Weather

In spite of Severe Weather and Possible Flood Warnings issued yesterday had only 1.5 mm of rain in the gauge! Mackerel Sky with lower level scattered cumulus clouds progressing to general overcast with scattered light showers. Gusty southerly wind 15 knots. Water level decreasing slowly. Track drying but still plenty of mud on some sections of the Walk.

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No activity at Allumbah Pocket but immediately after crossing the Suspension Bridge spotted a Green Ringtail Possum in a tree over hanging the fence near the Bridge anchor point. Not enough seen to recognise the particular animal but I don’t think it was White Spot.
At The Other Side a small flock of Metallic Starlings were enjoying the dead upper branches of a tree and providing some good photos.
Practicing Social Isolation, avoided a group of 3 men nearby and another couple at Log Jam Peninsula.
Unfortunately the local animals were also avoiding me and saw nothing until I photographed a Spectacled Monarch at Picnic Peninsula and a Rufous Shrikethrush at The Narrows.
A Platypus emerged unexpectedly at the Low Level area just downstream of the Highway Bridge and managed to grab a couple of snaps before it vanished again.
At the Platypus Viewing Area, a Saw-shelled Turtle had climbed to the top of a pole near the centre of the Pool and another was awaiting its turn at the base!.
The Paddock was once again empty but the pair of Bush Stone-curlews had returned to Nick’s Camping Area.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Metallic Starling. Aplonis metallica

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus

Rufous Shrikethrush.Colluricincla megarhyncha

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

2.5 mm only in the gauge. Overcast with light drizzle progressing to intermittent rain during the Patrol. Light SE breeze, Gusty at times. Track wet but less than yesterday. Extensive muddy patches.

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Weather looking decidedly dodgy so elected to go on Patrol alone carrying an umbrella. Found this worked quite well and was able to get a few photos regardless of the rain. Now have to devise a harness to hold the umbrella up and permit me to use both hands on the camera!
From the bottom of our drive noticed a pair of Peaceful Doves sitting on the fence opposite and looking as if their opinion on the weather was similar to mine. Had to take a pic which coincided with the rain becoming more serious.
Continued on with nothing seen until Snodgrass’s Pool where the Green Ringtail Possum had crossed the walk to a tree with thicker foliage. He still looked thoroughly dejected as rain drops dripped on him from the leaves.
He seemed to be the only critter braving the elements along the entire walk.
Water was flowing into the Creek from street drains under the Highway Bridge which I have never seen before but I tend to avoid walking when it is raining. Some of the Bats were still roosting.
Emerging from under the bridge the rain had stopped and I took another photo of the Orb Weaver Spider from the walkway.
No one was at home in the Paddock and the Bush Stone-curlews had moved to Nick’s Camping Area where they also looked thoroughly miserable.

Peaceful Dove. Geopelia placida

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Drain Running

Garden Orb Weaver Spider. Eriophora transmarina or similar. Female

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather.

Rain 9.5 mm. Drizzle clearing to sunny with scattered cloud. Wind SE 15 knots. Cold. Track wet with numerous puddles and areas of sloppy, black mud. Dogs feet will need washing. Socks damp.

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A later start this morning after Oldies Outing to the supermarket!
After seeing nothing at Allumbah Pocket or The Other Side, Thomas and I were pleased to find White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum on her regular perch although the light was not as good as usual and photography was difficult. From the over all mass of animal, Joey was obviously there although I could not make out any distinguishing features.
An Eastern Water Dragon beneath the tree vanished before I could lift my lens but another was at the next pile of Rocks and agreed to be photographed.
At The Log Jam a characteristic mass of bubbles indicated a Platypus who soon appeared and remained with us for around 5 minutes. A few reasonable photos were obtained.
Only one turtle was seen today and this was a brief sighting at long range.
Another Platypus was sighted as we were about to leave The Narrows so we retraced our steps in the hope of more photos. Unfortunately she was intent on a speedy passage so only one barely passable image was obtained.
The Insectivorous Bats were once again under the Highway Bridge and had another attempt at photographing them.
Another attempt also with the Orb Weaver spider while crossing the Bridge and this time got a shot of the marking on the dorsal surface of her abdomen.
For the first time in ages the Bush Stone-curlews could not be found but a Peaceful Dove offered itself as a consolation subject.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Little Broad-nosed Bat. Scotorepens greyii

Garden Orb-weaver spider. Eriophora transmarina or similar. Female

Peaceful Dove. Geopelia placida

Weather.

