Echidnas out and about
As shown below, our remote camera recorded one Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) on 12th August, then a pair two days later, on a revegetated section of Fryers Creek, a tributary of King Parrot Creek. For echidnas, mating occurs between June and September, and they are normally solitary outside this period. Are these two just passing acquaintances, sharing a shelter site for warmth, which they sometimes do during winter, or can we expect an increase in local echidna numbers shortly ?
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This healthy-looking Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) was also recorded at the same site. It seems to have taken a liking to our black plastic bait holder, either for a good scratch or to soak up the fragrance of peanut butter, golden syrup and oats!
Focus On Fauna 
Keep a look out for echidnas on the roads as well. I’ve seen three roadkill on the Whittlesea-Yea rd in the last week between Junction Hill and Yea.
Yes, its very sad to see Echidnas bowled-over by uncaring, unobservant motorists. This is their breeding time and, though they are normally pretty solitary, in late winter/spring they often congregate in groups of many males and a female. I reckon the cameras have picked up a male following a female to see if she’s cycling (in oestrus). Maybe the cameras will pick up a longer ‘train’ in the several weeks of breeding left.