conservation value such as this stretch of Upper Mudgeeraba Creek on David’s property.

David Blomfi eld (left) shows Darryl Larsen (GCCC Land for Wildlife Offi cer) a patch of healthy regenerating rainforest that was a wall of lantana ten years ago.

Article by Darryl Larsen Land for Wildlife Offi cer Gold Coast City Council

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 9 fauna profi le

Crakes and Rails of SEQ

outh East Queensland (SEQ) has a great Sdiversity of bird species with many of them fairly easy to observe. Crakes and rails are far more challenging though and prove to be one of the most diffi cult groups to see. As a birdwatcher and photographer I The Buff -banded Rail (Gallirallus In some situations the Buff -banded Rail have experienced fi rst hand the frustrations philippensis) is the most common and can become very tame and they are even of this secretive group, two species of readily observed of these birds and is also a nuisance around camping grounds and which I am yet to see. the largest with a body length of 28-33 accommodation on Lady Elliot and Lady cm. The bird is distinctively coloured with Musgrave Islands. This is not common Crakes and rails belong to the family a white eyebrow, heavily black and white around SEQ, although I did know of an Rallidae with six species occurring in barred underparts and a buff band on the individual that was accustomed to people SEQ. They are attractive small to medium breast. They are omnivorous, feeding on just adjacent to the old Palm Beach Lawn sized birds with strong legs and long various invertebrates as well as seeds and Bowls Club on the Gold Coast. toes, making them good runners, most of other vegetation. I once witnessed a bird them are also adept swimmers and divers. repeatedly jumping up about 1 metre off Photo by Todd Burrows. Despite being fairly poor fl iers with their the ground to feed on the ripe fruits of short, rounded wings they are capable of the exotic Brazilian Nightshade (Solanum travelling large distances and migrate at seaforthianum). night. When fl ushed they usually fl utter weakly with feet dangling before dropping back into vegetation.

Crakes and rails are most common within dense vegetation associated with fresh or brackish water. They emerge at times to feed along damp grassy verges, adjacent muddy edges and into shallow water or on fl oating vegetation, constantly fl icking up their short tails as they go. Males and females are very similar in appearance and breeding mainly occurs between late winter and summer.

Each species has their own distinct calls and they can be quite vocal during the breeding season. Identifying them from their calls is the easiest way of confi rming their presence. Nesting takes place close to the ground hidden amongst vegetation, sometimes over water with between 3 and The highly secretive Lewin’s Rail (Lewinia L. p. pectoralis sub-species is considered 8 eggs laid. Black downy chicks are capable pectoralis) is superfi cially similar to the near threatened in Queensland under the of running and feeding themselves within Buff -banded Rail but is smaller (21-27 Nature Conservation Act 1992 as a decline days of hatching (precocial). They leave the cm), lacks the buff band on the breast in density as been recorded across at least nest quickly but still remain dependant on and white eyebrow and has a longer half of the range. Reduction of habitat the adults for some time. bill. The diet of this species consists of through drainage and river diversion If you have a natural wetland or dam invertebrates with bird eggs and frogs is seen as the major threat to this sub- with dense bordering vegetation on your occasionally eaten. species although wetlands that have property, it is likely that at some stage impacts from inappropriate burning, There are 3 sub-species of the Lewin’s grazing and trampling from stock and you will have crakes or rails utilising these Rail in Australia, Lewinia pectoralis habitats, and maybe even breeding. feral pigs will also be unsuitable. Further clelandi from Western Australia which threats include predation from foxes and Hearing their calls will be the best way of is now considered to be extinct, L. p. knowing they are present and if you are cats as well as birds killed by vehicles, brachipus in Tasmania and L. p. pectoralis mowers and barbed-wire fences. patient or lucky enough you may see them occurring in Queensland, New South too! Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The Photo by Jon Irvine.

10 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 The Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis) has fairly plain plumage, The Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fl uminea) has a body coloured dark brown on the back and wings and blue-grey on length of 19-23 cm. It is an olive-brown colour above with the head and underparts with fi ne barring on the under-tail. It black and speckled with white-streaks. Underparts from the has an attractive red eye and eyelid, black beak and deep pink face to the belly are a deep blue-grey with black and white feet and is small in size at 17-21 cm. It feeds on invertebrates such barring on the fl anks. The beak is a yellow-green with red as molluscs and insects as well as some plant matter. at the base and the legs are green. The tail has an all white underside which is a good identifi cation feature as none of the Just occasionally one of these elusive birds goes completely other species in SEQ have this. It has a similar diet to the other against their usual timidness and puts on a show for the observer. crakes and rails consisting of insects, molluscs, tadpoles and This happened to a group of fellow birdwatcher/photographer plant matter. Photo by Julian Robinson. friends of mine at a lagoon near Bundaberg last year. A Spotless Crake came out from among some reeds and walked out into the shallow water and mud right through half a dozen birdwatchers with cameras. It brazenly wandered around in the open between them for about 20 minutes! Needless to say hundreds of images were taken of that individual. Photo by Deane Lewis.

