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June 28th: Guest Speaker Dr Bill McDonald – Brisbane rainforests – their flora, ecology and relationship within SEQ rainforest

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Join us at Kenmore Library on Tuesday June 28th at 6.30pm (for 7pm) to hear distinguished guest speaker Dr Bill McDonald presenting:

Brisbane rainforests – their flora, ecology and relationship within SEQ rainforest.

 The talk covers:

  • Typical species of the Enoggera/Moggill Creeks
  • Alluvial rainforests of Brisbane (esp. Rafting Ground Reserve)
  • Rainforest ecology (fire/drought recent SEQ info)
  • Rainforest regeneration (general or specific for SEQ)
  • SEQ rainforest weeds
  • Recent taxonomy
  • Useful Eastern Rainforest Plants ID app (for species identification)

Biography:  Dr Bill McDonald has been a leader of rainforest research within Queensland within the last 40 years.  He has championed (and helped build) the tools used to identify the often infertile rainforest plants in eastern Australia.  These tools have helped spur ongoing interest in native rainforest plants in Queensland, and also driven rainforest conservation and research.  Bill has been the go-to person whenever ecologists needed information about these complex vegetation systems, and has always generously given his time and advice about plant identification and aspects of rainforest ecology.  Bill completed his PhD on vine thickets within Queensland, however he has also studied the rainforests of the Wet Tropics in north Queensland, and worked and studied rainforests overseas in Borneo and PNG.

Winter Newsletter is out now

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Eye spy with my little eye … a water dragon, an echidna, Black-eyed Susan, a red triangle slug, Mare’s eggs, a Northern Mountain Possum and a platypus! But wait there is so much more to see and read in the Winter Newsletter.

Thanks to Cathi for putting together another fabulous read and to all the contributors for sharing their wealth of knowledge, news and discoveries.

Here is the link for the Winter Newsletter

 

Wildlife Matters

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The Koala – a species under threat!

The koala is one of the most well-known Australian animals.  It is a marsupial, like many of our native mammals – this means that females have a pouch and give birth to extremely underdeveloped young, known as joeys, after a short pregnancy period of 33 to 35 days.  Koala joeys (the size of a jellybean when born) spend the first 6 months or so of their lives inside their mother’s pouch.  Koalas have a very specialised diet of eucalyptus (or gum) leaves.  In fact, koalas only feed on about 50 to 60 of the 800 or so Eucalypt species found in Australia. Each koala has their individual preferences, and they often prefer the fresh juicy new growth known as ‘tip’ over mature leaves. Eucalyptus leaves are quite low in energy, resulting in koalas spending 18 to 20 hours each day resting or sleeping!

It is a very special experience to spot a wild koala. We are blessed to have localised populations of them in our Western suburbs – but for how much longer? While the threat of being hunted for their fur is no longer an issue (hunting was banned in the early 1900s), koalas still face many threats such as drowning in swimming pools, being attacked by dogs, being hit by cars, disease and habitat loss. Habitat loss, often caused by development, can increase the risk of pool drownings, dog attacks and car strikes as it forces koalas to move through suburban/developed areas. Ways to reduce these threats can be found at: https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/koalas/threats. The stress a koala faces due to habitat loss (including difficulty finding territory and food sources) can also make them more vulnerable to disease. Protecting existing koala habitats and wildlife corridors is crucial to their survival. To report a sick or injured koala in Queensland, please call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).

Words and photo by Rebecca Bain

 

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Know Your Wildlife!

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How well do you know the local wildlife? You are invited to meet the Wildlife Identification Challenge!

 

CAN you identify these native native waterbirds using the Catchment Field Guides? How do they differ in swimming and feeding behaviour?

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2.

3.

Answers

  1. Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata)
  2. Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
  3. Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)

The Pacific Black Duck feeds by upending or ‘dabbling’, plunging its head and raising its tail out of the water. The Australasian Grebe is adapted for diving completely under the water, with its legs set far back on its body, so it does not walk well on land. In contrast, the Australian Wood Duck feeds mainly on land, eating grasses, clover and other herbs.

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Creek Health Monitoring Project June Events

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Volunteers needed to take part in a macro-invertebrate, fish identification and water health survey.

Citizen Science Events –

  • Monday 6th June – Waterway Health Survey
  • Saturday 11th June – Waterway health survey
  • Sunday 19th June – Waterway health survey

We are looking at waterway health and you can help! Volunteers needed to take part in a water bug, fish identification and water health survey. The day is suitable for budding beginners through to macro-invertebrate maestros with team leaders available to guide you. By participating in this project you will be assisting in collecting valuable data on what are regarded some of the most pristine creek lines close to Brisbane. Come test the waters of citizen science. For more info or to register your attendance please email [email protected]

Where

Brookfield (meeting point will be advised for each survey day).

Please check emails leading up to event.

When

0900-1200

Who

Anybody with a reasonable level of fitness not afraid to get their shoes wet. Young Citizen Scientists (10+) welcome with an adult.

What to wear & bring

Remember to wear suitable outdoor clothing, enclosed shoes that you don’t mind getting wet, a hat, sunglasses and water bottle. Lunch provided.

More information

Email: Lewis  [email protected]

Supporters

The Creek Health Monitoring Project is a Citizen Science project undertaken by Moggill Creek Catchment Group. Proudly supported by the Queensland Government -Queensland Citizen Science Grants and Brisbane City Council.

Wildlife Matters!

