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Homan, P 2012, 'Survival and recolonisation following wildfire at Moyston West, Western Victoria. 1. Mammals.', The Victorian Naturalist, vol. 129, no. 6, pp. 192-202.

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Survival and recolonisation following wildfire at Moyston West, Western Victoria. 1. Mammals Peter Homan

School of Life and Physical Sciences, RMIT University GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne, Victoria 3001. Email: [email protected]

Abstract Wildfire is a common occurrence in south-eastern Australia affecting fauna populations in various ways. Data were collected at a site near Moyston in western Victoria on three occasions before and five occasions after wildfire. Seventeen mammal species were recorded pre-wildfire whilst 23 species were recorded post-wildfire. The diversity of insectivorous bats was not affected by the wildfire, maybe because a number of mature River Red Gums Eucalyptus camaldulensis with numerous suitable roosting hollows survived the wildfire. Popu- lations of Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps, Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula and Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus also survived the fire in an area of mature River Red Gums. A small population of Swamp Rat Rattus lutreolus survived the fire and successfully recolonised regenerating habitat. Yellow-footed Antechinus Antechinus flavipes and Eastern Pygmy Possum Cercartetus nanus were recorded in regenerating Heathy Woodland after wildfire severely burnt this vegetation. The population of Black Wallaby Wallabia bicolor increased three years after wildfire as regenerating vegetation produced dense cover. Few stud- ies provide pre-wildfire and post-wildfire data, especially on mammals at inland woodland sites. (The Victorian Naturalist 129 (6) 2012, 192-202).

Keywords: Wildfire, inland woodlands, insectivorous bats, marsupials, rodents

Introduction Numerous wildfires have burnt large parts of indigenous plants for revegetation projects in south-eastern Australia since European settle- surrounding districts. Small scale sheep graz- ment 200 years ago. The intensity of fire and ing is also conducted at the property. Wuurak condition of local environments produces a is located on the plains east of Mt William, the range of effects on landscapes and mammal highest point in the neighbouring Grampians populations (Wilson and Friend 1999). Several National Park (Fig. 1). The terrain is mostly studies have been conducted into recolonisa- flat grazing country; however, an ancient tion by mammals following wildfire in south- sand-dune system covers a large proportion of eastern Australia, especially in coastal heath- the western and central parts of the property. land (Newsome et al. 1975; Fox et al. 1985; Reservoir Creek, an ephemeral tributary of Mt Wilson and Moloney 1985; Catling 1986; Lun- William Creek, flows in a northerly direction ney et al. 1987; Lunney and O’Connell 1988; along the eastern boundary. Catling et al. 2001; Recher et al. 2009). There Four Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) are, however, few studies that provide both pre- are represented (DSE 2004). Heathy Woodland fire and post-fire data, especially on the effects and Sand Forest (partly degraded) exist on the of wildfire on populations of mammals at in- ancient sand-dune system; Damp Sands Herb- land woodland sites (Friend 1993; Sutherland rich Woodland exists along Reservoir Creek; and Dickman 1999). and Plains Grassy Woodland is present across In December 2005 and January 2006 a severe the northern section of the property. Grazing wildfire burnt 46% of the Grampians National was conducted along Reservoir Creek by previ- Park and adjoining areas in western Victoria, ous owners and some introduced weed species especially around the Moyston district. Wu- exist in this part of the property. The current urak is a 150 ha property situated seven km owners joined the Victorian Government’s Land west of Moyston in western Victoria (Lat 37˚ for Wildlife voluntary conservation scheme in 18'S, Long 142˚ 41'E) approximately 210 km 2002 and have since carried out several con- west of the Melbourne CBD. The owners oper- servation initiatives including fencing off large ate a native plant nursery on-site that provides areas along Reservoir Creek and revegetation

