New arrival at Strath Creek
This female Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) has been a regular visitor to a Strath Creek property for several years. She seems to be quite healthy, and has produced a number of young over the years.
Her most recent offspring can be seen in this photo, with its nose and one foot protruding from the rear-opening pouch. The young stay in the pouch for at least 6 months and then at heel with the mother until about 18-20 months old.
Lyrebirds at Kinglake West
This amazing photo of a Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) singing, was taken on a property at Kinglake West using a remote camera set up beside a display mound by Chris Cobern, Fire Recovery Landcare Coordinator.
The male called for about 8 minutes before being distracted (and attracted ?!) by a female, which can just be seen here in the lower right-hand side of the photo.
Time to come in !
This video clip shows an Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) indicating, with a gentle tap on the shoulder, that it is time for the joey to retire to her pouch. The video was taken on a partially burnt property on Old Spring Valley Road, Flowerdale. It may take a few moments to load.
Feral cat at Flowerdale
Some unwelcome animals were caught on camera on a steep ridgeline along Spring Valley Road, Flowerdale, where the vegetation is gradually regenerating after the Black Saturday fires.
This sleek and clearly well-fed feral House Cat (Felis catus) poses a significant threat to our recovering native wildlife.
Sugar Glider saved at Strath Creek
This little Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) was discovered caught on a barbed wire fence on a property at Strath Creek. Fortunately the owner was able to carefully cut the fur and free the animal without harm. The glider stayed quite calm as it was freed, then ran a few laps around the landowner’s feet as if to say thank you, before scampering off up a tree.
This incident unfortunately occurs all too often, and is a stark reminder of the downside of using barbed wire in fences, especially adjacent to remnant patches of bush and along wildlife corridors, including roadsides and creeklines.
Rakali in Break O’Day Creek
After the owners of a Flowerdale property reported sightings of Rakali or Water-rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) in their dam adjacent to Break O’Day Creek, Flowerdale, cameras were set up near concrete rubble in the creek and successfully recorded this delightful animal. It was attracted by a non-accessible lure of peanut butter, golden syrup, oats and a dash of fish sauce. [The videos take a minute to load]
To view other videos from this site …..
One of V
ictoria’s leading moth experts, Peter Marriott, is coming to Flowerdale to introduce us to the detailed, colourful and totally fascinating world of Victoria’s moths.
Peter has begun producing the definitive guide to Victoria’s moths and has already published two scholarly volumes. Now we all want more. Click on the flier for more details.
Even a White-faced Heron got into the picture.
It was a busy week in early April for two remote cameras set up on a property in Flowerdale. The sites were set up in riparian vegetation dominated by Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), Swamp Gum (E. ovata), Narrow-leaf Peppermint (E. radiata) and Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata), along with Dogwood (Cassinia) in the shrub-layer. The area was burnt in Feb. 2009 and has stands of variously aged trees, including some old and regenerating specimens.
Some of these videos may take a few seconds to load.
Approximate location of these records is HERE.
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Black Rats (Rattus rattus) are very agile climbers, as is clearly seen here.
Owlet-nightjar at Flowerdale
This nest box was installed after the Black Saturday fires on a partially burnt bush block (predominantly Red Stringybark and Long-leaf Box) near Junction Hill. The box was used by a pair of White-throated Treecreepers last spring as a nest site, and is now occupied by an Australian Owlet-nightjar who spends long periods peering out at the world at large.
Animal traffic in Deviation Rd, Kinglake.
The images from this camera, set up in a patch of bush near Deviation Rd, Kinglake, show the variety of animals that remote cameras can detect and photograph.
Focus On Fauna 
