Hi, Nature Lovers

Our swimming pool is now empty (apart from a large puddle at the deep end) for repairs and restoration and it has become something of a trap for some of the wildlife. Frogs,skinks, geckos, water dragons and other lizards attracted by the puddle are able to climb in and out with ease. However, the ubiquitous cane toad and snakes cannot extricate themselves once in and I have had a regular selection stranded with nowhere to go.

The cane toads are consigned to the freezer for humane despatch and I rescue the native wildlife so they can get on with their business.

Yesterday morning, there were several snakes doing laps in the puddle including the rare and striking bandy bandy, a keelback and a brown-snouted blind snake (unfortunate name), all non-venomous. Attached are a few photos.

All were successfully removed and released. It will be interesting to see how I go if a large king brown or a red-bellied black snake end up in the pool as they are both very large and venomous. My little prawning net may prove inadequate for the task of catching them! Fortunately, the pool should be back in service in the next week or so and the problem will go away.

Alan