Large Brown Tree- frog (Litoria littlejohni) detection report

Transcription

1 Large Brown Tree- frog (Litoria littlejohni) detection report Author: Rena Gaborov Mapping: Ed Hill Date of survey: September 9 th 2016 Date of report: October 19 th 2016 Surveyors: Rena Gaborov and Owen Hanson Location: Mt. Jersey Rd, Goongerah Forest Block, adjacent to VicForests logging coupes , , and Introduction: Litoria littlejohni is listed as Endangered under the Victorian Advisory list for vertebrate Fauna (2013), listed as Threatened under the FFG Act (1988) and listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act (1999). In the last twenty years in Victorian this frog has been located at only 5 sites (VBA, 2016) in Victoria despite other survey efforts (Gillespie et al. In press). All locations were found in the Goongerah and Martin s Creek forest blocks. This report details two new sites located in the Goongerah Forest block. The Action Statement for L. littlejohni suggests a 28 hectare special protection zones (SPZ) in state forest where records have been found. We are bringing this to the attention of DELWP Forest Compliance as both these records fall within 300 metres of proposed timber harvesting coupe boundaries.

2 Methods: Friday the 9 th September was overcast and warm. The survey was casual and comprised of a drive along Mount Jersey Road stopping at any water points and listening and/or spotlighting for Litoria littlejohni. If frogs were found they were filmed with a camera on record mode with a handheld GPS on satellite mode in the image. These films were then sent to the regional DELWP office at Orbost. The survey was conducted by Owen Hanson and Rena Gaborov who have been responsible in finding all current records of this species. Results: Litoria littlejohni was found at two sites that were additional to the 5 sites found in 2015 (table 1). Both sites were located on Mount Jersey Road. Figure 1 below shows the locations of the two new records in relation to proposed logging coupes in the general area. The first frog was heard softly calling once and then spotlighted under vegetation on the edge of the road above water, this frog was male. Play call- backs were used to try and get the frog to call again however this did not work. A film with the frog was then taken. The frog was found at GPS location 55H , directly adjacent to coupe driveway and within 300 metres of the boundary of scheduled coupe Figure 2 shows the location of the detection site in relation to coupes and it s associated coupe driveway. The second frog, first seen from the car, was found further north at another water body near the road. This frog was female which was known from her lack of brown nuptal pads and her large size (>60mm snout- vent). This frog was found at GPS location 55H within 300 metres of scheduled coupe Figure 3 shows the location of the detection site in relation to coupes , and Films of both these frogs at their locations were delivered to Marc Perri at Orbost DELWP as internet at the location the report is being written does not support sending film. The films have been made to verify the area the frog has been found. As we do not have the capacity to send the films direct some images of the frogs and their locations are provided in the appendix. Table 1: GPS Coordinates in GDA 94 Site 1 55H Site 2 55H

3 Figure 1:

4 Figure 2: Detection site 1

5 Figure 3: Detection site 2

6 Discussion and Recommendations Considering the Goongerah Forest Block is an important area for this species we suggest more research and surveys are conducted throughout the forest in this area. With such a low occupancy in recent years these sites should be given Special Protection Zones as suggested in the action statement and all logging operations should be removed from areas near known sites. As little is known about the habitat requirements of this cryptic species, DELWP should take a precautionary approach and direct VicForests to withdraw planned logging in the Goongerah Forest abutting Mt Jersey and Yalmy Road until more information on the status of this species is known. Appendix Pictures from site 1 55H The frog at the first site spotlighted under vegetation, it is located centre of the image under a blurry brown blade of grass.

7 Identification image of Litoria littlejohni at the first site. Water body at the first site

8 Pictures from Site 2 55H Female s position when first found at second site Identification shot of female at the second site

9 Water body at second site