First systematic fauna trapping survey

Committee ecologists Sam Lostrom and Andrew McCreery were recently at the BBG property running the first systematic fauna trapping survey. This involves establishing pitfall, funnel and aluminium box traps in various habitats to describe vertebrate fauna abundance and diversity. Data will aid in understanding the effectiveness of non-native predator controls and value of the rehabilitation to fauna as seedlings establish.
Traps were opened in Wandoo Woodland, Salmon Gum Woodland, Creekline, Mallee Shrubland, 2023 Rehabilitation and 2024 Rehabilitation habitats. At the halfway point the program was going well, with species recorded including geckos, legless lizards, skinks and dragons. We also caught one mammal, a little long-tailed dunnart!
The trapping program was made possible with the continuous generosity of donors, volunteers who came out to help dig in the traps, additional gear donated to the project by Eddy Cannella and our Lotterywest grant: thank you!