Urban wildlife

Bundaberg is home to a large range of native plants and animals and our bushlands and natural areas fringe the urban and rural properties of our region.

Part of living in Australia is living with wildlife. With the increase in our urban footprint, encounters with wildlife may become more common. Read more to learn more about our local urban wildlife.

Rainbow bee-eaters

The Bundaberg region is home to one of Australia's most colourful birds, the Rainbow bee-eater (Merops ornatus). Discover more about these masked acrobats, including how you can help keep their breeding and nesting sites safe.

Rainbow bee-eater Factsheet

Magpies

Magpies are native birds that share our urban areas. During mating season, from August to October, a small percentage of magpies can show aggressive behaviour to people venturing into their territory while they are protecting their nests and young.

Magpies are a protected species under state legislation and penalties apply for attempting to harm them.

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) provide information regarding magpie behaviour, how to stay safe and a range of resources. Visit their website or contact the department on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

More info on magpies

Snakes

Snakes are a native animal that we may encounter in our environment. In summer snakes become more active looking for food and warmth. If you encounter a snake remain calm and do not approach the snake. Walk away slowly and remain at a distance to the snake.

All snakes are protected under state legislation and penalties apply for attempting to harm them.

If you encounter a snake in your home, contact a local snake relocator. A licensed snake relocator will hold a permit that allows them to catch and relocate the snake. Contact Council on 1300 883 699 who can put you in touch with licensed snake relocators.

If a snake is sighted on Council property, please contact Council on 1300 883 699 to undertake an assessment.

Visit the Department of Environment and Science website for more information about snakes or contact the department on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

More info on snakes

Flying Foxes

Flying foxes, also known as fruit bats, can be encountered in a number of our natural areas and backyards. They provide an important role in nature through dispersing seed and pollinating native trees. Their natural habitat is threatened through the disturbance of trees and land clearing.

Flying foxes can roost in large numbers and in the case of the little red flying fox they migrate regularly in search of nectar and fruit. Flying foxes can be seen in urban areas as they search for food and shelter due to habitat loss and local food shortages.

Flying foxes are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and it is an offence to interfere with them and their roosts. For more information visit the Department of Environment and Science website or contact the department on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

If you encounter a sick or injured flying fox or bat, do not touch it. Contact a local wildlife carer via the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 6525) immediately. While extremely unlikely, the Australian Bat Lyssavirus can be transmitted by bats to human through scratches and bites.

More info on flying foxes

Possums

It is very common to find possums living in our urban environment. The most common possum is the brush-tail possum, which can be seen at night travelling across fences and into trees seeking food such as fruit.

Possums are protected under state legislation. They can only be moved by a licensed relocator who will hold a permit. A relocator can remove the possum and block any access points into your home.

The Department of Environment and Science provide advice to discourage possums taking up residence in your home and providing them with an alternative home such as a nesting box. Visit their website or contact the department on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

More info on possums

Frogs are nocturnal and need cool shady spaces to sleep in during the day.

As froggy homes are becoming harder to find with changing watercourses and housing and development frogs can use all the help they can get.

You can make a frog hotel to provide a safe space for multiple frogs in your backyard.

Make a Frog Hotel(PDF, 3MB)

If you find sick, injured or orphaned native wildlife, please contact our local wildlife care groups for advice:

Bundy Wildlife Rescue Inc., phone 0412 665 424, this is a local number and the group can be contacted 24/7, 7 days a week.

Qld Wildlife Carers & Volunteers Association Inc. phone 0439 502 228.

Local vets may also be able to assess sick or injured native wildlife.

Stranded marine animals

Marine strandings include sick, injured or deceased marine animals such as turtles, whales, dolphins and dugongs.

To report a marine stranding, contact RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 6525).

Join in the Aussie Bird Count

Make a difference for bird conservation by giving a moment of your time to count the birds that are counting on you. Participate in the Aussie Bird Count during Bird Week and use your observation skills for a 20-minute period to make a simple but important contribution to Birdlife Australia’s conservation initiatives.

Collecting this data at the same time each year allows Birdlife Australia to look at the trends in our bird communities over time. Think of birds as a barometer for nature, as their health and wellbeing is one of nature’s best indicators.

How does it work?

Each year people across the country head out to their front yards, backyards, courtyards, parks and play areas to count how many birds they see in a 20 minute period to provide a snapshot of Australia’s more common bird species. It’s a fun, simple and safe activity observing nature, which is proven to provide benefits to mental health and wellbeing. For more information on the event and how to register visit the Aussie Bird Count website.

Join Council in monitoring our local birds and help track pest bird species

Bundaberg Regional Council's Natural Areas team registered for the Aussie Bird Count in 2022. Read the report(PDF, 2MB) outlining the number of people who participated in the Count, and the number and types of native and pest bird species sighted in the Bundaberg region.

Visit a natural area

We encourage the community to visit a natural area in the Bundaberg region during this event to help gather important bird data. Find your closest natural area here.

Prizes

There are some amazing prizes being given away as part of this year’s count. For more information head to the Aussie Bird Count website

Free colouring in

Birdlife Australia have put together a range of colouring in sheets. You can access them via this booklet(PDF, 6MB) or download individual colouring in pages from the Aussie Bird Count website.

Poster

Help share the event by printing off a poster(PDF, 3MB) for your school or workplace.

Quizzes

Discover what type of bird you are, test your bird identification skills and knowledge of Aussie birds in these fun quizzes.