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Southern Myotis (Myotis macropus)

The Southern Myotis is a small insectivorous bat that feeds by raking its feet across the surface of streams, pools, dams and estuaries. It is closely tied to permanent water and nearby roosts, including caves, tree hollows, bridges and culverts, so clearing, water-quality impacts and works on structures can affect it on development sites.

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Endangered.

Breeding season

The timing below applies to the NSW evidence provided and is most relevant to projects affecting bridges, culverts and other roosts. Breeding activity is reported from October to April, with births usually in November and December and possible additional birthing between October and March.

Timing should be confirmed by a project-specific survey and microbat specialist. The supplied documents do not provide a separate national seasonal calendar for all states.

  • Breeding: Breeding in Transport structures occurs from October to April. October to December are within the reported breeding period, with births commonly recorded in November and December.
  • Young: Females usually give birth in November or December. In NSW, up to two birthing events may occur between October and March, so dependent young may be present across late spring and summer.
  • Movement and roost switching: The species uses a network of roosts and individuals may change roosts regularly, sometimes nightly. No long-distance seasonal migration pattern is provided in the supplied documents.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing or structural disturbance is most likely to harm the species during the October to April breeding period, especially around births in November and December and when dependent young are present. April remains within the breeding restriction period for works affecting structures.

Identification

The Southern Myotis is a small, dark insectivorous bat with unusually large, hairy feet. It is most reliably identified by its morphology, water-associated behaviour and roost signs, supported by an appropriately qualified bat specialist where required.

Fur is dark grey to reddish brown above and paler below. The feet are more than 8 millimetres long, with widely spaced, distinctly hairy toes and long, curved claws.

The large feet are the most useful distinguishing feature in the field. The species weighs up to 15 grams and has a wingspan of about 28 centimetres.

Diagnostic feet: More than 8 millimetres long, with widely spaced hairy toes and long, curved claws.

Colour: Dark grey to reddish brown above, paler below.

Identification: Behaviour and similar species

The species commonly flies low over streams and pools and catches prey by raking its feet across the water surface. This behaviour, together with the large feet, helps separate it from other small insectivorous bats that forage above water without contacting the surface.

Do not rely on general body size, flight behaviour or an unverified echolocation call alone for identification. Call identification should be undertaken by a competent person with access to an appropriate regional reference call library.

Identification: Field signs

Potential roost signs in bridges, culverts and other structures include guano, urine staining or discolouration, concealed bats in cracks and joints, bat flies and a musty animal smell. Audible squeaking or bat chatter can also indicate occupancy.

The absence of visible bats does not confirm that a structure is unused. Roosts may be occupied at different times of year, including during the breeding period.

  • Inspect gaps in bridge decking, culvert joins, lift holes, cracks, pile-cap cavities and other dry or damp cavities near water.
  • Stop work and obtain specialist advice if bats or fresh signs are found in a structure.
  • Do not handle bats unless appropriately vaccinated and trained; use a qualified microbat specialist for capture or handling.

Distribution

The Southern Myotis occurs widely around the Australian coast and along some major inland rivers. It is generally uncommon more than 100 kilometres inland, except where major rivers provide suitable water-associated habitat.

The documented national range extends from north-western Australia across the Top End and south along the coastal band to western Victoria. The species is recorded or predicted in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria, and the source distribution summary also identifies the north-west and Top End as part of the broader range.

In NSW, records or predicted occurrence span the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin, South Eastern Highlands, South East Corner, South Western Slopes and Riverina bioregions. Records include coastal and inland river-associated areas.

Broad Australian range: North-western Australia and the Top End south to western Victoria, mainly in the coastal band and along major rivers.

States and territories identified in the supplied records: Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Victoria.

Inland distribution: Rarely more than 100 kilometres inland, except along major rivers.

Distribution: NSW bioregions and local records

The NSW profile identifies known or predicted occurrence in the NSW North Coast, South Eastern Highlands, Sydney Basin, South East Corner, South Western Slopes and Riverina bioregions.

In the Southern Region assessment, only one roost site was known at Lake Burrenjuck and was thought to be a maternal roost. The assessment set a Tablelands target around that roost, while other records were to be managed through prescriptions and targeted survey.

Known roost noted in the Southern Region assessment: Lake Burrenjuck, thought to be a maternal roost.

