escarpment to sea newsletter summer 2012-3

7/29/2019 Escarpment to Sea Newsletter Summer 2012-3

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Welcome to this summer edition of

Escarpment to Sea. Its great to be able to

say that I hope you have all enjoyed the

recent rain after what has been an

uncommonly dry spell. Before the big rains

brought by the remnants of ex-tropical

Cyclone Oswald, I witnessed a number of

clear indications of the extended dry.

Dairy farmers in the Jamberoo Valley

have been hand feeding stock due to

the poor result of over-sewn rye

grasses in kikuyu pasture and then

very slow summer growth of the

kikuyu itself.

Landholders have been hand watering

young trees in shelter belts and

revegetation areas.

Lantana has been very slow to put on

s u m m e r l e a f g r o w t h , b u t

unfortunately it is highly resilient to

such dry conditions and willundoubtedly bounce back.

Native grasses in woodland areas

such as the Dunmore Hills and Dapto

have had a very poor year in terms of

seed set and distribution.

It will be interesting to see how things

change over the coming weeks.

Following the Spring edition of Escarpment

to Sea I received some welcome comments

from a number of readers. Of particular

interest were observations of pigeons

around the district. It seems that ourmagnificent large fig trees attract a wide

range of fruit eaters in both urban and rural

settings. I also received a number of

requests to add new addresses to the

mailing list. In some cases these were for

friends or family members who are not

residents of our region. Were always happy

to do this as it helps to spread the news of

some of the great projects that people are

implementing in our region to conserve

native species diversity.

Inside this edition you will read about one of

our endangered frogs, efforts to reduce the

spread of one really nasty woody weed and

another aquatic weed from our wetlands

and waterways. You will find out how to

involve local volunteers in your project and

pick up some tips for spotting one of our

most common but little known groups of

mammals. I hope you enjoy the read.

Case Study: Habitat Creation for the greenCase Study: Habitat Creation for the greenCase Study: Habitat Creation for the greenCase Study: Habitat Creation for the green

and golden bell frog in Port Kemblaand golden bell frog in Port Kemblaand golden bell frog in Port Kemblaand golden bell frog in Port Kembla

The green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea)

was once common along the coast of NSW

but its numbers and distribution have

declined rapidly since the 1970s. It is now

listed as endangered in NSW and Port

Kembla sustains one of the key remaining

populations.

One of the major threats to the green and

golden bell frog is loss, fragmentation and

alteration of its habitat. Southern Rivers

CMA and the Office of Environment and

Heritage are working together to implement

a project funded by the Australian

Governments Caring for our Country

initiative, aimed at creating or enhancing

existing habitat and actively managing it for

the conservation and protection of bell frogs.

The project is being implemented at six sites

in Port Kembla and management

agreements have been formed with land

owners and managers. At each site specific

actions have been identified which will help

bell frog conservation efforts. These actions

include creation of breeding habitat through

the provision of above ground ponds, reliningof existing ponds, fencing to prevent access,

damage and disturbance, weed removal and

planting of appropriate aquatic and

Summer

2012/13

Escarpment to Sea- Conserving biological diversity in theIllawarra and Shoalhaven

Inside this issue:

Green and golden bellGreen and golden bellGreen and golden bellGreen and golden bell

frogsfrogsfrogsfrogs

Alligator weedAlligator weedAlligator weedAlligator weed

Broad leaf privetBroad leaf privetBroad leaf privetBroad leaf privet

MicrobatsMicrobatsMicrobatsMicrobats

Whats onWhats onWhats onWhats on


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Page 2

Southern

Rivers CMA

is working

with local

land-owners

to protect

and enhance

regional

corridors.

terrestrial plants.

These actions should provide suitable

breeding, foraging, dispersal and over

wintering habitat and enhance the

resilience of the Port Kembla

population. While the project is only inthe preliminary stages there are already

indications of success. At one site an

existing pond had been completely

overgrown with aquatic vegetation.

These conditions favour striped marsh

frogs whereas bell frogs prefer ponds

with some areas of open water. Some of

the aquatic vegetation from the pond

has now been cleared and is being

managed to maintain areas of open

water. Recent monitoring has recorded

male and female bell frogs and tadpoles

at the site.

