Our Bushland Diary


Sunday, February 28, 2010

Encounter with a legless lizard

While helping out at "Clean Up Australia" in Moulton Wetland today, I saw a beautiful pygopod - Burton's Legless Lizard (Lialis burtonis).  These lovely creatures look a bit like long sleek skinks without legs, and are usually colourful and have stripes and spots.  Their heads are very elongated with a pointed snout, often with white stripes along the jaws.  I have seen light rust-orange animals, and grey animals with longitudinal black stripes, and plain grey, and light brown. 

If you've never seen one before, please check out these website links to see pictures - 

The little animal I saw was sunning itself on a patch of sand amongst Melaleucas.  Most times when I see a pygopod, they are quick to move under a shrub to hide.  This one didn't, it just lay there!  I stooped down to have a closer look at it, wondering if it was sick or asleep, but no, it was alive and alert, looking at me.  It even let me gently stroke its tail.  I wish I'd had a camera with me.  

It makes me sad to think that sometimes these animals are mistaken for snakes, and needlessly killed.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Getting excited about rubbish...

It's almost that time of year again - Clean Up Australia Day!  It's a pleasure to walk around in a patch of bush with people picking up rubbish, knowing that we are doing a service to the community.  

This year is Clean Up Australia Day's 20th year. So far, three Clean Up events have been organised for Ellenbrook and The Vines.  Click on the links for info about times and contact details, or to add yourself to the list of volunteers.

Charlotte's Vineyard - Sunday 28th February at Moulton Wetland Park - link
The Vines - Sunday 7th March at Ailsa Park - link
Coolamon - Sunday 7th March at Mornington Park aka "The Billabong" - link

If you want to organise your own event, please go to the Clean Up Australia Day home page for more info - http://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/