Visited: Autumn
Recommendation: This unassuming area in the Coffs Harbour hinterland is a great place to explore. One birding session with a 10km total travelled gave up nearly 60 species of bird. Throw in Pretty-faced Wallaby and some rare frogs, and this is a really good place to find wildlife.
Lowanna is a suburb of Coff's Harbour, believe it or not. It is high up in the Dorrigo Mountain Range in thick forest. We spent a few days here visiting a friend and the views were quite spectacular and the wildlife even better.
Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae)
Australasian Pipits were running everywhere that there were open spaces. You can always spot them as they bob their tails when in motion. The exact reason why pipits bob isn't definitively known, but scientists have proposed a few theories:
Balance: One idea is that tail bobbing helps pipits maintain balance, especially when they are perched on uneven surfaces or reeds.
Territorial Signaling: Another theory suggests that it's a form of communication, particularly among males. The constant tail bobbing might be a way to mark their territory and deter other males from entering their space.
Predatory Signal: Similar to wagging their tails, some scientists believe pipits bob their tails to signal vigilance to potential predators. This constant movement might make them seem more alert and less likely to be caught off guard.
Giant Barred Frog (Mixophyes iteratus)
We went out spotlighting a couple of times and in one local park found a dozen Giant Barred Frog. These endangered frogs were huge with wonderful markings. They were placid and tolerant and very, very odd!
The exact reason why Giant Barred Frogs are so big is likely a combination of factors related to their diet, habitat, predation risk, and evolutionary history. Their larger size grants them advantages in terms of feeding, surviving currents, and potentially attracting mates, despite the increased energy demands.
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
In abundance here were Masked Lapwings. Also known as Spur-winged Plovers, these are very noisy birds and always ready to set off an alarm call. They nest on the ground so their chicks are particularly vulnerable. As soon as any threat is perceived, they scream and screech. They are also not shy of showing aggression to humans either. In New South Wales, these are the black-shouldered sub species.
These ground-nesting birds have thrived in Australia for a reason. The chicks have excellent camouflage with downy brown and buff feathers that further enhance their ability to hide in their surroundings.
The lack of cover in the short grass where they nest allows them to have a clear view of their surroundings and see potential threats approaching from any direction. Adults constantly scan their surroundings for danger and are quick to sound the alarm with loud calls if they sense a threat. These calls not only alert their mate but can also attract other birds which can create a mobbing situation to scare off the predator.
Pretty-faced Wallaby (Macropus parryi)
One of the most exciting finds we had was not of a bird but of the aptly named, Pretty-faced Wallaby. They have strong, dark facial features and rufous fur. We saw a pair of them and although they were obviously shy, I got a few shots.
One theory suggests that the delicate facial features, particularly the large ears, might aid in heat dissipation. Large ears can help radiate excess body heat, which is crucial for wallabies living in warm and arid environments.
Larger ears could also indicate better hearing abilities. This could be advantageous for detecting predators or staying alert to their surroundings.
Facial expressions and postures play a role in social communication among wallabies. The delicate features might allow for more subtle and nuanced expressions compared to wallabies with stockier faces.
White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaea)
Unsurprisingly, there were lots of treecreepers in the dense forest. We heard them calling regularly but they were difficult to find. Eventually, we were lucky enough to find one sitting on a tree stump. This is probably the first time I have had a good look at the front of one.