If you would like to be involved in the

conservation of green and golden bell

frogs there are a number of ways you

can help:

Tell us if you see or hear a green andTell us if you see or hear a green andTell us if you see or hear a green andTell us if you see or hear a green and

golden bell froggolden bell froggolden bell froggolden bell frog.

Visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/

surveys/bellfrogonlineform.htm

Make your garden or workplace moreMake your garden or workplace moreMake your garden or workplace moreMake your garden or workplace more

green and golden bell frog friendlygreen and golden bell frog friendlygreen and golden bell frog friendlygreen and golden bell frog friendly.

Install a frog pond (fish free) or other

suitable habitat. There are best practice

guidelines and advice on how to do this.

Visit

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/

threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?

id=10483

Case study: Jamberoo Mountain privetCase study: Jamberoo Mountain privetCase study: Jamberoo Mountain privetCase study: Jamberoo Mountain privet

controlcontrolcontrolcontrol

A number of landholders in Jamberoo

Valley are banding together to tackle a

major infestation of broad leaf privet

(Ligustrum lucidum) on their properties.

In partnership with Kiama Council,

Southern Rivers CMA and the Paddy

Pallin Foundation, mature trees have

been removed. In some cases they have

been treated with herbicide and left to

die in situ. Conservation Volunteers are

helping to hand weed seedlings in

locations where mature trees are being

treated. The efforts will reduce the

amount of seed that is produced in the

area and hence slow down the spread of

the weed.

Broad and small leaf privet species are

both fairly common woody weeds in the

area. The small leaf species (L.igustrum

sinense) occurs mostly on moist creek

banks. Broad leaf privet is tolerant of drier

sites and is common along fence-lines and

slopes as well as on creek and river banks.

At this time of year broad leaf privet is veryeasy to recognise due to its profusion of

small creamy yellow flowers. The flowers

form on the end of the branchlets and so

create a cloud of creamy yellow all over the

top and sides of mature trees. If the plant is

growing amongst other trees it can easily

reach a height of ten metres and may have a

trunk up to 500 mm in diametre. The

flowers have a sickly sweet fragrance which

can produce an allergic reaction in some

people. The berries form through autumn

and winter and gradually ripen from green

through red to purplish black and may reach

over 10 mm in length and diametre.

Although they grow well in full sun, broad

leaf privet seedlings may germinate even in

deeply shaded areas. This means that

seedlings can carpet the ground under a

dense canopy of foliage and have the

potential to rapidly form dense thickets that

restrict the establishment of native species.

The project is focussing on the Jamberoo

Mountain Road area. To date several

hundred trees have been treated on the

roadside and within five adjacent properties.

Re-planting is planned in some areas where

native species are absent.

If privet is a problem on your property, you

may wish to contact Southern Rivers CMA

for advice or assistance.


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The

escarpment

supports

large area of

native

vegetation

and a

diversity of

habitat types

Page 3

Microbats under the spotlightMicrobats under the spotlightMicrobats under the spotlightMicrobats under the spotlight

When you think about mammals, what sorts of creatures spring to mind?

Cows, rats and roos? Maybe people?

Did you know that one quarter of all mammal species are microbats?

Ranging from as small as 3 grams to over 150 grams, microbats are members of the sub-order

Microchiroptera and are amongst the most common of our native mammals. And yet very few of

us have actually seen one close up. Australia boasts over 50 native species and more than 20 of

these can be found in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Ten of the locally occurring species are

listed as Vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Act.

Most microbats are insectivores. Feeding on mosquitoes, moths and beetles many species con-

sume half their body weight each night. The southern myotis has recently been recorded near

the Minnamurra River and is known to roost in culverts and under bridges. It includes small fish

in its diet which it catches by skimming just above the water surface and snatching surface

feeding fish and insects with its disproportionately large feet.

