Wi ld aboutSYDNE Y HARBOUR

EXPERIENCING WILDLIFE AROUND SYDNEY Pip Greig

© Department of Environment and Conservation NSW

First published August 2005

‘Wild About Sydney Harbour’ by Pip Greig

The Department and the author wish to acknowledge the contributions

of many staff and wildlife specialists in the area, including Gavin Gatenby,

Graeme Phipps, Deb Andrew and Geoff Ross.

Apart from use under The Copyright Act 1968, any reproduction

requires the permission of the DEC.

ISBN 1 74137 391 3

DEC 2005/242

Published by Department of Environment and Conservation NSW

59-61 Goulburn Street

PO Box A290

Sydney South NSW 1232

Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard)

131 555 (environment information and publications requests)

Fax: (02) 9995 5999

TTY: (02) 9211 4723

Email: info@environment.nsw.gov.au

Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au

Printed on recycled paper.

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VULNERABLE ENDANGERED

‘Wild About Sydney Harbour’ is designed to help you enjoy the wildlife

and natural environment of the parks and reserves around the harbour.

From sunset walks around the foreshores spotting possums, to picnicking

and watching magnificent whales breach off Sydney Heads, it’s all here.

Sydney Harbour is rich in natural and cultural heritage. Local wildlife is

represented in traditional stories, in the Arts, in expressions of community

identity and in the symbols of organisation and government .

The harbour and its wildlife have felt the impact of world wars, and

significant habitat change as Sydney has grown into the international city

of today. Whilst some wildlife species have survived, many are at risk and

a number have tragically been lost.

In 1967 the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service was established to

manage parks and reserves set aside for conserving wildlife habitat and

natural areas. For our native plants and animals to thrive we now need to

pay attention to things that we can do to ensure their survival.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has developed a number of

initiatives to prevent further loss of our natural heritage. Additional to

protection provided by the National Parks and Wildlife Act (1974), they

include the Backyard Buddies program (a guide to wildlife care), and

threatened species recovery programs which are being implemented to

help species, populations and ecosystems currently at risk.

Pip Greig

Brushtail Possum - DEC/B. Crombie

www.backyardbuddies.net.au

Where the wildlife lives...Sydney’s wildlife lives in a unique natural environment that has changed and evolved over hundreds of thousands of years.

The harbour is a deep water estuary formed by changes in sea level that dramatically altered the coastline. During the last

glacial period about 18,000 years ago, the sea was much lower and fringed with long sandy stretches. A river ran through

this landscape but as the climate changed and the ice caps melted, the sea level rose and flooded the valley. The sea level

continued to rise until about 6,000 years ago.

Through all of time, wildlife populations have been challenged by changing conditions. Current threats include climate

change and the impact of increasing human activity.

The ground beneath them...About 200 million years before the water level began to rise, layers of sediment were compressed into sandstone, mudstone

and shale.

These rugged windblown cliffs were raised to their present level by movements in the earth that eventually caused the sediments

to crack and shift. Molten lava rose up through the cracks forming volcanic vents which hardened into dikes of basalt.

Freshwater seepage from these magnificently coloured cliffs helps form the habitat of species like the vulnerable Red

crowned toadlet. The cliffs also provide nesting sites for the White breasted sea eagle.

When you are on a walk around North Head, Bradleys Head or Nielsen Park try and imagine these amazing geological processes

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over millions of years.

Bandicoot scrub and possum trees...Flowering mostly in spring, low vegetation and stunning heathland plants dominate the foreshores. Coastal areas of Sydney

Harbour National Park contain habitat rich in native species like Banksias and Tea-tree. This dense low level vegetation and

adjacent open foraging areas make great habitat for the Long-nosed bandicoot.

Further inland (around Middle Head and Bradleys Head) you will find a deeper, more sheltered woodland habitat featuring

trees like Bangalay and Red bloodwood. These form a light canopy over dense shrubs and help provide roosting and nesting

sites for many Sydney bird species.

