Fauna Survey Group (FSG) Contribution No. 23

The Use of Artificial Nestboxes by Brush-tailed Phascogales Phascogale tapoatafa in Rushworth Forest

Stuart Dashper and Susan Myers

Abstract
The Brush-tailed Phascogale Phascogale tapoatafa is a medium-sized carnivorous dasyurid that is now considered to be rare in Victoria. In order to gain more information about the Phascogale population of Rushworth Forest the Fauna Survey Group of the Field Naturalist Club of Victoria has been studying the distribution and abundance of this species over the last six years, using a combination of nestboxes, trapping, stagwatching and spotlighting. Rushworth Forest is a Box-Ironbark forest that, as a result of forestry practices, is composed mainly of homogenous stands of small diameter trees, as revealed by a floristic survey conducted as part of this study. During a six-year study period with 15 inspections, a total of 57 individual Phascogales was found in 92 nestboxes. Phascogales were found to mainly use nestboxes in the absence of suitable natural tree hollows. Phascogales appear to be patchily distributed through the forest and in very low density due to the lack of suitable tree hollows. In these areas with few mature hollow-bearing trees, nestboxes can be used to increase Phascogale numbers in the short term. The best siting of nestboxes to achieve maximum usage by Phascogales can be predicted by using a simple floristic survey of the sites prior to nestbox location, allowing a more targetted approach to nestbox siting. The protection of older larger diameter trees, especially hollow-bearing trees, is needed in Rushworth forest to increase Phascogale numbers.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (2), 2003, 40-48)

Back to Table of Contents

Research Reports

Behaviour and Ecology of the Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus in
Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia: an Annual Cycle

Carol Scarpaci, Peter J Corkeron and Dayanthi Nugegoda

Abstract
Port Phillip Bay, Victoria is home to a population of Bottlenose Dolphins Tursiops truncatus. There is no published information on the seasonality of the ecology and behaviour of this population. This paper reports on this population in the southern end of Port Phillip Bay by land-based observations. Dolphins were continuously observed after first sighting using an instantaneous sampling technique to document focal group activity. Results indicate that Bottlenose Dolphins are present in the study area year round, while the probability of sighting dolphins is influenced by season. The most common group size observed was 2-5 dolphins. The most common behaviour observed was travel (59.9%) followed by feeding (32.1%). Social behaviour (8%) was only documented in summer. The presence of adult-calf groups in the study area throughout the year suggests that the southern end of Port Phillip Bay may serve as a nursery area for the Bottlenose Dolphins.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (2), 2003, 48-54)

Back to Table of Contents

Distribution of Logs in a Dry Sclerophyll Forest, Brisbane Ranges, Victoria

Lindy M Banks and Andrew F Bennett

Abstract
Fallen timber is an important habitat resource for small vertebrate and invertebrate animals in forests. This exploratory study investigated the pattern of distribution of fallen timber (here termed ‘logs’) in a dry sclerophyll forest in the Brisbane Ranges, Victoria, by sampling transects located in gully, mid-slope and ridge positions, at each of 10 sites. Gullies supported a significantly higher density and volume of logs than ridges. The lowest abundance of logs was on ridges. The mean volume of logs was 98.6 m³/ha for gullies, 38.5 m³/ha at mid-slope positions and 13.1 m³/ha for ridges. The volume of logs at transects was significantly positively correlated with the density of larger trees (diameter >40 cm). A number of animal species in the Brisbane Ranges potentially use logs as a resource for shelter, foraging or perching, and hence the retention of woody debris will aid in habitat management. The uneven distribution of logs in relation to forest topography and the size structure of trees suggests that gullies, and forest stands with many large trees, are likely to be important habitats for species that use fallen timber.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (2), 2003, 55-60)

Back to Table of Contents

North-West Victorian Range Extension and Unusual Habitat Use
of the Powerful Owl Ninox strenua

CL Tzaros, MA Weston and DG Quin

Abstract
In Victoria, Powerful Owls are generally wet-forest birds that only occasionally occur in drier woodlands. Their range inland of the Great Divide may be influenced by the presence of riparian vegetation along major rivers. We report an observation of an adult Powerful Owl on the Wimmera River near the edge of the Little Desert National Park, outside its usual range and habitat. This is the second published report of this species well inland of the Great Divide in western Victoria, although we uncovered an additional unpublished report. These reports suggest that population surveys of this species should include riparian strips in drier habitats.
(The Victorian Naturalist 120 (2), 2003, 61-64)

Back to Table of Contents