LONG-TERM MONITORING OF
TAMMAR (Macropus eugenii derbianus)
AND
BLACK-GLOVED WALLABIES (Macropus irma)
IN THE FITZ-STIRLING OPERATIONAL AREA OF GONDWANA LINK
MONITORING PROTOCOLS AND MONITORING SITE DESIGN
FINAL REPORT
February 2010
Tammar captured on remote camera (right; with joey in pouch)
Black-gloved wallaby captured on remote camera (right; with joey in pouch)
1
Contents
List of Figures and Tables .................................................................................................................. 3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 3
1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 4
2. REAPPRAISAL OF THE SPRING 2008 MONITORING SEASON................................................................. 4
a) Detection by scats and remote cameras .......................................................................................... 5
b) Detection by remote hair collection ................................................................................................. 5
c) Distance animal observed from site.................................................................................................. 6
d) Species recorded previously or subsequently at the site within a year of a monitoring session. ... 6
Revised results for Spring 2008 Monitoring Season ................................................................................. 7
Faecal DNA as an alternative detection method .............................................................................. 7
3. TARGETED SEARCH FOR TAMMAR POPULATIONS ............................................................................... 8
4. MONITORING PROTOCOLS ................................................................................................................. 10
Detection methods ................................................................................................................................. 10
1. Signs ................................................................................................................................................ 10
Scats ................................................................................................................................................ 10
Footprints ........................................................................................................................................ 12
Remote hair collection .................................................................................................................... 15
2. Direct observation........................................................................................................................... 17
Spotlighting ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Remote sensing cameras ................................................................................................................ 18
Detection rates for direct observation methods (spotlighting and remote cameras) ....................... 20
5. SUMMARY OF RESULTS – MARCH 2007 to DECEMBER 2009. ............................................................ 22
6. MONITORTING PROTOCOLS FOR TAMMARS AND BLACK-GLOVED WALLABIES ................................ 23
a)
Black-gloved wallabies............................................................................................................... 23
i.
Detection methods .................................................................................................................... 23
ii.
Monitoring site design and review of FLP target and objective ................................................ 24
iii. Recommendations..................................................................................................................... 24
b) Tammars ............................................................................................................................................. 27
i.
Detection methods .................................................................................................................... 27
ii.
Monitoring site design and review of FLP target and objective ................................................ 27
iii. Recommendations..................................................................................................................... 28
Options for monitoring site design. ................................................................................................ 28
Possible alternatives for FLP objective ........................................................................................... 29
7. APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................................ 30
Appendix A: Spring 2008 monitoring site codes and GPS coordinates............................................... 30
Appendix B: Spatial datasets relating to the project .......................................................................... 33
Appendix C: TripWatch recording sheet ............................................................................................. 35
Appendix D: Wallaby occurrence and survey effort on GLink Properties .......................................... 38
8. REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................ 43
2
List of Figures and Tables
Table 1: Detection and non-detection of suspected wallaby scats at the permanent monitoring sites...... 7
Figure 1: All known records for Tammars and Black-gloved wallabies throughout the Fitz-Stirling
Operational Area.............................................................................................................................. 9
Figure 2: Comparison of the size and morphology of scats of the three Macropod species present in the
area. ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 3: Comparisons between the size and morphology of the foot (short pes) and footprints of the
three Macropod species present in the area................................................................................. 14
Figure 4: A Tammar inspects a hair arch at the Nowanup NE corner site, captured on remote camera. . 15
Figure 5: A Tammar about to move under a fence at the Nowanup NE corner site, captured on remote
camera. .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Figure 6: A horizontal sticky pole fixed between two moort trees at the Corackerup NR southern
boundary Tammar site. .................................................................................................................. 16
Table 3: Remote camera results for sites where Tammars were ultimately detected. Sites in bold
required more than one monitoring session before an animal was detected. ............................. 21
Table 4: Summary of the number of Tammar and Black-gloved wallaby sightings over the three years of
the project...................................................................................................................................... 22
Figure 7: Locations of permanent monitoring sites and their occupancy status in Spring 2008. .............. 26
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project could not have been possible without the generous assistance of many volunteers and the
cooperation and interest of a number of landholders in the area. So thank you to all those that helped on
field trips and to those that gave up valuable time to assist me on their properties.
The project was funded by Greening Australia and Bush Heritage Australia. A special thank you to Angela
Sanders (Bush Heritage) and Paul Deegan (formerly Greening Australia) and Amanda Keesing from the
Gondwana Link Office for valuable support throughout the project.
3
1. INTRODUCTION
The Wallaby Project commenced in March 2007 with the objective of monitoring long-term changes in
abundance and distribution of Tammar (Macropus eugenii derbianus) and Black-gloved (Macropus irma)
wallabies within the Fitz-Stirling Operational Area of Gondwana Link. The long-term aim of the project
was to assess the impact on wallaby populations of an integrated regional scale fox baiting program and
provision of more habitat through restoration and increased linkages.
In the Functional Landscape Plan (FLP) for the Fitz-Stirling Operation Area (FLP 2008) the objective
relating to the wallabies target is to:
By 2017, increase the populations of Tammars and Black-gloved Wallabies within the Fitz-Stirling area
by 30%.
This objective was provisional on establishing current / baseline population levels with a higher degree
of confidence than was currently available. It is planned to be reviewed by 2010.
Preliminary investigations in 2007 recommended that the attribute most suitable to measure this target
was the level of occupancy of each species (calculated by the proportion of sites occupied across the
landscape (Gilfillan 2008a-Monitoring Site Design).
Permanent monitoring sites were set up during 2008 and the first monitoring session occurred in Spring
2008. A Report was produced outlining the Spring 2008 monitoring results (Gilfillan 2008b – Spring 2008
Monitoring Results).
This Final Report outlines the following:






