bark stripping?

[jude hopwood <>]

Dear All,

 

I have small, worm-ridden Yellowbox which has suddenly gained the attention of 'something'. I wondered if it might be large black cockies, or a possum.  The bark is being stripped in the lower eighth of the trunk and left on the ground at the base.  There are occasional pairs of horizontal 'teeth' or beak marks then on the redder surface.  I only discovered it today and it is surprising that I have not observed the activity before as it is in plain sight of my usual movements.  No scats of any sort provide any info. Doesn't appear to be around the wormiest parts of the trunk.  Any ideas?

 

To add to the speculation surrounding noisy miners and butcherbirds, I have now got NM in my 'park' where they have never been - usually pass through if at all over a period of days - and BB continues to instil the frighteners into my little ones, now added to by the Boobook in the early mornings.

 

Respects,

Jude.