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Home , Australian Smelt, Common galaxias, Melbourne, Southern toadlet, Werribee River, Yarra River

Yarra : Wildlife of the waterways

T he wildlife living in and around the is diverse. One-third of ’s are found in the Yarra catchment. Compared with the lower sections, the middle and upper sections of the river provide better conditions for because of higher water quality, less , better and more continuous native vegetation and habitat.

Some of the animals you are most likely to see in the area are described on the following pages, but don’t be surprised if you see even more!

D espite catchment changes, the aquatic and riparian C onstructing a fishway is a method of allowing fish to habitat of the Yarra River is still of a high standard pass one of these barriers. A fishway was constructed and supports a diverse community of fish. on the Yarra River at in 1995, and has increased the number of fish travelling to upstream A study of fish in the Yarra, conducted in 2007 and reaches. A further six fishways have been constructed involving surveys at 43 sites along the Yarra River on Yarra and more are planned. between Abbotsford and Millgrove, recorded more than 10,000 fish, comprising 22 species and two The Yarra River would naturally have been full of fallen types of crayfish. trees and branches, because Australian trees typically last a long time in the water and sink once saturated. The most common species recorded in the survey After European settlement, timber was pulled out of were the native Australian Smelt, Common the river because it was considered a navigation and and Short-finned Eels, and Roach, which is an flooding hazard. It has since been discovered that exotic fish. timber does not significantly affect flooding levels, and is very important to many native fish, which Other common fish were the Macquarie Perch use it for cover and breeding. (native), and Common Carp Redfin and Brown (all exotic). About one-third of the fish caught were exotic species. Exotic fish compete with native species for available food and habitat, and injure or predate on native fish. More information is given about individual fish species in the section below.

Fish barriers are another problem for native fish. Many native fish rely on upstream or downstream migrations to fulfil parts of their lifecycle. Barriers such as weirs can prevent these migrations and eliminate some species of native fish from some parts of the catchment. Fish

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Roach River Blackfish Short-finned Eel Short-headed Lamprey Rutilus rutilus Gadopsis marmaratus Anguilla australis Mordacia mordax Size: commonly to 45cm Size: commonly 30-60cm Size: commonly up to 60cm Size: commonly 35-40cm, (males), 90cm (females) maximum 50cm Roach were originally found River blackfish have been found most abundantly in the Yarra in the Yarra from Warrandyte to Short-finned eels are the most Adults have an eel-like body River system, but now are more Warburton. These native fish common fish species in the and are bluish-grey overall and widespread westward and also prefer clear, gently flowing Yarra River. These native silver underneath. Their mouth north of the Great Dividing with abundant woody migratory fish have a long is a round disc, with many rings Range in the debris for cover and pebble or snake-like body and an even of teeth. Young adults live in system. They have a deep body stone bottoms with little silt. golden to olive-green colour. estuaries or at sea and eat trout, with a small mouth and head, They are nocturnal, non- They are active at night and eat barracouta, black bream and a blunt snout and a strongly migratory fish that usually , , yabbies, fish mullet for one to two years. forked tail with pointed tips. dwell near the bottom. They and . All Short-finned eels Short-headed lampreys access They are often silvery overall, eat insects, crustaceans, worms, migrate and breed at one site freshwater such as the but can be olive-green or dull small fish and fish eggs. in the Coral Sea near New Yarra for spawning. They are bluish on the upper body. Roach Numbers have decreased Caledonia. They at depths found from Warburton to are a ‘nuisance fish’ because considerably over the last of more than 300m before soon Abbotsford in very low and they compete for space and century, probably due to dying. The newly hatched young decreasing numbers, possibly food with other more desirable exotic predators, redfin and drift back to coastal areas on because of prolonged low species. They are commonly . ocean currents. flows caused by drought. eaten in Eastern but not . Fish

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Asrl u t a ian Smelt Tupong RaT inbow rout Redf in PerCH Ret ropinna semoni P seudaphritis urvillii S i almo ga rdneri P erca fluviatilis Size: commonly 5-6cm Size: commonly 15-20cm, Size: up to 90cm Size: up to 45cm maximum 30cm T hese small, slender, silvery fish T rout were introduced into R edfin perch, considered by are the most widespread in the T his is a very uncommon native waterways in Australia for many people to be the best Yarra. They prefer slow-flowing fish in the Yarra. Tupong are angling in the 1860’s. There are tasting fish in the Yarra, were areas and can sometimes be migratory and may travel now self-sustaining populations introduced into Australian seen swimming together near upstream but are mostly found in the Yarra which feed on waters in the 1860s. The hardy the surface or around plants or below Dights Falls. Tupong are insects and smaller fish. Rainbow fish live in billabongs, woody debris. They spawn in white with irregular dark brown trout can be recognised by the and slow-flowing parts spring when each female lays up blotches on their sides. They sit spots on their tails. Trout are throughout the river especially to 200 transparent and highly camouflaged on the river bed found in low numbers upstream around Yarra Glen and Millgrove. adhesive eggs. Australian smelt waiting to ambush smaller of Warrandyte and high numbers They have two characteristic feed on insects and algae and animals, feeding on crustaceans, upstream of Healesville. In this red fins and dark vertical stripes are often eaten by larger fish molluscs, worms, insects and upper section, these highly along their silver body. These in the Yarra River. small fish. They migrate predatory fish are a significant predators are considered a cause downstream in high winter threat to many native fish such of reduced numbers of several flows and breed in marine as galaxias, young River blackfish fish species and feed on small or estuarine areas. and Macquarie perch. fish, crustaceans, molluscs and larvae. Fish