A reappraisal of the Spring 2008 monitoring results based on further investigations in 2009.
Results of a targeted search for Tammars during 2009.
Summary of results for the three year period.
Monitoring protocols and recommendations for monitoring site design for both species.
Information on spatial datasets.
A review of the FLP objective and target for these species.
2. REAPPRAISAL OF THE SPRING 2008 MONITORING SEASON
The first season of monitoring in Spring 2008 (outlined in detail in Gilfillan 2008), was successful in
establishing a baseline level of occupancy for Black-gloved wallabies of 0.3666 (+/-0.0754) (PRESENCE
program, McKenzie et al. 2002). The detection methods employed were successful for this species,
4
being detected at 6 out of the 18 sites surveyed: two sites via remote camera and four sites via
spotlighting. Animals were not detected on any site via both methods.
The level of occupancy for Tammars in the first monitoring season was zero; it was not detected on any
site via either spotlighting or remote cameras. However, this is not believed to be a robust estimate of
Tammar abundance due the apparently very patchy nature of Tammar populations across the landscape
in relation to the density and number of monitoring sites, and possibly to the inefficiency in detecting
this species by the survey techniques employed.
Possible Brush wallaby or Tammar scats were detected at 12 of the 18 sites (Table 1). However, at the
time of survey the presence of scats was not used to indicate presence of wallaby species due to the
inaccuracy of determining species through scat morphology.
With additional data on wallaby occurrence collected over the subsequent year and refinement of
monitoring techniques (increased expertise in distinguishing scats) the conclusions reached in Spring
2008 should be reappraised as follows.
a) Detection by scats and remote cameras
Increased confidence and expertise in distinguishing wallaby scats based on morphology was developed
during 2009. Distinctions between Western Grey Kangaroo and “wallaby” scats could be made with a
large degree of confidence and some possible distinction could be made between the two wallaby
species, although with less confidence. Therefore during Spring 2009 all the monitoring sites were
searched again for potential wallaby scats (during a revisit to install permanent markers). Suspected
wallaby scats were found at 10 out of 18 sites (9 of these were the same sites as Spring 2008 and one
additional site where they were not detected in Spring 2008) (Table 1).
In the light of this discrepancy in detection between animal signs (scats ) and actual sightings (remote
camera or spotlighting), three of the sites where wallabies were not detected by these techniques but
scats were found in both Spring 2008 and 2009 were re-sampled in Spring 2009 using remote cameras.
However, four remote cameras were used at one camera site instead of only one camera, as was the
case in Spring 2008, to assess whether additional cameras would increase the probability of detection of
the species. In addition, a further three non-monitoring sites where suspected scats were detected were
surveyed with four cameras. Despite scats being present, no wallabies were detected with four cameras
at any of the sites.
b) Detection by remote hair collection
An additional detection technique of remote hair collection was trialed in 2009. These trials were
conducted at sites where Tammars or Black-gloved wallabies were known to occur (previously detected
by spotlighting or remote cameras).)
Remote hair collection was conducted at two monitoring sites where wallaby scats were detected in
Spring 2008 or Spring 2009 (WA02 and WA06). However, the technique provided limited success in
detecting Tammars and no success in detecting Black-gloved wallabies where they were known to occur
(see below), so nothing can be concluded about occupancy at these two sites based on this technique.
5
c) Distance animal observed from site
In the Spring 2008 Monitoring Season a site was considered to be occupied by a species if an animal was
detected “within 1 km of the point location of the site”. This distance was based on the upper limits of
home range estimates of the two wallaby species determined from data in other parts of the species
range (c. 50 ha, Christensen (1980); Bamford and Bamford (2002)), and a reasonable assessment of the
distance animals would move in a night, based on known aspects of species ecology.
However a less rigid and more reasonable assessment of occupancy might be based on whether there is
similar continuous habitat between where the animal was observed and the site location, with no
obstruction to movement such as large creeks or large areas of pasture between them.
For example;

the NE corner of Nowanup is occupied by Tammars. WA17 is 1.7 km from this site. No tammars
were detected at WA17 within the period of monitoring or subsequently, however there is
continuous similar habitat with no barriers to movement between the two sites and it is therefore
possible that it could be occupied as part of expansion (seasonal?) of the subpopulation at NE corner
site.

at WA18 a Black-gloved wallaby was detected 200 m away during the monitoring session and the
site was therefore classed as occupied. However the animal was observed in a different habitat type
to that of the site and at a much higher position in the landscape. No scats which appeared to be
Black-gloved wallaby were found on site.

at WA17 a Black-gloved wallaby was detected 620 m away from the site during the monitoring
session and the site was therefore classed as occupied. However the animal was observed in a
different habitat type to that of the site and no wallaby scats were found at the site.
d) Species recorded previously or subsequently at the site within a year of a
monitoring session.
At two sites where wallabies were not detected during a monitoring session they were detected by
direct methods at the site, or close to, within a year of the monitoring session. Also these sites had likely
indirect evidence of the species presence at the time of monitoring.

WA01- Tammar subsequently detected 700m away in September 2009. In addition, likely Tammar
scats and footprints were found in 2008 and 2009.

WA18 - Tammar detected 600m away from the site previously in July 2007. In addition, likely
Tammar scats and footprints were found in 2008 and 2009.

WA06 – a Black-gloved wallaby was observed on the monitoring site by the landholders (Eddy and
Donna Wajon) in October 2008. Possible scats were also detected in Spring 2008.
6

WA14 – a Black-gloved wallaby was observed by the landholder (Fred Powell), approximately 300m
away in 2007/8, likely scats were detected in 2009.
Revised results for Spring 2008 Monitoring Season
In the light of the foregoing discussion it is “possible that” 12 sites could be considered to be occupied
by Black-gloved wallabies or Tammars in Spring 2008 (if scats are used to indicate suspected presence),
plus two sites by Tammars, and two by Black-gloved wallabies, based on subsequent or previous
detection (Table 1). This is an alternative scenario to original conclusions made about occupancy (6 sites
by Black-gloved wallabies and none by Tammars). Although these sites cannot be considered occupied
in terms of calculating % occupancy, the non detection within the monitoring session likely reflects the
limitations of the detection methods and therefore these sites should be considered occupied when
devising management actions, or for detecting future changes in occupancy.
Table 1: Detection and non-detection of suspected wallaby scats at the permanent monitoring sites.
Monitoring
Site
WA01
WA02
WA03
WA04
WA05
WA06
WA07
WA08
WA10
WA11
WA13
WA14
WA15
WA16
WA17
WA18
WA19
WA20
Wallaby
scats
detectedSpring
2008
y
y
y
y
y
y
n
y
y
y
n
n
n
n
n
y
y
y
Wallaby
scats
detectedSpring
2009
y
y
y
n
y
n
n
n
y
y
n
y
n
n
n
y
y
y
Actual sighting
(Spring 2008)
Tammar BG
wallaby
Possible alternative occupancy
scenario
Tammar BG
Either
wallaby species
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
y
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
y
n
n
y
n
n
n
n
n
n
y
y
n
n
n
n
n
y
y
n
y
y
n
n
n
n
y
n
y
y
n
n
y
n
n
n
n
n
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
n
y
y
y
n
n
n
n
n
y
y
y
Faecal DNA as an alternative detection method
The above anomalies between detection via spotlighting or cameras and possible occupancy based on
7
presence of scats are a strong argument for the use of faecal DNA to distinguish species and hence
determine presence. The use of faecal DNA has been suggested as a non-invasive technique to track
individual animals to gain an understanding of the demograhic, behavioural and life-history strategies of
individuals and populations (Piggott and Taylor 1993, Piggott et al. 2006, Berry et. al 2007). This
technique has been successfully trialled in the identification of the presence of sympatric Quokka,
Tammar Wallaby (WA), Brush Wallaby and Western Grey Kangaroo (Alacs et al. 2003).
3. TARGETED SEARCH FOR TAMMAR POPULATIONS
The level of occupancy for Tammars in the first monitoring season was zero; it was not detected on any
site via either survey method. However, this is not believed to be a robust estimate of Tammar
abundance due the apparently very patchy nature of Tammar populations across the landscape in
relation to the density and number of monitoring sites, and possibly to the inefficiency in detecting this
species by the survey techniques employed
The two species appear to be distributed throughout the landscape quite differently. The Black-gloved
wallaby is quite widespread, occurring in a number of different vegetation types, and observed to be
largely solitary. In contrast, the Tammar, based on limited observations within the Fitz-Stirling, occurs in
small possibly isolated patches, and are likely to be more habitat specific. The type of habitat they occur
in may also be quite uncommon in the landscape (results of habitat model, being developed by Ayesha
Tulloch of University of Queensland, will support or refute this). They are also known in the forest region
to be group territorial, with small patches of habitat occupied by groups of 30-40 individuals
(Christensen 1980). Again, based on limited observations, this also appears to be the case within the
Fitz-Stirling, although groups appear to be smaller.
A targeted search for Tammars was therefore the priority for 2009 in an attempt to establish a baseline
distribution of this species across the landscape. The detection techniques used during this targeted
search were similar to those used in the Spring 2008 monitoring season, with some modifications and
trialing of new techniques (see below).
Survey for the presence of tammars was concentrated in areas of past records, where landholders had
reported sightings in the past, or where suspected tammar scats had been detected. Fourteen sites
were surveyed during this time. All sites used remote cameras as the detection method. In addition
spotlighting was carried out 6 sites, and remote hair collection at 10. Tammars were detected at five of
these fourteen sites (including the BHA property Chereninup), increasing the total number of sites
known to be currently occupied by tammars in the Fitz-Stirling to 12. Presence of tammars at all of the
five sites was confirmed by remote cameras. Presence at two sites was confirmed by remote hair
collection and at one site by spotlighting also (Figure 1).
8
Figure 1: All known records for Tammars and Black-gloved wallabies throughout the Fitz-Stirling Operational Area. Grouped into records from
1996-2000 and 2001 – 2010.
9
4. MONITORING PROTOCOLS
Detection methods
Non-invasive detection methods can either be indirect (observations of signs left by animals) or direct
(observations of animals themselves). During this study both methods were employed to detect the
presence of animals at a site.
1. Signs
Only one other macropod species is known to occur in the area, the Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus
fuliginosus). This species is much larger than the wallaby species. Woylies (Bettongia penicillata) are
known historically form the area but no current records exist for this species. It is possible that they still
do occur, however if so they do so they would likely be in low densities, therefore when making
distinctions of signs only the Western Grey Kangaroo is considered.
Scats



