Eels in the wild

I know it's not alpaca-related but it is part of living in the bush, and the video is too good not to share.

Just another day at the Summer House! 

Euan and I were enjoying a peaceful moment on the deck when we spotted this magnificent creature gliding through the dam—an enormous, so relaxed and graceful eel. Watching it casually feed on the grasses beneath the water’s surface was mesmerising, moving so effortlessly. 🐍

Nature always surprises us, and this was one of those magical moments we love about living here in Wollombi Valley. We feel so lucky to share these special encounters with the wildlife that calls our farm home. 💚🌿

He is at least one metre long and not the only eel in the dam right now. This one is an Australian Long Fin Eel.

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My curious mind had me googling Eels, so here are five interesting facts about Australian eels: 

1. Migration Journey: Australian longfin eels (Anguilla reinhardtii) are famous for their incredible migration. They travel thousands of kilometres from freshwater rivers and lakes to warm tropical waters to spawn.

2. Lifespan: These eels have a long lifespan, often living up to 50 years. Some eels may stay in freshwater environments for decades before migrating to the ocean to reproduce.

3. Feeding Habits: Longfin eels are opportunistic carnivores, feeding on a variety of prey including fish, insects, crustaceans, and even small mammals or birds that come too close to the water.

4. Habitat: They are found along the east coast of Australia, particularly in rivers, lakes, and streams from Queensland to Tasmania. They can tolerate a range of habitats, from freshwater to estuaries.

5. Cultural Significance: Longfin eels hold significant cultural importance for Indigenous Australian communities, particularly as a food source and in stories related to their migration and life cycle. 

These eels are fascinating creatures due to their long life cycle, adaptability, and epic migrations, now I need to see if we have any more Silver Perch fish left in our dam. 

#littlevalleyfarm #SummerHouseMoments #wollombivalley #NatureMagic #EelSighting #FarmLife #OffGridCabin #WildlifeEncounters #PeacefulLiving #slowliving #slowtravel

Red-Bellied Black Snake by the Dam: A Relaxed Visitor at Little Valley Farm

At Little Valley Farm, we share our space with all kinds of wildlife, including the occasional visitor like the red-bellied black snake. Recently, we spotted one of these beautiful creatures relaxing by the dam, enjoying the water and foraging for food. While it may seem alarming to see a snake, this calm visitor is an important part of the natural ecosystem in the Hunter Valley.

The red-bellied black snake, known for its glossy black scales and striking red belly, is a native species commonly found in the area. Though they can be venomous, these snakes are generally shy and avoid confrontation. In this case, the snake seems content to pass through, possibly staying for a few days as it searches for frogs, fish, or small animals near the water.

At Little Valley Farm, we believe in respecting wildlife's natural habitats. Snakes like the red-bellied black are an essential part of the local biodiversity, helping to control populations of pests and maintaining a balanced ecosystem. As part of our land care practices, we allow wildlife to pass through without interference, ensuring that all creatures—from alpacas to snakes—can coexist harmoniously.

While it's important to remain cautious around snakes, we know this one is simply passing through and won't pose any threat to our farm. If you're exploring the farm or attending one of our alpaca workshops, it's always good to be aware of your surroundings, but rest assured that these snakes prefer to keep to themselves.

Look at the two distinctive marks on his back in the video.

NSW DPI Get Ready Animals Evacuation Plan for Livestock owners

Euan talking to NSW Department of Primary Industries for the "Get Animals Ready" campaign right after the 2019/2020 bushfires.

How times have changed since the 2019 bushfires and this month the focus is on our flood evac plan - Let’s hope we and all the other livestock owners do not need to use it.

Have you updated your fire and flood plan this year?

NSW Department of Primary Industries NSW SES Australian Alpaca Association #littlevalleyfarm #huntervalley

Do platypus live in our creek? How many wild dogs are roaming the hilltops?

With the help of Hunter Region Landcare Network, Wollombi Valley Landcare, and Local Land Service, we’ve set up a few motion-sensitive cameras in critical locations around our bushland and creek-line.

We aim to monitor and track wild dog, feral pig, feral cats, and feral goat activity and hope to monitor platypus activity.

This year we have noticed an increase in dog visits and several native animal carcasses have been left on our paddocks including wallaroos and a wombat. The most recent attack was a wombat found early on a Monday morning following an alert from the Alpacas. He had been badly mauled by a Dog so we took him to Cedar Creek Wombat Hospital for treatment. He survived thanks to the great work at the Hospital.

We have never seen the elusive platypus in our creek but know they were there once here. The good news is that they were spotted two kilometres down the creek last week and they are known to live further up Watagan Creek.

Over the next thirty days, the infrared cameras will hopefully pick up some activity. The programme is managed by HRLN and LLS and is accessible to Wollombi Valley Landcare owners. If you wish to get involved please drop an email to Victoria from Hunter Region Landcare Network on the email ~ lowerhunterlandcare @ gmail.com