Population size and trend: No national population estimate or population trend is provided in the supplied documents.

Habitat

Permanent or near-permanent water is the defining habitat requirement. The species uses waterbodies for feeding and nearby natural or built structures for roosting, with riparian vegetation helping maintain both foraging conditions and movement links.

Habitat includes rivers, creeks, pools, farm dams, detention basins and estuaries. The species is associated with open water and may forage over pools in river-flat forest and swamp woodland.

Native vegetation along streams and rivers, and around other waterbodies, should be retained. Adjacent clearing can remove foraging habitat even when the waterbody itself is not directly filled or drained.

Water requirement: Permanent water is required.

Water-associated habitats: Rivers, creeks, pools, farm dams, detention basins and estuaries.

Recorded project habitat examples: Open water in dams or detention basins, pools in Cumberland river-flat forest and pools in Castlereagh Swamp Woodland.

Habitat: Structural features

Suitable habitat can occur in natural and artificial structures close to water, including caves, tunnels, tree hollows, stormwater channels, buildings, wharves, bridges and culverts.

The species can use dry or damp cracks and crevices with water below or nearby and minimal human activity. Suitable bridge or culvert habitat may be present even when no bats are visible during a single inspection.

Natural roost-related habitat: Caves, tunnels and hollow-bearing trees.

Built roost-related habitat: Bridges, culverts, stormwater channels, buildings, wharves and other structures.

Structure size guidance: Transport guidance treats pipes less than 900 millimetres in diameter and culverts less than 900 millimetres high as unlikely to provide significant roost or breeding habitat, unless historical records are known.

Habitat: Elevation and climate

The supplied documents do not provide a species-specific elevation limit. Records span coastal areas, major inland rivers and parts of the South Eastern Highlands, so site assessment should focus on permanent water and roost availability rather than elevation alone.

Foraging habitat

Southern Myotis feed over open water, usually at or very close to the surface. Their habitat value depends on water availability, aquatic prey and suitable access from nearby roosts.

The diet includes aquatic insects, insects over water and small fish. The species catches prey by raking its large feet across the water surface.

Foraging sites include rivers, creeks, pools, farm dams and estuaries. In development areas, detention basins and pools within river-flat or swamp woodland may also be used.

Diet: Aquatic insects, insects over water and small fish.

Foraging method: Rakes the feet across the water surface to capture prey.

Foraging habitat: Streams, pools, rivers, farm dams, detention basins and estuaries.

Foraging range: A species-specific foraging distance or home-range size is not provided in the supplied documents.

  • Retain permanent pools, stream edges, dams, detention basins and estuarine waterbodies used by the species.
  • Protect riparian vegetation and avoid activities that increase siltation, pollution or other reductions in stream water quality.
  • Minimise pesticide use in or adjacent to foraging areas.

Breeding habitat

Breeding can occur in natural roosts and in built structures near permanent water. Bridge and culvert works are most sensitive when they disturb occupied breeding habitat or separate adults from dependent young.

Females may breed in caves, tunnels, tree hollows and under bridges. Transport guidance confirms that bridges and culverts can support breeding, including gaps in timber decking, joints between concrete elements and cavities above or between structural components.

Breeding roosts are generally close to water, with dry or damp shelter, limited human activity and access for adults to leave and forage.

Breeding season: October to April for breeding activity in Transport structures; births in NSW are usually in November or December, with up to two birthing events possible between October and March.

Litter size: One young per birthing event.

Gestation: Not stated in the supplied documents.

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied documents.

Lifespan: A lifespan is not stated. The Southern Region assessment gives an estimated reproductive life span of 1 to 6 years, with a mean of 2 years.

Breeding roost features: Caves, tunnels, tree hollows, bridge cavities and culvert joints near permanent water, with low human disturbance.

Breeding habitat: Construction planning

Where Southern Myotis are present, Transport guidance advises that activities disturbing habitat should not occur during October to April without additional mitigation. Breeding adults may relocate within the same structure, but disturbance can cause adults to abandon young.

Pre-construction surveys, staged habitat removal, alternative roosts, daily inspections, noise controls and monitoring may be needed where works affect occupied breeding habitat. A site-specific Microbat Management Plan should be prepared by a suitably qualified specialist when impacts cannot be avoided.

