Wangaratta's Jim McLean suspects a thief has literally taken flight after three successive incidents at his Murdoch Road home in as many months.
"I'm not completely sure who or what is responsible...it's a bit of a mystery, but my lead suspects are white cockatoos," the avid gardener said, wistfully surveying his yard full of natives, dwarfed by large gums trees from the One Mile Creek adjoining the property.
"My rain gauge on the back fence has had the top funnel stolen several times," he explained.
"I fitted a chain to it and yesterday found the funnel was removed, but just dangling from the chain.
"It's really struck my curiosity as to what is doing it.
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"We've had white cockatoos on the backyard decking balustrade, trying to chew the wood before and we have a lot of other birds around the place too.
"I don't think they're trying to get into the water in the gauge...we've got several bird baths in the yard, and the creek is just there too.
"Perhaps someone else out there has had a similar experience?"
If you can help solve this baffling backyard mystery, email the Wangaratta Chronicle at edit.chronicle@nemedia.com.au
And, for the record, Jim's rain gauge has recorded 275.5mm of rainfall for 2025 (up until 23 September) - which is significantly below Wangaratta's average rainfall of 459.1mm until the end of September recorded since 1987.
