| 2012 planting weekends | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
11 - 12 August 2012 | 25 - 26 August 2012 | 08 - 09 September 2012 | 22 - 23 September 2012 |
seasonal nest box info
| 2012 planting weekends | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
11 - 12 August 2012 | 25 - 26 August 2012 | 08 - 09 September 2012 | 22 - 23 September 2012 |
17 monitoring zones (entailing 240 boxes) were checked in mid March and then again in mid April. We found changes in box occupancy rates, family group sizes, age classes, and distribution across the terrain.
Squirrel Groupings March vs April 2011
Squirrel Gliders were found in 38 of the boxes
with a total of 68 animals of various ages and groupings as shown in the following tables
Squirrel Gliders were found in 40 of these boxes
with a total of 70 animals of various ages and somewhat different groupings
total no of Squirrels was almost unchanged, suggesting that the Glider territories are stable
slight increase in no of adults reported, and a corresponding drop in no of juveniles as expected
a single baby reported in April suggests breeding season has started
almost double the no of mixed age (family) groups reported in April, perhaps because better food availability after the rains allows them to rejoin other family members and live together
Sugar Groupings March vs April 2011
Sugar Gliders were found in only 16 of the boxes
with a total of 33 animals of various ages and groupings as shown in the following tables
Sugar Gliders were found in 26 of the boxes
with a total of 62 animals of various ages and significantly different groupings
a sudden rise in no of boxes occupied by Sugars
total no of Sugars found in the sample of boxes has almost doubled
Distribution of Squirrel Gliders over terrain March vs April 2011
Perhaps there has been an "immigration" of Sugars?
But we saw no sudden loss of Sugars anywhere elsewhere in the district!
Suggests Sugars are living nearby "roughing it" in sub-optimal tree hollows during the warmer months, but need to get into our waterproof boxes for the cold, rainy weather
There was a disproportionate rise in no of paired Sugars, so it clearly was the start of mating for both the box-dwellers and the "immigrants"
Squirrels are spread broadly across the lower hills, associated gullies, valleys & outwash slopes, with a few venturing into the creek lines on the plains
Sugars restricted almost entirely to foothills and their dry gullies and valleys
Almost certainly a "pecking order" with Squirrels claiming the most fertile territories
Distribution of Sugar Gliders over terrain March vs April 2011
Squirrels shifted down slope, favouring the plains, outwash slopes, creeks, gullies, and valleys
Sugars shift up slope, favouring gullies, valleys, outwash slopes & beyond into the higher hills
As well as pecking order with Squirrels, the smaller Sugars need higher ground to keep warmer!
Ray Thomas
Regent Honeyeater Project
Sept 2011