Native animals of the Gleniffer Valley
“There are other memories too, that I can vividly recall: The howl of the dingo, the call of the bush birds, the beautiful pigeons - the sudden flutter of the Wonga pigeon, which scare the wits out of a person - the hop of the wallabies as they careered along their beaten paths, and the rustle of the snakes over the leaves.”
Alex Kethel, Bellingen Courier Sun, 26th May 1950
Broken Bridge
The remnants of the old timber bridge that once connected Timboon Road with Promised Land Loop Road can be seen on the edge of the riverbank. The bridge was built in the 1930s, however, recurring damage from floods over the years forced the removal of the bridge in the 1970s.
World Heritage habitat
The Never Never River area provides a valuable ecological buffer to the lower slopes of Dorrigo and Bindarri National Parks, forming part of important animal habitat links between World Heritage National Parks, State Forest and private property. This connection helps to protect aquatic ecosystems and provides habitat for numerous native and threatened species.
Native animals of the land, sky and waterways
The Gleniffer Valley is a lush environment that is teeming with wildlife. These lands are home to an abundant array of species of mammals, frogs, reptiles and macro invertebrates. Koalas doze in the gum trees while swamp wallabies graze the lands at dawn and dusk. Throughout the evening, possums scurry through the branches of the old weeping lilly pillies, while the boobook owl gazes silently over the fields. All the while, the giant barred frog croaks its song along the creek lines.
The Gleniffer Valley is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Over 55 different species of birds roam the skies and nest in the trees here, including kookaburra, fairy wren, galahs, red wattlebirds, satin bowerbirds, crimson rosellas, willie wagtails and eastern whipbirds. Take a moment to sit under the trees or lay on the riverbank to observe the many different birds and their calls.
There are also numerous species that inhabit the waterways, including the Bellingen river catfish, and various turtle species, including the critically endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle. You might be lucky to spot an Australian bass fish swimming through the rapids upstream, or a platypus den nestled under the mat rush foliage along the riverbank.
Acknowledgement
The Never Never Catchment Group, along with local residents and community groups, have played a significant role in caring for the environment you see around you - including riverbank regeneration, rubbish removal and fostering of wildlife corridors. The beautiful surroundings that are here for you to enjoy would not have been possible without their outstanding contributions to environmental conservation in the Gleniffer Valley.
Native animal species of the Gleniffer Valley: Gumbaynggirr language names
There are many native animals known to the Gumbaynggirr people – these are just a few.
Common name |
Gumbaynggirr name |
bandicoot (long-nosed) |
gawuum |
black cockatoo |
biliirrgan |
blue-tongue lizard |
wandarrga |
boobook owl (mopoke) |
guubuny |
brush turkey |
gilgunyjan |
brushtail possum |
gurraagay |
butcher bird |
wulaaran |
carpet python |
jumbaal |
currawong |
dawaalam |
eagle |
garriirl |
eastern quoll |
baalijin |
echidna |
mujaay |
eastern rosella |
burli-burli |
eel |
buurrga |
feathertail glider |
burruurr |
freshwater turtle |
ngurlaa |
frog |
jaraan |
fruit bat |
balawirr |
green tree snake |
giirring |
goanna |
wirriiga |
king parrot |
gaangan |
koala |
dunggiirr |
kookaburra |
gaagum |
lyrebird |
jaawan |
magpie |
ngaambul |
platypus |
Muluny, ngaadam |
possum (brushtail) |
gurraagay |
red-browed finch |
bunyun |
regent bowerbird |
wagaybulun |
satin bowerbird |
jiirrgan |
sugar glider |
gambany |
tadpole |
girrimbirrin |
tawny frogmouth |
jinijinu |
wallaby (swamp) |
gaabi |
wallaby (red-necked) |
buliin |
willie wagtail |
ganyjarr-ganyjarr |
wonga pigeon |
galulam |
Source: Morelli, Steve: Gumbaynggirr BijaarrJandaygam, Ngaawa Gugaarrigam, Gumbaynggirr Dictionary and Learner’s Grammar. Muurrbay Aboriginal Language & Cultural Co-operative, 2008, Nambucca Heads, NSW.
