Dryandra Woodland and endangered mammals

The Dryandra Woodland is a place of special significance and remarkable nature. Last week, Lola and I spent three days exploring the Dryandra Woodland.

I find semi-arid woodland fascinating at any time, but Dryandra really is exceptional. And, according to authorities, this is one rare occurrence where we can indirectly credit industry for the saviour of native habitat. Apparently, if it wasn't for the establishment of the Mallet industry in the early 1900s, this 28,000ha remnant open Eucalypt woodland would almost certainly have been cleared along with the surrounding land for agriculture.

Brown Mallet Eucalypt woodland
(Euc.astringens)

Early in the 20th century, a significant industry was established harvesting bark from the Brown Mallet trees (Eucalyptus astringens). The bark is rich in high quality tannins, which were used for tanning leather products. As the supply of these valuable trees diminished, a Mallet plantation was established, with additional uses for the timber being found in high quality tool handles, fence posts and firewood.

Oddly, I noticed that most of the Mallet stands lacked undergrowth. However, there is a varied understory in much of the Wandoo woodland, with prolific flowering still occurring during our visit.

I will consider posting about the fascinating wildflowers of Dryandra, but for now I am keen to share the beauty and importance of the trees and mammals, and vital conservation work being carried out.

Driving through Wandoo woodland
at Dryandra Nature Conservation area

The beauty of Wandoo trees is extraordinary. The majority of Wandoo at Dryandra is Powderbark Wandoo (Euc. accedens), while there is also some White Gum Wandoo (Euc. wandoo).

The beauty of Wandoo

The appearence of the two Wandoo species is similar, and varied, but the Powderbark can be identified by the white powdery flakes that rub off easily with a gentle touch of the hand.

Stands of Rock Sheoak (Allocasuarina huegeliana) are also common, and attractive with their dense weeping foliage.

The area is named for the Dryandra shrubs of the woodland - Golden Dryandra (Banksia nobilis) and Prickly Dryandra (Banksia armata). Those people familiar with botanical nomenclature will be aware that Dryandras are now classified as Banksias. This is extremely confusing, and difficult to grasp for an amateur like me.

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An attractive, but poisonous plant common to the Dryandra Woodland is one of the Gastrolobiums. The leaf tips and seeds of this dense shrub contain monofluoroacetic acid, which is a key ingredient in the mammalian poison 1080. Some Western Australian herbivores have developed partial immunity to this poison by natural selection.

A close-up of the Gastrolobium leaves

The Gastrolobium shrubs of Dryandra Woodland

Laterite 'breakaways', or rocky, flat-topped hills are a common and interesting landform of the Dryandra Woodland.

But the Dryandra Woodland is all about preserving and protecting critically endangered mammals and their habitat.

Hidden in the Dryandra Woodland is an animal sanctuary called Barna Mia, which is a breeding and education facility. Many of Western Australia's native mammals have been eradicated from their former habitats because of predation by cats and foxes, cleared vegetation and changed fire regimes.

Due to habitat preservation, breeding programs and feral predator baiting, new populations of threatened animals are being established.

Barna Mia breeds endangered mammals in a fenced enclosure that excludes feral predators - the dalgyte (bilby), marl (western barred bandicoot), wurrup (rufous hare-wallaby), boodie (burrowing bettong), quenda (southern brown bandicoot), and woylie (brush-tailed bettong).

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Lola and I took part in a night time tour to view these nocturnal animals going about their business. We were lucky enough to see the bilby, marl, boodie, and woylie. It was such a thrill, and a real privillege to be allowed a glimpse into the secret lives of these fragile animals. It was an experience that neither of us will ever forget.

All but the bilby used their tiny hands in such a delicate fashion to handle their food - I was astounded by the big mouth and voracious eating habits of the bilby. But its long rabbit-like ears and recognisable appearance more than made up for its greedy table manners. I sat stunned by the sheer delight at seeing these beautiful animals up so close.

A red light was the only light shone on the animals

Unfortunately we didn't see a numbat, but wild sightings are not uncommon. Altogether, my stay in the Dryandra Woodland was an exceptional experience.

The Dryandra Woodland is situated on the western rim of the Wheat Belt 164km southeast of Perth, and I can not over emphasise the value of a visit to this remarkable pocket of nature.

Dryandra Woodland information