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Fauna
Birds
Gluepot Birdlist Taxanomic
Gluepot Birdlist Alphabetic
Where to find birds at Gluepot
Since 1997, 181 bird species have been recorded at Gluepot Reserve (with a further 6 unconfirmed species reported). Four species are considered nationally endangered or vulnerable, and 33 further species are listed as endangered, threatened or vulnerable in one or more of the three Murray Mallee States. Gluepot Reserve and neighbouring parts of Bookmark contain by far the largest remaining population of the endangered Black-eared miner, one of Australia’s rarest birds. Much of the field research and monitoring required in the species’ Recovery Plan is centred on the Reserve. Other nationally significant species breeding on the Reserve are the Malleefowl and the Red-lored whistler. The Regent Parrot breeds along the Murray River and occupies the reserve when not breeding. Of the 33 regionally significant species, at least 13 are likely to be breeding residents, and 20 probably non-breeding visitors or vagrants. Only one introduced species, the Common Starling has been recorded breeding on Gluepot Reserve.
One of the jewels of Gluepot is the endangered Black-eared miner Manorina melanotis . Black-eared Miners were once considered common within their mallee habitat. By the early 1990s, there were few records in Victoria and NSW, and in SA the species was considered nearly extinct. However, following sightings of hybrid miners in the Bookmark – Gluepot area, surveys conducted in 1996 resulted in over 80 sightings of miners. Over 200 colonies are now known from this area. Although many contain hybrids, over a third of colonies contain mainly phenotypically pure Black- eared miners.
The Black-eared miner resembles its close relative the Yellow-throated miner Manorina flavigula. A comprehensive Identification Sheet has been developed by Rohan Clarke and the Black-eared miner Recovery Team.
Click here to download the identification sheet.
A major factor in the decline of the Black-eared miner is the loss and modification of suitable habitat. Black-eared miners were rapidly eliminated from remaining suitable vegetation due to a combination of competition, introgressive hybridisation and/or reduced population viability. Fire has further reduced the Black-eared miners prefered unburnt mallee vegetation.
A Black-eared miner Recovery Team is working hard towards conserving this species and reducing the threats against its survival. Their efforts focus on:
developing fire management plans
managing risk against fire through maintenance of captive populations of Black-eared miners;
translocation of colonies directly from the wild into areas of suitable habitat in Victoria;
Removing individual Yellow-throated miners from Black-eared miner colonies;
Removing Yellow-throated miner colonies from within and near core Black-eared miner habitat; and
Closing artificial watering points (dams) that may encourage / support Yellow-throated miners within core Black-eared miner habitat (and replacement of dams with enclosed tanks where necessary for fire fighting purposes).
Mammals
In 150 years the mammalian biodiversity of the Bookmark region has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former significance. The causes of the extinctions of these mammals in the mallee are not clear, but they may have been due to overgrazing by introduced sheep and rabbits, increased predator pressure from introduced foxes and cats, and changes in fire regimes associated with the drastic decline of the Aboriginal population and the occupation of the land by European settlers.
Not all mammal species have declined. The Western Grey Kangaroo and Red Kangaroo have increased because of reduced predation pressure from dingoes and increased water availability at dams. Both of these species are common on Gluepot Reserve. The Mallee Ningaui, which occurs on Gluepot, was only discovered in the 1970’s. The Short-beaked Echidna is widespread on Gluepot Reserve, as are bats of which 11 species have been recorded. The Western Pygmy-possum was re-discovered in the early 2000’s and is while very rare, likely widespread.
List of Mammals of Gluepot: Mammals_Gluepot_2016
Reptiles and Frogs
Reptiles and frogs excite people as much as any other group of animals. Most people like frogs, but reptiles, especially snakes, evoke mixed feelings with a dislike and fear in some people.
When walking or camping around Gluepot it is almost inevitable that you will encounter a reptile during spring, summer and early autumn. Even during winter-time, on a sunny day it is possible to observe a reptile basking on a log or on a warm spot on the ground.
With fifty (50) species of reptiles currently recognised, the Reserve has a wonderful diversity of lizards and snakes.
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|
Common name |
Family name |
No. of species |
Notes |
|
Dragon lizards |
Agamidae |
4 |
Common, diurnal |
|
Geckos |
3 families |
10 |
Common, nocturnal |
|
Legless lizards |
Pygopodidae |
6 |
Occasionally observed, diurnal |
|
Skinks |
Scincidae |
18 |
Common, diurnal |
|
Goannas |
Varanidae |
1 |
Common, diurnal |
|
Blind snakes |
Typhlopidae |
2 |
Occasionally observed, nocturnal |
|
Elapid snakes |
Elapidae |
9 |
Occasionally observed |
Four (4) species of frogs have been observed on Gluepot, but they are usually only observed on after rain, when there is water on the ground, such as at the old (filled-in) dam-sites.
Click this link, if you wish to see or print off a list (pdf file) of the reptile and frog species that are present on Gluepot.
The most commonly observed diurnal (daytime) reptiles are the Eastern Mallee Dragon, found in spinifex, the Central Bearded Dragon, the Tree Skink, and the Sand Goanna. A number of species of small skinks are also commonly observed, most often running in one direction or another, and observed as a fast moving animal that doesn’t sit still for identification. But sometimes they do stop, providing an opportunity for a photograph.
With ten (10) species of geckos, Gluepot has a good diversity of these essentially nocturnal reptiles. Spotlighting along a track at night, you are most likely to see a Beaded Gecko. The Eastern Tree Dtella can be observed on tree trunks, and if you are really lucky you may get to spot the amazing Smooth Knob-tailed Gecko.
Dislike of reptiles arises mostly from the fear of being bitten by a venomous snake. Whilst Gluepot does have a three or four species of large potentially dangerously venomous snakes, capable of inflicting a lethal bite, they are mostly secretive and it is uncommon to observe them. The Mulga Snake is the most commonly observed potentially dangerous snake on Gluepot. If you do not tread on a snake or handle one, it is very unlikely that you will be bitten.
As a camper or bushwalker you should be familiar with the with the first aid measures recommended if you get bitten by a snake. These include DRABCD and Pressure Immobilsation Bandage technique
Invertebrates
As in other areas, invertebrates dominate both the terrestrial and aquatic faunas of the mallee in terms of numbers of individuals, numbers of species and biomass. For example, over 150 species of ant, a dominant mallee group, have been found in a 50 x 50m square over one year. Invertebrates have an essential role in ecosystem structure and function; they are involved in feeding on plants, nutrient recycling, parasitism, predation, scavenging, pollination, and by occupying the lower levels of the food chain, they are the main food of many species of reptiles, birds and mammals. No systematic invertebrate studies or surveys have been undertaken on Gluepot Reserve as yet. However, some information is available on ant species: The Ants of Gluepot
