Section 1: Lotus Lagoon Biodiversity Survey

29 July 8 August 2012 23 July 31 July 2013

This biodiversity survey report was written by the Normanton Ranger group. This section of the report outlines: survey aims and objectives background information monitoring methodology and equipment list results tables discussion / future actions photos

Introduction
The Normanton ranger group has been operational since 2008. Originally consisting of three rangers, another three joined the group in 2010. The rangers are Paul Richardson (Senior Head Ranger), Philip George (Head Ranger), Lance Rapson, Alfred Pascoe, Derek George and Marcus George. The team Coordinator is Mark Hogno. Rangers work on their traditional Country; between the Staaten and Leichardt Rivers. The main work undertaken is eradicating weeds, coastal patrols (ghost nets), feral animal management and more recently biodiversity monitoring. The ranger group was successful in a Caring for our Country (CfoC) funding application which provided the funds to manage feral pigs and protect a sensitive wetland (Lotus Lagoon at Delta Downs) through exclusion fencing. Biodiversity and wetland monitoring is a key part of the project, so rangers can measure and record changes over time in the wetlands condition and habitat values.

Aim
The Rangers stated aim for this component of the project is:

Looking after and understanding the Country, and bringing the wetland back to what it was like before introduced animals. Objectives
The table below shows how the Normanton Rangers will achieve their aim. The project can be broken down into three main parts: Exclusion fencing and pig management for Lotus Lagoon; Biodiversity and wetland monitoring, and; marine turtle protection and monitoring along the coast. Understanding Country 1. Biodiversity monitoring 2. Wetland monitoring 3. Water quality monitoring 4. Marine turtle monitoring 5. Learning from the Kurtjar Elders Protecting Country 1. Fencing off the wetland; protecting marine turtle nests 2. Weed management (especially rubbervine) 3. Fire management 4. Feral animal eradication from the wetland 5. Learning from the Kurtjar Elders

Background Research
Before any work started rangers sought the permission of the Kurtjar Elders and the board of directors for Delta Downs to work on their Country. Rangers commenced background research for this project in early 2012. Rangers did research to gain information about the natural habitat values found in the wetland, what animals are likely to live there and the best location for the exclusion fence. Wetland info provided rangers with information about the type of wetland (freshwater), basic maps and habitat information. Numerous field guides were also used to look up local species this information went into the I-Tracker sequence that was written by the Head Senior Ranger especially for this project. At this time the monitoring methodology was also discussed, including trapping methods, number of days needed in the field and data to be recorded with the ITracker.

Traditional Knowledge
As part of this project rangers will be doing interviews with the Traditional Owners of Delta Downs. Kurtjar Elders will provide valuable insight into the history of the area and about the changes they have seen during their time. This information will be kept separately in the cultural heritage database.

Photo: Lotus Lagoon from the air

Monitoring Methodology
Lotus Lagoon is a permanent, freshwater wetland situated on Delta Downs. Biodiversity and wetland monitoring of the site was conducted over a 10 day period from 29 July 2012 8 August 2012. When rangers first arrived at the site for the biodiversity survey, the first task was to select the different monitoring sites. Four different sites were chosen with each one being a good representation of the kinds of habitat found around the wetland.

Map of Lotus Lagoon with monitoring sites marked

Legend Red arrows = Wetland transect (2 x 50m)

Blue star = Permanent photo point

Site 1,2,3,4 = Permanent biodiversity monitoring sites (trap sites)

Site Descriptions Site 1: Lots of trees (open, dry forest), lots of ground cover including many logs, grasses and leaf litter.

Photo: Site 1

Site 2: Sandy with about 75% grass cover, several pandanus lining the creek side of the site, open country with lots of grass tussocks.

Photo: Site 2

Site 3: Similar to Site 1 with lots of canopy cover, leaf litter and some logs but not as many as Site 1, grey sandy topsoil.

Photo: Site 3

Site 4: Swampy country with some grass cover (>35%), rubbervine is everywhere, lots of cattle pugging, deeply cracked dry clay.

Photo: Site 4, note the extensive rubbervine

Sampling design and survey effort Biodiversity Monitoring Rangers set up the pitfall and funnel traps in a T configuration; with four pitfall traps and six funnel traps (see below). These were placed along a wire mesh drift fence, used to direct animals into the traps. Each section of the drift fence was between 15m 20m long.

