Sunday 6th February 2022. 0835 – 1010

Weather

2 mm of rain in the gauge. (20 mm on 5th). Cloudy early. Sunny with scattered cloud later. Light SE breeze. Track mostly only damp but in places ephemeral streams crossing track and some extensive areas of wet mud especially at base of Log Jam Peninsula extending on to Platys Pool and parts of Overhanging Bushes. Water level stable with Stepping Stones well covered. Moon 1st quarter 08 Feb.

Wildlife Report

A moderately early start without exhausted dogs who declined to accompany me.
At entrance to Allumbah Pocket I immediately sighted “Popeye” the Green Ringtail Possum but was unable to see “Mrs Green”. Two local dog walkers enjoyed seeing “Popeye”.
Reliable “Nosey” the other male GRP was in his favourite spot next to the Suspension Bridge.
At The Other Side there was no sign of the Catbird and the nest appeared empty.
I had only a fleeting glimpse of an Eastern Water Dragon on the Horseshoe Rocks.
In the undergrowth and Guinea Grass between Middle Rocks and the track I sighted some activity with two different birds which I was not immediately able to identify. Subsequent checking revealed a White-browed Scrubwren and what I believe to be an Atherton Scrubwren.
In the Syzygium Tree near Snodgrass’s Pool, “Whitespot” the female Green Ringtail Possum was wide awake and wished me Good Morning.
Nothing then until the upstream side of Log Jam Peninsula where I photographed the resident golden Orb-weaver Spider.
At Platys Pool a pair of Orange-footed Scrubfowl flew across to the far bank where I managed a snap shot of one.
Near No 2 of the Overhanging Bushes the unnamed Green Ringtail was in his usual River Oak tree and as I was pointing him out to two young blokes from Malanda I sighted another GRP in a tree closer to the Creek.
On the upstream side of Picnic Peninsula a small Group of White-headed Pigeons were in on of the River Cherry trees.
Half a dozen or so Large-footed Myotis aka Fishing Bats were roosting in one of the deck joints beneath the Highway Bridge. They are very interesting in that they fly low above the water trailing their feet to catch insects and small fish.
On to the Highway Bridge without further sightings except a juvenile water dragon which darted into the undergrowth from the rocks under the bridge.
The pair of Bush Stone-curlews were enjoying their section of stylish real estate at Nick’s Camping Area.
I crossed the Highway to the West bank of the Creek where I immediately saw a Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. She was quite High up the tree but I had a good unobstructed view and could also see her from the opposite side of the tree.
On viewing the photos I saw that she had a pouch joey which stuck out it’s head while I was watching. The shots from the other side after a delay while I visited the nest of the spotted Catbird showed a foot protruding from the pouch after the joey had retreated!
The Coppery Brushtail Possum was again in the Overhanging Fig Tree with her head tucked down and I could see her left ear which has an obvious tear. As I scanned the tree for other possums she put up her head and I got some excellent shots. I will call her “Tatty” short for “tattered and torn”.
Along Bunya Street the Masked Lapwings were again active and I noticed one of them affecting a limp so I suspect that they have a nest nearby!
The Bush Stone-curlews were again on show although I could only see one of the chicks today. I hope that it was just in hiding.
I finished the Patrol with a couple of photos of a Yellow Honeyeater in the garden of another neighbour.