Our Environment
The Sandgate Area includes a range of natural habitats.
Birds
The Eastern Curlew is a large wader with a long neck, long legs, and a heavy bill that curves downwards. The wingspan is 110 cm and the birds weigh approximately 900 g. The Eastern Curlew is a long-distance migrant that ranges from Eastern Russia and north-eastern China (where it breeds), through Asia (e.g. Japan, Korea, China and Borneo), and to Australia and New Zealand during non-breeding times. The Eastern Curlew is capable of flying for days at a time without stopping. Young birds attempt their first migration when they are only six to eight weeks old. Australia supports the majority of birds during the non-breeding season, mostly on the east and south coasts and the north-west coast. The Eastern Curlew is declining as a result of habitat destruction and alteration to the chain of coastal wetlands along their migratory path. Many of these wetlands are being damaged by urban development, flood mitigation, agriculture and pollution. Direct disturbance on beaches by humans, domestic dogs and vehicles can cause stress to birds. Click here, to download a list of bird species found in the Sandgate Area.
Mammals
The Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) is a nocturnal gliding possum. This species' home range extends from Bordertown near the South Australian/Victorian Border through south-eastern Australia to northern Queensland. This species was thought to be extinct in South Australia since 1939 until a genetic test confirmed their inhabitance in this area. The squirrel glider lives in south-eastern Australia in the dry sclerophyll forest and woodlands. In Queensland, however, they occupy a wetter eucalypt forest. The glider will make a den in the hollow tree and line it with leaves. Here it will sleep and usually lives in groups of one male, 2 females, and offspring. Like most of the wrist-winged gliders, the squirrel glider is endemic to Australia. It is about twice the size of the related Sugar Glider (P. breviceps). Natural predators of the squirrel glider include dogs, cats, foxes, and owls, many of which are species that have been introduced into its habitats by humans. Habitat fragmentation and destruction by human agency is also impacting individual populations.
