VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN for Bidjigal Reserve - Land

Vegetation Management Plan - Bidjigal Reserve(Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris). This particular area of the Rocky Eucalypt Woodland is alsosuspected of hosting a population of Bandicoots; most likely the Long-nosed Bandicoot which hascommonly been recorded within the Sydney Region. A Long-nosed Bandicoot has also beenrecorded within Bidjigal Reserve, near Mill Drive (Anecdotal data recorded by Boronia Tours, 2008).Allocasuarina ForestDominant vegetation Type: Coastal Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland dominated by AllocasuarinalittoralisTotal Area: ~12ha (122298m 2 )The Allocasuarina Forest is located in the Central Section, Management Zone 2, known as Bald Hill.This habitat type is composed of dense stands of Allocasuarina species (She-oaks), which are thepreferred food tree for the threatened Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami). The GlossyBlack-Cockatoo is highly dependent on the distribution of Allocasuarina species, and is found inwoodland dominated by Allocasuarina, and in other open forests where it forms a substantial subcanopylayer.The Allocasuarina Forest is also known to support the Common Ringtail Possum (Peteruspoliocephalus), which has been observed foraging in this area at night. By day, the Ringtail Possumsleeps in spherical nests or 'dreys' made from grass, shredded bark or twigs placed into hollows, treeforks or dense vegetation. Several individuals have been known to share a single drey.Although this habitat type does not support hollow-bearing trees suitable for large forest owls, theymay use this as a foraging habitat for species such as the Ringtail Possum.Individual trees and small patches of Allocasuarina littoralis (Black She-oak) and Allocasuarinatorulosa (Forest Oak) are also located throughout the Reserve.Riparian EnvironmentDominant vegetation Type: Sandstone Riparian ScrubTotal Area: ~16ha (160816m 2 )Riparian Woodland is located along the permanent creeklines and is found in each Section of theReserve. These creeklines and their associated vegetation provide refuge, habitat and foragingresources for amphibians, birds, reptiles, fish, mammals, crabs and invertebrates.The Riparian Woodland contains very large, hollow-bearing Eucalypts and Angophora species, beinglocated on either side of the permanent creeklines. Trees with multiple hollows and dead branchesin the crown are in general, preferentially selected for occupancy by hollow-using fauna (Gibbons etal. 2002). The mature trees along the bank of Darling Mills Creek and Excelsior Creek are ofparticularly high conservation value, providing nesting and foraging habitat for the threatenedPowerful Owl (Ninox strenua), and potentially the Masked and Barking Owls (Tyto novaehollandiaeand Ninox connivens).As well as large hollow-bearing trees, the Riparian Environment also contains large specimens ofCeratopetalum apetalum (Coachwood), reaching up to 25 metres in height. This species is also a keyUBM Ecological Consultants Pty Ltd 57