Here's the latest scoop from Corymbia Biodiversity Project & Banyula Conservation Reserve…
This season, Banyula has been bustling with conservation wins and community engagement! From the inspiring sight of an emu father and his chicks, to nocturnal encounters with greater gliders and a surprise sighting of the endangered bush stone-curlew, each day reinforces our mission. Workshops and surveys, like our baseline ground mammal study, the Bats in Backyards program and the Clarence Birdo’s visit, continue to expand our species list while informing habitat conservation. We’ve also installed two new TreeTroffs to support tree-dwelling wildlife, adding to Banyula’s safe haven for Australia’s unique species. |
| | BANYULA: A PROUD MEMBER OF THE ODONATA SANCTUARY NETWORK
Banyula is proud to be part of Odonata's SEASON network, dedicated to saving species from extinction. As one of five sanctuaries in the network, Banyula’s feral-free area provides vital protection for biodiversity. Check out this great segment on The Project showing Odonata’s sanctuary network expanding; building on the proven success of its existing sites to safeguard more threatened species across a broader range of environments. At Banyula, we’re committed to working with Odonata and other sanctuaries in the network to protect Australia's unique wildlife and ensure a future where these species can flourish.
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|  | | OH, HELLO MR EMU!
Recently, an emu father and his chicks were spotted roaming on the property, enjoying the native delicacies Banyula has to offer. It's heartening to see them thriving here, with the Dad teaching his young ones how to be strong and self-sufficient in the wild. We hope this family enjoys their stay at Banyula and continues to find it a safe place to call home with all the work we're doing to control feral pest predators and planting their favourite foods. |
|  | | LARGE OWLS, GREATER GLIDERS AND HELP FOR HOLLOW BEARING TREES
The recent Nature Conservation Council’s (NCC) workshop at Banyula was a huge success which brought together over 50 passionate conservationists for great food, engaging discussions, and a special appearance by a greater glider during a nocturnal walk! This beautiful encounter highlighted the importance of our conservation efforts, particularly for species like the greater glider and large forest owls.
We learned that one critical action we can take to protect these species is conserving large hollow-bearing trees - which provide essential habitat for forest owls and their prey. Sadly, many of these trees have been lost, making active management crucial. Fire, while necessary for creating tree hollows, can also destroy them in mere hours.
The NCC’s Large Forest Owls page provides further insights on this topic… check out their latest video on how you can help to protect large hollow-bearing trees on your property. Watch the video here: Protecting Hollow-Bearing Trees |
|  | | CLARENCE BIRDO’S ADD NEW SPECIES TO BANYULA’s LIST
Last month, the Clarence ‘Birdos’ visited Banyula for their fifth outing to search an area previously unexplored to them. Although sightings weren’t extensive due to the heat, which tends to quieten the birds, four new species were added to their "Banyula List," bringing their total to 75 species. Some of these were new our list as well, bringing our current total to 95. We thank the Birdos for visiting Banyula once again and continuing to enrich our understanding of Banyula's biodiversity.
If you're interested in birdwatching, check out the Clarence Valley Council’s birding routes and the best spots for birdwatching in our region here.
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| | | BASELINE SURVEY 2024
Banyula invited Dr Sally Townley and her team of ecologists to repeat our 2023 baseline survey of ground mammals, using 300 Elliot traps in 3 different habitat types, both inside and outside the feral free area. The traps were checked twice daily in accordance with protocols for this type of work, and numerous small mammals were found, unable to resist the lure of peanut butter and oat baits. Unfortunately we did not capture the Eastern Chestnut Mouse this time around, but all of the five other previously observed species were again present. We look forward to seeing the final report.
