Birds, Bees and Wildlife Enquiries

Living with possums is a part of Australian life. Watching possums run along fencelines or powerlines in the evening can be very exciting. However, when possums take up residence in your roof or eat valuable flowers and fruit trees they can be very frustrating. But it is possible for possums and humans to live in harmony together by taking a few simple steps.

The Department of Environment, Land, and Water and Planning website contains a range of information on how to deal with possums on your property, including information on possums boxes and possum deterrents.

Please note that possums are protected species under the Wildlife Act 1975 and must not be harmed in any way or kept without authority. Only Common Brushtail Possums living in buildings can be trapped, and only for the purpose of releasing them on the same property or taking them to a registered vet for euthanasia. Relocation of possums is prohibited. Common Ringtail Possums remain fully protected and may not be trapped. Breaching any of these regulations carries heavy penalties

Ducks

Ducks are a common resident of Greater Dandenong lakes and wetlands. Some of the local species include the Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck and Chestnut Teal.

Ducks are an important part of the food web; they consume insects and plant matter. The parks and wetlands within the City of Greater Dandenong provide lots of natural food for them.
 

Seagulls

Silver Gulls or Seagulls as they are commonly known are an Australian native bird that is protected under the Victorian Wildlife Act 1975. Under this Act it is an offence to harm Seagulls and other protected wildlife.

Seagulls are typically medium to large birds, usually grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They typically have harsh wailing or squawking calls, stout, longish Gulls are typically medium to large birds, usually grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings.

Seagulls nest in large, densely packed noisy colonies. In recent months there has been a significant increase in the number of seagulls observed within central Dandenong. They lay two or three speckled eggs in nests composed of vegetation. The young are precocial, being born with dark mottled down, and mobile upon hatching.

Seagulls are resourceful, inquisitive and intelligent birds that demonstrating complex methods of communication and a highly developed social structure. For example, many colonies display mobbing behaviour, attacking and harassing would-be predators and other intruders. Many have learned to coexist successfully with humans and have thrived in human habitats.

Most gulls are ground-nesting carnivores, which take live food or scavenge opportunistically. Live food often includes crabs and small fish. Gulls have unhinging jaws which allow them to consume large prey.

Seagulls are highly adaptable feeders that opportunistically take a wide range of prey. The food taken by gulls includes fish and marine and freshwater invertebrates, both alive and already dead, terrestrial arthropods and invertebrates such as insects and earthworms, rodents, eggs, carrion, offal, reptiles, amphibians, plant items such as seeds and fruit, human refuse, chips, and even other birds.

With the warmer spring weather and summer quickly approaching City of Greater Dandenong would like to remind residents to keep a look out for snakes while out and about enjoying Council’s parks and open spaces.

Residents may come across snakes as they become more active and venture out to find warm dry open areas to sunbake, such as paths and concreted areas. You may be more likely to see snakes around water sources, but they can also be found in other parks and reserves and close to houses and infrastructure. Snakes feed on small animals such as frogs, lizards, mice and rats and are an important part of the natural environment. They are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. 

If you live in an area close to where snakes may be present there are steps you can take to discourage snakes from moving onto your property. Maintain lawns, remove rubbish and piles of building materials, timber or rocks that snakes may shelter under. Discourage mice and rats from living around your property as these will attract snakes.

When visiting areas where snakes may be present:

• Wear closed in shoes and long pants
• Stay on paths and out of long grass
• Keep dogs on leads
• Keep your mobile phone on you
   

If you see a snake in a reserve, public area, around playgrounds or barbeque areas this is what you should do:

• Keep calm and slowly remove yourself and any pets from the area

• Do not approach the snake or try to catch or kill it

• Notify other park users who may be close by to the snake

• Contact Council's customer service on 8571 0000

If you see a snake on your property this is what you should do:

• Follow the recommendations for what to do if you come across a snake in a reserve or public area

• Contact a professional snake catcher who will be able to come and remove the snake from your property and relocate them to a more suitable environment at your own cost

If you are bitten by a snake telephone ‘000’ immediately and follow their instructions and stay as calm and still as possible until help arrives.

Native birds can swoop in urban and rural areas, in parks and gardens, along bike tracks and in school yards, or anywhere that birds are nesting which happens seasonally. Native birds are protected species and as such cannot be moved or nests destroyed.

Wildlife Victoria provides the following advice

1. Avoid the area
2. Move quickly
3. Cover your head, eg. wear a hat or use an umbrella

Wildlife Victoria has more information on the Swoop Fact Sheet 

Council does not issue permits to keep beehives.

The customer needs to register as a bee keeper with Agriculture Victoria on ph:136 186.