Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

3 Fauna
Fauna surveys consisted of five targeted survey types including:
• Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) and Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia)
winter surveys;
• Diurnal bird surveys;
• Nocturnal owl call playback surveys;
• Spotlighting surveys; and
• Anabat ‘micro-bat’ surveys.
In addition to the above targeted surveys, opportunistic reptile and frog surveys were also
undertaken during all other survey activities.
3.1 Methods
Figure 3-1 shows the locations of the fauna survey points undertaken during 2011.
3.1.1 Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater Winter Surveys
Three targeted surveys for the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater were undertaken on
28 July, 12 August and 1 September 2011. Each survey comprised a single day of survey
conducted by two ecologists for a total of 16 person hours of survey per day. Survey
methodology comprised:
• Searches for congregations of members of the Psittacidae (Parrots, Lorikeets and
Rosellas) and Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters) families to indicate the presence of feed
trees;
• Searches for lorikeets and observation of their movements as an indication of
localised occurrences of blossoming events; and
• Opportunistic searches for threatened avian species.
Surveys were undertaken throughout Remnant Woodland Enhancement Program
(RWEP) areas (A–C). All existing vehicle tracks were surveyed during searches for the
above possible indicators of suitable habitat areas for both target species. Opportunistic
surveys were also undertaken while travelling throughout other areas of Wambo Coal
Mine. During the surveys, special attention was given to identifying areas containing
flowering eucalypt trees.
3.1.2 Bird Surveys
A total of 26 bird surveys were undertaken in 2011. 24 sites comprise all of those
surveyed in 2010, whilst two sites (13 and 15) were moved due to works associated with
the North Wambo Creek Diversion (NWCD) (see Figure 3-1 for survey site locations).
2011 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Final Report, May 2012 Page 15