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Welcome to the Wilderlands project report for the Crowes Lookout project detailing the various monitoring activities undertaken as part of the management plan and offering insights into the outcomes and findings at each of the monitoring sites within the property.
This report has been developed by Wilderlands Lead Ecologist, Deanna Marshall.
Wilderlands acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Crowes Lookout Project, the Eastern Marr people, and pay our respects to their elders past and present. We recognise and respect their deep ongoing connection to land, water and culture.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to Cassinia Environmental’s dedicated staff members who assisted with field work and shared valuable information regarding the biodiversity on the property.
Crowes Lookout is located 170 kilometres south-west of Melbourne near the scenic town of Lavers Hill in the Otway Ranges. The scenic forest is home to a diverse array of biodiversity, including the Southern Blue-gum and Messmate Stringybark. It is also home to the tallest flowering tree species in the world, the Mountain Ash.
Crowes Lookout hosts an impressive diversity of native birdlife, with 34 species recorded including the Gang-gang Cockatoo, a nationally endangered species also classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
A Wedge-tailed Eagle was also recorded on the forest floor, which was both a surprise and delight – given the substantial wingspan of this species, launching into flight from the dense forest floor would have surely posed a challenge.
Recent sightings also include the Satin Bowerbird and the Rose Robin, whose presence highlights the area’s healthy ecosystem and its capacity to support specialist and small bird populations.
The dense undergrowth at Crowes Lookout provides habitat for many native mammal species
including the Long-nosed Bandicoot which was discovered on one of the remote cameras in the project area.
Of particular significance is the endangered Otway Black Snail, a shiny-black carnivorous snail that lives only in the Otway Ranges, Victoria and was observed numerous times on each field visit with records lodged into citizen science databases.
Wet forests and their associated gullies provide very significant drought refuges – areas in the landscape that provide permanent moist conditions for plants and animals to survive during drying conditions – with the native vascular plant diversity in Crowes Lookout reaching a total of 46 species.
Recent research from Dr Barbara Wilson emphasises the importance of gullies as significant refuges for conserving threatened small mammals in the Otway Ranges.
How Wilderlands monitor the flora at the Crowes Lookout
Wilderlands utilises four established monitoring sites at the Crowes Lookout Project as integral components of the ecological monitoring program.
The primary objective of this program is to monitor environmental changes and contribute to the understanding of biodiversity management at the property scale.
Site condition scores (visual assessments) using a rapid assessment proforma were undertaken at four monitoring sitesm each permanently marked with a star picket.
The visual assessment included observations in a 1ha area (56m radius around the permanent marker) with these star pickets also double as photo monitoring points with images captured providing a visual representation of the condition of the vegetation at each site.
Click the sections below to see the results from each site.
Monitoring Site 1 (Wilderlands) was located within the Shrubby Wet Forest ecological vegetation class. Large trees (>90cm DBH) were absent within the study area. Tree canopy cover was between >4-20%. Understorey had most of the native species life-forms present and obvious structural diversity. Weeds were not observed. Recruitment was uncommon and there was a high cover of organic litter. There were occasional logs and stumps.
Monitoring Site 2 (Wilderlands) was located within the Shrubby Wet Forest ecological vegetation class. Large trees (>90cm DBH) were absent within the study area. Tree canopy cover was between >4-20%. Understorey had most of the native species life-forms present and obvious structural diversity. Weeds were not observed. Recruitment was uncommon and there was a high cover of organic litter. Logs and stumps were common.
Monitoring Site PP1 (Cassinia) was located within the Shrubby Wet Forest ecological vegetation class. There were few large trees (>90cm DBH) within the study area. Tree canopy cover was >20%. Understorey had most of the native species life-forms present and obvious structural diversity. Blackberry was present (>5% but <50% cover). Recruitment was uncommon but present. There was a high cover of organic litter. There were occasional logs and stumps.
Monitoring Site PP3 (Cassinia) was located within the Shrubby Wet Forest ecological vegetation class. There were 3 large trees (>90cm DBH) within the study area. Tree canopy cover was >20%. Understorey had limited structural diversity, herbs were absent. Weeds were absent. Recruitment was absent. There was a high cover of organic litter. Logs and stumps were common.
Koalas were heard actively calling at this site.
The results across each monitoring site
A total of 29 indigenous flora species were recorded in the rapid vegetation assessments. Monitoring Site PPT2-Wilderlands was the most floristically diverse with 17 species recorded in the rapid assessment.
Overall, 46 native flora species have been recorded on the property including the beautiful White Elderberry.
Bird Monitoring
BirdLife Australia pioneered the Bird Atlas method, which involves the recording of bird species and the count of individual birds using a technique that is applicable to the situation.
At Crowes Lookout, Wilderlands adopted the Five Minute Point Search methodology due to the nature of the dense forest habitat.
The Five Minute Point Count involved standing at the monitoring star picket, and then documenting the birds occurring within a 50m radius for a period of 5 minutes.
The radius was determined based on the distance at which we could confidently record all birds without having to move from the centre point.
The data was entered into the Birdata app. Additionally, incidental species lists for the property were compiled and entered into the Birdata app.
Bird surveys were undertaken in winter and spring in 2024.
In total, 98 birds were recorded in the monitoring sites, comprising 25 different species. Furthermore, 10 additional bird species were recorded outside of the designated monitoring sites and periods. This cumulative effort has resulted in the identification of 34 native bird species and one exotic species, for the Crowes Lookout Project.
98 birds were recorded in the monitoring sites, comprising 25 different species
In terms of seasonal variation, spring monitoring shows higher bird abundance for most species compared to winter, Striated Thornbill being the exception. Certain species like the Golden Whistler and Grey Fantail appeared in all the monitoring sites during spring, whilst others such as the Australian King-Parrot, Eastern Spinebill, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Thornbill and Superb Fairy-wren were only recorded during winter in the monitoring sites.
During winter 2024, 25 birds were recorded comprising 12 different species during the monitoring period. Striated Thornbill was the most numerous species recorded while White-throated Treecreeper was the most widespread species having been recorded on all four monitoring sites.
During spring 2024, 67 birds were recorded comprising 20 different species during the monitoring period. Brown Thornbill was the most numerous species recorded while Golden Whistler and Grey Fantail were the most widespread species having been recorded on all four monitoring sites.
During winter 2024, Cassinia PP1 and Cassinia PP3 had the highest bird species richness, and Cassinia PP3 had the highest bird abundance (Fig. 8). Striated Thornbill was the most numerous bird and White-throated Treecreeper was the most widespread bird. During the spring 2024 monitoring season, Wilderlands PP1 had the highest bird species richness while Wilderlands PP2 had the highest bird species abundance (Fig. 9).
Funghi
Native fungi was found throughout the forest at Crowes Lookout with the Otways teeming hundreds, if not thousands, of species existing in the region.
Below are some of the species captured on camera at the project which include Flammulina species, Trametes or Stereum fungi, Gymnopilus sp, Stereum sp, Jelly Fungi (Tremella sp.), Purple Jellydisc and Stereum species.
It is the underground network of fungal fibres known as mycelia that underpin forest health and functioning, as beneath the surface fungal mycelia establish essential partnerships with plants, known as mycorrhizas.
These relationships are widespread, with over 90% of plant species — including nearly all plants in the Otway forests — depending on them. Remarkably, a single plant often teams up with multiple types of fungi and these interactions are some of the most vital biological processes sustaining life on Earth.
Fungi wrap around plant roots or infiltrate root cells, significantly expanding the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients and enhance plant health, increasing resilience to drought and protection from soil-borne diseases.
Fungi also provides food for dozens of native mammals such as wallabies and long-nosed bandicoots and in autumn underground fungi such as truffles can constitute most of their diets.
Below are examples of the some of the fungi species captured on camera at the project which include Flammulina species, Trametes or Stereum fungi, Gymnopilus sp, Stereum sp, Jelly Fungi (Tremella sp.), Purple Jellydisc and Stereum species.
Remote Cameras
A remote camera was installed at Cassinia’s Site 1.
Over an average of 114 trap nights, the Swamp Wallaby and Grey Shrike-thrush were the most frequently observed species (Fig. 10). New mammal species detected on the property included Fallow Deer and Fox, both significant pest animal species.
A Wedge-tailed Eagle was snapped on the forest floor, which was both a surprise and delight.
Given the substantial wingspan of this species, launching into flight from the dense forest floor would have surely posed a challenge.
Dunnart species were also captured on camera, although too difficult to identify to the species level from the images, it is re-assuring to continue to capture these small native mammals from various locations across the property.
Some key species of Crowes Lookout
Mountain Ash
The Mountain Ash tree (Eucalyptus regnans), is the tallest flowering species of tree in the world. It is a majestic and towering tree species that holds great significance on our Crowes Lookout project.
These towering giants grow in high rainfall, mountainous areas of Tasmania and Victoria, including areas in the Otway Ranges where yearly rainfall reliably exceeds 1000mm.
Mountain Ash trees usually thrive in pure stands, giving rise to tall and open forests. Their canopies provide shelter from the intense summer sun, creating a habitat for a diverse array of fern species in the understory. In regions with lower rainfall and less fertile soils, you can find Mountain Ash stands primarily in sheltered valleys or along watercourses.
