RECENT SIGHTINGS . . .
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - seen daily in the wild!
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
all tours
- Eastern Grey kangaroos at home in the wild are seen on all MudMaps tours. While most Australian wildlife are
nocturnal roos are normally seen in early morning and late afternoon when the sun is less intense. Rainy and
overcast days are best days for spotting roos during the middle of the day. In 6 years of operating tours we have
successfully shown every client a wild kangaroo.
Black Tailed Wallaby
- Black Tailed Wallabies inhabit the thicker and wetter gullies in the sub-alpine forest of the Australian Alps.
Normally seen in the Brindabella Ranges near Canberra and through the Snowy Mountains. Reasonably common.
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Red Shouldered Wallaby
- Red Shouldered Wallabies or Red-Necks as the locals call them are commonly seen in the alpine and sub-alpine
areas. They are lighter in colouring with areas of red on their backs and so blend in well with the lighter alpine
forests. Quite common.
Wallaroo
- Quite a cute looking wallaby the Wallaroo are reasonable friendly and can be approached closer than most. Not seen
usually all that often they inhabit the mid to upper altitudes of the Australian Alps.
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Swamp Wallaby
- Similar to the Black Tailed Wallaby the name gives this fellow away. They are found in the bottom of the wet
gullies in the Alps. They are also reasonable commonly seen within the Koala Enclosure of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
near Canberra.
Brush Tail Wallaby
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - Fitzroy Falls area
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS - none -
- Considered Rare and Endangered
- The Yellow-footed Brush Tail Wallaby along the eastern seaboard is considered a rare and endangered species of
Wallaby. We actually spotted one on tour the other day coming up from the coast on an SM4 tour. As the Morton N.P.
rangers track spottings like this we reported the sighting to the local rangers - both in fact had never seen one
themselves.
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- Recent sightings have been made up around Wulgulmerang in the Victorian High Country which apparently got the
local rangers quite excited.
Wombat
- Wombats are normally seen only at night although their markings and burrows are easily seen during the daytime.
Wombats are common across Australia and particularly like the high country. Our most common sightings (apart from
the daily road kills) are while doing night safari's on the farms we stay on for the Wilderness Sydney to Melbourne
4 Day Tour.
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Echidna (spiny ant-eater)
- A strange creature to predict the echidna. We've seen them in a wide range of environments at all times of the
year. We've been seeing a lot more this spring-summer than previous years with the most recent sighting around Greg
Greg (near Tooma) in the Snowy Mountains and Beechworth-Myrtleford in the Victorian goldfields. Other recent
sightings have also been made on the Federal Highway (from Sydney to Canberra) alongside Lake George. Kalawa
farmstay near Albury boasts a lot of Echidna in their bush block 'TableTop'. This month's sighting was on the side
of the road near the Snowy River close to Willis.
Platypus
- Another unpredictable creature the platypus. While known to frequent small rivers and streams along the Great
Dividing Range they are not seen often without going out purposefully searching. I say that yet report my most
common sightings have been right in Lake Burley Griffin - in the centre of Canberra within sight of major roadways
carrying thousands of cars and trucks each day!! We have made most of our on-tour sightings around the Morton
National Park area.
Quoll (native cat)
- The small Quoll is a native cat not uncommon to the High Country. While not seen very often (less then once per
year) Rob & Esme Boys of 'Springs' Wulgulmerang (farmstay on Wilderness Extended Tours - see article in
September Edition of 'MudMaps In The Bush' newsletter) report they see many at night coming out of the Snow Gum
forests to raid the farm garden.
Koala
- Sadly most of the Koalas around the Canberra region were hunted to the point of extinction back in the 1950s. In
fact the Koala is listed as an endangered animal in the state of NSW. While both species are listed on the fact
sheets for the new Brindabella National Park (visited on our Wilderness Day Tour) although we've never seen them in
the wild up there. The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve near Canberra has established in the mid 1980s with the express
purpose of breeding up Koala and releasing them back into the wild. Best seen at Tidbinbilla or Healesville Nature
Reserves. Road kills are common between Gundagai and Melbourne along the Hume Highway.
