This week, members of our community have shared some remarkable sightings of the wildlife that shares our local environment. From the gardens of our homes, nooks and crannies of our campus, to the trees lining our streets, here are the facts behind this week’s highlights:
Java Mantis: A powerful “ambush predator” frequently found in local gardens. It is easily identified by its vibrant green body, large compound eyes providing 360-degree vision, and the serrated spikes on its front legs used to snatch prey with lightning speed. As a natural pest controller, its presence is a sign of a healthy, balanced ecosystem.
Bark Mantis: A fascinating find near our residential areas, the Bark Mantis is a specialist in “cryptic camouflage.” Unlike the common green mantis, its mottled brown, flattened body allows it to disappear against tree trunks. It is a patient ambush predator, relying on being invisible to both its prey and potential predators.
Gecko: A familiar sight on the walls of our homes, these agile climbers are highly efficient insectivores. They use millions of microscopic hairs on their toe pads to “stick” to smooth surfaces at a molecular level, providing us with excellent natural pest control.
Dusky Leaf Monkeys: Often seen in the trees bordering our residential clusters, these gentle primates (also known as Spectacled Langurs) are primarily leaf-eaters. They have specialised stomachs to process high-fibre foliage and are easily identified by the distinct white “spectacles” around their eyes.
Black-and-Red Broadbill: Spotted in the local canopy, this bird is unmistakable due to its charcoal-black feathers, crimson back, and striking turquoise beak. They are known for building large, pear-shaped nests that hang from branches, often over water, to stay out of reach of climbing predators.
Black-bellied Malkoha: A rarer sight in our local greenery, this shy bird belongs to the cuckoo family but, unlike many cuckoos, it builds its own nests and raises its own young. It is distinguished by its exceptionally long, graduated tail and the vivid red skin surrounding its eyes.
Please do share your wildlife sightings through the form below so we can feature them with the wider community in The Marlborough Weekly.
Mr Robert Bentall, Second in Department Prep PE and Games, IA Coordinator