192 The Victorian Naturalist Research Reports

Fig 1. Wuurak Land for Wildlife property, with Mt William in background. Photo by Peter Homan. of degraded areas. The Heathy Woodland sec- a 30 cm high aluminium flywire drift fence tion of Wuurak adjoins the eastern extremity of stretched for 60 m. Cage and Elliott traps were the Grampians National Park and, apart from set in lines of 10 with 20 m between traps. Cage this area of crown land, much of the indigenous trapping was conducted pre-wildfire only; re- vegetation in other neighbouring properties mote surveillance cameras were introduced as is degraded or fragmented to some extent. A a replacement for cage traps post-wildfire. The study of the presence and relative abundance number of cameras varied between four and of vertebrate fauna commenced at Wuurak in six and were set approximately 25 m apart in October 2004 and the property was severely af- small natural clearings where minimal distur- fected by wildfire in January 2006. bance to vegetation was necessary. Cameras were set facing in a southerly direction to avoid Methods sun-glare. Harp trapping was restricted mainly Several methods were used pre-wildfire and to Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland and Sand post-wildfire to detect the presence of mam- Forest due to a lack of suitable trapping sites in mals. These were cage trapping (Wiretainers the other EVCs. Baits for traps and camera sta- Pty Ltd, Preston Victoria), Elliott trapping, type tions consisted of a mixture of smooth peanut A (Elliott Scientific Equipment, Upwey, Vic- butter, quick oats, golden syrup, sardines and toria), harp trapping (Faunatech, Bairnsdale vanilla essence. Common and scientific names Victoria and Ecological Consulting Services, and taxonomy follow Menkhorst (1995), except Newport, Victoria), pitfall trapping, remote for House Cat Felis catus and European Hare surveillance cameras (Scoutguard, Models: Lepus europeaus, which follow Menkhorst and SG550V and KG680V, China), spotlighting Knight (2011). on foot and general observation. One pit- The study sites were visited on three occasions fall line consisting of ten 20 L plastic buckets before wildfire (October 2004, November 2004 was established on a sand-dune in the area of and March 2005) and on five occasions after Heathy Woodland. Buckets were 5 m apart and wildfire (December 2008, April 2010, Decem-

Vol 129 (6) 2012 193 Research Reports

Table 1. Survey methods and effort (trap-nights, camera-nights, spotlight hours) completed pre-wildfire and post-wildfire for each Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC). DSHRW = Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland; PG Woodland = Plains Grassy Woodland; RSC = remote surveillance camera; S/H = spotlight hours.

Survey Method EVC Elliott Cage Pitfall Harp RSC S/H Heathy Woodland Pre-fire 300 60 2 Post-fire 340 80 10 2 DSHRW Pre-fire 60 156 10 8 Post-fire 150 15 22 14 PG Woodland Pre-fire 2 Post-fire Sand Forest Pre-fire 2 Post-fire 8 1 ber 2010, March 2011 and April 2012). Over- striped Freetail Bat Tadarida australis was all, 1213 trap-nights were completed; 588 pre- heard in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland. wildfire and 625 post-wildfire (Table 1). Little Forest Bat Vespadelus vulturnus, South- ern Forest Bat Vespadelus regulus, Large Forest Results Bat Vespadelus darlingtoni and Lesser Long- Pre-wildfire eared Bat Nyctophilus geoffroyi were recorded Seventeen species were recorded before wild- in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland. Swamp fire: one monotreme, seven marsupial and Rat Rattus lutreolus (front cover) was captured nine eutherian (Table 2). Fourteen species in Elliott and cage traps in Damp Sands Herb- were native and three were introduced. One rich Woodland. Burrows and runways of this Short-beaked Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus species were found throughout this EVC. Two was seen in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland. House Cats Felis catus were seen during spot- Diggings typical of those made by this species lighting in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland. were also found in this EVC and Heathy Wood- land. Yellow-footed Antechinus Antechinus fla- Post-wildfire vipes was captured in Elliott traps overnight Twenty-three species were recorded post- and during the day in Heathy Woodland and wildfire: one monotreme, eight marsupial and Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland (Fig. 2). The 14 eutherian (Table 2). Eighteen species were species was also seen on two occasions during native and five were introduced. One Short- the day feeding high in the canopy of flowering beaked Echidna was seen in Damp Sands Shining Peppermint Eucalyptus willisii in the Herb-rich Woodland during the first visit to Heathy Woodland area. the property post-wildfire in December 2008. Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps was seen dur- Yellow-footed Antechinus was recorded in the ing spotlighting in Heathy Woodland and in Heathy Woodland area five years after wildfire Sand Forest. Common Brushtail Possum Tri- and in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland and chosurus vulpecula and Common Ringtail Pos- in Sand Forest six and a half years after wild- sum Pseudocheirus peregrinus were seen during fire. Common Brushtail Possum was recorded spotlighting in Damp Sands Herb-rich Wood- in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland three land. Common Brushtail Possum was also re- years after fire and in Heathy Woodland six corded in Sand Forest. Small numbers of Black and a half years after fire. Eastern Pygmy Pos- Wallaby Wallabia bicolor were recorded in sum Cercartetus nanus was captured in a pitfall Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland and Heathy trap four and a half years after wildfire (Fig. 3) Woodland. Significant numbers of Red-necked and in an Elliott trap six and a half years after Wallaby Macropus rufogriseus were recorded wildfire in Heathy Woodland. Sugar Glider was in Heathy Woodland, Plains Grassy Woodland recorded in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland and Sand Forest. Large numbers of Eastern five years after wildfire and in Heathy Wood- Grey Kangaroos Macropus giganteus were seen land and Sand Forest six and a half years post- in open grassy areas of the property. White- wildfire. Common Ringtail Possum was seen

