SITEMAP

Beaconsfield Flora and Fauna Reserve  *Intro to BFFR    *Location Maps         
*History of BFFR *Flora               *Fauna 
*Geology and Landscape     *Habitats              *Rare and Threatened Species 
*Threats to the BFFR 

Friends of Cardinia Creek Sanctuary         

Managing the Beaconsfield Flora and Fauna Reserve 

Resources For Teachers 

GUESTBOOK      

LINKS

Fauna Species List    Introducing the Platypus    Helmeted Honeyeater in BFFR  

The BFFR is a sanctuary for native fauna. Surrounded by farmland and the growing suburbs of Berwick and Beaconsfield, the reserve provides some of the only high-quality habitat remaining in our local area. 

The BFFR provides a number of different habitat types, including wetlands, flowing water, swamps, billabongs, forest and woodland, as well as many Eucalyptus trees with hollows. This range of habitats means that a variety of animals can live in the BFFR, including Swamp Wallabies, possums, fish, frogs, bats, owls, reptiles, echidnas and over sixty species of native birds. The list of native animals found in the reserve is growing as the area is restored through weeding and regeneration works by the Friends Group

Many rare species are found in the reserve. The Powerful Owl and the Dwarf Galaxias fish are two endangered species found in the reserve. The  Gippsland Spiny Cray has been found in the creek during wildlife surveys, and while it is not endangered, it is uncommon this far west of Gippsland. Some species also use the reserve as part of a larger territory. Predatory birds such as the Brown Falcon and Wedge-tailed Eagle are often seen flying over the reserve to hunt prey. 

Many animals that were once found in the reserve are now considered to be 'locally extinct'. Early records tell us that the creek was once home to the carnivorous  native cats (called Eastern Quolls, Dasyurus viverrinus) and goannas. The koala was once a resident, according to a sign for the reserve on Emerald Road erected in the mid 1960's. The Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) is a food tree for koalas, who only eat the leaves of a handful of Eucalypt species. Another former resident is the Helmeted Honeyeater. This bird is now critically endangered,  found only in reserves in Yellingbo and Tonimbuk, and is part of a captive breeding program at Healesville Sanctuary. It was found in BFFR until the early 1980's, when populations along the Cardinia Creek were wiped out after the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983. More information on the Helmeted Honeyeater and other native fauna in BFFR can be found at the links below:

Native Fauna of BFFR List

Introducing the Platypus

Helmeted Honeyeater

Rare and Threatened Species

Please remember that native animals found in the BFFR and surrounds are protected by law. This includes snakes, which are found here in their natural habitat. Visitors in the warmer months should be aware that they are entering snake territory and take care.

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    Swamp Antechinus     (Antechinus minimus)   This species is often called a marsupial 'mouse'

Southern Pygmy Perch

Southern Brown (or Ewing's) Tree Frog (Litoria ewingi)