Release of the 2023 monitoring report
Albury Conservation Company is excited to share with you the release of the 2023 Threatened species monitoring report.
You can read the full report here: https://www.alburyconservationco.org.au/acc_2023_annual_report/
The Albury Wodonga Threatened Species Monitoring Program (TSMP) has been strategically monitoring Albury Wodonga’s wildlife since 2018, with a focus on arboreal mammals and in particular the Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis). Albury Conservation Company (ACC) has engaged DM Ecological to implement the program, which started in Albury (Thurgoona – Wirlinga) and expanded into Wodonga in 2020.
In 2023, the program monitored wildlife at over 120 sites using motion-sensing cameras as the primary survey tool. Two monitoring periods occurred in the Thurgoona – Wirlinga study area in 2023, Autumn and Spring. The survey effort in each period was 60 sites and 63 sites monitored respectively. Results showed:
• 33 Squirrel Glider detections in the Autumn monitoring period (detection rate of 55%)
• 31 Squirrel Glider detections in the Spring monitoring period (detection rate of 49%)
All habitat types are showing a higher detection rate in Spring 2023 than they were in Spring 2019, perhaps correlating with wetter than average years and resource availability. During this time, roadside habitat sites have consistently produced higher detection rates in Autumn as opposed to Spring, with both seasonal rates increasing annually. Remnant sites have shown the least amount of variance in detection rates over the life of the program.
Two monitoring periods occurred in the Wodonga study area in 2023, Autumn and Spring. 59 sites were monitored in each of the survey periods. Results showed:
• 27 glider detections in the Autumn monitoring period (detection rate of 46%)
• 19 glider detections in the Spring monitoring period (detection rate of 32%)
The detection rates of each habitat type decreased except for roadside sites where it remained at 50%. Detection rates in the rural land use zone increased from 33% in Spring 2022 to 69% in Autumn 2023 before decreasing to just 12% in Spring 2022. There were no detections in any of the remnant, vegetation, or roadside habitat types within the rural land use zone in Spring 2023.
Recommended actions include:
- Continue implementing the TSMP in both Thurgoona – Wirlinga and Wodonga to improve knowledge of threatened species and identify critical habitats, linkages, and management interventions to ensure the populations remain viable in the face of urbanisation.
- Prioritise the delivery of the three-year funded ‘Applying science to on-ground action for conservation of Albury Wodonga’s threatened wildlife’ project. In particular, commence monitoring of sites with habitat interventions to facilitate BACI experiment.
- This program and its associated projects should be supported by Councils and other key stakeholders. It aligns with the Regional Natural Environment Strategy (RNES) and meets many of the actions in the RNES Action Plan (2020-24).
- Data collected by the TSMP should be used to prescribe delivery of on-ground works relating to revegetation (connectivity and food sources), habitat enrichment (nest boxes and augmented hollows), weed control, removal of barbed wire etc. at specific sites.
The Albury Wodonga Threatened Species Monitoring Program has been made possible with funding from Albury City Council, Ross Trust, Wettenhall Environment Trust, Wodonga Council and others.
You can read the full report here: https://www.alburyconservationco.org.au/acc_2023_annual_report/