Monday 27th December 2021. 0910 – 1040

Weather

23 mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast with forecast showers. Occasional weak sun. Light variable breeze.. Track slightly damp. Water level remains low. Moon Last Quarter.

Wildlife Report

I start today by reporting the unusual visit of male Eastern Koel to our back yard. We have seen the female of the species on a number of occasions and often heard the characteristic call but this is the first time we have seen the male here.
I have also included images of a Cairns Birdwing laying eggs on our Aristolochia vine as it always inspires me to take more photos.
I started today’s Patrol just after 9 am after a leisurely breakfast and along Bunya Street I soon spotted the Bush Stone-curlews in the same spot although today the chicks could only just be seen underneath Mum.
I found nothing at Allumbah Pocket but as soon as I stepped onto the Suspension Bridge I saw a Platypus busy foraging between the Bridge and the Stepping Stones and managed to get a few shots,
After checking out The Other Side I returned to the waters edge and found the Platypus still in the vicinity but with no inclination to approach me. While doing this a Saw-shelled Turtle slipped off a rock as I approached and this was the only one I saw today.
On a rock nearby a Skink was enjoying what there was of the morning sun.
At the Horseshoe Rocks an Eastern Water Dragon was on the skyline rocks and another larger specimen was on the Middle Rocks.
I spotted ripples spreading from the far bank and soon located another Platypus which crossed the Creek and emerged in front of me at a distance of less than 2 metres. I was then entertained to 6 minutes of almost constant activity as the Platypus engaged in a comprehensive cleaning and scratching routine involving some quite extraordinary contortions and postures. Towards the end of this a family visiting relatives locally and accompanied by two large dogs arrived and enjoyed the spectacle.
The heavy rain during the night had caused a lot of damage to the blossoms of the Syzygium trees so there were few insects around although some of the nectar feeding birds were active including a Dusky Honeyeater.
I met up with two more semi local family groups, the second group appearing along the Overhanging Bushes where I was able to show them a Green Ringtail Possum which they had been seeking. During our chat the patriarch of the family told me that according to Parks and Wildlife there are seven Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroos resident along this stretch of Petersons Creek. This estimated sound quite reasonable to me although the are of the Creek concerned was not clear and I am not aware of any surveys.
Nothing else was seen until the Highway Bridge where the Coppery Brushtail Possum was in residence in the bushes near the centre of the span and this completed activities for the day.