Distinctions between Western Grey Kangaroo and “wallaby” scats based on morphology can be
made with a large degree of confidence (although some Western Grey Kangaroo scats can look
similar to wallaby scats) (Figure 2).
Definitive distinction between the two wallaby species scats based on morphology is not possible
(Figure 2). This has also been found in other studies (Alacs et al. (2003) found that the scats of these
two species were hard to distinguish based on size and morphology). However, combined with other
information (eg. known presence, habitat type), some conclusions can be made about which species
the scat is likely to represent, therefore this technique has some use in determining presence.
Scats can therefore be used to:
o provide reasonable confirmation that animals are still present at a known occupied site
o provide an initial quick assessment of possible occupancy by a wallaby species
o target areas for more definitive survey techniques (spot lighting and remote cameras)
o guide remote camera placement.
10
Tammar scats from Middle
Island, Recherche Archipelago
(1cm grid)
Tammar scats from
Nowanup (1cm grid)
Western Grey Kangaroo scats
(1cm grid)
Unknown scats
(1cm grid)
2cm
Black-gloved wallaby scats
Figure 2: Comparison of the size and morphology of scats of the three Macropod species present in the
area. Arrows indicate scats that look similar.
Limitations:
 Tammar scats can be very sparse, and often hard to find (based on searches at sites where they are
known to occur), especially if the population is at low densities.
 The age of scats is hard to determine, so that a distinction between “past” or “current” occupancy
cannot always be made.
11
Costs:




No initial equipment cost
No equipment running cost
Low labour intensity – 1 person for 1 hr per site
Vehicle hire - 1 day for 5 sites
Footprints

Size differences occur between the three Macropod species present in the area (Figure 3), however
there is possibly an overlap in sizes between adult Black-gloved wallabies and young Western Grey
Kangaroos, and between young Black-gloved wallabies and Tammars. Young Black-gloved wallabies
that are out of the mothers pouch will only be present in the population between October and
January and by February should be close to adult size. Young Western Grey Kangaroos can be
present in the population at any time of the year.

Some differences occur in the shape of the foot between the three species. The toe to short pes
ratio is smallest in Tammars (c.1:1.4), compared with c.1:1.6 in Black-gloved wallabies, and c. 1:2.0
in Western Grey Kangaroos (ie. Tammars have longer toes in relation to their foot than Western
Grey Kangaroos) (Figure 3).

Generally, any footprint measuring less than 8 cm short pes length (including nail) is likely to be a
wallaby species, and any footprint measuring less than 6 cm short pes length (including nail) is likely
to be a Tammar (although these latter could still possibly represent a young Black-gloved wallaby if
observed between approximately October and January).

Combined with other information (eg. known presence, habitat type, scats) an assessment can be
made about which species the footprint is likely to represent, therefore this technique has some
use in determining presence.

Footprints can be used to:
o provide reasonable confirmation that animals are still present at a known occupied site
o provide an initial quick assessment of possible occupancy by a wallaby species
o target areas where more definitive survey techniques can be employed (spotlighting and remote
cameras)
o guide remote camera placement
Limitations:



Very clear prints are needed to determine differences in size and shape. Clearer prints are produced
in wet conditions rather than dry and on clayey soils rather than sandy.
Footprints can generally only be seen on tracks or bare areas, so these must be present at a site in
order to use this method.
Footprints are often very sparse and hard to find.
12
Costs:




No initial equipment cost
No equipment running cost
Low labour intensity – 1 person for 1 hr per site
Vehicle hire - 1 day for 5 sites
13
a) Size differences bewtween the short pes of the three Macropod species
c)
b) Western Grey Kangaroo foot (right) and footprint
(left), toe to short pes ratio c. 1:2.0
c) Tammar foot (right) and footprint (left), toe to
short pes ratio c. 1:1.4
d) Black-gloved wallaby foot (right) and footprint (left), toe to short pes ratio c. 1:1.6
Figure 3: Comparisons between the size and morphology of the foot (short pes) and footprints of the
three Macropod species present in the area.
14
Remote hair collection
An additional detection technique of remote hair collection was trialed in 2009. These trials were
conducted at sites where Tammars or Black-gloved wallabies were known to occur (previously detected
by spotlighting or remote cameras). Hair can be identified to species using a number of characteristics
visible under a monocular microscope (x 40 magnification) (Triggs and Brunner 2002).
Due to time constraints and other priorities, limited time was given to these trials (they were trialed at
18 locations). All the remote hair collection techniques provided limited success in detecting Tammars
where they were known to occur (4 out of 18 sites) but no success in detecting Black-gloved wallabies
(no hairs collected at any site). This technique has potential but will need to be trialed further before it
can be successfully applied.
The following hair collection traps were trialed:
1. Hair arches (Figure 4)- these consisted of a piece of thick plastic bent over into an arch and secured
into the ground with wire, and baited with peanut butter and apple. Hair arches have been used
successfully for remote hair collection in small mammals (Mills et al. 2002), however they had
limited success in hair collection of wallabies, likely because the animals are too large for their snout
to fit under the arch. Out of 981 hair trap nights wallaby (Tammar) hair was collected on only two
traps.
Hair arch
Figure 4: A Tammar inspects a hair arch at the Nowanup NE corner site, captured on remote camera.
2. Fence tape (Figure 5)- this consisted of wrapping double-sided tape around the bottom wire of a
fence where it was apparent that an animal was moving under the fence. Out of three known
Tammar sites, likely Tammar hair was collected at all three sites via this method.
3. Vertical sticky poles (Figure 5)- these consisted of thin poles in the ground wrapped with double
sided tape, placed in areas where animals were thought to be moving. A bait (apple and peanut
butter) was placed next to the pole to attract animal to brush against the pole. Out of two known
Tammar sites, likely Tammar hair was collected at one site via this method.
15
Fence tape
Vertical sticky pole
Figure 5: A Tammar about to move under a fence at the Nowanup NE corner site, captured on remote
camera.
4. Horizontal sticky poles (Figure 6)- these consisted of a length of plastic pipe strung at approximately
wallaby chest height between two trees or between two fence droppers placed in the ground.
Double-sided sticky tape was placed on the underside of the pipe. Bait was placed under the pole so
that the animal would brush against the tape when retrieving the bait. Out of two known Tammar
sites, likely Tammar hair was collected both sites via this method.
Figure 6: A horizontal sticky pole fixed between two moort trees at the Corackerup NR southern
boundary Tammar site.
Further trails should involve developing the most efficient use of these traps (that which provides the
best detection rate), by determining:
 the optimum density and number of traps at a site for animal detection
 the most appropriate trap type in different situations
16

captive animal (or remote camera video footage) trials to determine animal behavior in taking bait
from a trap
Limitations:



