Leigh and Shiree Rainbird are the owners of Athol Grove, a property situated in The Rock, approximately 35km southwest of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The property is a residence and dedicated wildlife sanctuary, and Leigh and Shiree are currently working to preserve and regenerate the existing native vegetation in order to provide habitat for wildlife. The property is registered as a Wildlife Refuge with the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage.
The property covers approximately 41 hectares and backs on to the Rock Hill Nature Reserve. Approximately 2/3 of the property was originally used for wheat and canola cropping, but is now undergoing restoration. The remaining 1/3 of the property consists of remnant native bushland, which has been untouched for 20 years and is currently regenerating naturally.
Vegetation on the property largely consists of box gum grassy woodland and mixed native grassland and pasture species. Two dams provide water and habitat for wildlife.
Wildlife found on the property includes eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), lace monitors (Varanus varius) and various snakes and lizards. Birds such as glossy black cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami) and wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) are also present.
