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BirdLife Australia- Recovery actions

for Australasian Bittern

RGD14-C200

July 2015

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Acknowledgements

BirdLife Australia acknowledges the effort of the following organizations and their considerable contribution in delivering this project:

South Coast Natural Resource Management

Esperance Bird Observers Group

Department of Parks and Wildlife

Cover image courtesy of Norina Zucculo.

Contact details

BirdLife Australia Suite B, 113 Dempster St, Esperance, 6450, WA

PO Box 1801, Esperance, 6450, WA Telephone: (08) 90 762 203 Facsimile: (08) 90 720 499

www.birdlife.org.au

For information regarding this report, please contact: Ms Debbie Sullivan

Project Officer

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Introduction ......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Summary of Achievements .......................................................................................................... 6

Project Duration ............................................................................................................................ 6

Evaluation Questions ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Project Learnings .......................................................................................................................... 8

Future Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 10

Attachments ..................................................................................................................................... 11

Wetland Habitat survey data ....................................................................12

Australasian Bittern flyer..........................................................................13

Photos ..................................................................................................14

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Introduction

Australasian Bittern - Botaurus poiciloptilus, Family Ardeidae

Listed as an Endangered species under the EPBC Act (1999) in Australia and

globally on the IUCN Red list.

Often referred to colloquially as the Bunyip, or the Boomer, the Australasian Bittern is a

large, stocky, thick–necked, bird similar to the heron species.

The Australasian Bittern grows to a length of 66–76 cm. The upper-parts of the body

are brown to dark brown and black, mottled in complex patterns that aid the bird’s

camouflage in its preferred wetland vegetation. The legs and feet are pale green to olive

and the eyes are orange–brown. When disturbed the Bitterns first defence is to adopt an

upright pose appearing frozen, relying entirely on its cryptic plumage to disguise it in the

vegetation.

The Australasian Bittern are generally solitary, but sometimes occurs in pairs or in

dispersed groups of up to 10 birds.

It occurs mainly in freshwater wetlands in the temperate southeast and south–west of

Australia and, rarely, in estuaries or tidal wetlands (Marchant and Higgins, 1990). It

favours wetlands with tall dense vegetation, where it forages in shallow water on

average up to 30 cms, often at the edges of pools or waterways, or from platforms of

vegetation over deep water. It favours permanent and seasonal freshwater habitats,

particularly those dominated by sedges, rushes and reeds (e.g. Baumea, Phragmites,

Cyperus, Juncus, Typha,)

The Australasian Bittern breeds from August to December in single solitary pairs.

Sometimes, however, several nests may be placed in close proximity to each other

(Marchant and Higgins, 1990).

A major threat to the Australasian Bittern in Australia is the reduction in extent and

quality of habitat. This is due to a number of causes. The clearing of wetlands for urban

development and/or agriculture, and drainage or diversion of water from wetlands and

reduced water quality due to increased salinity, siltation and pollution is having an

ongoing impact on the species’ habitat. In south–western Australia, salinisation of inland

wetlands as a result of land clearing has excluded the Australasian Bittern from many

inland locations (Jaensch, 2004). Because of its comparatively specialised habitat

requirements (i.e. densely vegetated wetlands), Bittern are more sensitive to habitat

loss than many other wetland bird (Garnett and Crowley, 2000).

Based on survey data from 2010, the total population of the Australasian Bittern in

Australia is estimated to be between 250 and 800 individuals (Birds Australia,

unpublished data., 2010). Data from 2008 indicate that the species’ area of occupancy

may have declined by over 50 per cent over the past three generations or 16.5 years

(Birds Australia, pers. comm., 2009).

These figures suggest an ongoing decline and are significant in that the species has

specific habitat requirements and is predominately solitary in nature.

BirdLife’s knowledge and network, coupled with South Coast NRM’s support, has

continued to seek a better understanding of this cryptic birds behaviour and habitat

preferences within the south coast region of WA.

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Listening, flushing and vegetation surveys to determine presence or absence of

Australasian Bittern were undertaken within the SCNRM, south coast region, and a

number of wetlands mapped for habitat.

Given that the Australasian Bittern is listed as Endangered, it is considered that all

known habitat for the Western Australian population is critical to the survival of the

species.

