The final event in the PLCM program was held on Tuesday 19th November in Wingham where we learnt all about the extraordinary efforts that have gone into the restoration and conservation of Wingham Brush and the foreshore reserve adjacent to the Brush. This incredible story has evolved over many decades with numerous people driving the program to save this high conservation value area in Wingham, which is now home to the only permanent colonies (roosting and maternity site) for the Vulnerable Grey-Headed Flying Fox between Bellingen and the Hunter Valley.
Australia is home to four species of flying fox, of which the Grey-Headed and the Little Red are endemic and only found in Australia. The Spectacled and the Black Flying Fox are also known to occur in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Of these four species of Flying Fox, only the Spectacled Flying Fox does not utilise the Wingham Brush site, with the Little Red and Black Flying Foxes now commonly seen at the Brush.
The local Biripi people called this area Wignan – which means “where bats come to drink” in the local Gathung language. Of course, Aboriginal people knew the inherent value of Flying Foxes, both as spiritual totems and for their role in ecosystem processes, which is well documented in their art and oral history across many tribal groups. Interestingly, the Manning River was called Boolumbahtee in Gathung, meaning a place where the brolgas played.
Grey-Headed Flying Foxes are often called ‘Ecosystem Engineers’. This is because of their eating and foraging habits. They eat vast amounts of pollen from a large variety of native tree species, including our local Eucalypts. Given they can travel up to 50km a day, Flying Foxes are actively distributing genetic material and assisting pollination within our local forests, thus enabling propagation and genetic diversification within these important ecosystems. They have a high metabolic rate which means they defecate within 30 minutes of eating, but they are capable of eating large fruit, and thus carrying and distributing seeds within their flight paths. A lot of our rainforest species produce fleshy fruits which are prime tucker for these species, and so the integral relationship between these mammals and rainforest distribution is critical.
We were fortunate enough to have two wildlife carers in attendance on Tuesday, Barbara and Sandie, who were looking after a couple of orphaned baby Grey-Headed Flying Fox. A rare, and very special opportunity to see these little cuties in close proximity.
Scott Meier (BARRC) gave an excellent overview of rainforest types and restoration principles before we headed out for a guided tour of the Brush with Peter Katsamagos from the National Parks and Wildlife Discovery Program. We saw (and smelt!) the GHFF colony up close, and then had a very interesting walk over the foreshore area where Scott shared his experience and knowledge of a most challenging riparian restoration project.
It was a great learning experience, and an excellent way to wrap up the Private Land Conservation Matters Program. Thanks to everyone who has attended and contributed to the program over the past 14 months. I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!
