Swallow Lagoon NCR Management Statement 2005parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0009/6375… · Web view- Site inspection of Swallow Lagoon NCR, Date: 14 August 2001, Observers:

Swallow Lagoon NCR Management Statement 2005

Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve

Management Statement

Land Stewardship & Biodiversity Department of Sustainability and Environment

December 2005

This Management Statement has been written by Hugh Robertson and James Fitzsimons for the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria.

This Statement fulfils obligations by the State of Victoria to the Commonwealth of Australia, which provided financial assistance for the purchase of this reserve under the National Reserve System program of the Natural Heritage Trust.

The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2005

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

ISBN 1 74152 217 X

Disclaimer:

This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its

employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Cover:

Plains Grassy Woodland, Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve (Photo: James Fitzsimons).

Objectives

This Management Statement for the Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve

outlines the reserves natural and cultural values, visitor services and the directions for its management in the short to long term.

The overall operational management objective is:

Maintain, and enhance where appropriate, the condition of the reserve while allowing natural processes of regeneration, disturbance and succession to occur and actively initiating these processes where required.

Background and Context

Reason for purchase

Since the implementation of the National Reserve System Program (NRS) in 1992, all Australian states and territories have been working toward the development of a comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) system of protected areas.

In a systematic process to increase the reservation levels of Victorias most threatened ecosystems, particularly native grasslands and grassy woodlands, the Department of Sustainability and Environments conservation land purchase program aims to acquire areas of private land containing high quality samples of such ecosystems for addition to the reserve system. Among a number of sites identified as suitable for voluntary purchase and addition to the protected area estate, the Swallow Lagoon grassy woodlands were purchased due to their size and good condition.

The purchase was assisted with funding from the National Reserve System Program of the Commonwealth Governments Natural Heritage Trust (Project No. N444).

Location

The Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve (Swallow Lagoon NCR) of 194.7 ha is located on Swallow Lagoon Road, approximately 1.5 km northwest of Munro (Figure 1). It consists of: Crown Allotment 5B, Section 8, Parish of Stratford.

The grasslands fall within the South East Coastal Plain IBRA 5.1 bioregion, (Environment Australia 2000) and Gippsland Plain subregion, and within the Red Gum Plains Local Landscape Zone (DSE 2003).

Reservation and Management Intent

The purchase of the Swallow Lagoon grassy woodland was completed on 11 April 2002 and the land was transferred to the Crown on 19 April 2002. The reserve was assigned to Parks Victoria for management on 20 October 2003 (Park Reserve ID 4218).

Swallow Lagoon NCR is temporarily reserved for the preservation of an area of ecological significance under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 and managed as a Nature Conservation Reserve.

(Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve)

(14)

The generic management objectives for Nature Conservation Reserves as defined by Parks Victoria (2003) are:

Nature conservation reserves a) conserve and protect species, communities and habitats of indigenous plants, animals and other organisms; b) provide for research and study of the natural environment of the reserve where this is consistent with a) and there is minimal impact on the reserve; c) provide opportunities for appropriate enjoyment and recreation and education by the public where this does not conflict with a); d) protect Aboriginal cultural sites and places; and e) protect historic features in specific reserves where noted.

Nature conservation reserves are consistent with IUCN Protected Area Category Ia: Strict Nature Reserve (NRE 1996).

As the purchased land was originally freehold, no Land Conservation Council (LCC), Environment Conservation Council (ECC) or Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) recommendations apply.

The Crown Land (Reserves) (Nature Conservation Reserve) Regulations 2004 regulate activities in this reserve.

Natural Values and Condition

Refer to Figure 2 for the location of threatened species recorded in the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife and Flora Information System1.

Vegetation Types

Swallow Lagoon NCR contains a variety of vegetation types. Ecological Vegetation

Classes (EVC) that occur in the reserve include Plains Grassy Woodland, Lowland Forest, (potentially) Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland and an undescribed EVC. The reserve also includes areas of derived native grassland (Figure 2)2.

The Plains Grassy Woodland EVC occurs in areas of slightly lower elevation in Swallow Lagoon NCR, on poorly-drained soils. Plains Grassy Woodland is considered endangered in the Gippsland Plains bioregion and patches of the size and quality present in Swallow Lagoon NCR are of high priority for conservation (Lunt 1997a). Only around 3% (approximately 4,850 ha) of the original extent of Plains Grassy Woodland remains in the Gippsland Plains, with less than 700 ha mapped as occurring in protected areas (DSE 2004). Notably, the variant of the Plains Grassy Woodland EVC occurring on Swallow Lagoon NCR represents the Forest Red Gum Grassy Woodland Community, which is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

1 Note this does not necessarily represent records for all threatened species on the reserve. Only those recorded in the DSE flora and fauna databases are displayed.

2 Note EVC mapping and descriptions (Figure 2) differ from the EVC mapping within the EVC_CMP100 geospatial layer (as of April 2005). Vegetation classification and delineation was based on aerial photograph interpretation and site assessment by Trust for Nature and DSE officers.

The Lowland Forest and Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland EVCs (the latter may actually be a damper version of the former occurring in the minor drainage lines) occur in areas of slightly higher elevation in the reserve which have higher soil moisture and well drained soils. Both EVCs support a high diversity of herbs and shrubs. Lowland Forest is considered vulnerable in the Gippsland Plains bioregion, with approximately 22% (37,000 ha) of the original extent of the vegetation community remaining, and approximately 5,200 ha mapped as occurring within protected areas (DSE 2004). A further 5,800 ha occurs in State Forest Special Protection Zones. Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland is also considered vulnerable in the Gippsland Plains bioregion, with approximately 30% (16,100 ha) of the original extent of the vegetation community remaining, and approximately 8,280 ha mapped as occurring within protected areas (DSE 2004).

An unclassified, and potentially new, EVC occurs to the reserves north (R. Edwards pers. comm. 2001).

The topography in Swallow Lagoon NCR is generally flat, with very slight rises and depressions which gives rise to the different vegetation classes. The underlying geology is alluvial plains of quaternary origin and includes aeolian sand formations and terraces comprised of gravel, sand, silt and clay (LCC 1982).

Grazing, predominantly by sheep, and some clearing and selective timber harvesting have occurred in the past. The cleared areas (approximately 25 ha) supports areas of derived native grassland, where some regeneration of trees and shrubs is occurring. The property has not been cultivated.

Ecological Management of Plains Grassy Woodlands

The ecological management options described for Swallow Lagoon NCR refer to the management of the grassy woodland vegetation, including the derived grassland. Ongoing ecological management of grassy woodland is often required to maintain the structure and composition of the vegetation on the Gippsland Plains (Lunt 1997a). This may include management activities to control biomass accumulation of understorey grasses and herbs, and activities to maintain or enhance habitat for native flora and fauna, including threatened species. For example, control of biomass accumulation of plants, particularly of exotic pasture grass species, may be considered desirable for flora and fauna species requiring inter-tussock spaces for habitat (Barlow 1998, Lunt 1997a). These objectives may be achieved via a number of management options:

Grazing: Although, grassy woodlands often do not require grazing to maintain the vegetation structure, in more open areas or areas where there is a large biomass of plants, pulse grazing may be considered appropriate. Sheep grazing over autumn and winter is preferred to allow native grassland plants to set seed and regenerate during spring and summer. The availability of water for stock is a key consideration for implementing grazing programs. If grazing is utilised, stocking rates will need to be adjusted depending on the cover abundance of vegetation and with seasonal conditions (i.e. rainfall).

Ecological Burning: Fire may be used as a management tool both to control exotic pasture species and to promote the regeneration of indigenous flora species reliant on the creation of inter-tussock spaces and regular burning. Lunt (1997a) identified that many grassy woodlands on the Gippsland Plains have been frequently burnt, which has resulted in a plant community composition significantly different from unburnt areas. Maintaining a diversity of management regimes, including burning, across grassy woodland remnants was recommended as important for maintaining native plant diversity (Lunt 1997a). If burning is undertaken, a mosaic burning regime for grassy woodlands is recommended since fires of too great intensity may inhibit regeneration of some tree and shrub species. A mosaic approach involves burning only part of the remnant at any one time (Barlow 1998).

