Weather

33 mm of rain. Cloudy in the morning with a few light showers but brightening with sunny periods later. Light E-SE Breeze. Track slightly damp. Water level steady. Moon phase – New Moon – 4 days

Wildlife Report

A late start today as at 3 pm I had arranged to meet Grant B, a stalwart follower of Platypus Patrol, who was visiting from Brisbane for the WE.
The trees at the entrance to Allumbah Pocket were checked without success but the Chocolate Brushtail Possum was sleeping in the Mistletoe Clump. Unfortunately neither face not joey were on view today.
As we crossed the Suspension Bridge a few Scarlet Honey Eaters were flitting through the Bottle Brushes without pausing for long enough to be photographed.
As we reached The Other Side we were overtaken by a younger nature lover who told us that he had seen two Tree Kangaroos at the Highway end of the walk.
We looked for “Scarface” at the Upper Level near Snodgrass’s Pool and he was absent but the slightly smaller female was taking the sun and duly photographed.
In the flowering Bottle Brushes just past Flood Tide Island a few Honeyeaters were again busy and less usually a Spectacled Flying Fox was roosting hear the Mistletoe Clump.
At the Log Jam several Saw-shelled turtles were posing for us and as we admired them a Platypus appeared in the pool. It was swimming at high speed on the surface and after diving in front of us it vanished downstream. I did spot it briefly as it turned the next corner of the Creek.
At Platys Pool a Green Ringtail Possum was hiding in the foliage and it was difficult to establish it’s sex. A couple who joined us there had also seen the Tree Roos.
At the base of Picnic Peninsula I photographed a female Australian King Parrot busy feeding on Privet berries and a Rufous Whistler singing his heart out in a River Oak.
In the Lomandra Clump below the Highway Bridge the Golden Orb-weaver and the Red and Black morph spiders were still in residence.
I attempted to introduce GB to the “Highwayman”, the Brushtail Possum who lives near the centre of the Bridge but although present he was totally unresponsive and refuse to acknowledge out presence. Perhaps he was trucked out!
We crossed the Highway and with considerable difficulty located a female Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo along with her well grown Joey who were very well concealed in the foliage. Indeed if we had not been told of their presence I doubt that we would have spotted them. We did eventually obtain some quite good shots!

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Spectacled Flying Fox. Pteropus conspicillatus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Australian King Parrot. Alisterus scapularis – female

Rufous Whistler. Pachycephala rufiventris

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Weather

41mm of rain in the gauge. Cloudy with intermittent showers. Gusty SE wind to 20knots. Track damp. Creek running fast and level slightly up. Moon phase Last Quarter.

Wildlife Report

Weather quite gloomy but radar showed no large areas of rain approaching so seized brolly and set out.
At Allumbah Pocket the Mistletoe Clump in the corner tree near the shelter was today occupied by a chocolate coloured Brushtail Possum and as I looked through my lens against the light I observed some movement at the end nearest the Creek. Changing my viewpoint and zooming in I saw the tail and hind leg of a joey which appeared to be struggling to climb back into the pouch. It had no sooner disappeared than Mum closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
As I crossed the Suspension Bridge I noted that the water level had risen somewhat and a good current was running through between the Stepping Stones but there was also some other disturbance in the water. The culprit was soon revealed as a Platypus which proceeded to forage between the stones and provided some interesting shots.
I checked out The Other Side, photographed a Pacific Emerald Dove, and by the time I arrived at the Memorial Bench the Platypus had reached the same point and enabled my to take some closer views.
At Snodgrass’s Pool the sloping tree trunk was today occupied by a Saw-shelled Turtle at the bottom while at the top a Little Black Cormorant was sitting and each appeared to be keeping a wary eye on the other.
I then checked out the upper level where “Scarface” was nowhere to be seen but the other Eastern Water Dragon which I missed on my last visit was present and permitted some photos.
There was some bird activity again around the flowering Bottle Brush trees and I photographed a very busy Scarlet Honeyeater.
Disturbance in the water at the base of Log Jam Peninsula alerted me to another Platypus which went across to the far bank but then turned upstream and within seconds was followed by another. Both continued ahead of me but were very elusive and I failed to get a worthwhile photo of either.
I was also preceded along the Peninsula by a pair of Orange-footed Scrubfowl before they flew across the Creek.
At Platys Pool a Freshwater Snake or Keelback swam downstream in a hurry and again no photo was obtained.
I met a couple who had just seen two Platypus around Picnic Peninsula but neither revealed themselves to me.
At the Lomandra Clump just below the Highway Bridge there were three Large Spiders present today. My regular Golden Orb-weaver had been joined by another smaller specimen but there was also a very similar spider with red legs rather than black. I have seen spiders of this colour in the same vicinity before but am uncertain of their identity. I will investigate.
“Highwayman” the Brushtail Possum was snug in his bush near the centre of the Highway Bridge but felt strong enough to open his eyes for me.
The rain seemed to have bought out the wading birds today and I quickly captured an Australasian Swamphen, a Masked Lapwing and a pair of Bush Stone-curlews along the fence line.
As I crossed the road a pair of Australian Figbirds were perched in one of the Poinciana trees.
A Spangled Drongo was seen along the path leading to Bunya Street.

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Platypus.Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum and Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Scarlet Honey Eater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Orange-footed Scrubfowl. Megapodius reinwardt

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Australasian Swamphen. Porphyrio melanotus

Masked Lapwing. Vanellus miles miles

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris – male

Spangled Drongo.Dicrurus bracteatus

Weather

No rain. Cloudy with sunny periods. Light southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level low. Moon phase Last Quarter – 1day

Wildlife Report

Nothing seen today at Allumbah Pocket but met a couple form WA who reported seeing a Platypus.
My first sighting today was at the Upper Level opposite Snodgrass’s Pool where “Scarface” the Eastern Water Dragon was enjoying the sun on one of his newly cleared rocks. Another slightly smaller dragon was nearby but went into hiding before I could photograph him.
While returning to the Lower Level a Pale-yellow Robin came to check me out.
In the flowering Bottle Brushes near Flood Tide Island a number of Scarlet and Dusky Honeyeaters were enjoying the nectar but were moving too fast to be photographed.
I did find and old and battered Cairns Birdwing Butterfly who was taking her time on the blossom.
At the Log Jam the usual display of Saw-shelled Turtles were on the logs but it was not one of their better displays.
At the fallen tree near the base of Picnic Peninsula a Platypus appeared and was sighted by a couple from Cairns for whom it was a new experience. I followed him round to the tip of the Peninsula where he came much closer which was good for the pics.
The Golden Orb-weaver Spider was in the regular spot near the Highway Bridge and “Highwayman” the Brushtail Possum was in his usual bush near the centre of the span.
The shy Brushtail Possum was showing his nether regions in the Fig Tree overhanging the vacant block.

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Cairns Birdwing Butterfly. Ornithoptera priamus – female

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Weather

0.5 mm of rain in gauge. Cloudy with sunny periods. Light SE breeze. Track dry. Moon phase Last Quarter – 3 days.

Wildlife Report

Allumbah Pocket seems in the past few weeks to have gone from Top Spot to Not Spot but I guess that it is only a matter of time until the Possums and Tree Roos rediscover it.
Crossing the Suspension Bridge there was again a large Saw-shelled Turtle on one of the rocks below.
I checked out the Upper Level opposite Snodgrass’s Pool where the Eastern Water Dragons now have a lot more perching options as the Volunteers have slashed a lot of the Guinea Grass which formerly obscured the rocks. “Scarface” had today moved to the south side of the path and looked stunning with his mating uniform seen in the full light of the sun.
The Bottle Brush Trees just past Full Tide Island are in bloom and today I sighted a Mistletoe Bird enjoying the nectar. My photos are not of very good quality but do show the pollen on the bird’s face.
A large Golden Orb-weaver Spider was photographed at the base of the Peninsula. A Rufous Shrike-thrush was perched close by.
At The Log Jam there were again a number of Saw-shelled Turtles but not forming layers. I did witness one large Turtle trying to climb onto another until it lost it’s balance and they both fell into the water.
At Platys Pool a Green Ringtail Possum was in what is becoming a regular tree and I took several shots. The first reveals a “bullseye” appearance in the region of the animals shoulder and I suspect that this is a large tick displacing the fur. I though that this was a male until I observed on the computer a small face just visible above the branch on which she is perching! Any comments would be welcome.
At Picnic Peninsula the Pale-yellow Robin’s nest has increased in size but was unattended and I also found a second similar nest nearby.
A Platypus was busy feeding along Stringers Stretch but not coming very close. It then switched to a busy grooming routine which was enjoyed by two men from Tasmania.
I took another photo in the series of the Golden Orb-weaver below the bridge and from the same spot I could see a Platypus in the Viewing Pool.
Hastening to the scene I was able to ascertain that it was Ringneck who entertained a group of visitors before rounding the corner upstream of the Viewing Platform.
Neither of my Brushtail Possums could be found today.

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Mistletoebird. Dicaeum hirundinaceum – male

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla megarhyncha

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

“Ringneck”

Weather

No rain. Bright and sunny with a few clouds to the West. Light southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level falling slowly. Moon Phase Full + 3 days

Wildlife Report.

This was going to be a run of the mill Patrol Report but as it was a more than exciting day I cannot keep you in suspense –
RINGNECK is back as one of the 4 Platypus seen today.
I also saw a Tree Kangaroo

My walk along Bunya Street was uneventful and there was nothing to be seen at Allumbah Pocket or the Other Side.
In fact I saw nothing of note until Snodgrass’s Pool where there were three Saw-shelled Turtles on the sloping tree trunk.
At The Log Jam however there were a total of nine Turtles including a pair and a trio which provided some good shots.
My photo session was interrupted when a small female Platypus popped to the surface to the left of the Concrete Slab and I took a few snaps although she declined to approach me.
I was joined there by two local lads and shortly after by a second Platypus which arrived from upstream and was somewhat more cooperative making multiple dives in our vicinity. A couple from Brisbane arrived to join the fun.
At the base of Picnic Peninsula I paused to photograph the Pale-yellow Robin’s nest and was waiting for the bird to appear when a passing couple told me they had just seen a Platypus.
At the tip of the Peninsula a Naturalist from Brazil, presently working in Kuranda, had been watching a large male Platypus for some time and we had an interesting chat while we took photos.
My Brushtail Possum mate was again in the bushes near the Highway Bridge and I showed him to a passing couple who wanted to know why I had my head stuck in a bush!
Arriving at the Viewing Platform I noted some ripples emanating from the left bank and a Platypus soon appeared. As soon as a good view was obtained I thought that I could see a ring around the animals neck and I was able to confirm this with a series of photos. “Ringneck” the Platypus who caused so much concern early in the year has returned to the very spot where I last saw her before the attempts were made to capture her and remove the ring.
I went on with a view to checking the Brushtail Possum in the overhanging fig tree but as I crossed the block I spotted a Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo in one of the Creek Bank trees. I got as close as possible and managed to obtain at least one decent shot.
I finally checked the Possum which was indeed in the same spot and was actually facing me although largely obscured by the foliage.
On arrival at home a flock of Metallic Starlings and a Australasian Figbird in the Gum Tree at our rear fence. I also photographed a Scarlet Honeyeater feeding in our Bottle Brush.
What and exciting day!

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

“Ringneck’s” Portfolio

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Metallic Starling. Aplonis metallica with Australasian Figbird Sphecotheres flaviventris

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Weather

0.5 mm of rain. Overcast with occasional very light showers. Light SE breeze. Track slightly damp. Water level low, steady. Moon Phase – Full -1 day.

Wildlife Report

Another rather dismal day but as the forecast for tomorrow is worse I decided to take a chance on the weather.
Nothing was seen at Allumbah Pocket but as I crossed the Suspension Bridge I noted a pair of Pacific Black Ducks sitting on neighboring Stepping Stones.
Near the Memorial Bench a Saw-shelled Turtle was thinking of climbing onto a rock.
At The Log Jam several visitors were observing three Saw-shelled Turtles on the logs and a male Platypus soon appeared close to the far bank. He remained in the Pool for some time but confined his activities to foraging behind the riparian foliage and offered few opportunities for photography.
At Picnic Peninsula I spotted a Shining Bronze Cuckoo singing lustily in the branches of a River Oak and managed to obtain a portrait.
At the point where The Narrows leads from the pool beneath the Highway Bridge a female Platypus was busy feeding and I took photos for several minutes during which time she enjoyed an athletic scratch which involved her rolling onto her back to expose her tummy
The Golden Orb-weaver Spider was still catching insects in the clump of Lomandra nearby and as I crossed the Bridge I found that my friend the Brushtail Possum had returned to his regular pitch in the bushes alongside.
I checked as usual and found that the Curlews were still absent but managed to photograph a pair of Australasian Fig Birds in one of the Poinciana Trees.
I was interested to find that the red Brushtail Possum was still present in the overhanging Fig Tree which dispelled my suspicion that the Possum from the Bridge had moved into the tree!

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosa

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus.Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Shining Bronze Cuckoo. Chrysococcyx lucidus

Golden Orb-weaver spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

Weather

No rain. Overcast but with some brighter and sunny periods. Light SE breeze. Track very slightly moist. Water level steady. Moon phase – First Quarter + 2 days.

Wildlife Report

Again nothing seen along Bunya Street St or at Allumbah Pocket.
From the Suspension Bridge, a large Saw-shelled Turtle was observed on a rock close to the bank.
While taking photos of the Turtle a small bird landed in a nearby tree but made life very difficult by the rapidity of it’s movements. A battery of images finally yielded a couple of acceptable photos of a Brown Gerygone enjoying lunch.
A few metres away a Pacific Emerald dove was also photographed.
At the Upper Level near Snodgrass’s Pool “Scarface” the Eastern Water Dragon was posing for me. I was pleased to note that his facial injury continues to heal and he looks otherwise in fine fettle.
A Lewin’s Honeyeater was snapped in the Bottle Brush trees near Log Jam Peninsula and at the base of the Peninsula a Brown Cuckoo-Dove was seen foraging on the ground.
At the Log Jam several Saw-shelled Turtles were enjoying the watery sun and the two most photogenic are seen below.
On arrival at Platys Pool I noticed ripples emanating from the foliage on the near bank and a small female Platypus was soon revealed. She was quite unafraid and provided some good photos between there and Picnic Peninsula.
I noted an interesting shadow in a tree on the far bank which was possibly a Green Ringtail Possum at a site I have seen used previously. I was unable to obtain a confirming photo.
At the Table near the base of Picnic Peninsula a couple visiting from Ipswich were watching the comings and goings of a Pale Yellow Robin building a nest in a nearby sapling. We also pursued another Robin, a Spectacled Monarch and a Scarlet Honeyeater who were busy foraging in the nearby trees.
At Stringers Stretch a much larger male Platypus appeared but was hurrying down stream in search of the female!
I took yet more photos of the Golden Orb-weaver Spider just below the Highway Bridge.
The red Brushtail Possum was again being antisocial in the overhanging Fig Tree.

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Brown Gerygone. Gerygone mouki

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Lewin’s Honeyeater. Meliphaga lewinii

Brown Cuckoo-Dove. Macropygia phasianella

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Weather

4.5 mm of rain. Overcast with intermittent light showers. Light SE breeze. Track slightly damp. Water level steady. Moon phase- First Quarter

Wildlife Report

A fairly dismal day so set out with no great expectations.
Nothing was seen at Allumbah Pocket but as I arrived at the opposite bank a Brown Cuckoo-Dove settled into the tree on the left side of the Suspension Bridge and was swiftly photographed.
Nothing was then seen until the base of Log Jam Peninsula where a Rainbow Bee-eater was singing in one of the Grey Gums which line the track. It flew off over the paddock, returning very smartly with an insect in it’s beak and I took a quick snap.
As I rounded the corner, a young woman was coming towards me and indicating activity in the water. A Platypus was on the surface swimming at high speed and the photo which I grabbed immediately was the last I saw of it as it headed downstream.
At The Log Jam two Saw-shelled Turtles were posing on the logs and were quickly recorded.
I continued on to Platys Pool where a Green Ringtail Possum was in an almost identical position to the one seen on 13th August. It appeared however to be a much smaller and probably male Possum. The young woman who was visiting from Port Douglas had by this time caught up with me and enjoyed the sighting.
Just below the Highway Bridge I took more photos of the Golden Orb-weaver Spider.
The red Brushtail Possum was sitting in the same fork of the Fig Tree but not showing her face today.
An Emerald Dove was roosting in one of the trees lining the path to Bunya Street.
Birds were again busy in the Bottle Brush trees and I photographed White-cheeked and Brown Honeyeaters.

Brown Cuckoo-Dove. Macropygia phasianella

Rainbow Bee-eater. Merops ornatus

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

White-cheeked Honeyeater. Phylidonyris niger

Brown Honeyeater. Myzomela indistincta

Weather

6 mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast with intermittent sunny periods. Gust southerly breeze. Track damp. Water level steady. Moon Phase First Quarter – 3 days.

Wildlife Report

Time for some relaxation after a morning spent helping around the house and gardening.
Walking along Bunya Street I saw a small bird of prey land in the Police Station yard but if flew up into a tree as I approached and I never got a good look. I suspect that it may have been an Australian Hobby which I have seen in the area before.
Nothing was around at Allumbah Pocket but as I crossed the suspension bridge I spotted an Eastern Water Skink on one of the Stepping Stones and went down to the waters edge for a closer look.
Just past the Memorial Bench I noted some ripples under the bank and soon found a very cooperative Platypus which hung around for about 10 minutes and was still there when a local lady with her grandson arrived on the scene. I had occupied some of this period photographing an Pacific Emerald Dove in the trees opposite.
Moving on there was nothing at the Log Jam except a tiny Saw-shelled Turtle resting on top of a log.
At Platys Pool I spotted a Green Ringtail Possum in the trees to the left. I have not seen one in this location before although there was a period when they regularly frequented the row of River Oaks which line the path. She did seem rather large and on examining the edited image I observed the face of her joey which can be seen peering out of the pouch!
Approaching Picnic Peninsula a much larger Turtle was taking the sun on a sloping log which it was again sharing with a juvenile Eastern Water Dragon.
While on the Peninsula a second Pacific Emerald Dove came and strutted his stuff in front of me.
Another Platypus was found at Stringers Stretch and mainly enjoying the far bank but I did manage to snatch a couple of shots.
The Golden Orb-weaver Spider was in her regular spot below the Highway Bridge and from the same area I also photographed a moderate sized Turtle occupying “Tensing” Turtle’s log in the Viewing Pool.
A much smaller juvenile Eastern Water Dragon was seen on the rocks under the Bridge.
In the Fig Tree overhanging the vacant lot, the red Brushtail Possum had her face towards me today but it was difficult to make out apart from her ears.
Along Bunya Street the blooming Bottle Brushes were attracting a busy group of honeyeaters including the Brown, White-faced and Scarlet species and I was able to photograph the last two. Another Scarlet Honeyeater was in our garden and added to the photo tally.

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyii

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Australian Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

White-cheeked Honeyeater. Phylidonyris niger

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Weather

9 mm of rain in the gauge. Cloudy with sunny periods. Cold SE breeze. Track damp. Water level steady. Moon phase New + 3 days

Wildlife Report

Not much bird life seen along Bunya Street this morning and Allumbah Pocket was also very quiet.
At the Other Side I spotted an Emerald Dove with darker than normal plumage and a black bill suggesting that it was a juvenile.
Opposite Snodgrass’s Pool I found a fine fat Kookaburra in a tree at the upper level and took a couple of good shots.
Approaching Flood Tide Island a female Platypus was on the surface heading upstream. She was moving too fast for a decent photo so I hurried to the other end of the Island where a couple with a small boy had also spotted her and told me that she was the third that they has seen. Her behaviour was unhelpful as she immediately turned back down stream, hid under the grasses for a couple of minutes, and proceeded spasmodically in the same direction. She clearly had no intention of a photo shoot so I gave up and continued my walk.
At The Log Jam a solitary Saw-shelled Turtle was lying on a submerged log with just it’s head exposed and helpfully raised itself up a little but it was clearly too cold for further exposure.
Nothing then until the approach to the Highway Bridge where I took more photos of the Golden Orb-weaver Spider who is still in the same spot.
As I was doing this a family group of Pale Yellow Robins flew into a tree on the far bank and one stayed long enough for my to take a distant shot.
Around the Car Park I saw a Shining Bronze Cuckoo and a Rufous Whistler but neither at all cooperative.
My final shot of the day was once again the rear end of the Red Possum in the Fig Tree.

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

Laughing Kookaburra. Dacelo novaeguineae

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Golden Orb-weaver spider. Nephila pilipes

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula