At least 25 species of small to medium sized terrestrial mammals are known or considered likely to have occurred in north-west Victoria in the mid-19th century. Of these, five species are globally extinct; 13 species are regionally extinct; and seven species are still in existence. Five of these seven surviving species have been recorded on Neds Corner.
The loss of habitat as a a result of clearing, overgrazing by stock and rabbits, and predation by feral cats and foxes are considered the primary causes of the extinctions and declines of so many of Neds Corner’s mammal species, and other fauna.
Since Trust for Nature’s acquisition of the property, extensive natural regeneration, supplemented by revegetation, and in conjunction with ongoing rabbit and fox control programs has enabled recovery of some animal populations.
Reptiles and frogs are a major component of fauna diversity at Neds Corner. The property has more than 30 species, including the threatened De Vis’ Banded Snake, Bandy-bandy, Carpet Python, Hooded Scaly-foot and Growling Grass Frog, with new species for the property still being found.
More than 120 bird species have been recorded at Neds Corner, including inland species such as the Crimson Chat, Orange Chat, Inland Dotterel and Pied Honeyeater. Bird surveys have shown increases in the frequency of some woodland dependent birds such as the Chestnut-crowned Babbler and Red-capped Robin as habitat coverage and quality has improved. It is hoped that large-scale restoration of another 10,000 hectares of woodland habitat will lead to even more striking improvements in bird diversity.
At a micro level, invertebrates represent a large percentage of the fauna diversity at Neds Corner, with approximately 400 species documented during a two week Bush Blitz, with 20 species recorded as new to science, including 13 new spiders.