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Es a tern Gambusia Mur r ay Cod Ma i cquar e Perch E uropean Carp Gambusia holbrooki M accullochella peeli M acquaria australasica Cp y rinus carpio Other name: Fish Size: up to 1.8m long Size: commonly to 25cm, Size: commonly 50-65cm up to 46cm Size: 3.5cm (males), M urray cod were introduced E uropean carp are very common 6cm (females) into the Yarra in 1909. They are M acquarie perch are a nationally throughout the Yarra and have E astern gambusia are most a nationally endangered native endangered species. The Yarra been found in very high commonly found in the lower fish occurring naturally in the population was introduced for numbers near Heidelberg. sections of the Yarra up to about Murray Darling system. By far angling from the Goulburn They are considered a major Coldstream, and are very the biggest freshwater fish in River between 1912 and the pest because they create common in Dights Falls weir Australia, growing up to 1.8m, 1940s. Now it is one of only environmental damage by pool. The small fish are pale olive they prefer deep, slow-moving three self-sustaining populations sucking up sediments and greenish becoming grey. Eastern water with fallen logs and debris. in Victoria and potentially the uprooting plants to filter out gambusia are native to north They are found in the lower most significant in Australia. invertebrates, making the water and central American rivers. It is sections of the Yarra, with the Macquarie perch are found very turbid. Eradication of the believed they were introduced greatest numbers found around throughout the Yarra, with most fish is complex and costly. into Australia in the 1920s to Warrandyte where rock, wood found between Fairfield and Carp can survive low and high control mosquito populations and submerged plants provide Warrandyte especially near temperatures and very low but have made no significant good habitat. Warrandyte Gorge. They prefer oxygen content. A female can difference except to other slow-flowing water with deep produce up to one million eggs. smaller native fish, eating their rocky pools and feed on eggs and nipping their fins, and invertebrates. Macquarie perch to native insects. They feed on migrate to shallow upland rivers rotting debris, insect larvae and and creeks and lay eggs among pupae, fish eggs and fry (young gaps in rocks. stage of fish). Fish

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Suh o t ern Pygmy Perch Com m on Galaxia N annoperca australis Galaxias maculatus Size: up to 8.5cm Other name: (commonly 6cm) Common Jolly Tail T hese small fish are food for Size: up to 19cm larger animals such as turtles, (commonly 10cm) birds, other fish and frogs. They C ommon galaxias are plentiful are usually pale golden with in the Yarra system. They are greenish-brown mottling and found in very high numbers a silver belly and were recorded downstream of Dights Falls, in large numbers in the upper but are also found in reasonable reaches of the numbers up to Warrandyte in 2006. They were previously Gorge. Galaxias, which can recorded in the 1980s. Their diet tolerate fresh to saltwater, consists of small crustaceans, eat terrestrial insects from the insects and their larvae. water surface, aquatic insects and crustaceans. They are coloured olive-grey to amber, with variable mottling on their sides. Adults move downstream to estuaries to spawn and young spend the first six months at sea. Birds

T he Yarra River traverses an enormous range of habitats from the pristine forested catchments through a range of agricultural lands and then through dense urban areas which mean that the birdlife along its course is highly diverse. Over 190 species of birds inhabit the Yarra River including insectivorous, honeyeaters, birds of prey, seedeaters, songbirds and waterbirds. They use the river and its for feeding, nesting and breeding.

Iconic species found along the lower Yarra include Great Egret, Azure Kingfisher, Nankeen Night Heron and the Little Pied Cormorants. The Laughing Kookaburra is another iconic species you are likely to see. Some of these species such as the White-faced Heron and the Nankeen Night Heron are classified as regionally significant.

Common species include black duck, Eurasian coot and Australian pelican. Latham’s Snipe is a migratory bird that travels from the mountains of northern Japan to areas along the Yarra River over the summer months.

A small selection of these birds are included here. Birds

Litt i le P ed Cormorant D usky Moorhen Pic ac fi Black Duck Maskedp La wing P halacrocorax Gallinula tenebrosa A nas superciliosa V anellus miles melanoulecus Size: up to 38cm Size: up to 60cm Other name: Size: up to 55cm Spurwing Plover D usky moorhens are one of T hese are more brown than L ittle pied cormorants are the most common waterbirds. black, and are our most Size: up to 35cm commonly found in the Yarra. They are naturally shy, but have common ducks. They feed by M asked plovers are brown above They have a yellow or brownish become tame in city parks. dabbling, dredging and upending and white below with prominent yellow bill without a black patch All too often in urban areas vegetation as they search for yellow facial wattles, wing spurs, on their flank (as opposed to they are eaten by domestic aquatic plants and animals. They a black crown and flight pied cormorants which have dogs and . They feed on make themselves at home on feathers. They prefer grasslands, a black patch on their flank). aquatic plants, insects and ornamental , and breed mudflats and urban park These birds are often observed small animals such as frogs. along suburban creeks. In flight, habitats and are recognisable alone but can be seen in flocks. you can see their brilliant by their ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’ call. They make bulky stick nests green wing patch. decorated with dead leaves and feed on small fish once daily. Birds

Bla ck-shouldered Kite W hITe-faced Heron Stb ub le Quail Asrl u t a ian Kestrel E lanus notatus Egr etta novaehollandiae C oturnix pectoralis F alco cenchroides Size: up to 38cm Size: up to 70cm Size: up to 18cm Size: up to 35cm T hese kites have dramatically T hese are one of the most T he stubble quail looks T he delicately marked Australian contrasting silver-grey and black common heron in Australia. somewhat like a small Kestrel is one of our smallest plumage, and are commonly They are mostly light blue-grey with head and legs. These birds birds of prey. Ever watchful, seen gliding and hovering over with a characteristic white face, are seldom seen but their they use the vantage point of grassland in search of lizards, long, slim neck and a pointed high-pitched whistle is a clue to trees or buildings to keep vigil birds, insects and other small grey-black bill. They feed mostly their presence. When disturbed, over their domain. They hover, animals. On spotting their prey, on fish, insects and , they prefer to escape through motionless, except for rapidly they drop, talons extended, in disturbing their prey among grass, but if pressed, they beating wings while searching readiness for the kill. damp crevices or simply will take to the air with short for insects, lizards, small birds standing in the water and bursts of whirring flight. and mammals. The females watching for movement. are larger than the males. Normally only one brood of three to four young is raised a year. Birds

