Annual Summer Waterbird Count 2012

The Victorian Summer Waterbird Count has provided information on the distribution and abundance of protected species (particularly Freckled Duck Stictonetta naevosa), game ducks and waterbird breeding since 1987. Counts are made in late February-early March by DEPI and volunteers from Field and Game Australia. The data are used to guide management options for the year’s duck hunting season, and to build up a picture of annual change to help with future management.

Results from the 2012 count included:

• 136 wetlands surveyed
• 9.6% of wetlands surveyed were dry
• 212,865 game ducks recorded
• 81,848 protected waterfowl recorded (swans, coot, grebes and protected ducks)

For more information contact: daniel.purdey@dse.vic.gov.au

The following report on the 2011 count is available:

ARI Technical Report 231 - The 2011 summer waterbird count in Victoria [PDF File - 348.7 KB]
ARI Technical Report 231 - The 2011 summer waterbird count in Victoria (accessible version) [MS Word Document - 555.0 KB]

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Mapping the Distribution of Sambar Deer in Victoria

Wildlife managers often want to know the distribution of species within an area so they can effectively concentrate their management efforts. The distribution of a species can be established by conducting comprehensive (and often expensive) field surveys across large areas or by using databases that contain geographical records of species. Using predictive distribution modelling this study compared the simplest method of establishing distribution, "incidental sightings", with the most comprehensive: "field surveys". Predictive distribution modelling is based on the assumption that a species has its own environmental niche: in other words they will live in areas within a range of environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall and vegetation type. ARI scientists have been using predictive distribution modelling to estimate the current and potential distributions of Sambar deer and other large introduced herbivores in Victoria.

Using 391 incidental sightings from DEPI's Atlas of Victorian Wildlife database and 12 environmental factors from the Victorian State Government's Geospatial Database Library a habitat suitability model and map was produced for Sambar deer. To test the accuracy of the model, a survey was conducted at randomly selected sites within the area identified by the model to be suitable habitat for Sambar deer, as well as at sites outside this area. In order to maximise the chance of detecting Sambar deer, three detection methods were used at each site:

• identifying animals from photos taken by automated cameras
• transect searches for faecal pellets
• transect searches for animal tracks and other signs of animal presence

Data obtained from the field surveys confirmed that the model developed using incidental sightings effectively predicted the presence/absence of Sambar deer. This indicates that robust estimates of current and potential distributions of established invasive species can be developed using either databases and/or field surveys in conjunction with environmental factors. These estimates can then be used by wildlife managers to focus their management and monitoring activities efficiently. This approach can potentially be applied to any animal or plant species, providing important information to managers at a lower cost and in less time than conventional approaches. This study was funded by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries and Parks Victoria. The information is being used by these agencies to identify areas in which to contain Sambar deer.

For more information contact: dave.forsyth@dse.vic.gov.au

The following journal articles are available:

Forsyth, D.M., Barker, R.J., Morriss, G. and Scroggie, M.P. (2007) Modelling the relationship between fecal pellet indices and deer density. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(3): 964–970

Forsyth, D.M., McLeod, S.R., Scroggie, M.P. and White, M. (2009) Modelling the abundance of wildlife using field surveys and GIS: non-native sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) in the Yarra Ranges, south-eastern Australia. Wildlife Research 36(3): 231–241

Gormley, A.M., Forsyth, D.M., Griffioen, P., Lindeman, M., Ramsey, D.S.L., Scroggie, M.P. and Woodford, L. (2011) Using presence-only and presence-absence data to estimate the current and potential distributions of established invasive species. Journal of Applied Ecology 48(1): 25-34

Gormley, A., Forsyth, D., Lindeman, M., Ramsey, D., Scroggie, M., Woodford, L. and Griffioen, P. (2011) Distribution modelling for managing sambar deer in Victoria. Kararehe Kino / Vertebrate Pest Research 17: 10-11

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Automated Survey Cameras

Data on the presence of animals is essential to assess their status in the environment and the impact of various disturbances and land management practices on their populations. Many methods can be used to collect such data. These methods have different levels of accuracy, effort, cost and required expertise. ARI has been using automated cameras to conduct mammal surveys for many years. These cameras are very useful and cost effective as a survey tool because they can be left unattended for several weeks at a time. ARI has significant experience in the use and improvements of these cameras. We also lead in the training of other users in standardised methodologies associated with this survey tool.

