Saturday 29th January 2022. 0910 – 1040

Weather

84 mm of rain in the gauge (3.5 ins in the old money!). Mainly overcast but a few sunny periods. Light SE breeze, stronger and gusty at times. More rain forecast bus has not arrived yet. Stepping stones completely submerged and strong current flowing with numerous eddies and audible from the bridge. Lower sections of bank and Flood Tide Island are under water which had been at least 300 mm higher than at present. The track is frankly wet, eroded on the slopes, crossed by several ephemeral streams and with numerous puddles. Mud will be present as soon as the track is being used. New Moon due Feb 1st.

Wildlife Report

Arrived at Allumbah Pocket to find “Mrs Green” and “Popeye” the Green Ringtail Possums in adjoining trees and suspect that they they are cohabiting at present and making arrangements for the next generation.
On the other side of the entrance was a very well concealed Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo who was very difficult to photograph and I got only glimpses of his face.
I introduced all three to a new resident to the village who was eager to discover our local wildlife.
Not to be left out the other male Green Ringtail was still in the tree next to the Bridge. His nose seems to be slightly longer than most of his ilk and he is obviously likes to be well informed about the coming and goings on the track so I have named him “Nosey”.
The Spotted Catbird was on her nest today as evidenced by her erect tail.
As I crossed the Suspension Bridge a Willie Wagtail landed to enjoy a tasty cicada for breakfast.
An Eastern Water Dragon was as usual on the Horseshoe Rocks.
At Snodgrass’s Pool a Platypus was observed “hovering” against the current. She made her way to some semi submerged branches and foliage and submitted herself to an extremely comprehensive toilet routine which I was very pleased to photograph.
I took yet more photos of the cicadas and will really have to submit them to my Cicada guru and find out what they all are.
As mentioned Full Tide Island is completely submerged and at The Log Jam none of the logs can be seen and the Concrete Slab is also under water.
At the base of Log Jam Peninsula I spotted a Golden Orb-weaver Spider with a huge web anchored to the Evodia Tree which is still in flower.
On to the Overhanging Bushes where the as yet un-named Green Ringtail Possum was in the River Oak tree near bush Number One.
In the bush I checked out the Gerygone nest and found it occupied by a large yellow bill which I suspect belongs to a rapidly developing chick.
At the tip of Picnic Peninsula I saw a Platypus foraging along the far bank. She then started to climb the bank making several unsuccessful attempts and I think that she was endeavoring to reach one of several burrows in that area. I wondered if she had perhaps been flushed out of her burrow by the high water level. I was not until I reviewed the images on the computer that I discovered that she had a persistent diagonal line across her back running from her neck on the left to under her right foreleg. It was not clearly defined as a “ring” but I am fairly certain that this was “Ringneck” . It is probably significant that it must be almost exactly 1 year since I first saw her only 10 metres away from where she was observed today!
Nothing more was seen until I checked the bank on the Yungaburra side after crossing Highway Bridge. As I made my way across the vacant lot, a Brushturkey was preening his tail.
I ducked under the overhanging vegetation and found a young Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo splendidly displayed on a low open branch. The shutter got another workout!
The second Spotted Catbird was also sitting on her nest.
On to the Overhanging Fig Tree where the Coppery Brushtail Possum was displaying her assets.
Along Bunya Street I was lucky enough to see the Bush Stone-curlews together with their two chicks and they seem to have created a quick escape route from the nature strip into the sanctuary of the garden.