On the final night the group undertook a spotlighting session, and as we prepared to set off we heard and then later saw, a Bush-Stone Curlew. This Endangered listed species was a very exciting new record for the property. |
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| | | | BUSH STONE-CURLEW
The bush stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius), famous for its haunting nocturnal calls, is now listed as Endangered in New South Wales. Easily recognized by their slender legs and knobbly knees (why they are also called 'thick knees'), and large yellow eyes which aid their night-time activities, these ground-dwelling birds nest and forage primarily on the ground, making them especially vulnerable to invasive predators like foxes and cats.
Once common across NSW woodlands and grasslands, bush stone-curlews have seen dramatic declines also due to habitat loss and urban expansion. While they’re often spotted in Queensland parks and gardens, they are now rare in NSW, where conservation efforts are underway to protect their remaining habitats. |
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| | BATS IN BACKYARDS 2024
Banyula was again involved in the excellent Bats in Backyard program during late Winter. This is a citizen science project contributing valuable data to the NSW Saving Our Species program to help save rare insect-eating bats from extinction. By borrowing and installing a bat detector device to record echolocation calls over 3 to 5 days, property owners help to contribute valuable data about habitat requirements and species distribution, building a better understanding to inform their conservation.
The program also provides a valuable report detailing each bat species detected, their preferred habitats and foods, and recommended actions for bat protection and conservation.
At Banyula a possible record for the Large Forest Bat (Vespadelus darlingtonia) was added to the list, bringing our microbat species count to 10.
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| | ART & NATURE IMMERSION
These past months at Banyula saw a perfect fusion of art and nature as part of Banyula’s ongoing events program.
On a sunny August day, local artist Rochelle Summerfield led a "Drawing from Nature" workshop, where 10 nature lovers created art using muds, dyes, and natural textures from the Clarence Valley. Surrounded by calming music and the beauty of the environment, participants embraced the outdoors, tracing leaves and using watermarks to capture nature's essence on paper.
In September, a lovely group of 10 gathered at Banyula to share a flora walk with renowned local botanist John Edwards. After a quick cup of tea at Banyula’s Eco Shed, the group set off at a casual pace suited to meandering and learning. After a couple of hours quite a lot of ground was covered in a few different habitat types, with numerous species observed from tiny ground orchids to towering old growth eucalypts. |
|  | | TREETROFFS INSTALLED AND OPEN FOR BUSINESS! |
| Three TreeTroffs have just been installed at Banyula Conservation Reserve to provide vital water for tree-dwelling wildlife in times of need (and all other times too). This innovative contraption extends high up into the tree canopy, holding a water reserve that fills a small water station that serves animals such as koalas, gliders, phascogales, birds, frogs and so many more. Originally designed to aid koalas during droughts and after the Black Summer fires, the TreeTroff offers a safe water source without the animals needing to descend to the ground, reducing their risk of predation.
These TreeTroffs were offered as part of a WIRES and Clarence Environment Centre initiative, and we thank Georgia, a dedicated project ecologist from Odonata in Victoria, who volunteered her time to help install the TreeTroff in 3 areas of the reserve far from a natural water course. Her assistance was invaluable, and the Troff is already attracting regular visitors. |
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| Our friends over at Istari have had TreeTroffs installed for a few years, and you can see how many animals appreciate the water, especially during the drought a few years back. |
| | | LOOKING FOR A VENUE TO STUDY, FACILITATE MEETINGS OR HOST A WORKSHOP?
The facilities at the Banyula Conservation Reserve are available for use in the name of science, education, or community events based around the natural environment. These include our fully equipped large shed with toilets and bathrooms, perfect for workshops, as well as our extensive walking tracks, feral-free area, and close proximity to the Yuraygir National Park and Solitary Islands Marine Park.
We encourage everyone to take advantage of these resources to foster learning, research, and community engagement in the natural environment. Checkout the Banyula webpage and fill in the form at the bottom to host an event. |
| | WAS THIS EMAIL FORWARDED TO YOU?Join the Friends of Banyula mailing list to receive inspiring good news stories, invites to events, and updates on activities organised by us and other like-minded organisations and individuals. Stay connected and be part of our mission to protect and preserve our natural world! |
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