Perhaps the most stunning plants in Sydney Harbour are the Angophoras. These majestic trees have smooth, pink-grey bark

which peels off each year to reveal a rich orange layer underneath. They provide much needed hollows for the shelter vital to

the survival of many Sydney’s wildlife species.

To find out more about the geology and biodiversity of the harbour, book a guided tour through the NPWS Centre at Cadmans

Cottage in The Rocks. Phone (02) 9247 5033.

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In less than 230 years, over 120species of native plants and animalshave become extinct. Currently,there are 360 animal species andover 1200 plants considered to be threatened in NSW. Thesespecies are protected under the NSWThreatened Species Conservation Act(1995), which provides for theidentification, conservation andrecovery of threatened species,endangered populations andendangered ecologicalcommunities. Following theestablishment of the Act, the NSWScientific Committee was formedwith 11 independent members whodetermine which species,populations, and ecologicalcommunities should be listed.

Currently endangered populations include the Long-nosed bandicoot at North Head and the neighbouring Littlepenguin colony.

As part of the bandicoot recovery program, NPWS staff constantly monitor the population and carry out acomprehensive assessment every two years. This process involves bandicoots being individually checked toensure the population remains healthy.

NPWS staff are also busy monitoring the Little penguins. Their breeding season runs from the end of July throughto February. This is a good time for staff to observe the birds as they remain close to their burrows. Thepenguins may even ‘double brood’ - meaning they breed twice in the same season. This is a very encouragingsign for population recovery.

wildlife recovery programs

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The parks and gardens around Sydney are home to a very small

but very brightly coloured bird, the Superb fairy wren, or simply

the Blue wren.

Wrens live in an extended family group. The mature male has the

distinctive azure blue head and tail. The rest of the family whose

feathers are a soft brown colour will always be somewhere close

by as they hop and twitter about in search of bugs.

Seldom sitting still for long, wrens like to hunt for tiny insects in

open areas and will often choose a tall plant to perch on for a

better view. Protection in shrubs and hedges is important for

these beautiful little birds as they are easily scared or injured

by family pets or large predatory birds.

They are great to have around as they help to control grubs and

insects that can otherwise damage plants.

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BIRDS OF SYDNEY HARBOURWith over 150 different bird species recorded around Sydney you are sure to experience many of them, and you won’t even

need binoculars. Featured here are just a few of those you are very likely to see and hear.

From dawn to dusk and into the night, the birds of Sydney will keep you intrigued and fascinated as they swoop, soar and

swim around you. Enjoy!

Blue Wren Malurus cynaeus

Blue wrens enjoyundisturbed areas in thegarden. By keeping petsaway, you can enjoy the‘wren hopping’ on an open lawn.

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They like tree hollows to nest in, and mulched gardens for their food (lizards and insects), but they don’t like pesticides or snailbait (that kill their food) or cats and dogs (they like to chase them).

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As ‘Ollie’, one of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

mascots, the Kookaburra went from being one of

Australia’s most recognisable birds to being famous

around the world.

The Kookaburra is truly sociable. Its raucous ‘laugh’ can

be heard at the beginning of each day, when the family

inform all those around of their home territory. Chicks

from the previous year stay with the parents to help

raise the new ‘spikers’, comically known for the spiky

appearance of their first feathers.

The Kookaburra will sit patiently on a tree branch,

watching intently for small animals or insects to

appear. They ‘wait and pounce’ on their food, then

‘beat and tenderise’ their prey to soften their meal. It is

not unusual to see the tail of a lizard or snake hanging

out of their large beak as they try to swallow the

entire thing in one go.

And if you ever feel like you are being watched while

picnicking or barbequing, be careful! Having a hot chip

snatched out of your fingers by a hungry Kookaburra

can be as hazardous for both you and them!

