Observing Flora and Fauna
Woody Island is home to many different species of flora and fauna.
Below are some of the commonly sighted species and where to find them.
Woody Island’s landscape comes alive with wildflowers during the spring season.
Common species include Melaleucas, Eucalypts, Acacias, Orchids and Bottlebrushes.
|Melaleucas||Honey myrtles Paper bark||Are a green shrub that flowers, generally found in open areas, woodland or shrubland.|
|Eucalypts||There are 5 varieties of these on the island, which makes up the majority of the trees. These give “Woody Island” its woody appearance compared to other islands. There are also hybrids at the top of the island.|
|Acacias||Wattles||The leaves of acacias are compound in general and become vertically flattened. They also display clusters of yellow flowers.|
|Orchids||Several varieties are found on Woody Island including Spider, Caladonia and purple enamels. They are found in low-lying areas, particularly around or near granite outcrops. Normally flowering from August to October.|
|Bottlebrushes||Callistemon||They often grow in damp or wet areas. The flower spikes of bottlebrushes form in spring and summer and are made up of a number of individual flowers. The pollen of the flower forms on the tip of a long coloured stalk called a filament. It is these filaments which give the flower spike its colour and distinctive 'bottlebrush' shape.|
LIZARDS – Are conspicuous on Woody Island due to the abundance of granite outcrops.
|Barking Gecko||Gymnodactylus milii||Common on the eastern sheltered side of the island.|
|Marbled Gecko||Phyllodactylus marmoratus||At night this gecko is often sighted on granite rocks even on the shore. It inhabits the whole island but more common on the eastern side.|
|Four-Toed Skink||Lygosoma quadridigitatum||Not commonly seen as they reside under the soil most of the time.|
|Grey's Skink||Lygosma labillardiere||Often seen on large granite outcrops and under rocks throughout the island.|
|Skinks||Egernia multiscutata||Are abundant and because of their size and diurnal activity they are the most commonly seen lizard. Sighted on the whole island and particularly noticeable on large granite rocks.|
MAMMALS – A few species of mammals are resident on the island.
|Ashy-Grey Mouse||Pseudonyms albocinereus||This small rodent is native to the island and is found in almost all areas.|
|Ship Rat||Rattus alexandrinus||Large numbers of these mammals are seen on the island and are the bane of the kiosk operators. Not in plague proportions.|
|Western Grey Kangaroo||Macropus fuliginusus||An introduced species as the island is too small to support a viable population.|
MARINE BIRDS – A wide variety of bird life is sighted on the island, from land dwellers to those dependent on the sea.
Enjoy the abundant birdlife that inhabits Woody Island. Watch them frolic in the birdbaths or darting throughout the trees. Near the campsite area Golden Whistlers, New Holland Honeyeaters, Silvereyes, Red-eared Firetails and Spotted Pardalotes can regularly be seen. While along the walk trails catch a glimpse of the Brown Quails, Brush Bronzewings, Rock Parrots and Raptors.
For a comprehensive list of birds sighted, check out the “Woody Island Birdlist” by Birds Australia (WA).