March
Now it’s autumn again and we are back to where this series of wildlife watch started and I think, I have covered most of the species frequently encountered in this area, however there are a few birds and other animals rarely seen but hopefully still out there.
If you have had sightings of the following creatures I’m sure that CALM and certainly FAWNA would like to hear from you.
Mammals:
There is for instance the phascogale, a squirrel like marsupial, which was fairly prevalent from Wonnerup to Dunsborough a few years ago. We have not had any recent reports, as is also the case with the chuditch (a cat like marsupial), and the mardo (a marsupial mouse).
There also seems to be reduced numbers of brush or black gloved wallaby on the Nannup road. Pockets of quenda (southern brown bandicoot) are still out there but with fewer colonies than before.
Birds:
We used to get in at least one orphaned pardalote annually but not the last few years. Nor have I had a boobook or a barn owl lately. Even the rainbow bee-eaters, which we normally spot as they fly in for summer migration and nesting, are missing.
Perhaps someone out there has sighted some of the above animals. Let’s hear from you - thanks!
Watch for Australian little Grebe (Dabchick) and Hoary-headed Grebe
This sweet little water bird likes to fly at night and if it is raining tends to think bitumen roads are waterways. So you will usually encounter it early morning on the side of the road. It is easy to catch being adapted to swimming and hopeless on land.
A few minor pecks are a small price to pay for an encounter with such a perfectly shaped pudding with tucked under legs and three toes looking like leaves - olive green, veins and all. Excellent camouflage for sitting birds on floating nests.
Usually all we do for the casualties is to check them over (they do occasionally have injuries) and if all is well return them to the estuary.
Good News
Luckily, on the full moon, most of the hundreds of swans from Layman Road wetlands flew off to better feeding grounds. We are so pleased as they would not survive long on a diet of algae. I have counted 36 remaining.
Happily we have had reports of increased numbers of echidnas in the Yallingup, Meelup and Cowaramup areas, and the little pygmy possums are still coming in. They are hard to spot and are often gathered with the grapes at harvest time. Hopefully pickers and workers out there this year will recognise that they are not mice and save them.
Thanks
This being my last contribution to the wildlife watch column, I wish to sincerely thank the staff and management of the Busselton / Dunsborough Mail for sponsoring and producing the series.
Many thanks also to our wonderfully supportive local vets, for always being available.
A huge thank you to all who have helped and encouraged me but especially to the Busselton public who continue to bring in all orphaned and injured animals. I am sure there is never anything in need that is not helped. Last year you brought in many hundreds of creatures. That’s an enormous effort from a very caring public. Thank you!
I hope you have enjoyed this series of wildlife watch as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Mabel Bell