  • Schedule high-disturbance works outside October to April where practicable.
  • Do not exclude or remove occupied habitat during breeding without specialist planning and monitoring.
  • Construct or install replacement roost habitat before removing existing habitat where practicable.

Sheltering habitat

The Southern Myotis uses a network of roosts rather than a single shelter type. Roosts are usually close to water and may be natural features or structures associated with roads, bridges and drainage infrastructure.

Natural shelter includes caves, tunnels, hollow-bearing trees and dense foliage. Built shelter includes stormwater channels, buildings, wharves, bridges and culverts.

In structures, the species uses cracks, crevices, unsealed joints, gaps in timber decking, pile-cap cavities, roughened concrete and exposed reinforcement. These features can provide roosting or breeding habitat when water is below or nearby.

Typical roost group: Usually 10 to 15 bats.

Larger colonies: More than 100 bats are possible in structures.

Roost conditions: Dry or damp cracks and crevices, water below or nearby, and minimal human activity.

Known Southern Region roost buffer: A 1 kilometre radius around the Lake Burrenjuck roost was defined as core habitat. Habitat over or within 100 metres of the lake within the next 3 kilometres was defined as intermediate habitat.

Sheltering habitat: Inspection and retention

Inspect bridge decking gaps, culvert joins, lift holes, cracks, pile caps, span piles and other protected cavities. Look for bats, guano, urine staining, bat flies, discolouration, audible calls and musty smells.

Roosts may be used intermittently or seasonally. A structure with no visible bats during one inspection may still be used during breeding or at another stage of the year.

  • Retain hollow-bearing trees, riparian vegetation and suitable cavities near permanent water.
  • Inspect suitable structures before works and every day during works where microbat habitat is present.
  • If bats or signs are found, stop work in the affected area and contact the project environmental officer and a microbat specialist.

Threats: Habitat clearing and fragmentation

The main risks on development and infrastructure sites are loss or disturbance of roosts, clearing beside water, fragmentation and deterioration of water quality. Bridge, culvert and drainage works require particular care because structures can provide breeding habitat as well as day roosts.

Clearing riparian vegetation and vegetation beside dams, pools and streams removes foraging habitat and can separate roosts from feeding areas. Habitat fragmentation was ranked as a severe threat in the Southern Region assessment, and loss of riparian areas was also ranked highly.

Removal of hollow-bearing trees can remove roosts, although the species also uses a wide range of built structures.

  • Avoid clearing native vegetation along streams, rivers and other waterbodies.
  • Maintain connected riparian vegetation and retain hollow-bearing trees near permanent water.
  • Keep construction compounds, access tracks and lighting away from water edges where practicable.

Threats: Water and hydrology

Drainage of swamps, siltation from roads and earthworks, pollution and reduced stream water quality can reduce aquatic prey and degrade foraging habitat. Changes to water levels or flow can also remove pools and alter the conditions around roosts.

Frequent burning was identified among disturbances that can affect waterbodies through siltation and related impacts. The supplied documents do not identify a separate fire requirement for roosts.

  • Prevent sediment, fuel, concrete washout and other pollutants from entering streams, pools, dams and estuaries.
  • Maintain permanent water and avoid unnecessary drainage or diversion of pools and wetlands.
  • Use erosion and sediment controls before earthworks begin and maintain them through construction.

Threats: Roost disturbance and infrastructure works

Disturbance to roosts, including human interference and bridge replacement, was ranked highly. Replacement of timber bridges with concrete bridges can remove cavities and gaps used by the species.

Construction noise, vibration, artificial lighting and direct damage can cause bats to leave roosts. During breeding, disturbance may cause adults to abandon dependent young.

  • Survey bridges, culverts, tunnels, wharves and similar structures before demolition, replacement or repair.
  • Schedule disruptive works outside October to April where practicable.
  • Use staged exclusion, temporary roosts, bat boxes, roughened recesses and replacement cavities only under a specialist management plan.
  • Stop work if bats leave a roost in large numbers in response to the activity.

Threats: Pesticides, roads and animal health

Pesticides in or adjacent to foraging areas are a documented threat and may reduce prey or expose bats to contaminants. Roads and earthworks can increase siltation and can remove riparian habitat.

