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Habitat Assessment

At each site, notes were taken on the slope of the site, density of the canopy
and the composition of the various vegetation layers. The presence of fauna
habitat features including tree hollows, water, fallen logs, water and rocks was
also noted.

Traps And Hair Funnels

Elliot traps and hair funnels were baited with a mixture of peanut butter,
rolled oats and honey and were checked and, if necessary, re-baited each
morning. Transects of 20-28 Elliot A traps, spaced at an interval of 10 -15
metres were set on the ground at the three sites, resulting in 285 trap nights.
Two terrestrial Elliot B traps were also set at both sites 1 and 2 giving a total of
16 trap nights. At site 3, 10 Elliot B traps were attached with brackets to
mature Scribbly Gum (E.racemosa) and Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia
trees which bore feeding scars from Squirrel Gliders. These traps were set for
three nights, resulting in a total of 30 trap nights. Transects of 20-29 hair-
funnels spaced at intervals of 10 -15 metres were also placed at the three sites,
giving a total of 276 hair-funnel nights. Samples from the hair-funnels were
sent to Georgeanna Story of Scatsabout fer analysis.

Spotlighting

Spotlighting was undertaken after sunset by two ecologists over four nights.
Surveys of 1 hour duration were conducted from a vehicle and all fauna
species detected were recorded. Ail roads within the site were traversed
during these surveys resulting in a total of 13.7km of spotlighting surveys and
8 person hours. Opportunistic spotlighting was undertaken when driving in
the vicinity of the study area at night.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA 8030724 ECOLOGICAL REPORT/FINAL /17 SEPTEMBER 2003