Weather

1 mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast with occasional light showers. Light SE breeze. Track slightly damp. Water level down 2 cm. Moon Full +3

Wildlife Report

Not expecting to see a lot today as only just past Full Moon and I suspect that the arboreal marsupials are less obvious at this time.
Found the Chocolate Brushtail Possum at home in the Mistletoe Clump at Allumbah Pocket where he is very well concealed regardless of moonlight. He was again sound asleep and indifferent to my presence.
At the fallen tree in Snodgrass’s Pool a solitary Saw-shelled Turtle was taking the air and was the only Turtle seen out of the water today.
At Picnic Peninsula a Brown Cuckoo-Dove was prominent in the large Camphor Laurel tree and less timid than they sometimes are enabling me to take photos from opposite sides of the tree.
At Platys Pool a small group of visitors were watching a male Platypus feeding busily around the base of the large Syzygium tree and approaching very close to the bank. I caught a few shots before the animal decided to head downstream and was followed by myself and a local lady.
He went as far as the base of Log Jam Peninsula before returning to Platys Pool where we both obtained some excellent closeup photos.
No Green Ringtail Possums were spotted along the Overhanging Bushes or the Narrows, but at Stringers Stretch I found two moderately large Saw-shelled Turtles lying in shallow water at the base of the bank with their heads above water.
The Golden Orb-weavers were still present just below the Highway Bridge and the Brushtail Possum was still in residence at the middle of the Bridge.

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Brown Cuckoo-Dove. Macropygia phasianella

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Weather

2 mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast with occasional light drizzle. Variable southerly breeze. Track damp. Water level steady. Moon – Full +1

Wildlife Report

Set off from home full of enthusiasm which was well placed, as on arrival at Allumbah Pocket I immediately spotted “Piratical Pete” the elderly Green Ringtail Possum in the tree to the right of the informal path leading to the Volunteer’s storage shed.
Returning to the main entrance, I soon saw that the Chocolate Brushtail Possum was still Roosting in the Mistletoe Clump and was able to show both Possums to a Mum with two boys who were passing.
Continuing on I spotted a Black Butcherbird on the path to the Upper Level near Snodgrass’s Pool but then saw nothing until Log Jam Peninsula where I photographed a Golden Orb-weaver Spider.
A couple from Ingham were watching a Platypus on the upstream side of the Peninsula and we followed it down to the Log Jam where it put on a virtuoso performance for more than 10 minutes during which it approached us within a metre on several occasions and numerous photos were taken. We were joined by a family group from Kiama, NSW who were obviously enjoying the experience and I directed them towards the Possums.
A grumpy looking Saw-shelled Turtle was photographed on a log near the Overhanging Bushes where another male Green Ringtail Possum was in Bush No 1 at the same spot occupied by a mum and joey on my last Patrol.
A succession of visitors from Cairns, Townsville and Tasmania enjoyed this with me.
Near the Highway Bridge I took another snap of the Golden Orb Weaver and paused on the bridge to record the presence of the Brushtail Possum in his bush. I showed him to another Townsville couple who were rather ambivalent as they have frequent problems with Possums on their roof!
The family of Bush Stone-curlews were in a more attractive spot today in Nick’s Camping area.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Black Butcherbird. Melloria quoyi

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

0.5 mm rain in gauge. Overcast with occasional light showers. Light variable breeze. Track damp. Water level steady. Moon phase First quarter + 6.

Wildlife Report

Another unaccompanied afternoon Patrol.
Spotted a solitary Bush-Stone-curlew in one of the Creekside gardens along Bunya Street.
The Chocolate Brushtail Possum was snuggled down in the Mistletoe clump which is now in flower and providing bed and breakfast, and not only for the Possum. While I was moving around in an attempt to obtain a better view, a Lewin’s Honeyeater was also enjoying the nectar.
Met a couple of visitors near the Memorial Bench and pointed them towards the Possum. They reported a Platypus sighting.
A small Saw-shelled Turtle was on a submerged rock nearby with only his head above water. A larger Turtle was on one of the logs at Snodgrass’s Pool, and another on the concrete slab at the Log Jam.
Nothing was seen then until No 1 of the Overhanging Bushes where a female Green Ringtail Possum and her Joey were perched on a branch close to each other. This provoked a spate of visitors who lined up to admire them including a large Asian Family, some of whom live in Cairns, another couple and a small English/Italian family. There were several children involved and all seemed to enjoy.
While this was going on a Platypus was frolicking on the downstream side of Picnic Peninsula and I took time out to photograph it with some success.
Along Dowling’s Corridor another female Green Ringtail Possum was doing a good job of hiding her baby.
There were fewer Golden Orb-weavers below the Highway bridge today but I photographed two of the larger specimens.
The resident Brushtail Possum was hiding half way across the bridge but looked up when I clicked my tongue and I got a very nice shot.
The family of Bush Stone-curlews were today enjoying the Beer Garden.
The Patrol was rounded off by a pair of Crested Pigeons preening on a Post & Rail fence before posing for me.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula. Chocolate colouration

Lewin’s Honeyeater.

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Crested Pigeon. Ocyphaps lophotes

Weather

No rain. Sunny with scattered clouds. Intermittent light southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level down 10 mm. Moon phase Last Quarter +3 days.

Wildlife Report

As I walked down our drive to start my Patrol a flock of at least a dozen female King Parrots flew overhead and throughout the walk I was aware of the distant “honking” of Storks or Brolgas on the wing.
At Allumbah Pocket I quickly spotted “Popeye” a younger male Green Ringtail Possum in a tree down the informal entrance which leads to the Volunteer’s storage shed. He was beautifully displayed on a clear branch and I photographed him from both directions.
A Chocolate Brush Tailed Possum was again in the Mistletoe Clump but today was too sleepy to raise his head.
At the rock in front of the Memorial Bench a Saw-shelled Turtle was sunning himself with a couple more on the fallen tree at Snodgrass’s Pool.
A this point I met a couple visiting from the Gold Coast and directed them to view the Possums
I then saw very little until Platys Pool where a very handsome Turtle was on the far bank. I was joined by a family from Brisbane who told me that they had already seen a Platypus.
Along the Overhanging Bushes I photographed a Golden Orb-weaver Spider but was unable to spot the honking Cranes.
When I arrived at Picnic Peninsula I was unable to spot the Platypus which according to a couple from Spain had been disturbed by a bus party who were rather noisy.
At the Narrows I found a female Green Ringtail Possum with a joey but was unable to see the baby’s face. Several visitors and a young woman who works at the Visitors Information Centre enjoyed them as well.
Crossing the Highway Bridge I took more shots of the Brushtail Possum in his usual bush but like his mate from the other end of the walk he was too tired to bother with me.
The family of Bush Stone-curlews were still hanging around Nick’s Car Park.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

No rain. Sunny with scattered cloud. No breeze to speak of. Track dry. Water level down 10 mm. Moon 1st Quarter +1.

Wildlife Report

Finding myself still able to walk after loading my trailer and taking a massive load of garden waste to the tip I decided to celebrate by taking a walk along the Creek. Thomas is still exhausted after constant supervision of his two new step sisters and having his ear chewed as soon as he tries to rest and so remained barricaded in my chair!
At the entrance to Allumbah Pocket I immediately spotted a Green Ringtail Possum and within a few metres a Chocolate Brushtail Possum in the Mistletoe Clump.
While photographing the latter I met a bloke from Cairns carrying a large telephoto lens and introduced him to both of my friends.
On the to rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool where another old friend “Scarface” the Eastern Water Dragon was on a skyline rock and I was pleased to observe that his facial ulcer seems to be definitely healing.
On the fallen tree in the Pool a Saw-shelled Turtle was also photographed.
Nothing then until the Log Jam where a Platypus had kindly synchronised himself with my arrival. After foraging in the Pool for a few minutes he headed upstream and I was able to get some quite good shots in the afternoon sun.
A couple of Saw-shelled Turtles were seen at Platys Pool.
At the Overhanging Bushes a row of Saw-shelled Turtles were enjoying the view from a sloping log and a couple from the Netherlands joined me as I was photographing them.
From the same spot I spotted a moderately large Eastern Water Dragon lying on the branch of a tree on the opposite bank. It was at approximately eye level and must have been 6 metres above the ground!
Before I sent the couple off to look for the Platypus, I was able to show them a small male Green Ringtail Possum which was roosting in No 3 of the Bushes.
Before crossing the Highway Bridge I stopped to photograph the regular Golden Orb-weaver Spider and noticed that three more Orb-weavers were sharing the same clump of Lomandra and there is yet another on the opposite side of the Track.
“Tensing Turtle” was again on top of his branch and I was able to get a better than usual shot of him.
The last sighting of the day was of the family of Bush Stone-curlews enjoying an even more lovely piece of real estate at Nick’s Car Park.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather.

No rain. Bright sunny day with some scattered cloud. Occasional cool southerly breeze. Track slightly damp only. Water level down 10 mm. New Moon + 4 days

Wildlife Report.

No takers for a walk again today. The dogs must all be getting lazy!
A male Green Ringtail Possum was guarding the entrance to Allumbah Pocket from a tree on the right side of the entrance.
In front of the Memorial Bench 3 Saw-shelled Turtles were occupying a small rock and making a pleasing group.
Several more Saw-shelled Turtles included one of medium size, two small specimens together and one infant were on the fallen tree at Snodgrass’s Pool.
Nothing was then spotted until the Log Jam where another Saw-shelled Turtle was present and a male Platypus appeared right on cue. He was busy foraging and kept himself in the main on the far side of the pool but a couple of forays towards me provided an opportunity for a few shots. The reflection of the mid afternoon sunlight did not however make this easy.
I met a family group at Picnic Peninsula and directed them to my Platypus sighting and otherwise observed nothing until I took yet another image of one of the two Golden Orb-weaver Spiders just downstream of the Highway Bridge.
Crossing the Bridge I visited with the resident Brushtail Possum who was being camera shy today. I liked the image obtained of two sets of claws which look incredible sharp. This is what enables them to cling on while descending at speed down the vertical trunk of a tree for 10 metres or more. I always find the sight amazing.
In the Platypus Viewing Pool, “Tensing” Turtle was occupying the top of his log which in the dry season is 750mm above the water level.
At Nick’s Car Park the family of Bush Stone-curlews were one again enjoying the afternoon sun.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

No rain in gauge. Overcast with intermittent light drizzle. Minimal breeze. Track wet. No significant puddles or mud. Water level steady. 3rd day New Moon

Wildlife Report.

Set of in the lightest of drizzle but carrying umbrella and without Thomas who hates getting wet.
Nothing seen at Allumbah Pocket and the first sighting of the day was a small Saw-shelled Turtle at Snodgrass’s Pool.
As I was photographing it I was engaged in conversation by a young female visitor who wanted to know about Platypus and told me that she had seen two Tree Kangaroos near the Highway Bridge, one on each side of the creek.
We both continued in opposite directions and I recorded another turtle near Flood Tide Island.
Nothing then until The Narrows where I was busy looking for Tree Roos when the same lady caught me up and asked if I had found them. She pointed out two Green Ringtail Possums, one on each side of the path which I had completely missed while looking for something else! We sorted out the identification and I got busy with the camera, finding that the Possum near the fence line was a small male while that nearer the Creek Bank was in fact a mother with a joey although only Mum’s face was visible.
At this point a couple of elderly visitors and a bus load of tourists arrived and had to be shown what was on offer.
The two Golden Orb-weaver Spiders were still present near the Highway Bridge.
While crossing the Bridge I again took pics of the Brushtail Possum and was surprised that none of the half a dozen visitors who passed by displayed any interest in my activities as I leaned into the bush with camera extended in front of me.
In front of the Viewing Platform a Rufous Shrikethrush was calling loudly before settling in a nearby Bottlebrush.
There was no sign of the Curlews today but when I crossed to the vacant lot a pair of White-breasted Cuckooshrikes flew into one of the Poinciana Trees near the road side.

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla megarhyncha

White-bellied Cuckooshrike. Coracina papuensis

Weather

11 mm of rain in the gauge following two heavy showers last evening. Bright and sunny with some scattered cloud. Cool southerly breeze. Track damp in parts. Water level steady.

Wildlife Report

Nothing seen at Allumbah Pocket today.
A large Saw-shelled Turtle was in front of the Memorial Bench while a moderate sized Eastern Water Dragon was watching from the Horseshoe Rocks on the other side of the path.
I photographed another Saw-shelled Turtle on the fallen tree at Snodgrass’s Pool, this one with a smaller Turtle on it’s back. Not until I checked the images later did I realise that the out of focus turtle at the left of the frame is almost certainly a Krefft’s Short-necked Turtle and the first one that I have seen for months!
Near Flood tide Island another pair of Turtles were seen with on on the back of the other.
Approaching Log Jam Peninsula I spotted a small female Platypus against the far bank. Being very cooperative, she swam across to the near bank and approached very close providing an excellent view for myself and some passing tourists.
I continued on and found a male Platypus proceeding downstream at speed. He slowed down and did some foraging in the Log Jam Pool but was not inclined to approach the near bank.
Apart from a couple more Saw-shell Turtles nothing was then seen until the narrows where a couple of Pacific emerald doves were wandering along the water’s edge.
The two Golden Orb-weaver Spiders were on either side of the track just below the Highway Bridge.
Half way across the bridge the Copper Brushtail Possum was in residence and kindly looked up at an opportune moment for a photo.
In a flowering Bottle Brush at the other side of the road a Dusky Honey Eater was relishing the nectar.
The family of Bush Stone-curlews were once again enjoying the amenities of Nick’s Car Park.

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Dusky Honeyeater. Myzomela obscura

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

2 mm or rain overnight. Scattered cloud. Mostly sunny. Light southerly breeze. Track damp. Minimal mud. Water level down 10 mm.

Wildlife Report

Nothing was seen along Bunya Street but the ever reliable “Piratical Pete”, the elderly Green Ringtail Possum, was in the tree immediately to the right of the car park at Allumbah Pocket. A car arrived as I did and the occupants, a couple from Sydney, enjoyed seeing him too.
Met another couple on the bridge who I told where to look for “Pete” and in return they pointed out a Platypus which was moving down stream. I had a couple of brief glimpses but no photos.
Near the Memorial Bench I reported sightings to two visitors who said that they had seen a pair of Tree Kangaroos near the Highway Bridge.
A couple of Saw-shelled Turtles were on the fallen tree at Snodgrass’s Pool.
Just past Platypus Bend a Rainbow Bee Eater flew into one of the gums close to the track and I took a few shots
Nothing was then seen until Platys Pool where a male Platypus emerged from under the bank and was followed up the Creek. He was moving quite quickly until the tip of Picnic Peninsula where he swam in circles above and below the water and came very close, but rarely stopped for more than a few seconds. Photography was a challenge but a large number of images yielded a few worthwhile results.
The Sydney couple and a local lady enjoyed the close up view.
Just below Highway Bridge, Golden Orb-weaver spiders were seen on both sides of the track.
I could see no sign of the reported Tree Roos but was unable to locate them, even after trying on the opposite bank.
The regular copper coloured Brushtail Possum was in his usual spot half way across the Highway Bridge.
The family of Bush Stone-curlews were again at Nick’s Camping Area having an afternoon rest.
Along Bunya Street a pair of Pacific Bazas perched in a tree opposite our house.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Rainbow Bee – eater. Merops ornatus

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Pacific Baza. Aviceda subcristata

Weather

0.5 mm of rain. Scattered cloud with sunny periods. Light variable breeze. Track damp with few muddy areas. Water level down 1 mm.

Wildlife Report

After a morning garden I felt in the mood for a walk and Thomas was now feeling up to joining me. Progress was initially slow as Thomas, after more than 4 weeks of enforced inactivity, felt obliged to remark all the spots which he had visited in the past!
No Possums were seen at Allumbah Pocket but a beautiful Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo was well exposed on the horizontal branch of a large tree to the right of the entrance. I was able to get some excellent images and a total of 7 visitors were on hand to enjoy the experience. Several more were given direction later.
Nothing more was seen until Snodgrass’s Pool where a couple of Saw-shelled Turtles were occupying the fallen tree.
A Platypus was spotted at the base of Log Jam Peninsula and was followed up to the Log Jam Pool where the regular Turtle was on top of the concrete slab.
A fourth Turtle was on the bank at Platys Pool and well reflected in the water.
A small male Green Ringtail Possum was concealed at number 3 of the Overhanging Bushes while the female with a well developed juvenile was close by in the same spot as on my last Patrol. It is quite common when the young are of this size to see a male waiting hopefully for the female to be in the mood!
Another Platypus was foraging along Stringers Stretch but stayed annoyingly distant from the lens.
A coppery coloured Brushtail Possum was again resting in the unlikely bush close to the Highway Bridge Walkway.
The regular family of Bush Stone-curlews were again enjoying the Sunday afternoon delights of Nick’s Car Park.

Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula – typical Coppery Rainforest colouration

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius