The Varnish Wattles are starting to bloom and early spring (Larneuk – season of nesting birds) is taking hold across the Grampians. The rivers and creeks that have been thirsty are starting to flow into our beautiful wetlands with the sound of frogs echoing across the valleys. Not to mention that the reservoirs are starting to fill as well.
Many Grampians National Park staff have been taking a well earned break catching up on annual leave at the completion of the busy fire season, prescribed burning season and completion of the fire recovery program.
Staff have been busy preparing our annual Fire Operations Plan (FOP) that details our fire protection, preparation work and prescribed burning program on a rolling three year cycle. Grampians staff and our emergency services partners have been meeting with a number of community groups to ensure that a balanced FOP is being developed to ensure that the parks biodiversity, visitor and community protection values are being met. Members of the community are reminded that the FOP is open for public comment and is available to be viewed in Halls Gap at Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre, in Horsham at DSE Grains Innovation Park or online at www.dse.vic.gov.au
Deakin University honours students have just completed the second round of post-wildfire research investigating the impact of the 2006 Grampians wildfire to wildlife. This year (three years post-fire) saw the inclusion of birds with a repeat of small mammal trapping with remote digital camera surveillance added. Students are currently crunching data with final thesis available around November.
Over summer, staff conducted a number of surveys in potential Long Nosed Potoroo and Southern Brown Bandicoot habitat in the Grampians National Park with the use of remote digital cameras. Staff have managed to crunch the data and investigate the results with six new sites confirmed of the nationally threatened species. Four new sites were confirmed for the Southern Brown Bandicoot and two for the Long Nosed Potoroo. The Grampians is hoping to attract another Canadian exchange ranger to continue this exciting work over the next few years.
The re-introduced Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies continue to do well at their new home. Seven animals have been confirmed as remaining through the use of remote digital cameras with a recent health check successfully capturing three individuals. The team has yet to sight the elusive female pouch young that was confirmed in January that should now be young at foot and semi-independent from its mother.
Staff movements – Peter Foster has left the Grampians Visitor Services Team Leader role to take on a new position managing the development of the new River Red Gum National Parks at Echuca. The Grampians team wishes Pete and his family all the best in his new role. Stewart Davidson is currently acting in the position.