fauna rehabilitation plans - north sydney council · properties. together, they are bordered by the...

Fauna Rehabilitation Plans

Smoothey Park / Gore Cove

Port Jackson Catchment

2001

Copyright North Sydney Council PDF Document Conversion -18/02/2002

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F) Smoothey Park/ Gore Cove Bushland INTRODUCTION Smoothey Park consists of remnant bushland and open areas of lawn scattered with exotic ornamental trees and shrubs. Gore Cove consists of a narrow corridor of remnant vegetation behind residential properties. Together, they are bordered by the North Shore Railway Line, Russell Street, residential properties of Milray Avenue and Berrys Creek. Smoothey Park and Gore Cove are also linked to the bushland areas of Greendale Street and Holloway Reserve in the Lane Cove Municipality. The total bushland area is approximately 4.5 hectares. The dominant vegetation association is Open Forest (10ag) Angophora costata (Smooth-barked Apple) and Eucalyptus pilularis (Blackbutt) community. Alongside the creek is a remnant Closed Forest (10ag) Ceratopetalum apetalum (Coachwood) community. Berrys Creek is the longest stretch of natural open creek-line left in North Sydney. Weed species such as Large Leaf Privet (Ligustrum lucidum) are prolific along parts of this creek-line. In some areas only a few remnant native species remain. This is due to past soil disturbance, nutrient enriched stormwater and urban runoff. Other weed species have spread from the backyards of some residential properties along Milray Avenue. In other areas, good examples of remnant Hawkesbury Sandstone vegetation can be seen. Bush regeneration activities are carried out by Contractors, Council=s Bushland Management Team and the dedicated Smoothey Park Bushcare Group. Wildlife Watch sightings in the area indicate that a wide diversity of fauna species reside or visit the bushland, especially bird life, when compared to other areas in North Sydney. 1.0 FLORA

Refer to Map 1 - Vegetation Communities for location details.

For Further information see: Section 3 – Indigenous Flora of North Sydney – Smoothey Park / Gore Cove

1.1 Marine Environment The presence of estuarine plant life is very limited. Species such as Avicennia marina (Grey Mangrove), Suaeda australis (Austral Seablite) and Tetragonia tetragonioides are present on the tidal mudflat where the water is brackish. The marine waters bordering the bushland of Gore Cove are part of a large Intertidal Protection Area (IPA) for Sydney Harbour. For further information, contact: The Department of Fisheries, Wollstonecraft.


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1.2 Nearby Parks and Verges containing Remnant Vegetation

Gore Cove and Smoothey Park are situated on the divide of Lane Cove Council and North Sydney Council. The Western side of this bushland area, managed by Lane Cove, is closely adjoined to Gore Cove and Oyster Cove bushland reserves. 2.0 FAUNA

2.1 Terrestrial Vertebrates Smoothey Park and Gore Cove bushland provide a diverse range of habitats that are able to support a diversity of native fauna. As can be seen from the species list for the area, there is a wide range of bird species (eg. Kingfishers, Robins, Wrens, Parrots and Rosellas) and the mudflat attracts many seabirds (eg. Herons, Cormorants, Ibis). Ringtail Possums also inhabit the bushland as indicated by the numerous dreys found in the midstorey and canopy of native vegetation. The Eastern Rosella, Crimson Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra and Tawny Frogmouth are occasionally seen in bushland along Berrys Creek. Numerous Pied Currawongs and Noisy Miners are frequently seen throughout both Smoothey Park and Gore Cove bushland. There is a lack of nesting hollows in the North Sydney area due to the lack of old native trees that tend to bear such hollows. Native birds, arboreal mammals and bats suffer from the lack of safe nesting and roosting sites. These creatures play an important role in the ecology of the vegetation communities of Smoothey Park and Gore Cove.

2.2 Other Native Fauna Groups

- Terrestrial Invertebrates, - Aquatic/estuarine Vertebrates, and - Aquatic/estuarine Invertebrates.

A formal survey of the diversity and abundance of the above groups of organisms has never been undertaken by North Sydney Council. More detailed studies are required. In periods of rain the high velocity of water flowing down Berrys Creek turns it into a cascading stream. Random observations of creek life (both invertebrates and vertebrates) indicate degraded and deteriorating stream ecology with only one pair of eels found to be regular inhabitants. In mid-2001 a tortoise was sighted in the creek from the Wildlife Watch Database. Further research into the vertebrates and invertebrates of Berrys Creek would be of considerable value. Two species of frogs live in the sub-catchment, the Brown-striped Marsh Frog and the Common Eastern Froglet. Neither has been found to exist within Berrys Creek. The frogs occupy areas where natural and urban runoff pass through the bushland as it makes its way to Berrys Creek from adjacent houses or nearby roads. Fifty years ago Gore Bay was a large waterhole that local children would swim in. The estuarine mudflat that has developed where Berrys Creek discharges into Gore Bay supports a variety of tidal vertebrate and invertebrate species. Further investigations are needed to ascertain actual species and diversity in this area.


