FABULOUS FAUNA
Because Wattley Hill is only a kilometre from the Wallingat National Park we have all sorts of creatures come and visit that are worth keeping an eye out for. Not necessarily because they’re dangerous (we've seen two snakes in over 15 years), but because they’re cool and interesting and often unique to Australia.
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But guests have to remember that Wattley Hill is rural Australia. Our two dams are not fenced, billabongs are not marked, there is no walkway through the forest and animals live in the area whether we like it or not. As long as you remember that, there's fun, adventure and relaxation to be had.
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In the main dam on the property and in the rainforest (on the right as you approach the house) you’ll find turtles and eels. Look hard enough in the rainforest and you’ll find creatures you probably prefer not to meet too, so be mindful but not afraid. If you want to go exploring in the rainforest, walk noisily (seriously). Stomping around is the best way to avoid meeting the less desirable residents. Make sure you look up and admire the natural staghorns in the trees.
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So here’s a few visitors to look for in no particular order:
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Larry the Water Dragon
Larry lives under the front verandah and he has some mates who live around the dam. He won’t hurt you and he’s very cool to look at. Just let him do his sunbaking thing and he'll stay all day, but if you don't like him just walk towards him and make a loud noise and he'll take off.
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A really cool little marsupial that looks like a mouse but absolutely isn’t a mouse. They are great creatures because they eat insects including spiders and cockroaches. They make a noise that sounds like a chirp, and you're most likely to hear them on the roof at night. These guys are vital to the ecosystem up here, so we're always glad to hear them.
Lucy the Lace Monitor
There's a lace monitor (often also called a goanna) who struts around the front paddock from time to time and sometimes hangs out sunbaking on the roof. Lucy's about four to five feet long or more and a big scaredy cat. If you're a rodent she's a real predator, but if you're a human and you're not silly enough to chase her, she'll stay as far away from you as she possibly can. Watch how fast she can climb a tree though - she's a very cool beast!
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A big bird, like an owl, but not an owl. They hunt at night and you can hear them swoop down sometimes to catch their prey.
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Australia’s best bird. Hear them party on around dusk – you’ll be amazed!
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It's considered good luck to see a Black Cockatoo. We get them in our pine tress when the acorns are nice and green. Noisy buggers, but spectacular to see.
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Birds galore
One ornithologist who visited from New York counted 32 species of bird on a visit to Wattley Hill. (Shout out to Henri and Natasha!)
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Very regular visitors around sunrise and sunset, and as often as not carrying a joey in the pouch.
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Bandicoots / Bilbies
These little guys are hard to spot, but evidence of their residency can be seen if you stroll around the "back yard" where they dig little holes in search of insects, and bigger little holes to live in.
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Yabbies (and turtles)
There are yabbies in both the dams, and as you can see from the photo of our biggest catch and release - Lance Armstrong - they get to a decent size. Feel free to try to catch some, but if you're using traps don't leave them in for too long as you might just catch a turtle accidentally and drown it.
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Cows
They’re not ours, but they wander around sometimes. We don't name them for obvious reasons...
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A small but freaky endangered critter who is rarely seen but is definitely on the property. Aggressive if cornered, so admire from a distance if you’re lucky enough to find one.
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No doubt these nasties are in the bush no matter where you are in Australia, but they're very very shy and are famously timid. They don't like crossing open country, so because our house is set a fair way back from the bush on all sides we've never had an encounter. When I go running in the National Park I sometimes see one sunning himself on the road, but all you have to do is stay away from them and they won't cause you problems.
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Rarely spotted, and only ever in late December, these aerial members of the deer family can make a hell of a racket on the roof. But don't be alarmed - only nine of them have ever been seen.
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