A rare bat last recorded in Cockburn more than 30 years ago is among abundant and diverse native fauna recorded during surveys in bushland reserves in the City of Cockburn’s eastern and central suburbs.
The near threatened Western False Pipistrelle bat was recorded at Banksia Eucalypt Woodland reserve in Aubin Grove.
The mammal is not commonly sighted in Perth and was last recorded in Cockburn in 1993, at the Harry Waring Marsupial Reserve in Wattleup.
A variety of birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals of local and conservation significance were recorded in 2024 as part of annual surveys commissioned by the City since 2019.
Completed by independent consultants on a rotational basis at City-managed reserves, the surveys help manage local and conservation-level species and identify threats, including feral animals.
Other conservation-level species observed in the surveys included Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Peregrine Falcon, Rainbow Bee-eater, the Perth Lined-Slider skink and Quenda at reserves in Aubin Grove, Banjup, Beeliar, Hammond Park, Success and Treeby.
Locally significant fauna observations included a huge range of birds and several first-time recordings, King’s Skink, the Southwestern Cool Skink, and the Quacking Frog not usually detected on the Swan Coastal Plain.
Western Grey Kangaroo were observed at Clementine Park, Banksia Eucalypt Woodland Reserve and Frankland Reserve, demonstrating good ecosystem health and habitat connection.
City of Cockburn Acting Service Manager – Sustainability, Rafeena Boyle, said the surveys enabled the City to identify threats including cats, foxes, rabbits, rats and mice, plus opportunities for related community and landholder education.
The surveys make recommendations for feral animal management including fox and rabbit control, plus encouraging cat owners to keep their felines contained to help preserve native fauna.
“Official records of our local wildlife demonstrate the importance of managing fauna, particularly those of conservation significance, along with managing domestic cats and feral animals,” Ms Boyle said.
“Measuring fauna presence at particular reserves is a good indicator of how well a reserve is functioning as an ecosystem. It also demonstrates how well the City’s bushland crew maintains these reserves which are highly valued by the local community and important for safeguarding all species.
“It helps us plan weed management and revegetation to provide good quality habitat for fauna we want to attract and which already occur, including ways to create better habitat connections to nearby bushland reserves.”
The City aims to re-survey its reserves every five years to monitor any changes in the fauna population.
