Pre-harvest fauna and flora survey at harvesting coupes on ... · Pre-harvest fauna and flora survey at harvesting coupes on Pikes Hill Track in East Gippsland . Coupes surveyed:

Pre-harvest fauna and flora survey at harvesting coupes on

Pikes Hill Track in East Gippsland

Coupes surveyed:

District Coupe Number Orbost 830-507-0020 Orbost 830-507-0023

Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests

Wildlife Unlimited Pty Ltd

Pre-harvest fauna and flora survey at harvesting coupes on Pikes Hill Track

Report prepared by Wildlife Unlimited for VicForests Page 2

1 INTRODUCTION

Wildlife Unlimited was commissioned by VicForests to conduct surveys for spiny crayfish (Euastacus

sp.), galaxiids (Galaxias sp.), Black-fellow’s Hemp (Androcalva rossii), Slender Tree-fern (Cyathea

cunninghamii) and Yellow-bellied Glider (Petaurus australis) in and adjacent to two active harvesting

coupes (830-507-0020 and 830-507-0023) on Pikes Hill Track near Orbost, East Gippsland. Both coupes

have been partially harvested.

2 METHODS

2.1 Riparian surveys for Crayfish and Galaxiids

Aerial imagery and topographical maps were used to identify streams in the survey area that could

provide habitat for either crayfish or galaxiid species. These were then assessed during daylight hours

to confirm the presence of suitable habitat before nocturnal surveys were conducted for these

species. Nocturnal surveys were undertaken on February 25th by two observers (Jim Reside and Hayley

Davis) and included spotlighting pools of slow-flowing water with good visibility, and actively searching

by carefully moving and inspecting underneath potential refuge habitat such as flat rocks, overhanging

but submerged vegetation, and submerged logs.

2.2 Black-fellow’s Hemp and Slender Tree-fern surveys

Black-fellow’s Hemp and Slender Tree-fern surveys were conducted on February 18th and 25th 2016 by

up to three Wildlife Unlimited staff with experience identifying a range of plants in the East Gippsland

region (Jim Reside, Aileen Collyer and Hayley Davis). Surveys for Black-fellow’s Hemp involved walking

transects approximately 10-20 metres apart through suitable habitat, while Slender Tree-fern surveys

involved searching accessible gully lines. A GPS was used to record all Black-fellow’s Hemp or Slender

Tree-ferns detected. The species identification of each plant was confirmed by all observers.

2.3 Yellow-bellied Glider and other nocturnal fauna survey

A spotlight transect survey was conducted on February 19th 2016 by three Wildlife Unlimited staff, two

with significant experience surveying Yellow-bellied Gliders and other nocturnal fauna (Jim Reside and

Aileen Collyer), and one less experienced staff member working under supervision (Hayley Davis). This

involved surveying along a snig track through coupe 830-507-0020 and along Pikes Hill Track (Map 2).

One observer commenced surveying along the snig track and then north along Pikes Hill Road

(Spotlight A), while the other two observers started at the second coupe and made their way south

along Pikes Hill Track (Spotlight B), ending the survey when the two parties met. The survey transect

was 50 metres wide, i.e. 25 metres either side of the transect.

The survey was commenced after last light as recorded in Orbost. All observers used a LED Lenser

brand head torch to search trees visible from the transect for nocturnal fauna, which included looking

for eye-shine or signs of movement. All fauna species detected either visually or by call were recorded

by marking the location of the observer with a GPS and recording the bearing and estimated distance

of the animal from the observer. A GPS was also used to record the location and distance of the survey

transect.

3 RESULTS

3.1 Weather conditions

The weather conditions for nocturnal surveys on February 18th were as follows:



Temperature: 17.5 °C

Relative humidity: 81 %

Cloud cover: 90 %

Wind speed: Calm

Rain: None

The weather conditions for nocturnal surveys on February 25th were as follows:

Temperature: 21-22 C

Relative humidity: 80 %

Cloud cover: 100 %

Wind speed: Calm

Rain: Some light drizzle

3.2 Riparian surveys

Three streams were targeted during the current survey (Map 1): along the southern edge of coupe

830-507-0020 (Stream 1); along the northern edge of coupe 830-507-0020 and across Pike Hill Tk into

the main gully (Stream 2); and along the northern edge of coupe 830-507-0021 (Stream 3). During the

diurnal assessment, Stream 2 was found to be subterranean west of Pikes Hill Tk (i.e. along the coupe

boundary) but flowing strongly downstream of the road. Only the latter section of the stream was

therefore included in the survey effort. Both Stream 2 and Stream 3 were flowing strongly during the

current survey.

