Field naturalist, writer and science communicator

 

Tanya Loos lives in central Victoria and is passionate about wildlife and nature! Whether it be via writing, radio or giving presentations Tanya loves drawing from ecological science to educate and inspire people to care about wildlife and wildlife habitat… 

 

 

Introducing Tanya’s new book:

Living with Wildlife

A Guide for our Homes and Backyards

A practical and wildlife-friendly guide for successfully living alongside our wild neighbours.

Possums in the roof, an echidna in the garden, or perhaps a python in the pantry? Living with Wildlife: A Guide for Our Homes and Backyards explores commonly asked questions and issues about encounters with wildlife. Taking a wildlife-friendly approach, Tanya Loos provides practical information, advice and solutions, based on current guidance from wildlife
rescue organisations and the latest research.

Living with Wildlife features helpful advice on wildlife rescue, both for every day and during extreme weather events, as well as common issues such as feeding wildlife, pets and driving. As urbanisation and climate change effects intensify, Australian wildlife need our help now more than ever, making this a timely guide for successfully living alongside our wild neighbours.

Out in all good bookstores November 1!  Pre-order your copy here!
https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/8095/#author

You can find Tanya’s last book, the Daylesford Nature Diary here.

“In a world of changing climates and decreasing natural habitat we all need to adapt to survive. Living with Wildlife provides a practical, accessible and engaging guide to sharing our spaces with the wildlife our homes have displaced. Filled with sensible, achievable tips for a safe and peaceful co-existence with a wide range of species, this book is an essential resource for all nature lovers who want to share their world with Australia’s remarkable
wildlife”

Dr Danielle Clode, award-winning author

“Every household in Australia would benefit from reading this brilliant book to optimise how we can all live successfully alongside wildlife. Wherever you live in Australia, our wildlife is often nearby – and sometimes right outside, or even inside our homes. Embracing interactions with wildlife can be wonderful, from birds flying by, to possums climbing above, and wombats, lizards or bandicoots wandering through.
Living with Wildlife: A Guide for Our Homes and Backyards provides practical information and advice on common wildlife encounters, explaining animal behaviour, potential risks to be aware of, along with actions and science-based solutions to ensure we can all co-exist positively – as our shared environment is their habitat too.
Advocating for a wildlife-friendly approach, the information in this delightful book will inspire and educate – whether you’re wanting to learn more about the species living around our homes, or to gain valuable insights into assisting wildlife that may be  injured or displaced.”

Dr Phil Tucak, Wildlife Outreach Vet

Latest news…

Monthly blog posts describing natural events in the Wombat Forest, ecological explorations, my recent published writings, book reviews and more…

Rain relief for local moths

Rain relief for local moths

Last Thursday night  I was driving home from work in light rain and I could see dozens of large moths in the car headlights struggling on the road, with bright red eye shine. Then at home these chunky furry moths beat at the windows confused by our internal lights. It...

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Imperial Jezebels

Imperial Jezebels

This year I have been delighted to see Imperial Jezebel butterflies visiting our garden! These large and graceful butterflies are white and edged in black and grey when their wings are open and flat. When they alight on a flower to feed, their wings are held together...

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Summer wildflowers

Summer wildflowers

Wildflower season in the foothill forests is an ever-changing parade of colour. The first wave, in early August,  is purple hoveas and hardenbergia, offset by yellow wattle blossoms. Then we have a gold and orange pea party as all the ‘egg and bacon’ shrubs and...

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Spotting a Spotted Pardalote

Spotting a Spotted Pardalote

These tiny birds are only 9-10 cm in length – about the length of your finger! Spotted Pardalotes are well named, as some of their feathers are covered in white spots. Spotted Pardalotes are usually high in the leaves and branches of gum trees, or eucalypts. Here,...

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Daylesford’s Ravens

Daylesford’s Ravens

Have you noticed Daylesford’s resident ravens? These large black glossy birds may be seen perched on various shop signs calling loudly or strutting up and down Vincent Street searching for dropped food. They are Little Ravens – a funny name as they are not little at...

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Window frogs!

Window frogs!

With all the rain we have been having some lucky locals have spotted 'window frogs' – little groups of frogs clinging to the outside of the window. Kate Tunney, of Mollonghip, took some pics of a few frogs on her phone and posted them online one night a couple of...

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Local kites hat trick

Our local Square-tailed Kites have done it again - their third successive year of two healthy young kites! Mum and Dad kites must be congratulated for their excellent parenting. The nest is made of lots of thin branches, and set in a forked messmate with four...

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A Guide to the Land Snails of Australia

A Guide to the Land Snails of Australia

This fabulous little publication could also be called A Guide to the Land Snails, Slugs and Semi-slugs of Australia. And yes – semi-slugs are new to me too! Land snails have a shell that enables the whole animal to tuck itself inside and seal the entrance as a...

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A batty visitor

A batty visitor

For some of us, these past couple of months have seen a huge change – back to the office for the first time in two years! Physically getting up and getting to an office (in my case Gisborne) has necessitated some earlier than usual mornings. Last week, I was preparing...

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Hoot Detective!

Hoot Detective!

The low impressive whoo-hoo of the Powerful Owl, the cheerful boo-book boo-book of the aptly named Southern Boobook - and the strange screech of the Barn Owl are the calls I have been lucky enough to hear around me locally. Now, by listening to short clips from...

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Close encounter with Tawny

Close encounter with Tawny

The question I am most frequently asked is “I have found a bird that seems to be hurt – what should I do?” It is always the same answer – capture the bird using a tea towel or towel, and place into an appropriately sized cardboard box. Then pop the box in a quiet room...

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The bushfire crisis: how to help

The bushfire crisis: how to help

The internet and social media is awash with hundreds of ways to held wildlife and humans in this bushfire crisis, this time of climate emergency. This post is a summary, while by no means exhaustive, hopefully it will help guide you. I will be adding to it! I have...

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When eagles get frisky

When eagles get frisky

Nature Diary has a new home! After ten years, and increasing frustration with the Advocate, I am now being published in the Local, edited by Donna Kelly. Donna and Kyle have been wonderfully welcoming, and this article about eagles looks just great in this week's...

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A science journalist is born!

A science journalist is born!

A dramatic title, yes - but it feels that way! Since January this year, I have written a total of 26 articles for Cosmos Magazine! That's between 4-7 per month, and a total of 12, 422 words ( not including the June articles).  And whilst continuing my commitment of...

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Fine fungi season underway

Fine fungi season underway

In May and June, if there is enough rain, our gardens and local bushland are peppered with forms quite strange and wonderful – the sexual apparatus or fruiting bodies of fungi. Fungi are designated their own Kingdom, and their DNA is actually closer to animals than to...

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