A threatened eastern bentwing-bat was among 110 species of bats, birds, reptiles, bugs, mammals and amphibians identified during a 24-hour community 'bioblitz' of Sydney Park in Alexandria.
At a nearby vacant block along Alexandra Canal, a rare sighting for the area of a little superb fairy-wren was also recorded, along with 20 extra species identified in the inner-city wildlife survey.
More than 300 Sydney residents joined wildlife experts for the City of Sydney's bioblitz survey that ran from Friday night on 13 April through to nightfall on Saturday 14 April.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the volunteers who took part were surprised and delighted at the level of diversity discovered.
"It was wonderful to see so many Sydneysiders become citizen scientists for a day and be part of this important exercise to log and guide our efforts to protect our local flora and fauna," the Lord Mayor said.
"Thanks to the sighting of the superb fairy-wren, we are continuing discussions about how we can support biodiversity in the area to protect this bird, which is not commonly seen in the inner city. Our citizen scientists also found an array of lizards and insects on the site.
"Our parks, gardens and wetlands not only provide homes for many species, but they are integral to our well-being and they give city-dwellers an opportunity to connect with nature- it is so important that we protect these environments.
"This very exciting result will help us to address the challenges we face in maintaining and further creating an urban landscape where animals of all shapes and sizes can survive and thrive."
The City's bioblitz brings together the local community to capture information on plants and animals in one location at a particular time to create important species lists.
Other creatures recorded during the Sydney Park survey were spiders, butterflies, native bees, water bugs, cicadas, grasshoppers, dragonflies, microbats, possums, lizards, turtles and frogs.
The results from the survey will be used as baseline data to compare future studies in Sydney Park. The City plans to hold its next bioblitz in 2020.
National Parks Association of NSW helped organise the bioblitz with the support of experts from local universities, the Department of Health and organisations including the Insect Society, Sydney Fungal Studies Group and Birdlife Australia.
The National Park Association's citizen science officer, Margot Law, described the weekend as "an incredible success".
"It's amazing to think that not long ago Sydney Park was an abandoned and empty brick pit and now it's supporting a complex ecosystem that is loved and enjoyed by so many," Ms Law said.
"Sightings like the fairy-wren, wetland turtles and a tawny frogmouth after dark caused great excitement among the volunteers, ecologists and scientists. Finds like this show just how important urban parklands are for the environment and the community.
"The truth is you can't conserve and protect what you don't know is there. An event like the Sydney Park bioblitz raises awareness and helps us preserve natural environments in the heart of our cities for generations to enjoy."
For media inquiries or images, contact Belinda Wallis. Phone mobile 0467 810 160 or email bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, please contact Jack Begbie. Phone 0481 759 580 or email jbegbie@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
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