SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 FEATURES: Nature Conservation Society of South Australia
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NEWSLETTER OF THE NATURE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
THIS ISSUE: FEATURES:
In the Chair Library Celebration
Nature Advocate’s Report Influence of captivity on habitat choice of head-started
juvenile Murray River Turtles Emydura macquarii.
Projects Update
Creature Feature: Grey-headed
Flying Fox
VOLUME 37 : PART 1
SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019
NCSSA.ASN.AU
XANTHOPUS SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
in the chair
Hello and welcome to this summer-autumn edition of
Xanthopus. Much has happened since our last edition.
I have listed out a few highlights below.
Twenty years and counting...
This season we celebrated 20 years of the Mount Lofty
Ranges Woodland Bird Monitoring Program. Each year bird
counts have been conducted at 150 sites across the region.
This data has been used to assess the drivers of woodland
bird decline. By analysing trends in the distribution and Lastly, I would like to thank our staff, volunteers and
abundance of birds, we can monitor and evaluate the committee members.
performance of activities intended to maintain or restore The long-standing contribution of Keith Lloyd to the
biodiversity. Society must not go unmentioned. He recognised by staff
The project is an initiative of the Nature Conservation Society and committee at an official event (more info on page 5).
of South Australia, the University of Queensland, and Natural Congratulations, Keith and a sincere thank you. Well done
Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges. The data, and to the staff for this initiative.
associated reports and papers can be downloaded freely here: Have a happy and safe time, and I hope you are able to
http://ecology.uq.edu.au/mlr-birddata enjoy our beautiful outdoors.
Long-term ecological datasets of this nature are exceedingly
rare. Much is owed to the foresight of those involved with
its establishment. I look forward to celebrating another 20 Love, protect and respect
years. Michael Stead, President
Donation to BioR
To celebrate 20 years of bird monitoring, earlier this year
we donated $3,000 to BioR for the purpose of woodland
bird habitat creation in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
After all, if you don’t act, you can end up monitoring things
to extinction. We hope this small contribution encourages
further restoration efforts.
Expansion of the Mount Burr Swamp
Habitat Restoration Reserve
As futher support of this restoration project we have
donated a further $10,000 to the Nature Glenelg Trust.
This contribution will help to cover the costs associated
with their recent purchase of an additional 68 ha parcel of
land adjoining Mt Burr Swamp.
This acquisition will allow NGT to fully control the flows
entering the swamp. Sunrise at Mt. Burr Swamp August 2017 Photo: M Stead
CONTENTS
In the Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Projects: MLR Woodland Bird Monitoring Program . . 7
Nature Advocate’s Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 CBG Report: Influence of captivity on habitat choice of
National Parks Australia Council . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 head-started juvenile Murray River Turtles. . . . . . . . 8
Library Celebration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Creature Feature: Grey-headed Flying Fox. . . . 10
Amongst It. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 People and Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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XANTHOPUS SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
Nature Advocate’S REPORT
The following provides an overview of some of the key
issues for our advocacy work since the previous newsletter.
the Reform to the Natural
Resources Management Act 2004
When elected in March last year, the Marshall Government
committed to repealing the Natural Resources Management
Act 2004 (NRM Act) and replacing it with the Landscape
SA Act. The NRM Act currently supports a range of nature
conservation activities, including our annual survey
of woodland birds in the Mount Lofty Ranges. It also
contributes to the WildEyre conservation program.
Our organisation, together with other nature-focused
organisations, has asked that the new Act specifically include
the conservation of biodiversity in its remit, in addition to
soil, water and pest plant and animal management. The
draft Bill was introduced into Parliament in March this
year. Unfortunately, it does not yet provide strong enough Adelaide Rosella Photo:Peter Day
provisions for the conservation of biodiversity.
We therefore continue to work with other nature-focused Nature of SA
organisations in seeking amendments that will strengthen
the remit of the new Landscapes Boards in protecting We continue to be part of the conversation with the
nature. Department for Environment and Water (DEW) about
future directions for nature conservation in South Australia
We are, however, optimistic that the new Act could provide following the conclusion of the No Species Loss strategy in
more opportunities for the community and conservation 2017.
organisations to act for nature through the establishment
of a Grassroots Grants program and a Landscape Priorities In 2019, we will support delivery of an Amongst It grant
Fund. round (see page 6 for details).
State of the Environment Meetings with the
Report released Environment Minister
South Australia’s 5-yearly State of the Environment Report Michael Stead, Jeff Foulkes and Julia Peacock met with
was released in November 2018. Minister Speirs in July 2018 to congratulate him on his
election and appointment as Cabinet Secretary, and
The messages are sobering, with climate change already
to discuss issues of conservation concern, including
beginning to affect our society and many native species
expressing our disappointment at the decision to offer a
and ecological communities facing extinction as a result of
long-term lease of Crown Land, including areas that had
the cumulative impacts of habitat change, overexploitation,
been designated for conservation, to developers of a golf
pollution, invasive species and climate change.
course on Kangaroo Island.
We agree with the Report that ‘there is an urgent need for
Jeff and Julia met with him again in November 2018 to
targeted large-scale habitat restoration to reverse the
continue these discussions, which included the planned
declining trends and effectively adapt to the effects of a
repeal of the NRM Act, concerns with the “opening up
changing climate’.
our reservoirs” policy and management approaches to
We also agree that ‘a persistent weakness with our overabundant and pest species.
assessments of the state of South Australia’s environment
is a lack of rigorous, long-term monitoring that clearly
measures how our State’s biodiversity values are changing
over time’. Julia Peacock
Nature Advocate
May this Report be a call to action!
Julia.peacock@ncssa.asn.au
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XANTHOPUS SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
National Parks Australia Council
At the Annual General Meeting of the National Parks
Australia Council (NPAC) in Brisbane in October 2018,
issues of concern affecting protected areas around the
country were discussed, including:
• The disregard for science in decision-making, for
example in passing the Bill protecting destructive
brumbies in Kosciuszko National Park in NSW,
• The unintended consequences of renewable energy
projects on nature, such as the clearance of native
vegetation for solar farms in SA and the raising of the
Warragamba Dam wall impacting on a World Heritage
area in NSW, and
• The continued push for greater tourism in parks
without due consideration of the impact on their
natural values, such as ‘unlocking’ national parks in
Tasmania, putting bike tracks in at Mount Buffalo in
Victoria and proposals for zip-lines and heli-fishing in
sensitive areas in Queensland.
NPAC members discussed the importance of protecting the
conservation values of reserves from the possible negative
impacts of visitation, particularly of higher-impact activities
such as horse and mountain bike riding.
Presentations from State Government staff on mapping
being undertaken to identify ‘hotspots’ for protected area
expansion, particularly in the face of climate change, as
well as park management in Queensland, were interesting
and well-received.
A field trip to the Guanaba Indigneous Protected Area
highlighted the importance of being on-country for
Traditional Owners as well as the challenges of ongoing
weed management in the lush, tropical environment.
The Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area, on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
The group also marveled at revegetation on Mount Photo: J.Peacock
Tambourine that had successfully restored rainforest on a
previously cleared block through 20 years of continuous
effort. Since this meeting, NPAC has been lobbying actively for
our Nature for Life platform in the lead up to the federal
election by targeting key members of Parliament. Members
are seeking support for policies that include:
• the expansion of the National Reserve System (NRS),
• establishment of management standards for protected
areas, and
• including the NRS as a trigger under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Julia Peacock
Nature Advocate
NPA NSW President Anne Dickson listens to long-term volunteer Len Julia.peacock@ncssa.asn.au
Lowry talk about 20 years of rainforest restoration work in Mount
Tambourine National Park, Queensland Photo: J.Peacock
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XANTHOPUS SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
LIBRARY CELeBRATION
Keith Lloyd is NCSSA’s longest serving and most dedicated
volunteer. No-one is quite sure when he started but we all
agree it was in the early 1990s. I was what was then called
the ‘Scientific Officer’ in the early/mid 1990s and was often
in the office then located in Wakefield St, at the same time
as Keith.
