Weather

2 mm of rain in the gauge. Scattered thundery clouds and sunny periods. Localised thunder and brief heavy showers later. Cool southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level steady.

Wildlife Report

Spotted a Green Ringtail Possum who seems to have become a semi-permanent occupant of the trees to the left of the entrance to Allumbah Pocket. By moving around it’s position I was able to get some quality shots with full face and abdominal views. These lead me to believe that this is in fact a female and her facial characteristics are identical to the female who occupied this area and showed off a baby in 2019 – 20. Watch this space.
We crossed to the Other Side and got a fleeting shot of an adult Spectacled Monarch with a view of an immature of the same species near the rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool.
A well coloured Eastern Water Dragon was at the Horseshoe Rocks where there was an interesting complex Golden Orb Weaver web consisting of two angled sections each of which had it’s own occupant and attendant male!
“Scar Face” the large Dragon was on the rocks to the left of the path to the Upper Level.
“White Spot” the other female Green Ringtail Possum was in the trees opposite Snodgrass’s Pool. I got positive identification of her and once again there was no sign of her joey. I was able to introduce her to a couple from Adelaide who were very interested in our wildlife and made Thomas’s day by giving him several pats!
Several Saw-shelled turtles were on the fallen tree nearby.
White-headed Pigeons are still around and were photographed today at Log Jam Peninsula.
Another Turtle was on the Concrete Slab at the Log Jam and more were observed at Platy’s Pool and on the other fallen tree near the base of Picnic Peninsula.
At the downstream side of the Peninsula was another Golden Orb Weaver Spider.
Nothing more was seen until the approach to Nicks Camping Area where the family of Bush Stone-curlews were waiting for opening time in the Beer Garden. Mum seemed to be protecting her place in any potential queue by lying in the centre of the entrance path!

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Ssp Nephila

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

1.5 mm of rain in gauge. Light overcast with sunny periods. SE breeze. Track dry. Water level falling slowly and now a good 70mm below maximum.

Wildlife Report

The report commences with a large White-browed Hawk Moth which had must have entered during the evening and this morning was resting on our wood burner.
It had to be photographed before breakfast and was followed immediately by 5 Channel-billed Cuckoos which were roosting in the gum outside our rear fence.
Chooks fed, breakfast over and the camera being already set up Thomas and I decided to make an earlier start on Patrol.
A lot of birds were active along Bunya Street but none very cooperative until we reached the corner with Penda St where a pair of Australasian Figbirds were singing in a tree.
In the trees to the left of Allumbah Pocket entrance “Popeye” the Green Ringtail Possum was sitting in a well concealed spot and a couple of shots were taken with some difficulty.
An Eastern Water Dragon was perched on one of the Horseshoe Rocks in full sun and again posted a photographic challenge.
At the Upper Level an immature Spectacled Monarch was photographed performing a comprehensive morning grooming.
Further along the track a Spangled Drongo was seen at almost the same spot as on the last patrol.
After that we saw only Columbidae, particularly a White-headed Pigeon, a Bar-shouldered and a Peaceful Dove.

White-browed Hawk Moth. Gnathothlibus eras

Channel-billed Cuckoo. Scythrops novaehollandiae

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus – juvenile

Spangled Drongo. Dicrurus bracteatus

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Bar-shouldered Dove. Geopelia humeralis

Peaceful Dove. Geopelia placida

Weather

Some light rain this morning. Only 1 mm in the gauge. Cloudy with sunny periods and occasional light showers. SE breeze 10 knots. Track dry. Water level falling very slowly.

