Spiders and Scorpions and Quenda! Oh My!

When the Husband and I moved to our property years ago, the only marsupial around was the odd Brushtail possum. In those early years we were involved in volunteer work at Karakamia Sanctuary, a place nearby which, through exclusion of feral animals, hoped to see the rise of endangered animals which used to be common to the Hills, like Woylie (Brush tailed Bettong) and Quenda (Southern Brown Bandicoot).

Their work has seen a tremendous increase in these animals, especially the Quendas, whose young are small enough to squeeze through their fox/rabbit proof fence. The Quenda started populating the area surrounding the sanctuary and now not too many years later, they are once again a common sight in the Hills.

We are lucky enough to have a number of these critters residing at Cwm Goch. Each night when I venture out to lock up the geese and chooks, I have to be careful where I step as inevitably one will run across my path or be underfoot.

They are very inquisitive and aren't shy at all - the very qualities which make them easy prey to predators like cats and foxes. We don't have any cats or foxes about at the moment, thanks to a vigilant neighbour so the population here is increasing. Tonight I snapped these pics of one who was busy scavenging from the chooks scrap dish. What a cutie!