Table 1 Details of riparian surveys conducted during the current survey

Site Start time Start Easting*

Start Northing*

End time End Easting*

End Northing*

Distance (m)

Stream 1+ 11:30 658269 5843227 12:30 658267 5843296 70

Stream 2

19:15 657823 5844431 20:30 657973 5844517 230

Stream 3 21:35 657655 5844640 22:15 657401 5844608 260

* There was some discrepancy between data recorded by GPS units carried by field staff and existing spatial data (such as

creeks layers or aerial imagery). This may have been due to the reduced accuracy of GPS units when working along stream

lines. Coordinates for the start and end of transect surveys have therefore been estimated based on GPS track logs, existing

GIS data and aerial imagery.

+ A crayfish was located in Stream 1 during the diurnal assessment; the stream was therefore not re-surveyed after dark.

3.2.1 Crayfish detections

A female crayfish of an undescribed species was detected in Stream 1 during the diurnal assessment

(Table 2). Observers had planned to survey from downstream heading towards the coupe, however

the quick detection of the crayfish meant this was deemed unnecessary; the survey transect is hence

some distance from the actual coupe boundary (Map 1). Photos of the specimen were forwarded to

two aquatic biologists/taxonomists for confirmation (Appendix 1).

Table 2 Location and identification of crayfish species detected during the current survey

Site Species Easting Northing

Stream 1 Undescribed crayfish species 658303 5843263



3.2.2 Galaxiid detections

Up to three small galaxiid fish (<10cm in total length) were observed in Stream 2 but unable to be

captured. They matched the general description of galaxiid in overall colour and pattern, particularly

the vertical broad stripes and blotches, body shape being long and thin, and colour being very pale

around the mouthparts and ventral surface. No galaxiids were detected in Stream 1 or Stream 3.

Table 3 Approximate location of galaxiid fish species detected during the current survey

Site Species Easting Northing

Stream 2 Galaxiid species 657884 5844542

3.3 Black-fellow’s Hemp

Black-fellow’s Hemp was detected at three locations within the area surveyed in coupe 830-507-0020

(Table 4 and Map 1). This included both juvenile and adult plants. Numerous other plants were seen

(but not recorded) along the edge of Pikes Hill Tk between the most southerly and northerly coupe.

Table 4 Location and number of Black-fellow’s Hemp plants detected during the current survey

BFH detection number

Number of plants

Description Easting Northing

1 1 Juvenile plant to ~1.5m tall 657973 5844153

2 2 1 x adult to 4m tall, 10cm DBH 1 x juvenile to 4m tall, but DBH only ~3cm

657980 5844197

3 12 8 x juvenile plants (including seedlings) 4 x adult plants

657843 5844203

3.4 Slender Tree-fern

A survey was conducted for Slender Tree-fern in the gully south of coupe 830-507-0020 (Map 1). No

Slender Tree-ferns were located during the current survey.

3.5 Yellow-bellied Glider survey

3.5.1 Survey effort

The total length of the survey transect was approximately 3.35 kilometres however this included

bends in the track. Spotlight A covered approximately 1280 metres, while Spotlight B covered 2070

metres (Map 2). Spotlight A was commenced at 20:38, while Spotlight B was commenced at 20:40;

both spotlights were completed at 22:27.

3.5.2 Yellow-bellied Glider detections

A total of 10 Yellow-bellied Gliders were detected during the spotlight survey, two during Spotlight A

and eight during Spotlight B (Table 5). All Yellow-bellied Gliders were detected by call, and a number

were heard calling simultaneously, thereby allowing observers to confirm the presence of multiple

individuals (e.g. gliders A1 and A2; or B3, B4 and B5 as shown in Map 2). The distance between the

most northerly and southerly Yellow-bellied Gliders detected was approximately 1.4 kilometres.



