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Eurobodalla Shire Council with the help of biologists Susan Rhind and Murray Ellis have begun building and installing artificial breeding hollows for gang-gangs across the region. To read the article on the ABC website click here.
To see the original article and photos from the Beagle click here. Rare. Elusive. Are they still here? Have you seen one of these cute critters?? If so, you have spotted one of the rarest animals on the NSW far south coast - the brush-tailed phascogale. I am a wildlife biologist who has worked with this species for years and thought this pretty marsupial with its bottle-brush tail was extinct - or near enough - on the NSW far south coast. However, when reviewing records for the new edition of ‘Mammals of Australia’, I came across a recent sighting at Broulee. So I am now seeking help from locals to work out where phascogales might still be and where they may have been recently. Brushtailed phascogales are rare. Everywhere they are listed as a threatened species. In total there are only 21 records for southern NSW – about 3 records per decade. The one at Broulee was spotted at night foraging in the compost heap at Carroll College (2015) and before that there was a sighting at Longbeach (2007), at Duesbury Hill at Dalmeny (2001) and Dunn’s Creek Rd, near Malua Bay (1997). This species is not often seen as it is arboreal and doesn’t like coming to the ground. It is also nocturnal and solitary, and within the trees can be so lightning fast that it vanishes before you get a good look. It is completely dependent on large, old, trees for hollows to nest in during the day and for its food of bark insects - so habitat destruction, logging, clearing for development - and more recently the wildfires – are all a worry. Cats are also a big problem. So how do you know if you have seen one? In appearance they are around the size and the colour of a sugar glider, but they look a bit like a squirrel because of their brushy black tail. When excited all those hairs stand on end and the tail looks like a bottle brush. That is the really distinguishing feature. The most likely way you might encounter one is if it has moved into your ceiling (they do this quite commonly) or the cat has brought one home. They also love nestboxes, and if you have these on your property the “best” time to do some nest box watching is at dusk in May-June during the mating season, when the males run around like crazy, and again between November to January when the young are dispersing. If you have any information to share about phascogales on the far south coast, please get in contact with me, Susan Rhind, via this dedicated email address: PhascogaleFSC@mail.com
 Good news!
The critically endangered Hooded Plover is nesting right here on Bingie Beach! These beach nesting birds lay their eggs right on the sand, so they’re extremely vulnerable to disturbance by beach goers, unleashed pets and vehicles. NPWS has some surveillance in place and has erected a fence around the nest for the 4 to 5 week breeding season. They’ve also engaged a professional shooter who got a fox last night. We ask that you don’t go up to the fence, the birds will leave the nest. They’re very sensitive and as soon as people go past the rocks the birds are are leaving the nest which leaves the eggs vulnerable. Local volunteer Amanda Marsh is monitoring our “Hoodies” and helping educate visitors. The best place to view the nest is with your binoculars from the seat at the top of the walking track. We can all help save these birds from extinction by heeding the signs, making sure dogs are leashed on beaches and sticking to the wet sand - giving the birds plenty of space. Click here to watch the video on ABC South East NSW facebook page.
 Julie Taylor Mills removing weeds from her property in Meringo, Australia. She has taken steps to reduce the risk of fire on her land. Photograph by Matthew Abbott Click here to go to the New York Times article.
Saturday 19 September
10:00 am to 1:00pm Bingie Fire Shed Bingie Rural Fire Brigade invites you to come and talk with us about the bush fire risk in the coming fire season during our annual Get Ready event. Due to Covid 19 regulations we will be running things a little differently this year as only 20 people (including RFS personnel) can be onsite at any time. You will see a few changes from previous years such as: We cannot offer a sausage sizzle or invite participants to bring refreshments. This will be more of a “drop in” event than in previous years. We will encourage you to visit with us and collect information material any time from 1000 to 1300 on the 19th, but we request that you stay no more than 10-15 minutes to allow other residents a chance to visit. We encourage you to submit questions prior to the day via email to: rfsbingie@outlook.com. We will post these questions and our responses to them on Bingie Rural Fire Brigade’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BingieRuralFireBrigade/ Bingie Rural Fire Brigade volunteers will be available to address any questions you may have but we will not be making an introductory presentation as has been done in previous years. We will include questions asked at the event and RFS’ responses in our Facebook list. See you on the 19th!. |
AuthorBingie Residents Association Archives
December 2021
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