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“Because Spring Creek valley supports a whole range of mature remnant Bellarine yellow gums, it’s now providing that essential habitat for a whole range of species, which we’re now documenting.”<\/p>\n
The purpose of this documenting, he said, was to act as a communication piece with the broader community to show that the green break between Bellbrae and Jan Juc is more than a series of agricultural fields, it’s an “amazing ecosystem”.<\/p>\n
“I hope that people can see Spring Creek valley in a whole different light and importantly, we’re wanting to work with the private landholders to build on what’s there and to expand it as part of this critical habitat which also links into the Otway Ranges,” Stockton said.<\/p>\n
Among the other species spotted recently in Spring Creek valley is the highly secretive Lewin’s rail and several microbats, which were captured using audio equipment despite evading the harp nets that had been put in place for the study.<\/p>\n
“Luckily we didn’t just rely on the harp nets as we caught nothing. However, the audio recorder picked up over 5,000 calls and we could see them flying up and back along the creek corridor,” Stockton said.<\/p>\n
“It’s really, for me, quite amazing to see what we’ve got in our backyard.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A RECENT Australian owlet-nightjar sighting in Spring Creek valley has conservationists celebrating the success of ongoing restoration works in the area, and the diversity of the species that now call it home. Surf Coast Energy Group’s Graeme Stockton said sightings like this “vindicated” the community’s view of the importance of the ecology of Spring Creek […]<\/p>\n