= Pitfall = Funnel (X 2)

Diagram: T shaped trap configuration

Ten elliott traps were placed around a 80m 100m periphery of the monitoring site, approximately 10 meters apart. Each elliott trap was numbered and the position marked with fluoro tape. Bait used was rolled oats, peanut butter, vanilla essence and honey; alternating with pet biscuits. Rangers found that the peanut butter mixture was more successful.

Photo: Marcus setting an Elliott trap, the location is marked with fluoro tape

One cage trap was also set at every site. Rangers used either chicken necks or bony bream as bait. These cage traps were not a successful method of trapping during this study.

Photo: Head Ranger Philip setting a cage trap

At least one spy camera was also used at every location. The position was changed almost nightly depending on what was happening at that site. For example, when rangers noticed evidence of feral animals the camera was set up in that area.

Photo: Derek checking a spy camera set up at Site 4

Setting and baiting the traps occurred daily at around 4pm when it was cooler. Rangers placed some wool inside the elliott traps to provide shelter for any animals that were caught. Checking the traps occurred every morning with rangers leaving camp at 7:30am. All traps were checked and the results recorded using the Biodiversity Monitoring sequence on I-Tracker.

 Spotlight surveys At night rangers did spotlight surveys to record data about the nocturnal fauna present around the wetland. These surveys went for approximately 45mins one hour and were undertaken either on foot within the survey sites or on quad bikes along tracks. I-Trackers were used to record this data.

Photo: Head Senior Ranger Paul during a spotlight survey

Visual searches/ Opportunistic sightings Throughout the study rangers undertook visual searches and recorded all incidental fauna sightings. For example, birds were recorded on a daily basis on the way to and from survey sites.

Photo: This large yellow-spotted monitor is a good example of an opportunistic sighting that the rangers recorded

 Wetland monitoring Four sites were chosen for the permanent wetland monitoring sites. These locations are near the biodiversity monitoring areas. Rangers firstly chose a photo point and put up a stake to permanently mark the location. The photo point must have a clear view down the wetland so over time photos can be compared to show changes in the wetland. Three photos are taken at each photo point; two along either bank and one down the centre of the wetland. Two 50 metre transects are then completed, using the photo point stake as the centre point. The transects measure the percentage of pig damage, average vegetation cover and weed abundance at the site. This information is also recorded on the I-Trackers using the Wetland Monitoring sequence.

Photos: Marcus measuring a transect; Lance taking a photo point

Photo: Rangers undertaking a wetland transect

Equipment List
Trapping Equipment Elliot Traps X 40 Pitfall traps (20L maxi pail) X 16 Cage trap X 4 Funnel traps X 22 Drift fence mesh wire (8 X 20m lengths) Spy cameras Gloves I-Tracker with Biodiversity Monitoring sequence Field guides for species identification Digital camera Bait Spotlighting Equipment Heavy duty spot lights Head torch I-Tracker Digital camera Wetland Surveys Marking stake Measuring tape (50m) Digital camera I-Tracker with Wetland Monitoring sequence

Results
Table 1 Combined trapping results Lotus Lagoon biodiversity surveys (2012) Pitfall Funnel Elliott Cage Total Number of native species
8 -

Site 1

Cane toad (18) Rainbow skink (1) Spider Un.ID (1) Ornate Burrowing frog (1) Grass Melomy (1)

Rainbow skink (1) Un. ID skink (2) Common Tree Snake (1)

Long-haired rat (8)

Site 2

Cane toad (35) Rainbow skink (1) Carnabys skink (1) Port Essing. skink (1) Pale frog (5) Ornate Burrowing frog (1) Un.ID spider (1) L.T Planigale (1) Bumpy R. frog (1) Striped R. frog (1) Cane toad (5) Rainbow skink (1) Un.ID spider (2) Cane toad (36) Pale Frog (4) Freshwater crab (1)

Rainbow skink (1) Cane toad (1) Ornate Burrowing frog (1)

Long-haired rat (18) Cane toad (1) Grassland Melomy (1) 11

Site 3 Site 4

Rainbow skink (1)

Long-haired rat (4)

Striped rocket frog (1) Long-tailed Planigale (1) Rainbow Skink (1)

Long-haired rat (14)

The habitat at Sites 1 and 2 supports the highest diversity of fauna. All the different species rangers caught in the traps can be found at these sites. When rangers rehabilitate this wetland and fence it off they will be able to encourage the growth of this type of habitat by: Planting pandanus, kennedy palms and other native tree species along bare edges of the bank; placing logs around for ground habitat and; removing rubbervine to allow the native grasses to grow back. Other notable species at these sites that were not trapped were Northern sedge frogs (in the hundreds, living in pandanus), a large yellow spotted monitor and many bird species.

