Wednesday 23rd September 2020

Weather

No rain. Bright sunny day without a cloud in the sky. Cool but light southerly breeze. Track dry

Post

A relaxed morning so having completed chores decided that a Patrol was in order.
Thomas and I found nothing but a Spiny Orb-weaver Spider at Allumbah Pocket but he was quite colourful and was duly photographed.
Crossing the Suspension Bridge noted that the Tiny Turtle seems to have established a new home and was the first of numerous brothers and sisters seen today.
A large Eastern Water Dragon was on the rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool and when photographed he moved to a position which better displayed him. Unusual in that if they move it is normally to vanish among the rocks.
A Platypus was seen in the Pool but was in a hurry checking his territory, behaviour often observed at this time of year. Two other Platypus seen today were doing the same thing.
The Red Bottlebrushes along the next section of bank had attracted a pair of Scarlet Honeyeaters ( Myzomela) both of which posed for photographs.
A second Platypus was seen at Platypus Bend and again on the surface in a tearing hurry. Wonder what he was looking for?
At the Log Jam there were 5 moderately sized Saw-shelled Turtles on the logs although 3 slid into the water on our approach. Another Tiny Turtle was proudly occupying a very large log.
Just past Platy’s Pool four slightly larger Turtles appeared to be competing for top spot on a sloping log which projects out of the water.
At the start of the Overhanging Bushes, a Green Ringtail Possum was occupying an unusual position on an exposed branch of a large River Oak. I was joined by a French / Italian couple with a baby who now live in Port Douglas. They were very interested and a few metres farther on spotted another GRP which I was about to walk past! It was again in a position where I had not previously seen a Possum.
Under the Highway Bridge I met a family of three from Brisbane who are Wildlife Carers. Gave them some pointers and hope that they found the Possums.
A small juvenile Water Dragon was sunbathing on the rocks under the Bridge.
The regular pair of Bush Stone-curlews were occupying a comfy spot between the chair legs at Nick’s Camping area.
Checked out the Fig Tree which overhangs the vacant lot next to the Doctor House. The Brushtail Possum was not at home but yet another lively Green Ringtail was seen.
The Bunya Street Curlew was back in his regular spot across the road from our place.