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- The people at the Euroa Tourist Info Centre have recently told me that they have about 10,000 koalas in their
district.
Dingo
- Most dingoes are seen in the northern areas of Australia above the dingo fence as they are a menace to the
southern sheep farmers particularly. As the area between Canberra and Melbourne is the largest national park system
in Australia we sometimes catch glimpses of dingoes in the mountains. Our most common 'sightings' have been around
Mount Aggie on Wilderness Day Tours. However hearing them is reasonable common around Wee Jasper at night.
Brumbies
- The wild bush brumby (horse) is a famous part of Australia's Man From Snowy River heritage. They only exist in the
High Country and are very wary of people so are not seen all that often. Markings and local sightings are common
around the Cobberas area of Victoria, Tantangara Mountain in Kosciusko NP, and the Batlow and Tumbarumba regions of
NSW.
-
- Spotted by our clients this week alongside the Snowy River
near the Pinch River intersection were 2 Brumbies and two
days later another client spotted 3 Brumbies as we hiked to the source of the
Murray River at Cowombat Flat.
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Brush Tail Possum
- These creatures are very common at night in the bush. I see them each night when at home here in Canberra (when
they come down to the porch to steal the birdseed. No I'm not out in the bush I'm in downtown Canberra 1 mile from
the city centre. Clients enjoying a night spotlighting safari on any of our overnight tours will normally see these
furry, cute creatures.
Pygmy Possum
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - Dinner Plain VIC
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
Wilderness Extended Tours
- Considered Rare and Endangered
- These creatures are tiny - no bigger than your hand. They inhabit the alpine areas and are most commonly known
around the Mount Hotham area of Victoria. Which is near where we saw one last. It hopped/ran across the road in
front of us as we were driving in a snow storm up to Dinner Plain.
Greater Glider
- A form of flying possum. While we haven't seen these creatures on tour yet there markings on trees are common on
our Wilderness Day Tours. Particularly enjoying the Red Stringy Bark gum trees they rip the bark up searching for
insects leaving very visible tracks. They will often fly or glide down to another try and repeat the process. it is
in this flight that they make themselves vulnerable to the Powerful Owl.
Corroboree Frog
- The Corroboree Frog is an endangered frog inhabiting the high country. The Brindabella Ranges near Canberra are
the most northern extremes of the frogs area and it is hear that we sometimes spot these strange creatures. The base
of Mount Coree is a common locale. The frogs are small and coloured yellow and black. They can only crawl and not
jump yet sound like an aboriginal corroboree when all croaking together.
Red Bellied Black Snake
- We don't go out of our way to find snakes on tour yet as the hot summer weather hits us we've been making some
sightings of Red-Bellied Blacks over the past few weeks. On all occasions we've been firmly riding in vehicles.
Red-Bellied Blacks are normally seen sunning themselves on tarred roads on warm, sunny days. They will commonly
disappear quickly as soon as they feel anything large (like vehicle or people) coming along.
Tiger Snake
- Tiger snakes are so named because of their tiger like striped markings on their backs. Not commonly seen on
MudMaps tours. Are known to frequent swampy areas or rivers.
Brown Snake
- Brown Snakes are fairly common in farming areas of Eastern Australia. Also fairly timid. Normally seen sunning
themselves on tarred roads on warm, sunny days. They will commonly disappear quickly as soon as they sense anything
large (like vehicle or people) coming along.
Copperhead Snake
- The Copperhead is quite a docile snake found in the alpine areas. Our most common sightings are around Mount Coree
and in the high plains near Kiandra. Also fairly timid. Normally seen sunning themselves on rocks on warm, sunny
days.
Water Dragon
- A Water Dragon is a largish lizard almost like a small goanna. In the Spring and Summertime they sun themselves
opening on rocks around the rivers and streams in the High Country. We often see them quite happily sitting
alongside bridges. Good places for Water Dragons include Brindabella Valley, Snowy River and Tumut river.
-
Bogong Moth
- The Bogong Moth is arguably the most important wildlife in the region. These moths migrate in their millions from
Southern Queensland each Summer to swarm in the Alpine areas of Australia. The Bogong gives many of the wildlife the
reason to move into the high country during the summer. It certainly was a major food source for the aborigines in
the region to visit the high country also each summer. As the 1997-98 summer is a hot one we're seeing a lot of
these moths all around Canberra and the high country.
Crimson Rosella
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS seen daily in the wild!
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -all tours
- Easily spotted with their bright Red and Blue markings these beautiful birds are seen all along the east coast of
Australia all through the high country. I have dozens visit my house each day as they come for the free seed we put
out.
-
- Green Patch in Jervis Bay National Park is a favourite areas for seeing the Crimson Rosellas up close. They
commonly will fly down and land on your arms or hats there. This is a result of many years of feeding (now
prohibited) by visitors to the area.
King Parrot
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - almost daily sightings
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
all tours
- Not as common as the Crimson Rosella these colourful parrots are larger than they're cousins and have deep orange
and green markings. Also commonly seen through the high country. And also pinch my birdseed.
Eastern Rosella
- Smaller and more flighty, the red, green, yellow and blue coloured Eastern Rosella is also fairly common in
Eastern Australia. Usually found in farming areas and along the coast. Jervis Bay on our Overland Syd to Melb 4 Day
Tour is a good spot to see these fellows. Quite common.
Western Rosella
- Similar to the Eastern Rosella these colourful parrots are more commonly found in farming country inland of the
Great Dividing Range rather than on the coast. Quite common the further inland you go.
Ground Parrot
- These fellows are basically a lovely green colour, fly in pairs close to the ground. We often see them in farming
paddocks eating the seed sown by farmers. Very common around Canberra and Yass districts.
Red-Rumped Parrot
- Similar to the Ground Parrot these fellows fly fairly close to the ground. They're basically small and green in
colour however have a red swatch across their lower backs seen fairly easily while they're flying. More common in
grazing country.
Rainbow Lorikeet
- The beautiful Rainbow Lorikeet is common along the east and south coasts of Australia (not common inland). Around
Green Patch in Jervis Bay National Park they will often come down and land on your arms looking for food (as it has
been common for many years until recently to feed them there). With the proliferation of honey producing flowers out
around the coast recently they are very active during the day. The last ones we saw were squawking a few feet from
us outside our motel rooms in Huskisson on an SM4 tour.
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo ('white cockies')
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - seen daily in the wild!
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
all tours
- These are those big noisy buggers that wake you in the morning for anyone that has visited Canberra or the Snowy
Mountains before. Yes, they're everywhere - cities, farms, forests. Generally more active and in bigger groups early
morning and late afternoon many of our clients have fun photographing them up close at Khancoban in the Snowy
Mountains. And they also pinch my birdseed!
Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo
- If you thought a White cockies has big wait until you see one of these Yellow-Blacks. They are about 50% bigger
again though not nearly as common throughout Australia. Normally seen in groups either flying into the mountains or
out of the mountains as weather approaches or departs they are truly majestic to see. They are fairly common around
Canberra and even in the city. Magnificent creatures.
Gang Gang Cockatoo
- These fellows are being seen daily presently all around the mountains - either Brindabellas or Snowy Mountains.
These guys are almost the opposite to the other cockatoos. They are smaller, fairly quiet and not very common
throughout Australia (yet we seem to find lots of them). As they are a very friendly bird you can walk up close to
them within a few feet when they're feeding down low. As they are very well camouflaged with their grey bodies and
red heads (males) we normally spot them only after they've given a squawk - which by the way sounds like a creaky
door or cork being pulled from a bottle. Blue Range Camp on our Wilderness Day Tour is a good place to see them.
Apart from a certain nesting tree near my house in Canberra that is.
Wedge Tailed Eagle
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS virtually daily in wild
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
all tours
- Earlier in the month our clients experienced a really close encounter with a family of Wedgies. Six (6) in total
were feeding about 50 yards from us up on the Gelantipy Plateau VIC, near Wulgulmerang.
-
- Wedgies are very common through the high country as they ride the thermal updrafts. These eagles are Australia's
largest flying bird and up close they are huge! I've seen one where each wing was at least 6 feet in length. During
Spring as they cruise near the nest of Magpies, PeeWees and other birds they will often be swooped by these
tiny-in-comparison birds. It's a great spectacle to observe. Mount Coree and Mount Ginini are common sighting areas.