Results Table 1 Combined Trapping Results Lotus Lagoon Biodiversity Survey (2013)

Pitfall

Funnel

Elliott

Cage

Site 1 Site 2

Canetoad 5 Canetoad 20 Carnabys snake eyed skink 2 Striped rocket frog 1 Snake unknown 1 Port Essington skink 1 Canetoad 14 Carlia storri 1 Carnabys snake eyed skink 1

Proablepharus Tenuis 1 Canetoad 1 Shaded little rainbow skink 1 Port Essington skink 1

Total number of native species 1

Site 3

Site 4

Shaded little rainbow skink 2 Canetoad 7 Snake unknown 1 Pale frog 1

Carnabys snake eyed skink 1 Shaded little rainbow skink 1 Western brown 1 Black snake 1 Striped rocket frog 1

Canetoad 1

Feral cat 1

Table 2 Opportunistic fauna sightings 29/07/2012 08/08/2012 Birds

Emu (16) Squatter pigeon (>100) Galah (>100) Rainbow Lorikeet (>100) Red winged parrot (39) Pheasant Coucal (2) Pacific Barn Owl (1) Masked Owl (2)

Birds
Radjah Shelduck (14) Australian Pratincole (4) Plovers/Masked Lap Wings (19) Black fronted dotterel (5) Cormorant (18) Nankeen Kestrel (11) Brahminy Kites (10) White Bellied Sea Eagle (3) Blue Faced Honey Eater (~ 50) Pied Heron (3) Great Egrits (8) Intermediate Egrits (15)

Birds
Australian Brush turkey (1) Brown Falcon (4) Mistletoe bird (3) Olive backed sunbird (5) Yellow throated miner (4) Varied lorikeet (1) Bar shouldered dove (~ 50) Straw necked Ibis (8) Black faced cuckoo shrikes (6) Yellow honey eater (3) Great Bowerbird (1) Spangled Drongo (3)

Frogs
Pale Frog (4) Striped Rocket Frog (1) Roths Tree Frog (3) Bumpy rocket frog (1)

Mammals
Agile Wallaby (>100) Northern Nailtail Wallaby (6) Dingo (5) Micro Bats (5) Flying Fox (2)

Reptiles
Mertens Water Monitor (1) Shaded Little Rainbow Skink (4) Eastern Dtella (2) Yellow Spotted Monitor (3) Snake (Unidentified) Canns northern long necked turtle (3)

Feral Animals
Feral Pigs (>100) Cane Toads (>100) Brumby (16)

Tawny Frogmouth (3) Red Backed Kingfisher (6) Blue Winged Kookaburra (23) Laughing Kookaburra (5)

Feral cat (1)

Australian white ibis (3 ) Rainbow BeeEater (30) Glossy Ibis (32) Jabiru (10) Brolga (68) Australia Bustard (27) Little Tern (8) Diamond Dove (>100) Peaceful Dove (>100) Willie Wagtail (9) Apostle Birds (45) Magpies (19) Australian Crows (30)

Small Egrit (6) Magpie Geese (10) Australasian Grebes (4) Jacanas (5) Pelicans (5) Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (44) Pictarella Mannikin Finch (1) Double Barred Finch (17) Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (12) Wood Duck (6) Whistling Duck (7) Green Pygmy Geese (11) Butcher Bird (10)

Australasian Pipit (10) White-Necked Heron (2) Black Kite (25) Nightjar owlet Forest Kingfisher (5) Saurus Cranes (7) Wedge Tailed Eagle (2) Brown Honey Eater (~50) Little Corella (2) Crested Pigeon (50) Leaden Flycatcher (1) Whistling kites (2) Spoonbill (1)

