Latest News

1. They eat what?! Arid Recovery 11-May-2012
2. Behaviours to watch for Arid Recovery 08-May-2012
3. How can you get involved? Arid Recovery 02-May-2012
4. Feral Cat Month Arid Recovery 01-May-2012
5. Postie Bash Preparations Arid Recovery 27-Apr-2012

Arid Recovery News

Postie Bash Preparations

Arid Recovery - Friday, April 27, 2012

The helmets have been polished and the bikes serviced in the preparation for the 2012 Roxby Downs Community Postie Bash and the Arid Recovery team are in practice! 

Taking place for the first time last year, the Postie Bash was quite a hit and has had all spaces filled with more than 20 teams.  This year the Arid Recovery team have decided to take part, entering their team, the Crash Bandicoots.  With one experienced motorbike rider in the team, general manager Kylie Piper thought it was time to get serious and purchase a postie bike sooner rather than later, to allow the team a little time to practice for the big event.

Running on the weekend of 23rd and 24th of June, the Roxby Downs Community Postie Bash runs from Roxby Downs up the Borefield Road and Oodnadatta Track ending up at William Creek on Saturday evening.  Along the way there are competitions, road blocks and pit stops aplenty to keep the dusty and bumpy ride interesting.  Teams take part in fundraising for the months prior to the weekend with raffles, auctions, sausage sizzles and events spread throughout town.  This Saturday Arid Recovery will be opening the gates at 4:30pm to allow the public through on a sunset tour and nocturnal spotlight, with all funds raised going towards the Postie Bash.  All monies raised by all teams for the Postie Bash goes towards the Roxby Downs youth and health services.

Advertising the Postie Bash and the fundraising efforts of the Crash Bandicoots on local radio, general manager Kylie Piper took part in a live broadcast ride down Richardson Place.  Never having rode a motorbike it was an experience not just for her but those lucky enough to be in Roxby Downs at the time.  “It was so much fun!  I honestly thought I was going to fall off for a minute there when I came around the corner, but I held on,” said Ms Piper.

After fundraising efforts this weekend the Crash Bandicoot team will be getting stuck into practicing their motorbike skills in preparation for the weekend.

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Experience the Reserve after dark!

Arid Recovery - Monday, April 23, 2012

You often hear the Arid Recovery staff speaking of their cheeky burrowing bettongs and their elusive bilbies, but have you ever actually seen one?  Arid Recovery is offering Roxby Downs locals the opportunity to see these threatened species and help to raise money for the Roxby Downs Community Postie Bash.

 

The evening of Saturday April 28th, Arid Recovery is inviting you to take a look at what goes on behind the fence after dark.  Usually receiving tourists on their sunset tours, Volunteer and Community Coordinator, Hannah Spronk, thought it was time that locals had the opportunity to experience some of the native wildlife.

With so many new people coming to town Arid Recovery thought it would be great for them to meet some of the critters we are always talking about.  The staff have decided to enter a team called the Crash Bandicoots into the local Community Postie Bash and thought this event would be something different as a fundraiser for the local community.

The Arid Recovery gate will be opened for arrivals from 4:30pm- 5pm with the night wrapping up by approximately 9pm.  Entry is just $10 and children under 12 are free.

Visitors will be able to take a tour through different vegetation types, making their way to the viewing platform to enjoy an outback sunset.

As it becomes dark the reserve begins to come alive, with critters climbing out from their homes.  Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a spotlight walk to the nocturnal hide where they will have the opportunity to spot the burrowing bettongs, hopping mice and even a shy bilby!

Visitors will need to wear enclosed shoes and long pants.  A water bottle and torch will be handy and a keen eye is a must.  A sausage sizzle will be available on the night for a gold coin.  All proceeds will go towards the Roxby Downs Postie Bash raising money for youth and health services.  For more information or to register your interest call (08) 8671 8282.