Wel come Swallow F aiRY MarTIn D usky Woodswallow Bla ck-faced H irundo neoxena H irundo ariel Ar tamus cyanopterus Cuckoo-shrike Size: up to 15cm Size: up to 12cm Size: up to 18cm C oracina novaehollandiae U nlike most other native birds, Fairy martins are smaller U p to 100 dusky woodswallows Size: up to 33cm these swallows have welcomed and more thickly set than may form a tight swarm on a T hese migratory birds they head clearing and settlement. They swallows and can be recognised tree branch as they settled down to warmer areas for the winter use house eaves, culverts or by their squared-off tails and for the night. They do this by and return to the same territory even mineshafts as homes for gleaming white rumps. They clinging to the shoulders and each spring to breed. Black- their cup-shaped mud nests. You feed on flying insects usually wings of the bird below. faced cuckoo-shrikes alternately can often see swallows at close taken over water and dip down Sometimes you can see them flap and glide, making their range gracefully cruising a few to take water ‘on the wing’ as huddling together like this on flight distinctively undulating. metres above the ground, well. Their bottled-shaped nests a chilly day. These summer They often build such small catching insects on the wing. are built from mud and often migrants return each year nests that their young are blown constructed communally. to breed. out in high winds. Birds

NMe oisy in r Sr i ac ed K ngfisher W hITe-plumed Yellow-rumped M anorina metanocephala H alcyon sancta Honeyeater Thornbill Size: up to 28cm Size: up to 23cm L ichenostomus penicillatus A canthiza chrysorrhoa O ther birds entering the D espite the name, this Size: up to 19cm Size: up to 12cm territory of a Noisy miner Kingfisher rarely catches fish T hese lively birds are often seen T he merry tinkling of this colony quickly find themselves and is often found well away in small parties flitting through bouncy and bold little bird can driven out again by a very from water. These birds are more trees catching insects. They have often be heard. Never very far hostile mob. They seem to thrive readily heard than seen, and a strong affinity for red gums. from the protection of bushes, in the wherever there utter a persistent ‘ak-ak-ak-ak’ White-plumed honeyeaters are small parties can often be seen are large eucalypts with open call during the breeding season. one of the few native birds on the ground feeding on seeds grassy areas nearby. These They breed in spring after which have adapted well to and small insects. Nests are cheeky honeyeaters live in migrating from northern suburban gardens, especially untidy domed structures with a colonies where males Australia or . A beautiful those with native plants. false nest on top. Yellow-rumped outnumber females. sight through binoculars, thornbills may have two or these Kingfishers build nests more clutches per season. in tree hollows and sometimes in river banks. Birds

S buper FaiRY-wren Es a tern Yellow Robin Sot p t ed Pardalote Fa i l me Rob n M alurus cyaneus E opsaltria australis P ardalotus punctatus Pt e roica phoenicea Size: up to 14cm Size: up to 15cm Other name: Diamond Bird Size: up to 4cm T hese chirpy little birds live in T hese plump, delightful little Size: up to 9cm T here is something enchanting family groups, with the birds are inquisitive and often T he friendly three-note call of about the jaunty appearance of dominant male brilliant blue. come close to people. They feed these active little birds usually flame robins. They like to perch Their nests are dainty grass balls mainly on the ground but have a gives away their presence as on low vantage points, ever alert with a side entrance, woven habit of clinging sideways to they feed in the treetops. for insects which they take on with spider webs and lined with tree trunks while watching Spotted pardalotes breed in the ground. Only the adult male finer grass and feathers. Older intently for ants or other insects burrows excavated into creek has the brilliant red breast; members of the group help care below. Yellow Robins build banks or cliffs. They have also females and juveniles are for the young. Always a delight cup-shaped nests of bark strips been known to use nest boxes grey-brown. These robins come to see, Fairy wrens are common woven together with spider and hanging baskets. They are down from the mountain ranges in bushland along the river and webs, decorating and brightly coloured with jewel-like to spend winter in milder areas. creek banks. camouflaging the outside white dots. with lichen and moss. Birds

Es a tern Rosella Red- rumped Parrot Yellow-tailed Black N ankeen Night Heron P laytcercus eximius P sephotus haematonotus Cockatoo N ycticorax caledonicus Size: up to 30cm Size: up to 27cm C alyptorhynchus funereus Size: up to 60cm Just about every Australian T ruly gorgeous birds, red-rumped Size: up to 56-66cm T his seems recognises the ‘tomato sauce parrots are plentiful in their ideal T hese birds are the largest of our to favour man-made parks. birds’. They depend on nesting suburban environment of open Australian cockatoos. They have Essentially a bird of the night, hollows in old or dead trees, and grassland fringed by red gums. very long tails, slow-beating you may be lucky enough to have been known to nest in Aggressively introduced birds wings and a raucous call. These spot one snoozing in a leafy tree small hollow logs on the ground such as starlings compete with cockatoos listen intently for during the day or gracefully and on farm fence posts. them for nesting sites. The grubs moving inside trees and winging along a river or creek Unmistakeable and brilliantly male is brightly coloured and catch them by tearing away the at dusk. They are ’ambush coloured, these Rosellas are the female, a dull green, is bark with their massive bills. predators’ – feeding on small found mainly in open woodland. well camouflaged. fish, frogs, insects, tadpoles and crustaceans. Birds

