Fauna
Frog Deaths Across Eastern Australia
Have you noticed ill and dying frogs in your backyard or Landcare site? Please read this article to find out more and send any reports of sick or dead frogs (and if possible, photos) to the national citizen science project FrogID, or email calls@frogid.net.au They... read more
Fauna Feature: Joseph’s Coat Moth
Among the diverse moth species fluttering throughout the Hunter is the magnificently colourful Joseph’s Coat Moth (Agarista agricola), or painted vine moth. The name recalls a biblical story in which Joseph received a “coat of many colours” as a gift from his... read more
Woodland Birds School Program Feature – Mistletoe: Marvellous yet often misunderstood!
Although it is often considered the bane of gardeners, arborists and farmers, the pendulous clumps of mistletoe provide an extremely important resource for all manner of wildlife. Mistletoe boosts wildlife numbers in agricultural landscapes, especially insect-eating... read more
Understanding Nest Boxes
This informative video from Granite Borders Landcare can help explain the need for nest boxes in our changed landscapes and explain some of the complexities in choosing the right nest box for your site or property.... read more
Woodland birds: Swift parrot feature
The Central Hunter Valley Woodlands and Eucalypt forests is a vegetation community that has been declared critically endangered since May 2015 (EPBC Act 1999). It is typified by limited undergrowth and a variety of eucalyptus species, including Box gums and Ironbarks.... read more
Fauna Feature: The Pale-headed Snake
On the 16th of July the world celebrates snakes. There is no better place than Australia to increase awareness and introduce you to one of our slithering residents of the Hunter, the pale-headed snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus). Australia hosts 14% of the world’s... read more
The 2021 Winter Shorebird Count season is here…
Hi Shorebirders, The Winter Shorebird Count season is already in full swing, starting 15 May and going through until 15 August. Birdlife Australia and the Hunter Bird Observers Club encourage you all to share your survey results when you go to local shorebird areas,... read more
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.
read more
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.
read more
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
New App: Birdata
Did you know birds are a key indicator for biodiversity health in the landscape? How healthy is your patch?
read more
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!
read more