Saturday 17th October 2020. 0730 -0850

Weather

4.5 ml of rain in the gauge from yesterday morning. Sunny with scattered cumulus clouds. Light intermittent southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level falling slowly.

Post

Decided to make an early start today and set off full of enthusiasm to Allumbah Pocket where I endeavored to photograph a Platypus in front of the Picnic Shelter. Turned on the camera to be welcomed by ” No memory card present”. Uttered a few foul oaths and, much to the confusion of Thomas, returned home to insert the card!
Making a second attempt observed a distant Bush Stone Curlew doing his own Patrol of Bunya Street.
Of more interest spotted a Coucal Pheasant in the driveway of a house which backs onto the Creek and managed to grab one shot before it vanished into the undergrowth. Not a very good photo but have never before seen this bird in the vicinity.
From the Suspension Bridge a distant Platypus, probably the same one as seen previously, was busy feeding about 50 mtrs down the Creek.
Another Platypus was seen at Platypus Bend, this one a male in a hurry on the surface and probably looking for love. He soon disappeared from view.
At Log Jam Peninsula a Black-faced Monarch paid a visit but didn’t come as close as I would have liked.
Was pleased to find a Green Ringtail Possum on a River Oak Branch near the Overhanging Bushes and within a few metres spotted “Chocolate” the darkly coloured Common Brushtail Possum hiding in Bush No 2.
Continued on to the narrows where a blob in the canopy caught my attention and proved to be another Green Ringtail Possum, again on a River Oak branch but concealed by Camphor Laurel foliage. I was able to introduce a visitor from Gold Coast although it was too well hidden for his young daughter to see.
Fortunately she was able to see the Platypus which appeared where to Creek leaves the Pool beneath the Highway Bridge which was observed by several more visitors as it swam into the Platypus Viewing Pool and on up the Creek.
The Bush Stone-curlew was still on her nest at Nick’s Camping Area and demonstrating the excellence of her camouflage. Even knowing where she was, I had to get within about 5 mtrs before I spotted her.
One of the Bunya Street Curlews was in his oft used spot by the concrete garden surround. I believe this to be the same one that on two occasions has stood outside our front door calling loudly until he was fed. Were you aware that Bush Stone-curlews like Polish Garlic Sausage ?