Photos  ©Kath Lindann 

Part Six of the Biodiversity Guides has come out, and they are all getting lots of people excited about visiting the region and learning about the plants and animals. The numbat guide remains the popular favourite. We are working on two more wildlife guides: How to Track an Echidna in the Wild (Highbury based) and Birds of Dryandra National Park. Exciting!

In the collection as of June 2017 is:
Foxes Lair Reserve
Yilliminning Rock
Lake Toolibin
Yornaning Dam
Railway Dam
How to Spot a Numbat in the Wild

Come in a grab yours. They're free. 

The Minister said the Gnaala Mia campground opened in Dryandra in June as part of the four-year, $21.05 million investment in the Parks for People initiative, and the woodland was also home to the Barna Mia sanctuary where visitors could interact with wildlife up-close at night.

"Just a two-hour drive from Perth, Dryandra Woodland is already a major drawcard for wildlife enthusiasts, campers and bushwalkers, so it is clear that this is a very special place that needs to be protected for generations to come," he said.


"Dryandra National Park will be a valuable addition to our existing network of 100 national parks, in addition to our recent announcement that we will be creating the Abrolhos Islands National Park in the Mid-West."


Mr Jacob said the recent replacement by the Liberal National Government of archaic wildlife legislation with the modern Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 would further protect threatened species in Dryandra.


Fact File

• Dryandra Woodland is home to about 100 bird species, 50 reptile species and 24 mammal species
• The woodland had more than 52,000 visits in 2015-16 

Since I was very young I have always had a passion for wildlife, especially wildlife spotting. It probably started when my parents would take me and my sister on safaris in Southern Africa. We enjoyed the challenge of finding as many animal species as possible in the amazing National Parks.
 
Western Australia’s mammal emblem, the numbat, always intrigued me, and when I first visited Dryandra Woodland I fell in love with the area due to the open woodland habitat and the variety of wildlife found within. It bought me back to those safari days in Africa.
 
Finding a numbat in the wild is a challenge I compare to finding a leopard in the African savannah. I drove through a National Park in Namibia from end to end, covering every track possible, and on day three of my 15 day journey I had two separate leopard sightings.

Fantastic!

Did I have any more leopard sightings after that? No.

That is what it is like for numbat in places like Dryandra, Boyagin and Perup. The numbat are out there and you have every chance of a sighting, but do not be disillusioned if for hours, days or maybe even a few times going to these reserves you do not have a desired result.

And so we have covered the first two important points of numbat spotting:

PATIENCE and LUCK! 

Click 'read more' to see a gallery of Sean's incredible numbat photos.

Now that we have covered these two points from a numbat spotters perspective, let’s cover six points that should increase your chances of spotting a numbat:
 
1.  Location
The numbat was once found throughout Southern Australia. This range has retreated extensively due two main factors: land clearing and the introduction of feral animals. The two remaining natural populations are Dryandra Woodland and Tone/Perup Nature Reserve. These two reserves, and the reintroduced populations at Boyagin Nature Reserve and Batalling Forest Block, are the best locations for finding numbat.  
 
2. Habitat
Numbats have large territories in comparison to size. Males have a territorial area of 50 hectares and females slightly less. Although they will wander through a variety of habitats, Numbats do have preferred habitats where they spend a majority of their time. In Dryandra and Boyagin numbat prefer open Wandoo woodland with a good amount of hollow log litter.

The fallen hollow logs are a very important requirement for numbat as they are utilised as shelter and for breeding. Open Wandoo woodlands are also abundant with the numbat’s sole food source, termites, of which an adult numbat will consume up to 20,000 a day. The openness of this habitat also makes it easier to spot numbat foraging on the floor or sunning on logs. The Perup numbat prefers Jarrah Forestn and the forest floor is not as open, thus they are more difficult to find, although the fallen hollow log litter still must be present.
 
 
3. Time of day
Numbats are diurnal, meaning they are active only during the day light hours. They will begin leaving their sleeping shelter when the daylight is well established although the seasons also play a part in their activity pattern. In the colder months activity is usually between 10am – 4pm. In the hotter months sightings are during two different times of the day. Morning between 8am-12pm, then there is an afternoon siesta and another activity window between the times of 3pm – 6pm.

During Spring and autumn activity can be throughout the day. Statistically for all seasons the peak hour for Numbat activity is 11am-12pm. All these times relate to a perfect day and so our next point does have an influence on these times.
 
4. Weather
Numbats dislike rain and very cold weather. They are more likely to remain in their log or burrow on cold, wet and windy days.

Numbat prefer mild to warm sunny days as termites are close to the surface and are moving within the galleries on the woodland floor. Numbat also enjoy taking in the sun to absorb the warmth on their skin. The bristle-like fur Numbat possess is very thin and the absorption of the sun warms their body. 

If the weather is too hot, like the blistering summer days we encounter in the south west, numbats will limit their activity time and as stated previously will be active in two parts of the day.

Numbats are very much like us when it comes to weather. So think of it this way: the more comfortable the weather is for you, the more chances you have of spotting a numbat.
 
5. Tools and Methods
Driving is more effective than walking. Walking seems to be too erratic while driving in a car has a more consistent motion as not to startle the numbat as much. I have randomly sighted over 180 numbat and only 7 of those have been while walking.
​
When driving the speed must be between 10-15kph (Numbat speed) to allow you to scan the area and it certainly does help to have more than one set of eyes. This allows you to cover both sides of the tracks and to not miss any movement.
When you sight a Numbat it is a very exciting moment, but don’t get too excited. Keep quiet, keep still and watch where it goes. Some will bolt and disappear (known as a bolter), some will be slightly startled but will continue to forage (known as a sitter). Many times they will retreat into a log (These are known as waiters). If this occurs please be patient and soon it will poke its nose out and wander from the log entrance to continue foraging. Make sure to have your camera and notepad ready! Although Numbats are quite shy, they can also be inquisitive so please ensure when observing to keep a good distance between yourself and the Numbat.
 
