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Bradshaw Bushland Reserve

Bradshaw Bushland Reserve is located at the intersection of White Street and Nepean Highway in Mordialloc and contains approximately 1.7 hectares of rare vegetation once typical of very large areas of the Melbourne sand belt.

Bradshaw Bushland Reserve is home to one of our environmental working bee programs. The working bees are a great way people and make a positive impact in your local environment, join in for an enjoyable day out in nature.

Flora

Two management zones exist in Bradshaw Bushland Reserve, the western zone has been largely modified over time, resulting in highly variable geological and vegetation characteristics. For this reason no ecological vegetation class has been assigned however the diversity of the locally indigenous species in this zone greatly enhance the value of the reserve.

The eastern zones’ ecological vegetation class is classified as Damp Sands Herb Rich Woodland (EVC 3), an extremely rare habitat which was once typical of large areas of the Melbourne sand belt. In this zone, a grey sand sheet less than one metre in depth (Quaternary wind-blown sand deposited during the last Ice Age) overlies an orange sandy clay subsoil (Tertiary Red Bluff Sand).

Understorey plant species of note include Sand-hill Sword-sedge (Lepidosperma concavum) Showy Bossiaea (Bossiaea cinerea) Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia) and Black-anther Flax Lily (Dianella revoluta). Several indigenous grass species are common throughout the reserve such as Spear Grass (Stip mollis) Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides) and several species of Wallaby Grass (Austrodanthonia sp.).

The over storey largely consists of Rough-barked Manna Gum (Eucalyptus Viminalis) and several wattle species including Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) Hedge Wattle (Acacia paradoxa) and Prickly Moses (Acacia verticillata). Coastal Tea Tree (Leptospermum laevigatum) is also prominent throughout the reserve however this species has largely invaded from the nearby foreshore.

Several flower species of note can also be found in the reserve, predominantly in the eastern zone including Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata) Nodding Greenhood Orchid (Pterostylis nutans) and the Twining Fringe-lily (Thysanotus patersoni). These additions to the reserve add to its already impressive biodiversity value and provide a brilliant show of colour when flowering in spring.

Fauna

Bradshaw Bushland Reserve supports a small number of native and introduced animal species. Common Garden Skinks (Lampropholis guichenoti) are prevalent in the reserve and can be seen scurrying under logs and through the vegetation as you walk by. The nocturnal Brush Tail and Ringtail Possums are not uncommon and many bird species can be spotted as you walk through the bush including the Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus) Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus) and Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina).

Unfortunately the reserve regularly becomes home for the introduced European Fox which threatens native fauna species; however Kingston City Council undertakes control programs annually to curtail their impact at Bradshaw Bushland Reserve.

Rangers work with the Friends of Bradshaw Bushland Reserve (monthly working bees) to remove pest plant species, undertake vegetation works and maintain the reserve for the enjoyment of the public.