Suh o t ern Boobook Res tless Flycatcher N ino novaeseelandiae M r yiag a inquieta Size: up to 30cm Size: commonly 16-21cm T hese owls are renowned for T he Restless Flycatcher has their ‘boo-book’ call. With large a glossy blue-black head and eyes, excellent hearing and near back, and white underparts with silent flight, they are superb a soft yellow breast. It appears night hunters. Through the day, similar to a Willy Wagtail and they roost in leafy trees to hide can be distinguished by the from small day-active birds that white throat. It feeds on insects, might otherwise mob them. spiders and centipedes. Restless Boobooks can often be seen flycatchers build a small during evening spotlight walks. cup-shaped nest of bark and grass bound with spider webs, camouflaged with pieces of lichen and bark, and placed in an exposed position on a tree branch, often near or above water. Frogs

I n Australia, we have three main native families. They are the (or ground frogs), the Hylidae (tree frogs), and the tropical Microhylidae. Ten frog species have been recorded in the Water Frog Census as making their home along the Yarra River. Some of these frogs are the Eastern Froglet, Persons Tree Frog, Southern Toadlet and the Dwarf Tree Frog.

With their distinctive calls and croaking, frogs are mostly heard before they are seen. Many parts of the Yarra River provide the perfect habitat for these species, with plenty of diverse wetlands to breed, feed and shelter from prey.

Various community groups and schools are involved in restoring frog habitat to ensure survival, however we all need to participate. Frogs are extremely sensitive to toxins and by limiting the nasty substances entering the stormwater drains; our frog populations may stand a chance. Frogs

Stri ped Marsh Frog Pbe l bonk Wi h stling Verreaux’s Gr owling Grass Frog L imnodynastes peronii L imnodynastes dumerilii Tree Frog L itoria raniformis Size: up to 7cm Other names: L ritoria ver eauxi Size: up to 6.5cm (male) Southern Bullfrog or Size: up to 4cm and 10cm (female) Found throughout the Yarra Eastern Banjo Frog catchment, these frogs feed on T hese frogs are common in the W ith a distinctive growl that almost any animal smaller than Size: up to 8cm Yarra catchment and their call is lasts about one second, the themselves, including other T he pobblebonk, which may be a rapidly repeated burst of 10 to growling grass frog is also known frogs. Their reproduction season found in large numbers following 20 short notes with an almost as the Green and Golden frog, is from August to March and rain, is common in the Yarra whistling quality. These frogs Southern bell frog and Warty tadpoles can be found all year catchment. Two sub-species feed on small invertebrates and frog. The growling grass around. Eggs are contained occur around Melbourne. The reproduce from August to frog emits a secretion through within a foam raft concealed in sub-species found north and March. The tadpoles are pale its skin that can have a toxic reeds, rushes and other aquatic west of Melbourne is a relatively yellow to dark grey with clear effect on other animals and vegetation. Tadpoles are usually uniform dark brown; and the fins. Adults have large dark or irritates human skin. The light brown or silvery grey. sub-species east and south of black patches on the sides and population of this species Adults range from pale fawn Melbourne has a pale stripe in the groin, usually on a has fallen into serious decline to golden-brown. running down its back and more yellow background. over recent years through variable colour. Males call from loss of habitat and is an August to April and may migrate endangered species. up to one kilometre to reach breeding sites. Frogs

B rown Tree Frog Sot p t ed Marsh Frog L itoria ewingii L imnodynastes peronii Other names: Other names: Southern Brown Tree Frog, Spotted Frog and Ewing’s Tree Frog and Spotted Grass Frog the Whistling Tree Frog Size: up to 4.7cm Size: up to 4.5cm A very common species, T his species is an insectivore the spotted marsh frog is with a voracious appetite and distinguishable by a mid-back is capable of catching a fly in stripe and blotched patches on mid-flight. These frogs, which each side of the stripe. Males breed all year round, are call while floating on the water common and widespread in surface and the breeding season greater Melbourne. Adults can is from August until May. This be found in all habitat types, and frog is identified by a yellow, are even common in gardens in red or orange mid-dorsal suburban areas. They frequent stripe that appears among wet and flooded areas for olive-green blotches. breeding but can often be found calling long distances from water. M ammals

W ith its diverse range of native plants and an abundant water source, the Yarra River is inhabited by a large variety of mammals. Within a 50 metre radius of the river there are 38 different known species including rats, bats, gliders, bandicoots, rabbits, hares and foxes. Hollows formed by many of the trees growing along the waterway, especially Eucalypt species, are home to many creatures.

While iconic Australian animals such as the koala and the eastern grey kangaroo can often be viewed feeding and grazing along the river bank, people may be unfamiliar with other mammal species that call the area home. M ammals

Pay l t pus Sht or -beaked Echidna K oala Com m on Ringtail Or nithorhynchus anatinus T achyglossus aculeatus P hascolarctos cinereus Possum Size: up to 60cm Size: up to 45cm Size: up to 14kg P seudocheirus peregrines T his unique mammal is a T hese curious egg-laying T aking advantage of the bush Size: head-body up to 35cm, tail up to 35cm valuable indicator of the health mammals live a solitary life with along the Yarra, these cherished of aquatic ecosystems. no fixed address and few dietary little ‘Aussies’ are gradually I f you visit the bush at night you live in rivers and creeks across requirements other than some making their way downstream might hear Ringtail possums much of eastern Australia, ants or , and a log or from Warrandyte into other leap around in search of food. including the Yarra River. bush for shelter. When in danger Melbourne suburbs. They use their white-tipped tails They feed on a wide range of they dig down, baring an Templestowe residents have as a fifth limb to manoeuvre benthic (or bottom-dwelling) uninviting wall of quills to the heard the loud grunting calls of through the treetops. Ringtails macroinvertebrates, along with enemy. Echidnas are ‘true-blue’ male koalas. Dogs and are usually build neat ball-shaped yabbies, worms, shrimp and and should not be the major threat to their survival nests of shredded bark and grass small shellfish. Males tend to confused with porcupines or in urban areas. Koalas have in dense bush but will take to be larger than females. hedgehogs, neither of which upside down pouches and their nesting boxes. These possums occurs naturally in this country. young weigh less than half a have not fared as well as gram when born. Males tend brushtail possums in the city to be larger than females. They and often fall victim to cats. are nocturnal, most active just after sunset and live for up to 20 years in the wild. M ammals

Com m on Brushtail S ugar Glider Fahte t er ail Glider Es ra tern G ey Kangaroo Possum P etaurus breviceps A crobates pygmaeus Mc a ropus giganteus Tr ichosurus vupecula Size: head-body up to 21cm, Size: head-body up to 8cm, Other names: Great Grey Size: head-body up to 50cm, tail up to 20cm tail up to 8cm Kangaroo, Forester tail up to 40cm S ugar gliders are beautiful Feathertail gliders are small, Size: about 1.4m (standing) P eople often regard these and delicate animals, and have shy and rarely seen. They can T hese kangaroos have beautiful native animals as pests survived wherever there is glide up to 20 metres. Their grey-brown upper parts with because they live in house roofs enough food, suitable bush and most striking feature is the pale grey or white underneath. and create a terrible din. But hollows for breeding. The sap feather-like arrangement of stiff The males (up to 66kg) are ‘brushies’ have to be admired. from black or silver wattle trees hairs running on both sides of twice the weight of females They are perhaps the only native is one of their favourite foods, the tail. This helps them steer, (up to 37kg) and are more mammal that copes well with especially in winter when insects brake, anchor and balance. heavily developed in the the stresses of urban living. and flower blossoms are scarce. Often eaten by cats, these chest and forearms. They are A medium-sized, thick-set, Equipped with a membrane of quaint mouse-size marsupials widespread and common nocturnal and arboreal skin that extends from their are rare around Melbourne. throughout eastern Australia, marsupial, they have grey fur on forelimbs to hind feet, these including sections of the Yarra the head, back and sides. Black silent and nervous possums River. They are most active fur around the eyes, muzzle and can glide up to 40 metres at dusk and dawn and gather sometimes along centre of between trees. in large mobs where food forehead. Their belly is pale grey is abundant. to yellowish or white. M ammals

B rown Antechinus Bs ru h-tailed W hITe-stRIped Com m on Bent-wing Bat A ntechinus stuartii Phascogale Mastiff-bat M iniopterus schreibersii Size: head-body up to 9.5cm, P hascogale tapoatafa T adarida australis Size: head-body up to 5.8cm, tail up to 9cm Size: head-body up to 2cm, Size: head-body up to 9cm, forearm up to 5cm T his mouse-sized forest-dwelling tail up to 2.1cm tail up to 5.5cm the common bent-wing bat marsupial leads a short and T hese beautiful, rat-sized M astiff-bats are the high fliers of is an insectivorous cave-dwelling hectic life. When about 11 marsupials inhabit dry open our local bats. They feed on bat. the subspecies has dark months old, males aggressively forest where, with dazzling aerial insects while cruising well reddish-brown to dark-brown search for females with whom speed, they hunt for insects, above the treetops. Their call, fur on the back, grey-brown fur they mate for up to six hours at spiders and centipedes. Through usually a piercing sound, speeds underneath and pale brown a time. All males die soon after. the day Brush-tailed phascogale up as the bat homes in on a areas of bare skin. these Females may live for another rest in cosy nests in tree hollows. victim. This combined ‘cruising wonder-bats may fly more year. If a mouse was left in a They are listed as rare and and feeding buzz’ can be easily than 20km a night and travel cage overnight with one of restricted wildlife. One reason heard by most people. (Most bat 1200km a year to reach these ferocious little marsupials, for the species’ decline is the calls are beyond our hearing maternity caves where up probably all that would remain loss of old-growth forest areas, range). These mastiff-bats have to 30,000 pregnant females in the morning would be a fat where old, hollow trees provided ‘sporty’ white stripes under congregate to give birth. each and content antechinus. places for the phascogales to their wings. year the females return to the build nests; up to 20 nests may same site. during the day they be utilized by each individual most likely roost in old mine per year. Breeding also shafts further upstream. predominately occurs within tree hollows. M ammals

L esser Long-eared Bat Rakalo i r Water Rat N yctophilus geoffroyis Hd y romys chrysogaster Size: head-body up to 5cm, Size: up to 30cm forearm up to 4.1cm T his native mammal is highly A slow fluttery flier, these bats adapted to aquatic life. Its upper can look like a large moth in parts vary from grey-brown to flight. They have short-range rich golden brown to blackish. echolocation (detecting objects Underneath it is cream to via reflected sound) and usually golden-orange. Water rats have hunt low in trees, gleaning a distinguishing broad white insects from leaves. They breed tip on the end of their tail. in spring or summer. Lesser Widespread and common in long-eared bats roost in hollows much of coastal Australia, they and fissures in old trees, under have been recorded in the Upper bark, in old fairy marten nests, Maribyrnong catchment. Most and in occasionally in caves. active at night, they hunt prey They often roost in ceilings, such as fish and frogs in the hollow walls, unused roller doors water before bringing them and canvas awnings in suburban onto land to eat. and inner-city areas. They prefer hollows of big old eucalypts for nursery colonies. R eptiles

A pproximately 16 reptile species are known to inhabit the Yarra River including skinks, turtles, snakes and lizards. They can often be found seeking shelter amongst leaf , grasses and under rocks and logs. They are important in controlling pest populations such as rodents and insects. Care should be taken to avoid destroying the groundcovers that maintain their habitat.

The most iconic aquatic reptile that lives along the Yarra River corridor is the Eastern Long-necked turtle. This common and widespread species can often be seen in still water bodies such as and billabongs. Reptiles

Es a tern Long-necked Coppeh r ead Snake Te ig r Snake W hITe-lipped Snake Turtle A ustrelaps superbus N otechis scutatus Dr ysdalia coronoides C elodina longicollis SIZE: up to 160cm SIZE: up to 170cm long SIZE: up to 40cm (commonly 120cm) (commonly up to 120cm) Other names: Common T hese attractive little snakes long-necked tortoise, C opperheads, which can be T hese snakes are highly snake-necked turtle feed on lizards almost active in cool weather, venomous and have a exclusively. The pregnant SIZE: upper shell length up commonly hunt at night. reputation for being aggressive. females often drop their young to 25cm Although venomous, they are They are usually found on the near a source of food such as T his turtle belongs to a group not aggressive snakes and will ground near water but can also a nest containing baby skinks. that fold their head sideways strike only if cornered. They hunt in trees. Tiger snakes are They are venomous but not under the edge of their shell prefer damp areas, and are active during the day and their considered dangerous to rather than pulling their head usually seen in grass tussocks, diet includes frogs, lizards, birds humans, and are most often directly backwards into their rotting logs and tree roots. and mammals. They are seen around rivers and wetlands. shell. They are the most Copperheads vary in colour, widespread in southern They are readily identifiable by common and widespread turtle but can be distinguished by Australia, favouring cool moist the presence of a conspicuous in Australia but did not naturally pale areas on the side of the areas such as swamp edges and white stripe along the upper lip. occur in the Melbourne . face. They have been recorded creek banks, and have been The back colour is variable, from Large numbers were imported up to 160cm long. recorded up to 170cm long. brick-red, through to olive-green as pets from the Lakes or dark grey, while the belly is in the and 1960s and usually a salmon pink colour. Melbourne populations, now common and widespread, are thought to have started from released pets. It is also the coldest adapted freshwater turtle in Australia, and is believed to hibernate during winter in Melbourne. Reptiles

Sw amp Skink Suh o t ern Water Skink Gr ass Skink G arden Skink Eg ernia coventryi E ulamprus tympanum L elolopisma entrecasteauxii L ampropholis guichenoti SIZE: up to 25cm SIZE: up to 22cm SIZE: up to 12.5cm SIZE: up to 10cm S wamp skinks vary between T he upper parts of these Y ou might see them during the G arden skinks form social shades of greenish-brown, medium-sized skinks are a glossy day basking on a log or scurrying groups unlike most reptiles. olive-brown or yellow-brown. bronze with numerous scattered among fallen timber and leaf You can often see these vividly They restrict their habitat to blackish scales. The pattern is litter. They are active by day, sun patterned skinks darting around densely vegetated swamps and reversed on the flanks, with loving and feed on small Melbourne’s parks and gardens associated watercourses, and a broad band of black with invertebrates. Females give birth on sunny days. They have a adjacent wetlands and grasses. scattered golden-bronze scales. to a maximum of eight young flecked back and strong black They can be found basking on They frequently bask on dead late in summer. They are a and white stripes. These skinks fallen timber, driftwood, sedges logs, branches and fallen tree medium sized skink, with a are small and nimble, and and tussocks, and feed on small trunks, which they also use as ground colour varying from olive breed in spring. Well-hidden invertebrates. Mating occurs in shelter, and feed on a variety to dark brown. It has a dark communal nests can contain October with live offspring of invertebrates. stripe down the back and a pale up to 200-300 soft leathery produced (rather than eggs). stripe a scale wide running from eggs. Each female lays only Swamp skinks are relatively rare behind the ear to the tail. two or three eggs. in the Yarra catchment and are listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the Flora and Fauna Guarantee. Reptiles

Es a tern Blue Tongue Jaia cky L z rd T iliqua scincoides A mphibolurus muricatus scincoides SIZE: commonly up to 32cm Other name: Common Blue Tongue T hese lizards are sometimes called Tree because SIZE: up to 56cm they can scurry up trees, but T hese lizards usually have six they usually live on the ground. to nine pale bands between the Unlike geckos and skinks, Jacky nape (back of neck) and hips lizards cannot grow new tails. and up to 10 bands on the tail. When threatened, they gape Despite their slow movement to reveal a bright yellow tongue and large size, they thrive in and mouth to try to frighten urban areas. They are active enemies. If this fails, they can during the day, sheltering under stand on their hind legs and run. logs in vegetation and burrows, and feed on fruit, flowers, foliage, arthropods, snails, eggs and small vertebrates. They inhabit virtually all habitats throughout eastern Australia. Bugs and Insects

A s with any extensive waterway system, the Yarra River is the perfect habitat for a great variety of bug and insect species. And while these species have an abundant food supply, larger animals such as birds will prey on these creatures when searching for a quick snack.

Insectivorous birds will feast on bugs and insects in the same way that honeyeaters will gorge on the flowers of nectar-producing plants that make up a large portion of the native flora lining the banks of the Yarra. You’ll need to look closely at the bugs and insects common to the Yarra because they are not only small, but quick as well. Bugs and Insects

Ki ller Mayfly D obsonflies L esser Water Strider Com m on Bluetail g enus Mirawara M egaloptera V celiidae Mi rovelia Damselfly Archichauliodes Size: more than 2cm Size: 2mm I schnura heterosticta Size: 30mm T his mayfly can be caught in Found at the edges of the Size: up to 30-40mm the upper reaches of the Yarra. Found in the upper reaches channel and in slow-flowing P referring slow running or still Adults have robust yellow- of the Yarra, these are active water throughout the Yarra. The waters, this species of damselfly brown body with purple-pink predators in fast- flowing waters. adults have winged and wingless is common throughout Australia. wings and are found from The aquatic have long forms and live on the surface Although their colouring is pale October to April. The aquatic filaments on their abdominal of the water, using hydrophobic and diffused, the male is nymphs have large heads and segments and strong jaws. hairs on their ‘feet’. They are identifiable by the vivid blue on robust bodies. Gills are plate like Female dobsonflies may lay up active predators and use the its body and tail. They are easily and the cerci have dense hairs to 3000 eggs on rocks or debris ripples to detect small insects recognised and commonly seen that help to propel the nymph close to the but not in falling on the water surface. around bodies of or through the water. Nymphs live the water. When the larvae Many individuals, sometimes in open areas such as parks and in fast-flowing riffles and are hatch they enter the water and from different species, often gardens. These insects belong very sensitive to water quality. live a permanently aquatic life combine their effort to to an ancient order. Dragonfly until they are ready to pupate. overpower a much larger prey. fossils have been found that are At this stage the larvae move up to 220,000,000 years old and out of the water into the the basic design has changed adjacent leaf litter or soil little since then, but they have where they pupate for several shrunk a little over time. weeks. The complete life cycle may take only one year in warmer areas or up to 5 in colder climates. Bugs and Insects

Suh o t ern Riffle W hIRligig beetle Di e ving be tles Waba ter o tmen Darner Dragonfly F amily Gyrinidae F amily Dytiscidae C orixidae N otoaeschna sagittata Size: up to 35mm Size: up to 40mm Size: up to 15mm Size: up to 150mm W idespread in Australia, this A dult and larval forms of this W aterboatmen have unique legs D ragonflies are among the best species gets its name from the species live on the surface of the that are easy to spot. Being known insects because of their fact that adults sometime swim water, usually on the edges close active swimmers, their middle size (usually 30-90mm, but rapidly in irregular curves on the to the bank, and are common and hind legs have a fringe of some species are known up to water surface. The larvae and throughout Australia. Although swimming hairs and the front 150mm) and captivating adults are predatory. The division generally dark and shiny with legs are short and scoop-like. behaviour. Common around of their eyes into top and powerful mouthparts some may They have a wide and rounded quick-flowing streams and rivers, bottom portions enables them be brightly coloured. Air carried head with prominent eyes and this species can be found across to see both above and below in a chamber beneath their short antennae. The rostrum Victoria and south-eastern New the surface, which helps them wings allows diving beetles to (beak-like mouth part) is most South Wales. These nymphs to locate their prey. The whirligig stay submerged for long periods. often short, and some species move at a rapid pace by beetle is back and known to This species feed on aquatic may look beetle-like if the squirting water from their emit an unpleasant odour. invertebrates as well as small structure of the legs is ignored. abdomen and can be recognised fish, tadpoles and snails. Waterboatmen feed mainly on by their black and yellow insect larvae in the bottom ooze colouring. Also favoured as bait (or sediment). They are known by the community. to feed on a combination of dead plant and animal matter (detritus – det-try-tuss) and mosquito larvae P lants

M ore than 25 unique vegetation communities make their home along the Yarra River and its tributaries, and within billabongs, wetlands and swamps. Some are dominated by trees and shrubs and can form dense almost impenetrable thickets. For example, Swamp Scrub occurs in areas that are permanently wet especially to the south and east of the Yarra catchment.

The native grasses found around the waterway protect the earth and provide seeds for parrots and food for wombats, wallabies and kangaroos. They are a precious and fragile resource and once destroyed will not recover their former splendour. Native grasses are vulnerable to invasion by introduced grasses, soil by disturbance, grazing, regular mowing and fertilisers. Victoria once had vast natural grasslands.

Manna gums with their tall white trunks can be found along its upper reaches, their leaves an important food source for Koalas.

Riparian scrub occurs along much of the river. River red gums form a tree canopy with a dense understorey of silver wattles, river bottlebrush, prickly currant bush and tree violet. Rushes and sedges often line the banks. P lants

Yar r a Gum Sm all Leaf Pomaderris Asr u t al Lady Tresses T i ree V olet E ucalyptus yarraensis P romader is vacciniifolia Si p ranthes sinesis M elicystus dentatus Size: up to 20m Size: up to 4m Size: up to 38cm Size: up to 4m T his native species is indigenous T here are probably less than T his plant is very rare because T hese shrubs grow along the to the and 800 of these plants left in its pink flowers grow mainly in river and creek banks and are surrounding areas of southern Victoria. The main population swampy areas, much of which a favourite habitat for small Victoria. It occurs in isolated is in the Kinglake and Toolangi has been drained and cleared. birds. perfume may patches along the Yarra. Its districts along damp rivers and These flowers feature in spring encourage you to sniff their white/creamy flowers usually creeks and a small patch occurs and spiral up the stalk of the many tiny bell-shaped flowers. bloom in late winter and early in on the plant. This native provides an Their blue-purple berries, which spring. The tree provides hollows Yarra. It flowers in September important food source for drop in summer, are often eaten for nesting. Birds and insects eat and October, producing a small many insects. by lizards and skinks. its nectar and insects consume and often unnoticed translucent its foliage. flower. However, the seed that develops is an important food source for some bird species. The plant needs fire or some sort of disturbance to the ground such as animal diggings to regenerate. The foliage looks like blueberries. P lants

C mhRIst as Bush He mp Bush K angaroo Apple K angaroo Grass Pr ostanthera lasianthos Gynat rix pulchella S olanum aviculare T hemeda australis Size: up to 8m Size: up to 4m Size: up to 2m Size: up to 1.5m A round Christmas, these bushes T his relative of the hibiscus is T he red fruits of these shrubs A s the name indicates, display masses of showy white restricted to moist areas near are more the size of cherries kangaroos graze this grass, which flowers splashed with orange rivers and creeks. Its greenish- than apples. Their bright mauve was once a significant feature of and purple. When crushed, their white, slightly fragrant flowers flowers are similar to those of the Yarra Valley landscape. It is soft, lush, green leaves have develop from late summer to their distant relatives, the dormant throughout the cooler a strong minty aroma. The spring. The leaves have delicate tomato and potato. The fruit months but begins to grow just Christmas bush is a relative of edges that close over the stem. is supposed to be edible but as other grasses are dying off. rosemary, thyme and mint and Animals and insects graze on leaves a bitter aftertaste so it’s In summer when its masses of grows in cool protected areas this plant and it is an important recommended that you leave rusty-red seed heads are a along the river and creeks. food source for butterflies. them for the birds! magnificent sight, it remains Aboriginals called this plant Unfortunately deer have taken succulent and is less of a fire ‘Corranderrk’, a name that later a liking to eating these plants hazard than introduced grasses. became that of a settlement in the Yarra catchment and this station at Healesville. has reduced their number. P lants

Re iv r Red Gum Manna Gum Yello w Box Red Box E ucalyptus camaldulensis E ucalyptus viminalis E ucalyptus melliodora E ucalyptus polyanthemos Size: up to 45m Size: up to 30m Size: up to 30m Size: up to 25m R iver red gums are home to T his tall and spreading forest T he sweet smelling blossoms T he roundish blue-green leaves many living beings, resident and or woodland tree has long, of this tree attract possums, of this tree give the bushland nomad alike. Even when dead, narrow, fragrant leaves and birds and beekeepers who gather around Warrandyte its as logs on the ground, they sheds its cream or white bark its world famous honey. The tree distinctive hue. The tree’s hard, provide shelter and homes in long ribbons. Its cream flowers gets its name from the bright red wood is extremely durable for many plants and animals. are mostly seen in summer and yellow inner layer of bark. The and is often used for fence posts. Old age for a red gum starts it provides many hollows for term ‘box’ was given by early We prefer to leave them somewhere around 300-400 nesting birds and marsupials. settlers who thought its tough, standing as part of a bushscape years. Their thick trunks, It grows along watercourses durable wood was similar to that provides shelter for wildlife spreading crowns and gnarled and on moist, well drained soils. English boxwood. The rough, and beauty for people. branches create a grand and scaly bark of this tree is home graceful character as well as for many spiders, bugs, beetles nesting hollows for wildlife. and other insects. They dominate the river banks and in the downstream half of the Yarra. P lants

Si t lver Wat le Bla t ck Wat le Bla ckwood Swe e t Bursaria A cacia dealbataa A cacia mearnsii A cacia melanoxylon Ba urs ria spinosa Size: up to 20m Size: up to 15m Size: up to 30m Size: up to 8m I n August and September P eople appreciate these T he furrows and cracks in Flowering time transforms this the yellow blossoms of this wattles for their bright yellow blackwood trunks provide scraggly plant into a splendid tree light up the environment flowers and delicate, feathery homes for insects and spiders, highlight of the dry summer surrounding the river. Easily foliage. But to birds and other which hide under the bark and landscape. Its sweetly scented identified by its feathery foliage creatures, they are well stocked burrow into the wood. The tree cream flowers develop into and abundant early flowers, bush pantries. Some 350 kinds also provides excellent habitat small brown seed vessels that silver wattle has grey-green of insects were found in one old for wildlife. This beautiful, rattle in the wind. Being thorny, leaves and was given its name tree. Sugar gliders feed on gum long-living wattle has dense bursarias offer refuge for small because of silver patches on exuded from the bark and black foliage, creamy lemon winter/ birds. This humble plant rose to the bark. cockatoos rip open the trunks spring flowers and dark, heavy fame in 1987 when it was found in search of insects. These wood. A lot of fine Australian to provide the exclusive home fast-growing trees, which flower furniture has been made of the extremely rare Eltham in spring and early summer, from its timber. copper butterfly. are often used to control soil erosion. Plants

Swamp Paperbark River Bottlebrush Burgan Hop Goodenia Callistemon sieberi Kunzea ericoides Goodenia ovata Size: up to 9m Size: up to 7m Size: up to 7m Size: up to 2m Once common in the Yarra These plants are now far less This dense, fast growing shrub This common plant features Valley, stands of these plants common than before European is found mainly along river and oval-shaped foliage with a have suffered as a result of settlement. They have stiff, creek banks. Ringtail possums toothed edge. It has bright clearing for agriculture. They sharp-pointed leaves. By and birds often use it for shelter yellow flowers throughout the spread by suckering to form contrast, new leaves are and nesting. It belongs to the spring and early summer. It dense thickets that make reddish, and soft, silky and same family as tea trees, occupies space that might wonderfully protected habitat, lovely to touch. Look for some eucalypts and bottlebrushes otherwise be taken by weeds, shelter and food for wildlife, and very old, spreading examples (myrtaceae) and often and is an important stabilising help stabilise steep banks. Their along river banks. flowers prolifically, especially plant after fire or animal yellow-white flowers brighten during drought. It germinates disturbance. Hop goodenias love wetlands in spring. and grows quickly after a a moist spot by a river but do disturbance such as a bushfire. not need to be wet or flooded. The species provides important habitat for birds and occurs throughout the Yarra Valley and in Victoria in moist areas.