Abstract: |
Before the January 2005 Lower Eyre Peninsula bushfire, surveys conducted as part of the draft Recovery Plan (Pickett 2004) recorded Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu Wrens from 50 sites across lower Eyre Peninsula with five important populations occurring at Marble Range, Kellidie Bay Conservation Park, MacLaren Point-Point Haselgrove, Whalers Way and West Point. A reliable estimate of Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu Wren population size is unavailable, however it is thought that pairs number less than 100 at each of these five important sites. In August 2005, sites where Eyre Peninsula Southern Emu Wrens had been previously recorded in the fireground were revisited. It is believed that an isolated population at Charlton Gully in the Koppio Hills has been lost, however birds were recorded on the edge of the fireground near Murrunatta Conservation Reserve and Ducklake Road (Pickett 2005a). Suitable habitat remnants within the fireground were also re-surveyed to identify priority areas for protection and increasing habitat links (Pickett 2005b). Monitoring to assess success of recovery actions and weed control at revegetation sites are planned throughout 2006/7 as part of the scientific program of the Lower Eyre Peninsula Bushfire Re-establishment Program. |