Flora

Friends of Sturt Gorge

Laughing Kookaburra

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About Sturt Gorge

Fauna...

Sturt Gorge is is home to a diverse range of native animals and birds which come to drink at the waterholes along the river especially in summer.

Unfortunately, for many their habitat badly degraded by grazing, logging & mining and the introduction of foxes and cats. The Greater Bilby has not been seen since the 1920s due to habitat loss and predatation.

Mammals
Birds
Reptiles
Amphibians
Fish
Invertebrates

Mammals:

Extinct
Native
Introduced

Ten mammal species are known to have occurred in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. Of these, the Water Rat (Hydromys chrysogaster), the Common Ringtail (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) and the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) are indigenous to the area. None maintain large populations in the park.

The Water Rat is confined to areas of suitable habitat long the Sturt River, but is probably not uncommon in these areas. The Common Ringtail appears to be largely confined to over-mature Eucalyptus woodland, the vicinity of Broadmeadow Drive. Possums were not sighted on the Craigburn addition, although faeces found indicate the presence of at least some brushtails.

Although the Craigburn area has good tree cover, the low population of mammals is probably related to the coppice nature of the forest. As yet, the coppice regrowth is not of sufficient age to have formed the hollows required by brushtails and preferred by ringtails as daytime sheltering sites. In this way, lack of shelter becomes a limiting resource preventing further population growth.

Several introduced mammal species are common, with the House Mouse being seasonally very abundant, particularly in the open grassy western section of the park. Perhaps surprisingly, the Brown Hare appears to be more common that the European Rabbit, possibly indicating that rabbits are unable to construct adequate burrow systems in the shallow soils found through most of the park. Of the introduced predators; foxes, cats and stray dogs are all round in the park.

Reports from early landowners in the region indicate that the Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis) occurred in the area as recently as 1940, and Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) were present in the area until the l89Os (Gordon de Rose, pers. con.).

The species listed below have been either trapped or observed in the Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. Introduced species are prefixed with an asterisk. No attempt was made to record bat species, although it is likely that several would utilise the park area. Several species listed here are now locally extinct and no longer occur in the park.

Extinct in the park:

Macrotis lagotis. Greater Bilby.
Locally extinct

Phascolarctos cinereus. Koala.
Locally extinct

Native species:

Hydromys chrysogaster. Water Rat.
Uncommon

Pseudocheirus peregrinus. Common Ringtail.
Common

Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum. Uncommon.

Macropus giganteus Grey Kangaroo

In the December 2004 newsletter Pat Bowie reported seeing Grey Kangaroo on the northern side of Sturt River . Since then Pat has had no further sightings, but Lorraine Billett reported seeing a kangaroo on a ridge west of the flood mitigation dam during the last week in January. A week later she saw the body of a quite young kangaroo on the median strip next to Shepherds Hill Road , a few hundred metres above the underpass. It was lying on the southern side of the road, which raises the question of whether kangaroos cross between Sturt Gorge Recreation Park and Shepherds Hill Recreation Park .

Introduced species:

Canis familiaris. Domestic Dog
(stray pets) Common

Felis catusFelis catus Feral Cat.
Common

Lepus capensis. Brown Hare.
Common

Mus musculus House Mouse.
Abundant

Oryctolagus cuniculus European Rabbit.
Uncommon

Rattus rattus. Black Rat.
Common.

Vulpes vulpes. Fox.
Common.

Birds:

Bird list

Sixty-eight species of birds have been recorded in the Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, sixty of which are native to the area. The majority of species (more than forty-five) are principally associated with the wooded habitats of the park. This group includes all seven species of honeyeaters recorded in the park and the great majority of the small insectivrous species. Only five or six species spend the majority of their time in or over the grassland areas, and only two, Richard's Pipit and the introduced Skylark, are largely confined to grasslands.

Six species of waterbirds have been recorded in the park, where they are found in close association with the Sturt River. Of these, the Pacific Black Duck is the most frequently seen.

The remaining species are mainly large, wide-ranging birds for which Sturt Gorge would form only part or their territory. Until recently, a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles were breeding regularly in the park (Gordon de Rose, pen. c.) but are now rarely observed.

