Locally significant species

Woodland birds are typically associated with woodlands and forests of temperate southern Australia. The continuing decline of species within this group is of significant concern. One species within this group is the Brown Treecreeper, which is widespread in eastern Australia, occupying a range of eucalypt-dominated forests and woodlands. It is especially abundant in those habitats with open grassy understorey and large amounts of dead and fallen timber. Brown Treecreepers are gregarious and live in social groups of up to eight to 12 individuals, and forage extensively on the ground and in trees for insects, primarily ants. Brown Treecreepers nest in hollows in standing trees.

The Brush-tailed Phascogale is a small carnivorous marsupial that is found in the woodlands of eastern and south-eastern Australia. Their preferred habitat is Box-Ironbark forests and grassy and shrubby woodland. Phascogales, and especially males, have large and exclusive home ranges, up to 100 ha in some localities, and therefore occur at relatively low densities. All male Phascogales die-off every year in about July – August after a brief but intense mating period. This combination of species-ecological factors (i.e. large home range, low density and annual male die-off) with habitat loss and predation by foxes and cats has resulted in their decline and listing on the State Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act as vulnerable.

These beautiful birds were once widespread but only occur in small pockets of the Macedon Ranges. They feed on seeding grasses, small fruits and invertebrates. Loss of native grassland habitat is a major contributor to the loss of these birds.

The Greater Glider is the largest of Australia’s gliding possums. The diet of the Greater Glider is almost entirely leaves of eucalypt trees, and they have relatively small home ranges of just a few hectares. They prefer to move from tree to tree by gliding. The Greater Glider is considered a vulnerable species, as the loss of habitat is a major threat.

Grey-headed Flying-foxes at Malmsbury Botanic Gardens

The historic Malmsbury Botanic Gardens sometimes host flying-fox colonies, with hundreds of bats roosting in the willows and deciduous trees by the lake.

There have been colonies in Bendigo and Geelong for decades, but in 2024 there were more flying-foxes in Victoria with new colonies established in Ballarat, Castlemaine and Malmsbury – all in or near botanic gardens. Some researchers believe the high numbers of flying-foxes in Victoria is due to shortages of their favourite food in NSW – pollen and nectar from eucalyptus and tea-tree.

Grey-headed flying-foxes are one continuous population all the way from northern Queensland to here – a flying-fox is easily able to fly from state to state within a week. Flying-foxes play a valuable role as pollinators of east coast forests and woodlands. 

Council staff will increase cleaning of park assets while the flying-foxes are present, for amenity reasons as flying-foxes do not pose any risk through their droppings or urine, to either pets or humans.

Leave injured flying-foxes alone

There is a very small risk of disease if anyone touches and gets bitten by an injured or unwell flying fox. The likelihood of getting the Australian rabies virus (Australian lyssavirus) is very low but the disease is fatal if infection occurs.

If you see an injured or unwell flying-fox on the ground do not approach it, instead call Wildlife Victoria (03) 8400 7300. No touch = no risk.

Keep flying-foxes safe

Grey-headed Flying-foxes are a protected, threatened species. Victorian law states that wildlife friendly netting must be used to net fruit trees. Wildlife friendly fruit netting has a very fine aperture, much like hail nets. Fruit netting that has holes wide enough to poke your finger through means that a claw or wing can become entangled and bats often die from their injuries. Check out your local hardware store for options.

The Eastern Grey Kangaroo can be found widely across Victoria, including the Macedon Ranges. They live in mobs of 10 or more and are found in habitats ranging from semi-arid mallee scrub through to woodlands and farmland areas. Hanging Rock, or Mount Diogenes as it is also known, is a great place to spot a Kangaroo.

Hunted close to extinction in the early 1900’s, Koalas were reintroduced across Victoria including in the Macedon Ranges. Unfortunately, pressure from habitat destruction, road accidents, pet dogs and disease means that Koala numbers appear to be decreasing. You can help koalas by improving the habitat on your property. Koalas need many healthy mature trees for food and shelter.

The Powerful Owl is Australia’s largest owl which occupies eucalypt forest and woodland, has home ranges of 400 – 4000 ha in size, and utilises large hollows in trees for breeding. A top-order carnivore, the Powerful Owl is reliant on possums and gliders for most of its food. Its occurrence and successful rearing of young in an area is indicative of good populations of its prey. Large forest owls are often considered as indicator species, because of their reliance on forest and woodland and a reliable prey source.

While elusive in nature, the Sugar Glider is relatively common in areas where there are plenty of nesting hollows and a variety of flowering plants. They feed on invertebrates, nectar, manna and occasionally on small birds.

Victorian Threatened Species Advisory List (VIC)

EX = Extinct
RX = Regionally Extinct
CR = Critically Endangered
EN =  Endangered
VU = Vulnerable
NT = Near Threatened
DD = Data Deficient

State Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG)

Listed = included on the Threatened List
Nominated = nominated for inclusion on the Threatened List

Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC)

CR = Critically Endangered
EN = Endangered
VU = Vulnerable