Fauna survey activities conducted across the 9,500ha Winton Wetlands

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Client: Winton Wetlands Committee of Management
Location: Goulburn-Broken catchment

Key services provided:

  • A review of existing fauna reports within the Winton Wetlands/Lake Mokoan;
  • Identification of appropriate fauna survey methods to evaluate bird, reptile, mammal and amphibian diversity, and then implementation of them;
  • Identification of species that occur or are likely to occur, focussing on mammals, reptiles and amphibians;
  • Reporting on all species occurrences, including conservation status, abundance and locations;
  • Appropriate reporting.

Overview

Fauna survey activities were conducted across the 9,500 ha Winton Wetlands (the decommissioned Lake Mokoan) during October and November 2010 using a variety of direct, indirect and remote survey methods. Techniques utilised under appropriate permits and approvals were:

  • Elliott and Pitfall Trap and Hair Tubes;
  • Diurnal observation and active searching;
  • Nocturnal observation and active searching;
  • Nocturnal Call Playback;
  • Motion-sensitive Infra-red Cameras and Diurnal and Nocturnal Audible and Ultrasonic Call Recording Units.

A total of 119 species of fauna were recorded:  7 amphibians (all indigenous); 12 reptiles (all indigenous), 84 birds (81 indigenous) and 15 mammals (11 indigenous). One hundred and seven of the 119 species were already recorded for the site in the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (DSE), with 12 new species noted; some of the previously recorded species had not been observed on the site for over 20 years. Notable species observed included Koala, Azure Kingfisher, and several frog and bat species of some regional and state-wide rarity. A total of sixteen species observed had a confirmed conservation status.