Table 2 Opportunistic fauna sightings 23/07/2013 31/07/2013

Birds
Emu (5) Australian Bustard (28) Tawny Frogmouth(6) Brolga (35) Sarus Crane (13) Forest Kingfisher (6) Spangled Drongo (4) Blue Faced Honeyeater(11) Willie Wagtail (13)

Birds
Royal Spoonbill (33) Yellow Billed Spoonbill (17) Red backed Kingfisher (1) Black Throated Finch (2) Fairy Martin (~50) White Browed Wood Swallow (~50) Black Swan (2) Radjah Shelduck (38) Apostle Bird (50)

Birds
Southern Boobook (4) Blue Winged Kookaburra (40) Yellow Honeyeater (4) Rainbow Bee Eater (23) Olive Backed Sunbird (8) Tree Martin (~50)

Birds
Nankeen Kestrel (5) Australian Pipit (7) White Billed Cuckoo Shrike (7) Azure Kingfisher (2) Brown Falcon (2) Grey Teal (4)

Reptiles
Cryptoblepharus Plagiocephalus (4) Common Tree Snake (2) Eastern Dtella (1) Yellow Spotted Monitor (4) Northern Long Necked Turtle (2) Water python Deceased (1)

Squatter Pigeon (25) Magpie Lark (>100) Pied Butcher Bird (5) Galah (>100) Red tailed Black Cockatoo (38) Glossy Ibis (20) Straw-Necked ibis (19) White-Necked Ibis (10) Red Winged Parrot (22) Bar Shouldered Dove (>100) Peaceful Dove (27) Rainbow Lorriket (>100) White Bellied Sea Eagle (4) Masked Lapwing 9

Australian White Ibis (9) White Faced Heron (5) Little Pied Cormorant (5) Little Black Cormorant (7) Intermediate Egret (2) Black Winged Stilt (11) Comb Crested Jacana (10) Pelican (11) Australian Pratincole (6) Black Fronted Dottrel (2) Crested Pigeon (24) Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (24) Diamond Dove (14)

Brown Honey Eater (7) Pheasant Coucal (4) Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike (12) Laughing Kookaburra (11) Wedge Tailed Eagle (1) Little Frairbird (4) Black Necked Stork (7) Doubled Barred Finch (17) Green Pygmy Goose (20) Hardhead (25) Eurasian Coot (2) Australasian Grebe (8) Pacific Black Duck (15) Little Tern (1) Gull Billed Tern (4) Welcome Swallow (2)

Mistletoe Bird (1) Australian Crow (20) Spotted Nightjar (2) Great Bower Bird (2) Great Egret (3) Satin Flycatcher (2) Bar Breasted Honeyeater (2) Rufous Throated Honeyeater (5) Leaden Flycatcher (2) Little Corella (>100) Australian Magpie (8) Little Wood Swallow (~50) Grey Fantail (1) Black Kite (15) Australian Darter (2) Unknown Grasswren (13)

Frogs
Pale Frog (10)

Roths Tree Frog (20) Striped Rocket Frog (5)

Mammals
Agile Wallaby (>100) Northern Nailtail Wallaby (50) Little Red Flying Fox (>100) Micro Bats (2) Brush tailed Possum (6)

Feral Animals
Feral Cat (3) Feral Pigs (~50) Canetoads (~50)

Invertebrates
Scorpion (1)

Table 3 Spotlight survey results (2012) Site 1

Roths tree frog (2) Buzzing tree frog (2) Pale frog (1)

Site 2
Roths tree frog (1) Northern sedge frogs (> 100) Easter Dtella (1) Bumpy Rocket frog (1) Nightjar owlet (2)

Site 3
Microbats Un.ID (4)

Site 4
Roths tree frog (1) Owl (Un.ID) (1) Agile Wallaby (3)

Lotus Periphery (on quad bikes)

Pale frogs (3) Bumpy Rocket frog (1) Eastern Dtella (5) Little red fruit bats (12) Spider Un.ID (1) Red backed spider (1) Roths tree frog (2) Green tree frog (1) Laughing Kookaburra (1) Nightjar owlet (2) Olive python (1) Snake Un.ID (1) Southern Boobook (2) Tawny frogmouth (5) Nailtail wallaby (2) Pacifc barn owls (5) Brushtailed possum (1) Australian pratincole (2) Nankeen Kestrel (1) Feral cats (4) Dingo (1) Plovers (4)

