News
Bush Blitz news and media releases can be accessed from the below links:
Fish River Fish Team
The Fish River property has well and truly been living up to its name, with large numbers and a high diversity of freshwater fish species recorded by the Bush Blitz "Fish Team". The scientists from the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and a ring in, have been using rapid fish survey techniques to assess the various wetlands, springs, streams and rivers.
The focus has been on areas that have not previously been sampled, so while the main large rivers like the Daly and Fish River proper are home to amazing species like Freshwater Sawfish and Freshwater Whipray, the sampling has been targeted at smaller cryptic species like Rainbowfishes, Swamp Eel and Purple-spotted Gudgeon.
So far the species fish tally stands at 23, with more sites to come, and work to be done back in the lab on assessing the status of local species as similar or different to those in other catchments. A variety of other plants and animals have also been documented ranging from bright green water plants, dragonflies to freshwater crabs and river prawns.
Fish River Bush BlitzHave net, will fly. Helicopter travel and skilful piloting has allowed great access to remote and inaccessible habitats in search of weird and wonderful aquatic creatures. Photo by M. Hammer
Fish River Bush BlitzSooty Grunter (Black Bream) sampled in the spectacular Fish River Gorge. Photo by G. Dally
Fish River Bush BlitzInteresting purple-black dragonfly Rhyothemis braganza from Cow Spring, on a tributary to Fish River. Photo by M. Hammer
Fish River Bush BlitzIn situ shot of an upland rocky creek. The fish are Blackbanded Rainbowfish Melanotaenia nigrans and Western (Red-tail) Rainbowfish Melanotaenia australis. Photo by M. Hammer
Fish River Bush BlitzSooty Grunter (Black Bream) observed in a rock pool in Fish River Gorge. Photo by M. Hammer
Fish River Bush BlitzClose up view of the spots of a Northern Purple-spotted Gudgeon Mogurnda mogurnda. Photo by M. Hammer
Fish River Bush BlitzCounting spines and scales are useful tools for identification and taxonomic study. This is Sooty Grunter Hephaestus fuliginosus.Photo by M. Hammer
Fish River Bush BlitzA crystal clear upland stream in sandstone country, with spectacular aquatic plants including Eriocaulon setaceum. Photo by M. Hammer
Fish River Bush BlitzThe tiny Pennyfish Denariusa bandata (male pictured) is at home in dense vegetation in wetlands and billabongs. Photo by M. Hammer
Fish River Bush BlitzA backpack electrofisher has been the main method for rapid sampling of fishes across the Fish River property. Photo by G. Dally
Follow our blog
Blog updates from Fish River in the Northern Territory.
Fish River - Bush Blitz reaches new heights in the NT.
Don't forget the snails - The sleeping beauties of Fish River.
Don't be fooled by first appearances - A treasure trove of life on Fish River Station.
ABC 7.30 Report on Fish River - Northern Territory Bush Blitz
Media Release: The ABC covers Bush Blitz work out on Fish River in the Northern Territory.
A growing portion of the Northern Territory is going green. More than 12 per cent of the Territory is set aside for conservation and the government thinks that will increase to 20 per cent well before its target of 2030. At one Northern Territory property scientists are taking stock of the plants and animals. They're finding a treasure trove of precious creatures.
April 2012
Media Release: Hunting for the Territory's unusual and bizarre at Fish River Station. [PDF 130kb]
The property's extensive range of habitats including long stretches of the Daly River - one of the Territory's few permanent streams - billabongs fringed by savanna woodland and pockets of rainforest rising to spectacular ranges make it a collection haven for biodiversity scientists.
ABC 7.30 Report on Skullbone Plains - Tasmanian Bush Blitz
View the ABC 7.30 Report's recent segment on the Tasmanian Bush Blitz at Skullbone Plains.
New photos
Photos of the Mallee Bioregion in Victoria are now available.
Visit our new gallery showing the variety of diverse species found in the Victorian Mallee.
New photos
Photos of the Goldfields Bioregion in Western Australia are now available.
Visit our new gallery showing the variety of diverse species found on the Goldfields.
Follow our blog
Read Blogs from Skullbone Plains in Tasmania.
Going Botanical - A Skullbone Plains experience in nation's capital.
Skullbone Plains - Worth protecting.
Spider hunting - Find out how you hunt down spiders with only a 4WD.
The serenity - Spend the day with Botanists.
What's out there? - Find out a little more about the newest reserve to be blitzed.
February 2012
Media Release: What's out there? Looking for creatures on Tasmania's ancient Skullbone Plains. [PDF 241kb]
A team of about 20 Bush Blitz scientists will conduct the most comprehensive biodiversity survey yet of a spectacular 1,650 hectare property in Tasmania's central highlands which has been recently added to Australia's National Reserve System.
A new discovery!
