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Local Fauna

	Australian Magpie The Magpie is a common bird, seen in parks and suburban gardens across many partsof Sydney. Magpies are a protected throughout NSW, and it is against the law to kill the birds, collect eggs or harm young. Magpies breed in their own territory, which they defend against other Magpies. Nesting takes place between August and September. Species can be found in NSW, the northern brown, the long-nose and the
	Brush-Tailed possum Brush-tailed possums are about as big as domestic cats, and have a pointed snout, pink nose, long whiskers and large ears. Being a nocturnal animal, it is active at night and sleeps in large tree hollows during the day.
	Laughing Kookaburra The laughing kookaburra lives in forests, open woodlands, or on the edges of plains. Nests are made in tree hollows or termite mounds in trees or on the ground, where the female will lay up to three eggs. During this time, the rest of the family helps out with the incubation, feeding and protection of the young. The National Parks and Wildlife Service protect ookaburras in NSW.
	Echidna Echidna’s secret to success is that it lives exclusively on ants and termites – a niche not very competitive amongst other Australian animals. It burrows into ant nests and termite mounds, then enters its 18cm-long tongue and sucks the insects into its mouth. It swallows a lot of soil in the process, but it poohs it all out in cylindrical droppings. Echidna's breeding season is July to September. The baby hatches with no spines and will remain in the pouch until it has got short spines. It will then live in a burrow and start discovering outside world another three months later, but is vulnerable to predators during the first year. Echidna is known to live up to 49 years and its species status is secure.
	Parrots The Parrot family include cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas, ringnecks and budgerigars. Parrots will nest, feed and breed in a wide variety of environments including deserts, rainforests, mountain ranges, flat grasslands and coastal areas. Most small parrots breed between August and January. Parrots usually nest in tree hollows, though some rarer species will nest in termite mounds.
	Snakes / Reptiles Australia has 140 land snakes although only 12 are likely to inflict a wound that could kill you. The most dangerous snakes belong to the front fanged group, which in NSW include the tiger snake, brown snake, death adder, mulga or king brown snake and a few species of sea snake. Snakes are not generally aggressive and always prefer to retreat. In more temperate climates along the coast they shelter in rock crevices and logs. During cold weather they hibernate and come out on warm days to soak up the warmth of the sun. All snakes are protected in NSW. If you see a snake in or around Bingara Gorge, do not approach it. If you are bitten, seek urgent medical assistance by calling 000.
	Wombats The common wombat lives mainly in wet, partly forested areas on the coast, and on the ranges and western slopes. Wombats live in burrows liking well drained soils that are easy to dig in. The burrows, which are often built on the sides of gullies, can be up to 30m long and several metres deep. All wombats are protected in NSW.
	Kangaroos and Wallabys Kangaroos and Wallabys are both macropods and are herbivorous. Most are nocturnal but some are active in the early morning and late afternoon. Different kangaroo species live in a variety of habitats, wallabys preferring forested areas. Macropods of all sizes have one thing in common: powerful back legs with long feet. Most kangaroos have no set breeding cycle and are able to breed all year round.
	Caring for your local animals Injured animals may be dangerous and could bite if handled incorrectly i.e. snakes, and only experienced handlers should undertake care and relocation of any animal generally. However in some situations sick or injured baby birds, possums, etc can be made comfortable. If you find an injured, sick or orphaned animal you are not allowed to keep it as a pet. After finding sick or injured native fauna immediate action can be taken by simply placing the animal into a pillowcase and or cardboard box with straw or cut grass as filling and enclose with a lid to make as comfortable as possible. Depending on the situation, animals can be released back in the general locality if not badly injured or NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES) can be contacted. For advice phone 4684-1656.