I quickly learned that an important aspect of volunteer
management is finding them something worthwhile
and rewarding to do, not always an easy task!
Keith would ask me for suggestions and it was
increasingly difficult to come up with new ideas.
Luckily, one day my eyes lit upon the bookshelves
bulging with reports, publications, submissions and
the like, some of which also lived in piles on the floor.
I therefore made what turned out to be a fateful suggestion:
perhaps Keith could create order out of this semi-chaos and
set up a library style catalogue?
Keith Lloyd, and the new sign! Photo: NCSSA
I say this was a fateful suggestion because since those
early days Keith has turned our rag-tag collection into a
Of course, over the years Keith has helped with many
real library. After the initial sorting and cataloguing he took
other tasks including numerous administrative activities,
on the task of improving and expanding the collection.
publication stocktakes, updating membership information,
This became extremely important in subsequent years
assisting with projects, helping with Xanthopus and so on.
as other organisations reduced or got rid of their libraries
However, in my mind the library is the most tangible sign
(e.g. Dept. of Environment and the Conservation Council)
of his hard work and dedication.
meaning that much important, useful and indeed historic
material on various conservation related matters became
Recently the Committee decided to acknowledge Keith’s
very difficult, if not impossible, to access.
contribution and, in particular, his achievement in creating
what is surely the best conservation related library now
Keith worked tirelessly to ensure that every time a collection
existing in South Australia.
was being dismantled NCSSA knew about it and was in the
front-running to get hold of anything we didn’t already have.
As a token of appreciation the Society decided to name
Thus our library has grown and improved and he continues
the library after him and to install a plaque on the library
this work to this very day.
door bearing his name. The plaque was unveiled on 27th
November at a morning tea held in Keith’s honour.
Thank you Keith!
Ali Ben Kahn
And, some Library information from Keith:
The N.C.S.S.A. library catalogue is now on an open software
whose link is: www.librarything.com/catalog/NCSSA/ncs
The items are catalogued in a simple alphanumeric system in
which three letters refer to the author and two numbers to the
date of publication.
For example, volume one of the 1977 publication “Environments
of South Australia” compiled by P. Laut et al. is catalogued under
LAU77[1].
There is a search facility which enables search under author,
title or tag. The latter includes key words which relate to the
A celebratory morning tea with staff and committee.
L-R, Helen Vonow, Amanda Stewart, Keith Lloyd, Tim Jury Photo: NCSSA document but which are not in the title.
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XANTHOPUS SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
AMONGST IT 2019
Grant Round Now Open Apply for amounts of $500-$5000 by the 31st May
We are looking for applicants who are keen to try out something new in their context that connects people to
everyday nature or inspires action for it, and are happy to work with us to evaluate in what way their project
may or may not have touched its participants. And crucially we want to see an element of the project where this
story is shared with others.
Visit the Amongst it website www.amongstsa.org.au for lots more information.
Or contact Jill Woodlands to discuss your idea. For background, please read the article below.
Image used with permission of Ngarrindjeri Elder Uncle Moogy
of Tal-Kin-Jeri Dance Group (tal-kin-jeri.org) whose project was Image of: Texting trees in the peak of Mad March in the Garden
sponsored by Amongst It in 2018. of Unearthly Delights
It starts with connecting with nature ~ Amongst it
I am delighted to be working at the NCSSA coordinating approach is founded on a growing body of research that
the Amongst it project for 2019 and to be able to share suggests appealing to extrinsic values like fear, ego and
the rich story behind these grants. In the previous edition status is a counterproductive approach for organisations
of Xanthopus Amongst it was referenced in the Nature dedicated to the environment or social justice. Deepening
Advocate’s report. As described it is ‘…an experiment and celebrating our unique relationship with nature in SA
looking for better ways to connect people to nature in is crucial for our biodiversity because a strong relationship
positive, everyday ways and to celebrate how important with the natural world is fundamental for our personal well-
nature is to our identity as South Australians’. being and foundational to our ability to steward nature.