Spotlight surveys were undertaken over seven nights during the study. The cold weather at night did seem to impact on the numbers of animals found, so rangers went as soon as possible after dark. Overall more animals were found during the quad bike surveys than when rangers went by foot into the survey sites in small groups. This might be due to more ground being covered on the quad bikes. Table 3 Spotlight Results (2013)

Site 1

Site 2 Eastern Dtella (1) Blue winged Kookaburra (2) Spider Un id (1)

Site 3

Site 4

Lotus Periphery (on quad bikes) Nightjar Owlet (2) Brush tailed possum (3) Agile wallaby (10) Nailtail wallaby (9) Kookaburra (6) Tawny Frogmouth (1) Micro bats Un. ID (2) Feral cats (1) Little red flying fox (20)

Table 4 Combined total spy camera results (2012) Site 1

Feral cats (2) Agile wallaby (9) Cows (9)

Site 2
Cane toad (2) Straw-necked ibis (1) Cow (1) Kite (1) Galahs (2)

Site 3
Agile wallaby (4) Feral pig (4) Small mammal Un.ID (1)

Site 4
Agile wallaby (2) Cormorant (1) Feral pig (2) Cane toad (1) Nankeen night heron (1) Kite Un.ID (1)

Other areas in Lotus Lagoon

Straw necked ibis (1)

The spy cameras were placed around different areas of Lotus Lagoon and within the survey sites. Unfortunately rangers had difficulty getting clear pictures with these cameras otherwise the small mammal at Site 3 may have been identified as a Northern long-nosed bandicoot. The spy cameras were useful in capturing the first evidence of feral cats around the wetland.

Table 4 Combined total spy camera results (2013)

Other Areas in Lotus Lagoon

Spy Cam 1
Agile Wallaby (3)

Spy Cam 2
Feral Pig (1)

Spy Cam 3
Agile Wallaby (2)

Spy Cam 4
Feral Cat (1) Kite (2) Northern Nailtail (2) Agile Wallaby (1) Un Id Birds (3) Bar Shouldered Dove (1) Brolga (1)

Table 5 Electrofishing survey results:

Abundance: # individuals caught/seen (scale) 1 (1); 2 9 (2); 10 50 (3); 51 100 (4); 101 500 (5); 501 1000 (6); 1001 5000 (7); > 5000 (8)

Results from the electrofishing survey and water quality testing show that Lotus Lagoon has excellent water quality with all values within normal ranges (Hogan, 2012). Ten species of fish were recorded; with small numbers of prawns and redclaw also noted. No crocodiles were evident and only one very large longnecked turtle, Chelodina rugosa, was found on the day of sampling.

Photos: The large long-necked turtle from Lotus; Derek and Alfred assisting with electrofishing survey.

TOTAL NUMBER OF NATIVE SPECIES DETECTED DURING SURVEY: Birds Reptiles Mammals Frogs Crustaceans Fish TOTAL 78 12 8 8 3 10 119

Total Number of Native Species Detected During 2013 Survey:

Birds Reptiles Mammals Frogs Crustaceans Fish Invertebrates Total

90 14 5 3 0 0 1 113

Wetland Transects and Survey Results (2012)

Site 1 Wetland Transects and Photo Points
50m transect from photo point

% pig of diggings 50-75% 0-25%

% Plant cover

% Aquatic vegetation cover 0-25% 0-25%

Habitat

% Weeds present along transect 0-25% 0-25%

Right Left

0-25% 75-100%

Grass; Logs; Clay Grass; Clay

Site 1 Left Transect

Site 1 Right Transect

Site 1 Photo Point Centre

Wetland Transects and Survey Results (2013)

Site 1 Wetland Transects and Photo Points 50m transect from photo point Right % of pig diggings 50-75% % Plant cover % Aquatic vegetation cover 0-25% Habitat % weeds present along transect 25-50%

0-25%

Left

50-75%

0-25%

0-25%

Grass, Black soil, Clay, Trees Grass, Black Soil, Clay, Trees

0-25%

Site 1 Left Transect Site 1 Right Transect

Site 1 Photo Point Centre

Site 2 Wetland Transects and Photo Points (2012)

