Attachment 6a - Ecological Assessment Part 1 · MCU18/0015

                           Ecological Assessment – Attunga Heights



(Cacomantis pyrrhophanus), Sacred kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus), Rainbow bee-eater,
Noisy pitta (Pitta versicolor), Tree martin (Hirundo nigricans), Black-faced cuckoo-shrike
(Coracina novaehollandiae), Cicada bird (C. tenuirostris), Golden whistler (Pachycephala
pectoralis), Rufous whistler (P. rufiventris), Rose robin (Petroica rosea), Grey fantail
(Rhipidura rufifrons), White-throated gerygone (Gerygone olivacaea), Silvereye (Zosterops
lateralis), Olive-backed oriole (Oriolus sagittatus) and Spangled drongo (Dicrurus
bracteatus).

Blossom feeding birds such as honeyeaters and lorikeets are nomadic and their movements
depend on the availability of nectar and pollen resources. Seasonal variations in the
flowering times of important nectar bearing plants in the genera Eucalyptus and Melaleuca
provide a continuity of food for nectarivorous birds throughout the year. The Queensland
blue gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) is an important food source for scaly-breasted and
rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus and T. haematodus, respectively) as this
species flowers during the lorikeet’s winter breeding period.

No eucalypt trees are present on the site, which may limit feeding resources for nectivorous
species such as honeyeaters and lorikeets, however, a number of fruiting species are
present which may provide resources for frugivorous species such as orioles and figbirds.


4.3.5 Mammals
A total of nine (9) species of mammal were recorded during the site surveys (TABLE 8). No
introduced species were recorded. One (1) significant species, Grey-headed Flying Fox
(Pteropus poliocephalus) listed as ‘vulnerable’ under Commonwealth Legislation was
recorded during the 2003 site survey.

                                       TABLE 8
                    MAMMAL SPECIES RECORDED IN THE SURVEY AREA
        Scientific Name             Common Name            Year Recorded
  Pteropus poliocephalus     Grey-headed Flying-fox             2003
  Pteropus alecto            Black flying-fox                   2018
  Pseudocheirus peregrinus   Common Ringtail Possum          2003, 2018
  Rattus rattus              Black Rat*                      2003, 2018
  Trichosaurus vulpecula     Common brushtail Possum         2003, 2018
  Rattus fuscipes            Bush rat                           2018
  Canis lupus familiaris     Dog*                               2018
  Felis catus                Cat*                               2018
  Miniopterus australis      Little bent-wing bat               2018
*Introduced species

Small terrestrial mammals generally occur in highest densities in association with a
complex vegetation structure. A dense understorey layer, which provides shelter from
predators and provides nesting opportunities, is particularly important. In general,
medium-large terrestrial mammals such as macropods (kangaroos and wallabies) select
habitats which provide a dense cover for shelter and refuge and open areas for feeding.
The larger species tend to occupy drier more open habitats; the smaller species, moister




Job No: Q12038/RW3                       JWA Pty Ltd                                     31