Thursday 24th February 2022. 0740 – 0915 hrs

Weather

Only 1 mm of rain in the gauge. Bright and sunny with some high altitude cloud along the Western horizon. No breeze. Track slightly damp. Water level down about 10 mm. Moon Phase – Last Quarter.

Wildlife Report

As I walked towards Allumbah Pocket I was aware of Flying Foxes making a lot of racket in the woodland north of Penda Street so I resolved to go and check them out.
“Mrs Green” the Green Ringtail Possum was still in residence so after saying “Good Morning” to her I headed off piste in the direction of Frawleys Pool.
Where the track again approaches the Creek I could see a few bats on the wing so I moved closer until could get a few indifferent photos of Spectacled Flying Foxes settling in for their daytime sleep.
As I returned I saw a couple of Coppery Brushtail Possums close together but revealing nothing interesting as is their wont. I presume that they were a female with a joey.
Back at Allumbah Pocket I found that “Nosey” the other female GRP had returned to her regular roost next to the Suspension Bridge.
As I turned away from her I looked down at the water and found that a Platypus was in shallow water on top of a stepping stone and commencing her morning ablutions. Her contortions were amazing as she comprehensively scratched and groomed every square centimetre of her pelt over a period of about 5 minutes during which time I recorded 120+ images of which I will show you a small selection!
Moving on to The Other Side I spotted a juvenile Rufous Shrikethrush also tidying up for the day in the tree above the Picnic Shelter.
I then rested my trigger finger until Log Jam Peninsula where I photographed a White-headed Pigeon of which there were many around.
On to the Overhanging Bushes where I was just checking out a Golden Orb-weaver Spider when a bird landed in the tree above me.
I moved slightly and discovered a Spotted Catbird busy foraging among the foliage. I don’t know which of the two nests this one belongs to but both now appear to be empty so I presume the chicks have fledged.
I took more photos of the large Golden Orb-weaver previously recorded and continued on to the Highway Bridge where a Large-footed Myotis was roosting above the path and almost within touching distance.
“Calamity” the Coppery Brushtail Possum was near the middle of the Bridge but even more difficult to photograph than usual.
Two juvenile Eastern Water Dragons were on the rocks below.
No search was necessary to find the Bush Stone-curlews as they had moved to the trees next to the Car Park which has always been one of their favourite spots.
I crossed the Highway and found the female Tree Kangaroo who I have decided to name “Mildred” on account of her widows peak hairline and in memory of a much loved Dachshund. I was unable to see any sign of her joey today and guess that it was having a lie in.
The other Coppery Brushtail was entirely as on previous occasions except that she had moved to a fork higher up in the Fig Tree!