Friday 27th December 2019. 0745 – 0850

5.5 ml rain in the gauge this morning. Overcast. slight southerly breeze. Track damp

No one to greet us when Thomas and I arrived at Allumbah Pocket this morning.
Walking down to the Memorial Bench when a Pied Monarch arrived noisily in a nearby tree and fluttered along the branches making sure that he was more than visible.
Three Eastern Water Dragons were found in the nearby rocks and duly photographed.
A Green Ringtail Possum was in the regular tree opposite Snodgrass’s Pool. He was very cooperative in posing for us and I hope that he did not become fed up with visitors after I directed 2 couples, one local, another couple form the Netherlands and a family from France to visit him!
A Scarlet Honeybird was feeding among the flowering bushes along the bank and a Platypus was seen on the far bank at Platypus Bend. I received reports of two other sightings up and down the Creek.
Along the low level path around Platy’s Pool a small spider had a web between the grass stems. It was an amazing green colour but I have yet to identify it!
Nothing else was seen until the Paddock behind the Car Park where a few Bush Stone-curlews were visible along with a flock of Magpie Geese ad a number of Australasian Swamphens.
The two nestling Figbirds were still hungry while Dad was more interested in showing off than feeding them.

Pied Monarch. Arses kaupi

Male bird shown by small black patch on chin.

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

A big boy near the Memorial Bench.
A more elegant female.
Another female higher in the rocks near Snodgrass’s Pool

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Having a wash and brush up.
And a bit of a scratch! Good view of hind foot with opposable “thumb” (bit toe).

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Part of a flock of mixed Honeyeaters attracted by the nectar flow.

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus.

Rubbing chest on bank at Platypus Bend
Resting between dives.

Spider. Green Orb Weaver. ?ssp nephila

Small Orb Weaving spider with attractive colour at Platy’s Pool

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

In paddock behind Car Park

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

Two hungry chicks.
Dad could not care less!