The Nut - Stanley, Tasmania

Yesterday evening we took the boys to another Parks & Wildlife Service (PWS) activity - a 'creatures of the night' tour of The Nut (remnants of a volcanic plug) at Stanley. It was again led by Discovery Ranger Jess who shared her passion and extensive knowledge about the native wildlife (and scatology). After a short but very steep walk we viewed the beautiful sunset over the water. We then did a circuit around the plateau and got to see some pademelons and short-tailed shearwaters (muttonbirds) flying in to their burrows. The group even spotted a muttonbird egg as well as an echidna.

(Did I mention that it was a steep walk? Steep! And coming back down in the dark with an 11 month old wrapped on my front was certainly interesting! It was after midnight by the time we got home and we had 4 very tired boys!)

Go Fish...

Shmoo and Loo playing Go Fish with science cards.

Tasmanian Pademelon

 

Our little pademelon friend has taken to stopping by quite regularly and The OH has named her Bridie. The other morning Bridie brought a friend along to breakfast with her and The OH was thrilled to see that Bridie also had a joey in her pouch. This evening she was back and we were able to get a good look at her adorable baby.

Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service - Devil Detectives

 

   

  

  

As part of their education service, the Parks & Wildlife Service runs a Summer Discovery Ranger Program. We took the boys along to the Devil Detectives session at Sisters Beach. The enthusiastic Discovery Ranger Jess used fun games and activities to teach the kids (and adults) some interesting facts about Tasmanian Devils and we learnt how to track Devils as well as some other animals. Among other things, the kids got to see some animal skulls and poo; learn how to identify various tracks; make their own plaster cast of a devil print; and check out equipment like motion sensor cameras and traps.

Check out the free summer activities that are held all over Tassie!

Happy New Year

Took the boys over to Burnie, had a late night picnic and they watched their first ever fireworks display from the boardwalk...