Regeneration/Revegetation: Supplementary planting of over-, mid-, and understorey species may be considered important to enhance the conservation values of grassy woodlands in situations where grazing, tree clearing or the degradation of habitat has prevented natural regeneration (Barlow 1998).

Management objectives and targets (short-long term)

Actively manage the grassy woodlands using some of the management options described above to maintain species diversity, richness and structural heterogeneity of the vegetation.

Consider re-establishing over- and mid-storey species in areas of derived grassland through some of the management options described above.

Monitor and research outcomes of management actions and adapt management regimes as the need arises.

Accurately map and define vegetation communities and Ecological Vegetation

Classes within the reserve in conjunction with DSE.

Encourage ongoing research by universities and other scientific institutions into optimal management techniques for maintaining and enhancing grassy woodland biodiversity.

Flora

Swallow Lagoon NCR supports moderate-high quality Plains Grassy Woodland,

Lowland Forest and Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland, which are structurally and floristically dominated by native species.

The Plains Grassy Woodland vegetation community is dominated by mixture of tree and shrubs including Gippsland Red Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis subsp. mediana, Yellow Box E. melliodora, Coast Manna Gum E. viminalis subsp. pryoriana, Rough-bark Honey-myrtle Melaleuca parvistaminea, Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii and Hedge Wattle

A. paradoxa. The understorey vegetation is dominated by native grasses included

Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra, Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia spp., Spear Grass

Austrostipa spp. and Weeping Grass Microleana stipoides.

The Lowland Forest and Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland vegetation communities contains White Stringybark Eucalyptus globoidea, But But Eucalyptus bridgesiana,

Hedge Wattle Acacia paradoxa and Black Wattle A. mearnsii. The understorey vegetation contains a high diversity of native herb and grass species.

The unclassified vegetation community contains Red Box Eucalyptus polyanthemos White Stringybark E. globiodea, But But E. bridgesiana, Hedge Wattle Acacia paradoxa, Lightwood A. implexa, Black Sheoak Allocasuarina littoralis and Burgan Kunzea ericoides. The understorey vegetation contains a high diversity of native herb and grass species.

Refer to Appendix 1 for flora records from Swallow Lagoon NCR.

Management objectives and targets (short-medium term)

Record flora in the Parks Victoria Environmental Information System and DSE Flora Information System (FIS), and encourage seasonal surveys.

Fauna

Swallow Lagoon NCR contains extensive areas of grassy woodland/forest, which

provides diverse habitat for fauna, particularly woodland birds. This includes good quality tree hollows in mature Gippsland Red Gums and Red Box scattered throughout the reserve. Vegetation of the type present at Swallow Lagoon NCR also typically provides habitat for ground-dwelling fauna such as reptiles, small mammals and ground-dwelling birds. The quality of this habitat is often reliant on the presence of fallen timber.

Refer to Appendix 2 for fauna records from Swallow Lagoon NCR.


Record fauna in the Parks Victoria Environmental Information System and Atlas of Victorian Wildlife, and encourage seasonal surveys.

Biosites3

One Biosites is recorded within Swallow Lagoon NCR:

Site # 1770 Swallow Lagoon Road

Another Biosite is located in close proximity to Swallow Lagoon NCR:

Site # 1773 Munro Road (Located approximately 1.7 km northeast of Swallow Lagoon NCR)

Refer to Appendix 3 for further details.

Landscape context

Swallow Lagoon NCR represents a high quality native grassy woodland reserve on

the Gippsland Plains. Swallow Lagoon NCR is bordered to the east by Swallow

Lagoon Road, to the north by Lottons Land and to the south by Freemans Lane. Land

3 Biosites are sites of biological conservation significance and their location and details are maintained on a register by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

to the north, east and west is cleared of vegetation and land to south contains a relatively large area of native vegetation contiguous with that on the NCR (Figure 4).

