I visited Craigie Bushland with a good friend of mine, Paul, who was interested in seeing some wildlife and also practising some night time photography. Some of his great photos can be found here.
I had visited Craigie once before but haven’t blogged about it as yet.
Craigie Bushland is found just off Whitfords Ave, Craigie behind the Craigie Leisure Centre and managed by the City of Joondalup. There is a small parking place just behind the leisure centre on this Google Maps Pin. The reserve encompasses 56ha, of which 42ha has a predator free fence. The fence was put up in 2010 and 3 years later 43 Quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) were reintroduced to the reserve1. See the below YouTube for more information and the positive impact of Quenda.
We parked, geared up and headed into the reserve where we quickly found a lovely Brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).
We were using the thermal camera as well as spotlighting and found a sleeping Grey fantail in a bush by its heat signature.
We had heard a number of rustles in the bush but hadn’t had a good sighting of a Quenda until we spotted this in the thermal.
It then allowed us to observe it feeding and take a number of photos.
🖼️ Print available: This Quenda feeding shot is available as a fine art print. See print options →
As we headed back towards the car I was able to record a bat using my bat detector (Echo Meter Touch 2 which links to your phone). The spectrograph can be seen below. The frequency of the call can be seen between 10-15 kHz which is within the range of human hearing and identifies it as a White-striped free-tailed bat (Austronomus australis).
The call can be heard but it is faint – the metallic ting-ting is the bat echolocating. These bats are one of the largest microbats of the Perth region. They fly fast and high hunting for insect prey. I have been doing more bat recording and will blog in the future. There are 9 different species in the south-west. Other than the White-striped, the rest of the species echolocate above the range of human hearing (ultrasonic range ie >20kHz).
We continued on and found another Quenda feeding and moving along the path.
We headed back to the car and found 2 possums just near the exit.
We had a great night seeing a number of animals and also getting some nice shots, exhibiting natural behaviours. Craigie bushland is a great spot not far from the Perth CBD for urban wildlife and especially if you want to find Quenda.
Craigie Bushland Wildlife FAQ
Is Craigie Bushland good for wildlife?
Yes – Craigie Bushland is one of the best spots for urban wildlife watching in Perth’s northern suburbs. The predator-proof fence that encloses 42ha of the reserve has allowed Quenda numbers to recover strongly since their reintroduction in 2013, and Brushtail possums are reliably seen on most evening visits. It’s a great option if you’re after native mammals without a long drive out of the city.
What animals can you see at Craigie Bushland?
Quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) and Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are the most commonly seen mammals. Bats are active overhead after dark – the White-striped free-tailed bat (Austronomus australis) is one of the few species audible to the human ear. Birds are also present; we spotted a sleeping Grey fantail using a thermal camera. Reptiles and frogs are possible in the warmer months.
When is the best time to visit Craigie Bushland for wildlife?
After dark is by far the best time. Quenda and possums are both nocturnal and become active shortly after sunset. A spotlight or headtorch is essential. The reserve is accessible year-round, though wildlife activity tends to be higher in the cooler months when it’s more comfortable to walk slowly and quietly.
Is Craigie Bushland fenced?
Part of it is. The reserve covers 56ha in total, with 42ha enclosed by a predator-proof fence installed in 2010. This fenced section is where the Quenda were reintroduced in 2013 and is the focus for wildlife watching. The fence has made a significant difference to the health of the local Quenda population.
Where do I park for Craigie Bushland?
There is a small car park just behind the Craigie Leisure Centre off Whitfords Ave. See this Google Maps pin for the exact location. The entry to the reserve is right there.
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
- Quenda – everything you need to know about WA’s Southern Brown Bandicoot
- Possums in Perth – a guide to the species you might find in your backyard
- Where to See Wildlife in Western Australia – the full location index
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