Parklands Wildlife

Welcome to this new feature of our website which contains regular reports and images supplied by Mark Fuller, Editor, Cumberland Bird Observers Club. Mark and his club colleagues regularly conduct flora and fauna surveys in the Western Sydney Parklands and we can now share his intriguing glimpses of the large variety of wildlife which call the Parklands home.

Mark came to Western Sydney from the UK over 20 years ago and was fascinated by its unique plants and animals. His real passion is the abundant birdlife of the Cumberland Plain and the rich variety which can still be found quite close to suburbia.

All photos contained in Parklands Wildlife are supplied by Mark Fuller and are not able to be reproduced without his written consent.

To download Mark's beautiful colour brochure - Birds of Western Sydney, a Photo Guide - click here. To obtain a hard copy please email Karen Moore at karen.moore@wspt.nsw.gov.au or phone 9895 7614.

AUTUMN EDITION 2012

Frogs have enjoyed the continuing wet conditions which have created many temporary pools and swamps and swelled the creeks and dams. Mainly nocturnal, the best way to identify these frogs are by their calls. Below are four of the most common frogs that occur in the Parklands.

Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera)

Easily the most common frog, found in wet grassy areas and heard throughout the Parklands. Highly variable in
colour, it's very small and difficult to find.

Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peronii)

A large frog, with colonies throughout the Parklands.
Makes a 'tok' 'tok' or 'bonking' sound. Often found sheltering under rocks or debris

Spotted Grass Frog (Limnodynastes tasmanieses)

Generally uncommon in Sydney except in Cumberland Plain,
often has pale stripe along top. Listen for lower, slower call
among Common Eastern Froglets

Dwarf Tree Frog (Litoria fallax)

The Parklands Wildlife emblem, look for these small frogs
on foliage and reed-beds around small dams.
Has a high-pitched, clicking/rasping call.

Spoonbills are large white birds similar to an ibis or an egret, but their strange bill gives them a peculiar and unique appearance. They use sensitive papillae to feel for prey in murky water. Recently I was lucky enough to see both Australian species on a short walk in the Parklands.

The Yellow-billed Spoonbill has a pale, long bill with a thin
black line around the face. Although uncommon, they can
be seen on small dams throughout the Parklands.		The Royal Spoonbill has shorter, wider bill and black face.
Quite common in Sydney Olympic Park, this bird is the only
one I have seen so far in the Parklands.

Unfortunately the Parklands Wildife Walk at Plough & Harrow scheduled for Saturday 17 March was cancelled due to the wet weather. However, the next morning was sunny and the first Wildlife Walk took place at Glendenning. We had fun identifying the 30+ birds, but the raptors stole the show. A Black-shouldered Kite hovered above us as we started the walk, and later ravens were seen mobbing Square-tailed Kite and finally another raptor, the Little Eagle was seen by all.

Square-tailed Kite - listen for ravens making a fuss to find this large raptor

Little Eagle - a short tail and the 'M' shape help identify this vulnerable species