Fallen tree reveals owl secrets
From the Autumn 2007 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Forests NSW ecologists have first-hand confirmation of their assumptions about the inhabitants of a large spotted gum habitat tree in Bermagui State Forest: the tree fell across an interpretive sign erected in its honour.
“The sign indicated it was a likely roost for a large forest owl,” said Forests NSW Southern Region ecologist, Chris Slade.
“This has turned out to be the case with the pellets, bones and skulls collected from within the tree’s cavity indicating it was most likely being used by a sooty owl, which thankfully wasn’t at home at the time.”
The owl had a varied diet of native and introduced species including:
- Agile antechinus (Antechinus agilis)
- Long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta)
- Common ring-tailed possum (Petauroides volans)
- Greater glider (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
- Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps)
- Bush rat (Rattus fuscipes)
- Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
- Dusky antechinus (Antechinus swainsoni)
“We will incorporate this new information into a revised sign and we now know that there are long-nosed bandicoots, and all the other species taken by the owl, inhabiting this forest,” Chris said.
“The height of the tree was 37.6 metres with a diameter at breast height over bark of 193 centimetres.
“The tree contained multiple hollow entrances with the bird most likely using a hollow located 18.7 metres off the ground. We assumed this to be the hollow entrance due to the amount of claw marks on the entrance lip, presumably made by the bird landing.
“The bones, skulls and pellets were collected from the bird’s roosting point, 15.8 metres off the ground, where the termite mud and intact wood had formed a platform within the cavity.”
Public Affairs & Media, Coffs Harbour
