OATLEY Flora and Fauna Conservation Society is asking residents to help keep records of Atlas of NSW Wildlife up to date by telling the society of wildlife and flora sightings. The society is a contributor to the atlas database.
The Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) manages the data base. DECC documents more than one million sightings of endangered plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
The atlas records 119 bird species, three frog species, eight native mammals and 13 reptiles in Oatley parklands.
DECC natural heritage officer and Oatley Flora and Fauna Conservation Society biologist Debbie Andrew said records were old and that some species were rarely seen.
Ms Andrew said the biggest threats included foxes and urbanisation. "If trees are cleared from streets and people's homes, wildlife loses a corridor to main bushland pockets in the area,'' she said.
Commonly spotted creatures include swamp wallabies, echidnas, ringtail possums, eastern bent-wing bats and water dragons.
There are also red-bellied black snakes, green tree snakes and kookaburras.
The local birds of prey include peregrine falcons, ospreys and sea eagles, which feed on fish and also on other nestling birds.
Rarely spotted and endangered species include grey headed flying fox and birds of prey such as the square-tailed kite, pacific baza and powerful owl.
"Sightings can indicate healthier numbers of species lower down on the food chain,'' Ms Andrew said. The society has monthly natural history talks and walks.
Details:
www.off.oatleypark.com.
Atlas of NSW Wildlife: www.wildlifeatlas.nationalpark s.nsw.gov.au/wildlifeatlas/
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