50m transect from photo point

% pig of diggings 50-75% 75-100%

% Plant cover

% Aquatic vegetation cover 0-25% 0-25%

Habitat

% Weeds present along transect 0-25% 0-25%

Right Left

0-25% 0-25%

Grass; Leaf; Logs; Clay Grass; Leaf; Logs; Clay

Site 2 Left Transect

Site 2 Right Transect

Site 2 Photo Point Centre

Site 2 Wetland Transect and Photo Points (2013)

50m transect From photo Point % pig of diggings % Plant cover % Aquatic Vegetation Cover Habitat
% Weeds present along transect

Right Left

0-25% 0-25%

0-25% 0-25%

0-25% 0-25%

Black soil, Grass, Trees Black soil, Grass

0-25% 0-25%

Site 2 Left Transect

Site 2 Right Transect

Site 2 Photo Point Centre

Site 3 Wetland Transects and Photo Points

50m transect from photo point

% pig of diggings 0-25% 50-75%

% Plant cover

% Aquatic vegetation cover 25-50% 25-50%

Habitat

% Weeds present along transect 0-25% 0-25%

Left Right

75-100% 75-100%

Grass Grass; Black soil

Site 3 Left Transect

Site 3 Right Transect

Site 3 Centre Photo Point

Site 3 Wetland Transect and Photo Points (2013)

50m transect from photo point % of pig diggings % plant cover % Aquatic vegetation cover Habitat % weeds present along transect

Right Left

0-25% 0-25%

0-25% 0-25%

0-25% 0-25%

Grass, Black soil, logs Black soil, Grass

0-25% 0-25%

Site 3 Left Transect

Site 3 Right Transect

Site 3 Centre Photo Point

Site 4 Wetland Transects and Photo Points (2012)

50m transect from photo point

% pig of diggings 50-75% 50-75%

% Plant cover 0-25% 75-100%

% Aquatic vegetation cover 0-25% 0-25%

Habitat

% Weeds present along transect 50-75% 25-50%

Right Left

Grass; Leaf; Logs; Clay Grass; Leaf; Clay

Site 4 Left Transect

Site 4 Right Transect

Site 4 Centre Photo Point

Site 4 Wetland Transects and Photo Points (2013)

50m transect from photo point Right Left % of pig diggings 0-25% 0-25% % Plant cover % Aquatic vegetation cover 0-25% 0-25% Habitat %weeds present along transect 0-25% 0-25%

0-25% 0-25%

Black soil, Grass Black Soil, Grass

Site 4 Left Transect

Site 4 Right Transect

Site 4 Centre Photo Point

Discussion
This project undertaken by the Normanton Rangers has shown that Lotus Lagoon is an important habitat and wildlife refuge for many different animals. Although it is a working cattle property it has been managed so that Country still supports a high level of biodiversity. This is a credit to Delta Downs and the Kurtijar People. By recording incidental (or opportunistic) wildlife sightings the rangers were able to compile an impressive species list, especially the number of bird species. Lotus Lagoon is obviously a very important habitat for birdlife with 78 species recorded within the wetland and surrounding area. Other species that are obviously common are the native Long-haired rats which were found at every site. The Normanton Rangers trapped two Grassland Melomys within the exclusion fencing area. After some research was done on the Grassland Melomy it was found that there is a considerable gap from previously known habitats in the Northern Territory and Kowanyama on the Cape York Peninsula. Thought to be uncommon in the area the Normanton Rangers are excited to have found the Grassland Melomy around Lotus Lagoon. The electrofishing and water quality data shows that Lotus Lagoon is quite different to most other wetlands in the region; being purely freshwater. It can be described as a permanent rainwater tank and due to its higher elevation does not get as much flood water coming in during the wet. Because of this there are freshwater fish species that are specialised for this kind of clear, high visibility aquatic habitat (Hogan, 2012). Cattle were grazing on the aquatic vegetation while sampling took place. Pigs were also seen regularly in family groups feeding on the vegetation and had disturbed most of the shoreline. Given the amount of rubber vine and other exotic vegetation Lotus Lagoon was given undisturbed rating of 50% (Hogan, 2012). The wetland transects undertaken by rangers along four sides of the wetland measured pig damage along 100m transects. These results further substantiate the high levels of pig damage. Sites 1,2,3 and 4 showed: 50%- 75% pig damage; 75% - 100% pig damage; 50%-75% pig damage and 50% -75% pig damage respectively. The low number of long necked turtles found is concerning to the rangers. The egg laying behaviour of the turtles exposes the eggs to trampling by cattle as they drink at the waters edge; and direct predation by pigs. Excluding both wild pigs and cattle from Lotus Lagoon by fencing should see a rapid increase in turtle numbers, particularly if some turtles were stocked into the lagoon after it was fenced (Hogan, 2012). Animals that are known to be in the area but were not detected during this study are: brown snakes; echidnas; gliders, dragons and quails. This may be due to it being the wrong season for them. Despite an extensive search by the Senior Head Ranger no frilled lizards, earless dragons, gilberts dragons nor quails were found. The rangers are concerned this may be because of the feral cats in the area. It can be estimated that one fresh bird kill was seen by rangers every day during the study. A family of feral cats were spotlighted on day seven living in a tree hollow. Rangers identified that these feral cats are directly impacting on the native wildlife in at least two ways: 1) By directly preying on them and; 2) By using valuable habitat trees which directly affects hollow-dependant species such as parrots, gliders, possums, owls and other birds.