Amongst it was initiated in mid-2017 as a project inspired In 2017 support from the Department for Environment
by work on a new nature strategy for SA (Nature of SA), and Water (DEW) enabled a grant round, administered by
in which NCSSA is a critical partner. That work aims to Conservation SA, to prototype the first group of Amongst
identify and test a number of shifts to our practice and It projects. It attracted significant interest and sparked a
response to many of the challenges associated with nature sequence of varied and surprising projects, providing a
conservation in a changing climate. range of experiences including forest bathing for cancer
patients and survivors, texting trees in the peak of Mad
Although we know that over 70% of South Australians visit March, Ngarrindjeri storytelling at the Murray Mouth
a state or national park each year it doesn’t often translate engaging local leaders and parliamentarians, and nature
into typical conversations about the future of our society cubby building at Tumby Bay.
or state. Nature doesn’t feature in our current list of state
priorities and makes up only a small and shrinking part of It was clear from the outcomes of these projects that
our state budget, even though it underpins our health and there is energy in the community for this kind of work,
wellbeing and so much of our economic, social and cultural that wonder works, particular places matter, reflecting on
fabric- indeed our identity as South Australians, depends our own stories about our history with nature is important,
upon it. framing the nature message is critical, participatory art as
an expression of the natural world cuts through and, most
International research recognises the critical importance importantly, no one activity works for everyone in every
of building nature into our narrative about life, place and context so like in nature – diversity is key.
identity to leave a lasting mark. How we talk to people
about nature really matters. Appealing to people’s intrinsic Jill Woodlands
values and reawakening their sense of curiosity and love
Amongst it Coordinator
for nature is pivotal. Common Cause is an Australian
based research practice and network whose values-based jill.woodlands@ncssa.asn.au
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XANTHOPUS SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
PROJECTS UPDATE
Mount Lofty Ranges Woodland Bird Monitoring Program
The 2018 survey season ran from September 2018 till
January 2019 and went well with no major delays.
Several new surveyors joined the team and proved to be
excellent contributors, adding to the good work of our long-
term observers. As usual, each of our 166 sites was visited
three times, making a total of 498 individual site surveys.
Probably as a result of the very dry conditions, particularly
in the lead up to the start of the season, many surveyors
commented on the paucity of Honeyeaters and a general
reduction in signs of breeding activity. Also noted was a
marked reduction in the flowering of many Eucalypts which
are usually a magnet for Honeyeaters. While Honeyeaters
were still recorded in reasonable numbers in the Central
Hills around Cleland and Belair, things were very quiet
further afield.
However, one pleasing result were several records of
Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens, one of the birds that our
data indicates are declining in the Mt Lofty Ranges and
Fleurieu regions. A total of eight birds were seen (or heard)
in Cleland Conservation Park (2 sites), Morialta CP, Scott Sacred Kingfisher, Mt Bold Reservoir, Nov 2018. Photo:Peter Day
Creek CP, Cox Scrub CP (2 sites) and at Mt Bold Reservoir.
Another sighting of interest was a Square-tailed Kite at
Para Wirra indicating that they are still around the area One surveyor observed a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
where at least one pair have successful ly nested in recent giving a very good imitation of a Laughing Kookaburra.
years. Both birds appeared to be competing for space in the
same tree but eventually the Kookaburra flew away with
It’s always nice to see interesting birds, and that applies to the Cockatoo in hot pursuit and continuing to give a very
interesting behaviour too... Kookaburra sounding call.
Another surveyor saw two Grey Fantails feeding a Fan-tailed
Cuckoo fledgling and while this is well known behaviour, it’s
not often observed in the field.
The 2018 season was the 20th year of data collection for
the MLRWBMP. Our dataset is undoubtedly an invaluable
asset in analysing population trends among birds in the Mt
Lofty Ranges.
We would like to thank the Natural Resources Adelaide and
Mt Lofty Ranges for their continued support of the program.
There’s always room for new surveyors so if you or
anyone you know is interested and have the requisite bird
identification skills, please call the NCSSA office.
