A healthy range of conservation and locally significant fauna have been recorded in independent surveys held in City of Cockburn conservation reserves.
Surveys across a variety of environments and ecosystems at 18 City-managed reserves were completed between October 2025 and April 2026.
They confirmed the reserves support a broad collection of fauna, including a diverse range of reptiles, mammals, birds and insectivorous micro-bats.
Key species recorded in the surveys included black cockatoo (Carnaby’s and Forest Red-Tail), Southwestern Snake-Necked Turtles, the Perth Lined Slider skink, Quenda, Western Grey Kangaroo, Brushtail Possum and a wide range of locally significant wetland and bushland bird species.
City of Cockburn Service Manager Sustainability and Environment Rory Garven said the surveys were held at reserves across 11 of Cockburn’s eastern, central and western suburbs.
“It is pleasing to see that endangered and vulnerable black cockatoo continue to be recorded in our reserves, along with priority species such as Quenda, the Perth Lined Slider skink and the Blue-billed Duck, plus more than 20 species of local conservation significance, including Southwestern Snake-Necked Turtles,” Mr Garven said.
“These species were recorded in a mix of fauna habitats including Tuart, Banksia, Melaleuca and Eucalypt Woodlands, Honey-myrtle heath and wetland/lake habitats.”
Mr Garven said the independent surveys helped the City manage local and conservation-level species and identify threats, including feral animals.
“The FaunaTrack report stated stray and domestic cats were noticed in abundance at some reserves, particularly Aquamarine, Christmas Tree Park, Lukin Swamp, Market Garden Park, Meve Park and McNeill Field.
“Of the 18 reserves surveyed, cats were seen in 12, nearly double the number of reserves where foxes were observed.
“One recommendation of the report is to mitigate the potential negative effect of cats on fauna inhabiting the reserves.
“In May 2026, the City adopted proposed Keeping of Animals Local Laws, including the introduction of cat prohibited areas and a cat nuisance provision. These Local Laws will come into effect once gazetted later this year.
“The City’s cat prohibited areas will include more than 90 regional parks, conservation reserves and bushland areas.
“Cats deemed to be a nuisance by the City will result in the owner receiving a 28-day notice to stop the nuisance from occurring. If found in contravention of these Local Laws, owners risk fines of $250, increasing to $500 for subsequent offences.”
The City has commissioned annual independent surveys since 2019, with the aim to re-survey reserves on a rotational basis every five years.
Reserve highlights:
Aquamarine & Guava Reserves, Treeby –
- 26 vertebrate fauna species were detected, including three species of reptile, two mammals, and 21 species of birds
- Priority species included Perth Lined Slider and Quenda
- Local significance bird species included Common bronzewing, New-holland honeyeater, Weebill and Western wattlebird
- Six bat species.
Bindjar and Boodjar-Mooliny Reserves, and Market Garden Park, Coogee and Spearwood –
- 91 species including three frogs, nine species of reptile, 10 mammals, and 69 bird specie
- One mammal and four bird species of conservation significance and two reptiles and 12 bird species of local significance
- Contains high significance Eucalypt woodland with some hollow-bearing trees potentially suitable for the locally significant Brushtail possum and Specially Protected Brush-tailed phascogale
- Large habitat trees are potential roosting habitat foraging resources for Carnaby’s and Red-tailed Black cockatoo
- Includes Tuart habitat likely classified as a Threatened Ecological Community, as Tuart woodlands and forests are currently listed as critically endangered on the Swan Coastal Plain by the Commonwealth of Australia (2019).
Boorn Park, Djidi Djidi Reserve and Nola Waters Reserve, Bibra Lake –
- 91 species including two frogs, six species of reptile, 10 mammals and 29 bird species
- This includes a mammal and two bird species of conservation significance and a reptile, mammal and five bird species of local significance
- The presence of two species of reptile, one mammal and seven bird species was confirmed for the first time, including the Southwestern Snake-Necked Turtle
- Quenda were detected frequently.
Cooper Reserve, Cockburn Central (within Yangebup Industrial Park) –
- 15 species of vertebrate fauna including two species of reptile (Elegant slider and Bobtail) and two mammals including a Gould’s Wattled Bat, and 11 bird species (including three introduced)
- High significance Banskia low woodland and isolated Eucalypt as it contains extensive foraging resources for Black cockatoo (Carnaby’s and Forest Red-tails.
Holdsworth Reserve, Wattleup –
- 29 species of vertebrate fauna including four species of reptile, six mammal species and 19 bird species (including three introduced)
- One mammal and two bird species of conservation significance (Quenda, Carnaby’s and Forest Red-tail), plus three locally significant bird species
- Largely comprising Banksia Woodland and open Eucalypt Woodland likely to be classified Threatened Ecological Communities by the Commonwealth of Australia (2016, 2019), including extensive Jarrah and some Tuart
- Habitat trees of potential or future nesting significance and foraging resources for Black cockatoo (Carnaby’s and Forest Red-tails).
Levi and Meve Park, Yangebup and Beeliar –
- 44 species including seven reptiles, nine mammals (including three introduced), and 28 bird species (including four introduced)
- One mammal and two bird species of conservation significance (Quenda, Carnaby’s and Forest Red-tail), plus three locally significant bird species
- Both reserves support substantial areas of potential feeding habitat for both the Carnaby’s cockatoo and Forest Red-tail black cockatoo
- Mainly Banksia/Eucalypt woodland likely to be classified as Threatened Ecological Communities (Commonwealth of Australia 2016, 2019).
Lukin Swamp Reserve, Jandakot –
- 91 species comprising five reptile, eight mammals (including three introduced) and 14 bird species (one introduced)
- One mammal and two bird species of conservation significance (Quenda, Rainbow bee-eater and Perth lined slider), plus a mammal and two bird species of local significance (Western grey kangaroo, Common bronzewing and New-holland honeyeater)
- High significance Banksia woodland/Melaleuca forest as potential habitat for Quenda, Perth Lined Slider, Black-striped snake, Forest Red-tail and Western mourning skink.
McNeill Field, Coogee –
- 37 species including three reptile, five mammal (including two introduced) and 19 bird species (including one introduced)
- One mammal and reptile of conservation significance (Quenda and Perth Lined Slider) plus the locally significant New-holland honeyeater.
Russell Road South, Mohan, Westwood and Christmas Tree Park, Hammond Park –
- 41 species including three reptile, two frog, 13 mammal (including five introduced) and 23 bird species (including two introduced)
- One mammal and bird of conservation significance (Quenda and Forest Red-tail) plus a reptile, mammal and five birds of local significance (South-west cool skink, Western grey kangaroo, Splendid fairy-wren)
- The presence of three species of reptile, 13 mammals and 11 bird species confirmed for the first time, including six bat species
- Contains six broad fauna habitats including Banskia woodland, Acacia/Kunzea shrublands and high significance Melaleuca forest and open water/wetlands.
Captions - A hollow in a Jarrah tree at Aquamarine Reserve; A Perth Lined Slider skink at Lukin Swamp Reserve. Credit: FaunaTrack