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Kids club goes bettong spotting

Arid Recovery - Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Getting the kids off the couch and out of the house these holidays was the Arid Recovery Kids Club with a night of Bettong spotting last night.  A group of 30 children between the ages of 5 and 12 trekked out to the Arid Recovery Reserve last night to learn a little bit more about the animals and plants of the arid zone.

First up was a nature trail, taking them through some of the different types of habitat we have at Arid Recovery, through stands of mulga trees that can live for hundreds and hundreds of years, and the mistletoe birds that have a very quick digestive system!  Children learnt to tell the difference between a bettong and a bilby track and that a saltbush isn’t called so just because it can tolerate high salt levels, it also tastes salty too.

(Some of the Kids Club members on their sunset nature trail.)

After a sausage sizzle there were squeals of excitement, and a few of horror and surprise, as the bettongs began to emerge in search of some food.  Although many children had visited the Reserve previously on school excursions and knew plenty about our cheeky little bettongs, it was the first time many had seen one in the flesh.

Armed with torches, it was time to take to the dunes on a nocturnal spotlight tour.  Although we tried very hard to keep quiet, unfortunately we must have been a little too loud and scared off the elusive bilbies before we could see them.  Some were lucky enough to spot a stick- nest rat as he bumbled away from the torches, there were even a few who spotted a couple of hopping mice before they quickly bounced off into the bushes.

Anyone taking out an Arid Recovery family membership will automatically have all children included in the Arid Recovery Kids Club.  Membership of the Kids Club includes copies of Maccas Newsletter, free invitations to events and discounted birthday parties and more.  If you would like to join up your children please call the Arid Recovery office on 08 8671 8282 for more information.

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Easter Bilbies Preparations

Arid Recovery - Tuesday, April 03, 2012

We all know Easter is just around the corner and Easter Bilby has been working hard at the Arid Recovery Reserve, preparing for his big weekend of chocolate egg deliveries ahead! 

Although there is some debate as to exactly where and when the concept of Easter Bilby originated, the business name was registered in 1991 by the Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia.  Whilst many of the children of Roxby Downs will now happily tell you the difference between a feral rabbit and a native endangered bilby, we want to spread the message further.  For years now Australians have made Christmas their own, donning shorts rather than scarves and decorating a branch of eucalypt, it is now time to do the same for our Easter.

Rabbits first came to Australia with the First Fleet with 24 rabbits released on the mainland at a property near Geelong in 1859.  These rabbits of course spread quickly to cover the landscape.  In just 18 months one pair of rabbits can turn into 184, displaying their exponential breeding and giving rise to the saying “breeding like rabbits”.  Unfortunately these huge numbers have decimated areas of Australia, causing vegetation loss, soil degradation and most likely contributing to the local extinctions of some species, including the Greater Bilby.

By celebrating Easter in Australia with an Easter Bilby rather than Bunny, we hope to raise awareness of the devastating impacts feral rabbits have had across the country and the plight of our endangered Greater Bilby.  So this Easter rather than chomping down on a chocolate bunny, how about purchasing a chocolate Easter Bilby? Sales of chocolate bilbies from Darrell Lea help to support the Save the Bilby bund and chocolate bilbies purchased from Haigh’s support the Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia. 

Support the Arid Recovery bilbies and the fight for an arid zone free of rabbits by adopting a bilby from the Reserve.  A special offer available until Friday 6^th, for just $50 you can adopt a bilby from the Arid Recovery Reserve and receive an adoption certificate, complimentary one year membership and a small plush bilby toy.  Check out the Get Involved tab on our website to adopt.

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An Arid Recovery Baby

Arid Recovery - Friday, March 09, 2012

There was much cooing into buckets earlier this week as the Arid Recovery staff discovered a new addition to the family.

Undertaking some pit fall trapping work this week the staff were excited to find one morning they had captured more small mammals than usual.  Once small mammals have been processed we place them into large buckets with water and some seed for the rest of the day. 

