This page provides information about how you can contribute information on bushfire recovery of wildlife, particularly in East Gippsland but also across other fire affected areas of Victoria;
Detailed information (who, what, when, where, how)
Links to additional resources (species info, apps, other bushfire recovery work)
Our aim is to
(a) engage community in bushfire recovery
(b) gather species distribution data across the bushfire affected area
Post-fire surveys and recovery works are currently happening across the region, but some species such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo, Diamond Python and Lace Monitors are difficult to survey and incidental sightings are an important source of data to improve our knowledge of their distribution, movements and habitat.
Alongside the research and monitoring work of our scientists, this information will help DELWP build a more detailed picture of how wildlife is recovering as the bush begins to regenerate and help us understand how we can best protect these species in the landscape after the fires.
How to report
Reporting is easy
Simply log your sightings of wildlife in bushfire affected areas on one of these apps
Approaching wild animals too closely or too often can threaten their survival by disrupting resting, mating or feeding, or disturbing efforts to take care of young.
Unlike livestock and domestic pets, wildlife can be stressed by the presence of humans. We are considered predators.
Remember the bush is their home and you are just visiting, so keep a respectful distance and avoid disturbing them.
Never try to pat or handle wild animals. Nearly every wild animal, no matter how timid or small, is capable of inflicting injury. Some wildlife also carry diseases that can be transferred to people.
By participating in this survey, you will help us to understand how we as Victorians interact and connect with nature. The survey is completely anonymous and should only take around 5 minutes.
If you know your plants you can also contribute to the Glossy Black Habitat mapping project: Glossy Black-Cockatoos depend on Allocasuarina (she-oak) cones for food and we need your help to find out where these trees have survived the fires. Reports of Glossy Blacks being seen on the outskirts of Melbourne is a sign that they are struggling to find food in their usual places. Report your sightings of this plant species, or we’ve got a simple app that enables you to carry out a quick survey if you come across any stands of Allocasuarina littoralis while you are out and about. Contact us if you’d like to be involved.
Speak to us;
Local knowledge is valuable. We want to hear your stories; tell us what you’ve observed following the fires including changes over time and notable absences.
Or if you have an interested group, we can arrange an information sharing session: We can tell you more about the bushfire recovery work DELWP has been doing, as well as listen to your group’s observations and experiences.
Species descriptions and links to more information
Note: Images are subject to copyright and may not be used for any other purposes.
Distribution of Glossy Black-Cockatoo in Victoria from 2000 to pre-fire records. 2019-2020 bushfire area in black. Source: DELWP.
Glossy Black-Cockatoos are endemic to mainland Australia and are typically found in eucalypt forests and woodlands where they feed mainly on Allocasuarina (She-oak) cones and nest in large hollow bearing trees.
Identification
Victoria has several other species of Black-Cockatoo that are easily confused so check your ID carefully. Glossy Black-Cockatoos are distinguished by the combination of red tail panels, barred in juveniles, and a brown head. Females also have irregular yellow blotches on their head. There are two other species of black-cockatoo in Victoria: Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos, and Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos (which lack the brownish tinge to their head feathers). Not us! If you see a yellow tail, a single yellow cheek patch, or a spotty head you’ve got the wrong bird.
Spot-tailed Quoll are a largely nocturnal carnivorous marsupial, rarely seen during the daytime. They occur in many forest types, particularly including lowland, foothill and montane moist and dry forests and woodlands.
Spot-tailed Quoll map of distribution (2000 to pre-fire records). 2019-2020 fire area in black. Source: DELWP.
Koalas feed on eucalypt leaves and can be found in eucalypt woodlands and forests across lowland Victoria. They are arboreal marsupials spending most of their time feeding and sleeping in trees and coming down only to move to a new tree.
Koala map of distribution (2000 to pre-fire records). 2019-2020 fire area in balck. Source:DELWP.
Eastern Ground Parrot in flight. Credit: Greg McCarthy
Eastern Ground Parrot map of distribution (2000 to pre-fire records). 2019-2020 fire area in black. Source:DELWP.
These birds are shy and elusive, they flush in fright and fly low before disappearing into the vegetation. Ground parrots are found in coastal areas and have distinctive, mostly bright grass-green plumage, marked above and below with bold black and yellow barring. They are small parrots about the size of a lorikeet.
These patterned non-venomous snakes grow up to 2 – 4 m long and live up to 20 years. They are secretive and well camouflaged, occurring only in East Gippsland and along the NSW coast.
Lace Monitor map of distribution (2000 to pre-fire records). 2019-2020 fire area in black. Source: DELWP.
Lace monitors are Victoria’s largest lizards growing up to 2m in length. They are widespread across the east coast of Australia occurring in variety of habitats includine open forest and coastal plains.
The 2019/20 fires were exceptional in size and impact. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is continuing to coordinate and deliver actions to support and protect Victoria’s plants and animals following the fires.
This project brings citizen science wildlife monitoring to four selected regions in East Gippsland over the next 3+ years. It will provide important data on wildlife recovery in high conservation priority areas after the extensive 2019-2020 bushfires. VNPA are partnering with local community groups and landowners, DELWP's bushfire biodiversity recovery program and independent scientists to help fill gaps in knowledge and contribute to strong wildlife recovery and habitat conservation outcomes in the region. From mid-January, 2021, we will be recruiting volunteers to assist with data collection across Autumn and Spring fieldwork seasons.
This project has been put together by DELWP in collaboration with ARI. The work is funded through the Victorian Government’s $17.5 million funding package to assist Phase 1 of the Bushfire Biodiversity Response and Recovery program. The BBRER Program provides funding for immediate relief and early recovery to species and ecological communities most at-risk from the impacts of the 2019-20 Victorian bushfires.
This page has been developed from information provided by Hayley Ricardo, DELWP, Gippsland Region, September 2020.
Note: Images are subject to copyright and may not be used for any other purposes.
