Chilly, but a beautiful sunny morning. No wind. Track dry.

Most birds, beasts and persons appeared to have stayed in bed this morning as saw only 2 people 2 Platypus and a Figbird. A very photogenic platypus travelling between Picnic Bend and The Narrows and the second made a cameo appearance under the Highway Bridge. A cheeky Australasian Fig Bird was making a lot of noise on the topmost bamboo shoot next to the car park. I rather like today’s offering!

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus. Female.

Australasian Figbird. Specotheres vieilloti (male)

Sunny. No rain. No wind. Dry track.

Both dogs with me today, Cody having recovered from his toe infection. Only one platypus seen downstream of the Log Jam but he gave a virtuoso performance to myself and a group of tourists including a couple from NZ. A couple of Saw-Shelled turtles were observing from the logs. The Bush Stone-Curlews had moved to the car park boundary but booth lying down again. Perhaps they were the birds we heard wailing at 0400!

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus.

Bush Stone-Curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Bright sunny day. Warm with little breeze. No rain. Track dry.

Late start today after a Birding Walk starting 0700 followed by chores at home. Two platypus at Snodgrass’s Pool and the Narrows but both in a hurry to get somewhere. Moderate sized Saw-Shelled Turtle at the Log Jam and the Green Ringtail Possum mother & joey at their regular spot. The Bush Stone-Curlews more relaxed today and back at Nicks.

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Saw-Shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirax archeri

Bush Stone-Curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Sunny day, no rain, no wind. Track dry.

Late walk today after morning spent attending to bee hive. Hard work, both received multiple stings including on nose, but bottled 5Kg honey and probably as much again extracted. Yum.

Common Brushtail Possum back in his mistletoe clump and showing his nose today. Not a single Platypus and Ringtail Possums also absent. Several Saw-Shelled Turtles at the Log Jam enjoying the afternoon sun. Straw-Necked Ibis in the cow paddock today and the pair of Bush Stone-Curlews on the move after being disturbed. A male Australasian Figbird in full mating plumage making his presence felt in front of Nick’s.

Common Brushtail Possum – Trichosurus vulpecula

Saw-Shelled Turtle – Elseya latisternum

Straw-Necked Ibis – Threskiornis spinicollis

Bush Stone-Curlew – Burhinus grallarius

Australasian Figbird – Specotheres vieilloti (male)

For those far away and missing home – view downstream from under highway bridge.

Thursday 8th August 2019

Bright sunny morning. No rain yesterday and hardly a cloud in the sky. Still. Few minor muddy patches on track.

Often see Magpie-Larks in garden but rarely posed in suitable location and was met by a pair near Alumbah Pocket. First half of walk very quiet and saw little until finding my regular pair of Green Ringtail Possums. They were followed by a playful platypus. The Bush Stone-Curlews had moved closer to the car park and one was in the throws of morning grooming.

Magpie-Lark – Grallina cyanoleuca

Green Ringtail Possum – Pseudochirops archeri

Platypus – Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Bush Stone-Curlew – Burhinus grallarius

Only 1.5 mm of rain in gauge. Overcast with intermittent very light drizzle. Sun not seen. Track moist in places.

No possums seen today 2 platypus in evidence at Snodgrass’s Pool and Platypus Bend. A small Freshwater (Keelback) Snake downstream of the Log Jam and a large Saw-shelled Turtle on the bank at the Viewing Pool. A pair of Bush Stone-Curlews were near Nicks again today and a flight of White Ibis were seen.

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus.

Freshwater Snake – Tropidonophis mairii

Saw-Shelled Turtle – Elseya latisternum

Bush Stone-Curlew – Burhinus grallarius

Australian White Ibis – Threskiornis molucca

Overcast with intermittent drizzle and occasional glimpses of the sun. Track damp only.

Brushtail Possum gone off again as has the Carpet Snake who probably got hungry. Four Platypus seen today including 2 at the Log Jam who were both in the surface but took no notice of each other. Think they were both females. The others were at Alumbah Pocket and Picnic Bend. Green Ringtail Possum and her joey were in residence and when I arrived were being photographed by some visitors who had found them unaided. Well done!

Lots of birds in the paddocks today including a large flock of Whistling Ducks who came in to land, joining the Ibis and Magpie Geese. A pair of Bush Stone-Curlews near Nicks.

Sorry no pics today as some silly b….. didn’t insert the memory card correctly and the warning only comes up on the screen which I rarely use!

Better luck tomorrow.

Another 5.5 mm of rain overnight. Overcast. Few light showers. Track sticky in places and needs care.

Progress complicated by recurrence of enteritis during walk but managed to complete distance. Python finally showing both head and tail and now looks more likely Carpet Snake than otherwise. No possums in residence today. Few birds except a few small flights of Sarus Cranes and a Willie Wagtail. A solitary turtle seen. One platypus reported but not seen. Another seen and photographed in Viewing Pool

Carpet Snake – Morelia spilota

Saw-Shelled Turtle – Elseya latisternum

Platypus – Ornithorhynchus anatinus

7.5 mm of rain overnight and light rain intermittently throughout day. Thought rain had cleared but had started again before I got to Alumbah Pocket. Thomas not impressed and had to wrap poo bag around camera. Track surprisingly good with only a few puddles and easily avoided mud. In spite of this had successful walk.

Brushtail Possum returned to Mistletoe clump and python still in situ. Harbouring doubts as to whether it is Carpet Snake of Amethystine Python. What do you think? Multiple birds including Victoria’s Rifle Bird (female) which I saw in same location last year. Only one platypus in a small pool under bridge from which he emerged into the viewing Platform pool after about 10 minutes.

Python. Morelia sp in doubt.

Victoria’s Rifle Bird (female) – Ptiloris victoriae

Leaden Flycatcher – Myiagra rubecula (Ad. male)

Little Shrike-Thrush – Colluricincla megarhyncha

Platypus – Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Green Ringtail Possum – Pseudochirax archeri

Intermittent rain yesterday with 7.5 mm in the gauge at 0900 today. Still moderate intermittent rain. Not too bad in appropriate clothing with waterproof boots but no good for dog walking. Track will be wet with puddles and sticky black mud. Will try and investigate later if weather improves.