Mountain Ash trees are known for their remarkable height, their stature not only adds to the scenic beauty of Australia’s forests but also plays a crucial role in biodiversity.
In Australia, the Mountain Ash tree holds immense importance in biodiversity. These trees provide a vital habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including various birds, marsupials, and insects.
Mountain Ash forests are crucial for various tree-dwelling animals, including the vulnerable Powerful Owl, Australia’s largest owl, hunts in these forests, using large tree hollows created by lightning strikes or high winds. The hollows are also home to the vulnerable Masked Owl and Barking Owl.
In the Otway Ranges, the Yellow-bellied Glider thrives in Mountain Ash trees, moving effortlessly between them by gliding with skin stretched between their legs. They carve V-notches into the tree trunks, causing sap to flow, and providing a nutritious food source.
They also have cultural significance for Indigenous Australian communities, who have long revered these trees for their resilience and adaptability.
Koalas
Wilderlands have discovered Koalas on our Crowes Lookout project over the past year.
The discovery was made deep in the forest when one of our remote sound recorders picked up a Koala’s deep, echoing bellow.
You can hear the unique Koala calls on the sound recording Wilderlands captured below, listen carefully and you can hear their grunting in the background.
Wilderlands Lead Ecologist, Deanna Marshall, identified this unmistakable call, explaining the unique sounds made by these marsupials. Male Koalas, known for their deep bellowing and grunting due to a special sound-producing organ, use these calls mainly to attract mates.
Spurred by this discovery, the Wilderlands team found additional evidence of Koalas in Crowes Lookout, including distinctive scat and a decomposing skull.
Koalas face numerous survival challenges, including habitat loss, wildfires, disease, and road accidents. Their population has significantly declined, with a third lost between 1990 and 2010 and another 70% in the 2019-2020 bushfires. The Koala is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This discovery underscores our responsibility to protect them and ensure a safe habitat for their future.
Long-nosed Bandicoot
Our remote cameras in Crowes Lookout also picked up on the presence of Long-nosed Bandicoots.
The Long-nosed Bandicoot, native to eastern Australia, is a small, nocturnal marsupial known for its distinctive long nose and grey-brown fur.
They play an important role in the ecosystem at Crowes Lookout by foraging for insects, small vertebrates, and plant material, helping soil aeration and nutrient distribution.
When foraging they dig conical holes which they explore with their long snout. These holes are the perfect spot for seeds to call home, helping the germination of native plants.
This foraging behaviour not only benefits the soil quality but also helps in seed dispersal, supporting the health and diversity of local plant life.
The Long-nosed Bandicoot faces many threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, predation from introduced species and vehicle collisions.
By protecting the Long-nosed Bandicoot, we not only protect a unique marsupial but also ensure the health and sustainability of the ecosystems it supports.
Dunnart sp
The remote cameras we installed at Crowes Lookout have spotted Dunnart sp in the area.
Characterised by its pointed snout, the Dunnart sp has large ears, and a long tail, dunnarts are nocturnal and primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and small vertebrates.
This diet makes them vital for controlling insect populations, contributing to the ecological balance of their habitats.
However, many dunnart species face significant threats, including habitat destruction, predation by feral animals, and climate change impacts.
These challenges have led to a decline in some dunnart populations, highlighting the need for protection.
Protecting dunnarts involves habitat preservation, controlling introduced predators, and research to better understand their ecological needs and responses to environmental changes.
Protect precious biodiversity at Crowes Lookout project. Forever. One square metre at a time.
Nestled amidst mountainous vistas, towering trees, and fern-filled gullies, you’ll discover Crowes Lookout, a mere 170 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, near the picturesque town of Lavers Hill in the Otway Ranges.
Crowes Lookout stands as a sanctuary defined by its majestic Mountain Grey-gum (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa), Southern Blue-gum (Eucalyptus globulus), and Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) trees, some exceeding 60 meters in height, fostering an arboreal ecosystem bustling with micro-bats, gliders, and an array of avian species. Among them, the towering Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) reigns supreme, soaring to heights of over 90 meters, claiming the prestigious title of the world’s tallest flowering tree species.
Within the lush undergrowth of Crowes Lookout, a haven is provided for the Long-nosed Potoroo (Potorous tridactylus). Notably, the Otway Black Snail (Victaphanta compacta), a sleek, ebony-hued carnivorous snail, finds its exclusive habitat solely within the bounds of the Otway Ranges.
By becoming a part of the Wilderlands project, Crowes Lookout, you will be significantly contributing to the overarching preservation efforts aimed at safeguarding the wet forest ecosystems of the Otway Ranges.
Connect with our team to discover how you can join Wilderlands and protect this project today.