194 The Victorian Naturalist Research Reports i i 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 5 1 1 1 1 2 4 5 2 3 1 1 1 11 4/12 200E i 3 1 3 6 2 1 1 1 1 5 1 3 6 1 5 3 2 11 19 3/11 150E i 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 7 1 1 2 3 1 100E 12/10 Post-wildfire 2 1 1 1 7 1 6 1 2 2 1 1 1 41 50E 4/10

i 2 4 2 1 3 7 5 1 20E 50E 12/08 i 1 1 1 3 1 5 1 5 4 1 2 4 10 10 10 3/05 100E 2 1 1 1 2 7 2 1 5 2 1 1 1 1 10 14 15 60E 11/04 Pre-wildfire

1 5 20E 10/04 EVC

HW DSHRW DSHRW DSHRW SF DSHRW SF DSHRW DSHRW SF DSHRW PGW DSHRW DSHRW PGW PGW DSHRW DSHRW DSHRW HW SF HW DSHRW HW SF DSHRW PGW HW SF PGW SF DSHRW DSHRW HW DSHRW SF HW DSHRW HW DSHRW Species Table Table 2 . DSHRW List = species; evidence i = indirect etc). (digging, scats number; * = introduced E = estimated Damp of Sands mammals Herb-rich and Woodland; numbers HW recorded = Heathy pre-wildfire Woodland; and SF post-wildfire = for Sand each Forest; PGW Ecological = Vegetation Plains Class Grassy (EVC). Woodland; australis Tadarida Bat Freetail White-striped gouldii Chalinolobus Bat Wattled Gould’s morio Chalinolobus Bat Wattled Chocolate darlingtoni Vespadelus Bat Forest Large regulus Vespadelus Bat Forest Southern vulturnus Vespadelus Bat Forest Little geoffroyi Nyctophilus Bat Lesser Long-eared * vulpes Vulpes Red Fox * catus Felis Cat House * cuniculus Oryctolagus Rabbit European * europeaus Lepus Hare European bicolor Wallabia Wallaby Black * rattus Rattus Rat Black vulpecula Trichosurus Possum Brushtail Common nanus Cercartetus Possum Eastern Pygmy breviceps Petaurus Glider Sugar peregrinus Pseudocheirus Possum Ringtail Common giganteus Macropus Kangaroo Eastern Grey rufogriseus Macropus Wallaby Red-necked gouldi Nyctophilus Bat Long-eared Gould’s * musculus Mus Mouse House lutreolus Rattus Rat Swamp

aculeatus Short-beaked Tachyglossus Echidna flavipes Antechinus Antechinus Yellow-footed

