Wildlife

Local Plants and Animals

Over the 17 km of Bayside’s dynamic coastline are exposed cliffs, sand dunes and reef platforms, all of which are home to a multitude of flora and fauna.

To the south, internationally significant fossil beds can be found in sections of the Beaumaris cliffs. These beds contain the remains of many creatures including prehistoric sharks and dolphins as well as giant marsupials which roamed this area around six million years ago. Discoveries of fossils at these locations have provided modern science with some highly significant advances and helped us to better understand Australia’s past.

Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary is also in the southern region of Bayside. The Sanctuary is one of only 11 found in Victoria and it protects a diversity of habitats including rocky sandstone, intertidal and sub tidal reefs, sandy beaches and seagrass beds all of which are home to a fascinating array of marine life.

Grand old stands of Coastal Banksia, with some individual trees over 200 years old, can be seen in small pockets scattered along the coast. These ancients provide hollows that are home to lorikeets, microbats and other animals.

Bayside’s bushland and coastal reserves contain various communities of native vegetation including remnants of the rare ‘Sandringham Heath’. This diverse vegetation is critically important, not only as a home to native animals but in providing us with a snapshot of our disappearing natural heritage.

Fauna

The Rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster)

Rakali are a highly specialised amphibious mammal adapted for an aquatic life. Their broad, partially webbed feet help to propel them through the water while dense waterproof fur keeps them warm and dry. Their tail, which acts as a rudder, is long and thick and well covered by dark hair usually with a prominent white tip.

 

Eastern Blue Tongue Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides)

In the hotter summer months it is quite common to see the Eastern Blue Tongued Lizard soaking up some of the sun’s rays and warmth from the concrete paths and roads in Bayside. They can grow to approximately 30 cm in length and are grey in colour with broad brown stripes across their backs and tail. As per their name, they have a large blue tongue which they stick out as a warning to predators.

 

The Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

The Australian Pelican is the largest shorebird inhabiting Bayside’s coastline. It is especially common at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. Australian Pelicans consume up to nine kilograms of food per day and they are by no means fussy eaters. In addition to fish, crustaceans, tadpoles and turtles they have also been known to eat ducklings and seagulls.

 

 

Coastal Flora

Coastal Tea-tree (Leptospermum laevigatum)

Coastal Tea-tree is a common sight along Bayside’s coast and also within some inland bushland areas. Throughout spring and summer it produces attractive white flowers. According to traditional Aboriginal knowledge this flowering also signifies the beginning of the Pink Snapper season in Port Phillip.

 

Hairy Spinifex (Spinifex sericeus)

The Hairy Spinifex is an important sand-stabilizing plant and can be found growing in the dunes of Bayside’s coastline. It is salt-tolerant and has the ability to grow through accumulations of wind-blown sand. It is a stout perennial grass with strong creeping runners.

 

 

Inland flora

Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora)

Yellow Box, is a medium sized to occasionally tall eucalypt and is widely distributed throughout Victoria and can be recognized by its abundant white flowers.  The Yellow Box  is considered to be the best native tree for honey production, the honey produced has a delightful golden colour and an excellent taste.

 

Twiggy Daisy-bush (Olearia ramulosa)

The Twiggy Daisy-bush is a small shrub that is found growing in the sandy soils of Bayside’s coastline. They can be recognized by their small aromatic white flowers that appear from October to December.

 

Wedding Bush (Ricinocarpis pinifolius)

The Wedding-Bush is small multibranched shrub that can grow up to 2m high that grows in sandy soils. It has white flowers that appear from August to October. The leaves of the Wedding bush are soft and are shaped like pine-needles.

 

 

 

 

Page last updated: 09 May 2012