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Eastern Cave Bat (Vespadelus troughtoni)

The Eastern Cave Bat is a small, poorly known insectivorous microbat that roosts in caves, rocky overhangs, mine workings, culverts, bridges, buildings and disused Fairy Martin nests. In New South Wales it is listed as Vulnerable, and clearing or disturbance around roosts, cliffs and nearby dry forest can affect individuals, maternity groups and feeding habitat on development sites.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

The annual pattern is poorly known. The only specific timing information supplied is that births occur in November. The risk row therefore focuses on the documented birth period and the likely period when young remain associated with roosts, while recognising that the duration of dependence is not reported.

Seasonal information is limited and should be refined through local roost inspections, targeted surveys and observations of maternity groups.

  • Breeding and births: Females give birth to one young, occasionally twins, in November.
  • Young: Young are expected to be associated with maternity roosts around the November birth period, but the duration of dependence is not provided.
  • Highest clearing risk: November is the documented birth month. Disturbance to maternity roosts and nearby feeding habitat is most likely to harm the species during births and while young remain associated with the roost; the length of this period is not known.

Identification

The Eastern Cave Bat is difficult to identify in the field because it resembles several other Vespadelus species. Capture, photographic and acoustic records should be checked by an experienced bat ecologist, particularly in areas where closely related forest bats occur.

It is a small chestnut-brown bat with rufous or ginger tones on the head and back, darker wings, and a darker-based belly with light fawn tips. It has relatively small, conical ears and a short, upturned nose.

The supplied sources do not provide a body length, wingspan or body mass. Do not assign a field identification from size alone.

Identification: Separating similar bats

The species has been confused with closely related Vespadelus bats that occur in similar habitats. The most reliable reported physical feature for separating the sexes and confirming identity is the shape of the male penis, which is not normally useful for a rapid field observation.

The species may be overlooked by conventional trapping and ultrasonic detection. At Brooyar State Forest, no individuals were trapped or detected ultrasonically, although two were found roosting in disused Fairy Martin nests.

  • Treat a bat from a cave, sandstone overhang, mine, bridge, culvert or Fairy Martin nest as a potential Eastern Cave Bat until identification is resolved.
  • Use a combination of morphology, roost context, call analysis and, where necessary, expert examination rather than relying on one feature.

Identification: Field signs

The principal field sign is a roosting group in a cave, mine tunnel, sandstone overhang, cliff crevice, bridge or culvert. Groups of 6 to 60 have been recorded, while colonies may reach 500 individuals.

The species has also been found in abandoned Fairy Martin nests and inside buildings. No diagnostic tracks, scats, nest material, eyeshine or species-specific call description is provided in the supplied sources.

  • Inspect suitable roost features before demolition, blasting, rock removal, bridge works or clearing near cliffs.
  • Record the roost feature, number of bats, evidence of young, access points, lighting and any signs of recent use.

Distribution: States and regions

The Eastern Cave Bat occurs in eastern Australia but is poorly known and appears widespread yet localised. Records extend from Cape York through Queensland and New South Wales, with a single record from southern New South Wales east of the Australian Capital Territory.

In Queensland, the species is recorded from South East Queensland and other parts of the state. In New South Wales, the range includes the north coast, New England Tablelands, Nandewar, Brigalow Belt South, Sydney Basin, South Eastern Highlands and NSW South Western Slopes.

The NSW profile identifies records or predicted occurrence in subregions including the Clarence Lowlands, Clarence Sandstones, Scenic Rim, Woodenbong, Hunter, Kerrabee, Pittwater, Wollemi, Wyong and Yengo.

Recorded states: Queensland and New South Wales

Northern extent: Cape York

Western limit reported for the main range: Warrumbungle Range

Southern record: One record from southern New South Wales, east of the Australian Capital Territory

Distribution: Strongholds and subpopulations

The available information does not establish a population stronghold, total population size or population trend. Records are described as extremely localised, and large gaps between suitable cliff or escarpment areas may separate local populations.

In the UNE and LNE regions, the species was treated as cliff dependent, with evidence described as very localised and major gaps between areas of cliffs. This indicates that roost sites may be spatially discrete, even where surrounding forest appears continuous.

Known population size: Unknown

Population trend: Unknown

Reported colony size: Occasionally up to 500 individuals

  • Do not interpret an absence from a trapping or ultrasonic survey as evidence that the species is absent.
  • Map roost features and nearby dry forest, woodland and wet forest separately, because both roost availability and feeding habitat may limit local occurrence.

Habitat: Forest and woodland setting

The Eastern Cave Bat uses roost features associated with cliffs, escarpments and rocky overhangs, and feeds over surrounding forest and woodland. It has been recorded across a broad range of forest conditions, from wet coastal forest to drier inland woodland.

Typical habitat includes dry open forest and woodland, often near cliffs, rocky overhangs or escarpments. The species also occurs along cliff-lines in wet eucalypt forest and rainforest, and has been reported from tropical mixed woodland, wet sclerophyll forest, drier western-slope forest and inland areas.

The supplied regional assessment associates the species with predominantly dry forest, with some use of moist forest. Sandstone and volcanic escarpments are recurring habitat features.

Habitat: Key structural features

Suitable habitat is defined less by a particular plant community than by the combination of a secure roost and nearby insect-rich forest or woodland. Important structures include caves, mine workings, cliffs, sandstone overhangs, rock crevices, culverts, bridges, old buildings and disused Fairy Martin nests.

No minimum tree diameter, elevation band or measured distance between roosts and feeding habitat is provided. The species can fly at least 500 metres over cleared land, but clearing can still isolate roosts from suitable feeding areas.

  • Retain native vegetation around caves, cliffs, overhangs, mine entrances, bridges and culverts.
  • Survey both the proposed clearing footprint and nearby roost features, including structures that are not natural caves.
  • Treat old mines, tunnels, buildings and bridge or culvert crevices as potential habitat before disturbance.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding behaviour

The Eastern Cave Bat is an insectivorous microbat that forages over dry forest, woodland and some moist forest near its roosts. Its feeding ecology is poorly documented, so retained feeding habitat should be assessed from the local roost and vegetation context.

The species is described as a probable specialist insectivore that feeds on flying insects. Mosquitoes have been recorded among its prey, and the regional assessment identifies flying insects as the main food resource.

Individuals may forage repeatedly over small areas on consecutive nights. The species can cross up to 500 metres of cleared land, but this does not mean cleared land provides equivalent feeding habitat.

Food: Flying insects, including mosquitoes

Recorded flight across cleared land: Up to 500 metres

Foraging pattern: Small areas may be used over consecutive nights

  • Retain connected native forest and woodland around known or potential roosts.
  • Minimise pesticide and herbicide use near roosts and feeding habitat because chemicals may reduce invertebrate availability or leave toxic residues in bats.
  • Avoid night lighting near roost entrances and flight paths where practicable.

Foraging habitat: Habitat around roosts

Foraging habitat includes predominantly dry forest, with some moist forest, wet eucalypt forest, rainforest, woodland and adjacent cleared areas. The highest-value areas are likely to be native vegetation close to caves, cliffs, mine workings and other occupied roosts, although the sources do not define a fixed foraging radius.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding information is limited. Females use roost features such as caves, mines, crevices and other sheltered structures, and maternity groups may occur in the same types of sites used for general shelter.

Breeding or birth period: Births have been observed in November

Litter size: Usually one young, occasionally twins

Gestation: Not provided in the supplied sources

Age at maturity: Not provided in the supplied sources

Estimated reproductive lifespan: 1 to 8 years, with a mean estimate of 2.5 years

Maternity group size: Maternity colonies can exceed 200 adults; colonies of up to 500 individuals have also been recorded

Breeding habitat: Breeding roosts

Potential maternity sites include caves, mine workings, sandstone overhangs, cliff crevices and other sheltered roost structures. The species may also use bridges, culverts, buildings and disused Fairy Martin nests, although the supplied sources do not establish which of these are routinely used for maternity.

  • Do not enter, seal, illuminate, demolish or blast a potential roost without first assessing whether bats are present.
  • Schedule intrusive roost works outside the November birth period where practicable, and obtain species-specific advice if a maternity group is present.
  • Retain access to occupied roosts and avoid blocking entrances with spoil, rockfall, mesh or construction materials.

Sheltering habitat: Natural refuges

The Eastern Cave Bat is primarily associated with cave-like roosts but is capable of using a wide range of natural and artificial structures. Roost selection may be localised, and several roost types can occur far from mapped rock outcrops or known caves.

Natural roosts include caves, sandstone overhangs, rocky escarpments, cliff crevices and volcanic or sandstone outcrops. Roosts are often in well-lit areas near cave entrances or under overhangs.

