The native fauna of the Wombat Forest in Central Victoria consists of marsupials and monotremes, reptiles, amphibians, bats and birds.
The Greater Glider (Petauroides volans) is the largest possum found in this forest. It has furry hair with the colour varying from grey to cream and with a pale underside. It has a large snout and large ears. Its range is in the western part of the Wombat State Forest.
Several state-listed threatened bird species occur in the forest including the Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Grey Goshawk, Australian Masked Owl, Powerful Owl and Square-tailed Kite. Additionally, the forest is the western extent of the range of the Red-browed Treecreeper and Olive Whistler.
The native flora broadly consist of small medium and tall trees; shrubs of varying sizes; climbers; native herbs/forbs, grasses; rushes, sedges and aquatics; lilies, ferns and orchids.
The open forest is dominated by a number of eucalypt species including Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua), Broad-leaf Peppermint (E. dives), Narrow-leaf Peppermint (E. radiata), Manna Gum (E. viminalis) and Candlebark (E. rubida). Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) and Yarra Gum (E. yarraensis) are also present in the forest.
Wombat forest Care
Wombat Forestcare is a community group dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural ecosystems of the Wombat Forest and surrounding areas.
The Wombat Forest contains a diverse range of native plants and animals, including a number that are listed as rare or threatened, such as Powerful Owl and the Wombat Bush Pea. As well as these natural values, the Wombat is a significant water catchment area, giving rise to six rivers.
Wombat Forestcare engages in a range of activities. These have a strong focus on community involvement and education, and include undertaking flora and fauna surveys, forest regeneration, and seed collection days. We also enjoy the social aspect of a forest group, with picnics and bushwalks for people who love being in the bush.
Previous and recent newsletters filled with vibrant photography and detailed reports of the health of the forest are available as PDFs.
Birds Australia
Birdline Victoria is a site for the reporting of rare or unusual birds outside their normal range, unusually high or low numbers, early or late arrivals or departures for migrant species and interesting behaviour or unusual habitat usage. Entries are often logged for sightings in the Wombat Forest.
