MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor David Gill has warned the proposed sale of land at HMAS Cerberus could threaten one of the peninsula’s rarest bird species. The powerful owl, which is listed as vulnerable in Victoria, can be found in open forests and woodlands and requires old-growth trees for nesting. Gill said the navy base land contains some of the peninsula’s last remaining untouched bushland and provides important habitat for the species. “Powerful owls are dependent on hollows in old trees for nesting and raising their young,” said Gill. “The Cerberus base has the necessary old indigenous trees that hollow out,…
Browsing: habitat
By Raia Flinos THE Mornington Peninsula is set to play a vital role in a new state-wide conservation push aimed at protecting some of Victoria’s most threatened native animals and habitats.The Melbourne Habitat Forever project was announced earlier this week by Victorian conservation organisation Trust for Nature with 15 new sanctuaries to be created on private land, including on the peninsula. Funded by Melbourne Water, the initiative focuses on safeguarding habitats for species such as the Southern Brown Bandicoot and the Growling Grass Frog, which have suffered steep declines in population due to various factors, including land clearing and climate…