Fauna at Hartley Hill

The following are the species of animals (excluding list of birds) that exist in the bush and gardens around Hartley Hill Homestead. Note that the list of frogs and lizards has been kept conservative, more species appear to be present but have not been confirmed as permanent residents.

Mammals

Echidna

Rarely sighted, but present. We have had many truckloads of wood deposited on our land to encourage termites and grubs as food for echidnas and bandicoots.

Long Nose Bandicoot

Bandicoots commonly dig in the compost in the gardens feeding on grubs.

Brushtail Possum

These are not common, probably because there are few trees with large hollows. I believe the land was cleared when mining occurred. A few trees are now forming hollows and we have placed large nesting boxes in some trees.

Ringtail Possum

These are common, perhaps because they prefer dense vegetation and are capable of building their own nests (dreys) and so do not require hollows. Ringtail Possums readily utulise artificial nest boxes

Squirrel Glider

These possums utilise nest boxes and hollow logs placed in the trees.

Grey Headed Flying Fox

These often visit from the colony in Blackbutt Reserve, Newcastle. We grow fruit trees to provide food for these animals.

Insectivorous Bat

An unidentified insectivorous bat is often observed feeding at dusk.

House Mouse

A rare introduced pest species. Only recorded on one occasion.

Black Rat

An introduced pest species that requires regular control. This species appears to survive in the bush from which it invades buildings during winter.

Fox	An introduced pest species that also requires regular control. Despite being located within Newcastle we cannot keep our land free of foxes.

Feral Cat

Another introduced pest species. These are very difficult to control and are extremely wild and wary.

Rabbit

An introduced species that is now very common, I am hoping for greater control by the myxomatosis virus.

Frogs

Common Eastern Froglet

Calls throughout the year from any small pond of water. A common species. The only frog that calls during winter in this area.

Striped Marsh Frog

A large grey frog that seems to occur everywhere. This is the frog that creates the regular "tok tok" noise during the night, leading to some complaints.

Dwarf Tree Frog

A delightful small green frog that often sits on lily pads. Its call is distinctive and often described as "criiicket".

Peron's Tree Frog

A larger brown frog with small green spots. This frog produces a rattling call, often when it is sitting on a branch or in a crevice.

Ornate Burrowing Frog

Only sighted or heard on a few occasions even though it has a very distinctive call.

Lizards

Bearded Dragon
(Pogona barbata)

An uncommon lizard, prefering more open habitats.

Water Dragon
(Physignathus lesueurii)

These lizards resulted after rescuing a pregnant female from a dog attack. The female was returned to the wild, but young water dragons appeared months later. She must have laid the eggs while recovering. Being pregnant with eggs probably made her slower, allowing the dog to catch her.

Jacky Lizard
(Gemmatophora muricata)

Not uncommon, but rarely seen. They have habitual basking sites where they can be seen regularly.

Lace Monitor
(Varanus varius)

We have only observed one adult, but have also sighted young, so we must have at least two adults on the land.

Land Mullet
(Egernia major)

A large rainforest lizard that often basks near its retreat. The mother bears live young and cares for them, which is rare in lizards.

Blue Tongue Lizard
(Tiliqua scincoides)

Common in the garden, but rarely sighted elsewhere on our land, perhaps the grass is too long to see them.

Oak Skink
(Cyclodomorphus casuarinae)

This lizard appears to only live in the Casuarina trees, also called Oak trees. As these trees age they develop many small hollows and crevices.

Weasel Skink
(Lampropholis mustelina)

A small skink that is common in the garden and in trees. It is often found in epiphytes growing in trees.

Water Skink
(Sphenomorphus quoyii)

A common skink on the paths and around the ponds.

Three Toed Skink
(Saiphos equalis)

The legs on this skink are rudimentary and it looks more like a snake. It is readily identified by its orange belly. This lizard is often found under logs and rocks. It spends its life burrowing and rarely comes to the surface.

Grass Skink
(Lampropholis delicata)

A common lizard. Good to have around as the birds hunt them.

Legless Lizard
(Anomalopus swansoni)

This is a Legless Lizard that mimics Blind Snakes. It can be differentiated from Blind Snakes by the tongue (if seen) and by the vent being closer to the middle of the lizard, not near the tip of the tail as it is for snakes.

Snakes

Red-bellied Black Snake
(Pseudechis porphyriacus)

Relatively common, we find one around the house at least once a year.

Black-bellied Swamp Snake
(Hemiaspis signata)

A common small snake.

Blind Snake

A blind snake has been found but not identified yet. See notes under Legless Lizard for the Blind Snake mimic that also occurs.

Golden Crowned Snake
(Cacophis squamulosus)

Butterflies

Narrow-banded Awl
(Hasora khoda)

Larvae feed on Native & exotic Wisteria.

Blue Triangle
(Graphium sarpedon)

Breeds on Camphor Laurel, a common weed.

Orchard Swallowtail
(Papilio aegeus)

Breeds on the citrus trees (native & exotic) as well as Eriostemon. The caterpillars resemble bird droppings on the leaf

Lemon Migrant
(Catopsilia pomona)

Breeds on native Cassia species.

Black Jezebel
(Delias nigrina)

Breeds on mistletoe

Sword-grass Brown
(Tisiphone abeona)

Breeds on Gahnia (Swordgrass)

Glasswing
(Acraea andromacha)

Breeds on native Passionfruit, and perhaps also on exotic Passionfruit

Meadow Argus
(Junonia villida)

Breeds on a range of native plants in the garden

Australian Painted Lady
(Vanessa kershawi)

Breeds on paper daisies

Common Crow
(Euploea core)

Breeds on native figs and hoya. The caterpillars are very attractive

Imperial Hairstreak
(Jalmenus evagoras)

A very attractive Lycaenid butterfly, the larvae feed on wattles with attendant ants

Small Green-banded Blue
(Psychonotis caelius)

Breeds on Red Ash