Ali Ben Kahn
Co-ordinator
Mt Lofty Ranges Woodland Bird Monitoring Program
Varied Sitella, at Mt Bold Reservoir, Nov 2018. Photo:Peter Day
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XANTHOPUS SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
Conservation biology Grant Report:
Influence of captivity on habitat choice of head-
started juvenile Murray River Turtles Emydura macquarii.
Background
The Murray River turtle Emydura macquarii, a species that
was once very abundant in its eponymous Australian river
system, has declined by 70% in the last four decades.
The proportion of juveniles declined from an average 21%
to 7% of the population. This is a dramatic demographic
shift, as it means the population is aging greatly, and these
turtles may disappear as soon as the older individuals die
and are not replaced.
Lack of recruitment driven by high juvenile mortality is a
central problem for E. macquarii. For example, in most areas
along the Murray, European foxes destroy >95% of nests,
and this greatly inhibits recruitment of juveniles. Due to
the introduction of the European carp Cyprinus carpio, and
Murray River turtle Emydura macquarii hatchling
the general degradation of the river system through the Photo: C.Santori
building of dams and industrial water use, the Murray River
has become increasingly turbid, and native aquatic plants
have declined. This habitat degradation may exacerbate Thirty-six hatchlings (six per clutch) were divided into two
the high juvenile mortality of these turtles, by removing even groups, one to radio-track within 24 h of hatching
key habitat that can provide shelter and protection for the (“fresh hatchlings”) and one to hatch after a month spent
few juveniles that manage to hatch. However, very little in captivity (“captive hatchlings”).
is known about hatchling E. macquarii movements and All the other hatchlings were released straight away.
habitat choice. Determining how these hatchlings use their I used Holohil BD-2X 0.42 g waterproof radio-transmitters
habitat, and particularly aquatic vegetation, is crucial to glued to the hatchlings’ carapace with epoxy. Upon release,
develop effective conservation plans. the hatchlings were tracked daily from the banks of the
Since the major issue for E. macquarii is the depredation Riverglades wetland (with an Australis 24k™ Scanning
of their nests by European foxes, headstarting hatchlings Receiver and three element Yagi antenna), and/or an
may be a valid conservation solution. Headstarting underwater loop antenna from a kayak.
involves collecting eggs, incubating them and releasing At every location where a turtle was found, I measured
the hatchlings in the wild to enhance recruitment. Often, vegetation coverage in 1 m2 around the identified location,
hatchlings are reared in captivity until they are old enough distance to closest vegetation if no plants were present,
to be less affected by predators. However, it is possible water depth and distance from the previous location.
that rearing turtles in captivity may change their behaviour,
making the hatchlings unsuited for life in the wild. Results
This project aimed at addressing the questions: I tracked 18 fresh hatchlings and, after one month, 18
captive hatchlings. I lost track of one fresh and two captive
• “do E. macquarii hatchlings select aquatic vegetation hatchlings, and in total I tracked each group for 18 days.
as preferred habitat?”, and
Seven transmitters of captive hatchlings were found
• “are post-release E. macquarii movements and habitat damaged by a predator. This contrasts with the fresh
selection different after a short time in captivity after hatchlings’ group, as only two of their transmitters were
hatching?”. retrieved damaged.
Answering these questions will inform urgently needed There was significant dispersal during the first 3 days, with
management plans for these turtles, as well as greatly an average movement of 497 m for the fresh hatchlings
increase our limited understanding of juvenile E. macquarii and 434 m for the captive ones on the first day.
ecology.
From the 4th day onwards, both hatchlings groups moved
Materials and Methods relatively little.
Six clutches of E. macquarii eggs were collected at the All hatchlings moved independently of one another.
wetland of Riverglades, near Murray Bridge, during the first
week of November 2018. The eggs were incubated at 26 Overall, the fresh hatchlings moved significantly further
°C, and between the 6th and the 9th of January 2019, 149 than the captive hatchlings.
hatched.
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XANTHOPUS SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
CBG Report cont.
