Protecting birds, mammals
Motion sensor cameras helping a Wimmera Landcare group to monitor predatory animal numbers in bushland will guide a project to protect native birds and mammals.
Stawell Urban Landcare Group, SULG, has installed four motion sensor cameras in Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve as part of a feral monitoring project.
Grampians Ark co-ordinator Derrek Sandow assisted the Landcare group to place the cameras in strategic locations that would be used to count numbers of feral and wild animals.
SULG president John Pye said animals such as cats and foxes roaming the ironbark forest were likely responsible for a reduction in numbers of native birds and mammals.
“We are not finding any mammals or birds in our nest boxes,” he said.
“In the past we’d actually found a range of animals, such as feathertail gliders and possums, and now suddenly there are none.
“As we collect data from the cameras, we can determine what the next stage will actually be.
“We would like to work with Parks Victoria to control and eliminate cats and foxes.”
SULG plans to periodically swap the SD memory cards and record numbers of animals caught on footage.
“This is a project that will run for several years. We plan to go out on a monthly rotation and swap the SD cards,” Mr Pye said.
“We’ll go through the SD cards, record all the animals and put them into a data base, which will then be used for building scientific data that will justify applying for a grant to start a control program.”
He said this program would ensure native animal species could continue to live in the forestry for generations to come.
“We need to quantify what the potential impact feral species are having in that environment,” he said.
“If we find there’s a lot and you start controlling those numbers, you’d expect to see a recovery of those species that are struggling due to predation.
“Sugar gliders, squirrel gliders, feathertail gliders, any nesting birds and small possums are a significant part of the environment.”
Mr Pye said part of controlling a feral cat population was improving education about pet ownership.
“Maybe a program like this will encourage people to microchip their animals and also contain them within their properties,” he said.
“We’ll be asking pet owners in Stawell to show a bit more care about how they manage their cats.”
The Landcare group also runs yearly walks for primary school students at Stawell, with grades three and four students completing activities to improve biodiversity and create a healthier environment.
Mr Pye said it would be unlikely the group could run these walks this year. “The ironbark walks would normally happen in September, but it will depend on what is happening with COVID-19 at that point,” he said.
Mr Pye said it would be disappointing for students to miss out on the walks that have been almost a 20-year tradition.
“It’s looking at that next generation,” he said.
“Part of the kids being out and seeing the beauty and complexities in the environment and seeing how some people treat it is taking that message home with them.
“If we treat the environment as something that is just out there and we’re not engaging with, then we won’t look after it.”