The number and variety of wattles match the diversity of the eucalypts. Other small trees or large shrubs include the Drooping Sheoak, two Banksia species, Dryland Tea-tree, Broombush, Scarlet Bottlebrush, several Hakea and the slow-growing Tate's Grass tree. Because of its isolation from the mainland, Kangaroo Island has 46 endemic species; these are plants that are native to, and restricted to, a particular geographical region. Some of these, like the two Tetrathecas, are very beautiful; others, like the prickly Kangaroo Island Conestick, are more remarkable for their uniqueness than their beauty. One Hakea (Hakea aenigma), does not put on seed in the normal way, but reproduces itself by suckering.
Spring is the best time to see the Golden Wattle (Australia's floral emblem); many species of wattle provide a mass of vivid yellow from Penneshaw to Cape Borda and many places in between. Other flowering plants, which bring a splash of colour to the bush, include Scarlet Bottlebrush, orange and red Cockies Tongue, purple Fringe-lily, green and red Correa, Azure Daisy bush and many others. The different varieties of scented white bearded heaths, white and yellow graceful Riceflower, green-orange, lovely pink and red Grevilleas and Spyridiums enhance the beauty of the understorey.
There are also more than 80 different species of orchid found on the Island. All of them are terrestrial and they range in height from 1-100cms.
Kangaroo Island is a paradise for bird-watchers. Some 267 recorded species of birds can be found among a diverse range of habitats, including coastal cliffs, beaches and estuaries, heath and mallee, river and creek systems and wetlands and lagoons. Some of the betterknown locations for bird-watching are Duck Lagoon, Murray Lagoon and Pelican Lagoon.
Kangaroo Island is excellent for waders and seabirds, while bush birds thrive in the large parks. One of the most prized sightings is the very rare Glossy Black Cockatoo.
Two of the Island's most famous residents include:
Little Penguins: found around the coastline, living and breeding in burrows under shrubs, rocks and other sheltered places. Their noisy call can be heard at night. Guided tours are conducted each evening at Penneshaw.
Pelicans: feeding time at Kingscote makes for one of the noisiest, jolliest events on the island. Every evening, visitors gather on the rocks to watch the 'Pelican Man' throw fish-bits to his very appreciative crowd.
The Ligurian Bee
A species found nowhere else on the planet...
The Ligurian Bee story starts in 1884 when the South Australian Chamber of Manufacturers sent Ligurian bees to two Kangaroo Island farmers, John Buick of American River and John Turner of Smiths Bay. One year later, other Island residents received Ligurian Queen bees imported from Bologna, Italy, resulting in the South Australian parliament proclaiming Kangaroo Island a sanctuary for these unique Ligurian bees in September, 1885.
In October 1885, August Fiebig began commercial queen breeding near Penneshaw, but ceased operating in 1890 due to geographical isolation and difficulty, in those days, accessing the Island.
Since then, no other breeds of bee have been introduced to Kangaroo Island. Because of the Island's isolation, all present-day honeybees are descendants of those early imports. These bees are pure Ligurian and, as such, are unique in the world.
Ligurian Bees are renowned for their gentle nature and productivity. These characteristics, and the purity of the strain, make them a valuable genetic pool for breeding purposes. Mated queen bees are regularly exported interstate and overseas.
In recognition of the bee sanctuary, status legislation was introduced in 1931 prohibiting the importation of bees and second-hand beekeeping equipment to the island. Since then, the identification of Foul Brood Disease in mainland hives have necessitated the banning of all bee products to the Island, to ensure that the Ligurian Bee remains disease free.