Another feral animal that occurs in huge numbers at Lotus Lagoon is the cane toad. Rangers speculate that there may have been more frogs and planigales caught in the pitfall traps however toads might have eaten them. When more grass and vegetation comes back to Lotus Lagoon small native animals such as the planigale and melomy will have more habitat to hide from these predators. After one wet season rangers expect to see improvements in the level of bank erosion and vegetation cover. Once they can remove the weeds more improvements are expected to be seen in habitat values. Overall the rangers feel that this biodiversity and wetland survey component of the project was very successful. Everyone is really looking forward to seeing what Lotus will look like in the future. The Normanton Rangers have a great sense of pride that they are managing this project themselves; and that it is happening on Kurtijar Country with Delta Downs being all Aboriginal owned. What the rangers do now at Lotus will be enjoyed and looked after by future generations.

Photo: Ranger base camp at Delta Downs

Future Actions
Exclusion fencing for pigs occurred over the 20th to the 31st August 2012. General maintenance will be ongoing and rangers will continually record the effectiveness of the fence against feral pigs. Trapping, baiting and shooting will occur as necessary (please see Section 2 of report). Removal of all weeds within the wetland and in surrounding areas (funding required) On-going biodiversity monitoring and wetland monitoring using the methodology described in this report and the same wetland photo-points Monitoring during other seasons to pick up migratory species and species that were not recorded this time Questions arising from this study will be explored (E.g Were the animals rangers did not record, or only saw a few of like the brushtailed possum ever common in the area?). Questions like this will be asked to the Elders and researched further in the office.

Attachments: 1. 2. 3. 4. Normanton Rangers Biodiversity Survey Complete Species list Threatened Species List PhotosRangers undertaking survey PhotosFauna recorded during survey

Complete Native Species List: Lotus Lagoon Biodiversity Surveys 2012

Long-haired rat Long-tailed planigale Brushtailed possum Agile wallaby Northern nailtail wallaby Micro bats (Un.ID) Little red flying foxes Grassland Melomy Pale frog Roths tree frog Buzzing tree frog Striped rocket frog Bumpy rocket frog Ornate burrowing frog Green tree frog Northern sedge frog Freshwater crab (Un.ID) Canns long-necked turtle Water python Snake (Un.ID) Snake (Un.ID different species) Common Green Tree Snake Shaded litter rainbow skink Port Essington Skink Carnabys snake-eyed skink Un.ID skink Eastern Dtella Yellow spotted monitor Mertens water monitor Emu Radjah Shelduck (Near Threatened QLD) Australian Brush turkey Squatter pigeon Australian Pratincole Brown Falcon Galah Plovers/Masked Lap Wings Mistletoe bird Rainbow Lorikeet Sand Piper/Red caped plover Olive backed sunbird Red winged parrot Cormorant Yellow throated miner Pheasant Coucal Nankeen Kestrel Varied lorikeet Pacific Barn Owl Brahminy Kites Bar shouldered dove Masked Owl White Bellied Sea Eagle Straw necked Ibis Tawny Frogmouth Blue Faced Honey Eater Black faced cuckoo shrikes Red Backed Kingfisher Pied Heron Yellow honey eater Blue Winged Kookaburra Great Egrits Great Bowerbird Laughing Kookaburra Intermediate Egrits Spangled Drongo Australian white ibis Small Egrit Australasian Pipit Rainbow Bee-eater Magpie Geese Glossy Ibis Australasian Grebes White-Necked Heron Jabiru Jacanas Black Kite Brolga Pelicans Nightjar owlet Australia Bustard Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Forest Kingfisher Little Tern Sarus Cranes Diamond Dove Pictorella Mannikin Finch Wedge Tailed Eagle Peaceful Dove Double Barred Finch Brown Honey Eater Willie Wagtail Sulphur Crested Cockatoo Little Corella Apostle Birds Wood Duck Magpies Whistling Duck Crested Pigeon Australian Crows Green Pygmy Geese Leaden Flycatcher Butcher Bird Whistling kites Southern Boobook Nankeen night heron Magpie Larks Spoonbill