The species has been recorded in colonies of up to 500, with groups of 6 to 60 also reported. No entrance dimensions, roost temperature or minimum roost volume is provided.

Typical natural roosts: Caves, sandstone overhangs, cliffs and rocky crevices

Recorded group sizes: 6 to 60 individuals in some groups, with colonies up to 500

  • Inspect cave entrances, overhangs, cracks and cliff bases before rock breaking, vegetation removal or changes to access.
  • Keep construction lighting away from roost entrances and avoid prolonged noise or vibration at occupied sites.

Sheltering habitat: Artificial and temporary roosts

Artificial or non-cave roosts include abandoned mine workings, mine tunnels, bridges, culverts, old buildings and sheds. Disused Fairy Martin nests have supported roosting bats, including at a site where no animals were detected by trapping or ultrasonic survey.

A roost may therefore be present even where the project area lacks obvious caves or exposed rock.

  • Check bridge joints, culvert headwalls, expansion gaps, mine entrances, old sheds and abandoned Fairy Martin nests.
  • Retain roost access during temporary works and replace or modify structures only after confirming that bats are not using them.
  • Use a suitably experienced bat ecologist where roost disturbance, exclusion or demolition is proposed.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main project risks are loss or disturbance of roosts, clearing of nearby forest and woodland, and isolation of local roosting areas. The species is difficult to detect, so unrecorded roosts may be affected by apparently routine works.

Clearing and isolation of dry eucalypt forest and woodland can remove feeding habitat around cliffs, caves, mine workings and other roosts. Timber harvesting, agricultural clearing and residential development are identified threats.

Large gaps between suitable cliff areas may separate local populations. Fragmentation can therefore affect both roost access and movement between feeding areas.

  • Avoid clearing native vegetation around known or potential roosts.
  • Retain links between roost features and surrounding dry forest, woodland, wet forest and rainforest.
  • Map caves, cliffs, mine workings, bridges, culverts and buildings before finalising clearing limits.

Threats: Roost disturbance and construction

Mining, blasting, rock removal, recreational caving, demolition and works on bridges or culverts can damage or disturb roosts. Loss of caves, old mines, tunnels, buildings, cliffs, overhangs and crevices is specifically identified as a threat.

The species may remain undetected during standard trapping or ultrasonic surveys, increasing the risk of unplanned disturbance.

  • Inspect potential roosts before demolition, blasting, tunnelling, rockfall control, bridge replacement or culvert works.
  • Control vibration, dust, smoke, lighting and human entry near occupied roosts.
  • Do not seal or exclude bats from a roost without confirming the species, season and presence of dependent young.

Threats: Fire, chemicals and predators

Inappropriate or too-frequent fire can reduce suitable feeding habitat, particularly where dry forest and woodland around roosts are affected. Wildfire is also identified as a threat.

Pesticides and herbicides may reduce insect prey or cause toxic residues to accumulate in body fat. Cats and foxes are probable predators, and hawks, owls and tree snakes are also reported predators.

  • Avoid frequent burning around known and potential roosts and retain unburnt shelter near cave entrances, cliffs and mine workings.
  • Reduce pesticide use near roosts and feeding habitat, and mark potential roost areas on maps used for spraying.
  • Manage domestic cats and foxes near occupied roosts where control is permitted and appropriate.

Threats: Roads, hydrology and disease

The supplied documents do not identify road mortality, disease or hydrology change as established species-specific threats. Roads and drainage works can still disturb bridges, culverts, caves and connected vegetation, so these features should be checked during project planning.

No disease agent or hydrological threshold is reported for the Eastern Cave Bat.

  • Inspect culverts and bridge structures before replacement or cleaning.
  • Avoid directing altered drainage, sediment or flood flows into cave entrances, mine workings or cliff crevices.
  • Record and report unusual mortality or signs of illness during fauna handling and roost inspections.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat and roost assessment

The Eastern Cave Bat is uncommon, localised and difficult to detect with conventional trapping and ultrasonic methods. Survey effort should focus on roosts and suitable dry forest near cliffs, rocky overhangs, caves, mines, culverts, bridges and old buildings. Follow the current Australian Government threatened bat survey guideline and the relevant state or territory protocol before setting project effort.

Map dry open forest, woodland and wet eucalypt forest near cliffs, escarpments, sandstone or volcanic overhangs, caves, abandoned mines and other artificial structures.

