The Bathurst earless dragon (Tympanocrypti mccartneyi) was named in honour of Bathurst snake catcher and naturalist Ian McArtney and once called the native grasslands of the Bathurst Plains home.

It was sighted a few times from 1966 to 1993 between West Bathurst and Perthville, including on Mount Panorama, but it has sadly not been seen since.

A recent scientific study found that what was once thought to be one species of grassland earless dragon across south eastern Australia was actually four distinct species, including the Bathurst dragon.

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"It is an exceptionally small lizard that would sit snugly on your thumb though it is happiest darting in and out of its home in abandoned spider burrows set among tussocky grasses," Central Tablelands Local Land Services senior officer Allan Wray said.

"With the weather warming up and the winter rain bringing the landscape back to life it's a great opportunity to keep your eye out for this little lizard."

The Bathurst earless dragon is now most likely to be found in paddocks that have been rotationally grazed and without a history of cultivation.

It can be identified by the lack of an ear drum, usually seen as a darker circular patch just down the side of the lizard behind the eye.

If you think you've spotted a Bathurst earless dragon or believe you have a patch on your property that might be perfect earless dragon habitat, please email allan.wray@lls.nsw.gov.au.