Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

3.1.6 Bat Surveys
Nocturnal bat surveys were conducted at eight sites over five nights within RWEP areas.
Anabat detectors were used to record the echolocation calls of micro-bats. For each of the
five nights, two Anabat detectors were set for the entire night. Figure 3-1 shows the
location of the Anabat detectors. All calls were analyzed by Anna McConville who has
expertise in bat call recognition.
3.2 Results
A total of 162 fauna species were recorded during 2011 surveys, including 20 mammal,
126 bird, three reptile and 13 amphibian species. Appendix D lists all fauna species
recorded during survey activities.
3.2.1 Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater Winter Surveys
No Swift Parrots or Regent Honeyeaters were identified during winter bird surveys.
Limited eucalypt blossom was recorded on Narrow-leafed Ironbark (Eucalyptus
crebra)and Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis)..
An additional nine threatened bird species were identified during the winter surveys.
Appendix D lists all the bird species recorded during each survey and Figure 3-2 shows
the location of threatened species recorded during all surveys in 2011.
3.2.2 Bird Surveys
A total of 126 bird species were recorded during opportunistic surveys and from the 26
bird survey locations. Seventy eight species were recorded from the 26 survey locations
alone. The 2011 bird survey results are shown below as part of a comparison of data from
the 2008, 2009 and 2010 surveys. Unfortunately most of the 2007 bird survey data was
not collated in a format that allowed comparison with the more recent surveys.
Total Species Diversity
A comparison of the total number of bird species recorded across the four years identified
the following:
• The total number of species recorded has ranged between 66 and 86 species with 86
being recorded in 2007, 66 in 2008, 84 in 2009, 69 in 2010 and 78 in 2011.
Species Diversity within Sites
A comparison of the total number of bird species recorded at each site from 2008 to 2011
(see Figure 3-2) identified the following:
• 2011 produced the median score (n=78) in species diversity across all surveys years
to date;
• The range of species recorded across all sites is between four and 28 species with an
average of 7 species per site;
• Six sites have shown the lowest, or equal lowest bird species richness since 2008;
• Nine sites have shown the highest or equal highest bird species richness since 2008;
2011 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Final Report, May 2012 Page 18