Inspect potential roost features in daylight before night survey, including cave entrances, mine workings, bridge and culvert crevices, old buildings and disused fairy martin nests.

Record evidence of use, including bats, guano, staining, odour, audible activity and suitable cracks or crevices, without entering or disturbing a roost unless authorised and safe.

Known roost settings: Caves, sandstone overhangs, mine tunnels, cracks and crevices in bridges and culverts, old buildings and sheds, and disused fairy martin nests.

Colony size reported: Usually 6 to 60 bats in some roosts, with colonies of up to 500 reported; maternity colonies of over 200 adults have also been observed.

Survey methodology: 2. Evening and night detection

Conduct detector and spotlight searches around mapped roosts, cliff lines, rocky overhangs, forest edges and nearby feeding habitat during suitable weather, with the exact nights, hours and transect design set by the current survey guideline and project risk assessment.

Give priority to the period after emergence from roosts, when bats may be detected commuting or foraging over dry and moist forest, woodland and cleared gaps.

Do not treat a negative trapping, spotlighting or ultrasonic result as evidence that the species is absent, because the species can be missed by conventional techniques and has been found roosting where trapping and ultrasonic detection failed.

Flight over cleared land: Individuals have been observed flying up to 500 metres over cleared land.

Foraging information: The species is described as an insectivore associated mainly with dry forest, with some use of moist forest; it may hawk mosquitoes and forage repeatedly over small areas.

Survey methodology: 3. Seasonal and disturbance checks

Repeat surveys where initial results are negative but suitable roost habitat will be removed or disturbed, especially when access to a roost, maternity site or nearby feeding habitat cannot be ruled out.

Include a pre-clearance roost inspection immediately before works, because roost use can occur in caves, mines, buildings, culverts, bridge crevices and fairy martin nests that are not obvious from habitat mapping.

Treat November as a period requiring particular care for breeding activity, because females have been reported giving birth then; the supplied sources do not provide a complete seasonal survey window or a numeric survey effort.

Reported breeding month: November.

Survey limitation: The supplied extract of the national survey guideline identifies the species but does not provide species-specific nights, hours, transect lengths, trap nights or detector deployment requirements.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use the current Australian Government threatened bat survey guideline, relevant state or territory guidance and the project approval conditions to set the minimum number of survey nights, detector locations, transect length, inspection effort and repeat visits.
  • Document survey dates, start and finish times, weather, wind, rainfall, temperature, moon conditions, equipment settings, detector locations, transects, roost inspections, personnel and limitations.
  • Submit confirmed records, negative survey results where required, photographs, call files and roost locations to the relevant state or territory wildlife database, and provide records to the project approval authority.
  • Have species identifications checked by a suitably experienced bat ecologist because the species is difficult to separate from related bats and the male penis is reported as the most reliable physical feature.

Before habitat disturbance: 1. Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Avoid removing or isolating roosts and the forest used for feeding around them. The species is listed as Vulnerable in NSW and is not listed under the EPBC Act in the supplied material, but other listed matters, state requirements or project-specific approvals may still apply.

Habitat association: Dry open forest and woodland near cliffs or rocky overhangs, with occasional use of wet eucalypt forest and rainforest.

Recorded range of roost distance: Some roosts have been found many kilometres from the nearest known cave or rock outcrop, so absence of nearby rock does not exclude a roost.

  • Retain caves, rocky overhangs, cliff lines, escarpments, mine workings, culverts, bridge crevices, old buildings and disused fairy martin nests that could provide roosts.
  • Retain dry open forest and woodland around roosts, together with nearby wet eucalypt forest, rainforest and other forest used for feeding.
  • Avoid clearing that isolates roosts from surrounding forest, because clearing and isolation around cliffs and other roost features are identified threats.
  • Keep connected treed habitat between retained roosts and feeding areas, and avoid creating large cleared gaps where practicable.

Before habitat disturbance: 2. Approvals and specialist roles

  • Confirm the species status in the state or territory where the project is located and obtain any required threatened species, wildlife handling, scientific licence, tree clearing, cave access and rehabilitation approvals.
  • Record that the supplied NSW profile lists the species as Vulnerable and the Commonwealth status as Not listed.
  • Check whether the action affects another EPBC Act listed species, ecological community or threatening process, and refer the action if required; the Eastern Cave Bat itself is not identified as an EPBC Act listed species in the supplied material.
  • Appoint a suitably experienced bat ecologist to oversee survey interpretation, roost decisions, call identification and any proposed exclusion or relocation.