Laughing KookaburraDacelo novaeguineae

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Little PenguinEudyptula minor

A ferry trip to Manly is a great

opportunity to catch sight of the

adorable Little penguin, a member of

one of Sydney’s endangered wildlife

populations. A small colony of about 60

pairs is the only mainland breeding

colony left in NSW and has been the

focus for a NPWS recovery program

since 2000.

These penguins are found only in the

southern hemisphere and, with their

steely blue coat and white belly, are

the smallest penguin (only 30cm tall).

Their wings have evolved into flippers

which allow Little penguins to ‘fly’

through the water. They travel long

distances in search of food during the

the non-breeding period between

March and June.

When chicks are being reared in their sandy burrow (or even under someone’s house at Manly!) the parents remain within the

harbour area feeding throughout the day on small fish and shrimp. Returning to their chicks at night, the parents will then

regurgitate part of their own meal to feed the chick to ensure they grow strong and healthy.

The colony at Manly is under constant threat from disturbance. Dogs and foxes are a real threat to its survival.

To help the penguin population recover, keep dogs away and take care with boating in the area so asnot to disturb the colony. See www.backyardbuddies.net.au for more information.

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Remember to watch out for birds behaving defensively in spring and keeppets out of natural areas and reserves. Its best not to feed native birds.

Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen

The Australian Magpie is a striking black and

white coloured bird with a distinctive red

coloured iris. It is commonly seen striding

confidently amongst picnickers and defending

its territory. The word ‘Magpie’ comes from early

settlers who saw a likeness with the European

crow family.

Early in the morning parent birds begin their day

by singing a very melodious song, which actually

announces their territory to others.

A sure sign that their breeding season is

underway is the sight of people ducking and

swerving for cover as a very protective magpie

tries to chase away anyone that goes near their

nesting site. Residents who live close by nesting

trees often find they need to take a very keen

interest in the birds’ whereabouts in spring and

put on a hat or even carry an umbrella when

passing the area.

One or two large chicks are then fledged in

summer. They will accompany their parents

on foraging trips begging for tasty morsels like

earthworms and other insects. Meat is also a

favoured part of their diet and the smell of a

barbequing sausage will surely bring round a

crowd. However it is best not to feed them as

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Powerful OwlNinox strenua

This magnificent bird may be seen roosting in open trees only several metres above the ground, showing great tolerance

toward interested onlookers. Also known as the Eagle owl for its large size and chocolate and cream coloured feathers, their

‘whoo-hoo’ call is unmistakable. Other haunting sounds commonly made by Australia’s powerful owl include snarls and

strange sheep-like bleating.

The Royal Botanic Gardens is a good spot to look for them. They have been known to prey on flying foxes from the colony.

Other food may include possums and kookaburras. The owl will often keep large prey overnight in their powerful talons.

These beautiful owls breed each winter, usually on exactly the same date each year. And like so many of our other Australian

animals, look for tree hollows in which to nest.

Planting and retaining old growth forest will help the recovery of the powerful owl populations as they are extremely

vulnerable to human disturbance.

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Trichoglossus haematodus

A flash of brilliant emerald green

accompanied by a loud shriek may be

your first experience of one of Australia’s

most beautifully coloured birds, the

Rainbow lorikeet.

Quite literally feathered in the colours

of the rainbow, they are very common

around Sydney Harbour. Lorikeets often

nest in tree hollows and in the crowns

of palm trees.

Their love of sweet things is as intense as

their colouring. They feed on pollen and

nectar with their bristle like tongue.

Lorikeets very easily adapt to living

around people and are often mistakenly

fed with honey and water. It is best not

to feed native birds.

A joy to watch as they hop around chattering

and bickering amongst each other, the

lorikeets’ comical acrobatics amongst the

tree branches can suddenly erupt into a

flash of green, a shriek or two and then

they’re gone!

OUT ON A WING With a wingspan measuring over 2.25

metres the stunningly beautiful Shy albatross (Diomedea

cauta) is often just a speck in the sky over the ocean and is a

regular visitor to Sydney waters after breeding in Bass Strait.

