Spiders walk along the Avon River

Trapdoor spiders often emerge from their burrows after rain - but why?

Newly matured male spiders emerge from their burrows and go looking for a mate, after spending anywhere from three to seven years living exclusively underground.

If you live in the micro-world, moist soil is perfect for digging in - so many types of juvenile trapdoor spider emerge after rains to start excavating their own private burrows. It's important for them to find a good spot, as they will stay there for life!!

This Mouse Spider (Missulena spp.) was walking along with purpose under some Jam (Acacia accuminata) trees down by the Avon River in Northam. He seems to know where to go, but he'd better look out - there's an army of obstacles for him to avoid, like:

• large hungry centipedes looking for a bite to eat,
• cunning wasps who would might carry them away;
• sharp eyed magpies and butcher birds who watch for tasty spiders at dawn and dusk, and
• racehorse goanna's and bandicoot's who can dig them out of their burrows!

No wonder he's moving so fast!

So, if you see a big spider walking along the ground this winter/autumn, spare a thought for the hard times it has overcome to get that far and take a moment to watch it go along on it's way.

Do feel free to take a picture though, and send it to info@wheatbeltnrm.org.au so Wheatbelt NRM can help you find out a bit more about it.

The last one we had someone ask us about was a brand new species all together!

Cheeky Cave Chuditch

Chuditch (also known as Western Quolls or native cats) are a rare and unusual sight in the wheatbelt, but thanks to Wheatbelt NRM's Healthy Bushland project, we are starting to uncover some of the secrets of where and when chuditch are active in the Wheatbelt.

This footage above was captured by Mike Griffiths, who placed a remote camera in a rocky cave near Boyagin Nature Reserve in the Shire of Beverley.

Remote cameras are digital video cameras inside a waterproof case, connected to a motion sensing device. When animals pass by the senor, the camera is triggered and the video begins recording. The black and white movie is produced by the infra-red lights used by the cameras during the evening hours.

Remote cameras have been placed in bushland all across the wheatbelt to assist with understanding which animals are found where.

In this case, a chuditch was recorded using this rocky cave to forage for food such as insects and small animals.

Chuditch's use caves, hollow logs and other shelter (even rooves of houses!) as a den, emerging in the evening to look for food.

Litters are born between May and September, and stay in the mothers pouch for about nine weeks.

Home ranges in WA can be between 55 - 120 hectres in size and are vigorously defended.

Chuditch are threatened by injury from vecicles, predation by foxes and raptors and illegal shooting (chudich are particularly keen on eating chickens - if they can get them!).

Because of these threats, Chuditch are listed on the EPBC Act (1999) as Vulnerable - which means they are a protected species.

If you think you have seen a chuditch or want to know how you can encourage them in your area, contact Wheatbelt NRM on info@wheatbeltnrm.org.au or leave a post.

Skinks - Renovation Rescue!!

Early this afternoon a family of threatened skinks from WA's wheatbelt got an emergency house renovation!

In a collaborative effort, Wheatbelt NRM, WWF Australia, Department of Environment and Conservation Central Wheatbelt District staff and members of the community relocated the family to a safe location nearby.

The skinks were living in a wood pile which was destined for destruction, until a local farmer noticed them living there.

With the help of Wheatbelt NRM's Noongar Budjar Trainee's Judd Davis and Brandon Colbung, Phil Lewis and the rest of the Healthy Bushland team helped dismantle the woodpile and capture the skinks.

'They were pretty lively' said Brandon, who uncovered the first skink 'but we got them all eventually.'

While the skinks' house was being re-located, the reptiles were measured by Natasha Moore from Department of Environment and Conservation Central Wheatbelt District and Dr James Haberfield from Balcatta Vet Hospital, then fitted with microchips to enable the family to be identified in the future.

Monitoring will continue at the new residence to confirm the family are happy in their new location.

'Although the threat to these unique animals is reduced, they still have to contend with cats, foxes and harsh conditions - so ongoing monitoring after the translocation is important' says Mick Davis, Wheatbelt NRM's Regional Landcare Facilitator.

'However, given the fighting spirit (shown in the image below) and stewardship by the local landholder, it is expected the skinks will do well in their new home.'

Find out more about projects to protect and manage western spiny-tailed skinks (funded by Wheatbelt NRM and the Australian Governments Caring For Our Country program) on the WWF-Australia BLOG.

Learn more about Wheatbelt NRM's Biodiversity Program at www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au