Gordon de Rose also pointed out that Cockatiels once frequented the park in large numbers, but the hollow tree limbs that they formerly nest in have been burnt. These birds would still visit periodically, in years when they venture south in the State. Owls, probably Barkings Owls, were also once breeding in the park but are no longer observed. Barn Owls are probably still present in the park.

The Peregrine Falcon and Yellow Thornbill are the only birds recorded in the park which are in need of specific conservation measures. The Yellow Thornbill frequents woodland areas and would probably benefit from revegetation of the Sturt Gorge area. The Peregrine Falcon occupies a vast range so it is unlikely that Sturt Gorge is significant habitat for this species.

Of the introduced birds, only the Common Starling and, to a lesser extent, the Blackbird, could be considered problem species. Common Starlings, particularly, are associated with the spread of the European Olive.

This list of birds has been compiled chiefly from observations made by Mrs. J. E. Menz, with additional information supplied by G. Whisson.

Key:

R = Rare

M = Moderate Numbers

C = Common

N = Nomadic, seasonal or migratory

B = Breeding

Ba = Mating

Bb = Nest Building

Bc = Eggs in nest

Bd = Young in nest

Be = fledged young (recently)

Acanthiza chrysorrhoa. Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Feeding on ground, Eucalyptus woodland. C.

A. lineata. Striated Thornbill.
Shrubs in Eucalyptus woodland. N.M.C.

A. nana. Yellow Thornbill.
Shrubs in Euclyptus woodland. N.M.C.

Accipiter fasciatus. Brown Goshawk.
Overhead, woodland. N.

A. superciliosa Pacific Black Duck.
River area. N.M.C.

Anthochaera carunculata. Red Wattlebird.
Woodland. M.C.Bc.Bd.

Anthus novaeseelandiae. Richard's Pipit.
Grassland. R.

Aquila audax. Wedge-tailed Eagle.
Overhead. R.

Ardea novaehollandiae. White-faced Heron.
River area. M.

Artamus cyanopterus. Dusky Woodswallow.
Overhead, woodland. M.

Cacatua sanguinea. Little Corella.
Woodland. N.R.Bb.

C. roseicapilla. Galah
Woodland. M.C.

Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

Cecropis nigricans. Tree Martin.
Woodland. N.

Chrysococcyx basalis. Horsfield 's Bronze-Cuckoo.
One heard in July. N.

C. lucidus. Shining Bronze-Cuckoo.
Eucalyptus woodland. N.

Colluricincla harmonica. Grey Strike-thrush.
Eucalyptus woodland M.C.

Coracina novaehollandieae. Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike.
Woodland N.

Corvus mellori. Little Raven.
Overhead

Cuculus pallidus. Pallid Cuckoo.
One heard in September, October. N.

Dacelo novaeguineae. Laughing Kookaburra.
Woodland. M.C.

Dapheonositta chrysoptera. Varied Sittella.
Eucalyptus woodland. N.

Dicaeum hirundinaceum. Mistletoebird.
Eucalyptus woodland. N.

Elanus notatus. Black-shouldered Kite.
Overhead, grassland. N.M.C.

Emblema. temporalis. Red-browed Firetail.
Open ground near river. C.

Falco berigora. Brown Falcon.
Overhead, grassland. N.M.C.

F. cenchroides. Australian Kestrel.
Open areas, woodland C.

F. peregrinus. Peregrine Falcon.
Woodland, cliffs above river. R.

Falcunculus frontatus. Crested Shrike-tit.
Eucalyptus woodland. W.R.

Gallinula tenebrosa. Dusky Moorhen.
River among reeds. N.R.

Glossopsitta concinna. Musk Lorikeet.
Eucalyptus. woodland. N.

At the end of January a very autumnal sound can be heard for about two weeks: that of Musk Lorikeet. They usually arrive in numbers early in March when Grey Box (Euc. Microcarpa) come into flower.

Grallina cyanoleuca. Australian Magpie-lark.
Eucalyptus woodland, trees near river. N.R.

Gymnorhina tibicen. Australian Magpie.
Woodland C.

Hirundo neoxena. Welcome Swallow.
River area. C.

