Fauna
Bird watching | Whale watching
A number of wildlife surveys have been undertaken in the area of the park. Results of these surveys indicate that the native fauna is diverse and abundant. Over thirty species of native mammals, including ten species of bats and three macropods, have been recorded in the park. More than 200 species of birds; including forty waterbirds, and thirty-seven reptiles, seventeen amphibians and at least 180 species of fish have also been recorded. The distribution and abundance of invertebrates is unknown.
Some animal species have become locally rare or extinct. For example, the wombat, goanna and koala are known to have occurred in living memory but have not been recorded in the last ten or more years. Habitat corridors play an important role in ensuring that further species are not at risk. Some species, which require large areas of suitable habitat, are perhaps not catered for in the park. Such species can be found in the habitat corridors of the region but these are under considerable development pressure.
There are a number of species which are considered significant because of their conservation status, their particular scientific value or because they are subject to international treaties.
There are two species of frog: Jervis Bay Tree Frog Litoria jervisiensis and Tyler's Tree Frog Litoria tyleri that have their type localities in the park.
Booderee's bountiful birds
Booderee is rich in bird life with over 200 species recorded here. This is thanks to the vast range of habitats found in the area -coastal cliffs and heaths, sandy beaches and rock platforms, mangroves and ocean, swamps, lakes and forests. Many of the birds are residents, while others are travellers passing through and some are of special significance to the traditional owners of the park.
Booderee Botanic Gardens are an excellent place to observe birds close at hand. Many species including the Satin Bowerbird and Eastern Whip bird can be seen by the quiet observer. On Lake McKenzie freshwater birds often gather in large numbers.
Guide to birdwatching in Booderee
Fire and the Fauna of Booderee
Australia's wildlife has had millions of years to adapt to bushfire and many of the plant species they depend upon require fire to complete their life cycle. For example, while many pygmy possums would have been killed by the fire, the nectar rich heath Banksias they depend on for food need fire to stimulate their regeneration. Other animals have strategies for surviving fire such as native bushrats which hide in burrows or marsupial mice which hide in tree hollows. Studies in other parts of Australia have revealed that most species of mammals and birds recover to their former abundance several years after a fire. Indeed wallabies and kangaroos increase in abundance after fires in response to the new grass that is stimulated by the fire, a fact that has been exploited by Aboriginal people for thousands of years through "fire stick farming".
The December fire at Booderee has had a significant impact on the wildlife within the park either through burning, smoke inhalation or starvation after the fire. In collaboration with the park, Professor David Lindenmayer from the Australian National University, has initiated a long-term study on the relationship between the fauna of Booderee and fire. The main aim of the study is to understand how whole ecosystems respond to different types and frequencies of fire.
Shortly after the fire, surveys were conducted for the abundance of medium sized ground mammals such as bandicoots. These surveys revealed decent numbers of bandicoots in all habitats including areas that had recently been burnt. These animals, like brush-tail possums, eat a wide range of foods so it is likely that they can respond to the fire by changing their diet to include more foods like underground fungus that wouldn't have been destroyed by the fire.