The Yellow- footed Antechinus

In recent months there have been a number of reports from people finding what they believe to be rats living in and around their homes. On closer inspection some of these rats turn out to be native Yellow-footed Antechinus, (Antechinus flavipes). Winter and early spring is the breeding season for these little creatures, which is why locals are reporting them more now. The Yellow-footed Antechinus can be distinguished from common rat species in the fact it has a sharply tapered snout, rather short ears and a fully, (though sparsely), furred tail has pale eye-rings, a black-tipped tail and a distinction between the slate-grey colour of the head and the orange-brown underparts. It is a nocturnal predator feeding on small rodents, birds and insects, but it also feeds on flowers and nectar. The males mate when about 12 months old, but put so much effort into pursuing mates they usually die shortly after mating from exhaustion and starvation. The females can have as many as eight young, which will stay with their mother for about ten months.
So before getting the rat traps out, take a closer look at the creature and you may see you actually have a little native friend living with you.

Article by WCMN ranger, Wendy Murphy
(Descriptions taken from A Photographic Guide to Mammals of Australia by Ronald Strahan)

Nature Notes for July / August

The continuing damp weather has created interesting changes in the local vegetation. Green rock ferns are prolific in places and the small white flowers of early Nancy plants are out now. The flat scented sundews are almost overshadowed by the large white flowers they are currently displaying. Orchids are beginning to emerge now, particularly the Dwarf Greenhood.
An increasing variety of wattles are now flowering. In parts of the Wychitella nature conservation reserve stands of Bent Leaf wattle are flowering well, the widespread golden wattle is also very visible at present.
The native twining parasite plant Coarse Dodder – laurel (locally known as snoddy gobble) is increasing in mass and vigour at this time of year. Examples of this can be seen on trees lining the Calder highway.
Echidna activity seems to have increased judging by the amount of disturbed soil and ant nests in some forest areas. Rabbits also continue to disturb the ground. The increase in moisture has encouraged the proliferation of many weeds such as oxalis, bridal creeper and Patterson’s curse.
Observers of nature can expect to see different wildlife at different times of day. Late afternoon wanders in the bush have resulted in sightings of the Australian owlet Nightjar. Early morning and late afternoon are the times that kangaroos and wallabies are most commonly sighted. This month the WCMN has been involved with setting up sites to monitor kangaroo numbers. The sites are in bushland and open country.
There is a sense that spring is not far away with many plants getting ready to flower and birds increasingly active around nesting areas. Another member of our group reported sightings of forty different species of birds over a period of two days including: a hooded robin, a flame robin, a collared sparrowhawk, a tawny crowned honeyeater, a white fronted honeyeater, a black chinned honeyeater and a brown treecreeper. Keep your eyes open for nature’s indications of the changes in season and weather.

Article by the `Wedderburn Observers`

Land For Wildlife

You may have noticed green diamond shaped signs on some properties in the area with “Land For Wildlife” written on them. Land For Wildlife is voluntary wildlife conservation by landholders wishing to protect and enhance their properties for wildlife to use. Landholders can register their properties after which an Extension Officer will come out and assess the property before deciding whether it is suitable for approval and for a sign to be put up. Further information can be found by following the Land For Wildlife links on the DSE website – www.dse.vic.gov.au or by calling Terri Williams Land For Wildlife Extension Officer in Bendigo on 03 5430 4389.

Biolinks and Connectivity

On July 20th I attended a Biolinks Forum at Ballarat University. The topic of the Forum was “The importance of landscape scale conservation and the role of restoring connectivity in the landscape”. The guest speakers were Gavin McFadyen from the Wilderness Society Australia, Prof Michael Soule – Professor Emeritus of Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz and Prof Peter Gell – Professor of Environmental Science and Director of the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of Ballarat.
The general overall theme was the need to create biolink connections between existing remnant vegetation whether it be on public or private land to allow the movement of animal and plant species and help the flow of genetics. These biolinks aren’t just on a local scale, but a whole landscape scale, which in ambitious cases involves state, country and even world scales.
The other theme was the need for whole of community support for connectivity projects. It’s all well and good proposing a project, but if the local community aren’t in favour then it is very unlikely to get off the ground. This is where networks are of great importance, whether they be CMN’s, Landcare groups, Field Nat’s groups, Friends Of groups etc or local landholders. Each group can be working on individual projects, but by linking up with other groups doing similar works the landscape scale biolinks can be achieved much more easily.
The one simple solution to protecting nature is connectivity and the need to overcome habitat fragmentation.
Article by Wendy Murphy

Nature Notes for June / July

The most welcome rain has had quite an effect on the local natural environment. Colour changes are very noticeable. The bright yellow of the prickly wattle, flowering in profusion at present, vivid green mosses are thick and spongy on rocks and previously bare ground. Lichens are re-hydrated and prolific, with beautiful grey and pale green colours. Some heavy dews have made the scented sundews obvious. Large patches of them are visible now; red and green, adorned with droplets of moisture and the sticky substance that helps them attract insects. The critically endangered spiny rice flower is flowering. Its tiny yellow flowers and small size bushes are difficult to spot from the roadside, in a location so close to paddocks in crop. The brightly coloured red capped robin is still regularly sighted, and in the same bush area a hooded robin has been seen a few times. Observing the behaviour of local wildlife can be an interesting and enlightening pastime. For example, two wedge tailed eagles, in flight, being harassed by crows and totally ignoring the crow's intrusion. Wood ducks can be observed in pairs flying from prospective nesting hollows in trees. The white winged choughs are gathering in very large, and sometimes very vocal, family groups. The moisture in the ground this year will make their task of building mud nests much easier than the last few years. Native mammals have adapted to live in conjunction with human habitation near their environment. The yellow footed antechinus sometimes lives around houses. A couple from near Wedderburn were pleased to have one positively identified and can relax now they know the small furry creature they have seen in the fernery is not a household rat. There is much to observe in our local natural environment. Enjoy the changes, particularly evident after the recent rain.
Nature Notes result from our members observing the environment as they go about their daily work or relax in their environment.

"WCMN Observers"

Ploughshare Wattle Discovery

A healthy stand of the rare Ploughshare Wattle, Acacia gunnii, was discovered during the first week of July by Alison Jeavons of Greenhouse Balanced. The stand included some 12 individuals of which two were flowering prolifically. Alison was busy seeding the new Greenhouse Balanced block wedged between the Skinners Flat and Woosang blocks of the Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve when she noticed the creamy colours of the flowers of the rare plants out of the corner of her eye.

The flowers look very much like the flower of the Spreading Wattle, Acacia genistifolia, which is also present at the block in large numbers. However, Alison noticed that the prostrate growing habits of the Ploughshare were very different and on closer inspection made the exciting identification.

There have only been two previous recordings of this species in our district, both in the Korong Vale block of the Wychitella NCR. Wedderburn is on the furthest north-western edge of the natural range of this plant, which occurs in all Eastern States but in very low numbers. The newly discovered stand will be protected as the revegetated Greenhouse Balanced blocks in Wedderburn are all covenanted through Trust for Nature. Good news for the long term survival of this species in our region.

Article and photograph by Jeroen van Veen

Native Species Use Revegetated Land

The earliest revegetation project in Old Boort Rd is showing encouraging signs that this project is bearing fruit in terms of its use by local birds for shelter and food foraging. This year the Spreading Wattle has already bloomed and the Golden Wattle, Wallowa, Grey Mulga, Mallee Wattle and Gold-dust Wattle are all heavily budded. These indigenous native plants were all part of the original vegetation of this land and all are regarded as important sources of seed for Mallee Fowls.
A variety of birds have been observed using this revegetated area including: the chestnut-rumped thornbill, the yellow- rumped thornbill, superb fairy wrens, willie wagtails, the restless flycatcher, jacky winter, variegated wrens, and the white browed babbler. Overall, very satisfying results to date.

Article by Doug Pocock