Australian Bat Lyssavirus is a worker health risk if a bat bites or scratches a person. It is not a reason to destroy a roost, but it requires trained and vaccinated handlers for any capture or handling.

  • Minimise pesticide use near streams, pools, dams and estuaries.
  • Do not handle bats unless trained and appropriately vaccinated.
  • Use a qualified microbat specialist for capture, exclusion, relocation or welfare assessment.

Survey methodology: 1. Inspect roosting structures and water features

Survey Southern Myotis where works may affect permanent or semi-permanent water, riparian vegetation, bridges, culverts, tunnels, caves, mines, buildings, wharves, tree hollows or other sheltered roost sites. Use a suitably qualified bat ecologist for acoustic identification and interpret negative results cautiously because roosts may be occupied at different times of year.

Inspect bridges, culverts, tunnels, caves, mines, buildings, wharves and tree hollows for roosting bats and signs of use.

Check cracks, crevices, culvert joins, lift holes, gaps in timber decking, spaces between bridge components, roughened concrete and exposed reinforcement.

Look for concealed bats, guano, urine staining, bat flies, musty odours and audible bat calls.

Inspect adjacent rivers, creeks, pools, farm dams, detention basins, swamps and estuaries because the species forages over water and generally roosts close to water.

Survey methodology: 2. Conduct ultrasonic acoustic surveys

Use active and passive ultrasonic detection to survey open water, creek lines, pools, dams, detention basins, riparian vegetation and potential flyways.

For a project area of up to 50 hectares, the Heathcote Road assessment used two recording devices for four nights, with each night running for at least four hours from dusk, giving 32 hours of recording.

Use a competent person with access to an appropriate regional reference call library to identify recorded calls.

Place detectors where bats are likely to pass over water and near structures that may contain roosts, while avoiding positions that are obstructed by dense vegetation or excessive background noise.

Example effort: Two detectors, four nights, at least four hours from dusk per night, 32 hours total

Survey context: Heathcote Road project, two sites, December 2015 and January 2016

Survey methodology: 3. Survey structures before works

Complete a daytime inspection before construction, demolition, bridge replacement, culvert works or maintenance that may disturb a roost.

Treat a structure as potential habitat where it has dry or damp cracks and crevices, gaps in timber decking, culvert joins, bridge cavities or sheltered areas with water below or nearby.

Do not assume that an empty roost is unused, because Southern Myotis can change roosts and may use the same structure at another time of year.

Where inspection is incomplete because parts of the structure cannot be accessed or viewed, proceed as though microbat habitat may be present and obtain advice from an environment manager or microbat specialist.

Survey methodology: 4. Consider trapping only where justified

Use harp traps or mist nets only where the survey design requires confirmation that cannot be obtained by acoustic detection and visual inspection.

Do not place mist nets or harp traps at the entrance to a known roost site.

If trapping is proposed over isolated waterholes, dams, creek lines, sinkholes or swamps, obtain the required animal ethics and wildlife approvals and use an experienced bat ecologist.

The Heathcote Road survey did not use harp trapping or mist netting because of animal ethics considerations, so acoustic detection was the principal targeted method.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use the four-night, 32-hour example as a documented project benchmark for a small project, then have a bat ecologist determine whether extra nights, seasonal sampling or structure-specific surveillance is needed.
  • Survey during the period when the proposed works could affect roosting or breeding bats, and repeat surveys where a single season could miss changing roost use.
  • Record detector locations, dates, start and finish times, weather, water conditions, equipment settings, call files, call identifications, inspection areas, signs of use and any limitations.
  • Submit confirmed records and suitable negative-survey information to the relevant state wildlife database, such as NSW BioNet where the work is in New South Wales.
  • Keep photographs, call files, inspection sheets, trap records, permits, specialist qualifications and fauna handling records with the project environmental records.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Plan works around the species’ strong association with permanent water and sheltered roosts. Avoid removing or disturbing roosts first, then design the work so that retained water, riparian vegetation and alternative roosting habitat remain functional throughout the project.