Sea Eagle
- Sea Eagles are sometimes seen cruising the coastal areas of the eastern seaboard. While at Jervis Bay N.P.
recently we were treated to a display of about a dozen eagles floating on the sea breezes and swooping on schools of
fish. From our vantage point at Cape St George the eagles floated about 20 feet above our heads for about 1/2 an
hour. What was also interesting about this display is that the Aussie Air force were conducting (noisy) training
exercises in FA-18 jets overhead during the whole period. The eagles didn't bat an eyelid!
Kestrel
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - daily
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
all tours
- Kestrels, Kits and Falcons are fairly common in farming areas inland of the Great Dividing Range. Each day we'll
spot a number of these birds of prey either hovering over the paddocks, sitting on fencepost or telephone wires
ready to pounce on little mice and rats on the properties.
Black Shouldered Kite
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - daily
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
all tours
- Same as Kestrel.
Peregrine Falcon
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - daily
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
all tours
- Same as Kestrel.
Powerful Owl
- This owl is one of the biggest in Australia. It is fairly rare but known to inhabit the wet gullies around the
Brindabella Ranges. It basically preys on the Great Glider as it flies between trees. A good stuffed bird can be
seen in the Bourke Museum in Beechworth VIC.
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- Live ones can be seen in Healesville Sanctuary.
Boobook Owl (Mopoke)
- This owl is fairly common again inland of the Great Divide. It's haunting 'mo-poke' call at night is easily heard
as it scours the area for insects. Cicadas are a favour food of this owl and during summer these owls can often be
seen in the city of Canberra again. Every couple of Summers I get these guys nesting in my back yard
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Emu
- The Emu inhabits many areas of Australia including the Snowy Mountains. We see emus in the wild often around the
Snowy River on the Wilderness Extended Tours and around Blowering Dam on the Snowy Mountains Day Tour. Tame emus can
also be see at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve near Canberra and in Emu farms. Blowering Dam,
Geehi and the Pinch River in the Snowy
Mountains are regular haunts for emus however over the summer we've noticed a significant increase in emus around
the Brindabellas (the mountains that Canberra is at the foothills of). Also see newsletter article - September 1996
Edition of 'MudMaps In The Bush'.
Superb Lyrebird
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - Brindabella Ranges, Mr
Buffalo NP, Alpine NP, Snowy Mountains
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
all tours
- Lyrebirds are common throughout the high country although very, very shy. During mating season (Feb-July) each
year we can spend hours listening to their various song imitations. While we have heard a lot of Lyrebirds in the
past few days as they've started their mating season, spotting them is another matter.
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- Back in December we actually spotted 7 of these birds within 1/2 an hour as we made our way down the mountain on a
wet, rainy day. Excellent lyrebird weather!
Satin Bowerbird
- Satin Bowerbirds are interesting birds. The males are a deep navy blue colour and tend to hop around rather than
walk, yet never seem to fly very high. Quite territorial they will often attack the window of our tour vehicles on
seeing the reflection in the glass. Blue Range Camp on our Wilderness Day Tour is a good place to see these birds.
Also see newsletter article 'MudMaps In the Bush' December 1994 edition.
Kookaburra
- PREVIOUS CLIENT SIGHTINGS - daily
- BEST TOURS FOR SIGHTINGS -
all tours
- Another commonly seen bird the King of the Bush (for those that remember their children's songs) is seen very
often in the forests or sitting on telephone wires in farming country. They tend to be more vocal with rain
approaching.
Flame Robin
-
The Flame Robin is often seen in sub-alpine and alpine forests from August to December as they are
nesting. They males in particular will actively try to draw your attention away from their nests which tend to be in
bushes close to the ground.
Scarlet Robin
- Not quite as common as the Flame Robin the Scarlet Robin inhabits the same forest regions and performs the same
style of diversion tactics. Basically it is the colour difference between the two that differentiates them apart.
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Sighting Wildlife
on MudMaps Tours