Before heading back out in the late afternoon all the animals are returned to their bags to be released at the same site they were caught.  Field officer Anni Walsh, was slightly surprise to discover there was more than just one Forrest Mouse in the bag.  Upon closer inspection ecologist Helen Crisp was able to determine there were four small babies in the bag with their mother.  Left overnight with plenty of food and water, the mother Forrest Mouse was quite content to look after her babies in the warmth and security of a catch bag. 

Rather than prolonging the inevitable, staff released the small family back into the wild late the next evening.  Finding a digging that would provide her with shelter, she was protected with vegetation and left alone with the four small additions to her family.

 

One of the small babies attempting to attach itself for suckling to its mother.

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A land of flooding rains

Arid Recovery - Friday, March 02, 2012

Although usually well known for our hot, dry and dusty days, this week the arid zone around Roxby Downs and further afield in South Australia received a good soaking. 

It began last Sunday with a quick downpour which saw our Field Maintenance Officer Tyson Brown heading out to the reserve for a quick fence check, making sure rain and wind had not done any damage.  Before making it even half way around the reserve, the rains came again, making roads to boggy and wet to trek back into town.  Stuck at the ATCO (the Reserve base camp) for a night was enjoyable, especially with these cute little Trilling Frogs (Neobatrachus centralis) coming out to play.

Tuesday saw a slight break in the weather allowing us to get Ecologist Helen Crisp out to the reserve with supplies of food and fuel for the week.  Although not everyone’s cup of tea, Arid Recovery staff are well prepared for event such as this.  One of their priorities whilst out there is to undertake fence checks regularly, to ensure there are no wash outs or damage which may allow feral cats, foxes and rabbits into the feral free zones.

Although it may seem hard to believe, Trilling Frogs are actually the most abundant vertebrate of this area, hiding buried up 2 metres below the surface.  Adapted to remain in hibernation for years without surfacing, they wait for large rainfalls, such as those the region has just experienced, before surfacing. 

Of course, not only frogs but huge numbers of insects come out with rain, providing them with a smorgasbord of options.  They will quickly lay their eggs which will hatch and mature at a rate faster than your average amphibian before they burrow down into the soil again, forming a coating over its skin to protect it from dehydration.

 

Check out more photos on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AridRecovery

A total of nearly 70mm of rain was recorded over 5 days at the Arid Recovery Reserve.  For more information about rainfall in the area and across the arid zone of South Australia check out  a map at http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/rain/index.jsp?colour=colour&time=latest&step=0&map=totals&period=week&area=sa

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Baby Bilby for Christmas!

Arid Recovery - Wednesday, December 07, 2011

There are a number of successful bilby breeding programs around Australia, working hard to replenish the low population.  Perth Zoo is one of these and has just had their first successful breeding of the bilby for 2011.

Bilbies are opportunistic breeders, meaning they will only breed when the conditions are optimum, and in their natural environment in the harsh arid zone of Australia, those opportunities might be few and far between!  Once a substantial food supply has been established, bilbies will mate, with some mating sessions lasting up to 18 hours. The foetus that is produced develops quite quickly and approximately two weeks after mating a bean sized newborn will manage to squirm into its mothers pouch.  This newborn will spend up to three months inside the pouch, developing and feeding.  After initially leaving the pouch, it is not likely to young bilby will re-enter the pouch.  We call this stage “at foot”. Don’t worry, they aren’t left to fend for themselves yet.  Mother bilbies are able to produce two types of milk, one for the small newborn living inside the pouch, and another type for the young bilby that is at foot. For more information on the bilby born at the Perth Zoo and to see a film after he has left the pouch, click on the link here.

Or why not adopt your own bilby for Xmas!

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Arid Recovery in Parliament

Arid Recovery - Tuesday, November 22, 2011

 

It isn't too often you hear the Arid Recovery name mentioned in parliament.  Recently Senator Alex Gallacher travelled up to Roxby Downs for the official opening of the Roxby Downs Area School's new gym.  With a little time to spare he was eager to take a trip out to the reserve to understand how Arid Recovery works and what makes our arid lands so unique.

Within a couple of hours Alex and his reptile shy assistant Matthew had seen the far north reaches of the reserve, tested out a solar panelled cat trap, learnt a little about the flora and fauna found inside and out and of course had a close look at our fence.  Upon returning to Adelaide, Alex decided Arid Recovery and the conservation goals we are working towards was worthy of a mention in parliament.  To read a copy of the speech, simply click on the link below.

Link to: Arid Recovery in Parliament

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BoPpers at the Reserve

Arid Recovery - Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Most people are indulging in a little sleep in at 7am on a Saturday morning or planning which housework task needs to be tackled first but this wasn’t the case last Saturday.  The Arid Recovery crew and dedicated eager volunteers were up and enjoying the cool calm morning, undertaking a birds of prey survey within the reserve.

Although not usually a focus of Arid Recovery research, the recent birds of prey survey was undertaken to provide us with base data required for future studies.  With their spotter eyes on high alert the group split into teams to drive their designated sections of the reserve. 

 

Volunteers were on high alert for a number of birds common to the area including Wedge- tailed Eagles, Nankeen Kestrels and Brown Falcons.  Over a late breakfast the results were combined and discussed and challenges were issued as to who had spotted the most birds.

“It’s an absolutely gorgeous morning to be out at the reserve,” remarked Arid Recovery ecologist Helen Crisp.  “We are so thankful these volunteers have given up their morning to help us out and contribute to the future research programs at Arid Recovery.”

Results showed there were high numbers of Wedge- tailed Eagles within the reserve as well as Black Shouldered Kites.  By dividing the number of kilometres driven and the number of birds recorded and estimate of approximately 0.5 birds of prey per kilometre was devised.  "Because we don't have any other similar scenarios to compare it to we are not sure yet if this is an average dispersal of birds or not.  We are also experiencing relatively good conditions at the moment so this may also have affected numbers but that is all part of the fun of ecology," commented Helen Crisp.

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A Cousin Next Door

Arid Recovery - Friday, November 11, 2011

After 80 long years, relatives of the Arid Recovery burrowing bettong have moved in next door.  Once plentiful along the eastern seaboard of Australia, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) suffered a fast decline due to foxes, cats and land clearing in the late 1800’s.

Since approximately the mid- 1920’s the eastern bettong has not been seen on the mainland and survived only in Tasmania.  With the recent arrival of the fox in Tasmania and an increase in other pressures, a small population of 30 eastern bettongs were relocated to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, ACT. 

The ACT government, CSIRO and Dr Adrian Manning of the Australian National University’s  Fenner School are working collaboratively on a grassy woodland restoration project.  The project is undertaken at Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve and it is hoped that at some stage next year, this small group of eastern bettongs will be released at Mulligans flat.

Eastern bettongs are often referred to as “ecosystem engineers” as they play a pivotal role in digging up the soil which increases the flow of nutrients and water into the soil.  The ecologists working on this reintroduction are hoping to determine the impact this reintroduced species may have on the woodland and if they may be used an ecological restoration tool.

Findings from this type of study can be beneficial not only to other woodlands along the eastern coast but also conservation projects across Australia.  Although it may seem the information these sorts of studies and organisations such as Arid Recovery provide are quite specific to the ecosystems or animals they are dealing with, aspects of it can be applicable to a number of different things.  Look at our unique floppy top fence, it is used in different ecosystems across Australia and even in other countries!  Conservation projects and initiatives such as these share not only their successes but also their failures with others in order to improve the protection of our species for years to come.

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Recent Posts

• They eat what?!
• Feral Cat Month
• Postie Bash Preparations
• Experience the Reserve after dark!
• Kids club goes bettong spotting
• Bettongs and bilbies moving house
• Easter Bilbies Preparations
• Can dingoes save our threatened native species?
• One for the Road
• An Arid Recovery Baby

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