Require animal to be attracted to bait and to take bait in a manner that leaves hair on the tape.
In wet conditions the sticky tape had limited “stickiness” (2-3 nights). This was more so if the tape
was exposed as in fence tape and vertical sticky poles.
Fence tape can only be used where there is a fence on the site that animals appear to be moving
under.
Costs:




Low initial equipment cost (c. $10 per trap for pipe and star pickets)
Low equipment running cost (cost of sticky tape, $20 per roll)
Medium labour intensity – 1 person for 2 hrs per site (20-30 traps) plus hair identification (2 samples
per hour)
Vehicle hire- 1 day for 3 sites
2. Direct observation
Spotlighting
Spotlighting from a vehicle is used extensively for detecting or determining the abundance of
Macropods (Southwell 1989).
Spotlighting was used in this project:
 for detecting both wallaby species during 2007 to provide initial estimates of their distribution.
 during the monitoring sessions at the long-term monitoring sites in Spring 2008 for detecting both
species,
 to a limited extent during the non-monitoring season in 2009 specifically to locate new populations
of Tammars.
Despite its extensive use, spotlighting has many limitations and the following apply specifically to
detecting wallaby species during this project.
Limitations:

Weather conditions-these have been proved to affect detectability or actual emergence of animals
(Southwell 1989). However, based on observation only, the weather conditions did not appear to
affect sightings of Black-gloved wallabies (sightings of Tammars via spotlighting was too low to
comment).
17

Access- can only be employed in areas where vehicle access is possible, and only in dry soil
conditions due to the risk of the spread of phytophthora dieback, specifically on DEC reserves and
GLink properties. Local Shire imposed vehicle movement bans also can occur during hot weather.

Observer error- due to observer error in detecting species the same observer should be used for
each spotlighting session in order to make valid comparisons between seasons or sites. However,
this often proved difficult to enforce as volunteers were often too inexperienced to act as driver,
therefore taking the role of observer and leaving the project officer the task of driver. As a result the
observer was not always consistent.

Visibility – whether the track passes through or adjacent to open areas (eg. pasture) or whether it is
though thick high remnant vegetation can effect detection. Crops that are late in the season and are
up to a metre high can make detecting wallabies difficult. Revegetation and rergrowth can also
hinder visibility. For example at both Chingarrup and Chereninup spotlighting is difficult as the track
is bordered by 1-2 m high vegetation. This will become a problem at, for example, Peniup Creek
Property in about 5 years time when the revegetation reaches a certain density and height.
Costs:




Medium initial cost (c. $400 for spotlight)
No equipment running cost
High labour intensity - 2 people for 2 hrs per site, overnight trip required.
Vehicle -hire- 1 day (overnight) per site.
Remote sensing cameras
Remote cameras are increasingly being used as a non-invasive technique to detect the presence and
sometimes abundance of a wide range of fauna (Claridge et al. 2004). See photos front page for
examples of images captured during this project.
Remote sensing cameras were used in this project:



as a technique for detecting both wallaby species in 2007 to provide initial estimation of their
distribution;
during the monitoring sessions at the long-term monitoring sites in Spring 2008 for detecting both
species, and
during the non-monitoring season in 2009 specifically to locate new populations of Tammars.
Advantages:




Can be left in place for a long period of time (only limited by battery life or memory card capacity).
Are easy to install, if site has vehicle access.
Can be installed away from vehicle access.
Do not require personnel to be present to monitor, therefore do not require an overnight field trip.
18
The “Beast” remote camera set up on
a star picket in Moort woodland.
Photo Amanda Keesing.
Setting out bait in front of the
PiXController Digital Eye remote
camera on Eddy and Donna Wajons
property Chingarup.
Photo Eddy Wajon
Despite their increasing use, remote cameras have some limitations and the following apply specifically
to detecting wallaby species during this project.
Limitations:


Reliability of camera function
o
Two brands of remote cameras were used. A Perth made model (Beast) and a DigitalEye from
PixContoller (US). On a number of occasions a camera was non-functional during a monitoring
session (one camera at two of the 18 monitoring sites in the Spring 2008 monitoring season),
due to such things as flat batteries.
o
The DigitalEye cameras stopped functioning all together on three occasions and on two
occasions was fixed locally, but on one of these occasions it had to be sent back to US for repair
and was therefore was out of action for 5 weeks.
o
Both cameras experienced excessive false triggering in hot, windy weather due to the sensing of
moving trees and to hot conditions triggering the temperature sensor.
Difficulty of handling- carrying remote cameras to sites away from vehicles was difficult as the
cameras needed to be secured onto large star pickets which are quite heavy. Only two cameras and
two star picket could be carried at once by one person.
19
Costs:




High initial cost (c. $600 per camera)
Medium equipment running cost (9v batteries- c. 1 per camera per month)
Medium labour intensity - 1 person for 1 hr per camera installation, no overnight trip required.
Vehicle hire- 1 day per 2 sites.
Table 2: Summary of detection methods
Method
Signs
Direct
observation
Scats
Footprints
Hair
Spotlighting
Remote cameras
Definitive
presence
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Effort
Low
Low
Med
High
High
Costoverall
Low
Low
Low
Med
High
Detection rates for direct observation methods (spotlighting and remote
cameras)
As the main priority of the project was to locate populations of animals, time constraints dictated that
limited time was available for determining detection rates which require multiple sampling at sites
where animals were known to occur. However, limited data was obtained which could be used to
calculate detection rates for Tammars. This analysis was carried out by Ayesha Tulloch (UQ). Preliminary
results indicate that spotlighting provides a better detection rate than cameras (effort vs result):


Mean detection rate for cameras (based on all sites with known tammar occurrence) = 0.10
Mean detection rate for spotlighting (based on all sites with known tammar occurrence) = 0.34
In addition to these calculated detection rates, observations can provide some insight into the efficiency
of these methods. Table 3 provides a summary of remote camera results (raw data) at sites where
Tammars were ultimately detected. The four sites where more than one monitoring session was
required before an animal was detected (in bold) can provide some information on the efficiency of
cameras in detecting Tammars. At all these sites, more cameras or more nights were the difference
between non-detection and detection of an animal.
20
Table 3: Remote camera results for sites where Tammars were ultimately detected. Sites in bold
required more than one monitoring session before an animal was detected.
Site
No.
No. nights
cameras
No. camera
nights
Night first
detected
McGowans
Property
Corackerup NR
East
Pennas
Nowanup NE
corner
1
4
4
1
2
5
1
4
9
3
2
4
Monjebup
Peniup –
northern fork
Millards
Property
Corackerup NRsouth
Peter and Dev
Moirs Property
Chereninup
TOTAL
1
No. nights
detected
(%)
4 (100)
No. cameras
detected on
(%)
1 (100)
2
1
1 (50)
1 (100)
2
1
3
3
7
2
15
10
1
12
27
21
4
60
1
0
0
1
5
0
4
1 (50)
0
0
3 (100)
2 (28)
0 (0)
4 (26)
1 (20)
0
0
3 (33)
2 (66)
0 (0)
2 (50)
3
9
27
2
1 (11)
1 (33)
1
4
4
1
4
3
2
1
6
1
8
7
2
4
24
1
32
21
0
0
3
0
2
6
0
0
1 (16)
0
3 (37)
2 (28)
0
0
1 (25)
0
1 (25)
1 (33)
In addition there were a number of sites where either Tammars or Black-gloved wallabies were known
to occur (sighting) or where were highly suspected to occur (anecdotal information or scats detected),
but no animals were detected with remote cameras.



At Stockwell Rd, Tammars have been seen by the adjacent landholder, however no Tammars were
detected in over 50 camera nights.
At six sites where wallaby scats were detected and one camera had failed to detect an animal, four
cameras were installed but no Tammars or Black-gloved wallabies were detected.
At Fred Powell’s Stock Rd property the regular roo shooter reported seeing Tammars intermittently.
Wallaby scats were also detected but an animal was not detected in 49 camera nights.
Black-gloved wallabies are easier to see during spotlighting than Tammars due to differences in
behavior. Black-gloved wallabies tend to venture further out into pasture and will sit still once
spotlighted before moving away (sometimes don’t move away at all), Tammars however move very
quickly into neighboring bush, leaving little time for positive identification.
21
Of the six monitoring sites where Black-gloved wallabies were ultimately detected during the Spring
2008 monitoring season, animals were not detected by spotlighting at all at two of these sites. Of the
remaining four sites, three had detections on one out of the three nights and one on two out of the
three nights. Animals were only detected by remote cameras at two out of the six occupied sites. This
indicates that a combination of detection methods is preferable for increasing detection rates for this
species.
5. SUMMARY OF RESULTS – MARCH 2007 to DECEMBER 2009.
All data gathered over the course of the project is stored in an Access (2007) database entitled “Wallaby
database”. The following is a summary of the results obtained.
A total of 61 Tammars and 237 Black-gloved wallaby sightings were obtained over the three years. Of
these 47 Black-gloved wallaby sightings were obtained during the Spring 2008 monitoring sessions at
the permanent monitoring sites, but no Tammars were observed. One hundred and ninety Black-gloved
wallaby and 61 Tammar sightings were obtained during surveys and opportunistic observations outside
of the monitoring sessions at the monitoring sites (Table 3, Figure 1).
The baseline level of occupancy for Black-gloved wallabies of 0.3666 (+/-0.0754) (PRESENCE program,
McKenzie et al. 2002) was established during the Spring 2008 monitoring on permanent monitoring
sites. The level of occupancy for Tammars in the first monitoring season was zero; it was not detected
on any site via either spotlighting or remote cameras.
During targeted Tammar surveys, they were detected at five of fourteen sites , increasing the total
number of sites known to be currently occupied by Tammars in the Fitz-Stirling to 12 (Figure 1). The
larger number of records obtained throughout the project for Black-gloved wallabies, although based
largely on opportunistic sightings, likely reflects a combination of the greater numbers and distribution
of this species but also possibly its higher detectability in comparison to Tammars.
The occurrence of the two species on GLink properties is summarised in Appendix D.
Table 4: Summary of the number of Tammar and Black-gloved wallaby sightings over the three years
of the project.
Monitoring
Non-monitoring
(Opportunistic)
TOTAL
Number of Tammar sightings
0
61
Number of Black-gloved wallaby sightings
47
190
61
237
22
6. MONITORTING PROTOCOLS FOR TAMMARS AND BLACK-GLOVED
WALLABIES
A combination of the above detection techniques can be employed to determine the presence of Blackgloved wallabies or Tammars at a site. Certain methods can be more effective in certain situations and
therefore a combination of methods should be employed to determine the status of a site as occupied
or unoccupied.
The assumption for these detection methods are based on the following resources:
 Four remote cameras (currently available).
 One vehicle.
 One paid personnel, at least one volunteer for spotlighting.
a) Black-gloved wallabies
i. Detection methods
Detection methods for Black-gloved wallabies largely follow the same methods as used in the Spring
2008 monitoring season (Gilfillan 2008b), as follows (additions or changes in bold).
1. Each site is surveyed over 3 consecutive nights using two non-invasive survey techniques;
spotlighting from a vehicle and remote cameras, with two sites being surveyed simultaneously.
2. At each site spotlighting is carried out over three consecutive nights, covering the entire length of
the established spotlight route each night (maps available). Most spotlight routes follow the
vegetation / pasture or crop interface, but some routes encompass tracks through remnant
vegetation patches. Spotlighting is carried out by shining the spotlight (50 Watt globe- a red filter
can be used if prolonged shining onto the animal is needed) from the window of the vehicle, into
the pasture or crop if possible. The vehicle travels at c. 20-30km an hour. A GPS coordinate (UTM
Zone 50) is taken of each wallaby seen. All other animals seen are counted only (except for rabbits).
Weather conditions on each night are also recorded.
In addition the estimated distance that an animal is seen at a perpendicular angle to the vehicle
should be recorded (See Section on TripWatch)
3. At each site two remote cameras are placed at permanently marked sites which are within a 500m
radius of the site point location, and at least 500m apart. Markers are star pickets labeled with the
remote camera site code (see Appendix A). Cameras are checked every day, as problems with malfunctioning batteries or large numbers of false triggers meant that they cannot be reliably left for
three days without checking.
23
4. Sites are considered occupied on a particular night if a species was captured on either of the remote
cameras, or if observed spotlighting within 1km of the site point location (an alternative is to
determine occupancy based on the position of animal in relation to the site- see section 2 above)
5. In addition to spotlighting and remote cameras, a track and scat search is carried out at each site.
Scats are collected in four 100 transects radiating out at 90 degree angles from each of the remote
camera sites. Each transect is given a reference based on the compass direction pointing away from
the camera site. The transect is walked, and any probable wallaby scats seen from the transect
collected and placed in paper envelopes. Separate scats, or groups of scats, are placed in separate
paper bags, and the transect reference recorded. Any footprints measuring less than 8 cm are also
recorded along each transect (present or absent).
As further funding becomes available then the priorities should be:
 purchase of additional remote cameras (at least 12 at $600ea)
 faecal DNA analysis for species identification in order to increase detection rates.
ii. Monitoring site design and review of FLP target and objective
The successful detection of Black-gloved wallabies using the methods and monitoring site design
employed in Spring 2008 indicates that this monitoring protocol should be maintained for this species.
The FLP objective of “By 2017, increase the populations of Tammars and Black-gloved Wallabies
within the Fitz-Stirling area by 30%.” is also a reasonable objective for this species and due to the fairly
widespread occurrence of this species should be able to be measured successfully (by occupancy rate).
However the use of this species as a target for measuring the impact of fox control should be reviewed.
Although this species is less abundant than it was 30-40 years ago (anecdotal evidence) it still maintains
a relatively high level of abundance and a fairly widespread distribution. It almost certainly suffers from
fox predation on some level (young animals are known to be taken), but it does not appear to have been
impacted by fox predation to the degree that Tammars have (Kinnear et al. 2002).
This species is a suitable target however to measure increased habitat occupancy through habitat
restoration and increased connectivity. Being relatively widespread and occurring in vegetation types
that are quite common across the landscape, and given that it has already been observed using
revegetation for both moving through and resting its expansion onto currently unoccupied suitable
habitat will almost certainly be enhanced by habitat restoration and increased connectivity.
iii. Recommendations
1. The monitoring site design for Black-gloved wallabies should follow the same as that used in the
Spring 2008 monitoring season (Gilfillan 2008b). Now that a baseline level of abundance (site
occupancy) has been established the frequency of sampling can be carried out every two - five
years. It is not necessary to sample all sites in one year, so that half or a third may be able to be
sampled in one monitoring session and the remaining in subsequent monitoring sessions.
24
2. TripWatch
In addition to the permanent monitoring sites a “program” called TripWatch should be introduced.
TripWatch is a means of recording animals seen at any time on regular trips throughout Gondwana
Link’s Fitz-Stirlings Operational Area.
TripWatch can be carried out by anyone who drives throughout the area or on certain routes on a
regular basis. As long as some simple rules are observed (see recording sheet in Appendix B) over a
long time period of repeated observations on the same routes, valuable information on species
abundance, distribution and habitat preferences can be gained.
Personnel working in the area on a regular basis and any interested members of the community can
be encouraged to fill out the TripWatch recording sheet.
3. Maintain the current FLP objective for this species but use it only as an indicator of increased habitat
occupancy through habitat restoration and increased connectivity and not as an indicator for
measuring the impacts of fox control.
4. As further funding becomes available
a. Consider expanding the monitoring sites beyond the Corackerup Sub-catchment.
25
Former SFMA Properties
Figure 7: Locations of permanent monitoring sites and their occupancy status in Spring 2008. GPS
coordinates are given in Appendix 1.
26
b) Tammars
i. Detection methods
Detection methods for Tammars largely follow the same methods as used in the Spring 2008 monitoring
season (Gilfillan 2008b), as outlined above. However, due to the patchy nature of Tammar distribution,
where groups of animals appear to use a fairly small area of suitable habitat, detection methods need to
be more targeted, therefore the following changes apply:
Remote cameras


