Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00385:body:0:p24
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00385
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 66494–68857

hour actively searching under rocks, ground debris and at the base of trees with the aid of a rake and gemmie bar.

5.  Artificial Habitat and Nest Burrows
At each site, position ten sheets of artificial habitat (such as corrugated iron sheeting) flush with the ground adjacent to the base of trees or amongst rocks. These sheets to be regularly checked.

At each site, place ten artificial nest burrows (made of two layers of PVC tubing) at the base of canopy trees, following the same design and dimensions as used for the Earless Dragon Tympanocryptis lineata pinguicolla (designed by P. Robertson, Wildlife Profiles P/L, P.O. Box 500 Heidelberg, Victoria 3084; wildlife.profiles@bigpond.com).

6.  Hair Funnels and Hair Tubes
Shrews readily investigate novel objects and frequently defaecate on the inside of such objects (Churchfield et al. 2000). At each site, locate five hair funnels (Faunatech) and five hair tubes (following the design of Suckling 1978) 20 m apart on the ground, and five hair funnels and five hair tubes in trees (including in the canopy) or on rock faces adjacent to epiphytes. The hair funnels/hair tubes are to be baited with the same mixture as for Longworth/Elliott traps. Each trap to be surrounded by guyed or tied-down wire mesh of sufficient mesh spacing to allow shrew passage, but to prevent Robber Crab interference. These traps to be regularly checked for hairs and scats.

7.  Epiphyte and Loose Bark Search
There is a possibility that the shrew uses epiphytes as shelter sites (Meek 2000). At each site, where feasible, search epiphyte clumps on the trunk and in the canopy, and strips of loose bark on trunks and logs for sheltering shrews. This search to be conducted by manual light beating of the clump/bark with the aim of disturbing sheltering shrews.

8.  Predator Gut and Scat Analysis
At each site, any predator scats and regurgitations be collected for analysis after each survey period. Additionally, encourage Parks Australia North staff to retain and be trained to identify the gut contents of all feral cats killed during control programs and randomly.

Both on site and elsewhere, locate nests of the Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides, Christmas Island Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus natalis and Christmas Island Hawk-Owl Ninox natalis, for the collection and analysis of regurgitated and discarded material.