The units consist of a digital camera that is triggered when a sensor detects a moving heat source, such as an animal. There are essentially two types of cameras: infrared-flash cameras generally suited for recording animal behaviour over long periods, and white-flash cameras suited for the identification of small mammals. The camera and sensor are housed in a weatherproof case, which can be secured to a tree or stake. Various bait types are housed in custom cages so it cannot be taken or consumed (and therefore continue to attract animals to the site). Cages are positioned so that there is a clear line of sight from the camera. Sensitivity levels and programming functionality of cameras can be altered to suit a range of specifications, e.g. different animal groups and climatic conditions.

ARI has used white-flash cameras to detect the presence of threatened species such as Spot-tailed Quolls, Long-footed Potoroos and Smoky Mice, to obtain estimates of detection probabilities, and as a general survey tool. Infrared cameras have been used to document mammal behaviours and interactions such as the behaviour of wild dogs at buried 1080 meat bait stations. The cameras have also been used for detecting other introduced species such as foxes, feral cats and deer.

For more information contact: luke.woodford@dse.vic.gov.au

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Monitoring of Little Penguins from Phillip Island

Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) are the world’s smallest penguins with an average adult length of 40cm and an average weight of around 1100g. They breed in many colonies along the southern coast of Australia, and in New Zealand. In Victoria, a large colony of approximately 26,000 breeding individuals exists on the Summerland Peninsula, Phillip Island.

ARI has been working in collaboration with researchers from Phillip Island Nature Parks to monitor the health of Little Penguins as part of the Little Penguin Baywide Monitoring Program. This program is one of 20 established to monitor the health of Port Phillip Bay during and after the Channel Deepening Project. The objective of the program is to detect changes in Little Penguin body mass outside expected variability. Weight is an indicator of body condition, and is closely related to the bird’s food supply and foraging behaviour. Each night, penguins that return to the colony after foraging are weighed using an automatic weighbridge. Weights within the colony have not decreased outside the Little Penguins natural variability since the monitoring program began. Monitoring will continue until 2011.

In a related study, 21 penguins were fitted with GPS transmitters in July 2008 to provide information on the foraging range during the winter non-breeding period. The winter period is important for Little Penguins as it is over this time that individuals gain the weight lost during the autumn moult, and prepare for the upcoming breeding season. Results showed that during winter Little Penguins from Phillip Island typically engage in two foraging methods: short trips (1-2 days) near Phillip Island, and longer trips (10-50 days) into Port Phillip Bay and further west. During these longer trips, penguins sometimes cover hundreds of kilometres. Most of the foraging trips (71%) were within Port Phillip Bay, with many individuals spending more than 50% of their time there. The location of winter foraging trips is likely to be driven by the availability of food. Port Phillip Bay is a spawning ground for anchovy, one of little penguins key prey items, with dense shoals of juvenile anchovy occurring during winter.

For more information see the Office of the Environmental Monitor website or contact: michael.scroggie@dse.vic.gov.au

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Mapping Vegetation Extent and Condition Across Victoria

The management of native vegetation is undertaken by various government and non-government agencies at the regional, state and federal level. Such agencies use information about the level of depletion and, more recently, the 'condition' or 'quality' of native vegetation. There are now requirements to monitor changes in the coverage and condition of vegetation as the Victorian Government currently has a policy of ‘net gain’ in both the extent and quality of native vegetation across the State. ARI staff have been developing a range of novel datasets to assist land managers to make informed decisions about the management of native vegetation and conservation programs.

Existing datasets included a series of maps that detail the types of vegetation across the State. While these are integral to managing native vegetation resources, they did not capture well the extent of non-woody or grassy types of native vegetation. Using remote-sensed imagery, GIS data and custom-developed software a more consistent appraisal of the extent of both woody and grassy vegetation types have been produced, as well as an assessment of the rates of loss and gain in these vegetation forms over a 10 year period.

Additionally, similar technology has been used to produce a first-ever model / map of native vegetation condition across Victoria. Using approximately 17,000 ‘Habitat Hectare’ assessments, along with satellite and other data, the resultant maps display ecological condition covering most of south-eastern Australia. The maps will also provide a baseline for the continued monitoring of native vegetation into the future, as well as a more rigorous basis for making natural resource management decisions.

For more information contact: graeme.newell@dse.vic.gov.au

Native vegetation spatial data can be accessed in various ways via the DEPI website.

The following article is available:

Newell, G., White, M., Griffioen, P. and Conroy, M. (2006) Vegetation condition mapping at a landscape-scale across Victoria. Ecological Management and Restoration 7: S65-S68

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Waterbird Numbers at the Western Treatment Plant