New homes for bandicoots

A TINY nature reserve in Bayles known as Bandicoot Corner was buzzing with activity this month.
More than 30 volunteers gathered to build “palaces” for the resident bandicoots.
Children and adults worked side by side to complete six specialised shelters, each consisting of a hollow earth-covered dome with numerous entrance tunnels poking out the bottom.
The shelters were made from donated recycled materials including pine posts, pallets, corrugated iron and terracotta pipes, then covered over with soil and mulch ready for planting out with native grasses and groundcovers once autumn rains arrive.
They were built to provide extra shelter and breeding sites for bandicoots as blackberries and other weeds that now provide habitat are gradually removed and replaced with native species.
Bandicoot Corner, although only 3.5 hectares, is one of only a few places where the endangered southern brown bandicoot can forage safely among relatively natural bush land without fear of being eaten by a fox, thanks to the 1.8m predator-proof fence that surrounds the reserve.
The Cardinia Environment Coalition (CEC) manages the reserve.
The southern brown bandicoot is on the national list of endangered species because of habitat loss and introduced predators.
To go on the mailing list for future events at Bandicoot Corner, call Sarah Maclagan at the CEC on 5941 8446 or email smaclagan_cec@dcsi.net.au
To find out more about Bandicoot Corner visit www.cecinc.net.au.