Larus novaehollandiae. Silver Gull.
Overhead. W.R.

Lichenostomus penicillatus. White-plumed Honeyeator.
Woodland. C.Be.

Malurus cyaneus. Superb Blue Fairy-wren.
Acacia paradoxa or Blackberry thickets.

Manorina melanocephala. Noisy Miner.
Woodland. M.C.

Melithreptus brevirostris. Brown-headed Honeyeater.
Woodland. N.R.

M. lunatus. White-naped Honeyeater.
Woodland. N .R.

Microeca fascinans (prev. leucophaea). Jacky Winter.
Woodland. U.

Myiagra inquieta. Restless Flycatcher.
Eucalyptus woodland M.R.

Ocyphaps lophotes. Crested Pigeon.
Woodland N.R.

Pachycephala pectoralis. Golden Whistler.
Eucalyptus woodland. M.R.

P. rufiventris. Rufous Whistler.
Eucalyptus woodland.

Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote.
Eucalyptus woodland. C. Bb.Bd.

P. punctatus xanthopygus. Spotted Pardalote.
Eucalyptus woodland.

Passer domesticus. House Sparrow.
Acacia paradoxa thickets.

Phalacrocorax melanoleucos. Little Pied Cormorant.
River and adjacent trees. N.

P. sulcirostris. Little Black Cormorant.
River and adjacent trees. N.

Phylidonyris novaehollandiae. New Holland Honeyeater.
Woodland. M.C.

A common January sound is that of groups of New Holland Honeyeaters squabbling in mistletoe, now fully in flower. With native cranberry (Astroloma humifusum) beginning to flower an alternative food source is available for the New Holland Honeyeaters having bills particularly adapted to probing the long tubular flowers of Astroloma.

http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/new_holland_honeyeater.htm
http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/birds/honeyeat.htm
http://www2.abc.net.au/science/birds/asp/query.asp?Action=Display&id=129

P. pyrrhoptera Crescent Honeyeater.
Mature River Red Gums.

Platycerus elegans adelaidae. Adelaide Rosella.
Mature Eucalypts. C.

P. eximius. Eastern Rosella
Mature Eucalypts.

Podargus strigoides. Tawny Frogmouth.
Eucalyptus open forest. M.

Peophila guttata. Zebra Finch.
A. paradoxa near dam. N.R.

Pomatostomus superciliosus. White-browed Babbler.
Craigburn open forest. C.

Psephotus haematonotus. Red-rumped Parrot.
Overhead, Eucalyptus woodland. C.

Rhipidura fuliginosa. Grey Fantail.
Eucalyptus woodland, river areas. M.C.

R. leucophrys. Willie Wagtail.
Eucalyptus woodland. M.C.

Smicrornis brevirostris. Weebill.
Eualyptus woodland. N.

Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet

Turdus merula. Common Blackbird.
Woodland. C.

Zosterops lateralis Silvereye.
Woodland. M.C.

Introduced Birds:

*Alauda arvensis. Skylark.
Grassland.

*Anas platyrynchos. Mallard.
River area. N.

*Carduelis carduelis. European Goldfinch.

*Columba livia. Feral Pigeon.
Overhead

*Streptopelia chinensis. Spotted Turtle-Dove.
Overhead. N.R.

*Sturnus vulgaris. Common Starling.
Woodland. C.

Reptiles:

Among species known to inhabit the area, perhaps one of the most significant is Cunningham’s Skink (Egernia cunninghami) which has a restricted distribution in South Australia, being confined to rocky outcrops in the Mount Lofty Ranges. The numerous rocky outcrops and cliffs in this park provide an ideal habitat for this species.

Two potentially dangerous species are likely to be encountered in the park. These are the Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) which would be distributed throughout the park, and the less poisonous Red-Bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) which would be largely confined to the vicinity of the Sturt River and other damp areas.

A list of reptiles recorded in Sturt Gorge Recreation Park is provided below. Taxonomy is based on Cogger (1979).

Amphibolurus barbatus. Bearded Dragon
Uncommon, occurring in wooded areas, non frequent above the gorge.

A. decresii Tawny Striated Dragon.
Uncommon, occurring in rocky habitats.

Aprasis striolata. Striated Worm Lizard.
Rare in this park, located in soil near the surface, often under rotting logs.

Ctenotus robustus Robust Striped Skink.
Common amongst rocks on the slopes and bank of the creek.

Egernia cunninghami. Cunningham’s Skink.
In colonies in rock crevices on the slopes.

Hemiergis decresiensis. Three Toed Skink
Common under ro

Pseudechis porphyriacus. Red-bellied Black Snake.
Common in riverflat areas.

Pseudonaja textilis. Eastern Brown Snake.
Common near river and on rocky slopes.

Tiliqua scincoides. Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard.
Uncommon in riverflat areas.

Traphydosaurus rugosus. Shingle-back.
Common on gently sloping areas above the gorge.

Underwoodisaurus milii. Thick-tailed Gecko
Uncommon, under stones and in crevices.

Unechis flagellum. Little Whip Snake
Uncommon, in colonies on rocky slopes.

Amphibians

Six species of frogs are likely to occur In the park of which the Brown Froglet (Ranidella signifera) is the most abundant. This species is a common inhabitant of the sedges and reed beds lining the Start River and its tributaries, and can be heard calling throughout the year.

The Spotted Grass Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) and the Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingii) are likely to have similar distributions, with the Spotted Grass Frog occurring commonly under rooks close to water, and the Brown Tree Frog occurring under bark in damp vegetation.

The Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodvnastes dumerilli) is probably restricted to the immediate Sturt River area, while the Brown Toadlet (Pseudophryne bibroni) tuay occur over a wider area, as it does not require water in which to lay its eggs. The Meeowing Frog (Neobatrachus pictus) may occur uncommonly in the park on the river flat under rocks or half buried in the substrate.

Fish:

Museum records indicate that only one species of fish has been recorded from this stretch of Sturt River. Formerly known as Galaxias kayi, the species has now been amalgamated with a number of other species now termed Galaxias olidus (McDowall 1980). The introduced Redfin Perch Perca fluviatilis has been observed.

Invertebrates

Arachnids
Crustaceans
Insects
Gastrapods

The river is known to have a substantial population of yabbies Cherax destructor.

A brief survey of aquatic fauna in the Sturt River revealed many of the organisms listed below. Sampling was carried out during mid-winter using a plankton net. Deep pools, fast-flowing stretches and emergent vegetation were sampled.

Arachnids (Class: Arachnida)

Species identified in aquatic survey:

Family Species

Argiopidae Tetragnatha sp.

Pisauridae Dolomedes sp.

Other arachnids discovered by Friends:

Unidentified spider:

Unidentified scorpian:

Crustaceans: (Class: Crustecea)

Species identified in aquatic survey:

Family: Species: Common name:

Abidae Paratya australiensis Fresh Water Shrimp

Nephropsidaw Cherax destructor Yabbie

Talitridae: Austrochiltonia sp. River Flea

Sub Class: Ostracoda Seed Shrimp

Gastrapods: (Class: Gastrapoda)

Species identified in aquatic survey:

Family Species

Plantorbidae Physastra sp.

Insects: (Class: Insecta)

Species identified in aquatic survey:

Family Common name:

Poduridae Springtails

Isotomidae

Caenidae Mayflies

Leptophlebiidae

Protoneuridae Damselflies

Gripopterygidae Stoneflies

Corixidae Water-boatmen

Notonectidae Hack-swimmers

Gyrinidae Whirligig

Carabidae (larva) Beetles

Culieidae (larva) Ground Beetles

Simuliidae (larva) Mosquitoes

Chironomidae (larva) Black flies

Stratiomyidae (larva) Midges

Other insects discovered by Friends:

Lepidoptera (Moths & butterflies)

This caterpillar was found under a greybox with mistletoe Amyema pendula. Species unidentified but suspect day flying moth.

Carabidae (larva) Beetles

These tracks were caused by beetle larvae burrowing under the bark of a tree. The bark has since fallen off but the burrows remain in the wood.
Click on the picture to view full size.

Adult beetle

Wasps:

Wasp nest

Send mail to the web master with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: March 13, 2005

Send mail to the web master with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: March 13, 2005