The Endangered Eastern Bristlebird

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

The Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus)

They are shy and cryptic and mostly occur in dense, coastal vegetation. Although secretive, they are occasionally seen scampering across open clearings and are easily located by their loud, melodic song and a harsh, sharp alarm-call. The plumage of the Eastern Bristlebird is dull brownish above and lighter grey below, with rufous wings. The tail comprises about half the bird’s total length of 21 cm and may appear to be distinctively frayed. The wings are very short and rounded. The legs are long and strong. The face is paler and the eye is bright red. The strong ‘bristles’ at the base of the bill can be seen at close range.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

• In the event of a large-scale fire, undertake predator control immediately after fire to reduce impact on Eastern Bristlebirds and other ground-dwelling fauna.
• Prevent too-frequent fires in Illawarra and southern population habitats. Conduct habitat management burns in northern NSW habitats.
• Implement fire management strategies that enhances habitat for the Eastern Bristlebird. If hazard reduction burning is necessary it should be carried out in a mosaic pattern at a frequency of no less than 10-15 years. Hazard reduction burns may also be necessary to protect large amounts of habitat from too-frequent and intense fire events. Ensure that personnel planning and undertaking hazard reduction burns are able to identify the species and are aware of its habitat.
• Searches for the species should be conducted in suitable habitat in proposed development areas, particularly in the Jervis Bay area and Kyogle LGA. Surveys should also be conducted in Ben Boyd NP, Sydney Catchment Authority Special Areas, Ku-ring-gai Chase.
• Raise driver awareness through road signs about the presence of Eastern Bristlebirds.
• Exclude stock from habitat and fence colonies vulnerable to stock disturbance.
• Continue to control Bitou Bush, Lantana and other invasive weeds that pose a threat to Eastern Bristlebird habitats.
• Continue long-term monitoring of Eastern Bristlebirds at all known populations in NSW. Data to be reviewed in 2009.
• Long-term population and vegetation monitoring is critical for developing appropriate management regimes for fire, weeds, predators and other threats.
• Complete genetic studies to determine whether northern and southern populations are genetically similar or not.
• Determine locations of Eastern Bristlebird populations and prepare maps of known and potential habitats. Use this mapping to assign Environmental Protection Zones for important habitats and connective areas.
• Undertake translocation of birds from Bhewerre Peninsula to the Beecroft Peninsula. Consider further translocations of other populations in the future.

Reference: The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water

Kurnell Salt Marsh

I recently visited Kurnell Salt Marsh which is a part of the 2020 Project.
For some time the salt marsh area was held as mining leases by a number of sand mining companies, however all have now been bought out mainly by National Parks and Wildlife.

Salt Marsh
A salt marsh (also known as saltings) is a type of marsh that is a transitional intertidal between land and salty or brackish water (e.g.: sloughs, bays, estuaries). Historically, salt marshes have sometimes been treated as "wastelands", along with other wetlands. Salt marshes are one of the most biologically productive habitats on the planet, rivaling tropical rainforests. The daily tidal surges bring in nutrients, which tend to settle in roots of the plants within the salt marsh. The natural chemical activity of salty (or brackish) water and the tendency of algae to bloom in the shallow unshaded water also allow for great biodiversity.

Flora Glasswort
Sarcocornia quinqueflora
Fleshy perennial with stems spreading horizontally then turning upwards, rooting at thenodes, to 30 cm high. Fleshy stems that vary in colour from green to purple. High tolerance to saline soils and waterlogged conditions and has value in providing groundcover to prevent erosion in salt-scalded areas.

Bitou Bush
Bitou bush first found its way to Australia in 1908, dumped as ballast from ships on the banks of the Hunter River in New South Wales (NSW).By 1982, bitou bush was found along 60 per cent of the NSW coast (approximately 660 km) and was the dominant species along 220 km of that coast.
As a part of the Kurnell 2020 project and Sutherland Shire Council the removal of the Bitou Bush this is imperative to the restoration of the natural ecosystem. While most of the Bitou Bush been removed however there is a number that remain. A there is currently no major ongoing project for the biological control of bitou bush. The remaining Bitou Bush is been studied in small areas to further understand it impact on the environment. There is also now new activity focusing on rust that affects boneseed (and the closely related bitou bush).

Fauna
Nearly all the migratory birds that visit the reserve are wading birds or shorebirds. Some of the birds that feed on the intertidal flats around Towra Point migrate over 12,000km, coming from as far away as Siberia, China and Japan. At least 34 species of wading bird have been recorded here, including the endangered golden plover.(pictured)
Little terns have nested in the reserve since 1992. The population has been brought back from the verge of extinction.
Wading birds seek feeding areas that are a combination of sand and mud and which support small invertebrates such as worms, crabs and shellfish. Some birds probe deeply into the sediment; others take food from the surface.

Albert Delardes Reserve

Located in Sydney’s Southern Suburb of Illawong is Albert Delardes Reserve. The reserve is a small quite area, hidden away on Griffin Parade Illawong. Mainly frequented by people fishing in the tranquil surrounds of the Georges River. The reserve has playground, toilets, and a few easy bush tracks. Some of the bush track disappears in the tangle of African Lovegrass which can make you feel like you’re further from civilization then you really area.

Sutherland Shire Council is doing some great work with volunteer groups in natural area restoration projects and this is clearly evident as you walk through.

Flora within the reserve is starting to return to its natural state with Kangaroo Grass, Barbed Wire Grass, Woody Pear and some rare Linum marginale, which is an erect plant with small blue flowers supported by slender stems to approximately 50cm high. Flowering in spring these perennial plants prefer full sun. (see picture)

Fauna due to the size of the reserve it doesn’t and can’t really support any large animals. When I arrive I was greeted by a Kookaburra having a great feast on a lizard. There are also hundreds of small crabs along the water line. But most exciting was an Eastern Rosella that had made its nest in the base of a Gum Tree right next to the children’s playground.

I will be returning to the reserve later this year to report on how the natural area restoration projects area are progressing.

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Albert Delardes Reserve

I am off to do some site surveys in Albert Delardes Reserve tomorrow some great photos and chat for next week.