The Yarra Ranges is renowned for its natural fauna, boasting a wide diversity of kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, and native birds.
After the storms, concerns from the community were raised about the survival of our native animals, particularly the Powerful Owl. Many of the bushland areas in the Yarra Ranges support breeding pairs, and in recent years the lack of hollow-bearing trees has threatened their survival.
While the loss of these trees during the storm was concerning. Work to retain hollow-bearing trees has been an important part of Council's recovery works.
Hollow-bearing are being returned to reserves and repurposed for use by other species.
In more good news, since the storm, Council's monitoring of several Powerful Owl pairs within the Mt Evelyn region suggests that the birds have survived the storms, with most successfully breeding in 2021.
If you would like to become involved in the monitoring of the Powerful Owls, please contact Council’s Bushland Team to discuss joining local environmental volunteer groups (there are approximately 75 across the Yarra Ranges).
In partnership with our volunteer groups and other agencies, Council will continue to monitor known birds and look for opportunities to enhance habitat or provide alternative resources in the affected areas.