Swallow Lagoon NCR is a component of the Gippsland Plains Conservation Management Network, which seeks to integrate the management of public and private conservation lands in the region (Fitzsimons & Wescott 2005). Other nearby conservation reserves includes Providence Ponds Flora and Fauna Reserve, The Billabong Flora and Fauna Reserve, Stratford Highway Park and a number of small Bushland Reserves (Figure 3).

Dryland grazing is the predominant land use in the area but more intensive agriculture, such as cropping, is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Threatening ProcessesPest Plants

Pest plants pose a threat to the conservation values of Swallow Lagoon NCR. Pest

plants have the ability to alter the structure of the understorey vegetation and pose a

threat to species reliant on the ecosystem. Weed cover is variable across Swallow Lagoon NCR and, where present, mostly consists of introduced pasture grasses, thistles, and small annual herbs. Pest plants recorded at Swallow Lagoon NCR include Paspalum Paspalum spp., Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus, Cats Ear Hydrochoeris radicata and Cape Weed Arctotheca calendula.

Burgan Kunzea ericoides, which is a native species, occurs in a few small areas of the reserve. In high abundance, Burgan can alter the structure of vegetation through loss of structural heterogeneity, although at present, is not considered a threat to the conservation values of Swallow Lagoon NCR.


Regularly observe and control the establishment and spread of pest plants, particularly introduced pasture grasses, through grazing or burning and encourage the establishment of native grasses in their place (see Ecological Management of Plains Grassy Woodlands). Spraying of pest plants may also be required for some areas (e.g. areas subject to past disturbance) for species that do not respond to other management techniques.

Liaise with the Shire of Wellington to ensure control of pest plants that occur along roadsides adjoining Swallow Lagoon NCR to prevent their spread into the reserve.

Pest animals

Foxes are present throughout the district, but the impact of predation on native

fauna in the reserve is unknown. However, they may pose a significant threat to ground nesting or feeding birds, small mammals, and reptiles. Local community members have previously carried out fox drives on the property when under freehold ownership. Rabbits and hares have also been observed in the local area but their impact on the grassy woodland is undetermined. Noisy Miner Manorina

melanocephala also has the potential to impact on the presence and abundance of woodland dependent bird species.


Control foxes to maintain habitat values of the reserve for birds, small mammals

and other ground-dwelling fauna.

Maintain rabbit and hare numbers at less than 5 per spotlight km.

Other threats

Firewood removal, tree felling, post cutting, illegal grazing and rubbish dumping

also pose a threat to the conservation values of the Swallow Lagoon NCR. Firewood

removal causes disturbance to vegetation and removes habitat used by ground- dwelling fauna. Tree-felling and post-cutting potentially removes significant large trees and can create unnatural canopy openings. Rubbish dumping can lead to the spread of pest plants and the introduction of pest animals.


Ensure access gates to the reserve remain locked to prevent vehicle access, firewood removal, tree-felling and post-cutting, illegal grazing and rubbish dumping.

Physical assets

Swallow Lagoon NCR contains three dams that receive water from local runoff and

can be accessed by stock (Figure 1). A shed in moderate condition also occurs on the reserve. Boundary fencing is in moderate condition at Swallow Lagoon NCR, but may require repair in some areas. There are no internal fences in the reserve.


Maintain dams if required for stock water.

Remove shed if not required for management purposes.

Liaise with adjoining landowners to ensure boundary fences are maintained in a stock-proof condition and repair fences along road reserves where required.

Heritage Values, Condition and Risk

There are no recorded places of heritage value and there is no evidence of places

with heritage value in Swallow Lagoon NCR.


If sites of heritage value sites are identified, assess their condition and establish management objectives.

Indigenous Values, Condition and Risk

There are no recorded archaeological sites and no identified sites or features in Swallow Lagoon NCR, and potential for sites of indigenous value is considered to be low.


