BirdLife Australia- Recovery actions

for Australasian Bittern

RGD14-C200

July 2015

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Acknowledgements

BirdLife Australia acknowledges the effort of the following organizations and their
considerable contribution in delivering this project:

South Coast Natural Resource

Management

Esperance Bird Observers Group

Department of Parks and Wildlife

Cover image courtesy of Norina Zucculo.

Contact details
BirdLife Australia
Suite B, 113 Dempster St, Esperance, 6450, WA
PO Box 1801, Esperance, 6450, WA
Telephone: (08) 90 762 203
Facsimile: (08) 90 720 499
www.birdlife.org.au

For information regarding this report, please contact:

Ms Debbie Sullivan
Project Officer

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 Table of Contents

Table of Contents .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Introduction ......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Summary of Achievements .......................................................................................................... 6
Project Duration ............................................................................................................................ 6

Evaluation Questions ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Project Learnings .......................................................................................................................... 8

Future Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 10

Attachments ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Wetland Habitat survey data....................................................................12

Australasian Bittern flyer..........................................................................13

Photos ..................................................................................................14

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Introduction
Australasian Bittern - Botaurus poiciloptilus, Family Ardeidae

Listed as an Endangered species under the EPBC Act (1999) in Australia and
globally on the IUCN Red list.

Often referred to colloquially as the Bunyip, or the Boomer, the Australasian Bittern is a
large, stocky, thick–necked, bird similar to the heron species.

The Australasian Bittern grows to a length of 66–76 cm. The upper-parts of the body
are brown to dark brown and black, mottled in complex patterns that aid the bird’s
camouflage in its preferred wetland vegetation. The legs and feet are pale green to olive
and the eyes are orange–brown. When disturbed the Bitterns first defence is to adopt an
upright pose appearing frozen, relying entirely on its cryptic plumage to disguise it in the
vegetation.

The Australasian Bittern are generally solitary, but sometimes occurs in pairs or in
dispersed groups of up to 10 birds.
It occurs mainly in freshwater wetlands in the temperate southeast and south–west of
Australia and, rarely, in estuaries or tidal wetlands (Marchant and Higgins, 1990). It
favours wetlands with tall dense vegetation, where it forages in shallow water on
average up to 30 cms, often at the edges of pools or waterways, or from platforms of
vegetation over deep water. It favours permanent and seasonal freshwater habitats,
particularly those dominated by sedges, rushes and reeds (e.g. Baumea, Phragmites,
Cyperus, Juncus, Typha,)
The Australasian Bittern breeds from August to December in single solitary pairs.
Sometimes, however, several nests may be placed in close proximity to each other
(Marchant and Higgins, 1990).

A major threat to the Australasian Bittern in Australia is the reduction in extent and
quality of habitat. This is due to a number of causes. The clearing of wetlands for urban
development and/or agriculture, and drainage or diversion of water from wetlands and
reduced water quality due to increased salinity, siltation and pollution is having an
ongoing impact on the species’ habitat. In south–western Australia, salinisation of inland
wetlands as a result of land clearing has excluded the Australasian Bittern from many
inland locations (Jaensch, 2004). Because of its comparatively specialised habitat
requirements (i.e. densely vegetated wetlands), Bittern are more sensitive to habitat
loss than many other wetland bird (Garnett and Crowley, 2000).

Based on survey data from 2010, the total population of the Australasian Bittern in
Australia is estimated to be between 250 and 800 individuals (Birds Australia,
unpublished data., 2010). Data from 2008 indicate that the species’ area of occupancy
may have declined by over 50 per cent over the past three generations or 16.5 years
(Birds Australia, pers. comm., 2009).
These figures suggest an ongoing decline and are significant in that the species has
specific habitat requirements and is predominately solitary in nature.

BirdLife’s knowledge and network, coupled with South Coast NRM’s support, has
continued to seek a better understanding of this cryptic birds behaviour and habitat
preferences within the south coast region of WA.

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Listening, flushing and vegetation surveys to determine presence or absence of
Australasian Bittern were undertaken within the SCNRM, south coast region, and a
number of wetlands mapped for habitat.

Given that the Australasian Bittern is listed as Endangered, it is considered that all
known habitat for the Western Australian population is critical to the survival of the
species.