Sadly, Shy albatross are also found distressed with their wings

and legs entangled in discarded fishing line. If you’re out

enjoying the ocean around Sydney please make sure you bring

back ALL of your rubbish including plastic and tangled lines.

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An evening stroll around the leafy

foreshores of Sydney will certainly find

you wandering under lots of trees. But

what you may not notice is that one of

those trees might be watching you!

Often mistaken for a branch (or an owl),

the Tawny frogmouths’ feathers are a

mottled mixture of grey, brown and

creamy white which when sitting still

gives them excellent camouflage ability.

Two extremely fluffy chicks are usually hatched and remain huddled together in a nest made of loosely knitted sticks and

twigs, often precariously perched in the fork of a branch. There will usually be a well concealed adult nearby!

At night you may hear them before you see them as they make a deep humming ‘oomm’ sound while they keep a watchful

eye on the ground for small animals. Silent flight and large eyes give them the ability to hunt on the wing for moths and

other flying insects so a good place to try and see one is near an outside light.

To bluff their way out of trouble, the Tawny frogmouth has an extremely large bright yellow mouth which it will quickly gape

open in an attempt to scare off a predator. However, this defence does not work well against cars so when driving at night

around Sydney, do keep an eye out for those low flying ‘branches’!

BIRDS OF A FEATHER Found in large numbers around Sydney, the White

ibis (Threskiornis molucca) has a distinctive curved back, and a red patch under its

wings which can be easily mistaken for an injury.

During spring and summer large palm trees often contain several nests in the

canopy with hungry chicks squawking noisily until their parents return and

regurgitate a meal of crustaceans, frogs and insects!

Tawny FrogmouthPodargus strigoides

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MAMMALS OF SYDNEY HARBOURIn an evening stroll around the parks and foreshores of Sydney spot some of the mammals that have adapted to living in the

city. Most of them are nocturnal, so they snooze during the day and come out at night.

It is certainly worth the wait, so sit and watch the sun set over Sydney in one of the parks or reserves. You are sure to see a

bat or two, or three, or five hundred...

The Bent wing bat is one of a group

of small insectivorous ‘micro-bats’ that

are quite abundant around Sydney.

Streetlights that attract flying insects

at night are a great spot to watch for

these small placental mammals. They

duck, swerve and dive at great speeds

after moths and other bugs.

So called for the ‘long bony fingers’

which cause their wings to fold back on

themselves they measure only 5-6cm

long with a total wing span of up to

15cm. They rest throughout the day in

caves, under tree bark and in other

sheltered places.

The colder months of winter are mating time. The fertilised egg (always from the left ovary) becomes inactive during

hibernation. The embryo does not implant in the uterus until spring. Then in December a single naked baby bat is born in a

special nursery cave. These sheltered areas are very specialised habitats as they have much higher ambient temperatures and

humidity. There may be as many as 3000 new individuals in one community.

The main threat to these little bats is disturbance by people and feral predators. These beautiful mammals may otherwise

live for as long as 17 years.

Bent Wing BatMiniopterus schreibersii

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BrushTail PossumCommon around Sydney, these large possums will

often take up residence in a roof or building,

particularly when there is a shortage of suitable

nesting hollows in trees.

With a coat of thick grey fur, bright pink nose and a

long black bushy tail they are a very robust marsupial

that can easily hang upside down from a tree branch

using their prehensile tail. This allows them to reach

the juiciest leaf tips and ripest fruits. They are

opportunistic survivors with a very varied diet.

A scampering possum is quite a common sight

around the Sydney foreshores when the sun goes

down as they begin their night of feeding and

defending their territory against other possums.

Disputes can be loud and raucous as young, newly

independent possums attempt to find a place of

their own.

Sharp claws used for defence, grooming and

scampering up trees can make a very convincing

display. When confronted with a threat they can rear

back on their hind feet emitting a screeching hiss.

Unfortunately many scampering possums become

road victims. Their nocturnal eyes are blinded by

headlights as they try to cross busy Sydney roads and

they are also attacked by domestic and feral animals.

Helpful information including how to build a

possum-friendly box or manage a possum in your

roof is at www.backyardbuddies.net.au

Trichosurus vulpecula

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THOUGHT YOU’D HEARD IT ALL? In May 1993 a Tiger quoll (Dasyurus

maculatus), more commonly known as the Spotted tail quoll, made an apparently

incredible journey. Originally identified near Narrabeen, it was found again two

months later 30km away at Granville in the city’s west, then released into

Marramarra National Park. The quoll probably followed creeks and bush corridors to

Lane Cove and then the shoreline of Parramatta River. This story highlights the value

of connecting natural areas.

Grey Headed Flying FoxPteropus poliocephalus

At dusk in Sydney Harbour, the colony of Grey headed flying

foxes begins to take flight. With wingspans measuring over

1 metre these ‘fruit bats’ fill the sky. Hundreds of dark

silhouettes fly out in search of food.

A large colony lives in the Royal Botanic Gardens, and can

be seen and heard, during the day as they clumsily move

along the branches using strong nails on the tips of their

velvety wings.

Now ‘fruit bats’ are protected and the vulnerable population of

Grey headed flying foxes is no longer a target for hunting

and shooting.

Feeding on pollen, native fruits and flowers, the bats are not

only satisfying their own hunger but the pollination needs

of the plants. They spread pollen as they forage in the

blossoms. Seeds ingested while eating fruit are dispersed

and germinate with their droppings .

Now recognised for the critical role they play in plant dispersal,

it is important that Grey headed flying fox populations are

conserved.

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Long-nosed BandicootPerameles nasuta

At North Head in Sydney Harbour National Park there is an endangered population of this

small marsupial.

As they are nocturnal, the best chance to see a Long-nosed bandicoot is at night when it leaves its

nests and ventures out for food.

If you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one, you will probably see that it’s on its own. They

lead solitary lives, except when accompanied by 2 or 3 youngsters - which are born after an amazingly

short pregnancy of about 12 days. Their pouch is little more than a flap of skin on their white belly

that protects the young babies as they suckle.

Their long nose is particularly shaped for digging plant roots and their pointed teeth are great for

crunching through juicy grubs and beetles. Small snout-shaped holes left in nearby lawns are often

their calling card. They help remove garden pests - the natural way!

Once quite common, the Long-nosed bandicoot has suffered badly due to removal of most of its

habitat, and through predation by foxes, dogs and cats. As a result of the NPWS recovery program,

including fox baiting, and vehicle restrictions, the population at North Head is growing with a

current estimate of 200 individuals.

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Bandicoots lovequiet, natural areas where they can go aboutundisturbed.

Keep pets out ofnatural areas andreserves. Avoid theuse of snail bait.

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The Ringtail possums’ large bulbous eyes give them excellent

nocturnal vision for travelling the possum superhighways

(overhead power lines) to move around their territory at night.

These quiet, dainty marsupials prefer to live in a ball shaped nest made

from sticks and twigs in a sheltered tree, rather than take up residence

in a suburban roof like their larger cousin, the Brushtail possum.

With a tail lined with soft skin for grip and muscles to grasp (prehensile),

they can uncurl their ‘ring tail’ and hang upside down to reach leaves

and flowers, often with a couple of tiny youngsters clinging tightly

to mum’s back.

The number of ringtails in urban areas has increased over recent years

as more and more Sydney-siders plant native gardens, and foxes and

other predators are controlled. Springtime will find young succulent

leaf shoots and nectar filled flowers eagerly devoured (including

fresh rose-buds).

But these small possums cannot defend themselves against cats or dogs.

Many also fall victim to cars as they attempt to cross roads.

If you find a sick or injured Ringtail possum, please take it to the

closest vet, call WIRES on 02 8977 3333 or Sydney Metropolitan

Wildlife Services on 02 9413 4300.

Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus

LOOKING FOR KOALAS AND KANGAROOS?‘Kangaroos... unite in droves, sometimes to the number of fifty

or sixty; when they are seen playful and feeding on grass.’

So were the observations of Watkin Tench in 1788. Today

however, due to urbanisation in Sydney, Kangaroos may best

be seen at Euroka Clearing, near Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains,

or in a western Sydney reserve. Your first Koala encounter might

be at Taronga Zoo.

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After picnicking around the harbour, a great

afternoon activity is to search quietly around the

rocks for the Water rat.

They are quite large, with a white belly. You might

be lucky enough to see one foraging at the water’s

edge for crabs and small shellfish and then

carrying their find back to a favourite spot - their

‘feeding table’ where they regularly like to dine.

With their webbed feet and waterproof fur they are

excellent swimmers, so look in the water near the

shoreline. They rely only on their large sensitive

whiskers and toes to ‘feel’ for their food

underwater.

Pollution in Sydney Harbour has been greatly

reduced over recent years. This is good news for

the Water rat. It can now enjoy a much cleaner

home, and visitors can enjoy seeing one of the

locals in their own watery backyard.

Water RatHydromys chrysogaster

A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY! The native Water rat is cute, and thankfully is

recovering from the ‘cleansing operations’ which rid Sydney of the flea infested black rats

that brought plague on ships to the city in the early 1900’s. The native Water rat does not

carry the disease and was simply caught up as an innocent victim.

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Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae

One of Sydney Harbour’s winter attractions is whale watching. You may even see them off the Opera House steps!

Humpback whales are renowned for their spectacular breaching behaviour as they lurch from the water to throw themselves

back down with an enormous splash.

Between early June and early August they pass by Sydney Harbour in their annual migration north. On the way to their

breeding grounds in the Great Barrier Reef, they have been known to spend several days in and around the harbour

enthralling spectators. Some of the best spots are North and South Head where you get spectacular views down the coast

with the sun behind you.

Easily identified by the small dorsal fin, they arch their back steeply as they dive back into the water, hence the name

‘humpback’. Individual black and white markings on their tail flukes identify them not only as Humpback whales, but also

as individuals.

To experience the sight of a mother and calf swimming off Sydney Harbour is truly memorable. After the abolition of whale

hunting in Australian waters, the humpback has been able to again breed and migrate in safety. However the species remain

vulnerable to hunting in waters beyond Australian control.

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WHALE WATCHING To protect both whales and yourself, stay 100 metres away in a boat, 300 metres in any aircraft, and

at least 30 metres if you are lucky enough to be in the water swimming.

Southern Right WhaleEubalaena australis

The Southern right whale has also enjoyed recent protection from hunting in Australian waters. Taken to the brink of

extinction because they were the ‘right whale’ to hunt, they suffered extensively at the hands of harpoon wielding seamen,

particularly during wartime. Whilst international debate continues, Australian legislation will continue to support whale

watching, rather than whale hunting.

Southern rights are visually quite different to humpbacks so it is quite easy to distinguish the two. They do not have dorsal

fins on their back and their pectoral fins are much smaller. The most distinguishing features about them are the white

coloured rough patches of skin on their faces known as ‘callosities’ which identify each individual whale. Regular whale

watchers may even be able to identify individuals each year as they make their annual travels.

After calving in the warm northern waters of the reef between June and August, mother and calf travel back down the coastline

toward Antarctica. They stay together for the next year. At birth, the calf will weigh over 1 tonne and measure between 5

and 6 metres long. Numerous tours are available from Sydney.

These and more information are listed in the companion booklet ‘Wild About Whales’.

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LIZARDS, FROGS AND MORE...The warmth of spring and summer waken those that have spent the winter hibernating in a secret nook. Watch closely for them

on roads and pathways as they bask in the sun.

Take the River Cat up the Parramatta River to Bicentennial Park, home to the endangered Green and Golden bell frog. Remember

to look up for the golden webs of the Orb weaver spider as you wander through the park.

To help the Blue tongue flourish as one of our most common backyard buddies,watch for them soaking up the sun on paths and roads.Don’t use pesticides or snail bait. Let the Blue tongues control the pests.Provide rockeries in your garden and control your cats and dogs.

Blue Tongue SkinkIt is not unusual to find this harmless lizard

basking in the sun. The largest skink in Australia,

the Blue tongue is common around Sydney

bushland and backyards.

Famous for flashing its tongue as a warning

it is also capable of puffing up its stocky body

with air and trying to scare potential predators.

For a thickset lizard with short stumpy legs it

can move surprisingly fast. It can also bite with

jaws that are well suited to crushing snails.

The Blue tongue is not ‘cold blooded’, but simply

needs the warmth of the sun. In the cooler

months of the year they will find a sheltered

spot to hibernate.

Summer finds the females giving birth to live young through a reproductive technique known as viviparity. Carrying the

young internally gives them protection, but makes the female sluggish, increasing her chances of being preyed upon by cats

and dogs, or being run over.

Tiliqua scincoides

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EasternWaterDragonPhysgnathuslesueurii

The first sign that you may be near an Eastern water dragon is when you hear a loud ‘plop’ as its jumps into the water, or

a russle of leaves as it scurries away into the undergrowth. Fossils of these lizards show they have been around for about

20 million years!

The Eastern water dragon is common around Sydney bushland. They can be up to one metre long.

In spring, the males battle for territory. Energetic head bobbing displays precede wrestling matches. Often being mistaken

for battle wounds, mature males develop bright red colouring on their chest and belly.

The female prepares a shallow nest in sandy soil to lay her clutch of eggs which will incubate and hatch into miniature versions

of the adults. At this time the babies are prey to many other predatory birds and larger lizards.

TOADS THAT WALK The Red crowned toadlet (Pseudophryne australis) competes for living

space around the spectacular sandstone cliffs of Sydney harbour. One of only a few toadlet species

in Australia, this little amphibian walks rather than hops and has been listed as vulnerable under

the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

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You can help frogs by keeping cool,damp areas, withhiding places in reeds or rocks.

Frogs can managemany insects if youdon’t use pesticidesor snail bait.

Remember tadpolesand fish don’t mix!

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Green and Golden Bell Frog Litoria aurea

Bright turquoise groin patches are not the only thing this beautifully coloured tree frog is

famous for.

The Green and Golden bell frog became a symbol for Australian frog conservation when it was

found at the building site of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. It’s a gold medal find!

Threats to the species include pollution and introduced species like mosquito fish, carp and gold

fish, which feed on the frog spawn and tadpoles. The female can lay up to 4,000 eggs which now

have a much greater chance of survival.

A drawn out groan ending in a grunt can be heard again in the waters around Homebush Bay, as

the male green and golden bell frog calls to attract a female.

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ENDANGERED

23

Often situated high up between trees to catch

flying insects (and even small birds) the golden

web of this weaver is highly engineered. It

can measure up to one metre wide with many

smaller webs interlocked by strands of yellow

filament, which make it structurally strong.

Taking centre stage is the female spider. She

dwarfs the male Golden orb weaver in size with

her large grey abdomen and long legs banded

in orange and black. What the male lacks in

size he makes up for in courage and he can

usually be found lurking somewhere within the

web, feeding inconspicuously and waiting for

just the right moment to approach the female

for mating. A safe time is usually when she

is preoccupied feeding!

