Fauna

Fauna Feature: The Green and Golden Bell Frog

  At the Tocal Field Day, many of you expressed interest in rehabilitating ponds for frogs. So, this month, let me tell you about a fascinating Hunter resident, the green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea).  The green and golden bell frog is typically found in... read more

Fauna Feature: Koalas

On the 3rd of May Australia celebrates Wild Koala day. It is the perfect moment to raise awareness of the endangered koalas and their threatened habitat. For this occasion, we introduce you to the koalas of the Hunter (Phascolarctos cinereus cinereus) and a few facts... read more

Do trees (forests) really make rain? Or do areas with high rainfall grow forests?

You may have debated this topic at a dinner party, or maybe not… Either way, it is worth pondering.  And perhaps planting. An expanding body of evidence supports the idea that forests, in the right conditions, not only make rain locally but also hundreds of kilometres... read more

Wildlife Friendly Fencing

Fencing is important for effective stock control, but barbed wire near fauna corridors can be problematic for wildlife. Check out this handy resource from Hunter Local Land Services…   Download as... read more

Fauna Feature: The Australasian Bittern

The Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) is a 75 cm semi-nocturnal, migratory waterbird found in Australia and New Zealand. It can be seen in the southeastern and southwestern coastal and sub-coastal areas of Australia. A lucky bird watcher has recently... read more

Fauna Feature: Blue-banded bees

by Sebastien Doleac Blue-banded bees (Amegilla cingulata) are native to Australia and can be found all across the country except in Tasmania. Their size varies between 8 and 14 mm. Although blue-banded bees have a sting, they are not aggressive and present no danger.... read more

Fauna Feature: Cicada killer

The Australian cicada-killer wasp (Exeirus Laterius) is commonly mistaken for a hornet due to its imposing size (4 cm). Interestingly, there are no hornets reported in Australia. Exeirus Laterius is closely related to the American cicada killer wasp. Solitary,... read more

Bird species feature: Regent Honeyeater

It’s been a big year for the Regent Honeyeater, and the captive bred birds released in the Hunter region this year are doing well and settling into a life in the wild, a significant step in protecting this critically endangered species. It’s the work of... read more

Bar-tailed Godwit

This species, listed as a Critically Endangered Shorebird of Australia, has been recorded flying 11,000kms across the globe non-stop! So when they reach the mudflats of our estuaries, they need lots of good food sources such as molluscs, worms and aquatic insects, and... read more

Reptile of the Month: Eastern Bearded dragon, Pogona barbata

What a wonderful sign of spring! This little fella was sunning himself on the road- As I stopped to move him along out of harms way, he puffed out his beard and expanded his body by inhaling air, making him seem larger than life. I was respectfully warned and kept my... read more

The impact of cats in Australia

A recent research article by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub really woke me up to the devastating effect that cats (feral and pet cats) have on our native biodiversity.

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The Fern Creek Gully Landcare Squirrel Glider Documentary

Toby Davidson’s wonderful documentary on our Squirrel Glider project and the great team and the great supporters that made it happen.

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Bird Species Feature: Spotted Pardalote

Everyone loves a Spotted Pardalote!  This tiny bird of 10cm long is distinguished by its white spots, mostly found fluttering around in eucalypt forests and woodlands but occurs in parks and gardens with well-established eucalypt canopy. I have also seen them feeding... read more

Bird species feature: Little Lorikeet

A small bird at 16 – 19cm, 40g, it is easy to tell why they are named ‘little’ when side by side with a Rainbow Lorikeet. They make up for their size in their constant chattering calls and large flocks. This species is listed as vulnerable in NSW, found mostly... read more

Shorebird Count

We are now in the window for the winter shorebird count which is mid-May to mid-August, with the ideal date being July 1. We encourage you all to get out there and survey your local shorebird areas but please be sure to comply with State/Territory guidelines and... read more

Bird Species Feature: Red Wattlebird

Another of our unique woodland birds is the Red Wattlebird. As featured in our Woodland Bird chart they have a very loud call, are quite large birds at 35cm long, and acquired their name by the red ’wattle’ appendage on either side of their neck. Being one of the... read more

Blue Faced Honeyeater

You may have noticed the change in birds in your backyard or neighbourhood with the change in seasons and flowering plants. I have noticed many honeyeaters out searching for and enjoying nectar plants such as banksia and grevilia. This Blue-faced Honeyeater is a... read more

Shorebirds

Take a closer look at shorebirds of the Hunter and Manning regions

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New App: Birdata

Did you know birds are a key indicator for biodiversity health in the landscape?  How healthy is your patch?

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New App: I Spy Koala 

A new app encourages users to record sightings of Koalas

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Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) captured on camera!

Landcare volunteers assisted with the setup of wildlife cameras at Hunter River Reserve in Greta and captured a spotted quoll!

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Squirrel Glider Surveying and Spotlighting at Coal Point

11 participants descended upon Coal Point to monitor the population of Squirrel Gliders, and to replace any unused nesting boxes to further encourage continued breeding. Later on, the group went for a spotlight to see whether we could encounter any of the previous... read more