Kimberley TAFE Ranger Program Toad Bust

Wednesday 7 th & Thursday 8 th September 2006

 

Chris Spurr

Kimberley Toadbuster board member

Horticulture & Landcare Lecturer, Kimberley TAFE

Ph. 9168 0837

Students from Kimberley TAFE’s certificate I in Conservation and Land Management and New Apprenticeship Access Program students embarked on a toad bust and trap placement exercise in early September. This exercise was a coordinated component of the Kimberley Toad Busters Inc. field strategy.

It was a first toad bust for all the students who were supported by Toad Busting TAFE staff and Kimberley Toad Busters, Chris Spurr, Tony Edland, Bill Manning and first time buster Roland Fiegert.

Pear tree tank and wombat Billabong on Auvergne Station west of Timber creek were the focus of the bust.

Pear Tree Tank

A daylight reconnaissance of the turkey nest at Pear tree tank found 6 adult toads ( 4 female and 2 male) in the single trap located on the NW corner of the turkey nest. The trap was situated next to the overflow pipe from a top water supply down to the bottom dam.

A walk along the banks quickly discovered many 5mm-10mm toad metamorphs. At least 500 of these were killed in a short time by the team. These toads were evident on the banks and shallows. Many appeared to be hiding in cracks in the mud. As we were there in the early afternoon the heat may have kept many of the metamorphs hidden in the mud.

Two more traps were set at the turkey nest. One in the NE corner and another in the SE corner.

On returning here the next day, 2 females were found in the NE trap, 1 gravid female was found in the SE trap and none were found in the NW trap. More toad metamorphs were found along the banks.

 

Dwayne spraying a neat solution of Dettol into a goanna hole containing a cane toad. The toad quickly came out in an agitated state.

Six toads were also found in holes (during the day) that had set in the mud, either from drying cracking mud or cattle footprints. Four were found in a single hole and two in another. A spray bottle with a neat solution of Dettol was sprayed into these holes where the toads became quickly agitated before climbing out of the holes.

They appeared to be close to death and a red rash developed on their underside between their back legs. When put into a sealed plastic bag with approximately 100mL of undiluted Dettol they died within minutes. This method was used for all busted toads on this trip.

 

Wombat Billabong

Access to this area was granted by the traditional owners.

A daylight investigation of the site we were going to bust in the evening began with 7 toads being uncovered in goanna holes along the banks of Sandy Creek .These were either pulled out or encouraged to come out with a spray of Dettol.

Four traps were set in the Wombat Billabong vicinity, 1 at the man made waterhole near the bore and 3 along the creek, each next to a pool of water. 19mm polypipe was placed over electrical wires to prevent cattle from eating the wires. There was no evidence of damage after one night.

 

The boys check a trap set the previous day at the creek at Wombat Billabong.

After the traps were set, camp was established at Big Horse Creek camping ground. After dinner the night toad bust activity began with a drive back to Wombat Billabong. Three toads were captured on the road back to Wombat. 115 toads were captured at the man made waterhole and creek. No toads were caught in the traps when checked the next day.

There was plenty of wildlife seen at night. At least 3 snakes and many young frogs.

A male cane toad was heard calling at Big Horse Creek camp ground.

The newly trained team

TOTAL TOADS CAPTURED

137 adult toads

500- 1000 metamorphs