Reflect the Traditional Owners cultural lore, and interests and aspirations in the

area in managing the reserve, and work with them and the scheduled local Aboriginal community in accordance with relevant legislation and Parks Victorias operational policies.

Work with the Traditional Owners and consult the scheduled local Aboriginal community in survey of the reserve to identify the location of significant indigenous sites, places and objects.

If sites, places and objectives are identified, seek guidance from the Traditional Owners on their future management and assessing their condition.

Visitor Services, Condition and Risk

There is currently no level of visitor services for Swallow Lagoon NCR (classified as Very Basic). The provisional future level of service will be Very Basic (no facilities). Access is currently restricted to pedestrian access off Swallow Lagoon Road, Lottons Lane and Freemans Lane (Figure 1). While there is no data available, visitor numbers to the Swallow Lagoon NCR are likely to be low (0-5000 p.a.), because the reserve has been purchased only recently.


Retain Very Basic level of service, i.e. do not provide built facilities or access roads accessible by the general public.

Maintain existing internal Management Vehicle Only (MVO) tracks where

required. These MVO tracks will not be accessible for public vehicular access.

Signage: Provide locality signage for the reserve within two years and maintain it.

Consultation

This Management Statement has been prepared in consultation with Andrew Schulz

(Parks Victoria) and Robyn Edwards, Brett Mills and Clare McInnes (Trust for Nature).

References and Further Reading

Barlow, T. (1998) Grassy Guidelines: How to manage native grasslands and grassy woodlands on your property. Trust for Nature, Melbourne.

DCE (1992) Draft Conservation Program for Native Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands in Victoria. Department of Conservation & Environment, East Melbourne.

DSE (2003a) Biodiversity Action Planning: Strategic Overview for the Gippsland Plain Bioregion. Department of Sustainability & Environment, Victoria.

DSE (2003b) Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna in Victoria - 2003. Department of Sustainability & Environment, Melbourne.

DSE (2004) Victorian Bioregional Conservation Status of EVCs Area Statement.

Department of Sustainability and Environment (Revised 28 September 2004).

DSE (2005) Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria - 2005. Department of Sustainability and Environment, East Melbourne.

Environment Australia (2000) Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) and Development of Version 5.1 Summary Report. Environment Australia, Canberra. http://www.deh.gov.au/parks/nrs/ibra/version5-1/summary-report/index.html

Fitzsimons J.A. & Ashe, C. (2003) Some recent strategic additions to Victorias protected area system 1997-2002. Victorian Naturalist 120, 98-108.

Fitzsimons, J.A. & Wescott, G. (2005) History and attributes of selected Australian multi-tenure reserve networks. Australian Geographer 36, 75-93.

LCC (1982) Report on the Gippsland Lakes Hinterland Area. Land Conservation Council, Victoria, Melbourne.

Lunt, I.D. (1997a) Effects of long-term vegetation management on remnant grassy forests and anthropogenic native grasslands in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 81, 287-297.

Lunt, I.D. (1997b) The distribution and environmental relationships of native grasslands on the lowland Gippsland Plain, Victoria: an historical study. Australian Geographical Studies 35, 140-152.

Lunt, I.D. (1997c) Tree densities last century on the lowland Gippsland Plain, Victoria. Australian Geographical Studies 35, 342-348.

NRE (1996) IUCN Categories and Other Key Data for Parks and Conservation Reserves in Victoria. National Parks and Reserves Branch, National Parks Service, Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Melbourne.

Parks Victoria (2003) Conservation Reserves Management Strategy. Parks Victoria, Melbourne.

Appendix 1. Provisional list of vascular flora recorded at Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve.

(Vic Status) (FFG) (EPBC)TaxonCommon NameSource

1

2

Indigenous species

Acacia genistifolia

Spreading Wattle

+

Acacia implexa

Lightwood

+

Acacia mearnsii

Black Wattle

+

Acacia paradoxa

Hedge Wattle

+

Allocasuarina littoralis

Black Sheoak

+

Arthropodium spp.

Vanilla Lily

+

Asperula conferta

Common Woodruff

+

Astroloma humifusum

Cranberry Heath

+

Austrodanthia spp.

Wallaby Grass

+

Austrodanthonia geniculata

Kneed Wallaby-grass

+

Austrodanthonia racemosa var. racemosa

Stiped Wallaby-grass

+

Austrostipa bigeniculata

Kneed Spear-grass

+

Austrostipa spp.

Spear Grass

+

Bossiaea heterophylla

Variable Bossiaea

+

r

Bossiaea prostrata

Creeping Bossiaea

+

Calochilus spp.

Beard Orchid

+

Carex breviculmis

Common Grass-sedge

+

Cassinia spp.

Cassinia

+

Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi

Narrow Rock-fern

+

Clematis spp.

Clematis

+

Corybas spp.

Helmet Orchid

+

Cotula australis

Common Cotula

+

Crassula decumbens var. decumbens

Spreading Crassula

+

Crassula sieberiana

Sieber Crassula

+

Cyrtostylis spp.

Gnat Orchid

+

Dianella spp.

Flax Lily

+

Dichelachne crinita

Long-hair Plume-grass

+

Dichelachne spp.

Plume Grass

+

Dichondra repens

Kidney Weed

+

Dichopogon spp.

Chocolate Lily

+

Einadia nutans subsp. nutans

Nodding Saltbush

+

Eucalyptus bridgesiana s.l.

But But

+

Eucalyptus globoidea

White Stringybark

+

Eucalyptus melliodora

Yellow Box

+

Eucalyptus polyanthemos

Red Box

+

Eucalyptus tereticornis subsp. mediana

Gippsland Red-gum

+

Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana

Coast Manna-gum

+

Exocarpos cupressiformis

Cherry Ballart

+

Gahnia radula

Thatch Saw-sedge

+

Geranium spp.

Crane's Bill

+

Glycine spp.

Glycine

+

Gonocarpus spp.

Raspwort

+

Hibbertia spp.

Guinea Flower

+

Hydrocotyle laxiflora

Stinking Pennywort

+

Taxon

Common Name

Source

12

Vic Status FFG

EPBC

Hydrocotyle spp.

Pennywort

+

Hypericum gramineum

Small St John's Wort

+

Imperata cylindrica

Blady Grass

+

Juncus spp.

Rush

+

Kunzea ericoides spp. agg.

Burgan

+

Lagenophora gracilis

Slender Bottle-daisy

+

Lomandra filiformis

Wattle Mat-rush

+

Lomandra longifolia

Spiny-headed Mat-rush

+

Melaleuca ericifolia

Swamp Paperbark

+

Melaleuca parvistaminea

Rough-bark Honey-myrtle

+

Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides

Weeping Grass

+

Microtis spp.

Onion Orchid

+

Microtis unifolia

Common Onion-orchid

+

Opercularia varia

Variable Stinkweed

+

Oxalis perennans

Grassland Wood-sorrel

+

Poa spp.

Tussock Grass

+

Poranthera microphylla

Small Poranthera

+

Pteridium esculatum

Bracken

+

Pterostylis spp.

Greenhood

+

Rumex brownii

Slender Dock

+

Senecio spp.

Groundsel

+

Solanum prinifolium

Forest Nightshade

+

Themeda triandra

Kangaroo Grass

+

Tricoryne elatoir

Yellow Rush-lily

+

Veronica plebeia

Trailing Speedwell

+

Veronica spp.

Speedwell

+

Viola betonicifolia

Showy Violet

+

Wahlenbergia spp.

Bluebell

+

Xanthorrhoea minor subsp. lutea

Small Grass-tree

+

Introduced species

Anagallis arvensis

Pimpernel

+

Arctotheca calendula

Cape Weed

+

Holcus lanatus

Yorkshire Fog

+

Hypochoeris radicata

Cat's Ear

+

Paspalum spp.

Paspalum

+

Phytolacca octandra

Red-ink Weed

+

Romulea rosea var. australis

Common Onion-grass

+

Key: r (rare in Victoria). Threat status follows DSE (2005).

Source:

1 - Site inspection of Swallow Lagoon NCR, Date: 14 August 2001, Observers: Robyn Edwards (TFN), Joe Stevens (Parks Victoria), John Davies & Josephine MacHunter (NRE)

2 - Victorian Flora Site Database (FIS) Ref: X87613, Date: 8 September 1945, Collector: N.A. Wakefield Refer to Figure 2 for location of threatened flora observations.

Appendix 2. Provisional list of fauna recorded at Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve.

Common NameScientific NameSourceVict.

FFGEPBC

Status

Indigenous Species

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Macropus giganteus

1

Australian Magpie

Gymnorhina tibicen

1, 2

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Coracina novaehollandiae

2

Brown Goshawk

Accipiter fasciatus

2

Brown Thornbill

Acanthiza pusilla

1, 2

Brown-headed Honeyeater

Melithreptus brevirostris

2

Buff-rumped Thornbill

Acanthiza reguloides

2

Common Bronzewing

Phaps chalcoptera

1, 2

Crimson Rosella

Platycercus elegans

1, 2

Eastern Rosella

Platycercus eximus

1, 2

Eastern Spinebill

Acanthorynchus tenuirostris

2

Eastern Yellow Robin

Eopsaltria australis

1, 2

Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Cuculus pyrrhophanus

2

Gang-gang Cockatoo

Callocephalon fimbriatum

2

Golden Whistler

Pachycephala pectoralis

2

Grey Butcherbird

Cracticus torquatus

1, 2

Grey Fantail

Rhipidura fuliginosa

2

Grey Shrike-thrush

Colluricincla harmonica

1, 2

Jacky Winter

Microeca leucophaea

2

Laughing Kookaburra

Dacelo novaeguineae

2

Mistletoebird

Dicaeum hirundinaceum

2

Noisy Miner

Manorina melanocephala

1, 2

Olive-backed Oriole

Oriolus sagittatus

2

Pallid Cuckoo

Cuculus pallidus

2

Pied Currawong

Strepera graculina

2

Red Wattlebird

Anthochaera carunculata

2

Rufous Fantail

Rhipidura rufifrons

2

Sacred Kingfisher

Todiramphus sanctus

2

Satin Flycatcher

Myiagra cyanoleuca

2

Scarlet Robin

Petrocia multicolor

1, 2

Spotted Pardalote

Pardalotus punctatus

1, 2

Striated Pardalote

Pardalotus striatus

2

Striated Thornbill

Acanthiza lineata

2

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Cacatua galerita

1, 2

Superb Fairy-wren

Malurus cyaneus

1, 2

Varied Sitella

Daphoenositta chrysoptera

2

Wedge-tailed Eagle

Aquila audax

1, 2

Weebill

Smircrornis brevirostris

1, 2

Welcome Swallow

Hirundo neoxena

1

White-browed Scrubwren

Sericornis frontalis

2

White-eared Honeyeater

Lichenostomus leucotis

1, 2

White-naped Honeyeater

Melithreptus lunatus

2

White-throated Treecreeper

Climacteris leucophaea

2

White-winged Chough

Corcorax melanorhamphos

1

Willie Wagtail

Rhipidura leucophrys

1

Yellow Thornbill

Acanthiza nana

1, 2

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Lichenostomus chrysops

2

Threat status follows DSE (2003).

Source:

1 - Swallow Lagoon NCR site inspection 30 May 2005. Observer: J. Fitzsimons, DSE

2 Avifaunal surveys conducted between 2004-2005 by Angie Donaldson, Deakin University. Refer to Figure 2 for location of threatened fauna observations.

Appendix 3. Biosites identified on or near the Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve. (Database accessed 13 April 2005)

Site # 1770 Swallow Lagoon Road (Located within Swallow Lagoon NCR)

Significance Level: State

Last Update: 2/10/2003; Date Created: 31/07/1998; Created by: AJW, Yarram, Gippsland; Old ID: 16A2329

Bioregion: Gippsland Plain

Habitat: Gippsland Plains Grassy Woodland

Description of site size and shape: The site is a square shape with a section in the shape of a keyhole taken out in the middle. It follows the boundary of high quality vegetation mapped for the 1:25,000 EVC project.

