The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve: Final

POWERFUL OWL NINOX STRENUA
EPBC Act: Not Listed TSC Act: Vulnerable Priority in Area: Low
Powerful owl with greater glider. Photo ©
M. Schulz
hollows it is likely to occur.
Occurrence in the Survey Area
Common resident. Records of the powerful owl are spread
across the reserve though most records occur in the south.
There are eleven records within the Atlas of NSW Wildlife, with
eight from the current survey. This owl was recorded from
McKeowns Valley, Kanangra Walls Road and the Camp Creek
area. It is also listed as resident in Eddison (2008). It is unclear
how many resident pairs this relates to, as the large home
range of this species means that it is possible that the same
individuals have been recorded more than once. Nevertheless,
the response rate for the systematic surveys conducted for this
survey was very high.
Characteristically, powerful owls breed and roost in forest,
including rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest, but hunt in more
open forests on arboreal mammals. In JKCR, greater gliders
are probably an important food source given their abundance.
In the current survey, powerful owls were recorded preying on a
sulphur-crested cockatoo and common ringtail possum.
Breeding has not yet been recorded within the reserve, but
given the suitable habitat, good prey densities and adequate
Regional Conservation Significance
The powerful owl is common and widespread in the region, preferring habitat in areas with taller
forests such as the Boyd Plateau, Bindook Highlands, Robertson Plateau and the gullies of Nattai NP.
It is these environments that the species will use for roosting and breeding. Within the Greater South
Sydney Region over seventy percent of potential habitat is protected in conservation reserves
including Blue Mountains, Kanangra-Boyd and Nattai NPs (DECC 2007). Few threatening processes
affect this species within conservation reserves and its conservation status is secure in this region.
Due to the relatively small size of JKCR, the reserve does not significantly contribute to the regional
conservation of this species.
Threats in the Survey Area
Loss of hollow-bearing and dead trees through reserve
management practices and colonisation of honey bees;
predation of fledglings by the fox and road mortality.
Management Considerations
Follow relevant management recommendations in
the statewide recovery plan (DEC 2006c).
Avoid felling any hollow-bearing or dead trees.
Staff should be encouraged to report breeding sites
and lodge records in the Atlas of NSW Wildlife.
Avoid activities that may disrupt successful fledging
of chicks in the vicinity of nest sites (if any are
recorded in the future).
The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve 55