Raakajilm

Plants and animals

Meet the living things we share Raakajilm with.

The Raakajilm wetland

A living species list

Stories from the property

Every plant and animal here has a story. These are the ones we’ve written up in the nature diary, straight from our Mallee backyard.

Plants Birds Invertebrates Mammals, reptiles and amphibians

Plants

Wildflowers, trees and grasses

Blog
Swainson-pea Field Day
Swainson-pea Field Day

In September 2025, we hosted a field day on Raakajilm searching for the Silky Swainson-pea (Swainsona sericea). What a day it was - fully booked and wait-listed. Who knew there were so many plant nerds in the Mallee! And we solved the rhizobium mystery!

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The Swainsona Files
The Swainsona Files

The Swainson-peas are beautiful plants, difficult to propagate and mostly threatened in Victoria. In the Mallee we have several species, including: Small-leaf Swainson-pea (Swainsona microphylla); Silky Swainson-pea (Swainsona sericea); Dwarf Swainson Pea (Swainsona phacoides); and Hairy Darling-pea (Swainsona greyana).

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Gazania - the multicolour menace
Gazania - the multicolour menace

It’s that time of year when Gazanias start flowering and we notice them creeping their way into bushland areas. These plants may be colourful but they are a real menace. It frustrates me that they are not listed as a weed in Victoria so they can still be sold in nurseries. Luckily, I’m not the only one concerned.

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More plant stories

Birds

From honeyeaters to Regent Parrots

Blog
Emu poo filled with Quandongs
Emu poo filled with Quandongs

We have invited a few emus to live on Raakajlim. Job description: “Eat, walk and poo”. And now we have giant Quandong-filled poo all over the place!

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What birds can be seen in the Victorian Mallee?
What birds can be seen in the Victorian Mallee?

Here is a bird list for Raakajlim, as well as lists of birds you can expect to see in the Victorian Mallee.

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White-winged Fairywrens
White-winged Fairywrens

White-winged Fairywrens in the garden.

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More bird stories

Invertebrates

Butterflies, beetles and bugs

Blog
Mallee Looper research update
Mallee Looper research update

The Mallee Looper is a native caterpillar that is eating its way through thousands of hectares of Mallee Woodlands in Victoria and South Australia. Here is what we learnt this year.

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Beautiful black and white butterflies
Beautiful black and white butterflies

Butterflies in abundance - Caper Whites and Chequered Swallowtails.

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Cuckoo spit
Cuckoo spit

Mysterious cuckoo spit at the base of plants - what is it, where does it come from?

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More invertebrate stories

Mammals, reptiles and amphibians

Echidnas, dragons and frogs

Blog
Bandy-bandy snake
Bandy-bandy snake

Is this not the coolest snake? A Bandy Bandy on Raakajilm!

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Bats in the Mallee
Bats in the Mallee

A rare chance to see the bats of the Mallee up close.

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Tree Dtella
Tree Dtella

These are the geckos which live on our windows and doors, hunting for moths attracted to the lights.

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More animal stories

Come and see them for yourself

Raakajilm is closed while it recovers from the January 2026 fire. Get in touch and we’ll let you know when you can visit.

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