Boundary Derivation: Existing GIS point. Line and polygon data plotted at 1:25 000

Area (Ha): 200

Map References: The site is located on Western side of Swallow Lagoon Rd, off the Princes Highway in Munro. Northern border is Lottons Lane and southern border is Freemans Lane.

Longitude: 37 54' 24", Latitude: 147 09' 46"

Landuse: Agriculture and/or horticulture

Floristic Community: Grassy Woodland

EVC Description: Grassy Woodland

Other Assets: FFG listed species or community; Rare or threatened species or

community (not FFG listed); High degree of naturalness

Site # 1773 Munro Rd (Located approximately 1.7 km northeast of Swallow Lagoon NCR)

Significance Level: National

Last Update: 23/10/2003; Date Created: 31/07/1998; Created by: AJW, Yarram, Gippsland; Old ID: 16A2332

Bioregion: Gippsland Plain

Description of site size and shape: The site is the road reserve of Munro road, both sides for approximately 2 km.

Boundary Derivation: Existing GIS point. Line and polygon data plotted at 1:25

000

Area (Ha): 20

Map References: Drive East along Princes Highway until Munro. Turn left at

Munro Rd (off Princes Highway). The site is located on this road beginning at Lottons Lane and terminates at Old Paisley Road.

Longitude: 37 53' 52", Latitude: 147 11' 23"

Landuse: Transportation (rail, road)

Other Assets: FFG listed species or community; Rare or threatened species or community (not FFG listed); High degree of naturalness

Figure 1. Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve - Boundaries, Physical Assets and Hydrological Features

Dam #

Gate

Swallow Lagoon NCR

Hydrology (1:25,000)

Roads (1:25,000)

Major road sealed

Major road unsealed

Vehicular track

LOCALITY

#

Dam #

Shed

%

Gate

Dam #

#

MUNRO

June 2005

Base Data from DSE GIS Corporate Library

Department of Sustainability and Environment The State of Victoria, 2005.

Disclaimer:

This map is made using the best available information. The creators of this map do not warrant that it is free

of error and do not accept liability for loss arising

from use of this product beyond its original purpose.

N

1.2 00.20.4 Kilometres

Figure 2. Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve - Theatened Species, Biosites, Wetlands and Ecological Vegetation Classes

# 1773 %

Swallow Lagoon NCR

Threatened species

# 1770

%

Biosites

Ecological Vegetation Classes

(3) Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland

(55) Plains Grassy Woodland

(16) Lowland Forest

Wetlands

Freshwater Meadow

Gaping Leek-orchid

#

#

Variable Bossiaea

Note: EVC mapping is that represented in the CGDL layer EVC_CMP100 at April 2005. Refer to text for description of type and distribution of EVCs on the reserve.

LOCALITY

#

June 2005



Disclaimer:




N

1.5 00.5 Kilometres

%

Figure 3. Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve - Landscape Context

#

BRIAGOLONG

Bow-Worrung Bushland Reserve

Public Land Use

Nature Conservation Reserve Natural Features Reserve Other Public Land

Hydrology (1:100,000)

Roads (1:100,000)

Highway

Stratfrod l12 Bushland Reserve

Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Reserve

Major road sealed Vehicular track Minor road sealed Minor road unsealed

Towns

LOCALITY

#

STRATFORD

Stratford Highway Park

MUNRO

Yeerung Bushland Reserve

Providence Ponds Flora and Fauna Reserve

The Billabong Flora and Fauna Reserve

Meerieu l15 Bushland Reserve

#

June 2005



Disclaimer:




N

2024 Kilometres

Figure 4. Aerial photograph of Swallow Lagoon Nature Conservation Resewe (1996)

.'.s,..

.

I

.

Documents

Swallow Lagoon NCR Management Statement 2005parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0009/6375… · Web view- Site inspection of Swallow Lagoon NCR, Date: 14 August 2001, Observers: