On the Expedition
Help protect native bandicoots from attack by introduced predators and save them from extinction.
Visit one of Sydney’s hidden wonders, North Head Sanctuary - a spectacular area of endangered banksia bushland, diverse birdlife, military remnants with magnificent views of the harbour and the beautiful northern beaches - to lure and catch bandicoot predators on camera.
With Field Ecologist, Cameron Radford, volunteers will use remote sensor, infrared cameras and scent lures to attract and then film predators across the entire headland, from the urban fringe to deep within the reserve. Close-up cameras within 3m of the lure will accurately record an animal's species and behaviour, while a second camera will be placed 10m from the lure, to record more general activity in the area. Cameras will be left out for a week at a time. Volunteers will use a GPS to locate and then collect cameras, swap batteries and memory cards, then set the cameras at new sites and record a range of habitat characteristics at each new site.
During your research you may stumble across some lesser seen species including water dragons, frogs, tawny frogmouth, masked lapwing (and if in the right season, with their chicks), echidna, and spot the largest remaining part of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (an Endangered Ecological Community in NSW)
Back in the office, video data will be downloaded from the cameras' memory cards. Volunteers will analyse all the footage recorded, noting the date, time and species of individuals attracted to the lures, along with comments on their behaviour. Volunteers will examine the footage of larger predators looking for distinguishing features of known individuals or saving still shots of new individuals.
Bring the family along too!
We also have TWO family days where where children ages 10+ can join with their parent/guardians. Dates are Saturday May 12 and Saturday October 27.
Meals and Accommodations
Please bring your own food and drinks.
About the Research Area
North Head is a headland south-east of the suburb of Manly. North Head Sanctuary is nestled within Sydney Harbour National Park and was once a School of Artillery where Army gunners lived and trained. The area is now a spectacular area of endangered banksia bushland featuring, diverse birdlife, military remnants and hidden vantage points offering stunning ocean views.
The region is largely cut off from the mainland, allowing many native animals such as the long-nosed bandicoot to survive, amidst urban population growth. Owned by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and managed for conservation with assistance from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), the region is an important refuge for the wildlife of Sydney harbour.