Friends of Tarra-Bulga National Park
Website of the Friends Group – Information about working bees and monitoring projects. As well as flora and fauna pictures and descriptions
This Saturday July 28th, we are inviting people to join us
for an activity at one of our on-going project sites. The aim is to remove wire tree-guards from successfully plantings which are part of the recovery from 2009 bushfires.
Meeting point is the Tarra-Bulga Visitors centre at 10am and the activity will finish around 1pm. Please let us know if you intend to come along in case there are any change of plans. Phone 0488 035 314 or email: friendsoftarrabulga@gmail.com
Although they are not often seen by visitors, feral and domestic cats are established predators at Tarra-Bulga National Park and our remote camera results suggest they are becoming more common.
The table below shows results from five years of remote camera monitoring carried out by the Friends of Tarra-Bulga Park. Cat numbers as a percentage of total species recorded rose dramatically from 0.7 to 3.9%.
| Year | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| No. of Cats Records | 16 | 33 | 64 | 59 | 41 | 64 |
| Total Records | 2208 | 2898 | 4827 | 3804 | 1352 | 1638 |
| Percentage of Cats | 0.7% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 3.0% | 3.9% |
The impact these cats are having on the birds, small mammals and reptiles is a real concern. Although there are many variables in the ways we set up our cameras, the general trend in the last few years is for them to be detecting greater numbers of cats and less small native mammals (e.g. Antechinus and Bush Rats). Sadly we have also been detecting less of the smaller birds such as Pilotbirds and White-browed Scrubwrens. (For a summary of sightings of others species download this Percentage of sightings per year for commonly detected species captured in remote camera photos )
The gallery below shows that cats in Tarra-Bulga range from large ferals and panther look-alikes to small (some might say cute) looking kittens, some even have collars. What is undeniable though, is that their presence has a major impact on the ecology of Tarra-Bulga National Park.
Ennominae are a sub-family of Geometridae. They include tribes Nacophorini (Satin Moths) and Boarmiini (Bark Moths) as well as a number of other smaller tribes.
Fantastic News that Parks Victoria are providing some holiday programs for Primary School age children at Tarra-Bulga this year. With opportunities coming up for kids to undertake a “Mini-beast Discovery” or a “Flora Explorer” activity and learn more about the awesome things that nature has to offer. For more info and bookings head to www.juniorrangers.com.au
Don’t miss your chance to be involved with Friends of Tarra-Bulga National Park Annual Lyrebird Survey. This year it will be held on Saturday, June the 3rd. The meeting point for all volunteers is the park visitors centre at 6.15 am. The Survey takes only 30 minutes from the time the sun rises and the birds start calling, Straight after the count a free breakfast for all volunteers will be provided at the Lyrebird Cafe. To secure your place please email friendsoftarrabulga@gmail.com or call David on 0488035314 by Wednesday 31/5/2017
The Friends of Tarra-Bulga National Park are holding a working bee on this coming Saturday April 29th and are would welcome new or existing volunteers to come along.
The worksite is in a remote part of the park and getting there will involve a scenic 3km walk through beautiful tree-fern filled Mountain Ash forest. The work will involve removing tree-guards from previous plantings and re-using them to plant more over-storey trees.
The meeting point will be the park visitors’ centre at 9am. BYO snacks, drink, gloves. For planning purposes please RSVP to David on 0488 035 314 or email friendsoftarrabulga@gmail.com 
Friends of Tarra-Bulga National Park 