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2.3 Introduced and Feral Animals Tracks, scats and other traces of the Red Fox have been identified in Smoothey Park and along the Gore Cove Track. A fox was sighted in the evening during the Fauna Survey. The Fauna Survey also recorded dog scats along the Gore Cove Track. The Black Rat and House Mouse were also detected in the reserve. Six introduced bird species were detected in the Fauna Survey: Rock Dove, Spotted Turtledove, House Sparrow, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Common Starling, the Common Indian Mynah.

2.4 Vulnerable and Threatened Species The Large Bent-wing Bat miniopterus schreibersii, listed as Vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995, was detected on the eastern side of the reserve. The Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus, listed as Vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995, was observed flying over the reserve.

2.5 Locally Rare Species Two species of mammal were recorded in the Fauna Survey that have not been recorded elsewhere in the Port Jackson Catchment: the Brown Antechinus was detected along the Gore Cove Track and Gould’s Wattle Bats were detected in Smoothey Park. The Fauna Survey, Bush Regeneration Team and a bird watcher and local resident have sighted bird species that have also not been recorded elsewhere in the Port Jackson Catchment, such as the: Noisy Pitta, Spangled Drongo, Striated Mangrove Heron, Jacky Winter, Eastern Yellow Robin and Spotted Pardalote. A pair of eels and a tortoise have been recorded in the Wildlife Watch Database in 2001. One known pair of King Parrots annually nests in the same tree hollow at Smoothey Park. Nesting hollows are rare in Smoothey Park. Food supplies for these birds must be plentiful enough to sustain a family throughout the entire breeding season. 3.0 FAUNA REHABILITATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

3.1 Aim Strategy To preserve and create habitat for the: Brown Antechinus Brushtail Possum Common Eastern Froglet Eastern Water Dragon Forest bird species Gould’s Wattle Bat

Grey-headed Flying-fox Insectivorous birds Migratory bird species Ringtail Possum Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko Striped Marsh Frog


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3.2 Fauna Survey Findings

Gore Cove Reserve was found to contain the highest diversity and abundance of fauna, both native and exotic. The only recording of the Brown Antechinus was discovered along the Gore Cove Track. Native mammals were lacking in Smoothey Park, which appears to be due to the disrupted forest canopy and the use of lighting along the pathways through the park. Gould’s Wattle Bat was detected in Smoothey Park. Six reptile species were found and two frog species. The Red Fox, Black Rat and House Mouse were also recorded in the reserve along with dog scats. Thirty bird species were recorded including six exotic species. Many other bird species have been recorded in the area in the Wildlife Watch Data. Diversity in avian fauna is due to the diversity in habitat present from a diversity of vegetation communities, as well as being connected through to Lane Cove. For further information, see: Section 3 – Fauna Port Jackson Bushland Reserves North Sydney 2001 Report.

3.3 Site issues

• High conservation value that needs protection. • Eroded track with exposed tree roots. • Superb Blue Fairy-wrens living in Lantana along the track. • Narrow reserve. • Residential spotlights directed into bushland. • Predation from foxes.

3.4 Objectives

• Integrate conservation measures with recreational activities of the reserve. • Continue to preserve diversity of habitats. • Practise bush regeneration techniques that preserve existing habitat. • Create Wildlife Corridors. • Undertake ecological burning to promote biodiversity. • Create fresh water source. • Upgrade tracks and prevent erosion. • Continue to educate the community about wildlife/conservation issues. • Reduce feral animal predation on native fauna. • Reduce incidence of domestic animal attack on native fauna. • Reduce footpath and residential lighting entering the reserve. • Preserve and enhance continuous middle -storey vegetation. • Create continuous canopy coverage.

3.5 Nesting Seasons of Scrub Birds

Habitat for birds that nest in the scrub layer will have implications for ecological burns and primary bush regeneration activities. Table 1 shows scrub birds found along Smoothey Park/Gore Cove Bushland and their nesting season. Primary bush regeneration and clearing middle and under-storey vegetation should take place outside of nesting season. For maximum native regeneration potential, ecological burns should be carried out during or after spring when plants have produced seeds. However, spring and summer is often nesting season for birds also. Caution needs to be exercised when burning piles or undertaking broad area burns, that nesting sites are not destroyed.


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Table 1. Bird species, nesting height above ground and nesting season Data obtained from Fauna Survey (2001) and Fauna of North Sydney Database.

Common Name Height (m) J F M A M J J A S O N D

Superb Fairy-wren Up to 1m White-plumed Honey Eater 1 – 20m White-browed Scrub-wren On or near

ground

Silvereye 1 – 5m Eastern Spinebill 1 – 5m Satin Bowerbird 2 – 35m Green Catbird 2 –25m White-winged Chough 4 –14m Golden-headed Cristicola Low Grey Fantail 1 – 6m Rufous Fantail 1 – 10m Restless Flycatcher 1 – 20m Leaden Flycatcher 3 – 25m Noisy Friarbird 1.5 – 17m Yellow-faced Honeyeater Up to 7m Jacky Winter 0.5 – 22m Mistletoe-bird Up to 10m Black-faced Monarch 1 – 12m Olive-backed Oriole Tree or

shrub

Noisy Pitta On ground or stumps

Eastern Yellow Robin Up to 7m Rose Robin 1 – 2m Brown Thornbill Low

shrubs

Buff-rumped Thornbill Low shrubs

Yellow Thornbill 3 – 12m Willy Wagtail 1 – 20m White-throated Warbler 2 – 15m Little Wattlebird 1 – 5m Red Wattlebird 3 – 10m

(-20)

Weebill 1 – 10m Golden Whistler Up to 5m Rufous Whistler Up to

10m, mostly lower

White-plumed Honeyeater 1 – 20m Anytime, peak season Spring and Autumn

Key Indicates breeding season


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4.0 ACTION PLAN Priority As a general principle, first priority (short and medium term) of bush regeneration works should be given to regeneration and protection of ‘good bush’ and revegetation in bare areas. Lowest priority (long term) should be given to regeneration of degraded areas. ST (Short Term) Action completed within 2 years MT (Medium Term) Action completed within 2-4 years LT (Long Term) Action commenced after 4 years O (Ongoing) Action is carried out on a regular basis throughout the duration of the

Action Plan C (Commenced) Action has commenced CP (Completed) Action has been carried out

Refer to Map 2 – Rehabilitation Zones for location details Table 2. Management Strategies

Zone Issue Objective Action Comments Priority All Track erosion and

exposure of tree roots along the track.

Prevent further erosion of the track and protect tree roots.

Board Walk to be built over parts of the existing track along Gore Cove, where there are exposed tree roots and erosion. (See Map 2.)

The water that rests on the tracks, if covered with a board walk, may provide habitat for frogs.

MT

All Respectful and informed visitation to reserves.

Increase public appreciation and understanding of native wildlife in the Reserve.

Educational signage along the walking tracks.

MT

3 4

Loss of habitat for small insectivorous birds.

Preserve habitat for small insectivorous birds.

Leave all mature Lantana. Remove when middle-storey is re-established.

ST O


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Zone Issue Objective Action Comments Priority 4 Lack of middle and

under-storey vegetation at the start of the Gore Cove Track.

Increase middle and under-storey vegetation in Zone 4.

Revegetation will be carried out towards the start of the Gore Cove Track, Shirley Road, in the NHT ‘Berrys Bay to Gore Creek Green Corridor Project’.

C

Plant new Angophora costata seedlings.

Information on the cause of die -back can be used from research done at Cremorne Point .

LT 4 Angophora costata die-back.

Rehabilitate Angophora costata community.

Use of fire as a tool to remove excess nutrients in the soil through pile burns.

Excess nutrients in the soil may be contributing to die-back.

MT

Undertake phos-acid trailing

Refer to Cremorne Point research project.

MT

Reduce residential lighting shining directly into bushland.

Inform residents of the issue associated with outside lighting shining directly into bushland. Follow up response.

MT 5, 1

Lighting directed into reserve.

Reduce parkland lighting entering Smoothey Park.

Installation of light shields.

Lighting into bush poses a problem to nocturnal fauna, with the exception of Tawny Frogmouths.

MT

All Lack of middle-storey vegetation and continuous canopy coverage.

Maximise retention of existing middle-storey vegetation and canopy coverage.

Leave poisoned canopy and middle-storey trees in situ.

ST O

2 Degradation of rainforest vegetation.

Recreate rainforest habitat.

Patchwork primary clearing of Privet and other weeds.

Natural regeneration of Ceratopetalum apetalum.

LT O


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Zone Issue Objective Action Comments Priority 5 Narrow strip of

bushland with extensive ‘edge effect’.

Extend bushland into residential back gardens for wildlife habitat and corridors.

Backyard Bushcare program.

Will be carried out along Milray Avenue under the NHT ‘Berrys Bay to Gore Creek Green Corridor Project’.

C O

All Predation of wildlife from foxes.

Reduce feral animals attack on wildlife.

Den location and fumigation.

Unable to bait in reserve due to close proximity to residential houses .

ST O

Public education about the impact of cats on wildlife.

ST O

All

Predation from domestic cats.

Reduce domestic cat attack on wildlife.

Declaration of Wildlife Protection Area under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

LT

All Disturbance of wildlife from dogs off walking leads.

Reduce domestic dog attack on wildlife.

