Hello all,
Last Wednesday our property of seven hectares was blasted by a wildfire along with many others in the Molesworth area. Today has been the first day that we haven’t had helicopters flying over head, towards where the fire still burns. Amazingly, and through considerable effort from the fire services, no buildings were lost. The only area left unburnt on our place was our actual house and shed. Our “fire retardant” plants burned along with everything else! The heat was so great that we had melting on one side of our house (vinyl cladding). House OK, family OK, we were very lucky.
The native garden which was coming along nicely (4 years old) is now a bit of a mess. We’ve been back in the house for a few days and the animals are gradually coming back. Grey Currawongs were around as soon as we got back home. Superb Fairy-wrens seemed to have survived- they have been focusing on the dams. Brown Thornbills were missing for a couple of days but they were around again yesterday. Tas Native-hens have survived in the same numbers as before the fire. They seem to be struggling to find food though as they are hanging around the house for any scraps that they can get. Tasmanian Pademelons are still around including a couple that have moved into the shed to sleep during the day. No sign of our bettongs yet, or any brushtail possums which were especially numerous before the fire.
It will be interesting to watch our bush (about 4 hectares) recover. I was wondering whether any one else out there has any stories of bush recovery (along with its birds) that they could share. I’d love to hear from anyone that has resurrected a native garden after fire.
Cheers
Mick .
Stephen and Mick and others,
See also Effect of Wildfire on Birds at Weddin Mountain, by Turner, R. J.,
Corella 17 (3) pp 65-74
From, Dick Turner
Hello Mick,
Sorry to hear about your local wildfire, but glad that your house and family are okay.
The late Pauline Reilly published the following paper on the recovery of local bird populations following a wildlife near Anglesea in coastal Victoria:
The Effect of Wildfire on Bird Populations in a Victorian Coastal Habitat
P Reilly
Emu 91(2) 100 – 106
Abstract
In an area severely burned by wildfire on 16 February 1983, a study, which had begun before the fire in spring 1982, was continued to determine recolonisation by birds. The study continued until spring 1988. Bird species were affected in different ways. Three patterns were apparent: no noticeable change; an initial decline followed by recovery after one or more years; and an increase following fire with a decrease coincident with plant regeneration. Of the 73 bird species recorded, 60% were present by the end of the first spring and 86% had been recorded by two years post-fire, which included all those present in the spring before the blaze. Population numbers took longer to recover. No control areas were available. The source of recolonisation was not evident. The danger of fire is most acute for birds restricted in habitat and distribution, such as the Rufous Bristlebird Dasyornis broadbenti.
Cheers, Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW