Balijup Sanctuary Citizen Science Event Focusses on Elusive Native Fauna

For two days in mid-October, Green Skills held a Citizen Science environmental monitoring event at the Balijup Sanctuary near Tenterden. 19 people participated in the activities, including Conservation lecturer from TAFE South, Sylvia Leighton and 10 of her Cert III students. Projects completed including monitoring of 24 Phascogale nesting boxes (some showing use), Wildlife camera monitoring, a tree hollow survey of the wandoo/Jarrah woodland, Sanctuary fence maintenance, weedy wattle road verge removal, night spotlighting, and a survey of rabbit warrens. Balijup co-owners Anne Vanderbyl and Alan Hordacre were on hand and provided valuable assistance to the activities.

Despite lots of indirect evidence of our elusive native marsupials, none were directly spotted during the two days.

The event was supported by the WA State Government’s State NRM program, the Koorabup Trust, Gillamii Centre, Janicke Environmental Consultants, enthusiastic volunteers and the owners of Balijup Farm.

A four day Bandicoot and fauna survey project is planned from Thursday 15^th January 2020 to Monday 20 January 2020. Volunteer participants welcome to join in that event.

For further info on the Balijup Fauna project, contact Basil Schur, Green Skills Project Manager on 0429481019 or [email protected].,au

Volunteer team checking Phascogale nesting boxes at Balijup Fauna Sanctuary, October 2019

Inside a Phascogale nesting box with scats visible. Balijup October 2019

Wandoo and Jarrah woodland tree hollow survey at Balijup

Fence check and upkeep at Balijup Fauns Sanctuary by Conservation TAFE students

Annie Vanderbyl, one of the co owners of Balijup farm, with a photo acknowledging her parents, near entrance of the Balijup Sanctuary.

The Citizen Science Group on the edge of one of the 13 lakes and wetlands on Balijup Farm. October 2019