Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

(Podargus strigoides), Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) and Australian
Owlet Nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus), were recorded during spotlighting surveys.
3.2.4 Spotlighting
Spotlighting surveys produced results from the mammal, bird and amphibian guilds. One
threatened species was recorded during spotlighting surveys, namely the Grey-headed
Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) listed as ‘Vulnerable’ under the TSC Act and
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This species
was recorded on two separate survey occasions.
Across the five nights of spotlighting surveys, a total of nine Common Brushtail Possums
(Trichosurus vulpecula) were recorded, a significant decrease from the 65 individuals that
were recorded in 2010.
Non-threatened species recorded during spotlighting surveys included the Eastern Grey
Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Red-necked Wallaby (Macrpous rufogriseus), Sugar
Glider (Petaurus breviceps) and Wallaroo (Macropus robustus). Two non-native species,
namely the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and domestic Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) were also
recorded during spotlighting surveys.
3.2.5 Herpetological Surveys
Three reptile species were recorded opportunistically during ecological surveys in 2011
(See Appendix D). These are the Tree Skink (Egernia striolata), Lace Monitor (Varanus
varius) and Delicate Garden Skink (Lampropholis delicata).
A total of 13 frog species were recorded during searches of water bodies as part of
spotlighting surveys and opportunistically throughout other field surveys. Five species
were commonly recorded, namely the Spotted Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis),
Smooth Toadlet (Uperoleia laevigata), Dwarf Green Tree Frog (Litoria fallax), Broadpalmed
Frog (Litoria latopalmata) and Peron’s Tree Frog (Litoria peronii). The Ornate
Burrowing Frog (Platyplectrum ornatum) was recorded once along a roadside. The
remaining species were recorded infrequently during searches of water bodies.
3.2.6 Bat Surveys
A total of 10 microbat species were positively identified during 2011 surveys. Four of
these species, namely the Large-eared Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri), Little Bent-wing
Bat (Miniopterus australis), Eastern Bent-wing Bat (Minioprterus schreibersii oceansis)
and Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris) are listed as Vulnerable under
the TSC Act. These species were recorded at three, one, one and three sites,
respectively. The Large-eared Pied Bat is also listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act.
There was variation in the number of calls recorded from the four threatened species with
the Large-eared Pied bat being recorded 160 times, Little Bentwing Bat once, Eastern
Bent-wing Bat once and Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat 17 times.
2011 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Final Report, May 2012 Page 23