News

Where did the Bullies go?

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How many of us remember what a “Bullie” is?
 
Back in the day, flocks of Bullies used to soar overhead but this is a sight seldom seen these days.
 
In our latest Bush Bites article, Ed Frazer shares his memories of watching Bullies in flight back in the seventies, and he proposes his own theory about why they disappeared … 

…  and perhaps why their flocks may be coming back!

Click here to learn more!

Found in Tuckett Street Park: A tiny turtle!

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This baby turtle was found emerging from a nest in the  woodchips surrounding the childrens play area in Tuckett St. Park. 

It seems that the mother had laid her eggs in the soft layer of woodchips/sawdust right next to the play equipment.

Some kids in the play area found the turtle. They carried the youngster to the creek and safely released it. 

It seems remarkable that it survived given the number of children (and adults) trampling all over the area!

We assume it is a baby Brisbane Short-necked turtle, but perhaps someone can confirm that! 

If you know the species, please send us an email at:  [email protected]

A Tricky Feathertail Glider Release

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In our Summer Newsletter, Chris Read kindly shared his  story about the soft release of a Feathertail Glider family from his property.

The story has a happy ending but there are some surprising encounters along the way!

We have now published Chris’s heartwarming story in Bush Bites and we have added some photos to accompany it.

Please click here to open it. It may leave you speculating!

 

If you have a catchment story you are willing to share for Bush Bites, please send an email to: [email protected]

Challenge of the Cane Toad

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Cane toads (Rhinella marina) pose a very serious threat to our native wildlife, particularly those which feed on frogs. This includes goannas, snakes, dingoes and quolls, for whom cane toad venom, which contains adrenalin and cardotoxic steroids, can be lethal.  

The MCCG is working with Professor Rob Capon from the University of Queensland to catch cane toad tadpoles using cane toad venom. We are also liaising with BCC about the collection of adult cane toads.

Note: please check our Summer newsletter for an update about the MCCG’s work on the Cane Toad Challenge!

But in the meantime we can share some info about a different approach to the Cane Toad Challenge. It seems we have other interested parties who are just as keen to eradicate the toad!

Last year, Ed Frazer managed to shoot a sequence of photos showing two different birds feasting on cane toads on separate occasions. The first was a White Ibis. The second was a Cattle Egret. 

For both birds, taking down and ingesting their respective cane toad was no easy feat! 

Here is the first shot of the Egret’s marathon feast:

Check our Bush Bites section to see more of these remarkable and unique photos!

Saturday arvo at McKay Brook

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Would you like to see what’s been happening recently at McKay Brook?

Thanks to recent intermittent rainfall, our plantings from 11th November have established well and have only needed a single follow-up watering.

This Saturday 6 January we’ll be working further upstream where a tree has fallen across the grassed area. We’ll be controlling weeds along the margins, where we also plan to plant some Lomandras.

This area has established well and includes some peanut trees which are propagating on their own and deserve to be looked after!

Peanut tree in flower (photo courtesy of Bryan Hacker)

Care to join us? Just park in Pamela Place around 2pm, look to your left (upstream) and you should soon find us!

Wear protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts, jeans, sensible shoes/boots), gloves and bring drinking water, a hat and some sunscreen. We’ll bring the refreshments!

For more info, contact Bryan Hacker on 3374 1468 or via email at: [email protected]

Please come if you can – we need lots of help!

Boobooks in backyards!

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If you’re intrigued by owls and birds of the night, then you must check our latest Bush Bites article!

Vicki and Paul Campbell share details of their encounters over many years with Boobooks and Barking Owls on their property.

Vicki’s stories are embellished by some wonderful photos taken by Paul .. just like this one!

Click here to read, learn and see more!

A Pheasant Christmas Day

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… but this is not the traditional way we think of Pheasants at Christmas!

On Christmas morning, Ed Frazer stepped outside his Brookfield property and came across a startling sequence of events.

As always, Ed’s camera was nearby and he has kindly shared the experience with us. 

Please click here to see some amazing photos which demonstrate how Ed’s Christmas Day for 2017 started.


Whatever is beautiful …

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…  whatever is meaningful, whatever brings you purpose and happiness … the MCCG wishes you these gifts during the Christmas season and extending into 2018.

We acknowledge the support and generosity of our volunteers, partners and the catchment community in general, and we look forward to an engaging and productive year ahead!

(Photo – Red-browed finches, courtesy of R Riccetti)


How did you go?

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Last week Jim Butler set us all a challenge: to identify the species of three birds from photos in the December edition of ‘Feather Fascination‘. The photos were taken in our catchment by Ed Frazer. Jim suggested using our online Catchment Field Guides to identify the three mystery birds. 

 
In case you missed it, click here to see the challenge: Feather Fascination December 2017 
So how did you go?
As promised, here are the correct answers:

Double-Barred Finch  
Golden Whistler 
Australasian Grebe 

To see more photos and learn about the extraordinary diversity of birds in our Catchment, select Catchment Field Guides from the menu on the left-hand side of your screen.