Earthwatch

Help protect native bandicoots from attack by introduced predators and save them from extinction.

Visit one of Sydney's hidden wonders, North Head Sanctuary - a spectacular area of endangered banksia bushland, diverse birdlife, military remnants with magnificent views of the harbour and the beautiful northern beaches - to lure and catch bandicoot predators on camera.

With Wildlife Ecologist, Dr Nelika Hughes, volunteers will use remote sensor, infrared cameras and scent lures to attract and then film predators across the entire headland, from the urban fringe to deep within the reserve. Close-up cameras within 3m of the lure will accurately record an animal's species and behaviour, while a second camera will be placed 10m from the lure, to record more general activity in the area. Cameras will be left out for a week at a time. Volunteers will use a GPS to locate and then collect cameras, swap batteries and memory cards, then set the cameras at new sites and record a range of habitat characteristics at each new site.

During your research you may stumble across some lesser seen species including water dragons, frogs, tawny frogmouth, masked lapwing (and if in the right season, with their chicks), echidna, and spot the largest remaining part of Sydney's Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (an Endangered Ecological Community in NSW)

Back in the office, video data will be downloaded from the cameras' memory cards. Volunteers will analyse all the footage recorded, noting the date, time and species of individuals attracted to the lures, along with comments on their behaviour. Volunteers will examine the footage of larger predators looking for distinguishing features of known individuals or saving still shots of new individuals.

Join a one-day team for only $49.

Bring the family along too!

A family weekend - Friday evening 18 November - Sunday afternoon 20 November ($195 adult, $155 child aged 10-17)