POO PATROL

The latest Private Land Conservation Matters event was delivered in two parts – an early morning walk through Bulahdelah Wetland, and a more formal learning experience at Bulahdelah Memorial Hall.  

Georgeanna Story, from Scats About Ecology, shared her vast and expert knowledge of animal scats, tracks and other remains with a captivated audience.  We started the day nice and early with a walk through the beautiful Bulahdelah Wetland.  This 330Ha property is part of the conservation reserve system owned and managed by MidCoast Council.  It is  adjacent to a very large private conservation property and the Ramsar listed Myall Lakes NP, and is home to a suite of threatened fauna and a very healthy population of dingoes.  We meandered along management trails and were able to see many fresh animal tracks in the sandy soil – including those belonging to Dingo, Goanna, Potaroo, birds (possibly Quail) and possible snake tracks.  We collected at least 10 animal scats for Georgeanna to take back to the lab for further analysis.  Council staff shared information about the ecology and management of the site, including some excellent photographs of a recently fledged family of Jabiru that were nesting in a very remote part of the wetland late last year.

Image credit: Peter Goonan, MidCoast Council

 

Image credit: Peter Goonan, MidCoast Council

After a lovely walk and talk through this significant wetland property, we met 6 members of the Barray Alliance Aboriginal Ranger team at the Bulahdelah Memorial Hall for some formal learning from Georgeanna and an overview of scat analysis of over 200 predator samples analysed by Georgeanna for the MCC Natural Systems team, presented by Senior Ecologist, Mathew Bell.

Participants had an opportunity to see and feel sample animal pelts, scats, and skeletal remains that Georgeanna brought along for the event.

We also looked at a diverse array of animal hairs in cross section with microscopes.

The day was full of interesting content and Georgeanna was generous with sharing her knowledge, expertise and offered tangible opportunities for landholders to further their own journey in Scat knowledge via freely available online resources, such as the Hair ID program.

We also learnt about how the latest technology may be used to increase our knowledge of animal presence and behaviour.  Landholders can now readily access sound recorders, motion camera traps, and use citizen science platforms to record fauna on their land.

A big day of learning for all, and a great example of collaboration to deliver meaningful conservation focused education outcomes for our local community.