Eastern rainbow fish Flyspecked hardyhead Bony bream Mouth almighty Spangled perch Blackbanded gudgeon

Hyrtls catfish Northwest glassfish Rendahls catfish Gulf grunterfish

Threatened Species List

Status under the Nature Conservation Act 1992- Little Tern (Endangered). Status under the Nature Conservation Act 1992- Radjah Shelduck (Near Threatened). Status under the Nature Conservation Act 1992- BlackNecked Stork (Near Threatened). Status under the Nature Conservation Act 1992- Pictorella Manikin (Near Threatened).

Complete Native Species List: Lotus Lagoon Biodiversity Survey 2013 Emu Australian Bustard Tawny Frogmouth Brolga Sarus Crane Forest Kingfisher Spangled Drongo Blue Faced Honeyeater Willie Wagtail Squatter Pigeon Magpie Lark Pied Butcher Bird Galah Red Tailed Black Cockatoo Glossy Ibis Straw-Necked Ibis White-Necked Heron Red-Winged Parrot Bar Shouldered Dove Peaceful Dove Rainbow Lorriket White Bellied Sea Eagle Southern Boobook Blue Winged Kookaburra Yellow Honeyeater Rainbow Bee Eater Royal Spoonbill Yellow Billed Spoonbill Red Backed Kingfisher Black Throated Finch Fairy Martin White Browed Wood Swallow Black Swan Radjah Shelduck (Near ThreatenedQLD) Apostile Bird Australian White Ibis White Faced Heron Little Pied Cormorant Little Black Cormorant Intermediate Egret Black-Winged Stilt Comb Crested Jacana Pelican Australian Pratincole Black Fronted Dottrel Crested Pigeon Sulphur Crested Cockatoo Diamond Dove Olive Backed Sunbird Tree Martin Brown Honeyeater Masked Lapwing Pheasant Coucal Black- Faced Cuckoo Shrike Laughing Kookaburra Wedge Tailed Eagle Little Frairbird Black Necked Stork (Near Threatened) Doubled Barred Finch Green Pygmy-Goose Hardhead Eurasian Coot Australasian Grebe Pacific Black Duck Little Tern Gull Billed Tern Welcome Swallow Nankeen Kestrel Australasian Pipit White Billed Cuckoo Shrike Azure Kingfisher Brown Falcon Grey Teal Mistletoe Bird Australian Crow Spotted Nightjar Great Bowerbird Great Egret Satin Flycatcher Bar Breasted Honeyeater Rufous Throated Honeyeater Leaden Flycatcher Little Corella Unknown Grasswren Australian Magpie Little Wood Swallow Grey Fantail Black Kite Australasian Darter Hybrid Grey Teal/ Pacific Black Duck

Brush Tailed Possum Little Red Flying Fox Agile Wallaby Nailtail Wallaby (Un. ID) Micro Bats

Common Tree Snake Eastern Dtella Yellow Spotted Monitor Shaded Little Rainbow Skink Proablepharus Tenius Carlia Storri Northern Long Necked Turtle Mertens Water Monitor Black Snake Western Brown Snake Water Python (Deceased) Port Essington Skink Carnabys Snake-Eyed Skink Cryptoblepharus Plagiocephalus

Pale Frog Roths Tree Frog Striped Rocket Frog

Scorpion