6. Attitude
Patience is definitely a priority. Continued keen eyes as you drive through the woodland not only to spot Numbat but to find signs of Numbat as well. Look at the entrance of hollow logs, observe for diggings. Keep keen! Don’t lose your concentration which is very easy to do as you slowly drive through a woodland and find nothing. Keep yourself occupied by looking for other wildlife apart from Numbat like birds, Echidna, Kangaroos and Wallabies and in the summer month’s reptiles. The reserves that Numbat are found support many species of fauna.
 
Good Luck!
If you follow these pointers then you will greatly increase your chances of finding a Numbat in the wild. I have randomly spotted many Numbat but I will stress I have had many days of finding zero Numbat. The Numbat is an endangered species and with only less than 1000 left in the wild you must consider yourself very lucky to have seen one.
Following these pointers is only a guide and no one I know could ever guarantee a random Numbat sighting.
If you are lucky enough to sight a Numbat please inform the Department of Parks and Wildlife or you can post your sighting on the following Face book Groups according to area.

• Dryandra Woodland – A south west Australian Safari (Includes Boyagin and Tutanning). 

• The Perup – Western Australia’s wilderness sanctuary

 
PROJECT NUMBAT
For more information on numbat conservation and how you can get involved please contact Project Numbat on email info@numbat.org.au
Project Numbat is an orgainsation at the forefront of Numbat conservation.When becoming a member you have the opportunity to be involved in some fantastic and important projects. Get involved and get out there!
 
Another Facebook group that promotes the conservation and preservation of the numbat is the Numbat Task Force.
This is an unofficial group of 4 guys, including yours trully, who promote the numbat in a light humoured, less politically correct way. We are giving the numbat and its preservation a lighter side as to raise awareness to the wider community of our state mammal emblem.
 
Good Luck Numbat Spotters!

​- Sean

“We take off the head, then we squeeze the juice and seeds onto the ice cream - it’s got to be Peter’s ice cream though, otherwise it doesn't follow true family tradition”, smiles Troy Bennell (Ngalang Wongi Aboriginal Cultural Tours).

‘Pigface’, what an ugly name for such a beautiful flower.

The Aboriginal (Noongar) people call it ‘Bain’ – it is one of the many native plants and flowers that were foraged, long before European settlement.

Much more than just for food or medicine, wildflowers were also used to make hunting, gathering and other tools. The ancient knowledge, handed down through many generations, as to how and when the flowers can be used is critically important, “you can’t just harvest pigface any time, you need to recognise when it’s right” says Troy, “the signs are in the colour and maturity of the flower”.

For the Noongar people in Australia’s South West region, August and September mark the Djilba season. Characterised by the blooming of wildflowers, this is the time when, traditionally, the Noongar people would journey to the coast. 

The blistery winds are starting to slow down, making way for warmer weather and for the birth of new life in the country – Djilba is the Noongar season of conception.

Now is the time for the emu males to ‘take a seat’ on the nest – emu eggs were gathered and sometimes the birds were hunted. ”The wildflower season is an exciting time of the year”, says Joey Williams (Poornarti Aboriginal Tours), “the Donkey Orchids, Spider Orchids and such are a part of our ‘potato’ family harvest, the yellow blooms signify the colour of fat, i.e. the kangaroos have grown fat on the new growth of spring”.

And towards the end of Djilba, when the baby swans are out on the water, there will be other plants such as Boronia in flower. It’s all part of nature’s cycle – everything is connected and carefully balanced.

The Noongar calendar comprises six seasons - Birak (December, January), Bunuru (February, March), Djeran (April, May), Makuru (June, July), Djilba (August, September) and Kambarang (October, November). Traditionally, the Noongar people spent the summer months at the coast and the winter months inland, utilising plants and flowers that were in season along the way.

Looking for an interesting wildflower self-drive tour? Call DCVC 9881 2064.

The Australian countryside is unlike any other countryside. It’s well developed and sparsely populated. For miles and miles you won’t see a person but fear not, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and emus will accompany you throughout.

If you are travelling by road, the highways are in excellent condition. The whole bush area is lush green in winter and golden in summer, very scenic, and abundant with a humongous variety of flora and fauna.

If an outback holiday is what your heart craves then look no further, Australia has it all. It’s where you experience the real vastness and dramatic landscapes of Australia. Take stock of your life under the starry night or just bring out the kid in you, enjoying the beautiful camp sites and relishing the long drives.

​If you like laid back holidays and food is the main ingredient then Australia won’t disappoint you. Go wine tasting in Western Australia, or drop into any country pub and try one of their boutique beers. Experiment their amazing seafood, kangaroo steak, or experience going vegan in their farmers markets of organic fruit and vegetables, cheeses, and chocolates.

If you’re in the mood for history or want to get up-close with indigenous Australian culture, then Western Australia is the right place. Experience first-hand indigenous culture, dancing, art and cuisine. Bush survival skills are also often taught in regional areas, so ask around.

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We are absolutely delighted to announce our newest ecology project, Western Shield – Camera Watch. This project has been built by researchers in Australia using our project builder. They need you help to look through thousands of camera trap images from Western Australia and identify the animals you see in them. Get involved right now at www.zooniverse.org/projects/birgus2/western-shield-camera-watch