The tiny Baillon’s Crake (Porzana pusilla) is only about 15-16 cm in length. This crake has red eyes, a dull green bill and legs, pale grey-blue face, breast and belly, olive-brown back streaked with black and white and a barred belly and under- tail. They tend to be a little more obliging for the viewer by The Pale-vented Bush Hen (Amaurornis moluccana) is also sometimes walking about in the open on water lily pads in highly secretive and appears to be mainly nocturnal. The body search of food. Photo by Todd Burrows. length varies from 24-28 cm and it is coloured olive-brown References and Further Reading: above, a paler grey beneath with a rufous colour under the tail. Marchant S & Higgins PJ (1993) Handbook of Australian, New It has an olive-yellow coloured bill but this changes to green Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol 2 Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford with an orange base during the breeding season. This species University Press. can sometimes be confused with immature birds of the very Pizzey G & Knight F (2007) The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. common Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) but the Bush Hen Harper Collins Publishers. lacks the white-sides on the under-tail. They feed on seeds and Reader’s Digest (2003) Complete Book of Australian Birds. Reader’s shoots as well as invertebrates and sometimes frogs. Digest Australia. Photo by Deborah Metters. Slater P, Slater P & Slater R (2009) The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds. New Holland Publishers.

Article by Todd Burrows Land for Wildlife Offi cer Gold Coast City Council

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 11 letters to the editor window, such as trimming nearby foliage or extending an awning. HowHow to ddetereter winwindowdow attacattackingking kkookaburrasookaburras • Bird tape comes in two forms and has been successfully used. One is a holographic tape that refl ects light and elp! Can anyone suggest a way We are getting a wee bit “anti” kookaburra, makes a crackling noise as it moves in Hto discourage a very determined as much as we do enjoy all our bird visitors. the breeze and is best installed to hang kookaburra from attacking our windows? We are open to any suggestions readers loose. The second form is thicker and is might off er. best installed twisted as it makes more So far, we have covered some with shade noise when strung tight. cloth. Eff ective, but prison like. Sprayed P. Ledwith y Opening all windows and doors and others with white spray used for line Land for Wildlife member Purga,ga,a IIpswichpsp wiw chch letting the off ending bird come inside. marking, hung up fl apping plastic door This strategy successfully deterred a screens, old CDs and blown up wine cask window attacking kookaburra who was liners. So far, kookaburra: three ruined fl y complaining about not getting fed as the screens, wake-up window attacks every previous home owners fed wildlife. morning and a smug look. Us: frustration. IIt is important to remember that with any wwildlife problem that all native wildlife are pprotected under Queensland legislation aand any attempt to harm the off ending Editorial reply... aanimal may be a criminal off ence. We This is a common, but tricky, scenario faced deterer youryour windowwindow attackingattacking kookabkookaburras,urras wwant to encourage wildlife to live in their by Land for Wildlife members who value excluding activities you have already tried. own homes, not ours. We can help do this and enjoy wildlife, but fi nd that some • Hanging ropes or material a few feet by retaining old habitat trees, providing wildlife behaviours are unwelcomed. The away from the window in an attempt to nest boxes, protecting native vegetation Wildlife Queensland website suggests impair the bird’s fl ight and/or change (including the understorey) and not that the majority of window attacking the refl ected image. Hopefully, this won’t feeding wildlife. kookaburras are responding to their own make your house prison-like, unlike the If you have tried everything and the smug refl ections, especially in tinted windows. shade cloth. off ender continues undeterred, you can I have combined feedback from Wildlife y Analyse the causes of the window employ a trained professional to trap and Queensland and Land for Wildlife Offi cers refl ection and consider if, and how, you relocate the kookaburra in accordance with to off er some suggestions on how to could change the light or shade on the Queensland legislation and permits.

The advance of Cat’s Claw Creeperp weeds would require a shift in prioritisation of public spending and attitudes.

In April this year, Cat’s Claw Creeper, here will be no Land for Wildlife if more Madeira Vine and Asparagus weeds were eff ort is not made to try and curb the T all added to the list of Weeds of National advance of Cat’s Claw Creeper. It has the Signifi cance (WoNS) indicating that these potential to wipe out all vegetation in its species will be targetted for national path. I don’t believe the Tingid bug will coordination and control eff orts. The ever be able to keep up with the spread of inclusion of these species as WoNS off ers the creeper. But of course one has to try greater opportunities for landholders to something. Editorial reply... access federal government funding for their control. You may wish to consider: For it to be declared a Class 3 weed is I am sure your views are echoed by many absolutely ridiculous and we see the readers who are not only battling these • Visiting www.nrm.gov.au for more consequences now. Surely all weeds should weeds on their own properties, but are information about funding available have equal status and their eradication, seeing them expand across our landscape. through Caring for Our Country, the goal. The spread of Madeira Vine, It is a hard fact to accept that these weeds especially to control WoNS species. Dutchman’s Pipe, Asparagus, Corky are permanent Australian residents and I do • Contacting your local Council, local Passion Vine etc. etc. - all bad and will wonder when, and how, a balance between State MP or the The Hon John McVeigh go on spreading unless the legislation is these rampant new-comers and our native MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries changed. Also, when properties are sold, plants will be reached. and Forestry to express your support for these weeds should be pointed out to The status of declared pests does refl ect a the prioritisation of environmental weed intending buyers. Unfortunately, as cattle bias towards weeds that have immediate control activities. are not adversely aff ected but these weeds, economic impacts on horticulture and • Controlling Cat’s Claw Creeper before it governments have little interest. Look at grazing. It could be easily argued that sets fl ower in October. how much eff ort has gone into curbing the long-term ecological and economic • Finding out if you can source biocontrol Giant Rats Tail Grass. impacts of environmental weeds (Class 3 pests) could be greater or comparable to agents (leaf-sucking tingid or leaf-tying G. Crossley Class 2 pests. For governments to equally moth) for Cat’s Claw Creeper infestations Land for Wildlife member, Gympie value agricultural and environmental by asking your local Land for Wildlife Offi cer.

12 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 book reviews Working the Night Shift: A Natural History of Australian Bats By Greg Richards and Les Hall with Steve Parish (Principal Photographer)

hat a beautiful book. Hardcover and has impacted on bat numbers and Wpacked full of professional “wow” populations. The authors are concerned photos of bats and the places they live. that declines in fl ying fox numbers, This book has a heartfelt introduction by because of habitat removal, may result the authors who are obviously passionate in reduced dispersal of rainforest fruits about bats and their conservation. It is in the Wet Tropics, and may even change clear that the study of bats has enriched the composition of these forests. Hence, their lives with wonder, travel and an as with so much ecology, we learn unending desire to learn more about how animals, plants and ecosystems are these animals. interdependent and have surprisingly far- reaching relationships. The beginning of the book is a travelogue Published by CSIRO Publishing, 2012 around Australia covering broad The importance of understorey Hardback, colour photos, 192 pages. bioregions from the Nullabor to Cape vegetation for microbats is made clear. ISBN: 9780643103740 York showing how bats have learnt Areas with a healthy understorey have Price: $79.95 to utilise vastly diff erent habitats and many more microbat species and Available from CSIRO Publishing climatic conditions. I love the section of individuals than areas that have been and all good bookshops. this book about bats in our capital cities burnt, overgrazed or “tidied-up”. with Brisbane touted as the “bat capital The fi nal section of this book profi les city” of Australia boasting 25 species. In 66 bat species found in Australia with Brisbane, microbats can be seen fl ying excellent images, distribution maps the outstanding photography throughout around streetlights at night eating moths, and biological information useful for this book making it a joy to look at. It and during the day they use old Forest identifi cation. is a bit more in price than a standard Red Gum trees, disused mines and drain fi eld guide, but with the incredible tunnels underneath the CBD as roosts. We are incredibly lucky to have this book. photographs, hardcover and in-depth It distils two lifetimes of work from the A comprehensive chapter on bat information, this is not your average fi eld authors, plus knowledge from bat carers, ecology and conservation gives an guide. It is a must-have book for those nest box manufacturers, photographers insight into how the authors have seen interested in Australian wildlife. and others involved in bat conservation. the Queensland landscape change Steve Parish should be commended on Review by Deborah Metters over the last few decades and how this

Living with Snakes and other Reptiles By Simon Watharow

have a fascination with the prehistoric While the book is a good reference for Iresemblance of the crocodile and water identifi cation alone, Watharow has included monitor, and I like lizards but have a fearful a brief outline of some historical and respect for snakes. Simon Watharow could spiritual references to snakes, to help us have written this book for me. understand how the negative folklore may have originated. What is particularly appealing about the book is the great photographic collection In simple language the book refers to of Australian snakes and reptiles in their seasonal behaviour, activity and breeding in natural habitat. Every page includes at least snakes, lizards, crocodiles and Cane Toads. one image labelled with useful details such It includes property management and as name, colourings, size and active state to awareness, venom and antivenin, fi rst aid Published by CSIRO Publishing, 2011 assist identifi cation. (human as well as the family pet), location Paperback, colour photos, 160 pages. chart, glossary, references and useful ISBN: 9780643097216 The introduction is a general overview contacts. Price: $29.95 of the information that is elaborated in Available from CSIRO Publishing the rest of the book. As the author states The book is suitable for young children as and all good bookshops. the purpose of the book is to dispel some well as adults who seek more knowledge common myths and fallacies, and to shed about Australian reptiles and information new light on snakes, lizards and crocodiles, about how to identify and better manage a Review by Susan Hollindale and why they behave the way they do. life with our Australian wonders. Land for Wildlife member, Guanaba

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 13 The Carbon Farming Initiative and SEQ Landholders

eaders may have heard something There are currently two approved to if an Environmental Plantings project is Rabout the Carbon Farming Initiative methodologies relevant to SEQ suited to their personal circumstances. (CFI) over the last year or so as the issue has landholders: Many groups around Australia are actively generated a fair degree of media coverage. 1. Environmental plantings, and This article aims to provide background working to develop new methodologies for 2. Destruction of methane generated information about the CFI and to let various farming industries. Once approved, from manure in piggeries. landholders know about opportunities that they will be made publicly available. A current example of research that may be of may be available to them under the CFI. The Environmental Plantings methodology interest to some Land for Wildlife members provides an opportunity for land managers The CFI is an initiative of the Australian is being undertaken by the Queensland to generate carbon credits through Government to help reduce and off - Herbarium. The Herbarium is investigating participating in projects that use direct set Australia’s carbon emissions. The the carbon storage potential and growth seeding or planting of species native to CFI provides incentives for landholders rates of native regrowth forests. Outcomes the local area. Project sites must have been to adopt practices that reduce carbon of this research aim to provide a CFI project cleared, or partially cleared, for 5 years emissions (and other greenhouse gases, opportunity for landholders willing to prior to the project start. This is intended to such as nitrous oxide and methane), or undertake a change of management prevent landholders from clearing existing store carbon in the landscape. These practice from actions that suppress or vegetation for the purpose of claiming CFI activities may be able to generate carbon remove native forest regrowth, to actions credits. credits, which can be sold on the carbon that facilitate regrowth. If approved, this market. Some existing revegetation areas method will allow carbon credits to be are eligible under this methodology, generated through the promotion of The CFI will take time to roll out. As our with credits being generated only for regrowth in areas previously cleared of understanding of carbon within the carbon accumulated after the 1st July vegetation. Landholders who are interested landscape advances, further opportunities 2010 baseline. Revegetation for nature in restoring forest habitats may wish to for eligible activities will become evident, conservation meets this eligibility criterion. explore this opportunity to access fi nancial and the market will mature. Like entering Revegetation done for fi nancial market incentives under the CFI in the future. any new industry, it is important you purposes, such as establishing a forest for understand the risks associated with For further information about the CFI visit wood products, is not eligible under the undertaking a carbon farming project the Australian Government’s website at CFI. Any carbon stored as a result of a CFI before signing up to any agreements. It www.daff .gov.au/climatechange/cfi . For project must be maintained for a period of is recommended that landholders read details of approved and submitted CFI 100 years. Project details will be attached to widely, access trusted advice and don’t rush methodologies visit www.climatechange. your property deed in a manner similar to a into anything you don’t fully understand. gov.au/cfi Voluntary Conservation Agreement. Well managed properties that use best SEQ Catchments will be facilitating a Potential opportunities for SEQ landholders farming practices and appropriate land number of free information sessions over to generate CFI carbon credits in the future use will produce the best economic and the coming years about the CFI. These may include: environmental outcomes, and are best events are supported by funding from placed to adapt to future climate variability. y Sequestering (storing) carbon in the Australian Government Department For example, improving groundcover has vegetation or soils. of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as signifi cant productivity benefi ts, as well as y Reducing methane emissions from part of the Carbon Farming Initiative environmental benefi ts through reduced livestock or manure management. Communications Program. Keep a look out paddock erosion. Improving groundcover y Reducing nitrous oxide emissions from on the SEQ Catchments events page to see can also increase the level of carbon stored fertilisers in cropping lands (via more when there is an event in your area www. in your soil, and so in the future may be an sustainable farm practices). seqcatchments.com.au/events activity that could generate carbon credits under the CFI. In this way, the CFI may There are no known examples of CFI off er landholders an additional revenue Environmental Planting projects in SEQ at stream to assist them to adopt sustainable this point in time. As the market matures, management practices. landholders will be better able to access professional and project specifi c advice CFI projects must use the Australian to assist them in their decision making as Article by Apanie Wood Government’s approved methodologies. former Regional Landcare Facilitator SEQ Catchments

14 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 Motion sensor cameras capture our wildlife Article continued from page 1...

A close-up of the Australian Brush Turkey on a A Yellow-footed Antechinus was attracted to bait that Land for Wildlife property, Sunshine Coast. had been laid out to entice Spotted-tailed Quolls in a Logan City Council reserve.

Red-necked Wallabies, western Brisbane. Wild dogs / dingoes at Guanaba, Gold Coast.

A Long-nosed Bandicoot on a Land for Wildlife property, This photo, taken back in 2007 on a Land for Wildlife Brisbane. property at Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, compelled the landholders to undertake a fox control program.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012 15 Emerging from leaf litter on a Land for Wildlife property, this bizarre fungus was a bit alarming. It has several common names including veiled stinkhorn, referring to the veil-like skirt that descends from the smelly Land for Wildlife Regional Coordination is proudly spore-containing slime cap. managed by SEQ Catchments through funding from One of nature’s wonders! the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country

A New Quoll Record for SEQ he Spotted-tailed Quoll southern Tsubspecies (Dasyurus maculatus maculatus) is possibly SEQ’s most elusive, yet fascinating animal. Most Australians, I suspect, have never seen a quoll in the wild, refl ecting this animal’s cryptic and nocturnal behaviour as well as our preference for cities and the continuing where large tracts (over 5000 hectares) fragmentation of our bushland. of contiguous bushland still remain, subspecies is listed as Endangered under such as the Border, Main, D’Aguilar and I have not seen a quoll in SEQ, but was Commonwealth legislation (Environmental Blackall Ranges. Quolls feed on a range lucky enough to have one enter my tent in Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of animals including rabbits, possums, a cheese-stealing attempt while camping 1999) and Vulnerable under Queensland rodents, bandicoots, antechinus, beetles, in Tasmania and I used to have one visit legislation (Nature Conservation Act 1992). grasshoppers, crayfi sh, birds, reptiles and the lounge room regularly when I lived carrion – pretty much anything that moves, The Spotted-tailed Quoll is the largest in the former asbestos-mining town of or has moved. They shelter in caves, large native carnivore on mainland Australia. Wittenoom in the Pilbara. fallen logs, boulder tumbles and rock Its distribution and abundance has This stunning animal pictured above was crevices attesting to the importance of plummeted since European settlement found on 17 April 2012 at Moogerah in the these ecological features in our landscape. and it is a great privilege to see one in the southern Scenic Rim, another unfortunate wild. If you do, please report your sighting Quolls live for only a short-time, about 3-4 road kill statistic. Prior to this recent fi nd, (dead or alive) via the Quoll Sighting Form years, and face several key threats, the main there have only been 54 reliable high on the Quoll Seekers Network’s website at one being removal of habitat (vegetation precision quoll records in SEQ in the last www.wildlife.org.au or by calling the Quoll clearing). Other key threats include being 20 years, and only fi ve records from 2008- Seekers Network on (07) 3221 0194. This killed by people trying to protect their 2011. Obviously not all sightings get website has excellent information on quolls poultry, roads, predation by wild dogs and offi cially recorded, but only one record per such as building quoll-proof poultry pens cats, poisoning by Cane Toads, hot fi res year since 2008 is a worrying fi gure for this and quoll survey fi ndings as well as some that destroy hollow logs and disturbance to remarkable animal. cute quoll merchandise and an ‘adopt-a- their food chain supply. As a result of these quoll’ program. In SEQ, the Spotted-tailed Quoll is most threats and the drastic declines in quoll likely to be found in our range country numbers, the Spotted-tailed Quoll southern Article by Deborah Metters

Opinions expressed by contributors Land for Wildlife South East Queensland is proudly delivered and locally coordinated by to the Land for Wildlife newsletter the following 11 Local Governments and the Burnett Mary Regional Group: are not necessarily those of the Land for Wildlife program nor any of the supporting agencies.

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16 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2012