Wildlife Report

Shopping and library visit this morning so Thomas and I enjoyed a postprandial grandad nap before setting out on a late Patrol.
Before leaving home I had the opportunity to snap a Channel-billed Cuckoo, one of a group which have been visiting a gum tree at the bottom of our garden for the past few days.
Several White-headed Pigeons were seen along Bunya Street but not very photogenic as they appeared to be moulting their feathers.
At the entrance to Allumbah Pocket “Piratical Pete” the elderly Green Ringtail Possum was roosting in a tree above the large rock. It was difficult to obtain a good view through the foliage.
Nothing was spotted while crossing the Suspension Bridge or at The Other Side but a moderately large Eastern Water Dragon was seen at Horseshoe Rocks, although he retreated quickly behind a rock with only his head on view.
“Scarface” the large Eastern Water Dragon with tissue loss involving both upper and lower jaw on his left side was seen again at the path to the Upper Level. The tissue loss looks smaller as if it might be starting to heal so I am cautiously optimistic.
In the trees opposite Snodgrass’s Pool. “White Spot” the Green Ringtail Possum was easily seen but again no sign of her joey. I cannot be certain that it was not in the pouch but I am concerned that she has lost her baby which had reached the back riding stage but was a long way short of the age at which they normally leave mother. The Green Ringtail cares for it’s young for longer than any related species, I believe in the order of 140 days, but they are at their most vulnerable to predation and falls in the first year of life.
A group of Australasian Figbirds were calling loudly from the trees on the village side of the Creek and a couple came just within range of my camera.
A Spangled Drongo moved ahead of us in trees along the track and was also photographed, while a group of White-headed Pigeons at Log Jam Peninsula met the same fate.
Where the walk leaves the Peninsula their is a large River Oak where I saw my second ever Green Ringtail Possum and today a female with a joey was roosting on a high branch near the trunk. A bit of bush bashing enable me to reach a position where I could photograph the faces of both animals. These are the pair that I have seen several times in this vicinity on both sides of the Creek. I haven’t given her a name yet!
At Picnic Peninsula I met an escorted group of tourists from Cairns and gave their guide a few tips.
While crossing the Highway Bridge I spotted an Eastern Water Skink on the rock near the Bamboo clump.
The Bush Stone-curlew family had changed their position slightly and today were close to the hedge which surrounds the Medical Centre.

Channel-billed Cuckoo. Scythrops novaehollandiae

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris male

Spangled Drongo. Dicrurus bracteatus

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyi

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

No rain. Overcast with sunny periods. Light southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level dropping, down 50+ mm from highest level.

Wildlife Report

Thomas was in the mood today so wended our way along Bunya Street with numerous stops including one to photograph a White-headed Pigeon.
At Allumbah Pocket spotted two male Green Ringtail Possums, one on each side of the entrance and both known to me, “Popeye” on the left of the entrance and “Piratical Pete on the right. Quite unusual to see two so close together and usually suggests that there is a receptive female in the offing but not today.
The next sighting was also a Green Ringtail, this time “White Spot”, a female, but with her joey in the pouch today. She was in the tree between Horseshoe Rocks and the path to the Upper Level.
A couple from WA were relaxing on the Memorial Bench and got up to enjoy the view.
Two Saw-shelled Turtles were on the fallen tree at Snodgrass’s Pool. The closer of the two appeared anxious about my presence and launched himself into space as I was photographing!
Two more Turtles were on the other recently fallen tree near the Overhanging Bushes.
Passed several other visitors along the track and spoke to two locals at Picnic Peninsula where Thomas enjoyed some admiration.
No further sightings until the paddock next to the Car Park where three Magpie Larks were annoying a pair of Masked Lapwings who were protecting their territory.
The Bush Stone-curlews had moved to a different Golden Cane Palm clump and I could only see two of them today.
As we walked up the road behind the Medical Centre a 4 x 4 stopped and the passenger opened her window to say that she was admiring Thomas and could she get out and Pat him? Need I say more!
A final sighting, a single Curlew was lying in his regular scenic spot along Bunya Street.

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Magpie Lark. Grallina cyanoleuca

Masked Lapwing. Vanellus miles miles

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

No rain. Sunny with scattered cloud. Variable southerly breeze. Track mostly dry. Water level remains high.

Wildlife Report

Thomas was feeling fragile after having his claws clipped so out on my own today.
Soon spotted a solitary Green Ringtail Possum in the tree at Allumbah Pocket immediately to the right of the Suspension Bridge. Had a magnificent view of his back and with a lot of experimentation eventually succeeded in obtaining a partial view of his face.
As I crossed the bridge I noted that the rock below which was on my last walk occupied by a tiny Turtle was today providing a platform for a much larger Saw-shelled Turtle which took up a large proportion of the available space.
A moderate sized Eastern Water Dragon was on the Horseshoe Rocks and another to the left of the path to the Upper Level opposite Snodgrass’s Pool. This was a fine specimen and provided me with several good shots.
At this point I met a couple from the Gold Coast who I directed towards the GRP near the bridge.
The recently fallen tree in the Pool was again hosting a Saw-shelled Turtle. Others were seen on the concrete slab on the far bank at The Log Jam and on the other fallen tree approaching Picnic Peninsula.
I spotted another Green Ringtail Possum in No 3 of the Overhanging Bushes although it was extremely difficult to obtain a good photo. A this point the Gold Coast couple caught up with me and were able to see their second Possum. A group of young women from Cairns also enjoyed the view.
Nothing then until the Highway Bridge where I saw two Eastern Water Dragons of different sizes under and by the side of the bridge.
The family of Bush Stone-curlews were still hanging out near the Golden Cane Palm close to the Medical Centre Car Park.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

Friday. 3 mm rain. Cloudy with sunny periods. Occasional light showers. Track mostly dry. No significant mud. Water level remains high

Wildlife Report

We will start at home with a Union Jack Butterfly which had decided to call our car port home overnight on Tuesday. I have never comprehended the name but it is a quite spectacular small butterfly.
Thomas has decided that it has cooled down enough to accompany me again but at Allumbah Pocket we saw nothing on either day.
On the rocks under the Suspension Bridge a very small Eastern Water Dragon was enjoying the sun. Several larger dragons were seen on both days on the Rock Piles between the Memorial Bench and Snodgrass’s Pool while a larger than usual juvenile was under the Highway Bridge.
At The Other Side a juvenile Brush Turkey was investigating the Rocks behind the Picnic Shelter.
Saw-shelled Turtles have become regular on the fallen tree at Snodgrass’s Pool
and on Saturday a well behaved Green Ringtail Possum was sitting up in the trees opposite the Pool. This was the only marsupial seen during both patrols.
A variety of birds were seen at various locations along the walk. White-headed Pigeons are still numerous, usually in the larger trees.
The swarm of Asian Honey Bees was in the Overhanging Bushes again on the 10th but has now moved on.
The Bush Stone-curlews are still around and about the Golden Cane Palms on the vacant block. On Friday a Landcruiser was parked within a few metres of them and I was present when the driver returned. The chick looked slightly perturbed but both parents took no notice at all as the door was opened and closed, the engine started and the vehicle driven away!

Union Jack Butterfly (Red-banded Jezebel) . Delias mysis

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Australian Brush Turkey. Alectura lathami

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Varied Triller. Lalage leucomela

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Asian Honey Bee. Apis cerana

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

19 mm of rain in the gauge. Bright and sunny but with some cloud. Light southerly breeze. Track moist with several wet season springs crossing the track and muddy especially across the base of Log Jam Peninsula. Water level down a few cms but remains high.

Wildlife Report

Set out from home with Thomas who had not accompanied me for a while and seemed intent on marking every rock and bush along the Street!
Spotted and photographed a White-headed Pigeon during one of these short intermissions.
At Allumbah Pocket sighted a Green Ringtail Possum, I think “Piratical Pete”, roosting in the tree to the right of the informal entrance. I could hear two small boys approaching with their mother so waited for a couple of minutes to effect an introduction. They seemed to enjoy this and were very polite with their thank yous.
A Saw-shelled Turtle was enjoying the sun on a rock just upstream of the Suspension Bridge and was the first of several, all of them quite large. Two were on the recently fallen tree at Snodgrass’s Pool and two more on top of the concrete slab at The Log Jam which is at present under water. At Platys Pool one was on the far bank and the final specimen on the other recently fallen tree at the Overhanging Bushes.
Another male Green Ringtail Possum was in the foliage of Bush Number 3 and very well hidden.
A small swarm of Asian Honey Bees was roosting nearby.
Crossing the Highway Bridge I checked as usual the rocks below and saw an Eastern Water Dragon substantially larger than usual at that spot.
The family of Bush Stone-curlews were still loitering near the Golden Cane Palm clumps and arranged themselves artistically for me.
A female Green Ringtail Possum was in the Fig Tree which overhangs the vacant block and the pink nose and one eye of her joey was just visible.

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Asian Honey Bee. Apis cerana

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

Contents of rain gauge 75 mm. Overcast with intermittent light drizzle and occasional harder showers. Light variable southerly breeze. Track damp only with some ephemeral streams from Allumbah Pocket to base of Log Jam Peninsula, then wet with muddy patches until the Narrows. Numerous small branches across path in the same area (most cleared) and many cone bearing twigs of River Oak. Water level up about 100 mm but not above normal banks.

Wildlife Report

Nothing seen at Allumbah Pocket.
While crossing the Suspension Bridge tried to photograph a Lewin’s Honeyeater but he refused to sit still or foliage was in the way.
Checked out The Other Side and took another photo of the Golden Orb-weaver under the Shelter Roof.
Nothing seen then until The Log Jam where two Saw-shelled Turtles were on top of each other above the concrete block, while a smaller specimen was on a sloping log nearby.
On to The Narrows where a small group of assorted birds were searching for insects among the foliage. I managed to photograph a Black-faced Monarch enjoying a large Leaf Insect and also a Rufous Shrikethrush.
At the Car Park a Masked Plover was walking along the line of the paddock fence.
Crossing the Highway I was again able to see the family of Bush Stone-curlews and on getting closer photographed them between two of the Golden Cane Palm clumps.

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. ssp Nephila

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Black-faced Monarch. Monarcha melanopsis

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla megarhyncha

Masked Lapwing. Vanellus miles miles

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

1.5 mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast with intermittent light showers. Light SE breeze. Track mostly dry. Water level high, steady.

Wildlife Report

Saw more visitors than wildlife this morning and even had a conversation with a lady on the Suspension Bridge before I had taken the dust cap off my camera. This was probably related to Market Day.
The shelter at the Other Side was this morning hosting a Golden Orb-weaver Spider which was quite small but photographed well.
I obtained a glimpse of Scar Face the Eastern Water Dragon in the rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool but he was too quick for me to obtain a photo. At leaset he appears to be in good health apart from his face.
Nothing then until The Log Jam where a Saw-shelled Turtle was taking a breath near some floating debris which provided a pleasing image.
At The Overhanging Bushes a Green Ringtail Possum was roosting on the branch of a River Oak overhanging the Creek. A closer look revealed the female with a small joey which I photographed last week less than 30 mtrs away but on the other side of the Creek. The Casuarina foliage prevented a perfect view but I was pleased with the photos. I introduced the pair to two young women with a small child and another group of visitors who happened along.
I saw no other wildlife until reaching the vacant lot next to The Doctor House where I could see a Bush Stone-curlew near the Golden Cane Palm clumps. As I drew closer I could see that the male was again guarding the recumbent female and closer still I found that the mother sized chick was lying on the ground next to Mum in a most unusual position. I even wondered if there was some sort of problem but a few minutes later all three were standing up quite normally.
I continued on to the overhanging Fig Tree where the uncooperative Green Ringtail Possum had changed it’s mind and was assisting the photographer.

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. ssp Nephila

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

1 mm of rain in gauge. Bright and sunny but clouding up later. Few light showers. Cool southerly breeze. Track still damp in parts. Water level falling slowly.

Wildlife Report

After returning this morning from shopping and a visit to the library we discovered an unusual visitor in the kitchen. Jennifer thought she was having a “senior moment” when one of the tomatoes on the counter top suddenly move towards her! Closer inspection revealed a tomato coloured insect, either a beetle or bug, with a bright green underside which must have been looking for company. I haven’t managed to identify it yet so any help would be welcome.
I started my Patrol somewhat later and saw a pair of Bush Stone-curlews taking an afternoon siesta in one of the creek side gardens along Bunya Street.
A Green Ringtail Possum was on the move in the trees at the entrance to Allumbah Pocket. He sat obligingly still for a minute or two but as soon as I took my eyes off her to adjust the camera she vanished into thin air. It is amazing how fast they can move when they have a mind to!
A juvenile Eastern Water Dragon was on one of the rocks below the suspension bridge and three larger specimens were seen on the rocks along the path towards Snodgrass’s Pool.
Near the Memorial Bench another Green Ringtail Possum was sitting on an open branch regarding me with interest.
Two fine Saw-shelled Turtles were on the recently fallen tree across the Pool and another was seen later in an unusual position on the very limited amount of Log available at the Log Jam.
A flock of White-headed Pigeons were in the trees on Log Jam Peninsula while a Black Butcherbird was searching for his afternoon tea.
Nothing then until the vacant lot near the Medical Centre where the Bush Stone-curlews appear to have discarded their large offspring and the female could even be sitting again.
In the large fig tree overhanging the fence an antisocial Green Ringtail Possum was resting before a busy night.

Beetle – unknown

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Black Butcherbird. Melloria quoyi