As I stood in the kitchen chopping food for lunch, I noticed frantic flapping in the cat enclosure. The trapped bird was a Yellow-Faced Honeyeater which must have come in through the lattice fence. Small birds are able to hop through the squares created by the lattice which forms the side wall of the fernery. … Continue reading Yellow-Faced Honeyeater
Category: Native Species List
This is a photographic record of native wildlife and plant species we have found on our property.
Superb Fairy Wren Nest
When Richard walked underneath the trellis arch at the front of the house, he noted baby bird tweets. Careful inspection revealed a tiny Superb Fairy Wren nest Hidden in the bushy part of the climbing plant. Adult wrens were protesting loudly, but we did not touch the nest itself. I had been thinking about repacing … Continue reading Superb Fairy Wren Nest
White Necked Heron
The latest addition to the bird species list is the White Necked Heron. We have one drop in every now and again, but only for an hour or two at a time. The photos of the herron on the jetty were taken on a differnt day to the images of the heron wading in and … Continue reading White Necked Heron
Galah
Of all of the birds we have on our land, the Galah is probably my equal favourite, along with the Superb Fairy Wren and the Australian Wood Ducks. Compared with other parrots, it is not noisy or showy, but quietly goes about its business. We’ve had galah’s here ever since we bought the property – … Continue reading Galah
Long Billed Corella
Occasionally we have heard Corellas calling to each other as they fly overhead and once we saw a pair on a tree over out back fence, but until today, we had not actually seen one on our land. Today we had two Corella outside our study window, with three Galahs and a Crimson Rosella for … Continue reading Long Billed Corella
Golden Stag Beetle (Lucanidae, Lamprima aurata)
Every time we venture into the garden we come across another unusual find – a bird, insect or plant always captures our attention. This weekend, Richard found a beautifully coloured Golden Stag Beetle. It has taken me a few days to find out what it was (thank you Google). I managed to narrow it down … Continue reading Golden Stag Beetle (Lucanidae, Lamprima aurata)
Waxlip Orchid (Glossodia major)
In mid-October we had a few Waxlip Orchids flowering. They seem to be solitary, just one here and there, but their beauty certainly captures my attention when I walk past one. I’m still a novice when it comes to native Australian wildflowers, so I rely heavily on references. The one I am using to identify … Continue reading Waxlip Orchid (Glossodia major)
Xanthorrhoea Minor
A number of the plants which I thought were native grasses, have developed large flowering spikes, but others have remained flower free. Keen to find out more about this, I consulted Denise Grieg’s excellent book ‘Field Guide to Australian Wildflowers‘ which I picked up last week. An excellent reference! According to Grieg, these plants are … Continue reading Xanthorrhoea Minor
Moth – Zygaenoidea Genus
A friend came to visit, and as I was showing her the wild flowers which grow near the dam when a flash of blue caught my eye. After a few seconds of following the low flying irridescent flashes of blue, a moth settled on the grass, and I was able to take these photographs. I … Continue reading Moth – Zygaenoidea Genus
Australian Wood Ducks 2 – Duckling Update
The family of Australian Wood Ducks spend much of their day on and around our dam, even though they built their nest under some scrubby bushes just over the fence into the neighbouring property. All eleven ducklings have survived and have their adult plumage. Although they are still adjusting to their wings, they can also … Continue reading Australian Wood Ducks 2 – Duckling Update
White Faced Heron
A solitary White Faced Heron has appeared this week. It waded around the edge of the dam, and seems to like feeding around the reeds growing in the water. It doesn’t stay for long – sometimes only a matter of minutes, sometimes about an hour. It is very elegant but rather shy – preferring to … Continue reading White Faced Heron
Ants Nests
The soil here is a sandy loam. This, combined with the lack of cultivation means it is a haven for ants. Thankfully, we don’t have ants in the house, nor do they seem to come into the cultivated back yard. Howeve, once we begin walking on the uncultivated bushland, there are anthills, or ant nests … Continue reading Ants Nests
Dragon Fly
Over the warmer weeks of Spring, I’ve been watching the Dragon fly’s skim over the surface of the dam. Sonetimes alone, and sometimes in a dance with a partner, they zoom from the reeds growing on the edge, to the shade beneath the jetty, circling around, and rising and falling through the air as they … Continue reading Dragon Fly
Australian Raven
Recently, we’ve noticed many Australian Ravens around the dam. This has happened within the last two weeks. I’ve consulted our Field Guide to Australian Birds, and discovered that immature Ravens collect in groups until they mature and pair up to breed. So I guess we have a roaming flock of young birds looking for mates … Continue reading Australian Raven
Stick Insect
While cutting down the Banksia Rose which covered the old trellis fence, we found this gorgeous Stick Insect. We let it go into a section of the Banksia Rose which we are retaining.
Blue Ant
We were putting up a new fence to form part of the cat enclosure, and noticed a rather large and fearsome-looking ant-like insect walking at a fast pace across the paving. Neither of us had any idea what it was, so we took photos for later identification. We later identified this to be a Blue … Continue reading Blue Ant
Pied Cormorant
An occasional visitor, this lone Pied Cormorant seems to enjoy sitting on the end of the jetty.
Superb Fairy Wren
Each morning when I get out of bed, make my way to the kitchen to make coffee, I am greeted by the cheerful calls of the Superb Fairy Wrens as they busily go about thier business outside the kitchen window. A favourite sitting spot is the top of the gate. These tiny birds have so … Continue reading Superb Fairy Wren
Common Bronzewing Pigeon
We’ve sighted this bird a couple of times, but it is not a frequent visitor.
Eastern Banjo Frog
While gardening, we came across this fellow. He likes to hang out in the fernery around the fish pond. Mostly, we can only hear his ‘bonk’ – he’s very difficult to see.
Australian Native Flowers 2
The seasonal change has brought with it a new range of native flowers growing in the bushland on our property. I am yet to buy a field guide to Australian Native Orchids and wild flowers, so the only one I can identify is Dillwynia Juniperina, which is a small shrub (1 to 2 metres high) … Continue reading Australian Native Flowers 2
Sulphur Crested Cockatoos
Ever since we moved in, we have had one or two Sulphur Crested Cockatoos visit us on a daily basis. Recently, a larger flock has started to drop in each day. As they jostle each other for the best grazing patch, they seem to enjoy launching into flight and raucously calling to each other. These … Continue reading Sulphur Crested Cockatoos
Australian Wood Ducks
Each day, a wild family of Australian Wood Ducks spends time on and around our dam, before going back to their home on a neighbouring property. We’ve watched as the 11 ducklings have grown from balls of fluff to small ducks taking on adult plumage. The ducks seem to live on a tiny, muddy pond … Continue reading Australian Wood Ducks
The Red Wattlebird
While sitting at my computer in the study, I heard a strange bird call from the back yard. Rushing to the kitchen window with my camera, I was able to capture this Red Wattlebird feeding on nectar from some of the succulent plants in our yard. Click on the photos to enlarge them.
Fifteen Acres 