30 Mar 2024

Eastern Banjo or Pobblebonk Burrowing Frog

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The Eastern Banjo frog, also known as Pobblebonk. Limnodynastes dumerilii. A burrowing frog burying itself in soil. Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia.
The Eastern Banjo frog, also known as Pobblebonk. Limnodynastes dumerilii. A burrowing frog burying itself in soil. Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia.
The Eastern Banjo frog, also known as Pobblebonk. Limnodynastes dumerilii. A burrowing frog burying itself in soil. Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia.
The Eastern Banjo frog, also known as Pobblebonk. Limnodynastes dumerilii. A burrowing frog burying itself in soil. Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia.
The Eastern Banjo frog, also known as Pobblebonk. Limnodynastes dumerilii. A burrowing frog burying itself in soil. Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia.
The Eastern Banjo frog, also known as Pobblebonk. Limnodynastes dumerilii. A burrowing frog burying itself in soil. Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia.
The Eastern Banjo frog, also known as Pobblebonk. Limnodynastes dumerilii. A burrowing frog burying itself in soil. Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia.

The Australian or Eastern Banjo – Pobblebonk frog (Limnodynastes dumerilii) is renowned for its distinctive vocalisations and unique burrowing behaviour. Widely distributed across eastern Australia, this species inhabits various wetland environments. Unlike many other frogs, the Pobblebonk frog exhibits a strong preference for subterranean existence.

Burrowing serves multiple functions for the frog’s survival. It offers protection from predators and harsh climatic conditions, while also aiding in moisture retention essential for amphibian physiology. During the breeding season, typically during periods of rainfall, these frogs emerge to reproduce in shallow water bodies.

Interestingly, the Pobblebonk frog does not reside permanently underground but utilises a network of shallow burrows as a refuge during adverse conditions. This adaptation demonstrates the species’ remarkable ability to thrive in the challenging Australian environment.

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10 Jun 2023

SES rescue Kookaburra

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Adult Australian Kookaburra, bird Kingfisher. Group of Kookaburra birds on branch. Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia.
A male Kookaburra bird was trapped in a chimney and was rescued by NSW (Australia) SES Wingecarribee Unit. A local WIRES rescue volunteer then provided a couple of days recuperation for the bird before it was released again.
A male Kookaburra bird was trapped in a chimney and was rescued by NSW (Australia) SES Wingecarribee Unit. A local WIRES rescue volunteer then provided a couple of days recuperation for the bird before it was released again.
SES rescue team. A Kookaburra bird was trapped in a chimney and was rescued by NSW (Australia) SES Wingecarribee Unit. A local WIRES rescue volunteer then provided a couple of days recuperation for the bird before it was released again.
SES rescue team. A Kookaburra bird was trapped in a chimney and was rescued by NSW (Australia) SES Wingecarribee Unit. A local WIRES rescue volunteer then provided a couple of days recuperation for the bird before it was released again.
SES rescue team. A Kookaburra bird was trapped in a chimney and was rescued by NSW (Australia) SES Wingecarribee Unit. A local WIRES rescue volunteer then provided a couple of days recuperation for the bird before it was released again.
SES rescue team. A Kookaburra bird was trapped in a chimney and was rescued by NSW (Australia) State Emergency Service Wingecarribee Unit. A local WIRES rescue volunteer then provided a couple of days recuperation for the bird before it was released again.
State Emergency Service SES rescue team having just rescued the Kookaburra bird from the chimney. A local WIRES rescue volunteer then provided a couple of days recuperation for the bird before it was released again.
The Kookaburra bird just before release after recovery time with a WIRES volunteer.
Shows release of Kookaburra bird. A local WIRES rescue volunteer provided a couple of days recuperation for the bird before being released again on our property.
Close view of head. Laughing Kookaburra bird, Dacelo novaeguineae. Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia
Mittagong, NSW SES team rescue Kookaburra from chimney

Our property is shared with at least one mob of Kookaburra who often engage in some serious, and very noisy, squabbles. Unfortunately one of these birds became trapped in a chimney shaft, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Wingecarribee Unit were called and effected a very professional rescue.

A WIRES wildlife rescue volunteer then provided a couple of days recuperation for the bird before it was released.

Link to Wingecarribee SES NSW unit

Link to WIRES, NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.
WIRES rescue and cares for wildlife under a license issued by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. The WIRES Rescue Office can be reached 365 days a year by calling 1300 094 737

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20 May 2023

Coronation Day

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May 6, 2023

On this day the annual May Day march in Wollongong was held in Port Kembla, where it was combined with a rally protesting the AUKUS agreement.

The Wollongong community has a long history of celebrating May Day, also known as International Labour Day, which it has commemorated since 1912. For those interested in learning more, the University of Wollongong Archive has a fantastic online article with additional historical information.

more images >>

  • Uniontown slogan painted on Wentworth Street during a combined May Day and Anti-AUKUS protest rally in Port Kembla, Australia.6 May 2023.
  • Combined May Day rally, Anti-AUKUS rally. Port Kembla, NSW. 6 May 2023
  • Combined May Day rally, Anti-AUKUS rally. Port Kembla, NSW. 6 May 2023
  • Combined May Day rally, Anti-AUKUS rally - Wentworth Street, Port Kembla, NSW. 6 May 2023
  • A protester holds a banner reading "AUKUS WILL FUKUS" at a May Day rally in Port Kembla 6 May 2023
  • Combined May Day rally, Anti-AUKUS rally - Wentworth Street, Port Kembla, NSW. 6 May 2023
  • Combined May Day rally, Anti-AUKUS rally. Port Kembla, NSW. 6 May 2023
  • Combined May Day rally, Anti-AUKUS rally. Port Kembla, NSW. 6 May 2023
  • Combined May Day rally, Anti-AUKUS rally. Port Kembla, NSW. 6 May 2023
  • Combined May Day rally, Anti-AUKUS rally. Port Kembla, NSW. 6 May 2023
May 6, 2023

The two-day Robertson Potato Festival took place in Robertson, NSW,, a region celebrated for its exceptional potato farms. This event gave the local community a chance to honor the humble potato, a vegetable of great social and economic importance.

more images >>

  • Signage banner at the Robertson Potato Festival in NSW, Australia, showing visitors enjoying various activities at the Robertson Showground.
  • Scenes from the Robertson Potato Festival in NSW, Australia, showing visitors enjoying various activities at the Robertson Showground.
  • Robertson Potato Festival in NSW, Australia, showing visitors enjoying various activities at the Robertson Showground.
  • Robertson Potato Festival in NSW, Australia, showing visitors enjoying various activities at the Robertson Showground.
  • Robertson Potato Festival in NSW, Australia, showing visitors enjoying various activities at the Robertson Showground.
  • Robertson Potato Festival in NSW, Australia, showing visitors enjoying the music performance at the Robertson Showground. 7 May 2023
  • Scenes from the Robertson Potato Festival in NSW, Australia, showing visitors enjoying various activities at the Robertson Showground.
  • Visitor buying potatoes from potato farmer at Roberston Potato Festival. 7 May 2023. Robertson Showground, NSW Australia.
  • Robertson Potato Festival in NSW, Australia, man eating snack whilst watching various activities at the Robertson Showground. 7 May 2023
  • Robertson Potato Festival in NSW, Australia, showing visitors enjoying various activities at the Robertson Showground. 7 May 2023
May 6, 2023

Also, on this day in the UK a Coronation took place.