In fact, a large network of webs between trees may contain many female spiders. This presents an inescapable trap for their

prey. You can sometimes see the trophies of discarded remains in the back of the web.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT THERE IS A LEAF TAILED GECKO HERE...SOMEWHERE. With their rough textured skin, mottled colouring

and broad flat tail this group of geckos (Phyllurus sp.) has excellent

camouflage. Unlike other geckos this small lizard has claws (rather

than ‘suction cup’ toes) which allow it to cling to rough barked trees

and rock crevices. They hunt small insects at night and if disturbed

they can emit a loud, wheezing bark, arch their backs and wave their

tails in the air.

DEC

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23

Golden Orb WeaverNephilia sp.

Green & Golden bell frog

Grey Headed flying fox

Brush tailed possum

Ringtail possum Long-nosed bandicoot

Ferry wharf and route

Sydney HarbourNational Park

Water rat

Penguin

Whale

PARRAMATTA

Parramatta River

Hom

ebus

h Ba

y

Lane Cove River

SydneyOlympicPark

SydneyHarbour

km

0 1 2

Other parks and reserves

24

Walking track

Lookout

Toilets

Wheelchair access

Swimming area

Picnic Area

Historic site

For getting round Sydney, refer to thePUBLIC TRANSPORT INFO LINE:

www.131500.com.au or call 131 500

N

MANLY

DOBROYD HEAD

NORTH HEAD

SHARKISLAND

CLARKISLAND

FORTDENISON

ROYAL BOTANICGARDENS

CircularQuay

TarongaZoo

Wharf

Manly Wharf

GOATISLAND

BRADLEYS HEAD

ROSEBAY

SOUTH HEAD

TheRocks/

CadmansCottage

MIDDLE HEAD

NIELSENPARK

SYDNEYCOVE

WATSONSBAY

Harbour Bridgeto Spit Walk

Spit toManlyWalk

26

27

Whether you book a NPWS guided tour or take yourself,

one of the best ways to see Sydney’s wildlife is to simply

make the time to go for a walk.

There are many places around the foreshores like Bradleys

Head and Nielsen Park which have quality walking tracks.

During the day, especially in spring and summer, be on the

lookout for lizards basking in the sun, and the beautiful

and varied bird life.

Or take a ferry ride to Manly and keep a look out for the

little penguin in the water. Ferries are a great way to

experience the harbour. So take your picnic.

In winter, when there is a good chance of a whale passing

by,why not take a stroll out to the Heads. And don’t limit

your walks to the daytime. When the sun goes down, and

many native animals really come to life, catch a glorious

sunset from the cliffs and maybe a glimpse of the Long-

nosed bandicoot or a Red crowned toadlet.

Night time in Sydney is great for bats and birds. Watch

out for Grey headed flying foxes as they fly out from the

Royal Botanic Gardens with food in mind (and maybe a

Powerful owl in pursuit). The possum population is

certainly out and about.

Most importantly, relax, take your time and let the

animals appear.

Remember to follow park guidelines at all times -

they are there to protect both you and the wildlife.

And...

Picnics, ferries and sunsets– how best to enjoy

Sydney’s wildlife

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/S.C

ohen

Caring for Sydney Harbour National ParkPlease help to preserve our precious natural and cultural heritage by following these few simple rules:

• Cultural sites and places of significance to Aboriginal communities are protected.

• All fauna, flora and rock formations are protected.

• Visitors may bring gas barbeques. Heat beads and open fires are not permitted. Do not use wood as it provides

valuable animal habitat.

• Leave your pets at home - they are not permitted in national parks.

More informationIf you would like to book a guided tour or obtain further information, contact:

Sydney Harbour NP Information Centre

Cadmans Cottage

110 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9247 5033 Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au or www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Cadmans Cottage is open every day except Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Weekdays: 9.30am - 4.30pm Weekends: 10am - 4.30pm

For species’ facts see also Australian Museum Living Harbour at www.livingharbour.net.au

For information on Wild About Sydney Harbour, contact Pip Greig at panthera.int@bigpond.com

For more information on caring for wildlife in your area, see www.backyardbuddies.net.au

www.backyardbuddies.net.au