Animals Killed by Bushfires in Coastal Victoria, February 1983

Abstract

After the fires of Ash Wednesday 1983, a survey was undertaken of animals found dead on beaches between Lome and Torquay, Victoria. Fifty-five bird species, eight mammal species and one reptile were found. The most common species found dead were (birds): Crimson Rosella Platycercus elegans, Red WattlebirdAnthochaera carunculata and New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae; and (mammals): Dusky Antechinus Antechinus swainsonii and Ring-tailed Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus. One each of the following was found: Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae, Australian OwletNightjar Aegotheles cristatus and Rufous Bristlebird Dasyornis broadbenti.