Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park (June)

The Friends group have continued their scheduled activities in the park since the January fire that burnt 500 hectares of the park, initially concentrating on the unburnt western areas, but now able to go into the eastern fire scar. 

Since gaining permission from the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA to enter and conduct regular activities in the burn area, we have run our first bird banding and a couple of bushcare activities. There are still hazards present following the fire, but we have been given some additional protocols to keep us safe. 

The burnt areas of the park remain closed to the public, but walking is now permitted in the unburnt part of the park west of Dorset Vale Road.

Contractor work has also commenced in the fire scar, working on a number of fire responsive weeds, including Tree Heath, Blackberry and Montpellier Broom. Other weeds will be treated as resources and time permits.

We are also grateful for the University of Adelaide’s BandiBunch, who have conducted their first round of mammal surveys since the fire. While we are hoping to detect the return of the nationally endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot within the burnt area, so far they have found a couple of native Bush Rats in the survey traps. We have, however, also seen Rakali, or the Golden-bellied Water Rat, along Scott Creek near Mackereth Cottage. See photos below.

Anyone wanting more information about the Friends of Scott Creek CP, or wanting to get involved, can contact us on info@friendsofscottcreekcp.org.au or visit our website www.friendsofscottcreekcp.org.au. You can also follow us on our Facebook page where you will find up to date information about our activities, including photos of the park’s flora and fauna.

Programme of activities

June

Tue 1 Bushcare
Sat, Sun 5, 6 Bird banding
Tue 8 General meeting
Sun 13 Bushcare
Sat, Sun 19, 20 Bird banding
Sat 26 Bushcare

A native Rakali, spotted in the fire scar near Mackereth Cottage.

A native Bush Rat during a mammal survey conducted by the University of Adelaide’s BandiBunch in May.