Guy Ballard
@guyballard.bsky.social
Principal Research Scientist, DPIRD.
Part-time, Uni of New England, NSW.
Dingoes, foxes, cats and quolls.
Rock wallabies when time permits.
Comments are mine.
Part-time, Uni of New England, NSW.
Dingoes, foxes, cats and quolls.
Rock wallabies when time permits.
Comments are mine.
🧪 Wonderful to be in the field with some students this week.
We are trapping #possums for a genetic study as well as seeking recaptures from our marked population.
The view into the Sara River catchment isn’t bad either…
We are trapping #possums for a genetic study as well as seeking recaptures from our marked population.
The view into the Sara River catchment isn’t bad either…
March 25, 2025 at 6:29 AM
🧪 Wonderful to be in the field with some students this week.
We are trapping #possums for a genetic study as well as seeking recaptures from our marked population.
The view into the Sara River catchment isn’t bad either…
We are trapping #possums for a genetic study as well as seeking recaptures from our marked population.
The view into the Sara River catchment isn’t bad either…
Research samples!!! 🧪
7 #dingo heads and 7 #feralcats from a great
trapper who supports our research by providing samples from programs he conducts for public and private land managers.
These will be used by multiple researchers to inform future predator policy and management.
7 #dingo heads and 7 #feralcats from a great
trapper who supports our research by providing samples from programs he conducts for public and private land managers.
These will be used by multiple researchers to inform future predator policy and management.
February 20, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Research samples!!! 🧪
7 #dingo heads and 7 #feralcats from a great
trapper who supports our research by providing samples from programs he conducts for public and private land managers.
These will be used by multiple researchers to inform future predator policy and management.
7 #dingo heads and 7 #feralcats from a great
trapper who supports our research by providing samples from programs he conducts for public and private land managers.
These will be used by multiple researchers to inform future predator policy and management.
Genuine question for Australian #bird #ecology
On a recent trip I noticed Corellas and galahs dominating Casuarina spp. food resources I’ve previously observed being used by black cockatoos in and around northern NSW coastal towns. Any informed observations re competition? Is anyone working on it?
On a recent trip I noticed Corellas and galahs dominating Casuarina spp. food resources I’ve previously observed being used by black cockatoos in and around northern NSW coastal towns. Any informed observations re competition? Is anyone working on it?
January 27, 2025 at 3:36 AM
An assassin bug with ladybird prey. There’s always drama in the garden.
January 27, 2025 at 3:30 AM
An assassin bug with ladybird prey. There’s always drama in the garden.
This summer many local #Eucalyptus trees are suffering from #beetle damage. First we had cockchafers, then Christmas beetles.
In some areas 100% of trees are very badly affected. Hopefully, given reasonable soil moisture, there’ll be new leaves soon.
🤞🤞
In some areas 100% of trees are very badly affected. Hopefully, given reasonable soil moisture, there’ll be new leaves soon.
🤞🤞
January 27, 2025 at 3:21 AM
This summer many local #Eucalyptus trees are suffering from #beetle damage. First we had cockchafers, then Christmas beetles.
In some areas 100% of trees are very badly affected. Hopefully, given reasonable soil moisture, there’ll be new leaves soon.
🤞🤞
In some areas 100% of trees are very badly affected. Hopefully, given reasonable soil moisture, there’ll be new leaves soon.
🤞🤞
Another day, another Eucalyptus sp. feast for Xmas beetles. They have finally made it to the E. dalrympleana (Mountain gums).
January 8, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Another day, another Eucalyptus sp. feast for Xmas beetles. They have finally made it to the E. dalrympleana (Mountain gums).
In 2025 we will separate Canis familiaris into #dogs, nogs & fogs. Dogs still resemble ancient dogs, nogs are sufficiently ‘petified’ that they are unlikely to survive without people. Fogs barely resemble their forebears and are a shameful mix of toy, ugly sculpture and things real dogs would eat.😉
January 1, 2025 at 12:11 AM
In 2025 we will separate Canis familiaris into #dogs, nogs & fogs. Dogs still resemble ancient dogs, nogs are sufficiently ‘petified’ that they are unlikely to survive without people. Fogs barely resemble their forebears and are a shameful mix of toy, ugly sculpture and things real dogs would eat.😉
Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus spp.) are having a wonderful time this summer.They are scarabs, locally associated with #Eucalyptus dieback.
Here they are rapidly defoliating one of my E. scoparia (AKA Wallangarra white gum).
Here they are rapidly defoliating one of my E. scoparia (AKA Wallangarra white gum).
December 30, 2024 at 11:48 PM
Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus spp.) are having a wonderful time this summer.They are scarabs, locally associated with #Eucalyptus dieback.
Here they are rapidly defoliating one of my E. scoparia (AKA Wallangarra white gum).
Here they are rapidly defoliating one of my E. scoparia (AKA Wallangarra white gum).
Rain is very welcome.
No lightning strikes please. 🤞🤞
No lightning strikes please. 🤞🤞
December 27, 2024 at 7:05 AM
Rain is very welcome.
No lightning strikes please. 🤞🤞
No lightning strikes please. 🤞🤞
This dog vomit slime mould is having a lovely time decomposing these hardwood chips.
December 26, 2024 at 8:17 PM
This dog vomit slime mould is having a lovely time decomposing these hardwood chips.
Notamacropus rufogriseus ('red-necked' wallabies).
Rufus neck and rump. White lines on the face.
Similar species include N. parryi and N. dorsalis
Rufus neck and rump. White lines on the face.
Similar species include N. parryi and N. dorsalis
December 21, 2024 at 5:26 AM
Notamacropus rufogriseus ('red-necked' wallabies).
Rufus neck and rump. White lines on the face.
Similar species include N. parryi and N. dorsalis
Rufus neck and rump. White lines on the face.
Similar species include N. parryi and N. dorsalis
Awww. Baby murder bags (AKA #feralcats)
They are incredibly cute but will grow up to be killers of Australia's amazing endemic fauna.
They are incredibly cute but will grow up to be killers of Australia's amazing endemic fauna.
December 21, 2024 at 4:34 AM
Awww. Baby murder bags (AKA #feralcats)
They are incredibly cute but will grow up to be killers of Australia's amazing endemic fauna.
They are incredibly cute but will grow up to be killers of Australia's amazing endemic fauna.
We've identified dozens of individual #feralcats at this site in 2024. Along with red foxes they are unwanted mesopredators.
December 19, 2024 at 10:01 AM
We've identified dozens of individual #feralcats at this site in 2024. Along with red foxes they are unwanted mesopredators.
Osphranter robustus, the 'common' #wallaroo. The species is sexually dimorphic with males (pictured) tending to be much darker than females. Commonly associated with hilly country, these large macropods are found locally in grassland, woodland and forest.
December 18, 2024 at 3:14 AM
Osphranter robustus, the 'common' #wallaroo. The species is sexually dimorphic with males (pictured) tending to be much darker than females. Commonly associated with hilly country, these large macropods are found locally in grassland, woodland and forest.
Next time you (foolishly) approach a #kangaroo for your own gratification, remember they carry these. (Not to mention their much more powerful hind legs). Please keep to yourself.
December 18, 2024 at 2:52 AM
Next time you (foolishly) approach a #kangaroo for your own gratification, remember they carry these. (Not to mention their much more powerful hind legs). Please keep to yourself.
With so much native vegetation, it’s no surprise the Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne are home to many native animals, including the Southern Brown #Bandicoot !!!
December 14, 2024 at 9:32 PM
With so much native vegetation, it’s no surprise the Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne are home to many native animals, including the Southern Brown #Bandicoot !!!
The Botanic gardens at Cranbourne, Victoria, showcase the beauty and diversity of Australia’s endemic flora.
December 14, 2024 at 9:30 PM
The Botanic gardens at Cranbourne, Victoria, showcase the beauty and diversity of Australia’s endemic flora.
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne, Victoria, are a National treasure. So happy to visit them y’day.
December 14, 2024 at 8:18 PM
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne, Victoria, are a National treasure. So happy to visit them y’day.
That feeling when you’re working on your laptop, after an inspiring conference, and your friend sends you a message saying that he’s tracking foxes 🦊 in Finland 😳
December 13, 2024 at 12:29 AM
That feeling when you’re working on your laptop, after an inspiring conference, and your friend sends you a message saying that he’s tracking foxes 🦊 in Finland 😳