Targeted survey for the Greater Bilby
The Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is listed as Vulnerable under Northern Territory and national environmental legislation (TPWC Act 1976 and EPBC Act 1999). It needs careful management, particularly when land use changes are proposed near potential habitat.
Trace was commissioned to carry out a targeted Greater Bilby survey to inform an environmental assessment process.
Why the survey was needed
When development is planned in areas that may support threatened species, environmental regulators often require detailed assessment of potential impacts. In this project, proposed land use changes required a closer look at whether the Greater Bilby was present and how it was using the landscape.
Survey approach
Our field ecologists followed established methods designed to improve the chances of detecting this species. Bilbies are nocturnal and shy, so direct sightings are uncommon and surveys rely on indirect evidence.
The team searched the survey area and surrounding buffer zones. No bilbies were directly observed during the survey period, but a significant amount of indirect evidence confirming their presence was recorded, including:
- Burrows: active and inactive burrows characteristic of bilby use
- Tracks: distinctive bilby footprints in suitable substrate
- Scats: bilby droppings
- Diggings: characteristic foraging diggings, including digging around plant roots.
Assessing habitat use and potential impacts
Based on the abundance and distribution of these signs, we identified zones where bilby occurrence was considered "Likely" and "Highly Likely".
These data fed into a significant impact assessment against the Australian Government's guidelines. The findings suggested that the proposed activities could have a significant impact on the local bilby population and its critical habitat resources if appropriate mitigation measures were not put in place.
Recommendations
Trace's recommendations included further referrals to the relevant environmental agencies and sharing the detailed report and spatial data to support the ongoing assessment process. We also highlighted the need to explore impact mitigation strategies.
If your project needs a targeted fauna survey or environmental assessment, contact Trace Enterprises to discuss it.
