by Tanya | May 23, 2023 | eucalypts, Gang gang cockatoo, insects, Sawflies
Spitfires are a well known but somewhat mysterious feature of the Australian bush. What are they? Particularly tough caterpillars? They are actually the young of an insect called a sawfly – which is not a fly at all but a benign relative of wasps. There are about 200...
by Tanya | Apr 14, 2023 | citizen science, eucalypts
The first time I really ‘met’ a Snow Gum was not in classic Snow Gum habitat; on top of a mountain in the high country. This Snow Gum was by the Campaspe River, on a private property in Ashbourne, west of Woodend. The landholders had done a capital job of restoring...
by Tanya | Mar 18, 2023 | Australian king-parrot, birds, changing range, wildlife friendly, Wombat Forest
When people occasionally ask me ‘what is my favourite bird?’ I am stumped! However, I could say that the parrot family is chock full of favourites! The diminutive but super intelligent Budgerigar. The gentle and endearing Gang-gang Cockatoo. The spirited...
by Tanya | Feb 2, 2023 | birds, breeding behaviour, Square-tailed kite
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...
by Tanya | Nov 28, 2022 | book review, Fungi
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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