Powerful Owls are the largest of the Australian nocturnal birds (night birds). They are classified a threatened species in NSW. Jenny Stiles estimates that at present we have up to eight individual Powerful Owls.in Terrys Creek. Not good news if you are a Ringtail Possum - their favourite meal! This great photograph is by Julian Robinson - https://www.flickr.com/photos/ozjulian/497028057/
This is a photograph of a beautiful Boobook Owl whose home is in a tree hollow of a tall mature Sydney Blue Gum in the Terrys Creek/ Vimiera Park area (street tree). Sadly we are experiencing a rapid loss of tree hollows under the NSW Governments 10/50 rule and public ignorance of the great value of our native trees. Gum trees can live up to 400 years and a hollow can take more that 100 year to form (falling branches are the beginning of hollow formation). There is fierce competition between hollow dependent wildlife species for the very limited hollow resources available. Many species will not have the essential breeding habitat they require and the ability of vulnerable species to survive for future generations is now at high risk. .Love your Gum Trees. They are the homes of our precious native wildlife. Further information on tree hollows here
North Epping resident Simon, follows Wood ducks with newly born ducklings adventuring through the thickets of Terrys Creek. (on youtube)
Estuary management grants 2014-15
NSW Office of Environment & Heritage Ryde City Council This project will complete on-ground works at a total of eight locations within Terry's Creek to improve overall water quality to the estuary. This will be achieved by implementation of two stormwater quality improvement devices, using bush regeneration works to remove invasive weed species, plant new riparian areas for habitat improvement and bank stabilisation and construct four erosion control projects to reduce erosion, stabilise creek banks and improve water quality. Congratulations Ryde Council. Hornsby Council manages the west side of Terrys Creek and have agreed to contribute to the project. GREAT news!
It was my great pleasure to meet Jenny Stiles, a resident of Epping, a couple of years ago during a walk along Terrys Creek. I could see from her camera & the binoculars around her neck that she meant business. Jenny records the various bird species she encounters & has also researched the Powerful Owls in Terrys Creek for the Birdlife Powerful Owl survey. Her contributions to the species of birds recorded in Terrys Creek has been invaluable. Today Jenny has just discovered a nesting hollow for the Dollarbird in Terrys Creek. Dollarbirds are migratory & its great to know the tree hollows of Terrys Creek are providing breeding habitat for migratory birds. Has anyone seen other birds using tree hollows?
Listen to the beautiful sounds of the mountain ash forest. How many sounds do you recognise in your patch?
ECHIDNA out and about in Terrys Creek over the last few months. They have been seen from the North Epping area to the south end of the corridor at Essex Street Epping.& Forrester Park Eastwood. Thanks Simon & Lucinda for reporting your sightings. The Echidna can be secretive but when spotted they don't seem to be bothered at all. Have you seen one lately? |
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