Vulnerable microbats of theVulnerable microbats of theVulnerable microbats of theVulnerable microbats of the

Illawarra and ShoalhavenIllawarra and ShoalhavenIllawarra and ShoalhavenIllawarra and Shoalhaven

Eastern cave bat

Eastern bentwing bat

Eastern false pipistrelle

Eastern free-tail bat

Golden tipped bat

Greater broad nosed bat

Large eared pied bat

Little bentwing bat

Southern myotis

Yellow bellied sheath-tail

bat

Southern myotis

Harp trap

Eastern bentwing

Little bentwingYellow bellied sheath-tail

Little bentwing


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Species such as the eastern false pipistrelle and eastern freetail roost mainly in tree

hollows but have also been known to reside under bark and in buildings and even in

cracks in posts. The eastern bentwing also roosts in tree hollows, bridges and culverts

but breeding occurs en masse in a small number of maternity caves such as those

found in the limestone region of Bungonia. It is thought females travel in large

numbers to maternity sites in November and December and return to coastal regions

in early March.

In our region microbats are most active in the warmer months and in forested

locations when insects are plentiful. Several species are known to enter a state of

torpor in the cooler months where they can reduce their body temperature to close to

that of their surroundings and remain motionless for many weeks.

The larger fruit bats and flying foxes (sub-order Chiroptera) seek out their food sources

by sight and smell. Microbats can see, but rely on echolocation for navigation and

hunting. They are able to produce a pulse of soundwaves which bounce off objects

and the returning waves are detected by the bat to give a picture of their surroundings

and even tiny insects on the wing. The soundwaves produced by most species are

inaudible to the human ear but some can be recognised as a series of regular clicking.

Monitoring for the presence of microbats in your area is not hard. Look for them

exiting tree hollows and foraging in areas of high insect activity; such as flood lights,

dams and creeks around sunset. Identifying which species you have is more difficult

because they are so small and fast moving. Ecologists and researchers use a number

of tools. Harp traps are frames strung tightly with closely spaced strings positioned

above a collection chamber. The traps are placed in locations where surrounding trees

or structures funnel the bats into a narrow flyway. The bats hit the strings and fall

undamaged into the chamber where they can be captured and identified prior to

release. Alternatively, acoustic monitoring equipment is used to record the sound

waves which can then be analysed to identify the species.

As with most of our native fauna, the greatest threats to microbat populations are

habitat destruction and fragmentation. Do your bit by retaining old trees with hollows,alive or dead. Retain and enlarge or improve the condition of native vegetation

particularly along water courses and around dams. If you are aware of roosting

locations please try to avoid disturbing them. You can also consider installing nesting

boxes, particularly in areas where tree hollows have been removed or are scarce. You

can build boxes yourself but make sure that you research appropriate sizes and

materials. Alternatively they can be purchased online.

The Australasian Bat Society invites interested people to coordinate Bat Nights in

March each year. If you are interested in organising or joining such an event find out

more at http://ausbats.org.au/#/australasian-bat-night/4560496090

Volunteers to assist in Shoalhaven/Illawarra Biodiversity corridor projectsVolunteers to assist in Shoalhaven/Illawarra Biodiversity corridor projectsVolunteers to assist in Shoalhaven/Illawarra Biodiversity corridor projectsVolunteers to assist in Shoalhaven/Illawarra Biodiversity corridor projects

Conservation Volunteers (CV) has been a very active contributor in the delivery of on-

ground works in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions since the early 2000s. The

organisation is not for profit and non-government and committed to engaging

volunteers from varied backgrounds and involving them in practical environmental

projects.

In partnership with Southern Rivers CMA, CV is now offering to assist private

landholders in our region who are working on projects within identified regional

biodiversity corridors. The teams can help with weed control, fencing or planting

projects and are particularly helpful in follow-up maintenance work.

If you are interested in taking up this offer, contact your local CMA biodiversity officer.

Supporting

local people to

live and work

in ways that

lead to a

healthy and

productive

environment.

Page 4


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Page 5

One of the worlds worst weeds found in the ShoalhavenOne of the worlds worst weeds found in the ShoalhavenOne of the worlds worst weeds found in the ShoalhavenOne of the worlds worst weeds found in the Shoalhaven

One of the worlds worst weeds, the aquatic Alternanthera philoxeroides or alligator weed as it is commonly re-

ferred to has been found in the Shoalhaven catchment.

The weed typically occurs in lowland wetlands and on the banks of fresh water bodies, but it is so robust it can also

thrive on land well away from water. In aquatic situations it can form dense floating mats over the water surface,

choking waterways, restricting other plant and animal species and reducing water flow and quality. On land it de-

grades pasture and slashes crop production. Plant fragments can cause new outbreaks if they are washed down-stream or if transported by people, machinery or boats or in soil or turf.

The Shoalhaven outbreak was discovered in a farm dam near Berry and the landholder is working with Southern

Rivers CMA and Shoalhaven City Council to eradicate the problem with funding from the NSW Department of Pri-

mary Industries and the Australian Governments Caring for our Country initiative.

The extent of the infestation meant that the best approach was to dig out the weed and bury it. A large excavator

has been used at the site for three weeks to remove over 800 metres of spoil. The material has been buried in a

plastic lined pit 20 metres long, 10 metres wide and 4 metres deep. The site will be monitored and maintained for

the next 10 years to ensure the weed has been eradicated.

Alligator weed leaves are glossy, spear-shaped, and smooth from 2 to 7 centimetres long. The single, white, papery

ball-like flowers are 1.2 to 1.4 centimetres in diameter. A key identifying feature is the stem, which is completelyhollow.

Anyone who finds alligator weed is urged to contact Shoalhaven City Councils weed officer or the Illawarra District

Noxious Weed Authority.

Todays glorious garden plantstomorrows bushland weedsTodays glorious garden plantstomorrows bushland weedsTodays glorious garden plantstomorrows bushland weedsTodays glorious garden plantstomorrows bushland weeds

Its common knowledge that many of our

bushland weeds arrived in Australia as garden

ornamentals. Many lilies, daisies, succulents

and berry producing trees and shrubs fall into

this category and now cost the nations gov-

ernments and farmers millions of dollars and

hours each year.

At this time of year, spring and summer flow-

ering ornamentals are going to seed. Remov-

ing these seed heads and disposing of them to

landfill in sealed bags is a simple way of re-

ducing the problem and preventing new inva-

sions.Dont delay, take your agapanthus seed heads

away!

Excavation to remove Alligator weed Alligator weed


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Funding information:

Environmental Trust Workshops

Granted: how to get funding anddeliver a successful project

Thursday 21st FebruaryNovell, North Beach WollongongBookings essential:[email protected]

Community Landcare Grants

Grants from $5,000 to $50,000 forlocal community groups

Applications due on

Wednesday 20th March

For information:www.nrm.gov.au or 1800 552 008

Whats on:

Wollongong City CouncilBushcare/Fiready Forum

5pm-7pm Tuesday 12th FebruaryBellambi

Bookings essential: Paul Hellier4227 8113 [email protected]

Jason Carson

5 OKeefe AvePO Box 309Nowra NSW 2541

Ph: 4429 4446Mob: 0428 626 332Fax: 4429 4458E:[email protected]

Michael Andrews

Level 1/84 Crown StPO Box 3095Wollongong NSW 2500

Ph: 4224 9715Mob: 0408 633 649Fax: 4224 9669E: [email protected]

Page 6

Contact us

with any

comments or

contributions

for future

editions of

Escarpment

to Sea

Escarpment to Sea is a Southern Rivers CMA project in partnership with

the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Landcare Illawarra,

Shoalhaven Landcare and local government.

For more information about Southern Rivers CMAs current projects and programs

contact your nearest CMA office.

Illawarra Rainforest and WoodlandProject Launch and Botany Workshop

Saturday 23rd FebruaryFoxground

Bookings essential: Megan Rowlatt4229 7526 [email protected]

Slow Food Saddleback

Zucchini and Rhubarb Workshop

Sunday 24th FebruaryGerringongFor information: Carolyn Evans0433 233 405 or

[email protected]

Clean Up Australia DaySunday 3rd March

Business Clean Up DayTuesday 26th FebruarySchools Clean Up DayFriday 1st March

Register or join a siteFor information:www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

escarpment to sea newsletter summer 2012-3

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