Table 5 Nocturnal fauna species detected during spotlight survey Observer:

Spotlight Species Number of individuals

Observer Seen/ Heard

Time Observer Easting

Observer Northing

Distance (m)

Direction (

o)

Fauna Easting*

Fauna Northing*

YBG detection number

A Southern Boobook 1 H 20:40 657800 5844020 150 80 657945 5844037 -

A Greater Glider 1 S 20:51 657897 5844004 10 150 657896 5843990 -

A Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21:03 657993 5844031 100 20 658025 5844118 A1

A Sugar Glider 1 S 21:16 657971 5844118 20 220 657957 5844101 -

A Mountain Brushtail Possum 1 S 21:19 657943 5844135 10 250 657933 5844130 -

A Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21:34 658011 5844103 60 360 658011 5844162 A2

A Southern Boobook 3 S/H 21:47 658221 5844020 20 80 658240 5844021 -

A Macropod sp. 1 H 21:59 658238 5844096 20 30 658247 5844112 -

A Mountain Brushtail Possum 1 S 22:13 658046 5844260 60 340 658026 5844315 -

A Common Ringtail Possum 2 S 22:13 658046 5844260 20 240 658027 5844249 -

A Common Ringtail Possum 1 S 22:18 658010 5844298 10 30 658014 5844305 -

A Australian Owlet-Nightjar+

1 H 22:42 658238 5844075 60 360 658237 5844133 -

B Mountain Brushtail Possum 1 H 20:59 657527 5845542 40 50 657558 5845565 -

B Yellow-bellied Glider 1 H 21:06 657548 5845437 80 70 657623 5845460 B1


B Greater Glider 1 S 21:15 657524 5845335 80 200 657494 5845259 -




B Sugar Glider 1 S 21:31 657568 5845011 25 320 657551 5845029 -

B Greater Glider 1 S 21:41 657668 5844865 0 0 657668 5844865 -



B Sugar Glider 1 H 22:12 657759 5844493 100 50 657837 5844553 -



Spotlight Species Number of individuals

Observer Seen/ Heard

Time Observer Easting

Observer Northing

Distance (m)

Direction (

o)

Fauna Easting*

Fauna Northing*

YBG detection number


* This is the estimated location of the fauna species detected based on the position of the observer/s and the estimated distance and direction of the species

+ Recorded after survey completion when walking back to vehicle



Map 1 Crayfish, galaxiid and flora surveys conducted during the current survey and location of target species Note: There was some discrepancy between data recorded by GPS units carried by field staff and existing spatial data (such as

creeks layers or aerial imagery). Additionally, the accuracy of GPS units was reduced when working along stream lines or in gullies,

resulting in fairly erratic track logs. The data depicted in this map is therefore intended as a guide to where surveys were

undertaken and does not represent the actual data recorded by GPS. (In the case of Stream 2, aerial imagery and GPS track logs

both indicate that this is not mapped correctly in the current spatial layer.) For Black-fellow’s Hemp records, numbered labels

correspond to ‘BFH detection number’ recorded in Table 4.



Map 2 Yellow-bellied Glider and dusk listening survey conducted during the current survey and estimated location of target species Numbered labels correspond to ‘YBG detection number’ recorded in Table 5.



Appendix 1 Crayfish species identification

The following images were sent to

for identification. Their comments regarding the taxonomy

of the species detected are as follows:

“…based on the lack of telsonic surface spines and there being 4 (2+2) mesal carpal spines, the

cray does not fit the current key for spiny crayfish. Logic goes as follows: 1. If we assume that the

male cuticle partition would be present, along with the lack of telsonic surface spines, we have a

choice of the following crayfish described from the East Gippsland region: Euastacus diversus and

Euastacus bidawalus. Only the distribution of E. bidawalus extends over the Arte River system,

though it has only been recorded with 3 mesal carpal spines, not four (only 1 individual with four

and all spines evenly spaced, not with 2 closer together as in your image), plus the crayfish in your

image seems to have a lot more blue and red on it than would possibly be found on E. bidawalus.

2. If we assume the male cuticle partition is absent, along with the lack of telsonic surface spines

we have a choice of the following species: Euastacus crassus and Euastacus diversus, though they

are not found in the Arte River system and have 3 mesal carpal spines. Therefore, based on the

above it appears that the crayfish is probably not one of the described species.”

“…thanks for the photos, yes they are of a new undescribed species. They do not match

the description for E. bidawalus which is the currently recognised Euastacus in that

region.”





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Pre-harvest fauna and flora survey at harvesting coupes on ... · Pre-harvest fauna and flora survey at harvesting coupes on Pikes Hill Track in East Gippsland . Coupes surveyed: