Friday 18th February 2022. 0830 – 1005

Weather

4.5 mm of rain in the gauge. Scattered cloud with frequent sunny periods. Light NW breeze around 5 knots. Track damp with some muddy patches. Water level remains high. Full Moon + 1 day.

Wildlife Report

I realized as I approached Allumbah Pocket that it was Yungaburra Volunteers work day as revealed by several cars and trucks parked by the entrance and the noise of mechanical tools already commencing.
In spite of this I found a Green Ringtail Possum in the trees to the right of the main entrance although it was very well concealed in a rarely used tree and I was not able to identify it.
In the tree next to Lloyd’s Suspension Bridge I found a Green Ringtail Possum occupying the frequently used perch right next to the Bridge. It was however facing towards the Bridge and it was from there that I checked out it’s full frontal view and observed behaviour that I have not seen before.
It appeared to be holding up an enlarged pouch and at one stage had most of it’s nose thrust within which suggested to me that it was either “Mrs Green” occupying the perch or more likely that “Nosey” who I had mistakenly judged to be male was not only female but had a joey in her pouch. She seemed to be performing a meticulous job which went on for several minutes when she withdrew and gave me the sort of withering look reserved for men who watch ladies other than their wives breast feeding!
At The Other Side the Spotted Catbird could be seen on her nest ignoring the noises from nearby.
At Horseshoe Rocks a medium sized Eastern Water Dragon was on one of the rocks forming the horizon where he remained while I conversed with a couple of the volunteers.
I checked out the trees near Snodgrass’s Pool looking for “Whitespot” my favourite female GRP and was at first unable to spot her but I soon found her in one of the Camphor Laurel trees where she very helpfully turned round to give me a full face view.
Before I had a chance to move on a small Platypus appeared close to the far bank and searched for food for a few minutes without approaching me. When she set off upstream I followed but no close up photo opportunities were forthcoming.
I parted from her at Platypus Bend and continued on seeing little apart from numerous White-headed Pigeons in the canopy of the larger trees.
At the base of Picnic Peninsula I found another Platypus heading downstream and followed her for a short distance without spectacular results.
From Dowling’s Corridor I saw a pair of Orange-footed Scrubfowl on the far bank and had one of them firmly in my sights but she refused to lift her head from the leaf litter.
Under the Highway Bridge I again saw two pairs of Large-footed Fishing Bats which I attempted to photograph. It would be much easier if I could walk on water.
Crossing the Bridge I found “Calamity” the Coppery Brushtail Possum in her thicket alongside the walkway. She usually turns towards me if awake but is hard to photograph because of the intervening twigs and leaves.
On the rocks below there were this morning three very small Water Dragons but all keeping themselves to themselves.
At the Car Park a Rufous Shrikethrush was fossicking in the undergrowth and was duly photographed.
I continued on to Nick’s Camping Area where another Motor Home had arrived but I took a long range shot of one bird which turned out to be a Curlew with another concealed behind it.
On the Yungaburra side of the Creek there were no Tree Roos to be found today and I failed to see the Spotted Catbird which seemed to be flying around me calling.
In the overhanging Fig Tree “Tattie” the second Coppery Brushtail Possum was showing her best side and the Green Ringtail Possum was also doing it’s best to avoid a good photo.