0.5mm rain in the gauge. Early cloud clearing to bright sunny day and several degrees warmer than the last week. Cool southerly breeze to 10 knots. Track dry. Water level falling and Stepping Stones will soon be passable. Moon Third Quarter 19th Aug.
Wildlife Report
With the present restrictions it becomes increasingly difficult to enjoy a worthwhile patrol and from today’s observations it is likely to get worse. I was interested to note that the Private Sign near the Highway Bridge is now hanging precariously and I saw dog walkers using the track. At the East Bank however tree felling is taking place and the hollow tree, until earlier this week the home of a family of Brushtail Possums, is no more. I suspect that that it is only a matter of time until the Bank is no longer accessible by the public. At Allumbah Pocket I spotted an unidentified Green Ringtail Possum in the dense foliage north of the parking area. A new sign has been erected forbidding driving or parking on the grass. There was little to be seen at The Other Side apart from “Whitespot” the female Green Ringtail on her regular perch and fast asleep. I guess that these days there is not so much to keep her awake. Walking to the Highway end of my regular route I saw nothing at Nicks, the Viewing Platform or on the rocks under the bridge. I extended my walk along the trees lining the South side of the Highway but saw nothing of note and returned via the north side of the Bridge. Several Golden Orb-weaver Spiders were seen in the Lomandra clump. A solitary Large-footed Fishing Bat was in one of the joints under the Bridge deck and I noted an unusual shape on the lower abdomen. Could this be a juvenile bat in suckling position? At the East Bank I saw only “Tatty” the Brushtail Possum in her usual tree fork but showing a little more of herself including her torn ear.
Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri
At Allumbah Pocket “Whitespot” enjoying a snooze
Golden Orb-Weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes – colour morph
No rain. Overcast with some sunny periods on both days Track Dry. Virtually no wind. Full Moon on 12th Aug
Wildlife Report
This Patrol was conducted in two parts. On Sunday I visited Allumbah Pocket and the Other Side prior to negotiating successfully to sell my boat. On arrival I spotted a Green Ringtail Possum which I suspect is “Mrs Green” high in the dense foliage on the north side of the entrance. It was extremely difficult to get a clear shot which makes definite identification well nigh impossible. I expected to find “Nosey” in the tree next to the Suspension Bridge but she was absent from this and the nearby perches. While crossing the Suspension Bridge I took the opportunity to capture a Macleay’s Honeyeater As soon as I had crossed to The Other side however, I saw a possum on a tree just over the fence and out in the open which I am fairly certain was her. I could see no sign of the joey which had probably returned to the pouch. In a nearby tree “Whitespot” was also doing her best to conceal herself. On one of the rocks near the Memorial Bench a Saw-shelled Turtle was taking the air. Part 2 commenced after lunch on Sunday when I saw nothing of interest along Bunya Street or at Nick’s Camping Area. At the Platypus viewing Platform the tiny Turtle seems to have claimed the sloping branch having been in the same spot for several visits. I checked out the trees along the Highway without success and then returned under the Bridge where I photographed a Golden Orb-weaver Spider and a pair of Large-footed Fishing Bats. Neither of the Brushtail Possums were present today. A pair of white-cheeked Honeyeater were still foraging in the Bottlebrush Trees
Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri
“Mrs Green” at Allumbah Pocket“Nosey” at The Other Side“Whitespot”
1mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast with some light drizzle early. No significant breeze. Track dry. Water level falling slowly. Full Moon.
Wildlife Report
Busy doing paperwork this morning but received a call just before lunch from our neighbour who is one of the Yungaburra Volunteers to let me know that there had been a new arrival among our friends along Petersons Creek. As soon as lunch was over I set out to check it out and on arrival at Allumbah Pocket I soon spotted a Green Ringtail Possum which I think was “Mrs Green” in the trees to the right of the main entrance. In the tree next to the Suspension Bridge “Nosey”, another Green Ringtail, had returned to her favourite perch and as I had been told she was sitting next to her joey! I took a number of shots without being able see the baby’s face but is was still very exciting. As I was investigating the Old Boiler House a Platypus made a cameo appearance before departing downstream at high speed between the Stepping Stones. At the Other Side I took a photo of a female Australasian Figbird of which there were many around today gorging on the fruit of Privet Trees. In the rocks nearby I saw a moderate sized Eastern Water Dragon peering out at me. In the adjoining clump of trees “Whitespot” another female GRP was sitting on a branch concealed from most directions by dense foliage. I walked back along Bunya Street muttering a few uncharitable words and made my way to Nicks Camping area where the Curlews were still absent. At the Platypus Viewing Platform I photographed a very small Saw Shelled Turtle on the sloping branch. As I crossed the Highway Bridge I spotted a juvenile Water Dragon on the rocks below with a slightly larger specimen in the undergrowth nearby. I walked up to the junction of Curtain Figtree Road but saw nothing before returning to the North side of the Bridge where I got shots of a Golden Orb-weaver Spider and a Large-footed Fishing Bat. I finished by checking the East Bank where Common Brushtail Possums were seen in the Hollow Tree and the Overhanging Fig Tree. As I returned along Bunya Street a White-cheeked Honeyeater was enjoying the blossoms of a Bottlebrush.
Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri
“Mrs Green” at entrance to Allumbah Pocket“Nosey” viewed from the Creek Bank. Joey is on the right where a white ear marking and a glimpse of right eye are just visible.View from Bridge. “Nosey” now looking in opposite direction with baby in front of her.“Whitespot” hiding her right ear.
Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Platypus in process of diving. Eyes and ear cleft are closed while bill is being swept from animals right to left which pulls head below the surface
Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris
Female at The Other Side
Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathuslesueurii
Peeping out from among the rocksJuvenile under Highway Bridge
Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum
From viewing Platform
Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes
Immature spider with a degree of colour morphing
Large-footed Fishing Bat. Myotis macropus
Solitary Bat under Highway Bridge
Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula
Chocolate Possum in Hollow TreeCoppery Possum “Tatty”.
0.5 mm of rain in the gauge. Cloudy and threatening to rain. Occasional bright periods. Track dry where I could see it. Water level steady.
Wildlife Report
This is a belated report of a Patrol undertaken a few days ago to determine if it was worthwhile continuing on a regular basis. In the present situation I am restricted to limited exploration of a small area at each each end of the section with the necessity to walk along Bunya Street between the two. The alternative would be to walk the northern section of Petersons Creek between Allumbah Pocket and the old Railway Bridge via Frawleys Pool but this is substantially longer with much of it at some distance from the water and with significant hills. In the past I have never spotted the same numbers of wildlife along this section. I found nothing at Allumbah Pocket today until I started across the Suspension Bridge when a Platypus appeared around the Stepping Stones on the Yungaburra side. I returned to the area of the Old Boiler House and managed a few shots from there. At The Other Side a handsome Chocolate Brushtail Possum was in the tree behind the Picnic Shelter and seemed as interested in me as I was in him. In a tree nearby I got an indifferent shot of a well concealed Green Ringtail Possum who was more interested in a siesta. A few visitors seemed to be ignoring the Private notices. I made my way to the vacant lot next to the Medial Centre where I found “Tatty” the Coppery Brushtail Possum in her usual Fig Tree. No Tree Kangaroos were to be seen and I think that it may have been the young male often seen here who was attracting attention close to the Highway near the junction with Curtain Fig Road. I hope he goes under the bridge or is very careful with crossing the road! At the Viewing Platform a small Saw-shelled Turtle was on the exposed tree branch. A small group of Large-footed Fishing Bats were in the best spot under the Highway Bridge and were also enjoyed by a visiting couple. The Golden Orb-weaver Spiders were still in the Lomandra clump but I didn’t get a good photo. A Pale Yellow Robin was watching me from the far bank. On the way back I photographed a juvenile Eastern Water Dragon on one of the rocks below the Bridge.
0.5 mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast with light drizzle early but brightening later. Little or no breeze. Accessible track damp. Water level steady. Moon – First Quarter tomorrow.
Wildlife Report
It is with a heavy heart that I submit today’s Patrol blog for what may well be the last time. I have to report that the Dowling Family have done what they have been threatening to do for at least a couple of years and closed the Petersons Creek Walking Track between the boundary with the Road Reserve at The Other Side and the boundary of the adjoining paddock just downstream from the Highway Bridge. Their expressed reason for wishing to do so is concern about the bio-security of their property created by users of the track who they accuse of leaving drug paraphernalia, used condoms and food stuffs, which activities have never been observed by the Volunteers who maintain the walk and myself. I believe that they are now using the present concern regarding Foot and Mouth Disease as a justification for their actions which in my view is inappropriate and serving no useful purpose. As a child on the Isle of Wight I have lived through a FMD epidemic when the best friends of my parents owned a dairy and pig farm. I have personally owned a 23 acre small holding on the IW and as a former Medical Officer in the Royal Navy I have a better than usual knowledge of epidemiology. I can well understand farmers and graziers in Australia being anxious regarding the recent outbreak in Indonesia. It has to be recognised however that in 2000, fifty nine countries officially reported outbreaks of FMD. The disease occurred in Europe (Greece), Asia (Russia), Mongolia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. There is frequent travel and tourism between most of these countries and Australia. FMD is usually spread by droplet infection between cattle and other cloven hoofed
animals, particularly sheep, goats and pigs. The virus can also be transmitted in dust and dry material which may adhere to human skin, clothing and footwear, the feet and plumage of migratory birds or be blown in the wind from a passing cattle truck! Contaminated water is another common way in which the disease spreads between farms. With a property having multiple boundaries with busy roads and crossed by a creek which has banks on a number of other properties and receives drainage from the streets of Yungaburra I would think that potential risk from 500 m of walking track would be the least of the farmers worries. It saddens me that a Family who have been publicly acknowledged for their contribution to to the development of the Petersons Creek Walk and have signage along the track expressing this have after 20 years of coexistence decided to close it down in such a peremptory manner. In so doing they not only deprive the locals of an important place for exercise, dog walking and enjoying nature and will almost certainly have an adverse effect on the local economy.
In the limited area open to me I did check out Allumbah Pocket and The Other Side. I was lucky enough to observe a Platypus swimming under the Suspension Bridge, an improvement largely funded my a member of the Volunteers Lloyd Able. At the Other Side three Australian Brushturkeys were foraging near the Boundary Fence. As I recorded the offending sign I realised that the wooden bench seen in the background is that donated by relatives in memory of Doreen Child who will have to Trespass if they wish to visit. I then drove to the Platypus Viewing Platform from where I obtained photos of the Golden Orb-weaver Spider in the Lomandra clump seen below the present sign which also conceals a large and expensive notice praising the Dowling Family for their generosity. I juvenile Eastern Water Dragon was on a rock under the Bridge but was obscured by foliage I crossed the Highway and visited with the Brushtail Possum in the hollow tree and the
Overhanging Fig Tree. I completed my activities with images of the information board at the entrance to the now closed walk and of the adjoining paddock showing the pasture littered by derelict farm machinery and some cattle surrounded by migratory Cattle Egrets.
Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Under the Suspension Bridge
Australian Brushturkey. Alectura lathami
Another ancient species and perhaps an appropriate sighting.No name necessary – Memorial Bench in backgroundNotice hiding Dowling’s Corridor sign. Lomandra on both sides.
Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes
At the end of the available walk!
Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula
In the Hollow Tree“Tatty” in the Fig TreeThe images reveal what I wanted them to.
Farmer’s Field
No similar notices to be found on any of the gates admitting entry to the farm or paddocks!
Rain – 2.5 mm in the gauge. Overcast 6/10 with some sunny periods. Light southerly breeze. Track slightly damp. Water level falling slowly. New Moon + 4 days.
Wildlife Report
Nothing was seen at Allumbah Pocket this morning. As I crossed the Suspension Bridge I noted waves radiating out from under the overhanging branches downstream on the Yungaburra side and after a couple of minutes a Platypus emerged and swam across the Creek. The distance was excessive but I managed to record her presence. Near Snodgrass’s Pool I located “Whitespot” the Green Ringtail Possum in the branches which overhang the path to the Upper Level and by moving off piste I obtained a view of her face. Another small Green Ringtail was found in the group of trees across the Walk from the Pool sign. At Log Jam Peninsula a Shining Bronze Cuckoo was flitting around in the bushes and I managed to get several shots. A number of Saw-shelled Turtles were reclining on the logs at The Log Jam and provided several photos. An elderly lady told me that she had seen two Platypuses nearby but I was unable to confirm this. Moving on to the Overhanging Bushes, two more turtles were seen on the log which slopes against the far bank. Under the Highway Bridge a collection of Large-footed fishing Bats had returned to their roost above the guard rail which is the best spot for photos. As I went up the steps to the highway level I looked along the length of the bridge and spotted a Possum in the bushes next to the walkway but at a lower level than usual and I assumed that this was the Brushtail Possum I have often seen there. When I got closer I found that it was in fact a small Green Ringtail Possum at knee height above the road level and less than 1 metre from the railings! I also took some shots of a juvenile Eastern Water Dragon on the rocks under the Bridge. The Common Brushtail Possums were once again seen in the hollow tree and the Overhanging Fig Tree.
Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Platypus downstream of the Suspension Bridge.
Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri
“Whitespot” on branch above path to Upper Level.Possum seen from steps leading up to highwayClose up of Green Ringtail near centre of Highway Bridge
Shining Bronze Cuckoo. Chrysococcyx lucidus
At Log Jam Peninsula
Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum
Same turtles showing movement within a few minutesAcross the Creek from Overhanging Bushes
Large-footed Fishing Bats. Myotis macropus
Underside of Highway Bridge
Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii
On rocks below the Bridge.
Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula
Chocolate Possum in hollow tree“Tatty” a coppery Brushtail in Fig Tree
1 mm of rain in the gauge. Scattered cloud with sunny periods. Cold breeze from ESE. Track dry. Water level steady. New Moon + 2 days
Wildlife Report
After a bit of searching I spotted a Green Ringtail Possum which was in a small Kari Pine tree along the informal entrance to Allumbah Pocket but which could only be seen from the parking bay at the main entrance. This was not “Mrs Green” who seems to be AWOL at present. Nothing more was seen until I found “Whitespot”, another Green Ringtail, in her favourite syzygium tree on the bank of Snodgrass’s Pool. She was quite easy to see apart from her face which was photographed only with difficulty. At the base of Log Jam Peninsula a Scarlet Honeyeater was flitting around in the foliage accompanied by one of the flycatchers which managed to escape my lens. Nothing was seen at the Log Jam but as I was about to continue along the main track I spotted a Platypus under the overhanging tree on the far bank and was soon joined by a selection of visitors. I moved on to Platys Pool followed by all and sundry and got some more shots of the same Platypus as well as photographing the Eastern Water Dragon which was once again on the horizontal branch high above the far bank. Another Platypus appeared half way along the Overhanging Bushes and continued on towards Picnic Peninsula but no images were obtained. One of the golden Orb-weaver Spiders was snapped in the Lomandra Clump. Under the Highway Bridge shots were taken of the Large-footed Fishing Bats. In front of the Platypus Viewing Platform two turtles of different sizes were perched on the partly submerged sloping branch. After crossing the Highway I visited the two Brushtail Possums in the Hollow Tree and the Fig Tree close by.
Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri
Unnamed Possum at Allumbah PocketTwo views of “Whitespot” at Snodgrass’s Pool
No rain. Overcast with infrequent sunny periods. Light southerly breeze. track dry. Water level falling slowly. New Moon tomorrow.
Wildlife Report
Todays start was disappointing after my last Patrol as I found absolutely nothing at Allumbah Pocket or The Other Side and it was not until I reached the Memorial Bench that I spotted a large Saw-shelled Turtle on one of the nearby rocks. At Snodgrass’s Pool “Whitespot” the Green Ringtail Possum could easily be seen from the track in the Syzygium tree close to the bank but getting a view of her face was a different matter and the end result was barely adequate. At The Log Jam there were plenty of Saw-shelled Turtles on view with three on top of the concrete slab, one on the prominent log and a baby on another log being watched by a larger turtle in the water. They were popular with a local family of Grandparents and children. At Platys Pool the large Eastern Water Dragon was seen again on the high tree branch with perhaps the best view yet. Another Turtle was on the sloping log near the Overhanging Bushes while in Bush Number 3 the resident Green Ringtail was in a slightly better position and I got a reasonable shot. The children arrived just in time to see it and were joined by a small group of visitors. Along Stringers Stretch two more tiny Turtles were on top of a floating log. The Lomandra clump had 5 Golden Orb-weaver Spiders on show and under the Highway Bridge I again took a shot of the distant Large-footed Fishing Bats. In front of the Platypus Viewing Platform two more juvenile turtles had mounted the sloping pole. I was unable to find the Bush Stone-curlews today but did take a distant shot of Cattle Egrets among the cows. On the East Bank one of the Brushtail Possums had returned to the Hollow Tree and “Tatty” the coppery Brushtail was in the Fig Tree.
Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum
Large Turtle near Memorial BenchAssorted Turtles at The Log JamAlong Stringers StretchIn front of Viewing Platform
0.5 mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast with some sunny periods. Light SE breeze. Track dry. Water level falling slowly. Moon – New on 29th July
Wildlife Report
On arriving at the entrance to Allumbah Pocket I almost immediately spotted the same Green Ringtail Possum in the same location as on my last visit. Surrounding foliage was still a problem and I was not able to establish a definite identity. I did note however that there appeared to be some chronic damage to the right ear which makes it more likely to be a male Possum as a result of fighting in the mating season. I continued searching for my regulars but found another unknown Green Ringtail a short distance up the path from the Picnic shelter to the Volunteers storage shed in a hitherto unused tree. I was able to obtain a better view from the path to the Old Boiler House but I could still see no distinguishing features. I continued down the path and in the tree where I have often previously seen Possums I found a spotted Catbird which was remarkably unperturbed and allowed me to take a selection of shots during which it hardly moved. Along the informal path opposite the Snodgrass’s Pool sign I saw the same Possum as on Sunday. I could again see little of it but doubt that it was “Whitespot”. As I approached the base of Log Jam Peninsula I came across a group of visitors watching a Platypus as it foraged along the far bank. It was heading upstream so I got ahead of it and obtained some excellent shots as it surfaced almost at my feet. It swam on to the log Jam Pool where it remained for some time giving the tourists a splendid display. At that location I also photographed a Saw-shelled Turtle on the most prominent Log. At Platys Pool I again saw the large Eastern Water Dragon on a high horizontal branch of a tree on the far bank. At that point I received a phone call and had to rush home to accept a courier delivery but on the way I snatched shots of the Golden Orb-weaver Spiders in the Lomandra clump and the roosting Large-footed Fishing Bats under the Highway Bridge. Good old reliable “Tatty” the Coppery Brushtail Possum had returned to her regular roost but was still only prepared to show us her back!
Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri
Unidentified Possum at entrance to Allumbah PocketAnother Green Ringtail viewed from path to Boiler HouseCould be “Whitespot” but twig blocking view of right ear makes identification uncertain
Spotted Catbird. Ailuroedus maculosus
Views from Path to Old Boiler House
Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus
Excellent close ups from Log Jam Peninsula
Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum
Lucky to get this shot as by this time about a dozen visitors had collected and Turtles are quite timid.
No rain. Overcast with infrequent sunny periods. Light southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level falling very slowly. Moon Phase 3rd Quarter + 3 days
Wildlife Report
At Allumbah pocket I found with difficulty a Green Ringtail Possum hiding in the dense foliage to the right of the main entrance. I suspect that this was “Mrs Green” but definite identification was not possible. A Pale-yellow Robin visited me again while I was seeking “Nosey” near the Old Boiler Shed. On arrival at The Other Side, several Brown Gerygones were foraging in the tree to the right of the Bridge and I managed to obtain a couple of images, one of which was particularly unusual! In the trees near the B&B Gate “Nosey”, another Green Ringtail was roosting in an open location but I only found her after a couple of visitors reported her presence! At Snodgrass’s Pool I found what I believe was “Whitespot”, again very well concealed in a tree up the informal path opposite the Pool sign. Positive identification was again impossible. On to Log Jam Peninsula where I spotted a Platypus heading upstream and followed her in company with one of the visitors. We lost sight of her at the Jam but did see a tiny juvenile Saw-shelled Turtle on a floating tree branch. A collection of four much larger Turtles were on the sloping log near No 3 of the Overhanging Bushes. A second Platypus was seen at Stringers Stretch and delighted the visitors although she remained stubbornly too far away to satisfy me! At the Highway Bridge I took shots of a Golden Orb-weaver Spider and another distant view of the Large-footed Fishing Bats. “Tatty” the Coppery Brushtail Possum was showing part of her back and one ear from the Fig Tree.
Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri
Probably “Mrs Green” at Allumbah Pocket“Nosey” at the Other SideBlob in a bush and a peeping eye which I suspect was “Whitespot”
Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito
Near the Boiler Shed
Brown Gerygone. Gerygone mouki
Foraging at the Other Side
Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus
At Log Jam PeninsulaPlatypus 2 at Stringers Stretch
Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum
Juvenile Turtle at the Log JamTwo of the Turtles near the Overhanging Bushes
