Dunnarts

[Hobbes]

Deb,

you're cameras seem rather adept at capturing small mammals... How about skipping over the border, crossing the backstairs passage, and trying to capture some images of our elusive and little known Kangaroo Island Dunnart (Sminthopsis aitkeni)?

Cheers
Hobbes

[Thylacoleo Gal]

They sure do, Hobbesy! I guess there's a bias cuz there are more small critters than big'uns. But just the same, a passive cam does seem able to snap ones that active surveys miss. The old "lie in ambush" trick, hey? We reckon cams are better at catching small, uncommon critters because a spotlight survey at night - ie lights+noise - makes critters take evasive action. So the spotlight sees the common ones because there's always a % that don't get outa the way in time. ie They're the ones you see. When you start with animals that are few in number, chances are u won't see them because a % of a small number is an even smaller number. Err ... that make sense?
Debbie

PS: There's the rare(?) Heathland Mouse down on the coast, in western Vic, SE Sth Aus isn't there?

[Hobbes]

Indeed you are correct, that mouse is found there, and in W.A. (makes me wonder about the bottom end of Eyre Peninsula, some nice scrub down there, just been burnt too!)
I assume you are refering to Pseudomys shortridgei?
Would make an interesting target for you since it seems to be in your home region. Identifying populations of this rodent could be valuable in helping find areas that may benefit from a fire regime management that allows this animal to regain numbers (assuming numbers are actually low). I think however, using your technology to find populations would be valuable, then conduct some other methods of surveying to establish some base line information. Hopefully then monitoring can take place over a period of time, and population dynamics studied in the hope that effective management strategies can be implicated...phew, that was a mouthful to get out .
But there are 121 records of P. shortridgei, and only 10 of S. aitkeni, along with bugger all knowledge about it. Perhaps your chance at helping expand our knowledge about such a little known creature. Go on, travel, broaden your horizons....one day, any way.
I leave the ball in you're court, but do actually think you're idea of looking into the Heath Rat is a good one.
It will give you some good practise(although it looks like you're getting plenty of that!), and does make sense since it is so close to your home base.
Let us know how it goes should you pursue it.
Cheers for now.
Hobbes

[Thylacoleo Gal]

Heh ... the SW coast and SA between the border and Adelaide? Been there. We tend to go to Adelaide along the Western Highway & come back along the coast road. The Koorong? Now there's a stretch of scrub with serious possibilities IMHO. It has a pretty colourful reputation cuz not only thylacines allegedly lurk in there but - and here's one for Ruby! - it supposedly has the odd ghost or two thrown in for good measure. We reckon u r 100% right about the possibilities of estimating populations with camera technology. It's a side project we're working on. Lots of conservation apps?
Debbie

[wally1]

In days of yore when the Coorong was the main route from Vic to Adelaide, a fellow made a living robbing stray persons of their valuables and amassed a collection of gold chains which he wore.
Now this fellow was of small statue and came from S Africa and did his bushranging whilst riding an ostrich, which could negotiate the sandhills with ease wheras horses would bog down.
This went Ok until a dashed unsporting fellow came along carrying a muzzle loading rifle, probably a Californian or such.
This of course had the range and accuracy to put an end to a lucritive career, although it failed to bring the BR down.
I believe that this is a true story so if it is somewhere in the Coorong there is a heap of bones adorned with gold chains.
Perhaps a metel detector would be useful.
Cheers Wally

[Thylacoleo Gal]

hey Wally - I reckon a ghostly ostrich has gotta be a world first! what happens if anyone gets too close to the treasure, does the ostrich peck them to death or what? ;D ;D
Debbie