Map showing the boundary of South Coast NRM region

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Summary of Achievements
Project Duration

Project Start Date: July 2013

Project officer employed: January 2014

Project Completion Date: 30 June 2015

Unit of
Funding Program
Measure
priorities/outcomes Project Jan- June
(e.g. July – Dec Jan-June
Southern Prospects Outputs 2014
hectares, 2014 2015
outcomes B4, B5, (Targets) Milestone
kilometres Milestone Milestone
B9, B13
etc)
Populate Jan
2014
Submit Jan
Develop 2014
Project plan Review Review
project plan Review Feb
2014
Update Feb
2014
12 listening
11 listening or 11 listening or
34 surveys for and flushing
flushing flushing
Australasian Bittern surveys surveys
surveys surveys Jan-
Bittern Feb – June
Jul-Dec2014 Jun2015
2014
34 participant
Conserving and skills and Participant Participant Participant Participant
protecting species knowledge surveys surveys surveys surveys
and surveys
ecosystems(matters 274 ha Bittern
of national habitat
environmental surveyed and
significance) mapped.
Broadscale
Map 5 of 13 Complete
habitat
Hectares wetlands Desktop
mapping
mapped May- mapping of
completed for
Jun2014 13 wetlands
13 wetlands
not yet
mapped
(largely
estuaries)
Fully attributed Collate Submit GIS
Submit to GIS
GIS data sets existing data data to
data to
of survey work sets Mar – Apr SCNRM June
SCNRM
to be provided 2014 2015
January 2015

All objectives were over achieved.

49 wetlands were surveyed using flushing and/or listening techniques. (See attachment) This
totalled 1,317.02 ha surveyed for Australasian Bittern and 42 wetlands mapped for vegetation and
suitability for breeding and feeding of the species. This resulted in just 14 birds being recorded
highlighting the need to learn more about this declining and cryptic species.
80 participants were directly educated in Australasian Bittern habitat needs and general behaviour.
3 presentations were given to promote the project and raise awareness of the species.
1 combined BirdLife Australia, EBOG and SCNRM field day to Terrels wetlands west of Esperance

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3 x 2 day field days/shows/conferences were attended.
1 general information flyer was published to raise awareness of the species, its habitat needs and
how the community can help prevent further loss of wetlands. This will continue to be distributed
after the close of the project. (see attachment)
1 meeting of stakeholders to draft state Interim recovery plan for Australasian Bittern
2 ARU recording units were introduced to the project
2 independent assessments of two wetlands were completed

Evaluation Questions
Impact
(Definition: A change in the condition of biophysical, social or economic and/or institutional assets.
An impact may be positive or negative, primary or secondary, short term or long term, direct or
indirect, and/or intended or unintended. Impacts are sometime realised after the formal project is
completed.)

The project overall delivered greater than all its listed objectives. The social impact saw an increase
in volunteer interest in the species and the project activities. This led to a small number of invites to
present the project to interested community groups therefore increasing knowledge of the species.
Interestingly, many participants were aware of the Australiasian Bittern having heard of the
mythical Bunyip story. The impact of the Bunyip story had embedded in the subconscious mind and
the connection to the reality was made at these presentations.
Through these presentations a number of landholders became aware more acutely aware of the
importance to protect existing wetlands on their properties.

Effectiveness
(Did the project deliver what was intended to be delivered? Did it meet, exceed or fall short of
expectations? Definition: A measure of the extent to which a program, project or initiative has
attained, or is expected to attain, its relevant objectives efficiently and in a sustainable way.)

The project over achieved in all its objectives, and was delivered efficiently throughout its duration.
To further increase its program it also introduced the use of recording devices beyond the
requirements of the contract.

Appropriateness (Methodology)
(To what extent were the project approach and strategies appropriate in influencing targeted
stakeholders and achieving intended outcomes? Are there approaches and strategies that might be
more appropriate?)

Presence and absence, or inventory survey’s, (a survey to determine the presence, relative
abundance, status, and distribution of species, habitat, or ecological communities at a particular
point in time) are fundamental in collecting baseline information for flora and/or fauna for the
assessment and prioritising for management issues. Surveys such as this can be conducted in a
variety of different ways.

Australasian Bittern surveys conducted by BirdLife Australia were undertaken using wading and
listening techniques. Following on from previous information collected by BirdLife Australia staff,
Australasian Bittern are known to boom predominately after sunset, through the night and just
before sunrise. Staff conducted a number of surveys covering these ideal time frames. To increase

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the efficiency and coverage of this method, a small number of recording units was introduced to the
project. These were then analysed for presence or absence.
Wading surveys were also conducted and proved best practise, especially given that the Australasian
Bittern does prefer to adopt the ‘freeze’ pose as first defence when disturbed. This gave staff an
opportunity to sight birds, noting colour morphs and status, as well as gaining a better population
understanding.