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Fig 2. Yellow-footed Antechinus Antechinus flavipes. Photo by Peter Homan. during spotlighting in Damp Sands Herb-rich half years post-wildfire and in Heathy Wood- Woodland six and a half years post-wildfire. land five and a half years post-wildfire. Red Fox Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Black Wallaby Vulpes vulpes was seen in Plains Grassy Wood- were recorded in increased numbers post-wild- land three years after fire. Numerous European fire, whilst Red-necked Wallaby was recorded Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and smaller in reduced numbers post-wildfire. White- numbers of European Hares Lepus europeaus striped Freetail Bat and Lesser Long-eared were seen in Plains Grassy Woodland six and a Bat were recorded three years post-wildfire in half years post-wildfire. Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland. Little Forest Discussion Bat, Large Forest Bat and Gould’s Long-eared Insectivorous bats make up a significant pro- Bat Nyctophilus gouldi (Fig. 4) were recorded in portion of native mammal populations in many Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland four and a parts of south-eastern Australia, especially in half years post-wildfire. Chocolate Wattled Bat fragmented landscapes in agricultural districts Chalinolobus morio was recorded in Sand For- (Lumsden and Bennett 2000). Lumsden et al. est five years post-wildfire. Southern Forest Bat (1995) suggested that bats are more tolerant of and Gould’s Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii habitat fragmentation than other vertebrates were recorded five and a half years post-wildfire and that several factors, including the ability in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland. Burrows to fly, colonial roosting habits and overlapping and runways typical of those made by Swamp foraging areas, enable insectivorous bats to live Rat were found three years post-wildfire in a successfully in farmland environments. small unburnt area of Damp Sands Herb-rich All insectivorous bats recorded in the Gram- Woodland. Swamp Rat and Black Rat Rattus pians and surrounding agricultural areas, rattus were photographed by remote surveil- except Common Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus lance camera in Damp Sands Herb-rich Wood- schreibersii, use tree hollows as roosting sites land four and a half years after wildfire. Signifi- (Menkhorst 1995; Churchill 2008). Studies in cant numbers of House Mice were captured in Tasmania and south-east New South Wales Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland four and a

196 The Victorian Naturalist Research Reports

Fig 3. Eastern Pygmy Possum Cercartetus nanus. Photo by Adam Merrick. found that several species of forest bats favour teen individual bats from four species were cap- roost sites in large, old trees with a diameter-at- tured pre-wildfire (12 harp trap-nights), whilst breast-height of over 80 cm (Lunney et al. 1988; 63 bats from seven species were captured post- Taylor and Savva 1988). Lumsden et al. (2002) wildfire (23 harp trap-nights). The increase in found that preferred roost sites for Gould’s Wat- species and numbers may be due to a number tled Bat were in dead spouts of living, large, old of factors. More surveys were conducted post- River Red Gums Eucalyptus camaldulensis. At wildfire and hence there was an increase in sur- Wuurak and on surrounding properties these vey effort. Five years after wildfire at Wuurak, kinds of hollows were present in large River Red dense regrowth along the edges of previously Gums that survived the wildfire. Lumsdenet al. wide tracks in Sand Forest formed new and im- (2002) radio-tracked Gould’s Wattled Bats and proved sites for harp trapping. A new trap-site Lesser Long-eared Bats in northern Victoria near Reservoir Creek in Damp Sands Herb-rich and found that individual bats foraged in farm- Woodland, used post-fire only, was particularly land up to 12 km from roosting sites in forested successful. The significant increase in vegeta- areas. Lunney et al. (1985) recorded Chocolate tion post-wildfire especially along Reservoir Wattled Bats foraging 5 km from roosting sites Creek may have caused a greater abundance of located in exceptionally large trees. Taylor and insects, making the site more attractive as a for- Savva (1988) recorded a female Lesser Long- aging location for bats roosting throughout the eared Bat travelling 4.8 km from roost site to local district. foraging area. The Yellow-footed Antechinus has a wide Several variables influence data obtained distribution across central Victoria where it oc- by bat trapping, especially in open woodland cupies mostly heathy woodland and dry scle- habitats, where a high number of possible flight rophyll forest on the inland side of the Great paths may exist. It is therefore not unusual for a Dividing Range (Kelly 2006; Menkhorst 1995). chosen trap site to fail to capture any bats, and The species can be locally common at sites with hence traps may be moved to new locations large areas of high quality habitat (Menkhorst that are considered possible capture sites. Six- 1995; Myers and Dashper 1999; Homan 2005).

Vol 129 (6) 2012 197 Research Reports

Fig 4. Gould’s Long-eared Bat Nyctophilus gouldi. Photo by Maryrose Morgan.

The Yellow-footed Antechinus has also been wildfire. In particular, large numbers of old- recorded in degraded and fragmented areas growth eucalypts with many hollows and fallen and in remnant, linear habitats along roadsides logs with hollows were destroyed by the fire. (Loyn et al. 2002; van der Ree 2003; Marchesan Yellow-footed Antechinus (one juvenile male) and Carthew 2004; Carthew et al. 2009; NMIT was recorded at Wuurak in Heathy Woodland unpubl. data). Studies in fragmented landscapes in December 2010, five years after wildfire. near Euroa, Victoria and near Penola, South This individual most likely entered the prop- Australia showed that the species was able to erty from areas of nearby habitat that escaped move long distances through suitable habitat, the fire or that were only lightly burnt. Yellow- but also across open, cleared farmland (van footed Antechinus was subsequently recorded der Ree 2003; Carthew et al. 2009). The Yellow- in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland and Sand footed Antechinus usually nests in tree hollows Forest six and a half years post-fire. The spe- or hollow, fallen logs (Menkhorst 1995; Kelly cies could recolonise Wuurak only by moving 2006); however, the species will use other nest through adjacent regenerating vegetation or sites when these are not available (Menkhorst across adjacent fragmented habitats and open and Knight 2011). grazing land. Large scale wildfires often leave some areas The Eastern Pygmy Possum inhabits a wide only lightly burnt or completely unburnt. The range of vegetation communities within Vic- wildfire at Wuurak severely burnt the Heathy toria including Heathy Woodland (Menkhorst Woodland area and surrounding areas, espe- 1995). The species is a generalist omnivore, but cially similar habitat in the adjacent Grampians feeds extensively on nectar and pollen especial- National Park. The area of Damp Sands Herb- ly from the inflorescences of several species of rich Woodland where Yellow-footed Antechi- Banksia spp. (Turner 1984; Ward 1990). Huang nus was recorded pre-wildfire and all of the et al. (1987) analysed the faeces of Eastern Pyg- Sand Forest were also severely impacted by the my Possums at a site near Nar Nar Goon, Vic-

198 The Victorian Naturalist Research Reports toria, and found that pollen was a predominant the species was recorded 2 to 3 months after a item during the flowering of Banksia spinulosa. major wildfire, but was not recorded from this At Wuurak the species was not recorded pre- site during three years of survey effort immedi- wildfire, but was recorded on two occasions ately prior to the fire (Sutherland et al. 2004). post-wildfire in Heathy Woodland. Prior to the Sutherland et al. (2004) suggested that the East- wildfire only a small number of mature speci- ern Pygmy Possum is a mid-storey species and, mens of Silver Banksia Banksia marginata were with the loss of this part of the habitat after fire, present; however, following wildfire large num- the species is forced to move across the ground. bers of this plant germinated. The first record The studies in these two reserves demonstrated of Eastern Pygmy Possum, a juvenile female, that the failure to trap Eastern Pygmy Possum occurred in April 2010, four and a half years on the ground in unburnt forest does not nec- post-wildfire, which coincided with a major essarily indicate its absence (Sutherland et al. flowering event for Silver Banksia. A second in- 2004). dividual, an adult female, was captured in April Three arboreal marsupials, Common Brush- 2012, which also coincided with prolific Bank- tail Possum, Common Ringtail Possum and sia flowering. Sugar Glider, were recorded pre-wildfire and The recording of Eastern Pygmy Possum post- post-wildfire. All three species are nocturnal wildfire at Wuurak was unexpected, especially and use hollows in trees for shelter during the considering the severe impact by wildfire on day (Menkhorst 1995). Studies at several inland the Heathy Woodland and surrounding areas. sites have demonstrated that these species are It is unclear whether the species was present be- able to survive in small patches and fragmented fore fire, and was simply not detected despite a landscapes (Lunt 1988; Downes et al. 1997; van significant amount of survey effort, or whether der Ree et al. 2003; Homan 2009). The severe it recolonised from the neighbouring section wildfire at Wuurak destroyed virtually all old- of the Grampians National Park. The species growth eucalypts in the Heathy Woodland, Sand usually nests in hollows, which were mostly de- Forest and Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland. stroyed by the wildfire; however, Ward (1990) Despite the severe impact of the fire an area of noted that the Eastern Pygmy Possum is very old-growth River Red Gums with many hollows mobile and is able to use a wide range of nest survived the fire with their canopy intact in a sites. section of Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland Studies at other sites have recorded Eastern and adjacent Plains Grassy Woodland, along Pygmy Possum following wildfire. In the neigh- the northern section of Reservoir Creek. With bouring Grampians National Park, Stevens surrounding areas severely impacted by wild- (2008) conducted an extensive post-fire mam- fire, this section of River Red Gums became mal trapping survey two and a half years after an isolated patch. All three arboreal marsupial wildfire. Eastern Pygmy Possum (one individu- species were recorded for the first time post- al only) was recorded from an isolated site that wildfire in this patch. In the Grampians Nation- was severely impacted by wildfire. This site was al Park, Stevens (2008) also recorded Common 3 km from the nearest area of unburnt vegeta- Brushtail Possum from small and large isolated tion. In the eastern Otway Ranges in Victoria, patches that survived wildfire. Newsome et one Eastern Pygmy Possum was recorded one al. (1975) found that Common Brushtail Pos- year after a severe wildfire (Wilson and Moloney sum and Common Ringtail Possum survived 1985). Wilson and Moloney (1985) concluded wildfire in Nadgee Nature Reserve in wet areas that animals can survive wildfire if sufficient where the tree canopy had not been destroyed. refuges, such as unburnt pockets of vegetation, The Swamp Rat is found over a wide area are available. At Ku-ring-gai Chase National of southern Victoria, where it inhabits dense Park in New South Wales, Eastern Pygmy Pos- vegetation in wet heath, damp woodland and sum was recorded 13 months after wildfire, but sedgefields (Menkhorst 1995). The species con- no specimens were captured in nearby unburnt structs extensive runways and burrow systems vegetation (Sutherland et al. 2004). At Nadgee especially through areas of sedges and damp Nature Reserve in south-east New South Wales grasses (Menkhorst 1995). At Wuurak, Swamp Vol 129 (6) 2012 199 Research Reports

Rats were found before wildfire in dense sedge burnt. In the Grampians, Stevens (2008) re- vegetation in Damp Sands Herb-rich Wood- corded a rapid resurgence of House Mouse two land along Reservoir Creek. As this vegetation years after wildfire, especially at isolated sites regenerated at Wuurak, Swamp Rat successful- many kilometres from unburnt vegetation. At ly recolonised, within five and a half years, all Wuurak House Mouse was recorded in low areas where the species had been recorded pre- numbers pre-wildfire, but numbers increased wildfire. When the property was visited three dramatically post-wildfire. In an area of Damp years after wildfire the only evidence of Swamp Sands Herb-rich Woodland the capture rate for Rat was found in a small section of Damp House Mouse was 33.3% four and a half years Sands Herb-rich Woodland covering approxi- after wildfire severely impacted this site. Two mately 0.5 ha that had survived the fire. Despite years later the capture rate at this location had considerable searching at this time no other dropped to 1%. In Heathy Woodland House evidence of the species could be found along Mouse capture rate was 11% five and a half other sections of Reservoir Creek. One and years post-fire, but decreased to 0.8% six and a a half years later, runways and burrows were half years post-fire. Low capture rates for House found along another section of Reservoir Creek Mouse in April 2012, corresponded to recoloni- approximately 200 m further downstream, and sation by Yellow-footed Antechinus of all parts one Swamp Rat was photographed by remote of Wuurak. Menkhorst (1995) suggested that surveillance camera at this location. Five and a in the presence of Yellow-footed Antechinus, half years after wildfire, fresh burrows and run- House Mouse may be largely restricted to areas ways were found along all sections of Reservoir less favourable to Antechinus. Creek. The Black Rat is found in many parts of west- Other studies have recorded Swamp Rat suc- ern Victoria, especially near human habitation cessfully recolonising regenerating vegetation and around farm buildings (Menkhorst 1995). following wildfire. At Nadgee Nature Reserve, The species becomes established in areas where Swamp Rat was the first native mammal species disturbance such as fire has displaced native to recolonise regenerating heathland six years rats (Menkhorst 1995).The Black Rat was not after wildfire (Catling 1986). During another recorded from indigenous vegetation at Wu- study at this location Swamp Rat was recorded urak pre-wildfire; however, the owners of the two years after intense wildfire as grassy ground property reported encountering the species vegetation developed and one year after anoth- occasionally around sheds and other human- er wildfire partially burnt the study site (Re- made structures. The species was detected by cher et al. 2009). However, Stevens (2008) did remote surveillance camera on two occasions not record Swamp Rat from any survey sites in in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland along the Grampians that were impacted severely or Reservoir Creek four and a half years and six mildly by wildfire. and a half years post-wildfire. Two introduced rodents, House Mouse and In recent years remote surveillance cameras Black Rat, colonised parts of Wuurak follow- have become a common survey method to ing wildfire, especially areas of Damp Sands determine the presence of terrestrial mam- Herb-rich Woodland along Reservoir Creek. mals (Nelson et al. 2009; De Bondi et al. 2010; The House Mouse is seen as an early coloniser Johnston et al. 2012). In many instances, where of disturbed sites (Menkhorst 1995). The spe- there is no need to handle animals, cameras cies has been recorded in large numbers at nu- have replaced cage traps. Setting large numbers merous locations following wildfire (Newsome of cage traps, especially in thick vegetation, is et al. 1975; Wilson and Moloney 1985; Catling very labour-intensive. Prior to wildfire at Wu- 1986). Recher et al. (2009) found that House urak the vegetation in Damp Sands Herb-rich Mouse colonised burnt areas within two years Woodland was quite open, providing fairly of wildfire and persisted for three to four years easy access. Following wildfire, however, pro- before disappearing. Lunney et al. (1987) found lific regrowth of Swamp Gum Eucalyptus ovata that the species reached plague proportions combined with numerous fallen trees produced two years after fire in an area that was intensely almost impenetrable thickets over much of this 200 The Victorian Naturalist Research Reports

EVC. This change in conditions made it almost necked Wallaby population had not returned impossible to replicate survey methods used to pre-wildfire levels. This may be due in part and effort completed pre-wildfire. Due to the to competition with Eastern Grey Kangaroos or change in habitat structure, and with the ability to predation on juvenile wallabies by the Red of cameras to detect the presence of all terres- Fox. Juvenile Red-necked Wallabies that have trial mammals recorded pre-wildfire and any recently vacated the pouch are left in dense possible additional species, remote surveillance vegetation whilst adults graze in nearby areas cameras were chosen as an efficient and less (Johnson 1987). Menkhorst (1995) stated that labour-intensive alternative to cage trapping predation by Red Foxes at this stage may be post-wildfire. high. The Red Fox was common at Wuurak The three large macropod species recorded post-wildfire and predation by this species on pre-wildfire were all recorded three years post- juvenile wallabies may have adversely affected wildfire and during subsequent visits to the recolonisation by the Red-necked Wallaby. property. The Black Wallaby (also known as Acknowledgements Swamp Wallaby) is widely distributed across The study was conducted under the terms of research much of Victoria (Menkhorst 1995). In recent permit nos. 10002377, 10004149 and 10005276 issued decades the range of the species has expanded by the Department of Sustainability and Environment into many parts of western Victoria where and approval nos 0207 and 2509 of the Wildlife and Small Institutions Animal Ethics Committee of the it was previously unknown (Bird 1992). The Department of Primary Industry. Maryrose Morgan Black Wallaby is a generalist browser and is of Carlton and Adam Merrick of Wuurak provided often most numerous in dense understorey, field assistance. Many thanks to the Merrick family especially in riparian vegetation (Menkhorst for the invitation to conduct vertebrate surveys on their wonderful property. Two anonymous referees 1995). At Wuurak, dense vegetation developed improved the original manuscript. following wildfire in Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland along Reservoir Creek. When this References Bird PR (1992) Expansion of the Range of the Black Wallaby habitat was visited three years post-wildfire, in Western Victoria. The Victorian Naturalist 109, 89–91. the population of Black Wallaby was notice- Carthew SM, Horner B and Jones KMW (2009) Do util- ity corridors affect movements of small terrestrial fauna? ably higher than pre-wildfire. Numerous Black Wildlife Research 36, 488–495. Wallabies were seen and fresh scats typical of Catling PC (1986) Rattus lutreolus, Colonizer of Heathland those produced by the species were common. after Fire in the absence of Pseudomys species? Australian Wildlife Research 13, 127–139. In Mumbulla State Forest in New South Wales, Catling PC, Coops NC and Burt RJ (2001) The distribution Lunney and O’Connell (1988) found that the and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in relation to time since wildfire and vegetation structure in south- population of Black Wallaby increased within eastern Australia. Wildlife Research 28, 555–564. two years of wildfire as shrub cover increased. Churchill S (2008) Australian Bats. 2 edn. 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