FROG SURVEYS

The Mulloon Rehydration Initiative scientific monitoring team and partners have been finalising the 2021 frog survey report by Sam Patmore (PATH Co Pty Ltd). The report highlights that frog populations have continued to improve since the 2020 survey, with two new species detected in the upper catchment, and most species increasing numbers in the creek and nearby dams and wetlands.

Only two species have shown some decline over the period, as was also reported across the Southern Tablelands, though this may be due to surveys being conducted in December which is outside their preferred range.

The next frog survey will be held in November 2022 to assess if numbers have decreased for these two species. If you would like to help, volunteers are always welcome to be involved, please keep an eye on our events page for details of the event.

The Mulloon Rehydration Initiative is jointly funded through the Mulloon Institute and the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program. This monitoring report is supported by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

FISH SURVEYS

University of Canberra ‘Institute for Applied Ecology’ staff members Ben Broadhurst, Rhian Clear and Ugyen Lhendup conducted fish surveys in May at Mulloon Creek, followed by surveys in three comparison waterways in the region during June. Initial results indicate a good increase in the native Mountain Galaxias Fish (Galaxias olidus), and significant decline of the invasive Mosquito Fish (Gambusia holbrooki), with only two specimens captured in Mulloon Creek. We look forward to receiving the full report soon, which will be made available through our website via our ‘Surveys & Monitoring’ page.

Slightly boggy out on the Mulloon floodplain.

HYDROLOGY

TMI’s hydrologist Tony Bernardi has also been busy managing and maintaining our extensive array of hydrological monitoring equipment and managing the data with the HydroTerra team. With continued wet weather and a small flood in early August, Hydrologist Tony Bernardi has been carefully negotiating some very boggy floodplains at Mulloon!

NEW TEAM MEMBERS

TMI welcomes our new Science Officer Susie Miechels to the team. Susie completed her science degree and Honors in hydrological modelling at Sydney University. Susie is also taking on a partial role as a landscape planner with Mulloon Consulting. Welcome to the team Susie and trust it will be a great experience for you professionally and personally.

TMI is also welcoming Masters student Jochem Meinen from the University of Twente, Netherlands. Jochem aims to conduct a ten week research project investigating ground and surface water changes since the leaky weirs have been implemented in the Lower Mulloon floodplain. He will be ably assisted with academic and technical support by TMI staff, Dr Leah Moore (Australian National University) and Richard Campbell (HydroTerra).

RESOURCES