On average, captive hatchlings were found in deeper water Overall, this research project showed that aquatic
and further away from vegetation compared to the fresh vegetation is a very important habitat for E. macquarii
hatchlings, which instead were found close to vegetation hatchlings, and that one month in captivity may affect E.
from the third day post-release onwards. macquarii hatchlings’ movements and habitat choice.
It appeared that the fresh hatchlings actively selected Thus it may be preferable to release hatchlings in
vegetated areas, whereas the captive hatchlings did not locations with abundant aquatic vegetation, and it would
make this selection. be worthwhile to test whether a soft-release strategy
Discussion could minimise the impacts of captivity on E. macquarii
hatchlings’ movements.
This study was the first to radio-track E. macquarii
hatchlings, assessing their habitat use in the wild, and
comparing movements between individuals that just Acknowledgements
hatched to individuals that spent a month in captivity.
I would like to kindly acknowledge and thank all who have
The first remarkable finding of this field experiment was made this study possible.
that both fresh and captive hatchlings tend to disperse Particular thanks to the NCSSA, Oatley Flora & Fauna
individually covering great distances, but only in the first Inc, RSZ NSW, The University of Sydney, Western Sydney
few days post-release. University, the Riverglades Community, my supervisors
Also, all hatchlings dispersed alone. This may be interpreted Mike Thompson, James Van Dyke, Ricky Spencer and
as anti-predator behaviour, as hatchlings may be less of a Camilla Whittington, and finally all the people who helped
target moving in the water individually compared to as a me in the field.
group, and for the same reason it may be beneficial for
them to distance themselves from the point of release as
quickly as possible.
I found a significant difference between the habitat Claudia Santori
selection of fresh and captive hatchlings. Fresh hatchlings The University of Sydney
were located closer to vegetation and in more protected
areas of the wetland compared to the captive hatchlings. PhD Candidate
This behaviour may be the reason why I retrieved more
damaged transmitters belonging to the captive hatchlings
group.
Changes in behaviour between captive and wild turtles
have been observed in other species.
For instance, some post-release behaviours of headstarted
hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata were different
from the behaviours of wild turtles (Okuyama et al. 2010).
Captive-reared E. imbricata juveniles did not display the
uniform dispersal behaviour of wild juveniles, and their
resting habitats of choice were much more exposed to
dangerous sea conditions and potential predators than the
habitats chosen by wild turtles.
These are similar differences to what I observed between
captive and fresh E. macquarii hatchlings, suggesting that
the month in captivity may have impacted their ability to
find protected locations where to hide and rest.
It is possible that captive rearing paired with a soft-release
(release preceded by a period of “acclimation” to the new
environment) may be a better solution compared to the
hard-release performed in this study, if hatchlings of E.
macquarii hatchlings were to be reared in captivity for a
headstarting programme.
Claudia tracking hatchlings Photo: Tom Burd
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XANTHOPUS
Feature
SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
GREY-HEADED FLYING
FOX
Grey-headed Flying-fox Pteropus poliocephalus is the
largest Australian bat, and an endemic mammal. They have
pale grey fur on the head, rusty-coloured fur encircling the
neck, grey belly fur with flecks of white and ginger, thick leg
fur extending to the ankle and black wings. Their wingspan
can reach one metre and a body mass up to one kilogram.
This is the only flying-fox species with a permanent presence
in South Australia. They had been recorded intermittently in
SA for many decades. It was only from 2010 that a permanent
camp became established in Adelaide.
Since 2010, Grey-headed Flying-fox numbers increased
substantially, with a peak of around 22,000 in 2018, and down
to 17,000 in January 2019. The 2019 decline appears to be
due to a seasonal reduction in available food, which forced a
proportion of the colony to move interstate.
Distribution Grey-headed Flying-fox in a fruit tree. Photo Deb Hopton
GHFF occur in the coastal belt from central Queensland,
through New South Wales, Victoria and into South Australia.
Although they gather in widely dispersed colonies across a Pups are weaned at around five months, and, after some
vast area, they comprise a single population. Individuals from practice flying around the camp, they fly out with the adults
one colony may regularly move interstate and interact with at night to feed on flowers and fruits. Independent young are
other colonies. For example, one bat captured in Adelaide was prone to misadventure and mortality rates are high during the
tracked to Sydney. first two years of life.
