Within the Resort area and the immediate
vicinity approximately 40 bird, 20 mammal, 14 reptile (including 2 snakes) and 4
frog species have been recorded. Native galaxiids also inhabit mountain streams
at Mt Buller and Mt Stirling and introduced trout are abundant in the rivers in
the lower reaches of the Resort.
Birds are the most frequently sightedanimals in the Alps. The same species are also often present in the woodlands and forests at lower altitudes. Common birds found across the Resort include Little Ravens (Corvus mellori), Brown and Striated Thornbills (Acanthiza
pusilla and Acanthiza lineata), White-browed Scrub Wrens (Sericornis frontalis), Richard’s Pipits (Anthus novaeseelandiae), Flame Robins (Petroica phoenicea), Crimson Rosellas (Platycercus elegans)
and Cockatoos, Currawongs, Honeyeaters, and Lyrebirds.
Of the native mammals, the woodlands and
forests of the lower slopes support the highest numbers of individuals and
species but several mammals can be found in the alpine areas. These include the
nationally endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus),
threatened Broad-toothed rats (Mastacomys fuscus), Agile Antechinus (Antechinus
agilis) and Dusky Antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii), Common
Wombats (Vombatus ursinus), Bush Rats (Rattus fuscipes),
Wallabies, Gliders, Kangaroos, Bats, Echidna and Platypus.
Only two snakes are known to live within
the Resort – the Highland Copperhead (Austrelaps ramsayi) and the
White-lipped Snake (Drysdalia coronoides). Other reptiles that have
been recorded include Eastern Three-lined Skink (Bassiana duperreyi), Southern Water-Skink (Eulamprus tympanum),
Delicate Skink (Lampropholis delicata),
Coventry’s Skink (Niveoscincus coventryi),
Southern Grass Skink (Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii),
Tussock Skink (Pseudemoia pagenstecheri),
Spencer’s Skink (Pseudemoia spenceri) and McCoy’s Skink (Nannoscincus maccoyi). The
first record of a Mountain Egernia (Egernia montana) was
made in early 2007 at Stanley’s Bowl, Mt Stirling, and Alpine Bog Skinks (Pseudemoia cryodroma) have also recently been recorded within the
Resorts, Mountain Dragons and Blotched Blue-tongue Lizards are thought to occur
but no reliable records exist.
The Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys
parvus) and the Alpine Bog Skink (Pseudemoia cryodroma) are
listed as threatened under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988).
The Mountain Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus) is also listed as
endangered under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act (1999). Considerable management effort and expenditure is focused
on ensuring the long-term survival of the Mountain Pygmy-possum on Mt Buller.
In 2005, the Recovery
Plan for the Mountain Pygmy-possum on Mt Buller was developed and endorsed, providing a 5 year plan to
improve habitat and longevity of this species within the Resort. The Mountain
Pygmy-possum Fact Sheet has greater detail about the biology of this
animal and the conservation efforts undertaken to ensure its preservation. See
the Department of Sustainability and Environment (www.dse.vic.gov.au.) and Federal Department
of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (www.environment.gov.au)websites
for more information.
Please take care to avoid wildlife when driving to or from Mt Buller and Mt Stirling. Many animals feed along the roadside. Slow down and drive cautiously in the Resort as wallabies, echidnas, wombats and lyrebirds frequently cross the road.