  • Retain permanent water, pools, creeks, rivers, farm dams, estuaries and adjacent riparian vegetation wherever practicable.
  • Retain bridges, culverts, tunnels, wharves, buildings, caves, mines and hollow-bearing trees that may provide roosts.
  • Avoid clearing vegetation beside water and avoid siltation, drainage, pollution and changes to water quality that may reduce aquatic insect and small fish food resources.
  • Maintain connected riparian vegetation and avoid isolating retained water or roosts from nearby foraging habitat.
  • Do not replace a timber bridge or other structure containing a known roost without a specialist-designed replacement habitat and transition plan.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Breeding period in Transport structures: October to April

Typical roost group: 10 to 15 individuals, with colonies of more than 100 possible

Known birthing period in NSW: Usually November or December; Transport guidance records up to two birthing events between October and March

  • Confirm the current Commonwealth and state conservation status for the project location before works begin.
  • Obtain all required state wildlife, animal ethics, handling and relocation approvals, and check whether the activity requires assessment under state threatened species legislation.
  • Check whether an EPBC Act referral is required if the species is nationally listed at the project location or if another nationally protected value is affected.
  • Schedule high-disturbance work outside the Southern Myotis breeding period, generally October to April for works on Transport structures, unless an approved specialist management plan provides another approach.
  • Use a staged design where habitat must be removed, so new or temporary roosting habitat is available before existing habitat is disturbed.
  • Prepare a fauna or Microbat Management Plan where a roost, breeding habitat, ten or more bats, or significant disturbance is confirmed or likely.

Before habitat disturbance: Prepare the site

  • Complete the pre-clearance survey shortly before works and inspect the structure or habitat on the day work is to start.
  • Mark retained water, riparian vegetation, roosts, hollow-bearing trees and other no-go areas on plans and on the ground.
  • Install exclusion fencing only where it will not block access to water, roosts or bat flyways and where a qualified ecologist confirms it is suitable.
  • Provide site inductions covering the species’ appearance, roost signs, work restrictions, stop-work triggers, unexpected finds and safe bat handling.
  • Install replacement habitat, such as bat boxes or roughened recesses in a new structure, before excluding or removing existing roost habitat where the management plan requires it.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Southern Myotis may remain concealed in bridge and culvert cavities and can breed in Transport structures. Work must be supervised as a live control process, not treated as a one-off pre-clearance inspection.

  • Inspect all accessible roosting features, work areas and nearby structures before work starts each day where microbat habitat is present.
  • Stop work and contact the supervisor and ecologist immediately if a bat or evidence of bat use is found during the inspection.
  • Keep machinery, lighting, vibration and personnel away from marked roosts and water edges unless the approved method specifically allows access.
  • Use a fauna spotter catcher to maintain a clear exclusion zone, watch concealed cavities and direct machinery operators away from bats and retained habitat.
  • Stage noisy or high-vibration activities and use noise screens or other controls where works could cause bats to abandon a roost.
  • Do not undertake night work near a roost as a default control. Adult bats leave at dusk to forage, but night work is unsuitable where juveniles are present and requires specialist approval.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and water protection

  • Do not fell or dismantle hollow-bearing trees, bridges, culverts or other potential roost structures until a qualified ecologist has checked them and the approved method allows the action.
  • Protect rivers, creeks, pools, dams, detention basins and estuaries from sediment, concrete washout, fuel, chemicals, rubbish and altered flow.
  • Retain riparian vegetation and prevent machinery from entering water or compacting the banks unless the approved construction method requires it.
  • Treat gaps in timber decking, culvert joins, bridge cavities, exposed reinforcement and roughened concrete as potential roost features until inspected.
  • Do not move logs, rocks, hollows or other habitat features into water or across the site in a way that blocks access or changes water quality.

During habitat disturbance: If a bat is found

  • Stop the activity affecting the bat, isolate the immediate work area and contact the project ecologist or microbat specialist.
  • Do not handle a Southern Myotis unless the person is trained, appropriately vaccinated against lyssavirus and authorised under the relevant approvals.
  • Do not move a bat simply because it is near machinery. The specialist must decide whether it can remain, relocate within the structure or be moved to nearby retained habitat.
  • Use bat boxes, temporary structures or replacement cavities only where they are specified, installed and monitored under the Microbat Management Plan.
  • Arrange assessment by a veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer for an injured bat, and do not allow construction staff to transport or handle it unless authorised and trained.
  • If a bat is injured, wash any bite or scratch for at least five minutes and seek medical advice within 12 hours.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work triggers and records