New daisy record at Neds Corner Station
Read more about how the Bush Blitz botanical team found a new plant record for Victoria, discovering a black-seed daisy.
New photos
Photos of Volcanic Plains Bioregion in Victoria
Visit our new gallery showing the variety of diverse species found on the Volcanic Plains.
An inside scoop
Bushblitz in Ned's Corner (VIC) with TRIN
Gaia Resources test their mobile biological data recording system down at Neds Corner.
New species possibly found
New species of truffle found at Neds Corner Station
Dr Teresa Lebel may have discovered a new species of truffle - although these sort are not for eating!
Tiny snails
Read all about the Pupasnail
Dr John Stanisic, self proclaimed snail whisperer, writes up about the snails found at Neds Corner Station.
New photos
Photos of Cane River in Western Australia
Visit our new gallery showing the beauties of Cane River reserve in Western Australia.
Open day at Neds Corner
Open day showcases amazing biodiversity on Neds Corner Station
Read all about what has been found during week two at the blitz at Neds Corner station!
November 2011
Media Release: Stunning array of species found on Neds Corner Station. [PDF 319kb]
Pobblebonk frogs and puffball mushrooms are just some of the species that are emerging in response to rains in the desert country of northwest Victoria where a team of Bush Blitz scientists are surveying Neds Corner Station in search of new species.
Current Bush Blitz blogs links to Parks Australia can be found here
Follow our blog
Read Blogs from Neds Corner Station
Behind the Bush Blitz lens - Want to find out more on how our creatures are photographed?
Blitzing birds at Neds Corner Station - Discover the array of birds found on our newest survey site.
Reptile central - The tally of reptiles is impressive at Neds Corner.
The desert comes alive! - The desert country is awakening after recent rains.
November 2011
Media Release: Blitzing Neds Corner for new species. [PDF 477kb]
A team of top biodiversity scientists are spending more than 2,000 hours blitzing Neds Corner Station in Victoria's mallee country, surveying the reserve's plants and animals in the hope of finding species that are new to science.
Current Bush Blitz blogs links to Parks Australia can be found here
Blitzing the magnificent mallee country
Bush Blitz is about to conduct one of their most intensive blitzes yet on the Trust for Nature conservation property Neds Corner. With more than 20 scientists as well as the BHP participants taking part in this blitz it's estimated that we'll spend some 2,000 hours scouring the reserve for plants and animals from 21 November to 2 December.
Neds Corner Station was purchased by Trust for Nature in 2002 with the assistance of the National Reserve System. Since acquiring the 30,000 hectare property Trust for Nature has transformed this former sheep grazing property into a conservation oasis.
Bush Blitz will bring together a team of scientists from the Museum of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, University of NSW, Queensland Museum and La Trobe University along with BHP participants through the Earthwatch Program, to collect the plants and animals of this iconic property.
Big Red KangarooPhoto by C Nichols
Track to Ned's Road from the old tankPhoto by J Harding
Creek at Neds CornerPhoto by J Harding
Bush Blitz Credo Station
Watch the Bush Blitz expedition video footage from Credo Station
A swag of new species including spiders, true bugs and native bees were among the discoveries made when a team of scientists went prospecting at Credo Station in the Western Australian goldfields during September 2011.
New species of creepy crawlies and fossilised remains found on Credo Station
Media Release: New species of creepy crawlies and fossilised remains found on Credo Station. [PDF 291kb]
New species of creepy crawlies and fossilised remains found on Credo Station (22/9/2011).
Creepy crawlies including pseudoscorpions, trapdoor spiders, true bugs and bees were among the swag of new species discovered during a recent Bush Blitz at Credo Station in the Western Australian goldfields - the first comprehensive biodiversity survey conducted on Credo.
A day in the life of...
Find out what our scientists are getting up to at Credo Station
Day One: Bush Blitz arrives at Credo Station
Day Two: Bush Blitz - pitfall traps and the search for true bugs
Day Three: The magic of Credo
Follow our blog
Read Blogs from Credo Station
Bush Blitzers find fossil remains at Credo Station - Ever wondered what the fossil of a brood bee looks like?
Bush blitzing for creatures that glow in the dark - Discover whats lurking in the shadows at Credo station at night.
Out Blitzing the Goldfields
The Bush Blitz team is out and about again, this time blitzing the Western Australian Goldfields. From the 29th of August the Bush Blitz team, scientists and BHP Billiton Volunteers, through the Earthwatch Institute, will be in the field at the Credo Station Reserve located in the Western Australian Goldfields.
Taxa being studied will include small mammals, reptiles, spiders, vascular plants and bryophytes, beetles, bees, stygofauna, wasps, butterflies and moths, land snails, true bugs and dragonflies.
Keep an eye on the website for blogs from the field by Bush Blitz’s newest member Mim Jambrecina.
