Connecting Country’s long-term Monitoring Strategy aims to assess changes in the environment across the Mount Alexander region. The strategy has been developed in collaboration with Dr Andrew Bennett (School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University). It includes the monitoring of;
- nest boxes for arboreal mammals,
- vegetation and habitat quality, and
- woodland bird.
Nest Boxes
Four hundred nest boxes have been installed throughout the Mount Alexander region to monitor the distribution and status of the Brush-tailed Phascogale, other arboreal mammals (such as the Sugar Glider and Feathertail Glider) and woodland birds.
The nest boxes are located systematically so that we can examine some of the factors that might influence whether they are being used by Phascogales or other animals.
Click here to download Connecting Country’s Nest Box Monitoring Strategy
Click here to download the Nest Box Monitoring Data Sheet
Vegetation and Habitat Quality
Connecting Country’s vegetation and habitat monitoring aims to assess changes associated with management actions undertaken as part of the program. Vegetation surveys occurs in spring each year across three kinds of sites;
- Nest box monitoring sites, to provide baseline data on habitat features
- Bird survey sites, to provide baseline data on habitat features at these sites
- Vegetation enhancement sites (before and after)
Click here to download Connecting Country’s Habitat Monitoring Strategy
Woodland Bird Surveys
Connecting Country carries out regular surveys of woodland birds to monitor changes in the regional environment over a decade or more. Survey sites will are located in three kinds of sites.
- ‘reference’ sites located in typical forest/woodland vegetation of good quality in the region.
- ‘restoration’ sites that are located in areas where management actions are planned or being undertaken.
- ‘disturbed’ sites, such as open farmland or where there are only a few scattered trees.
Bird surveys will be carried out using a standard technique (2.0 ha, 20 minute survey) used by other studies in the Box-Ironbark region and by Birds Australia.
Click here to download Connecting Country’s Woodland Bird Monitoring Strategy