Placing cameras randomly at a site will unlikely result in detection of an animal. Therefore, cameras
should be placed where there is additional evidence of the species (scats or tracks). If no such
indirect evidence is present then cameras should be placed in patches of potentially suitable habitat.
Rather than using only two cameras per site at 500m apart, all four cameras should be placed in
relatively close proximity to each other (within 100-200m). This dictates that only one site can be
monitored at a time under the assumption of four available cameras.
Optional method- Remote hair collection
Tammars were detected (although at a low rate) with remote hair traps. These could be used in certain
situations, for example in the absence of a sufficient number of cameras, where limited monitoring
funds are available , or where vehicle access is limited and cameras cannot be efficiently carried on foot.
Sticky horizontal poles appear to be the most successful in obtaining Tammar hair (based on limited
trials- see above). These could be randomly placed throughout the site in large numbers (20-30). This
method is not at a stage to be used as part of the standardised monitoring protocol at a permanent
monitoring site, but the potential exists for their use in this situation once their efficiency has been
determined???. It should be noted, although inexpensive, they are nearly as time consuming to install
as remote cameras.
When further funding is available then priorities are:
 purchase of additional remote cameras (12 at $600ea)
 faecal DNA analysis for species identification in order to increase detection rates.
ii. Monitoring site design and review of FLP target and objective
A robust estimate of Tammar abundance was not obtained with the design of the Spring 2008
monitoring sites, due the apparently very patchy nature of Tammar populations across the landscape in
relation to the density and distribution of monitoring sites. This species therefore requires an alternative
monitoring site design. In addition, while Tammars should be maintained as an indicator for measuring
the impact of fox control as they have been shown to respond to fox baiting (Kinnear et al. 2002), their
occurrence as groups occupying small patches of habitat (which may be quite uncommon) suggest that
27
they may not be a suitable target for measuring impacts of habitat restoration (the type of habitat being
restored may not be suitable for Tammars) and increased connectivity.
Keeping the Tammar as an indicator for the impacts of fox control, the FLP objective of “By 2017,
increase the populations of Tammars (and Black-gloved Wallabies) within the Fitz-Stirling area by
30%.” should be reviewed. Although after targeted surveys for Tammars in 2009 a reasonable baseline
of current distribution now exists, this was as a result of intensive searching in areas where the species
was suspected to occur. A 30 % increase in abundance in the whole population across the landscape
from this baseline is not easily or accurately measured under the current survey methods available and
would require a very large number of sites (50-100) placed randomly or stratified randomly across the
Fitz-Stirling area, which would be very labour intensive.
iii. Recommendations
Options for monitoring site design.
The following options are recommended for potential monitoring site design for Tammars.
1. Concentrate monitoring sites initially on Chereninup only, as per Bush Heritage’s WA State NRM
funding proposal (January 2010). (Monitor two known currently occupied sites, one on the western edge
of the large remnant on Pennas property and one on the southern edge of the remnant on Chereninup,
plus 6 sites with potentially suitable habitat for Tammars but currently unoccupied).
2. Set up sites across the whole of the Fiz-Stirling. A useful case study for sampling design for species
with clumped distributions has been outlined by Witczuk et al. (2008). The following design is a
modification of this.
a) 5-10 sites - currently occupied, monitored to test for continued occupancy.
b) 5-10 sites- not currently occupied but with historical occupancy.
c) 5-10 sites - random selection of sites within potentially suitable habitat but not currently occupied
and no historical evidence of occupancy. The latter two groups of sites are to test for new
colonisation or expansion. Group a) sites will need to be chosen using the completed habitat model
produced by Ayesha Tulloch.
Each unoccupied site should have no physical barriers to dispersal (large expanses of cleared habitat)
between them and a currently occupied site.
A subset of monitoring sites would only need to be sampled per monitoring session (yearly or
biannually) therefore allowing a greater number of sites in total.
It is important to note that because it is not based on a random or stratified random (probabilistic)
selection of sites, if this design is used then conclusions can only be made about the sites being
monitored and no inferences can be made about the wider population (Elzinga 2001).
Incorporating the use of existing sites
28
A number of existing sites could be incorporated into this design.





WA18-occupied
WA01- occupied
WA17 - within 1.3 km of occupied site (no barrier to dispersal)
WA10 – 3.7 km from an occupied site (no barrier to dispersal)
Newbey’s Eucalyptus flocktoniea vegetation association sites (WA01, WA02, WA03) and Newbey’s
Eucalyptus platypus (Moort) vegetation association sites (WA17, WA18) (or those sites found to be
suitable by Ayesha Tulloch’s habitat model) – the advantage being that these sites have already
been monitored once so that their occupancy status is already known.
3. An alternative approach would be to maintain the 30% increase objective but to measure changes in
abundance at known sites. It has been suggested that abundance may be better measurement for
management as changes in presence –absence may not be detected until a catastrophic decline has
occurred (Field et al. 2005). This could be supplemented by a number of sites (5-10) in potentially
suitable habitat but not currently occupied where presence or absence only is measured to test for new
colonisation or expansion.
This approach would require the use of either faecal DNA (determination of population numbers by the
identification of individuals) or possibly by faecal pellet counts. The latter would require faecal
deposition and decay rates to be determined.
Possible alternatives for FLP objective
Tammars should be maintained as an indicator for measuring the impact of fox control only. The
objective should relate more specifically to the monitoring site design. For example if option 2 is
adopted then the objective could be:“Expansion into 50% of suitable unoccupied monitoring sites
under a fox control regime”
29
7. APPENDICES
Appendix A: Spring 2008 monitoring site codes and GPS coordinates
Monitoring
site
WA01
WA02
WA03
WA04
WA05
WA06
WA07
WA14
Location
Tenure
Corackerup NRDEC
southern boundary
Private Property (Kent Private
Loc 1497), B and G
Cake- Cnr of SC Hwy
and Cowallelup Rd.
Peniup NR, centre
DEC
Former SFMA property SFMA
- Glen Orchids
Private Property (Kent Private
Loc 1828)- Greg Hyde
Chingarup
Private
Easting
Northing
Contact
Comment
652930 6212117 DEC (Sarah Comer, Peter Collins or
Greg Freebury - 98424500)
665924 6210842 B and G. Cake (Greg Cake)
98361042 (0427361042)
667094 6217664 DEC (Sarah Comer, Peter Collins or
Greg Freebury - 98424500)
676736 6235651 Unknown
656303 6226920 Owner-Lullfitz, leased to Greg and
Sarah Hyde-98353047
656397 6203034 Eddie Wajon
(wajonpub@wantree.com.au)
UCL and Private 654664 6200534 UCL (DEC)/Peter Moir 98472058
(0427472058).
UCL Corackerup Crk,
adj. to
Borden/Boxwood Hill
Rd- adj Private
Property (Peter Moir
(Kent Loc 1881))
Fred Powell’s
Private
Cowellelup Rd
Property (Ken Loc
1841), western
boundary adj to Dixon
653831 6220699 Fred Powell (0427351096,
98351096)
30
Monitoring
site
WA08
WA09
WA10
WA11
WA12
WA13
WA15
WA16
WA17
WA18
Location
Tenure
property
Peniup NR- western
DEC
boundary
Tim Foster- Cnr Stock Private
Rd and Cardininup Rd.
(Kent Loc
Chereninup Reserve
Bush Heritage
Crown Res and PPCorackerup Rd, N of
Boxwood/Ongerup Rd.
(Kent Loc 1827 and
1209)
Peniup NR- SE cnrboundary with Greg
Cake (Kent Loc. 1902)
Terry Walters Property
(Kent Loc 1413)
Peniup Creek Property
UCL/Private
Easting
Northing
Contact
Comment
664682 6225070 DEC (Sarah Comer, Peter Collins or
Greg Freebury - 98424500)
660519 6234173 Tim Foster (98282124,
NOT DONE- site not suitable0428367837)- lives off property
remnant now partly cleared
662421 6222516 Bush Heritage (inform Mal Graham
of visitmalgraham@westnet.com.au)
652481 6230305 Crown Reserve/Graham Jones
98353013 (to east- 1209) and Greg
Hyde (to west- 1827) 98353047
DEC/Private
671529 6214329 DEC/Greg Cake (98361042 or
NOT DONE- access difficult from
0427361042) for access from south south
Private
671743 6232980 Terry Walter (98351147)
Greening/Bush 672544 6227674 Greening Australia (Corrie Watts 08
Heritage
9335 8933) Bush Heritage (Jeff
Crane- 98362026)
Former SFMA property SFMA
667022 6236788 Unknown
- South Yatelands
Nowanup- SW corner- Greening
658778 6210074 Greening Australia (Corrie Watts
adjacent to UCL on
(93358933)
Corackerup Ck
Corackerup NRDEC
658062 6216315 DEC (Sarah Comer, Peter Collins or
Normans Rd.
Greg Freebury - 98424500)
boundary, adjacent to
Merrigup Creek
crossing
31
Monitoring
site
WA19
WA20
Location
Tenure
Easting
Northing
Contact
Comment
Privite Property -R.J.
Private/SFMA 672200 6238319 Former SFMA- unkown.
Russell (Kent Loc
R.J.(Ron)and Erica Russell
1402), and Former
(98351108)
SFMA propertiesTantanoola and
Ankayarra
Peniup Creek Property Greening/Bush 671949 6224070 Greening Australia (Corrie Watts Heritage
93358933), Bush Heritage (Jeff
Crane- 98362026)
32
Appendix B: Spatial datasets relating to the project
File Name
Custodian
Date
Wallaby
recordsgeneral
Wallaby_records_all
Greening
Australia/
Gondwana
Link
Project duration
from March 2007
to December 2009
From
1966 to
Decemb
er 2009
and
ongoing
Wallaby
recordsmonitoring
Wallaby_records_moni
toring
Greening
Australia/
Gondwana
Link
September 2008 to
November 2008
Sep
2008 to
Nov
2008
Description
Area
covered
File type
Datum
Comments
Contains all known
records of Tammar
(Macropus eugenii
derbianus) and Blackgloved wallabies
(Macropus irma)
within the study area
collated from past
records (other
sources) and
collected nonsystematically during
the course of the
study.
Contains records of
Tammar (Macropus
eugenii derbianus)
and Black-gloved
wallabies (Macropus
irma) obtained
during systematic
monitoring at
specified monitoring
sites. This dataset is a
subset of Wallaby
records-general
Fitz-Stirling
Operational
Area plus
surrounding
area of
approximately
50 km
Access 2007,
Excell 2007
and ArcGis
shapefile
GDA94
The records are
from many sources
and have varying
levels of accuracy
and precision. A
subset of records
collected only
during the project
can be created.
Corackerup
Subcatchment
Access 2007,
Excell 2007
and ArcGis
shapefile
GDA94
Level of occupancy
percentages have
been derived from
this dataset.
Date of
records
Title
33
File Name
Custodian
Date
Description
Area
covered
File type
Datum
Comments
Long-term
wallaby
monitoring
sites
Monitoring_sites
Greening
Australia/
Gondwana
Link
September 2008 to
November 2008 set
up and first
monitoring season
Point locations of
long-term wallaby
monitoring sites
Corackerup
Subcatchment
Access 2007,
Excell 2007
and ArcGis
shapefile
GDA94
Greening
Australia/
Gondwana
Link
September 2008 to
November 2008 set
up and first
monitoring season
Locations of remote
camera sites at longterm wallaby
monitoring sites
Corackerup
Subcatchment
Access 2007,
Excell 2007
and ArcGis
shapefile
GDA94
Remote_camera_sites_
non_monitoring
Greening
Australia/
Gondwana
Link
Project duration
from March 2007
to December 2009
NA
Fitz-Stirling
Operational
Area
Access 2007,
Excell 2007
and ArcGis
shapefile
GDA94
Spotlight_routes
Greening
Australia/
Gondwana
Link
Project duration
from March 2007
to December 2009
NA
Locations of all
points where remote
cameras were
installed outside of
the permanent
monitoring sites.
Polylines of all
spotlight routes
undertaken over the
course of the study
The site point
location of the
long-term
monitoring site,
which
encompasses 50
ha around this
point.
There are two
remote camera
locations per longterm monitoring
site, each within a
500m radius of the
site pint location
and at leat 500 m
apart. One remote
camera is placed
at each location.
The number of
cameras per site is
variable.
Long-term
wallaby
monitoring
sitesremote
camera
locations
Remote_camera_sites_
monitoring
Remote
camera
locationsnonmonitoring
Spotlight
routes
Fitz-Stirling
Operational
Area
ArcGis
shapefile
GDA94
Date of
records
Title
A subset of
spotlight routes
for the long-term
monitoring sites
can be extracted.
34
Appendix C: TripWatch recording sheet
TripWatch is a means of recording animals seen on regular trips throughout
Gondwana Link’s Fitz-Stirling Operational Area
It can be carried out by anyone who drives throughout the area or on certain routes on a regular basis.
As long as some simple rules are observed (see below), the observations can be used to gain valuable
information on species abundance, distribution and habitat preferences.
To be used for:
Tammar, Black-gloved wallaby, Fox and Feral Cat
FIRST FILL OUT THE DETAILS OF THE ROUTE TAKEN (ATTACHED ROUTE SHEET)
FOR EACH ROUTE TAKEN:

IF NO ANIMAL IS SEEN THROUGHT THE ROUTE THEN PUT A CROSS HERE____
(NB: A ZERO record is as important as a sighting)

IF AN ANIMAL IS SEEN THEN RECORD THE SIGHTING (S) ON THE ATTACHED RECORD SHEET USING THE
FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. DRIVE TO POINT WHERE YOU ARE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO WHERE THE ANIMAL WAS FIRST SEEN (
AND RECORD THE DISTANCE FROM HERE (
) TO THE ANIMAL (A).
) ESTIMATE
A
CAR
Line of sight
2. RECORD THE GPS COORDINATE (EASTING / NORTHING), OR MARK ON THE MAP THE POSITION OF
3. RECORD THE DIRECTION OF THE SIGHTING FROM THE ROAD/TRACK (Left or right)
4. RECORD THE TIME OF THE SIGHTING
35
FITZ-STIRLINGS TRIP WATCH - ROUTE DETAILS
Start a new sheet for each separate route
OBSERVER:___________________________________________________________________
ROUTE: (eg. Peniup to Chereninup via Marningarup and Carney Rds), OR DRAW THE ROUTE
ON THE MAP PROVIDED.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
DATE___________________________TIME (24hr clock):
START____________________FINISH___________________
WEATHER CONDITIONS (if night, then include moon
status)_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL
COMMENTS:__________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
A series of maps with aerial photo of whole of Fitz-Stirlings with roads, reserves and reserve
tracks will accompany this sheet.
36
FITZ-STIRLINGS TRIP WATCH – RECORD SHEET
USE SEPARATE RECORD SHEET FOR EACH ROUTE TAKEN
Observation
number
Mark on the
map with a dot
and the
observation
number
1
Species seen
Number of
individuals
seen
Time
(24 hour
clock)
Estimated distance
(m) at right angles
from direction of
travel when first
sighted (“A” in
diagram)
Direction
animal
seen from
transect,
(L) left
(R) right
Easting of
Northing of
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
37
Appendix D: Wallaby occurrence and survey effort on GLink Properties
The following is a summary of the status of Tammar and Black-gloved wallabies on Bush Heritage and
Greening Australia Properties within the Fitz-Stirlings Operational Area of Gondwana Link. Specific
locations of records for each property can be seen in Figure 1 in the body of the report.
Suspected population (indirect sign) or
record in close proximity
Black-gloved
wallaby
Tammar
Property
Confirmed population
(detected by spotlighting or
remote camera)
BlackTammar
gloved
wallaby
Yarrabee
Yes
No
-
-
Monjebup
Monjebup North
Nowanup
Chereninup
Peniup Creek
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
-
Yes
Possible
Yarrabee
No permanent monitoring sites exist on this property.
Survey effort



Cameras-50 camera nights
Spotlighting-1 night
Hair poles- 6 for 3 nights
Tammar





No tammars have been detected on Yarrabee to date
Survey effort was low
No apparently suitable habitat exists (Ayesha)
One record (a roadkill) occurs for the corner of Gnowellan and Kuch Rds in 2001. This may have
been soon after an extensive wildfire in the adjacent Stirling Range NP so the animal could have
travelled quite some distance ahead of the fire.
Stirling Range NP- no evidence (indirect) was found during one search of the NE corner of the park,
and no apparently suitable habitat was located, however status for this area of the park is still
unknown.
Black-gloved wallaby
38





Have been observed throughout Yarrabee; within regrowth, in the revegetation and along the
Gnowellan Rd boundary.
The animal in the revegetation was flushed from a Juncus pallidus clump within a large patch of
Juncus during the day indicating that it was using this plant as a daytime shelter.
All observations have been opportunistic sightings.
Remote hair collection was trialed at the revegetation site but no hairs were collected.
Four remote cameras were placed for three nights in the Jarrah woodland adjacent to the
revegetation where animals have been observed opportunistically, but no animals were detected by
this method.
Monjebup
No permanent monitoring sites occur on this property.
Survey effort




Cameras-21 camera nights (NE corner); 12 camera nights (near October 2008 campsite)
Spotlighting-1 night (along southern central boundary)
Remote hair collection - none
Scat/footprint search- on 2 occasions on the southern central boundary, on one occasion adjacent
to Monjebup Rd.
Tammar
Tammars have been detected in the NE corner, near Monjebup Rd. via remote camera.
Black-gloved wallaby



No records exist to date for Black-gloved wallabies
Probable scats were found in SE corner
The closest record occurs on Monjebup Rd. c 2km north of Monjebup Property
Monjebup North
No permanent monitoring sites occur on this property.
Survey effort




Remote cameras- 48 camera nights
Spotlighting-1 night
Remote hair- none
Scat/footprint/ habitat search- 1 occasion
Monjebup North was purchased in late 2009, only a few months prior to the current project end date,
therefore survey effort has been minimal to date.
39
Tammar



Tammars have not been detected to date.
Tammars occur within Monjebup near the boundary of Monjebup Nth, therefore it is likely that
tammars also occur here.
A large area of possibly suitable habitat exists (Moort/ E.flocktoniea) exists, a one day search failed
to find scats.
Black-gloved wallaby
A large amount of apparently suitable habitat exists and this species is likely to be detected with more
survey effort.
Nowanup
One permanent monitoring site occurs on this property (WA17)
Survey effort




Remote cameras-6 camera nights (WA17); 54 camera nights in the NE corner
Spotlighting- 3 nights monitoring; 3 nights non-monitoring
Remote hair- yes
Scat/footprint habitat search- at NE corner, WA17 and near house.
Tammar
One population of Tammars has been found in the NE corner, adjacent to the large remnant along
Corackerup Creek. Animals have been seen feeding out in the regrowth, retreating into the remnant
consisting of Moort and Eucalyptus flocktoniae association when alerted by spotlight.
A small macropod was also seen on one occasion on the track just south of the house. The animal was
too small for a Black-gloved wallaby and may have been a Tammar, although 27 camera nights and 5
spotlighting sessions have failed to detect an animal to date.
Black-gloved wallaby
Black-gloved wallabies have been observed at a number of localities throughout the property, with
opportunistic sightings contributing to distribution knowledge, particularly in the area north of the
house and in the revegetation.
Black-gloved wallabies were detected via spotlighting during the Spring 2008 monitoring season.
Chereninup
One permanent monitoring site occurs on this property (WA10)
40
Survey effort




Remote cameras-21 camera nights (southern boundary); 6 camera nights (WA10)
Spotlighting- 3 nights monitoring; 1 night ex-monitoring (see map for route)
Remote hair- none
Scat/footprint search- 3-4 occasions
Tammar
Tammars have been detected via remote camera on the southern boundary.
Black-gloved wallaby
Black-gloved wallabies were detected via remote camera during the Spring 2008 monitoring season
(WA10C1 camera site).
Peniup Creek
Two permanent monitoring sites occur on this property (WA15 and WA20).
Survey effort




Remote cameras-24 camera nights (NE corner and moort); 12 camera nights (WA15 and WA20)
Spotlighting- 3 nights monitoring; 7 nights non-monitoring (see map for route)
Remote hair- none
Scat/footprint searches- on two occasions in moort, specifically for tammars.
Tammar

The closest current record of a tammar is in Peniup NR, c. 3 km to the south. This site is connected
to Peniup Creek Property via remnant vegetation along Peniup Creek.

The roo shooter for the property (Jim Jackson) has seen Tammars recently (last two years), in the NE
corner of the property, but remote cameras and spotlighting during this project failed to located any
animals.

Scats found in moort in the centre of the property, near Peniup Creek have been identified as
Tammar by Noongar elders (Dortch 2008) and scats of either Black-gloved wallabies or Tammars
were detected in this section of moort during this project, however remote cameras and
spotlighting failed to detect an animal.

Tammars likely occur on this property, or occurred until very recently, and if still present may occur
in very low densities making detection difficult.
Black-gloved wallaby
41


Black-gloved wallabies have been located in the granite area in the south of the property (WA20)
and have been flushed from regrowth adjacent to this area, indicating they are using the regrowth
for shelter.
They have also been seen near the moort patch near the eastern boundary of the property, where
tammars are suspected to occur.
42
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45