8 mm of rain in gauge. Sunny with scattered cloud. Cold wind from south. Track wet with numerous puddles and plenty of mud. It appears that the ground is saturated so even a small fall of rain tends to lie on the surface.

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Left home before 8 am in an attempt to avoid the Volunteers arriving for work. After chatting along Bunya Street with a neighbour, only just made it and were pursued along the Walk by a ride on mower!
The Golden Orb-weaver at Allumbah Pocket was absent this morning so has either been eaten or is in hiding.
An Easter Water Dragon was on the Horseshoe Rocks opposite the Memorial Bench.
Again no sign of White spot the Green Ringtail Possum but her mate was in the trees at Snodgrass’s Pool.
At the Log Jam noticed a disturbance in the water on the upstream side of the Peninsula which suggested the presence of a Platypus. On getting closer discovered that a large Saw-shelled turtle was biting large chunks from a ripe fig in a tree hanging just above the water. Something else that I have never observed before.
Saw little else along the remainder of the walk. No Platypus and very few birds.
The Orb-weaver web near the Highway Bridge was beautifully decorated with water droplets this morning and my photo of the spider is the best yet!
The Bush Stone-curlews had moved to Nick’s Camping Area which seems typical of when it has rained during the night.

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Orb-weaver Spider. Ssp unknown

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

7.5 mm rain. Partial overcast with some sunny periods and intermittent light showers. Wind SE 15 knots. Track moist. Still some muddy areas, particularly where path traverses areas which slope towards the Creek. Best to walk the upper edge next to the fence.

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Thomas decided to accompany me this morning.
The Golden Orb-weaver spider was still hanging out in front of the Picnic Shelter at Allumbah Pocket.
While crossing the Suspension Bridge, observed a large Eastern Water Dragon on the bank but with the end of his tail still in the water. He was almost underneath the bridge but managed a couple of photographs.
White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum still absent but her mate was in the trees at Snodgrass’s Pool and appeared to be cleaning his right front foot so he was caught with his mouth open!
Nothing seen then until the Highway Bridge where the wing of a Bat was particularly obvious. The photo was not unfortunately as good as yesterdays.
Nothing to be seen in the Viewing Pool or Paddock but the Bush Stone-curlews were still looking after their favourite spot.
Along Bunya Street the pair of Masked Lapwings were still busy guarding their offspring.

Golden Orb-weaver spider. Ssp Nephila

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Little Broad-nosed Bat. Scotorepens greyii

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Masked Lapwing. Vanellus miles miles

Weather

7 mm or rain in gauge. Overcast with occasional light drizzle. Cold southerly wind to 15 knots. Track moist with some areas of wet mud.

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Both dogs sulking today as Aunt Susan returned home to UK and suffering from acute treat deprivation!
Made my lonely way to Allumbah Pocket where I met chap from TRC checking to see if any respraying of noxious weeds required.
The Golden Orb-weaver was still in residence near the shelter and was duly recorded.
Crossed the bridge photographing on the way a Lewin’s Honeyeater but at the Other Side was unable to find any signs of life. Even White Spot was missing with her Joey.
In fact no Possums, Lizards, Snakes, Turtles or Platypuses seen today.
Photographed an immature White-headed Pigeon at the narrows and another Bat hanging under the Highway Bridge.
The pair of Bush Stone-curlews had migrated this morning to the Pizzeria Beer Garden and were looking quite miserable.
I heard today that there is investigation under way to determine the susceptibility of domestic animals to Covid 19 virus. Perhaps our endemic animals are in voluntary isolation in case they are vulnerable?

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Ssp Nephila

Lewin’s Honeyeater. Meliphaga lewinii

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela – immature

Little Broad-nosed Bat. Scotorepens greyii

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

No rain. 70% Overcast. Brief sunny periods. Cold southerly breeze. Track drying. Still some moist patches.

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Song birds were out and about along Bunya Street but too far away or too active to be photographed.
The Golden Orb-weaver spider was still just the other side of the Safety Barrier at Allumbah Pocket.
Saw the sum total of nothing along the walk until reaching the Highway Bridge where the Orb-weaver Spider had rebuilt it’s nest next to the walkway and was hiding at the periphery of the web
A group of Bush Stone-curlews were in the paddock adjoining the Platypus Viewing area on the far bank of the Creek. The regular pair of Curlews were as usual on the East side of the Car Park.

Golden Orb-weaver. Ssp Nephila

Orb-weaver Spider. Ssp unknown

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

No rain. Bright sunny morning No cloud. No wind. Track still damp, wet in places with sticky black mud. Water level falling slowly.

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Cool this morning putting a spring in our step as we headed for Allumbah Pocket.
Unfortunately not a lot to see.
White Spot our friendly Green Ringtail Possum was in her regular tree top but in such a position that even my trained eye found her only with difficulty and as the photo shows there was hardly a distinguishing feature visible! “Blob in tree” would be the most accurate description unless you knew her well!
Nothing seen then until we came across a young man from the Czech Republic standing patiently at the base of Picnic Peninsula. Passing him I noticed some suspicious ripples a few metres upstream from his position and as he turned to resume his walk I was able to call him back to see his first Platypus. I managed a few indifferent shots before the Platypus made his way downstream hotly pursued by a delighted visitor.
Very few birds around this morning and the Paddock was empty but the Bush Stone-curlews were still at the Car Park and seem to have made up their differences.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather.

Sunny with very little cloud. Light SE breeze. Track drying and little soft mud today. Water level down a few cm.

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The Golden Orb Weaver was at the same spot in front of the Picnic shelter at Allumbah Pocket.
At Snodgrass’s Pool the small Green Ringtail Possum was perched in a fork of one of the Creek bank trees. Showed him to a chap from UK who currently lives in Spain.
Continued on without seeing much until just before Picnic Peninsula where I photographed an unusual view of a White-headed Pigeon.
A Platypus emerged from under the bank foliage and headed upstream where I managed to get several photos of some scratching activity and a good closeup before he headed over to the far bank of Stringers Stretch.
Another Platypus was sighted in the Viewing Pool at long range but creating concentric circles of waves as he scoured the bottom for food. He remained in sight for a good ten minutes and I passed him on to some just arrived visitors as I left.
The Bush Stone-curlews at the Car Park were on speaking terms today although the male bird seemed more interested in his own appearance than his spouse.

Golden Orb-weaver. Ssp Nephila

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

No rain in gauge. Clear sky,slightly hazy. No breeze. Track drying but still some wet and muddy patches. Water level falling slowly.

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Greeted at Allumbah Pocket by a large Golden Orb-weaver Spider just over the guard rail in front of the Picnic Shelter. Not the biggest but quite a handsome specimen.
While crossing Lloyd’s Suspension Bridge a Bar-shouldered Dove perched in the bottle brush on the upstream side and at The Other Side a White-bellied Cuckooshrike paid a brief visit.
No Eastern Water Dragons were seen and the Turtles were also absent.
Opposite the Memorial Bench, White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum was on her high level perch with her Joey showing his face in front of hers. Another Green RP was in No 3.5 of the Overhanging Bushes but very difficult to see.
Spotted a Platypus in the adjoining stretch of the Creek. She was busy fishing her way upstream and gave me ample opportunity for photos of which a couple were worthy of publication. With my eye to the viewfinder, I almost missed a fleeting visit my another Platypus traveling in the opposite direction and it did not appear again.
A third Platypus was seen along Stringers Stretch and continued on to The Narrows where I obtained more photos and introduced a passing lady walker to the animal.
Several Bats were roosting under the Highway Bridge and I could not resist another photographic attempt.
The paddock was again almost empty but the Bush Stone-curlews had returned to the fringe of the Car Park. The larger bird, which I assume to be the male, appeared to be in a foul mood and the female way laying low and saying nothing!

Golden Orb-weaver. Ssp Nephila

Bar-shouldered Dove. Geopelia humeralis

White-bellied Cuckooshrike. Coracina papuensis

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Bats. Ssp unknown

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius