What lives and visits
Dangar Island?
This project aims to engage and rally the many eyes and ears of people who live on and visit Dangar Island to help learn more about the animals that also live on or visit Dangar Island. The more we know about what species call our island home or like to visit, the better protection we can provide for them.
This is not an exact science - it is a list of citizen data and images that will renew every year - the aim being that we are learning about the needs, behaviour and seasonal changes to the creatures on and around Dangar Island.
The species list is visible on the desktop site only but you can add a species to the list from your phone as you walk about.
Item List
IDK Moth
Scientific Name:
Location:
Ferry Wharf!
Date:
2023
June
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
BWIH
Write about your encounter here
PIED OYSTER CATCHER
Scientific Name:
Location:
On the wharves facing Wobby Beach and around Mareela Reef.
Date:
2022
September
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
GL-R
I first saw the Pied Oyster Catcher in September 2000, then in 2009, 2015 and every year since. There seems to be a family here now.
GREAT EGRET
Scientific Name:
Location:
Around Mareela Reef
Date:
2023
March
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
GL-R
I first saw the Great Egret in March 1999, then again in May 2022 and then again in March 2023. Each time near Mareela Reef. Pho
Black Wing Stilt
Scientific Name:
Himantopus himantopus
Location:
Bradley's Beach
Date:
2023
May
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
S.B.
A pair on the water line that flew away with their long red legs dangling behind to resettle on the beach behind us.
EASTERN OSPREY
Scientific Name:
Location:
Sitting on our flagpole at 39 Grantham Crescent, near Mareela Reef.
Date:
2023
April
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
GL-R
I first saw the Osprey in 2017 sitting on our flapole. Then again in 2021 and twice in 2023. He likes to sit on the flagpole and groom himself.
Golden-crowned snake
Scientific Name:
Cacophos squamulosus
Location:
19 Riverview Ave, back garden.
Date:
2023
April
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
Kb
Found sleeping under an old piece of timber in the garden :)
Brahminy Kite
Scientific Name:
Haliastur Indus
Location:
Between Dangar and Long Island - near the powerline
Date:
2023
March
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
C.A.
I saw a Brahminy Kite in the same spot two days in a row. It was just flying around, minding its own business. I've seen one up at Bar Point too so they must be hanging out nearby.
King Parrot
Scientific Name:
Alisterus scapularis
Location:
Baroona Street Backyard
Date:
2023
April
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
A.M.M
Write about your encounter here
Human
Scientific Name:
Homo sapiens
Location:
In the park, and all across the island
Date:
2023
April
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
PG
Proliferate across the island, gathered in groups of young and old, humans can be seen particularly in the daylight hours. Congregating in social groups to eat, drink and play, humans have been visiting Dangar Island for thousands of years.
Red triangle slug
Scientific Name:
Triboniophorus graeffei
Location:
Climbing up the Red Cedar to meet other Red triangle slugs, eastern side of Riverview Ave
Date:
2022
November
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
AP
For years I have admired the curly light lines on the sandstone rocks on and around the island. I didn't know who made these beautiful drawings until I read that it was the work of the Red triangle slug which lives off a diet of moss, algae and mould. I wondered why the slugs I had seen all go up the Red cedar tree in our garden at night. Years later I read that that they go to the tops of trees to meet other slugs, a place to date and mate. Then, mission accomplished they return to lay their eggs around the tree's trunk. To add to this they are both male and female, haemaphorite, like the Leopard slug. Like the Leopard slugs the Red triangle slugs circle around each other before getting entwined and popping out their genitals to exchange sperm. Leopard slugs do this on the end on a long thick cord of slime that they make to suspend themselves from an overhanging rock or other vertical surface. A great way to ensure there's no interruptions. To protect themselves from predators like frogs, bats, birds or reptiles they secrete a strong super glue like slime that slows down the hunters and allows them to get away.
Australian king parrot
Scientific Name:
Alisterus scapularis
Location:
This mutant King parrot can be seen on our verandah under a large Port Jackson fig tree on the eastern side of Riverview Ave
Date:
2022
December
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
AP
Over the years there have been at least 6 or so mutant King parrots on Dangar Island. Maybe being an island we get more mutation happening like the cross breeding that happened a few years ago between the Eastern and Crimson rosellas. The yellow mutant Kings may find it harder to hide from predator birds. Us humans having only 3 types of cones in our retinas cannot see the yellow glowing feathers on the King parrots' wings. Birds have 4 types of cones in their retinas. I wonder how the yellow mutation affects their ultraviolet colour.......Write about your encounter here
Brown Goshawk
Scientific Name:
Accipiter fasciatus
Location:
Kiparra Park near Whistling Kite Point
Date:
2023
February
^ Click to see the whole image ^
Sighting Notes:
Sighted by:
S.B.
It is a fledgling that was likely raised in the abandoned Whistling Kite nest high in the park. You could hear it before you could see itk