Informative legislative signage at the start of walking tracks and patrol by Rangers.

This can be enforced under the Wildlife Protection Area under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

O

All Habitat disturbance due to bush regeneration works.

Preserve existing habitat and minimise disturbance of bush regeneration works.

Mosaic primary clearing to be done in areas no larger than 10m x 10m. Leave areas undisturbed until vegetation in cleared areas has regenerated to 1.5m.

O

All Lack of fire. Use of fire as an ecological tool to re-establish native vegetation and encourage natural regeneration.

Create pile burns. Reserve is too narrow for broad area burns. Exclude fire from naturally existing closed forest vegetation along the creek-line.

MT O


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Zone Issue Objective Action Comments Priority 4 Loss of sclerophyll

vegetation from dominance of Pittosporum undulatum.

Preservation and enhancement of sclerophyll vegetation while retaining middle-storey structure.

Removal and poisoning of selected Pittosporum undulatum. Leave in situ.

ST O


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Bibliography Clancy, G.P., (1996) The Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea in Station creek area of Yuraygir National Park. Australian Zoologist 30 (2): 214-217 Bakewell, G., (2001) The University of Sydney – Faculty of Rural Management – Rural Vegetation, Assignment 3: Final Report – Part A. Benson, D. and Howell, J., (1994) The Natural Vegetation of the Sydney 1:100 000 map Sheet in Cunninghamia – A Journal of Plant Ecology 5(2), National Herbarium of New South Wales Berger, L. and Speare, R., (1998) Chytridiomycosis – a new disease in amphibians. ANZCCART News 11 (4): 1-3 Biosphere Environmental Consultants, (2001) Fauna Port Jackson Bushland Reserve, North Sydney Braithwait, R.W., (1995) Brown Antechinus Antechinus stuartii in Strahan, R (Ed.). The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books Debus, S.J.S. and Chafer, C.J., (1994) The powerful owl Ninox strenua in New South Wales. Australian Birds – Journal of the NSW field Ornithologists Club Inc. 28: 21-38 Daly, G., (1995) Observations of the Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea) (Anura: Hylidae) in southern NSW. Herpetofauna 25 (1): 1-9 Daly, G., (1996) Some problems in management of the Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea (Anura: Hylidae) at Coomonderry Swamp on the south coast of NSW. Australian Zoologist 30 (2): 233-236 Dixon, J.M., (1995) Gould’s Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii in Strahan, R (Ed.). The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books Dwyer, P.D., (1995) Common Bentwing-bat Miniopterus schreibersii in Strahan, R (Ed.). The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books Greenyer, N., (1999) Habitat Restoration: A Study of the Powerful Owl How, R.A. and Kerle, J.A., (1995) Common Brushtail Possum Trichosaurus vulpecula in Strahan, R (Ed.). The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books Hoye, G., (2000) Fauna and Flora Assessment Waverton Peninsula Johnston, P. & Don, A., (1990) Grow Your Own Wildlife – How to Improve Your Local Environment. Greening Australia, Canberra North Sydney Council, (1999) Bushland Rehabilitation Plans North Sydney Council, (1994 -2001), Wildlife Watch Data Base NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1996). Threatened Species Management – Information Circulars. NPWS, Hurstville NSW National Parks and Wildlife Association, (2001) Threatened Species Information Grey-headed Flying-fox. NPWS Hurstville


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NSW National Parks and Wildlife Association, (1999) Threatened Species Information Green and Golden Bell Frog. NPWS Hurstville NSW National Parks and Wildlife Association, (2001) Nature and Conservation – Threatened Species Conservation. NPWS Hurstville NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, (1997) NSW Biodiversity Strategy. NPWS Hurstville McKay, G.M. and Ong, P., (1995) Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus pereginus in Strahan, R (Ed.). The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books Morgan, L.A. and Buttemer, W. A., (1996) Predation by the non-native fish Gambusia holbrooki on small Litoria aurea and L. dentata tadpoles. Australian Zoologist 30 (2):143-149 Ondinea, D., (1997) Habitat Protection and Restoration Guidelines for Cremorne Reserve Pik, A.J., Dangerfield J.M., Bramble R.A., Angus C. and Nipperess D.A., (2000) The Use of invertebrates to assess bush regeneration: A case study in urban bushland. Ecological management and Restoration. Reader’s Digest, (1993) The Complete Book of Australian Birds. Reader’s Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd Smith, B., (1995) Caring for Possums . Kangaroo Press, Australia Tidemann, C.R., (1995) Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus in Strahan, R (Ed.). The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books White, A.W. and Pyke, G.H., (1996) Distribution and conservation status of the Green and Golden bell Frog Litoria aurea in New South Wales. Australian Zoologist 30(2): 177-189 Wilbrow, L., (1999) WIRES Raptor Sepialist, personal interview with Nikki Greenyer on Powerful Owls.

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