Diet and Foraging Behaviour Ecological importance
GHFF are nocturnal foragers of flowering and fruiting plants. GHFF are important pollinators and seed dispersers of a wide
They find these foods using a strong sense of smell and large range of native Australian plants, including canopy trees and
eyes suited to recognising colours at night. economically-important hardwoods. Large bats provide long-
Their diet is diverse, and they will feed in remnant native distance dispersal of pollen and seeds, which is important for
vegetation patches as well as in urban areas. They can also maintaining genetic diversity and healthy forests. They also
take advantage of new resources, including the fruits of play an important part in forest regeneration.
cultivated trees, especially when their preferred food resources
are limited. Conservation Status and Thrreats
They prefer to feed within 20 kilometres of their roost, but Nationally (and internationally) GHFF are considered to be
can travel up to 50 kilometres away in search of food. Once a Vulnerable to extinction.
food resource is located, individuals may establish a feeding They are experiencing continued population decline and are at
territory that they then defend. Feeding groups of up to six or risk of extinction because of:
more animals may occur in a single tree. Bats will squabble • loss of prime natural feeding habitats and camp sites
when individuals compete for a resource, but individual bats
feeding in trees are often silent and can easily go unnoticed.
• slow reproductive rate (one young per year) and high
juvenile mortality rates
Grey-headed Flying-foxes move through suburban areas and
use local gardens all the time. • increasingly urbanised bat populations with increased
potential conflict with humans
Biology • legal and illegal destruction of bats in orchards, primarily
Bat camps are critical sites for mating, giving birth and rearing in the eastern states
young. GHFF will mate throughout the year, but conception
• effects of climate change across their natural range,
typically occurs from March to May when the males become
including extreme heat events and decreased productivity
fertile. Gestation lasts six months and females give birth to a
in their food resources.
single young or ‘pup’ around September to November. The pup
clings to the mother’s belly and is carried by her for 3-5 weeks References
before being left in a crèche area of the bat camp at night.
https://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges/
The mothers return to camp just before dawn, find their pup plants-and-animals/native-plants-animals-and-biodiversity/native-
using unique calls and smells, and suckle them. Mothers will animals/mammals/grey-headed-flying-fox/species-profile-grey-
wrap their wings around the pups to protect them during the headed-flying-fox
day and in cold temperatures.
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NCSSA PEOPLE
Management Committee
General Meetings in 2019
President: Michael Stead from 6pm (6.30 speaker)
Vice-President: vacant Benham Lecture Theatre, Benham Building,
Secretary: Erinne Stirling The University of Adelaide (adjacent Victoria Drive)
Assistant Secretary: Natasha Brown Joint meetings with the Biology Society of SA (BSSA).
Treasurer: Anna-Lucia Draper
General Committee: Janine Guy, Robert Lawrence, vacant, March 18 Welcome BBQ (from 5pm) and Speaker Dan
vacant and Helen Vonow Duval from the Seed Conservation Centre
May 29 Awarding of Grants ~ the joint NCSSA /
Staff
BSSA Conservation Biology Grant
Administrative Manager: Amanda Stewart
Conservation Programs Manager: Jeff Foulkes
Followed by presentations by some previous
recipients of these grants.
Conservation Ecologist: Nicki de Preu
Nature Advocate: Julia Peacock August Speaker TBA
Threatened Plant Action Group Program Coordinator: Tim Jury
Bushland Condition Monitoring Project Officer: Sonia Croft
Woodland Bird Project Coordinator: Ali Ben Kahn Other meetings in 2019:
Database & Website Project Officer: Lesley Parton Sept. 2019 Annual General Meeting, NCSSA office.
Other project staff: Tom Bradley, Chris Butcher, Penny Paton.
Regular volunteers
Keith Lloyd (General office support and library),
Brian Knill (BCM database).