Map showing the boundary of South Coast NRM region

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Summary of Achievements

Project Duration

Project Start Date: July 2013 Project officer employed: January 2014 Project Completion Date: 30 June 2015

Funding Program priorities/outcomes Southern Prospects outcomes B4, B5,

B9, B13

Project Outputs

(Targets)

Unit of Measure

(e.g. hectares,

kilometres etc)

Jan- June 2014

Milestone

July – Dec 2014

Milestone

Jan-June 2015

Milestone

Conserving and protecting species

and ecosystems(matters

of national environmental significance)

Develop project plan

Project plan

Populate Jan 2014

Submit Jan 2014

Review Feb 2014

Update Feb 2014

Review Review

34 surveys for Australasian

Bittern Bittern surveys

12 listening and flushing

surveys Feb – June

2014

11 listening or flushing surveys

Jul-Dec2014

11 listening or flushing

surveys Jan-Jun2015

34 participant skills and

knowledge surveys

Participant surveys

Participant surveys

Participant surveys

Participant surveys

274 ha Bittern habitat

surveyed and mapped.

Broadscale habitat

mapping completed for 13 wetlands

not yet mapped (largely

estuaries)

Hectares mapped

Map 5 of 13 wetlands

May- Jun2014

Complete Desktop

mapping of 13 wetlands

Fully attributed GIS data sets of survey work to be provided

Collate existing data

sets Mar – Apr 2014

Submit to GIS

data to SCNRM

January 2015

Submit GIS data to

SCNRM June 2015

All objectives were over achieved. 49 wetlands were surveyed using flushing and/or listening techniques. (See attachment) This totalled 1,317.02 ha surveyed for Australasian Bittern and 42 wetlands mapped for vegetation and suitability for breeding and feeding of the species. This resulted in just 14 birds being recorded highlighting the need to learn more about this declining and cryptic species. 80 participants were directly educated in Australasian Bittern habitat needs and general behaviour. 3 presentations were given to promote the project and raise awareness of the species. 1 combined BirdLife Australia, EBOG and SCNRM field day to Terrels wetlands west of Esperance

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3 x 2 day field days/shows/conferences were attended. 1 general information flyer was published to raise awareness of the species, its habitat needs and how the community can help prevent further loss of wetlands. This will continue to be distributed after the close of the project. (see attachment) 1 meeting of stakeholders to draft state Interim recovery plan for Australasian Bittern 2 ARU recording units were introduced to the project 2 independent assessments of two wetlands were completed

Evaluation Questions

Impact (Definition: A change in the condition of biophysical, social or economic and/or institutional assets. An impact may be positive or negative, primary or secondary, short term or long term, direct or indirect, and/or intended or unintended. Impacts are sometime realised after the formal project is completed.) The project overall delivered greater than all its listed objectives. The social impact saw an increase in volunteer interest in the species and the project activities. This led to a small number of invites to present the project to interested community groups therefore increasing knowledge of the species. Interestingly, many participants were aware of the Australiasian Bittern having heard of the mythical Bunyip story. The impact of the Bunyip story had embedded in the subconscious mind and the connection to the reality was made at these presentations. Through these presentations a number of landholders became aware more acutely aware of the importance to protect existing wetlands on their properties. Effectiveness (Did the project deliver what was intended to be delivered? Did it meet, exceed or fall short of expectations? Definition: A measure of the extent to which a program, project or initiative has attained, or is expected to attain, its relevant objectives efficiently and in a sustainable way.) The project over achieved in all its objectives, and was delivered efficiently throughout its duration. To further increase its program it also introduced the use of recording devices beyond the requirements of the contract. Appropriateness (Methodology) (To what extent were the project approach and strategies appropriate in influencing targeted stakeholders and achieving intended outcomes? Are there approaches and strategies that might be more appropriate?) Presence and absence, or inventory survey’s, (a survey to determine the presence, relative abundance, status, and distribution of species, habitat, or ecological communities at a particular point in time) are fundamental in collecting baseline information for flora and/or fauna for the assessment and prioritising for management issues. Surveys such as this can be conducted in a variety of different ways. Australasian Bittern surveys conducted by BirdLife Australia were undertaken using wading and listening techniques. Following on from previous information collected by BirdLife Australia staff, Australasian Bittern are known to boom predominately after sunset, through the night and just before sunrise. Staff conducted a number of surveys covering these ideal time frames. To increase

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the efficiency and coverage of this method, a small number of recording units was introduced to the project. These were then analysed for presence or absence. Wading surveys were also conducted and proved best practise, especially given that the Australasian Bittern does prefer to adopt the ‘freeze’ pose as first defence when disturbed. This gave staff an opportunity to sight birds, noting colour morphs and status, as well as gaining a better population understanding. Efficiency (How efficient the project was in terms of cost vs. outcomes, time vs. outcomes, etc. Definition: The notion of getting the highest value out of program or project resources) The project methodology proved to be highly efficient in terms of cost vs out comes. Legacy (Will the project's impacts continue over time and after the project ceases? How should the legacy be managed and by whom?) BirdLife Australia is committed to working with communities and groups to increase knowledge and raise awareness of Australia’s bird life in all its forms, creating a brighter future for Australian birds. Until such times that project funding can be sourced to continue to research and protect the Australasian Bittern, BirdLife Australia will encourage and maintain, in a voluntary capacity, the monitoring of Australasian Bittern across all sites. This information will continue to be recorded in the Australian Bird Atlas.

Project Learnings

(Useful information for lessons learned and future projects can be identified by asking, what went well, what didn’t go so well and what would we do differently next time, in the context of the project’s scope, time, quality, cost, human resources, communications, risk, procurement, stakeholders and integration) Australasian Bittern field work is physically demanding and challenging on the individual, volunteers must be physically fit before embarking on this type of field work. This beckons a multitude of questions in an ageing volunteer population. How do we attract younger volunteers? How young is too young, especially given the challenges and safety aspects of this type of field work? Is there an alternative type of survey methodology that is less demanding on volunteers? Can we increase our survey methodology to include more automated devices, such as SM3 recording units and remote cameras? Drones? Would the increased use of autonomous equipment be satisfying enough to the volunteer to continue participating in field activities? Careful consideration should be given when entering and exiting wetlands, vegetation preferred by Aust Bitterns is dense and unforgiving it is also sensitive to the impact of access activities. This disturbance can take considerable time to recover and in turn creates corridors into wetlands previously impenetrable to predators. This exposes birds to higher risk of predation. Evidence of this has been captured on remote cameras deployed by Dept of Parks and Wildlife. Where possible it is highly recommended that existing kangaroo trails be utilised.

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Clearly defined kangaroo trail leading through dense Baumea articulata

Project staff and volunteer just 5mts apart showing density of Baumea articulata vegetation

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Future Recommendations

Consideration should be given to include satellite transmitters to assist in understanding

movements of the birds in both breeding and non breeding season for future planning. This

method of recording movement in Aust Bitterns has begun in eastern Australian states with

fabulous results. Use of this technique in the western state would be beneficial in understanding

the birds movements for targeting on ground works and assist in protection of habitat.

Future on ground works to restore, revegetate and protect wetlands on private landholdings within

known Australasian Bittern regions are highly recommended.

This project could also benefit from the use of more recording (sm3) units to increase coverage

particularly through the most prevalent calling/breeding season. This will also assist in recording

frog species residing in wetlands at this critical time for breeding birds highlighting potential food

sources. This recorded information could be shared with other projects and organisations.

The addition of a drone could also be beneficial to this project to minimalise impact to vegetation

and increase coverage

West Sister wetland – Many Peaks, Western Australia

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Attachments

Attachment 1.............................Wetland Habitat survey results.........................................12

Attachment 1 cont......................Wetland Habitat survey results........................................13

Attachment 2............................. Australasian Bittern flyer.................................................14

Attachment 3..............................Photos..............................................................................15

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Attachment 1

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Attachment 1 cont

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Attachment 2

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Attachment 3

Image 1 - West Sister –Bittern flying over heavy Baumea articulate.

Image 2 - West Sister – Bittern feathers found. Nearby nest structure, unconfirmed as Bittern.

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Image 3 - Slender tree frogs – West Sister

Image 4 - Ewerts swamp - Swamp hen platform. This site was severely affected by dieback.

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Image 5 - Big Boom Swamp – Bittern footprints left in mud, bird flushed from this site.

Image 6 - Heaths wetland – Fire damage to wetland, burnt deep into substrate. Minimal vegetation recovery at this wetland. Lightening strike, 3 years previous.

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Image 7 - Moates wetland – Turtle shell

Image 8 - Gull Rock wetland – signs of damage by 4x4 motorbikes and vehicles on northern side of lake. Footprints of Swamp rats and Purple Swamphen dotted between.

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Image 9 - West Sister – Nest found, species unidentified. Bittern flushed from very close by.

Image 10 – Chalmers wetland. This aerial clearly shows the well fenced wetland against the agricultural backdrop