Biodiscovery in the Pilbara
The 10th Bush Blitz expedition is now underway in Western Australia’s Pilbara at the Cane River Conservation Park. Follow our blogs to find what our team of 15 scientists are finding out on these red plains.
Read our blog about Cane River here
For a closer view of the area, please click here.
Blind cave-dwellers
Media Release: Blind cave-dwelling crustaceans found during Bush Blitz at Lake Condah. [PDF 90kb]
Blind cave-dwelling crustaceans found during Bush Blitz at Lake Condah (23/3/2011).
Scientists surveying plants and animals on several Indigenous protected areas near Heywood in south-western Victoria have discovered species that are likely to be new to science as well as populations of species that are threatened elsewhere.
Follow our progress in Lake Condah!
Lake Condah Bush Blitz blog
Discover what Bush Blitz scientists are up to on their latest field trip. Museum Victoria's blog on Lake Condah in south west Victoria: Museum Victoria's blog
March 2011
Media Release: Bush Blitz explores ancient volcanic landscape for new species. [PDF 260kb]
Bush Blitz explores ancient volcanic landscape for new species (23/03/2011).
A team of more than 40 scientists, Indigenous rangers and volunteers today begin the most comprehensive plant and animal survey yet on Aboriginal-owned lands in the Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape in south-western Victoria.
Bush Blitz Bon Bon
Bush Blitz Bon Bon in the news!
Journalists visited the Bush Blitz team at Bon Bon station last year. Check out their stories in ECOS and Voyeur In-Flight magazines.
ECOS (Volume 159, Feb-Mar 2011 edition)
Voyeur (March 2011 edition: flip to pages 39-40 for the Bush Blitz story)
January 2011
Photos of Bush Blitz
Check out the photos from the New South Wales, Gawler, and Gawler and Stony Plains Bush Blitz.
The New South Wales open day
During the recent NSW South Western Slopes Bush Blitz, local residents were given the opportunity to meet Bush Blitz scientists. Personnel from the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority and the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water were also in attendance to chat to scientists and residents about the reserves and local environmental programs.
Bush Blitz NSW Open DayPhoto by Polly Hemming
Bush Blitz NSW Open DayPhoto by Polly Hemming
Bush Blitz NSW Open DayPhoto by Polly Hemming
Bush Blitz NSW Open DayPhoto by Polly Hemming
Bush Blitz NSW Open DayPhoto by Polly Hemming
Bush Blitz NSW Open DayPhoto by Polly Hemming
And the winner is...
Top Ten New Species competition.
Find out who are the lucky winners in the Top Ten New Species competition.
August 2010
Bush Blitz Resources
Teacher Resource Booklet
The Bush Blitz teacher resource booklet was produced by the Australian Science Teacher's Association (ASTA), in partnership with the Australian Biological Resource Study to provide background information for teachers on the Bush Blitz program. The booklet also includes supporting activities, projects and investigations for teachers to undertake with students from preschool through to senior secondary levels.
A booklet was sent to every Australian school as part of the 2010 National Science Week school kit but is now available to download.
The Witchelina Launch
Media Release: Bush Blitz - Witchelina Launch
When Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett launched a vast new addition to the National Reserve System on the 4th of June, Bush Blitz scientists were on hand to demonstrate some of the survey techniques that will be used there when we visit later this year. The Witchelina Bush Blitz will be the first ever to comprehensively survey this huge property.
Bush Blitz Witchelina LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
Bush Blitz Witchelina LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
Bush Blitz Witchelina LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
Bush Blitz Witchelina LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
Bush Blitz Witchelina LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
Can you pick Australia's favourite new species?
Media Release: Can you pick Australia's Favourite New Species?
A barnacle that looks like the Sydney Opera House? A pink fish that walks on the sea floor? An outback ant that makes a tubular home from spinifex grass and red soil? These are just some newly discovered Australian species that are part of a new teachers' resource booklet and competition that will this week go to school children around the country.
"Ahead of World Environment Day on Saturday and in the International Year of Biodiversity, we want to get kids excited by the environment around them and the discoveries still taking place today of new plants and animals across our vast continent," Environment Protection Minister Peter Garret said.
More details of the competition can be found here.
May 2010
View media release
Media Release: Bush Blitz - launch of Australian nature discovery mission
Bush Blitz - launch of Australian nature discovery mission (15/02/2010).
Environment Minister Peter Garrett today launched Bush Blitz - a three year multimillion dollar partnership to document the plants and animals in properties across Australia’s National Reserve System.
Download factsheet
BushBlitz: Factsheet. [PDF 1.1mb]
Bush Blitz is the world's first continental scale survey - a three year multimillion dollar partnership to document the plants and animals in hundreds of properties across Australia’s National Reserve System.
BushBlitz Launch
BushBlitz LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
BushBlitz LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
BushBlitz LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
BushBlitz LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
BushBlitz LaunchPhoto by Peter Taylor
