Fauna of the reserve

Spend time observing wildlife in the reserve and you may be rewarded with sightings of native birds, colourful insects, camouflaged reptiles and mammals such as echidnas and wallabies.

Mammal encounters

Shy echidnas are sometimes seen foraging in the understory for ants and termites. Look for their tell-tail diggings along the walking trails. In the mornings or evening you may see Black Wallabies quietly grazing on shrubs and shoots, while at night flighty micro bats emerge from their shelters to feed on insects.

Echidna

Flying visitors

Look up in the tree-tops and you may spot a raptor, or scan the lower canopy for smaller birds such as Superb Fairywrens and Thornbills. In winter the familiar ‘whee-la, whee-la’ screech of the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo is never far away, while in autumn you may glimpse a critically endangered Swift Parrot feeding on insects and nectar.

Yellow Robin

Little critters

A healthy insect population is a vital food source for birds and reptiles. Insects are also a ready army of plant pollinators. In summer you may be surrounded by clouds of Common Brown butterflies that emerge to feed on sedges and rushes. Dragonflies are abundant in the warmer months when more than 10 different species can be seen.

Meadow Argus

Bibron’s Toadlet - a rare find

In recent years a small number of Bibron’s Toadlets have been discovered at the reserve, a rarity this far south of the Great Dividing Range. Other frogs such as the Common Eastern Froglet, the burrowing Pobblebonk and the agile Ewings Tree Frog are more commonly found at the reserve and may be heard calling for a mate, especially after rain.

Bibron’s Toadlet, https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au, species/8353

The reptile world

Fallen logs and leaf litter provide perfect reptile habitat. Bluetongues and skinks are commonly seen basking on logs in the sun. The Jacky Dragon is well camouflaged and harder to spot as it lays quietly, ready to ambush their insect prey. Occasionally you may catch a glimpse of a Lowland Copperhead snake as it slithers away.