BirdLife Australia BirdLife Australia (Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union) was founded in 1901 and works to conserve native birds and biological diversity in Australasia and Antarctica, through the study and management of birds and their habitats, and the education and involvement of the community. BirdLife Australia produces a range of publications, including Emu, a quarterly scientific journal; Wingspan, a quarterly magazine for all members; Conservation Statements; BirdLife Australia Monographs; the BirdLife Australia Report series; and the Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. It also maintains a comprehensive ornithological library and several scientific databases covering bird distribution and biology. Membership of BirdLife Australia is open to anyone interested in birds and their habitats, and concerned about the future of our avifauna. For further information about membership, subscriptions and database access, contact BirdLife Australia 60 Leicester Street, Suite 2-05 Carlton VIC 3053 Australia Tel: (Australia): (03) 9347 0757 Fax: (03) 9347 9323 (Overseas): +613 9347 0757 Fax: +613 9347 9323 E-mail: [email protected] Recommended citation: Herman, K and Purnell, C., 2016. Melbourne Water Regional Bird Monitoring Project. Annual report: July 2015 –June 2016. Unpublished report prepared for Melbourne Water by BirdLife Australia, Melbourne. This report was prepared by BirdLife Australia under contract to Melbourne Water. Disclaimers This publication may be of assistance to you and every effort has been undertaken to ensure that the information presented within is accurate. BirdLife Australia does not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Melbourne Water BirdLife Australia, Suite 2–05, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia. This report was prepared by: Kerryn Herman and Chris Purnell. Cover photos: Melbourne Water Regional Bird Monitoring project observers surveying Hallam Valley Rd constructed wetland (bottom). Photos in this report are by Chris Purnell unless noted otherwise. 1 Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... 4 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................ 5 1) Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 6 2) Methods ............................................................................................................................ 7 a) Site identification ................................................................................................................ 7 b) Survey techniques .............................................................................................................. 15 3) Occupational Health and Safety ............................................................................................ 17 4) Results and discussion ........................................................................................................ 18 a) Survey coverage ................................................................................................................ 18 b) Significant populations ........................................................................................................ 25 c) Works Sites ....................................................................................................................... 33 5) Management Recommendations and Site Observations ........................................................... 39 6) References ........................................................................................................................ 47 Appendix 1: Species selected to determine the avian index of waterway condition. ............................ 51 Appendix 2: Threatened species occurrence maps for bird species recorded between July 2015 – June 2016 ........................................................................................................................................ 52 Appendix 3 Song Metre Background and Methodology (modified from Adams and Purnell 2016) .......... 64 Figures Figure 1. Wetland and waterway sites identified for targeted surveys as part of the MWrbm. .................................... 9 Figure 2. MWrbm sites within the Dandenong Catchment.................................................................................... 10 Figure 3. MWrbm sites within the Maribyrnong Catchment .................................................................................. 11 Figure 4. MWrbm sites within the Werribee Catchment. ...................................................................................... 12 Figure 5. MWrbm sites within the Western Port catchment. ................................................................................. 13 Figure 6. MWrbm sites within the Yarra catchment. ........................................................................................... 14 Figure 7. A representation of 4 common standardised survey types used in the MWrbm project. ............................. 15 Figure 8. Among other sites, Melbourne Water manages vegetation and hydrology at Edithvale Wetlands to provide habitat for significant bird populations. Photo: Andrew Silcocks. .......................................................................... 25 Figure 9. Rates of population decline of seven species of shorebirds in the East Asian–Australian Flyway 1973 - 2014 (R. Fuller, unpublished data). .......................................................................................................................... 27 Figure 10. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper occur in internationally significant numbers at Edithvale Wetlands in the absence of wetland inundation inland. .............................................................................................................................. 31 Figure 11. Total waterbird counts across Melbourne Water managed Ramsar areas June 2012-July 2016. ............. 32 Figure 12. Map of north west Yarra Catchment works sites established to test the effects of weed removal on birds within riparian sites. ...................................................................................................................................... 34 Figures 13. a and b average number of birds recorded per survey for each survey period and treatment types (pooled across waterways). Numbers indicate total number of surveys undertaken. .......................................................... 34 Figure 14. Location of Olinda Creek works sites ................................................................................................. 37 Figures 15. a and b average number of birds recorded per survey for each survey period and treatment types across the Olinda Creek works sites. Numbers indicate total number of surveys undertaken. ............................................ 37 Figure 16. Three common environmental weeds established at Bolin Bolin Billabong a) Spear Thistle b) English Ivy c) Wandering Trad. ............................................................................................................................................ 39 Figure 17. a) A young wombat showing signs of mange. b) A young fox with signs of mange scavenging an Eastern Grey Kangaroo. c) A dead adult wombat with signs of mange. ............................................................................ 40 Figure 18. The last remaining stands of Gorse pictured were removed in early 2014. ............................................. 41 Figure 19. Olinda Control site soon after vegetation removal March 2015 (left) and in June 2016 (Right) ................. 42 Figure 20. Tutsan has become prevalent throughout the clearing and on the banks of the Olinda Creek. .................. 43 Figure 21. Forget-me-nots dominate the understory of the Olinda Creek staged removal site (left). Plantings beneath in tact Willow (right). ..................................................................................................................................... 43 2 Figure 22. Hard waste including building materials are regularly dumped at Industrial estate retarding basin. ........... 45 Figure 23. (above) Clear image of Australasian Bittern captured on camera trap at Tootgarook Swamp, between June 2015- June16. ............................................................................................................................................... 45 Figure 24. (right) more cryptic image of Australasian Bittern (circled in red) ......................................................... 45 Figure 25. Owl image captured on camera traps at Tootgarook Swamp, August 2016. ........................................... 46 Tables Table 1. Summary of survey categories and justification. ..................................................................................... 8 Table 2. MWrbm sites within the Dandenong Catchment by management unit. ...................................................... 10 Table 3. MWrbm sites