It all starts with
connecting with nature -
Amongst it Grant Round
Now Open
Apply for amounts of $500-$5000
by the 31st May
Visit the Amongst it website www.amongstsa.org.au for lots more information
Or contact Jill Woodlands at the NCSSA to discuss your idea.
XANTHOPUS
The views presented in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the NCSSA
Copy deadline for the WINTER -SPRING edition is 30th August 2019.
Contributions in a variety of formats will be considered, but electronic submissions are preferred.
Editorial Team for this issue: Helen Vonow
WWW.NCSSA.ASN.AU Page 11XANTHOPUS SUMMER-AUTUMN 2019 | VOLUME 37 : PART 1
ABOUT NCSSA
The Nature Conservation Society of South Australia is a Getting involved with NCSSA activities
voluntary organisation. It has members drawn from all parts of An elected Committee handles the Society’s affairs. However it
the State and all walks of life. One of the primary objectives of is not necessary to be a Committee member to play an active
the NCSSA is to “foster the conservation of the State’s wildlife role in pursuing particular issues or topics of research on behalf
and natural habitats”. of the Society. There are many opportunities to volunteer, such
Its activities include: protecting and managing habitats, as assist on a survey, help manage a project, lead a members
particularly native vegetation, researching threatened species activity, or to promote the organisations activities.
and habitats, working to ensure adequate park dedication,
The Society has its offices at 5 Milner Street, Hindmarsh,
management and legislation, educating the community and all
5007. The NCSSA is financed by subscriptions, sales of
tiers of government, and cooperating with other conservation
its publications, private donations, and State and Federal
groups and land managers.
Government grants. Much of the work is voluntary, while a few
The Society has taken action on many varied environmental part time staff ably support this volunteer work.
issues since its formation in 1962. Donations are always welcome and fully tax deductible
Surveys to support new reserve dedications
For more information please contact the office on
A major objective of the NCSSA has been to ensure that South
(08) 7127 4630, or by email: ncssa@ncssa.asn.au.
Australia has a comprehensive and representative reserve
system. This is a vital part of the system needed to ensure that
the State’s native plants and animals are conserved in their
natural environment.
The Society has sought the addition of new reserves and
opposed the withdrawal of existing reserves when necessary.
It has been Society policy to put its case objectively, based on
the facts available. Biological surveys carried out by members
and other volunteers have continued to support the case
for dedication of new reserves and promote conservation on THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NATURE
private land. CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
ISSN 0812-4825 Print Post Approved: 536155-00006
Promoting conservation more widely
The Society has played a strong role in the formation and
development of environmental legislation such as the original
Native Vegetation Management Act in 1985 and the Native
Vegetation Act 1991. It is now obvious that conservation
reserves alone will not ensure the survival of all of the State’s
plants and animals, and that as much native habitat as
remains is needed to conserve the biological diversity of South
Australia. The Society has played a major role in the promotion
of biodiversity conservation on a range of land tenures
including Heritage Agreements and in integrating biodiversity
objectives into the whole range of land management decisions.
Research about environmental issues
The Society conducts scientific research related to
environmental protection and management. Studies done by, The Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus) is the NCSSA logo.
or on behalf of the Society, are published as reports and made This macropod inhabits rocky outcrops, cliffs and ridges in semi-arid country. The
available to the public through sale and distribution to libraries largest population of the species in South Australia is found in the Flinders Ranges.
and government institutions. Grant funding supports this work, The Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby is listed as Vulnerable under the
awarded on scientific merit from a number of grant sources. National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (South Australia), and the EPBC Act.
Education and skill development about ecological The main threats to this species are competiton from feral goats and rabbits and
predation by foxes and feral cats.
matters
The Society is also active in public education through activities
such as an extension program of biodiversity understanding
and management workshops for rural landholders, biological
skill and knowledge development for members, informative
general meetings open to the public, and through its newsletter
Xanthopus.
5 Milner Street, Hindmarsh SA 5007
Phone: (08) 7127 4630
Email: ncssa@ncssa.asn.au
Website: www.ncssa.asn.au
WWW.NCSSA.ASN.AU Page 12You can also read
