Digging the block

About a year ago I heard a talk about the importance of mammals in digging over the topsoil of woodland habitat in the Southern Tablelands.  This was in the context of an experiment in which (wingless) predators have been excluded from most of the Mulligan's Flat element of Canberra Nature Park.  There is also interest in this process in Tasmania.

The most widespread digging on our block in Carwoola is by rabbits - which is likely to be greatly reduced in the near future!  While going out to check some of the feeding stations from the rabbit business I noted some fresh evidence of a somewhat larger digger.
This is far from uncommon in the area.  However looking a little to the side I discovered further evidence.
This presented a small problemo as the site is only about 40m from our house and we do not need a wombat tunnelling under the building.  If dunnarts and antechinuses are ecosystem engineers wombats are the equivalent of a longwall mining company (and thus bad).  My first thought was to put some water down the hole to make it less desirable as a residence.  On poking a hose in I found that the shaft ended after a small distance.
I am intrigued by the orange element in the soil profile: presumably some form of iron deposit.    However the shortness of the hole seemed to suggest that the excavation was just a matter of creating somewhere for a nap while exploring.  So I thought I might make a suggestion to go elsewhere!
Of course if this really is a des-res for a wombat the only effect on my efforts will have been a relatively gentle upper-body workout for me.  Such trivial stonework will soon be dislodged.  Updates may be in the offing.

Comments

Denis Wilson said…
Nice logical leap there, Martin, to Longwall Mining.
As for your effort to move the Wombat on, do let me know how it goes. The Farmers of Robertson will sing your praises, if your technique works.
Cheers
Denis
30 May 2011 at 19:38:00 GMT+10
Flabmeister said…
G'day Denis

My realistic expectation is that the rockwork is really just a marker. They are holding thus far but if it decides to revisit the spot the rocks will, in short order be spread over the Parish!

A neighbour has commented that they hoped their female wombat wouldn't be impaired by spreading rabbit calicivirus in the area. (She won't be affected by it.) Her message concluded "the fences get damaged but we love her."

Martin
31 May 2011 at 06:07:00 GMT+10
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