Weather

No rain in the gauge. Clouding up and threatening to rain after a bright sunny morning. Light variable breeze. Track dry. Water level stable. New Moon last night.

Wildlife Report

“Mrs Green” the Green Ringtail Possum had today returned her regular tree between the two entrances to Allumbah pocket and could best be seen from the informal path.
I had no sooner photographed her than I spotted the young male Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo in one of the trees on the North side of the Parking area. He was well concealed in the foliage but with a bit of moving around I managed to achieve some views of his face. He was then introduced to a mixed group of locals who including the daughter of Doreen Child to whom the Memorial Bench is dedicated. It was a pleasure to meet her.
Next to the Suspension Bridge, “Nosey” the other female GRP was on her usual perch and also checked out the visitors.
At The Other Side I photographed a White-headed Pigeon in one of the large trees.
I spotted a Saw-shelled Turtle on a rock in front of Doreen’s Bench and on reaching the path to the Upper Level near Snodgrass’s Pool, two Eastern Water Dragons were seen, one on each side.
On to the Log Jam where two more Turtles were on top of each other on the concrete slab while a small Water Dragon looked out from behind them.
As I approached the Highway Bridge a Pale-yellow Robin flew from under the bridge into a bush on the far bank but was close enough to photograph.
I took another shot of the resident Golden Orb-weaver Spider and moved on to the Large-footed Fishing Bats but the poor light made it too difficult to get a decent shot of them.
From the Platypus Viewing Platform I observed another Green Ringtail Possum roosting in the Bamboo Clump which seemed an unlikely location and I have never seen one there previously. The photo is not very good so you will have to take my word for the identification.
At Nick’s Camping Area the pair of Bush Stone-curlews were present but a bit wary of me today.
At the East Bank the gravid Golden Orb-weaver spider and her complete web had gone so I assume she was doing what female spider do.
I did take a photo of the Chocolate Brushtail Possum who had as usual turned his back on me.
In the Overhanging Fig Tree “Tatty” the Coppery Brushtail was hiding her face again but this time using her very bushy tail.
Along Bunya Street I took a couple of shots of one of a pair of Spangled Drongos which had been chasing each other through a large Camphor Laurel tree.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Large Footed Fishing Bat. Myotis macropus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Spangled Drongo. Dicrurus bracteatus

Weather

No rain. Sunny with hardly a cloud in the sky. Less humid than in recent weeks. Very little breeze. Track dry. Water level falling very slowly. New Moon tomorrow 1st April.

Wildlife Report

It took me a few minutes to find “Mrs Green” the Green Ringtail Possum at Allumbah Pocket today as she had moved across to the North side of the entrance. It was also not very easy to obtain an unobstructed view.
While rounding the bend to the Picnic Shelter a Rufous Shrikethrush flew into a bush straight in front of me and demanded to be photographed.
“Nosey” the other female GRP had returned to her favourite perch alongside the Suspension Bridge and provided some good images.
As I crossed the Bridge I noted that the Spectacled Flying foxes were still in residence down stream.
There was little to be seen at the other side until I reached the path to the upper level near Snodgrass’s Pool where a large Eastern Water Dragon, probably “Scarface”, posed for me. Another very shy Dragon which I often see declined to hang around.
I then spotted “Whitespot” the GRP in one of the Camphor Laurel trees close to the Creek Bank. I was unable to get a view of her Joey apart from it’s tail which was curled up and just visible protruding from behind Mum’s back.
On the far bank several Saw-shelled Turtles were reclining on the sloping log.
At the North end of Flood Tide Island I spotted a disturbance in the partly submerged grasses and a Platypus soon emerged. She swam up the Creek to the other end of the Island where she returned to the bank and performed some serious foraging almost at my feet although my view was partly obstructed by foliage.
At the Log Jam another Saw-shelled Turtle was on top of the concrete slab with another trying without success to clamber up. A small Water Dragon was in the foliage behind.
More Turtles were on the sloping log near the base of Picnic Peninsula.
At Stringers Stretch another Platypus was feeding although all on the far side of the Creek.
Further shots were taken of the golden Orb-weaver Spider at the Lomandra Clump near the bridge.
As I walked beneath the span I was running my hand along the newly erected safety rail and some sixth sense made me stop as I was about to place my hand in a substantial deposit of Bat Scats! The group of Large Footed Fishing Bats in the photo were located vertically above!
I visited the Bush Stone-curlews at Nicks Camping Area with the usual human artifacts in the field of view.
Arriving at the East Bank I saw nothing obvious but as I walked under a low Privet Tree I was alerted by a slight movement and found the Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo with her Joey concealed in the foliage. The Joey was as usual quite lively and I was able to get some good images of both in spite of the surrounding twigs and leaves.
The Golden Orb-weaver in her web nearby looked if possible even more distended and I think she will soon be laying her eggs in the soil below.
The Brushtail Possum was still in the old tree on the bank but not showing an elegant view.
On the way to the paddock a Pacific Emerald Dove flew ahead of me as if demanding to be photographed.
In the Overhanging Fig Tree nearby “Tatty” the Coppery Brushtail was fully exposed but with her paws concealing her eyes. The afternoon sun must have been troubling her.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla megarhyncha

Spectacled Flying Foxes. Pteropus conspicillatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Large-footed Fishing Bat. Myotis macropus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

Weather

16 mm of rain in the gauge. Fine and sunny in the morning but starting to cloud up around lunch time. Light SE breeze. Track dry throughout. Water level steady. Moon New 01 April .

Wildlife Report

A late start again today and along Bunya Street I got a good view of a Bar-shouldered Dove and fired off a couple of shots.
At Allumbah Pocket I soon spotted “Mrs Green” the Green Ringtail Possum in the usual tree but higher up. There was more foliage around her but I was able to get a good image.
“Nosey” the other female GRP was not using her regular perch but a bit of searching revealed her in the tree often favoured by Tree Kangaroos, low on the bank to the right of the Picnic shelter. Foliage was again a problem but by clambering down closer to the water I was able to obtain a good view and she then favoured me by stretching out and having a good scratch with her left hind foot!
As I was completing the session I saw a bird flash past me and from it’s flight pattern guessed it was a Kingfisher. I soon spotted it perched in one of the Bottlebrush Trees on the other side of the suspension bridge and approached along the bank until I was close enough to start shooting. I continued step by step taking batches of photos at each stage until I managed to get some excellent photos of an Azure Kingfisher.
At the Other Side quite a few birds were flitting around and I got one image of a Spectacled Monarch but a Pied Monarch unfortunately eluded me.
Where the rocks run alongside the path to the Upper Level near Snodgrass’s Pool I sighted an Eastern Water Dragon and another which vanished too quickly.
At The Log Jam a moderately sized Saw-shelled Turtle was clambering up the concrete block to join another which was already relaxing there, while they were watched by a tiny Turtle from a view point on top of some floating debris.
More Turtles were photographed on the sloping log close to the base of Picnic Peninsula.
Between Stringers Stretch and The Narrows I spotted a Platypus foraging busily but it was not keen to approach me.
I was able to photograph a Golden Orb-weaver Spider on the Lomandra clump close to the Highway Bridge before turning my attention to the Large-footed Myotis which were roosting below the deck.
While crossing the bridge I observed two juvenile Water Dragons on the rocks below.
At the Car Park I found a Shining Bronze Cuckoo looking for insects in the trees which was happy to pose.
Across the paddock at Nick’s Camping Area the pair of Bush Stone-curlews were both present, one with a more aesthetic but rather prickly background of Sensitive Weed.
On the East Bank I again photographed one of the Brushtail Possums.
The Golden Orb-weaver Spider’s abdomen appears to be much more distended and a male was crawling all over her, including her mouth parts and I can only assume that they were mating!
“Tatty” the Coppery Brushtail Possum was again showing her face in the Overhanging Fig Tree.
In the trees next to the path to Bunya Street a White-headed Pigeon provided the last photo for the day.

Bar-shouldered Dove. Geopelia humeralis

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Azure Kingfisher. Ceyx azureus

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Large-footed Myotis – Fishing Bat. Myotis macropus

Shining Bronze Cuckoo. Chrysococcyx lucidus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Weather

1.5 mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast with occasional brief sunny periods. Light SE breeze. Track continues to dry. Water level fallen by about 15 mm. Moon Phase – Last Quarter +3 days.

Wildlife Report

The tall gum tree at the bottom of our garden which appears unfortunately to be dying was this morning bedecked with birds in place of foliage. There were by my reckoning around 70 Australasian Figbirds, both male and female, along with a couple of White-headed Pigeons and a Barred Cuckooshrike. They had to be worth a photograph.
Birds also figured heavily in today’s Patrol, the first subject being a Laughing Kookaburra perched on a tree in the Police Compound.
At Allumbah Pocket “Mrs Green”, the female Green Ringtail Possum was in the same position as on my last visit. It seem to me to be a rather insecure perch with a lot of surrounding foliage but perhaps that is the reason for her move.
“Nosey” the other female GRP was on her regular perch alongside the Suspension Bridge where she received a number of visitors directed by me.
I then spotted very little until the region of Flood Tide Island where I saw in short order a couple of Rainbow Bee Eaters and a mixed flock of birds including a Rufous Shrikethrush and a Varied Triller.
At the base of Log Jam Peninsula near the Evodia Tree a Golden Orb-weaver spider of the slim and sylphlike variety had set up shop and as I saw two more in the course of my walk I assume that this is a new generation of females.
My next sighting was at the base of Picnic Peninsula where a female Leaden Flycatcher proved a very willing subject.
As I neared the tip of the peninsula I heard a splash behind me and turned with sufficient speed to see a Water Dragon swimming across the Creek and emerging on the far bank.
A Spectacled Monarch along the Narrows was not as helpful as the Flycatcher and I failed to get a pic.
Another Golden Orb-weaver had built a web in the Lomandra Clump which was well attended by Nephila spiders last year.
Only a small number of Large Footed Myotis were roosting under the Highway Bridge.
At Nick’s Camping area both of the Bush Stone-curlews were photographed separately.
On the Left Bank I renewed my acquaintance with the resident Golden Orb-weaver and got a good shot of the Coppery Brushtail Possum in the old tree close to the water.
My final subject of the day was ” Tatty” the Coppery Brushtail with the torn ear who is providing me with an unprecedented series of frontal shots.

Australasian Fig Bird, White-headed Pigeon & Barred Cuckooshrike. Sphecotheres flaviventris, Columba leucomela, Coracina lineata.

Laughing Kookaburra. Dacelo novaeguineae

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Rainbow Bee Eater. Merops ornatus

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla megarhyncha

Varied Triller. Lalage leucomela

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Leaden Flycatcher. Myiagra rubecula – female

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Large Footed Myotis. Myotis macropus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Coppery Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Weather

No rain. Sunny with some scattered high level cloud coming in from the West. Light SE breeze. Water level steady. Track drying out slowly. Very little surface water and little mud. Moon Phase – Last Quarter tomorrow 25th March.

Wildlife Report

A later start today after doing some early morning gardening.
On arrival at Allumbah Pocket I found that “Mrs Green” was not in her regular tree but I could see a Green Ringtail Possum in another tree close by and in the process of climbing higher. I founder her from the other side with some difficulty and eventually saw sufficient of her facial features to confirm that it was the lady herself.
Once again as I rounded the corner towards the Picnic Shelter the Pale-yellow Robin came to say hello but was not very helpful from the photographic point of view.
“Nosey” the other female GRP was in her regular roost and showing more of her face today.
While crossing the Bridge I photographed Saw-shelled Turtles of different sizes, one from each side, and also the Spectacled Flying Foxes who had returned to their Creek side camp in numbers.
Near the Memorial Bench a large Eastern Water Dragon was sitting on a rock at water level and inspecting me with one eye. Another Dragon who is never very receptive to visitors vanished before I could get close enough for a photo.
More Turtles were seen at Snodgrass’s Pool while “Whitespot” the Green Ringtail had returned to the Camphor Laurel trees and gave me an excellent view of herself with Joey looking over her shoulder. She was duly admired by a family of visitors from Bowen.
At the downstream end of Flood Tide Island I noted some disturbance in the weeds and a Platypus soon emerged. She continued with her normal foraging activities and fortunately spent more than the usual length of time on the surface between dives.
At The Log Jam a large Turtle was present but was on a sloping branch in deep shade making a photo pointless.
As I approached Platys Pool I took a snap of a Pacific Black Duck swimming slowly downstream and as I arrived at the Pool two Turtles and a Water Dragon jumped from a tree branch into the water to avoid me.
In No 3 of the Overhanging Bushes I photographed a very nice Green Ringtail Possum and then two Saw-shelled Turtles on a log sloping up the far bank. They were slightly unusual in that the turtle on top was facing backwards!
Near the fence strainer posts where the track bends to approach to the Footbridge, a small male GR Possum was almost completely hidden in dense foliage of the tree on the fence side of the track.
A few Large-footed Fishing Bats were again present under the Highway Bridge and these particular animals seem to be almost permanent residents.
A couple of immature Water Dragons were on the rocks below the Bridge but only one stayed for a shot.
At Nicks Camping Area both Bush Stone-curlews were together in a more natural area.
At the East Bank I spotted yet another Green Ringtail Possum, making seven for the day, in one of the trees which is used by the Tree Roos.
I again photographed the Golden Orb-weaver spider and also two Brushtail Possums, both roosting in the same tree with one showing it’s face.
In the Overhanging Fig Tree, “Tatty” the Coppery Brushtail was again exposing her face. I don’t know what has happened to change her previous reluctance but it made an attractive ending to the Patrol.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Spectacled Flying Fox. Pteropus conspicillatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosus

Large-footed Fishing Bat. Myotis macropus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Golden Orb-weaver spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Weather

No rain. Scattered cloud with sunny periods. Variable breeze settling to E/SE by 10 am. Water level fallen by about 20mm. Track remains quite wet in parts with small puddles and some black mud. Full Moon + 4 days.

Wildlife Report

As I approached Allumbah Pocket, “Mrs Green” the Green Ringtail Possum could be seen showing her back view in her regular tree fork. From the other side she looked rather grumpy today, perhaps because her boy friend was nowhere to be seen.
As I rounded the bend towards the Picnic Shelter a Pale-yellow Robin flew into the tree in front of me and struck several classic poses.
” Nosey” the other female GRP was in her regular spot in the tree next to the Suspension Bridge but her position was even less helpful than on my last visit.
As I approached the far bank, I spotted a well coloured Eastern Water Dragon on the rocks just upstream of the Suspension Bridge and he was also elegantly posed.
At Snodgrass’s Pool a medium sized Saw-shelled Turtle was on a floating log and today there was nothing to disturb him. In fact I saw no other human for the duration of the patrol.
At the Log Jam a larger Turtle was lying on top of the concrete slab against the far bank.
The White-headed Pigeons were not quite so numerous today but I snapped one at Picnic Peninsula.
Only a few of the Large-footed Fishing Bats were sleeping under the Highway Bridge today.
On the rocks under the Bridge a solitary juvenile Water Dragon was seen.
At the Pizzeria Beer Garden the Bush Stone-curlews were both showing their heads above the surrounding logs although this time neither of them was under the table!
Crossing to the Left Bank I noticed that the Sea Breeze had set if from a general South Easterly direction and was refreshingly cool.
I again photographed the Golden Orb-weaver Spider and the chocolate Brushtail Possum in the tree on the Bank.
The pair of Masked Lapwings were lined up ready to threaten me as I entered Bunya Street where I found one of the adult Curlews and both chicks had joined the Gnomes in the Shrubbery next to the turning area.
The remaining adult seemed to be keeping watch over the electricity junction box which I believe was where Ergon linesmen discovered the line fault which caused a blackout lasting for some 9 hours in Bunya Street last week. Perhaps the Curlew knows something which we don’t?

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Large-footed Fishing Bats. Myotis macropus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Chocolate Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Masked Lapwing. Vanellus miles miles

Weather

6 mm of rain in the gauge. Light generalised overcast initially clearing to scattered cloud with sunny periods by the time I returned home. SE Trade wind to about 15 knots. Water level remains high. Track drying out although decreasing small puddles throughout. Full Moon + 2 days

Wildlife Report

I start by publishing photos taken last evening as I watered my hanging baskets when I spotted some large Hawkmoth Caterpillars on the stems of Sunatiens plants. Research shows that there is an Impatiens Hawkmoth found throughout SE Asia and although mine do not look identical it is probable that they could have been imported with the plants which were bred in Japan.
At breakfast time I also got some shots of a handsome Sulphur-crested Cockatoo on our bird table.
Arriving at Allumbah Pocket I immediately saw “Mrs Green” the Green Ringtail Possum in her regular tree and today she was accompanied by another GRP higher up in the same tree . He was very difficult to photograph but from my limited view of his face I think that this is “Popeye” who has obviously become a “live in lover” or perhaps “a friend with benefits”!
In the tree next to the Suspension Bridge, “Nosey”, another female GRP was also at home although facing in a different direction and making photos more difficult.
While crossing the bridge I stopped for some shots of the Fruit Bats down stream, although I could only see three of them in the camp today.
At The Other Side a Spangled Drongo was finishing his breakfast.
Moving on to Snodgrass’s Pool I was disappointed not to spot “Whitespot” another female GRP in either of her trees on the Creek bank. I checked in the trees opposite, taking a little more care than usual and found her with some difficulty hiding behind some very dense foliage. By clambering into a patch of thorny shrubs I eventually managed to obtain an excellent view of her which included the small pink nose of a joey peeping out from her right side!
A moderate sized Saw-shelled Turtle was on the log sloping against the far bank but as I was about to press the shutter he was startled by a passing dog-walker and took to the water. One can’t however be too cross with a fellow Dachshund owner!
At The Log Jam I spotted another Turtle trying to work out how to climb up onto the only significant log which has a small part showing above the water. Gentle oblique lighting made for a rather good photo and to top it off there is a Damselfly on the log.
Nothing else was seen until under the Highway Bridge. The mob of Large-footed Fishing Bats had moved on but there were still a few present including one small group who were vertically above the safety rail!
A Willy Wagtail accompanied me as I crossed the bridge, urging me on with his cheeky call when I stopped to take a shot of an Eastern Water Dragon on the rocks below.
At the Pizzeria Beer Garden both Bush Stone-curlews were present but lying down beside the edging logs with only their heads visible!
Crossing to the East Bank I again photographed the Golden Orb-weaver Spider who has renewed her web and is back in business.
The Chocolate Brushtail Possum was again in the large tree on the bank. He appears to change which fork he sleeps in on a regular basis.
At the Overhanging Fig Tree I first spotted yet another Green Ringtail Possum although in a location with very challenging light conditions. I found a new feature of my computer software which improved the image sufficiently to make it publishable.
Also present was “Tatty” who was sprawled across the tree trunk with her torn ear exposed and eyes again only half open.
Along Bunya Street, all four of the Bush Stone-curlew family were in the shrubbery on the creek side of the road and sitting together displaying their unique posture.

Impatiens Hawkmoth Caterpillar. Theretra oldenlandiae

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Cacatua galerita

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Spectacled Flying Fox. Pteropus conspicillatus

Spangled Drongo. Dicrurus bracteatus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Large-footed Fishing Bat. Myotis macropus

Willy Wagtail. Rhipidura leucophrys

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Weather

16 mm or rain in the gauge. Drizzling more or less constantly from daybreak to about midday. Slightly brighter as I left home but when I realized at Allumbah Pocket that I had forgotten my brolly I walked fast for the rest of the way. Water level remains very high with a strong current. Track wetter than on my last visit but several ephemeral streams across the track and plenty of standing water. Light variable breeze. Full Moon.
It was spitting with rain as I walked up the drive on my way home!

Wildlife Report

Nothing was seen along Bunya Street or at Allumbah Pocket.
A few Fruit Bats were still in the camp downstream of the suspension Bridge.
A solitary Eastern Water Dragon was seen at Horseshoe Rocks and I glimpsed another at the lower end of Middle Rocks.
A pair of Australian Figbirds then flew into a near by tree and I managed to catch both of them before they flew away again.
In Snodgrass’s Pool a Tiny Turtle was perched on a log with a larger specimen showing it’s head alongside.
I saw nothing more until The Log Jam where another tiny Turtle was on top of the Concrete Slab and a large Water Dragon was on the foliage near by.
As I reached Highway Bridge I spotted a Platypus in the Viewing Pool moving towards to riffle where the pool drains but it changed direction and moved off upstream.
I then turned my attention to the Large-footed Fishing Bats of which there were far more than have seen previously. I estimate that my published images show about 50 animals and there were at least as many again out of range of my camera.
As I crossed the Bridge I photographed another half grown Dragon on the rocks below.
The Platypus was still foraging in the viewing Pool where it remained for some minutes and a young couple from Victoria arrived in time to be introduced.
I checked out and photographed the Bush Stone-curlews at Nick’s Camping Area before crossing the Highway to the East Bank.
There I caught up with the Golden Orb-weaver Spider who is still repairing her web and the Chocolate Brushtail Possum in the tree on the bank.
There were no residents in the Fig Tree today but I spotted a Green Ringtail Possum in the oft used tree by the footpath to Bunya Street.

Spectacled Flying Fox. Pteropus conspicillatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Australian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Large-footed Myotis. Myotis macropus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Chocolate Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Weather.

37 mm of rain in past 24 hrs. Overcast with intermittent drizzle increasing to steady rain at times. Variable breeze, mostly light. Track only slightly wet on the whole but with shallow puddles in some areas. Water level in the creek high with strong current running and carrying a lot of sediment. Moon phase – Full on 18th March.

Wildlife Report

Weather forecast not good but as not raining at present I decided to take a chance for the first time in several days and go on Patrol.
While walking along Bunya Street I spotted a Green Ringtail Possum, not identified, in one of the taller trees in the Creek side gardens and took a photo.
I found no one at home at the entrance to Allumbah Pocket but another Green Ringtail was seen in the tree close to the Creek Bank where Tree Kangaroos have often been seem. The view was not good but I tentatively identified this one as “Mrs Green”.
“Nosey” the other female GRP was occupying her regular roost next to the bridge.
While crossing the Suspension Bridge I again photographed the Spectacled Flying Foxes who were present in increasing numbers just downstream.
My next sighting in the form of a small juvenile Saw-shelled Turtle was photographed on a floating log in Snodgrass’s Pool.
Crossing the track I then sighted a Spangled Drongo enjoying a hearty breakfast in the trees opposite.
I noted that Flood Tide Island is once again living up to it’s name.
At The Log Jam two larger Saw-shelled turtles were on top of each other on the concrete slab against the far bank.
Higher up the bank a moderately sized and well coloured Eastern Water Dragon was also taking the air.
Numerous White-headed Pigeons were present in the taller trees but at No 3 of the Overhanging Bushes one was roosting at a lower level and provide the opportunity for a good shot.
Under the Highway Bridge I again saw numerous Large-footed Fishing Bats and recorded images of two groups.
While crossing the Bridge I took a very poor image of “Calamity” the Common Brushtail Possum who was in her usual spot but was not willing to reveal her face.
On the rocks below the bridge a juvenile Water Dragon was again present.
Approaching Nick’s Camping Area I saw the pair of Bush Stone-curlews taking their ease in their usual unspoiled surroundings.
I checked the East Bank of the Creek again finding no Tree Roos but managed to walk through the web of a Golden Orb-weaver Spider who was photographed while inspecting the wreckage!
I also photographed, rather badly, the Chocolate Brushtail Possum in the large Creek Bank Tree. It was not until I saw the images on the computer that I observed that it’s face was in fact visible although unfortunately out of focus.
This was made up for when I approached the Overhanging Fig Tree and found that “Tatty” the Coppery Brushtail was today offering a full frontal view in spite of being half asleep with her eyes about to close.
Back on Bunya Street I found the local Curlew family in the shrubbery of a garden on the Creek side and took more photos.
As I did so I copped a dressing down from a Masked Lapwing who was clearly of the opinion that I had no right to be on his street!

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Spectacled Flying Fox. Pteropus conspicillatus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Spangled Drongo. Dicrurus bracteatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Large-footed Myotis. Myotis macropus

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Masked Lapwing. Vanellus miles miles

Weather

1 mm of rain only. Clouding up progressively during the course of the morning. Short sunny periods. Breeze tending northerly variable. Track still slightly damp. Water level falling slowly. Moon – First Quarter +1

Wildlife Report

A late start today to avoid Yungaburra Volunteers working on the Track.
Birds were surprisingly active for the middle of the day and I photographed a Pacific Emerald Dove and a Lewin’s Honeyeater along Bunya Street.
At Allumbah Pocket I was able to see two Green Ringtail Possums from the informal entrance path and from the Parking area I could identify “Mrs Green” in her regular position and in a neighbouring tree “Popeye” was keeping an eye on her.
I went on towards the Picnic shelter and spotted “Nosey” who had returned to her usual perch next to the Suspension Bridge.
A I crossed the bridge I saw that the Fruit Bats had returned to the Creek Bank in numbers and made a much more interesting image.
In one of the large trees across the track from the Memorial Bench where “Whitespot” was often seen last year I spotted an unrecognised Green Ringtail Possum which I think from the white “powder puff” was a male.
At the Upper Level near Snodgrass’s Pool a large Eastern Water Dragon was present. Between shots he decided to change position and from his left profile I suspect that this was the now recovered “Scarface”.
Near Platypus Bend a flock of birds were feeding on the ripening fruit of a Camphor Laurel tree and I eventually identified them as female Australasian Figbirds. We have recently had several flocks of male Figbirds visiting the gum tree at the end of our garden and is is interesting to note that they behave in this way at some seasons of the year.
Along Log Jam Peninsula I snapped a White-headed Pigeon and then a Saw-shelled Turtle on top of the concrete slab at the Jam.
At the tip of Picnic Peninsula a moderately sized Water Dragon swam across the creek with a great splash and flurry and was photographed as it climbed from the water at the Far Bank.
More Large-footed Myotis were seen again roosting under the Highway Bridge.
On the rocks under the Bridge three juvenile Water Dragons were present and that completed the Patrol for the day.

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

Lewin’s Honeyeater. Meliphaga lewinii

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Spectacled Flying Fox. Pteropus conspicillatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris – female

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Large-footed Myotis. Myotis macropus