Wetland Project Update

Growling Grass Frog
(alias Southern Bell Frog)

The future vision of Scotts Creek Wetlands is to continue to retain its prominent status by maintaining the biodiversity of its fauna and flora, in particular the endangered species present: Growling Grass Frog (alias Southern Bell Frog) and the Regent Parrot. Also by nurturing associations with schools and Adelaide University, we encourage further research work. The next stage of the wetland project is to reconnect the lagoon to Penfolds Creek, and reinstate the original flow path from Morgan. Currently the wetland is in a drying phase, total dry expected by mid 2008.

Monitoring Results of interest

Frogs: Frog surveys have recorded a total of 5 frog species at Brenda Park Lagoon. Perons tree frog (Litoria peronii) was the most widely spread species followed by the Spotted grass frog (Lymnodynastes tasmaniensis). The Southern bell frog/'Growling Grass Frog' (Litoria raniformis), which is listed as vulnerable in South Australia and vulnerable in the EPCT Act 1999 was found calling in abundances of 50 plus at many locations. At this time the lagoon had been recently refilled after the complete dry phase. It has also been observed calling in large numbers from within the lignum stands in the Racecourse.

Regent Parrot

Birds: Bird surveys are undertaken at Brenda Park as part of ongoing monitoring. Species presence and abundances recorded a total of 34 water birds and 44 non-water bird species within the Brenda Park/Scotts Creek Complex. Seven bird species of significance were recorded during the surveys:

Australasian shoveler (Anas rhynchotis) – listed as Rare in SA
Musk duck (Biziura lobata) – listed as Rare in SA
Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) – listed as Rare in SA and under the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA)
Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrines) – listed as Rare in SA
White bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) – listed as Vulnerable in SA and under the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA)
Regent parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus) – listed as Vulnerable in SA and Vulnerable under the Federal EPBC Act 1999
Great egret (Ardea alba) - listed under the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA)

Turtles: Turtles were captured in fyke nets during fish surveys and their species, number and length of shell recorded. A total of 34 Long neck turtles (Chelodina longicollis) were found at sites within Brenda Park Lagoon and at Scotts Creek 1 Short neck turtle (Emydura macquarii). The results correspond to the habitat preferences of the turtle species, with the Short neck turtle (Emydura macquarii) preferring permanent water such as Scotts Creek and Long neck turtles (Chelodina longicollis) utilising temporary wetlands eg Brenda Park Lagoon.

Lignum Flowers

Anne Jensen study

Anne Jensen is well known for her past work with Wetland Care Australia. Over the past two years Anne has been carrying out a PhD study 'The Lower Murray Floodplain Seedbank: Status and Response to Flooding'.

This project proposes to investigate key aspects of the seed bank and its responses to external factors, particularly flooding, with the intent of developing guidelines for effective use of environmental flows to ensure at least early juvenile survival of recruits of the three key floodplain species river red gum, black box and lignum.

The field sites included Brenda Park Station and Banrock Station, Clarks Floodplain at Bookpurnong and Chowilla Floodplain. All of the sites are associated with controlled watering regimes. Anne has now completed her data collection and is writing up the results of two long years of monthly visits to the ‘Racecourse'