  • Stop work if a bat is found in the work area, if bats leave a roost in large numbers in response to the activity, or if a new roost, breeding group or injured bat is discovered.
  • Record the date, time, location, species, number of bats, life stage if known, roost feature, activity under way, weather, photographs, call files, decision maker and controls applied.
  • Maintain daily inspection sheets and record all exclusions, habitat transfers, box checks, releases, injuries, mortalities and unexpected finds.
  • Resume work only after the ecologist or authorised environmental representative confirms that the revised controls are in place.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance and handover checks

Post-work checks must confirm that retained and replacement habitat remains available and that works have not reduced access to water or caused ongoing disturbance. Monitoring effort should match the number of bats, breeding status and amount of habitat affected.

  • Inspect the completed work area, retained structures and replacement roost features for bats, guano, staining, bat flies and other signs of use.
  • Check that water remains present and accessible, riparian vegetation is intact where retained, and drainage, sediment and pollution controls have worked.
  • Remove temporary exclusion devices only when the specialist confirms that the structure is safe and the approved management sequence is complete.
  • Leave new bridge or culvert cavities, roughened recesses and bat boxes accessible, dry or damp as designed, and protected from unnecessary lighting and human disturbance.
  • Complete a final fauna inspection and hand the habitat and monitoring requirements to the asset owner or land manager.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

  • Monitor replacement and retained roosts before, during and after disturbance where habitat has been removed or new habitat has been installed.
  • Use visual inspection, occupancy checks, bat boxes, acoustic detectors and other methods selected by the project ecologist.
  • Monitor nearby structures where the project may have displaced bats, particularly where the local area has few alternative roosts.
  • Report survey results, incidents, mortalities, mitigation performance, residual impacts and database records to the relevant approval authority and wildlife database.
  • Keep monitoring data with the project records and update the Microbat Management Plan if bats do not use replacement habitat or if new breeding habitat is found.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and residual impacts

  • Reassess residual impacts after avoidance, timing, staging and replacement habitat measures have been applied.
  • Obtain advice on biodiversity offsets or other approval conditions where legally required for unavoidable loss of threatened habitat or roosting structures.
  • Do not treat an offset as a substitute for retaining permanent water, riparian vegetation or an occupied breeding roost.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore water and riparian habitat

Rehabilitation should restore the features Southern Myotis uses for feeding and roosting: permanent or reliably available water, vegetated stream margins and sheltered cavities close to water. Design and maintain replacement habitat with a microbat specialist.

  • Reinstate natural drainage and retain permanent pools, creek flows, farm dams, detention basins or other water bodies used for foraging.
  • Replant native vegetation along streams, rivers and around other waterbodies, using species appropriate to the local ecological community and site conditions.
  • Prevent sediment, chemical pollution, excessive artificial lighting and weed invasion from reducing water quality or aquatic insect resources.
  • Stabilise disturbed banks with local native vegetation and non-polluting materials rather than hardening or clearing the entire water margin.

Rehabilitation actions: Replace roosting habitat

  • Retain existing bridges, culverts, tunnels, wharves, buildings, caves, mines and hollow-bearing trees wherever practicable.
  • Incorporate roughened recesses, cavities, exposed or textured surfaces and bat-box attachment points into replacement bridges and culverts where existing roost habitat is lost.
  • Install bat boxes on or near the replacement structure before exclusion or demolition where specified by the Microbat Management Plan.
  • Place replacement habitat close to the retained waterway and monitor it because Southern Myotis generally roost in groups close to water.
  • Do not rely on a replacement feature until occupancy and suitability have been checked by a qualified microbat specialist.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage threats and measure success

  • Control weeds and prevent construction materials, rubbish and concrete products from entering water or roost cavities.
  • Minimise pesticides adjacent to foraging areas and use integrated weed management that protects aquatic insects and riparian vegetation.
  • Maintain low disturbance around confirmed roosts and avoid unnecessary lighting, vibration and access.
  • Use acoustic recording and inspections to measure occupancy, continued access to foraging water, evidence of breeding and use of replacement habitat.
  • Set project-specific success measures with the specialist, including functioning water, intact riparian planting, accessible roost cavities, no preventable mortality and documented bat use over the agreed monitoring period.
  • Review fire, vegetation maintenance and bridge or culvert maintenance practices so that they do not remove roost cavities or degrade water quality.

Sources