Wambo Coal AEMR 2010-2011 - Peabody Energy

Wambo Creek’s junction with Wollombi Brook. All other reptile species were recordedrarely or only a single individual of each species was recorded.A total of 10 frog species were recorded during searches of water bodies as part ofspotlighting surveys. Five species were commonly recorded, namely the, Spotted MarshFrog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis), Smooth Toadlet (Uperoliea laevigata), Dwarf GreenTree Frog (Litoria fallax), Broad-palmed Frog (Litoria latopalmata) and Peron’s Tree Frog(L. peronii). The Ornate Burrowing Frog (Limnodynastes ornatus) was recorded severaltimes foraging along vehicle tracks. The remaining species were recorded on an occasionbasis across the searched water bodies.3.3 Discussion3.3.1 Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater Winter SurveysTargeted winter bird surveys for the Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater during 2008,2009 and 2010 have failed to identify either species. Each year a limited foraging resourceof few eucalypt blossoms was also identified and reduced the chances of recording eitherspecies. Due to each species highly nomadic movement patterns, the failure to recordeither species does not suggest that they do not occur at Wambo Coal. When years ofheavy eucalypt blossom do occur, either species may occur in response to the presenceof an increased foraging resource.3.3.2 Bird SurveysTotal Species DiversityThe variation in the number of species recorded each year is likely due to:• Variability in seasonal conditions across the four years of sampling;• Variation in the number of sites sampled each year (ranged from 22 to 26);• Variability in the time of year of surveys; and• Observer bias. Likely variation in the skill level of observers across the four years haslikely resulted in an unknown level of variability in the total number of speciesrecorded.The variability in the total number of bird species recorded is likely due to a combination ofthe above factors and as such is a result of natural variation and inherent samplingvariation.Species Diversity within SitesThe variation in the number of species recorded each year at each site is likely due to:• Natural variability in the number of bird species at a site during any 20 minute period;• Variability in seasonal conditions across the three years of sampling;• Variability in the time of year of surveys;• Variability in the time of day of surveys;2010 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Draft Report, January 2011 Page 20