Before habitat disturbance: 3. Works planning

  • Prepare a fauna management plan that maps confirmed and potential roosts, retained forest, exclusion areas, access routes, lighting, blasting, vibration, noise, fire controls and emergency contacts.
  • Schedule high-risk works outside the reported November birth period where practicable, and obtain advice from the bat ecologist if works may affect a maternity roost.
  • Stage clearing so that retained forest and roost access remain available until surveys and construction controls confirm that each work area is clear.
  • Design artificial lighting to avoid shining into cave, mine, bridge, culvert and building entrances or across retained flight paths.

Before habitat disturbance: 4. Pre-clearance preparation

  • Complete a pre-clearance inspection of all potential roosts and structures immediately before disturbance, including caves, mines, overhangs, cliffs, bridges, culverts, buildings and fairy martin nests.
  • Mark no-go roosts, buffers, retained trees, rocky features and connected forest on plans and on the ground before machinery enters.
  • Install exclusion fencing or other clearly visible controls where they can prevent machinery, people, vehicles and materials entering retained roost or habitat areas.
  • Brief all machinery operators and spotter catchers on the species, mapped exclusion areas, stop-work triggers and the requirement to stop when a bat or active roost is found.

During habitat disturbance: 1. Daily site controls

Keep machinery away from confirmed and potential roosts and retain a clear chain of control between the supervisor, fauna spotter catcher and bat ecologist. Stop work when the approved controls no longer protect a roost, maternity site or animal.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing, signage, roost buffers and access controls at the start of each shift and after storms, vehicle movements or other damage.
  • Keep spoil, fill, waste, lights, generators and vehicles away from cave entrances, mine workings, overhangs, cliff bases, bridge and culvert crevices and retained buildings.
  • Prevent smoke, dust, vibration, blasting, intense lighting and avoidable human entry from affecting known or suspected roosts.
  • Maintain a daily fauna and habitat log showing areas cleared, features retained, inspections completed, incidents, weather, personnel and corrective actions.

During habitat disturbance: 2. Spotter catcher and machinery protocol

  • The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop machinery before a mapped habitat feature is disturbed or when an animal, bat roost or unexpected feature is detected.
  • Clear in stages, using the spotter catcher to inspect each work area and direct machinery around retained habitat and any feature requiring specialist assessment.
  • Do not enter a cave, mine, shaft, unstable overhang, bridge void or other dangerous structure to capture or inspect a bat unless the activity is authorised, risk assessed and undertaken by appropriately qualified personnel.
  • Do not attempt to identify this species from appearance alone when a related bat is possible; retain photographs, call recordings or other evidence for expert confirmation.

During habitat disturbance: 3. Animal and habitat response

  • Stop work and establish an exclusion area if a bat is found, a roost is exposed, or bats are emerging from a feature affected by the works.
  • Do not handle the bat unless the person is authorised, trained and covered by the relevant wildlife and animal ethics requirements.
  • Keep people, dogs, machinery and lighting away from the animal and allow the bat ecologist or authorised wildlife handler to decide whether it can remain, needs release into nearby retained habitat, or requires care.
  • Take injured, grounded or distressed animals to an authorised wildlife carer or veterinarian through the approved wildlife rescue pathway.
  • Do not remove, block, fill, seal or illuminate a roost until the bat ecologist and approval authority have confirmed the action and any exclusion method.

During habitat disturbance: 4. Stop-work triggers and records

  • Stop work if a confirmed or potential roost, maternity site, cave, mine, overhang, cliff, bridge crevice, culvert, building or fairy martin nest is found outside the approved disturbance footprint.
  • Stop work if exclusion fencing or a habitat buffer fails, if machinery enters a no-go area, or if lighting, blasting, vibration or smoke affects a retained roost.
  • Record the location, time, activity, number and condition of bats, photographs, call files, habitat feature, actions taken, handlers involved and the person who authorised recommencement.
  • Notify the project environmental officer, bat ecologist and relevant regulator or approval authority in accordance with the fauna management plan and permit conditions.

After habitat disturbance: 1. Post-clearance inspection

Post-clearance work must confirm that retained roosts and feeding habitat remain usable and that construction has not created new barriers or disturbance. Monitoring effort should be set by the approval conditions and bat ecologist, with additional checks where a roost or maternity site was near the works.