Efficiency
(How efficient the project was in terms of cost vs. outcomes, time vs. outcomes, etc. Definition: The
notion of getting the highest value out of program or project resources)

The project methodology proved to be highly efficient in terms of cost vs out comes.

Legacy

(Will the project's impacts continue over time and after the project ceases? How should the legacy be
managed and by whom?)

BirdLife Australia is committed to working with communities and groups to increase knowledge and
raise awareness of Australia’s bird life in all its forms, creating a brighter future for Australian birds.
Until such times that project funding can be sourced to continue to research and protect the
Australasian Bittern, BirdLife Australia will encourage and maintain, in a voluntary capacity, the
monitoring of Australasian Bittern across all sites.
This information will continue to be recorded in the Australian Bird Atlas.

Project Learnings
(Useful information for lessons learned and future projects can be identified by asking, what went
well, what didn’t go so well and what would we do differently next time, in the context of the
project’s scope, time, quality, cost, human resources, communications, risk, procurement,
stakeholders and integration)

Australasian Bittern field work is physically demanding and challenging on the individual, volunteers
must be physically fit before embarking on this type of field work. This beckons a multitude of
questions in an ageing volunteer population.
How do we attract younger volunteers? How young is too young, especially given the challenges and
safety aspects of this type of field work?
Is there an alternative type of survey methodology that is less demanding on volunteers? Can we
increase our survey methodology to include more automated devices, such as SM3 recording units
and remote cameras? Drones?
Would the increased use of autonomous equipment be satisfying enough to the volunteer to
continue participating in field activities?

Careful consideration should be given when entering and exiting wetlands, vegetation preferred by
Aust Bitterns is dense and unforgiving it is also sensitive to the impact of access activities. This
disturbance can take considerable time to recover and in turn creates corridors into wetlands
previously impenetrable to predators. This exposes birds to higher risk of predation. Evidence of this
has been captured on remote cameras deployed by Dept of Parks and Wildlife. Where possible it is
highly recommended that existing kangaroo trails be utilised.

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Clearly defined kangaroo trail leading through Project staff and volunteer just 5mts apart
dense Baumea articulata showing density of Baumea articulata vegetation

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Future Recommendations

Consideration should be given to include satellite transmitters to assist in understanding

movements of the birds in both breeding and non breeding season for future planning. This
method of recording movement in Aust Bitterns has begun in eastern Australian states with
fabulous results. Use of this technique in the western state would be beneficial in understanding
the birds movements for targeting on ground works and assist in protection of habitat.

Future on ground works to restore, revegetate and protect wetlands on private landholdings within
known Australasian Bittern regions are highly recommended.

This project could also benefit from the use of more recording (sm3) units to increase coverage
particularly through the most prevalent calling/breeding season. This will also assist in recording
frog species residing in wetlands at this critical time for breeding birds highlighting potential food
sources. This recorded information could be shared with other projects and organisations.

The addition of a drone could also be beneficial to this project to minimalise impact to vegetation
and increase coverage

West Sister wetland – Many Peaks, Western Australia

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Attachments

Attachment 1.............................Wetland Habitat survey results.........................................12

Attachment 1 cont......................Wetland Habitat survey results........................................13

Attachment 2............................. Australasian Bittern flyer.................................................14

Attachment 3..............................Photos..............................................................................15

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Attachment 1

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Attachment 1 cont

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Attachment 2

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Attachment 3

Image 1 - West Sister –Bittern flying over heavy Baumea articulate.

Image 2 - West Sister – Bittern feathers found. Nearby nest structure, unconfirmed as Bittern.

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 Image 3 - Slender tree frogs – West Sister

Image 4 - Ewerts swamp - Swamp hen platform. This site was severely affected by dieback.

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 Image 5 - Big Boom Swamp – Bittern footprints left in mud, bird flushed from this site.

Image 6 - Heaths wetland – Fire damage to wetland, burnt deep into substrate. Minimal vegetation
recovery at this wetland. Lightening strike, 3 years previous.

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 Image 7 - Moates wetland – Turtle shell

Image 8 - Gull Rock wetland – signs of damage by 4x4 motorbikes and vehicles on northern side of
lake. Footprints of Swamp rats and Purple Swamphen dotted between.

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Image 9 - West Sister – Nest found, species unidentified. Bittern flushed from very close by.

Image 10 – Chalmers wetland. This aerial clearly shows the well fenced wetland against the
agricultural backdrop

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