Spring brings a bumper breeding season
18 September, 2012
Some of Victoria’s birds, plants, frogs and fish are enjoying another good breeding season thanks to good conditions across much of the state.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) Statewide Compliance Manager Murray Rohde said the combination of water and spring-time means many species have started breeding.
“The landscape is looking green, some plant species are starting to bloom, there is water in the wetlands and rivers and many species are taking advantage of that,” Mr Rohde said.
"In contrast to the dry conditions just a couple of years ago, suitable aquatic breeding sites are now in abundance for most Victorian frogs, and we expect that this will encourage a breeding pulse for these species".
“Animal species rely on a variety of factors including food availability, temperature, social cues and rainfall to trigger their breeding but many bird species are also triggered by the increasing day-length in spring.”
“Many forest bird species will attempt to breed in spring and the good conditions are likely to increase food availability thereby improving breeding success rates.”
Some of the birds that people might see breeding in the next few months are:
- Honeyeaters (including Victoria’s Bird Emblem the threatened Helmeted Honeyeater), Parrots, Cockatoos and Thornbills.
- Some water birds are also breeding including Australian Pelicans, Little Penguin and Australian Gannets
Some of the plants include:
- Golden Wattle in the Box-Ironbark Forests.
- Many types of Greenhood Orchid.
- Hardenbergia (scrambling creeper with purple, pea-like flowers).
Some of the fish include:
- Golden Perch and Silver Perch normally breed in spring and are expected to benefit significantly from increased flows and have a bumper breeding season this year.
- Some threatened species including Murray Cod, Trout Cod and Macquarie Perch will also breed this spring.
Some of the frog species include:
- Southern Brown Tree Frogs, Common Froglets and Banjo Frogs.
And even our Flying-foxes:
- Melbourne’s threatened Grey-headed Flying-foxes will start to give birth in late September or early October to their single young.
The Victorian Government has a responsibility under the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 to protect threatened species. These animals and plants contribute significantly to the biodiversity of their ecosystems. The knowledge we acquire about these species helps us to then take the on-ground steps needed to ensure their survival.
Willie Wagtail on nest - Photo DSE/Nick Talbot