Rare long nosed potoroo sighted

Even though the Survey team was limited by seasonal factors, weather and time available, they were still able to record a significant list of species. A total of 145 vascular plants were recorded, of which 114 were indigenous and a total of 49 species of birds including the threatened Powerful Owl, of which only 3 were introduced. It is a concern that the threatened Rufous Bristlebird was not recorded at this time as it had been seen and heard in recent years. Also absent were the Southern Brown and Long-nosed Bandicoots, which have not been recorded for some time. All these endangered species depend on a thick ground cover to provide habitat and protection from introduced pests like foxes and cats and the recent lack of rainfall has caused the undergrowth to die back and this is thought to be a factor in their absence. The numbers and variety of the size and habits of the birds recorded is an indication of the diversity of the food sources, shelter and nesting sites available at the Sanctuary.

The Long-nosed Potoroo is the smallest Victorian member of the Kangaroo family. Slightly smaller than a rabbit, the Potoroo is dark brown in colour, although the tail is sometimes white tipped. Formerly widespread and common in South Eastern Australia, they are now restricted to isolated relic colonies. The population at the Sanctuary has been studied for several years in an attempt to determine the Potoroo's particular requirements.

Potoroos are nocturnal and feed on plant and animal material obtained by digging conical pits in the soil. They mature by about 12 to 15 months and have offspring each year in the spring or summer. The Rufous Bristlebird is a rare ground living bird, which rarely flies, but is capable of running fast through tangled undergrowth. Pairs of birds occupy small territories. It is not known which sex builds the nest and incubates the eggs but it is thought that the non-incubating bird brings food to the incubating bird and that both adults feed the chicks.