  • Inspect the completed footprint and retained buffers for exposed or damaged caves, mine workings, overhangs, cliffs, bridge and culvert crevices, buildings and fairy martin nests.
  • Check for blocked entrances, changed drainage, excess lighting, dust, vibration damage, dumped material, weed spread and loss of forest around retained roost features.
  • Complete a night emergence or detector check where a confirmed or suspected roost was close to works, using the approved monitoring design and authorised personnel.
  • Confirm that all temporary access tracks, stockpiles, fencing and construction materials have been removed from retained habitat.

After habitat disturbance: 2. Monitoring and reporting

  • Monitor retained roosts and nearby feeding habitat at the frequency and duration required by approval conditions, with extra monitoring during and after the reported November breeding period where a maternity roost may be affected.
  • Compare post-work observations with pre-work records, including roost use, bat activity, forest condition, lighting and connectivity to retained habitat.
  • Report confirmed impacts, injured or dead bats, roost abandonment, unexpected roosts and failed controls to the project environmental officer, bat ecologist and relevant regulator.
  • Submit validated occurrence records and survey data to the relevant state or territory wildlife database and retain the underlying field data and call files.

After habitat disturbance: 3. Ongoing controls and offsets

  • Maintain roost buffers, fencing, lighting controls, predator controls, weed controls and fire restrictions for the period required by approvals or the fauna management plan.
  • Repair any erosion, drainage failure, lighting spill, fencing damage or access breach that could reduce roost or feeding habitat quality.
  • Apply any approved offset or compensatory habitat measure for unavoidable residual impacts, with the measure directed to suitable roosting and feeding habitat for the species.

Rehabilitation actions: 1. Restore feeding habitat and connectivity

Rehabilitation should restore connected forest around roost features and keep caves, overhangs, mines, structures and flight paths available. The sources provide limited species-specific planting and restoration prescriptions, so final designs should be prepared by a local ecologist using the pre-clearing vegetation community and approval conditions.

  • Re-establish locally native dry forest and woodland around retained cliffs, rocky overhangs, caves and mines, using species and structure matched to the pre-clearing vegetation community.
  • Restore wet eucalypt forest or rainforest components where those communities were removed near a roost or formed part of the pre-clearing feeding habitat.
  • Create connected treed links between retained roosts and feeding areas, and minimise wide cleared gaps across likely flight paths.
  • Use local provenance plants where required by the rehabilitation plan, control competing weeds and replace failed plantings until the agreed success criteria are met.

Rehabilitation actions: 2. Retain and reinstate roost features

  • Leave caves, mine workings, sandstone and volcanic overhangs, cliff lines, rocky crevices, bridge and culvert crevices, old buildings and suitable fairy martin nests intact unless an approved safety action requires otherwise.
  • Reinstate rock and overhang features only where a qualified geotechnical and fauna specialist confirms that the work will not create an unsafe or unsuitable roost.
  • Do not install nest boxes as a substitute for a known cave or mine roost without specialist advice, because the supplied sources do not establish a suitable box design for this species.
  • Keep restored or retained roost entrances free of obstructions, direct lighting, smoke, rubbish and unauthorised visitor access.

Rehabilitation actions: 3. Fire, pests and contamination

  • Protect known and potential habitat from burning at too-frequent intervals and set fire regimes with the bat ecologist and land manager.
  • Control feral cats and foxes near roosts and retained forest in accordance with approved animal welfare and pest management requirements.
  • Reduce pesticide and herbicide use in habitat areas, because the NSW profile identifies possible reduction of invertebrate prey and toxic residues as risks.
  • Control weeds and prevent construction materials, sediment and altered drainage from degrading forest near roosts and feeding areas.

Rehabilitation actions: 4. Rehabilitation success measures

Reported monitoring limitation: The species is poorly known, localised and difficult to detect, so absence of detection should not alone be used as a rehabilitation success measure.

  • Monitor plant survival, canopy development, weed cover, erosion, connectivity, roost entrance condition, lighting and evidence of bat use against the approved rehabilitation schedule.
  • Use repeat roost inspections and detector or emergence monitoring where a known roost was retained or where rehabilitation is intended to restore access to a former roost area.
  • Investigate and correct declining habitat condition, loss of roost access, reduced bat activity or renewed disturbance rather than treating planting completion as rehabilitation success.
  • Report monitoring results, failures, corrective actions and confirmed records to the approval authority and relevant state or territory wildlife database.

Sources