Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park (July)

The Friends group has continued to spread their scheduled activities between the burnt and unburnt sections of the park this past month. 

The University of Adelaide’s BandiBunch have completed their first series of mammal trap surveys in the fire scar and, in addition to the Bush Rats and Yellow-footed Antechinus that they found and I reported on in last month’s Cherry Chatter, they were very excited to find a male Southern Brown Bandicoot. This Bandicoot had previously been captured and micro-chipped in mammal surveys before the fire. It had quite miraculously survived in its home range, which was well within the area burnt and still has little native vegetation at ground level other that Bracken Fern. We can only presume he managed to hide down a hole underground, while the fire passed by overhead. The Southern Brown Bandicoot is a nationally endangered species.

There is a substantial amount of excellent regeneration of native plants within the fire scar, while weeds tend to be more common in wetter creeklines and low-lying areas. There is also evidence of much soil erosion within the creeks, along with regular visits by feral deer, which continue to over-graze and damage native vegetation.

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

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

July

Sat, Sun 3, 4 Bird banding
Tue 6 Bushcare
Sun 11 Bushcare
Sat, Sun 17, 18 Bird banding
Sat 24 Bushcare
Sat, Sun 31, 1 Bird banding

The Southern Brown Bandicoot found during mammal surveys in the fire scar by the University of Adelaide’s BandiBunch.

A male Superb Fairy-wren had survived the fire, having previously been banded last year in the same location that we netted him at bird banding in June in the park.