000A88A4.0CE.tif · 132003.221037

3.3.2

3.3.3

Site 2

This site encompasses the small area of Paperbarked Teatree open forest and
woodland (RE 12.2.7) and Heath/sedgeland (RE 12.2.12) adjacent to Great
Sandy National Park on the eastern boundary of the study area. Notable fauna
habitats include dense groundstorey vegetation in the heathland and the
adjacent National Park and a moderate amount of deadfall timber and tree
hollows. This site is periodically flooded.

Site 3

This site is located in the mature Eucalypt open forest and woodland (RE 12.9-
10.4) in the centre of the study area. The area contains a considerable number
of dead trees (stags) as well as mature hollow bearing Eucalypts and a large
amount of deadfall timber and debris. The ground level vegetation is sparse
in some areas due to heavy grazing by horses.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Four reptile species were observed during the study period. Two small skink
species, the fence skink (Cryptoblepharus virgatus) and the grass skink
(Lampropholis delicata) were common throughout the study site and a number
of Lace Monitors (Varanus varius) were observed in the Eucalyptus woodland.
A small-eyed Snake (Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens) was found dead on the road
just outside the study area.

A total of four amphibian species were recorded in or near to the study site.
The Cane toad (Bufo marinus) was the most frequently observed amphibian
species with considerable numbers being present in the small tannin-stained
pond on the eastern boundary of the site. The Emerald Spotted Tree Frog
(Litoria peronii) was also observed calling from this location. The Striped
Marsh Frog (Limnodastes peronii) and Northern Pobbiebonk (Limnodastes
terraereginae) were captured on the road adjacent to the study site.

Avifauna

A total of 55 bird species were recorded on or near the study site (See Annex D
for complete list). The Eucalypt open forest and woodland provides habitat
for native woodland birds including the Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria
australis) and the Grey Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa) as well as nocturnal
species such as the White-throated Nightjar (Eurostopodus mystacalis) and the
Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides). Juvenile Whistling Kites (Haliastur
sphenurus) were observed next to a nest in a large Eucalypt tree indicating that
the Eucalypt woodland is utilised as a nesting habitat by this species.

The Paperbarked Teatree open forest/Heathland provides habitat for a
number of honeyeaters including the Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela
sanguinolenta), White-naped Honeyeater (Melithreptus lunatus) and the Striped

 

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

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