Author: mittavalleylandcare445025682
White-faced Heron (Egretta Novaehollandiae)
This photo by Colin Trainor (Wikipedia)
White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) is a medium-sized heron found in Australia, New Zealand, and some parts of the western Pacific region.
DISTRIBUTION
The White-faced Heron is widespread throughout Australia, occurring in various habitats such as coastal areas, wetlands, estuaries, rivers, and inland water bodies. It is also found in parts of New Zealand and nearby islands.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
This heron measures around 60 to 70 centimetres (about 24 to 28 inches) in length and has a wingspan of approximately 90 to 105 centimetres (about 35 to 41 inches). Its plumage is predominantly slate-grey, and it has a distinctive white face, throat, and front of the neck. During the breeding season, adults may develop long, slender plumes on their backs and chest.
FEEDING BEHAVIOUR
White-faced Herons are opportunistic feeders and have a varied diet. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, insects, frogs, and other aquatic creatures. They are skilled at stalking their prey and may stand motionless for long periods before striking with their sharp beaks to catch their food.
BREEDING
Breeding occurs during the warmer months. The herons build nests in trees, shrubs, or on the ground near water bodies. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs, and both parents take turns incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks.
CONSERVATION STATUS
As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the White-faced Heron is not considered globally threatened and is classified as a species of “Least Concern” by the IUCN. However, like many bird species, they face challenges related to habitat loss and disturbance in some regions
TAXONOMY
The White-faced Heron belongs to the family Ardeidae, which includes various species of herons, egrets, and bitterns.
REFERENCES
Wikipedia
Birdlife Australia
Field Guide to Australian Birds -Michael Morcombe
Biodiversity Decline and Extinction – What can We do in the Mitta?
Guide: Attracting and Caring for Amphibians in Your Stream, Creek or Wetland
Peron’s Tree Frog (Litoria peronii). Photo credit: Dane Trembath, FrogID.net.au
You may have noticed frog populations booming from the recent wet season. This new guide from the Australian Rivers Restoration Centre is designed for landholders to identify and promote healthy amphibian populations on agricultural properties. See the six most common native frog species in southeast NSW and the ACT, including their habitat, markings and unique call sounds. We also discuss their importance within Australian ecosystems and how Rivers of Carbon projects can help you make a start protecting them.
by Simon Feillafe, Mitta 2 Murray Landcare Facilitator Program
Deer Control Plans
The East Victoria Deer Control Plan 2023-2028 and West Victoria Deer Control Plan 2023-2028 were recently released. The Peri-Urban Deer Control Plan 2021-2026 was released in 2021. See deer control program regional plans for a map of the boundaries of the three regional deer control regions. The three regional deer control plans guide deer control and management actions across Victoria to prevent or minimise the impact of deer on environmental, cultural, social, and economic values.
More information: go to deer control strategy
by Simon Feillafe, Mitta 2 Murray Landcare Facilitator Program
New Deer Kit Helps Landowners
Feral deer are becoming an increasing problem on private land impacting agricultural production, gardens and native biodiversity and increasingly a road safety risk.
To assist landowners to manage deer on their land, Upper Ovens Valley Landcare commissioned this kit to provide deer control options for a range of property types in the Ovens Valley region and greater north eastern Victoria.
The Feral Deer Control Kit for the Upper Ovens Valley was funded through a Victorian Landcare Grant auspiced through the North east Catchment Management Authority and the content was developed by ABZECO (Applied Botany, Zoology and Ecological Consulting).
The information in this deer kit was sourced from publicly available online resources at the time of preparation. This is a live document that can be updated as new information becomes available e.g. new fencing businesses that specialise in deer fencing, new control methods, local case studies. Find the kit and how to use it HERE .
by Simon Feillafe, Mitta 2 Murray Landcare Facilitator Program
Deer Fence Design
This picture depicts a deer fence I saw week in Upper Murray, it was a design I thought some of you might be interested 3 years ago, to reduce the impact of deer predominately Fallow deer and kangaroos. Hence the need for a low hot wire. It cost $10m in materials, is 6ft 4in high, with a steel every 2.5m. Some of the posts have a second post behind them for reinforcement. Top wire is a heavy barb wire to keep the fence straight. Left is bush, right is paddock. This design was a result of this landholder doing some research, looking at a number of designs and then adapting it to suit his needs. And as he says, it works. The pasture on right was part of a 45 paddock rotation, and most paddocks had a lot more grass than this one.
by Simon Feillafe, Mitta 2 Murray Landcare Facilitator Program