On Monday evening, Friends of Grampians Gariwerd members and Project Platypus Elia and Lee ventured along the roadside vegetation to survey the area for Squirrel Gliders. We gathered at Mt Drummond Road, equipped with thermal imaging scopes and red light torches, tools crucial for spotting nocturnal wildlife. As the sun disappeared and darkness enveloped the landscape, the bushland seemed to come alive around us.
Our night began with some remarkable sightings. Almost immediately, a Brush-tailed Possum appeared in our sights, its distinctive, bushy tail illuminated in the soft red glow. Not long after, we caught sight of a Ring-tailed Possum navigating its way through the canopy with remarkable grace. These initial encounters reminded us of the importance of roadside vegetation with its mix of trees and understorey of wattles and set an exciting tone for the survey.
The real stars of the evening, however, were the Sugar Gliders. Not long into our survey, we spotted the first of eight Sugar Gliders we would encounter that night. Despite their tiny size, these creatures were brimming with energy and charm. We watched as they jumped effortlessly from tree to tree, their outstretched membranes allowing them to sail gracefully through the air. They were incredibly active, chasing insects with precision, grooming themselves meticulously, and even interacting playfully with each other.
At times, they paused just long enough for us to admire their delicate features before darting off into the night again. Their agility and adaptability were a testament to their place in this ecosystem, and observing them was a highlight of the evening.
The survey offered much more than a tally of wildlife sightings. It provided a deeper understanding of the nocturnal habits of the local fauna and reaffirmed the importance of preserving such roadside habitats. It was a memorable experience that combined a sense of discovery with a growing appreciation for the incredible diversity of life right in our backyard.
On this occasion we didn’t spot the rarer and larger squirrel glider, but hopefully with ongoing surveys these will be found as we map more roadside vegetation. This is just a prelude to finding the best areas for Project Platypus to revegetate and build habitat corridors to provide refuge for these rare gliders.
For species like the Squirrel Glider, Sugar Glider, and other nocturnal animals, roadside vegetation provides critical corridors for movement, shelter, and food sources. These strips of vegetation often act as connectors between larger patches of habitat, enabling wildlife to navigate safely through otherwise open or developed landscapes.
Thankyou Elia and Lee and Project Platypus for the “Tail of the Squirrel Glider” project. Photo credit to Chris Pocknee