Field Trip - Nanya, NSW

[jordo]

Went up to help a mate, Chris from Ballarat Uni, with his honours research. This time looking at gecko thermoregulation and shelter site selection. The site was in south-western NSW, between Mildura and Broken Hill. This trip had some rough hours, getting up at sunrise to check pitfall traps as well as spotlighting till early in the morning for geckoes - but it was well worth it for the animals we got.

Herps I saw while there (that I can remember):

Spotted Marsh Frog, L. tasmaniensis

Marbled Velvet Gecko, O. marmorata
Beaded Gecko, L. damaeum
Bynoe's Gecko, H. binoei
Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko, S. intermedius
Wood Gecko, D. vittatus
Tree Dtella, G. variegata
Beaked Gecko, R. ornata
Knob-tailed Gecko, N. levis levis

Burton's, L. burtonis
Eastern Hooded Scaley-foot, P. schraderi

Central Beardy, P. vitticeps
Mallee Dragon, C. fordi
Painted Dragon, C. pictus
Nobbi Dragon, A. nobbi coggeri

Cryptoblepharus carnabyi
Ctenotus atlas
Ctenotus brachyonyx
Ctenotus schomburgkii
Ctenotus regius
Morethia obscura
Broad-banded Sand Swimmer, E. richardsonii
Desert Skink, E. inornata
Tree Skink, E. striolata
Lerista punctatovittata
Lerista aericeps
Lerista labialis

Sand Goanna, V. gouldii

Blind Snake, can't remember if proximus or australis
Ringed Brown, P. modesta
Bandy Bandy, V. annulata

Please don't reproduce these images without permission.

The blind snake, hiding it's head

Bandy Bandy

Male Nobbi

Punctata

N. levis

Beaked

Major Mitchells, Cacatua leadbeateri would hang out in a big tree at camp during the heat (this was the really hot week including black Saturday)

Australian Ringneck, Barnardius zonarius

Hooded Scaley-foot

Tree Dtella - a rare sighting

Plenty of marms in the beelah

Wood gecko licking his lips

C. atlas

Beaded gecko

L. labialis

Baby goanna

Bolam's Mouse, Pseudomys bolami

Burton's

C. brachyonyx

Sandy inland mouse Pseudomys hermannsburgensis

Western Grey, Macropus fuliginosus

and the Ringed Brown

 

[Rocket]

Seems like you had a terrific trip Jordo. Your rather lucky to get out and about as often as you do.

As you probably know already, I love the Hooded Scaly-foot.

 

[ryanharvey1993]

nice pics jordo, you sure found a lot. those geckos look good

 

[sarah_m]

Love the bandy bandy, very cute face

 

[WarrenL]

 

[moloch05]

Jordo,

Once again, you have produced a top report. Your photos are excellent. I rarely head to the south so it seems funny to see G. variegata listed as a rare sight. I particularly enjoyed your Lerista finds ... you have had a good year with that difficult genus. It is nice to see some of the mammals and birds as well.

Regards,
David

 

[redbellybite]

great pics ....i have no luck taking good pictures ,even with a decent camera.....i need one that does it automatically ..I aim it shoots and produces a perfect shot type of camera

 

[Bax155]

Great pics jordo, you certainly found some great species!!

 

[inthegrass]

good stuff, appreciate you sharing them with us.
cheers

 

[jordo]

Thanks for the replies.
I was joking about the Gehyra they're everywhere once you get in their distribution! Until now I'd never really bothered to get a decent photo.
I've had a few different Lerista skinks lately, they're so squirmy and difficult to photograph before they nose dive into the sand.

We also did some volunteer work at Scotia sanctuary nearby one night, trapping for Woylies to monitor the population. We also saw Bilbies and Nail-tailed Wallabies at Scotia.