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BEND OF ISLANDS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

History of Our Bush

In a region where more than 90% of native vegetation on privately owned land has been cleared, The Bend of Islands Environmental Living Zone (ELZ) is part of an important network of remnant bushland linking Warrandyte State Park with Kinglake National Park.

The ELZ is located within a formally described site of flora and fauna significance and a number of properties have been registered under the Department of Natural Resources and Environment零 Land for Wildlife Scheme in recognition of the commitment of individual landowners to integrate nature conservation with residential living.

Selectively logged for fence posts and firewood in the late 1800零 and last burnt by wildfire in 1962, the ELZ is located in a "rain shadow" with average annual rainfall rarely exceeding 700mm per year. The shallow soil in the area is poor in structure and highly prone to sheet erosion on the ridges and steep slopes.

Plant Associations

Understorey and ground cover plants are naturally sparse throughout much of the ELZ. However, over 280 indigenous plants have been recorded to date including a number of species of State and regional significance (refer attached flora list).

Box- Stringybark Woodland characterised by Red Box, Red Stringybark, Long-leaved Box, Red Ironbark and scattered Yellow Box dominates the dry ridges, northern and western facing slopes grading into Valley Sclerophyll Forest on eastern and southern aspects and along gully lines. Here a mixture of Swamp Gum, Messmate Stringybark, Narrow-leaved Peppermint and scattered Candlebarks occur.

A higher diversity of plants occur on the deeper, moister soils of the Riparian zone associated with the Yarra River, Watsons and Stevensons Creeks which form the southern, western and northern boundaries of the ELZ respectively. Here Manna Gum, Swamp Gum, Silver Wattle, Hazel Pomaderris, Swamp Paperbark and assorted sedges, rushes and ground ferns dominate.

Flowers

August to November is our "wildflower season" and following Spring rains, the dry bush is transformed with the colourful displays of a variety of Wattles, Heaths, Bush Peas, Pink Bells, Guinea Flowers, Purple Coral-pea, Blue Pin-cushions, Chocolate Lilies, Grass Trigger Plants, Austral Bears Ears and Small Grass Trees.

Over 50 species of terrestrial orchids have been recorded in the ELZ and many of these also reach their peak during this time, including Wax-lips, Green Comb Spider Orchids, Pink Fingers, Tall and Nodding Greenhoods and Leopard Orchids.

Animals

The diversity of habitats present throughout the ELZ support an equally diverse range of fauna.

Overall a total of 174 native and 17 introduced species and have been recorded in the ELZ to date. The native species include 126 species of birds (2 of State significance, 29 of regional significance), 27 species of mammals (3 of State significance, 6 of regional significance), 11 species of reptiles (1 of State significance, 3 of regional significance) and 10 species of amphibians. A number of native fish species also occur in the permanent waters of the Yarra River, Watsons and Stevensons Creeks.

Birds

Approximately 60 species of birds are resident in the ELZ including the White-winged Chough, Laughing Kookaburra, Crimson Rosella, Red Wattlebird, White-throated Treecreeper, Grey Shrike-thrush and Grey Fantail. Wedge-tailed Eagles are also resident and regularly seen soaring overhead.

During the summer months a range of migrants visit the ELZ to breed, including the White-throated Nightjar, Rufous Whistler, Leaden and Satin Flycatchers, Sacred Kingfisher, Olive-backed Oriole and Brown-headed Honeyeater. White-throated Needletails may also be seen at this time.

Mammals

The majority of mammals resident in the ELZ are active mainly at night. However, a number of these species are regularly seen in the early morning or at dusk including the Short-beaked Echidna, Common Wombat, Black Wallaby, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and the occasional Koala.

A number of the nocturnal birds and mammals present can also be identified by their characteristic calls including the Southern Boobook Owl, Tawny Frogmouth, Powerful Owl, Owlet Nightjar, Koala, Sugar Glider, Common Brushtail and Ringtail Possums and White-striped Freetail Bats. These and other species can be seen and heard on still nights, particularly during the summer and autumn months.During the winter months the raucous shrieks of Grey headed Flying Foxes penetrate the surrounding bushland as they feed on the nectar of flowering Ironbarks.

Frogs and Others

Also during the summer months and often following rain, the calls of a variety of frogs can be heard coming from wet gullies and small soaks including the Victorian Smooth Froglet, Brown Tree Frog, Striped Marsh Frog and Eastern Banjo Frog.

Reptiles are present in relatively low numbers but Tree Dragons, Blotched Blue-tongued Lizards and Garden Skinks are regularly sighted during summer months.

Special Stuff

Of particular note is the occurrence of the endangered Tuan or Brush-tailed Phascogale and the Powerful Owl. Both species are of State Significance and listed under Victoria's Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

The dry, sparse Box-Stringybark Woodland in the ELZ is the preferred habitat of the Brush-tailed Phascogale and specific management strategies have been developed to conserve this species in our area.

The Powerful Owl requires in excess of 1000 hectares to survive and the ELZ provides important hunting, roosting and breeding habitat for a resident pair.