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Recent Flooding

We all remember well the recent rainfall event.  Over the four days 25th – 28th February in Kenmore Hills we recorded 795 mm.  Sadly, many residences close to Brisbane’s creeks were seriously flooded.  But vegetated areas along creeks were also impacted, effects varying depending on the nature of the vegetation and age.  Recent plantings were in many cases flattened and even moderate sized trees were bowled over.  Logs and branches carried downstream caused considerable damage to existing trees, as the photo shows, in which a large log has impacted a mature fig tree on the bank of Moggill Creek. Owing to potential danger associated with the flooding, permission for bushcarers to rescue damaged trees on Council land was delayed.  Different species differ in relation to recovery, with the creek sandpaper fig being especially good at recovering from being bowled over, hanging on by a few roots and sprouting from along its trunk, whilst the river she-oaks are just bowled over and may not recover.

Fig tree impacted by floating log

The other adverse effect of creek flooding is debris and plant material being washed downstream. Many of the understorey weed species take root again after having been moved and the climber Madeira vine will spread by its tubers being washed downstream too.  Where creek margins had been cleared of all vegetation, significant erosion would have occurred and where weed species are the only ones present on flood-prone land, it is desirable to remove them progressively, replacing with natives, to avoid significant erosion.  Lomandra species especially are superb at holding the soil in place and emerge unaffected following days underwater, as shown here.

Lomandras flourish and control erosion

Away from flooded areas the rain has largely been welcome, although some landslips have occurred.  Plants – both native and exotic – have benefitted from the improved moisture.  Where exotics such as signal grass have been removed native grasses have flourished and produced seed following the rain.  Varying depending on species, tree species will have benefitted too, through moisture penetrating to the subsoil.

Woodland with native grass understorey benefits from increased moisture

Words and Photos by Bryan Hacker

 

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Moggill Magic

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Moggill Magic this issue features the Moggill Creek Catchment Group Newsletter which has been published quarterly since the Group was started 22 years ago. The Newsletter has been the main communication vehicle for the MCCG and is widely read by local members and even as far wide as Sydney and Melbourne.

It has covered the efforts of the MCCG Bushcare Groups, the Annual Photo Competition, The Kids Day at the Cottage, Dale’s  Cottage Talks and the recent popular evening presentations at the Showgrounds Hall. It has also included informative local articles on native plants, weed control and native fauna. We are fortunate to have several experts living within the catchment who have contributed authoritative articles on a wide range of subjects from birds, butterflies, frogs, landscaping, platypus and creek health.

The MCCG Newsletters from the first issue on November 1999 to 2012

None of this would have been possible without the dedicated work of our two Editors, the late Graeme Wilson and our present editor Cathi Lawrence.

This issue is Cathi’s 22nd Newsletter and she has brought a professional expertise to the Newsletter that has lifted the publication to an exceptionally high standard. Cathi has not only produced a highly attractive publication she has cleverly cajoled the contributors of articles to supply a newsletter with a regular balance of articles on people and activities in the catchment with topical and informative articles on the fauna and flora of the area.

The work that goes into producing each issue is enormous and Cathi’s highly disciplined approach results in the timely production of the newsletter each quarter.

A recent letter to the MCCG Secretary put it well:

Dear Zoe

Thank you for the latest Newsletter, what a delightful and informative issue. I was really interested in the information on the likelihood of our native wild life survival during the flood. It would seem that Nature is able to cope so much better than the humans.

The article was well illustrated and most informative. As someone who finds using a computer difficult, I really appreciate the Newsletters and can only admire those responsible in producing such an excellent product.

Thank You

Peter Strickland.

The MCCG Newsletter is truly Moggill Magic and a large contributor to the success of the Moggill Creek Catchment Group.

Words and photo by Ed Frazer

Just another tree?

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Across Gold Creek from my hide, where I have been monitoring a breeding Platypus in recent years, is a Sandpaper Fig. Its notable feature is that it is old, but apart from that it is just another tree arching over one of the two large ponds of the creek.

I have taken an interest in this tree because there are long periods of waiting between sightings of the platypus, but there are many similar trees overhanging the creek.

How it got to be growing just in this position could probably be because one of the figs from further upstream was washed down the creek and was deposited in a recess in this section of the creek many years ago.

I have no idea how old the tree is, but it has clearly seen better days as it has lost many branches and shows several signs of old age including severe termite attack.  It would certainly have been around in the first half of the 20th century when this section of Gold Creek was the local swimming hole. It was probably around before the land was cleared and used as a dairy farm by the Dart brothers. I can imagine it existed when members of the Turrbal or Jagera aboriginal groups populated the area. Perhaps the aboriginal children snacked on its fruits before lollies were available from the Brookfield store.

Since the cattle went, Chinese Elms have invaded the cleared areas and the swimming hole is no longer used, but the creek banks have a good cover of Sandpaper Figs and Creek Lily Pillies and other natives, so this section of Gold Creek is in good condition and supports a wide range of wildlife.

The Sandpaper Fig has many decayed limbs, and one hole is the resting place of an elderly Northern Mountain Possum. He camps here during the day when he is visiting this part of his territory. The Sandpaper Fig is interconnected with other trees along the creek by several vines. When the possum wakes up in the evening, he climbs upwards and takes off on an aerial highway that covers much of the creek.

He is joined by many other inhabitants who also use this network. Young water dragons sleep along the thinner branches during the night where they are safe from cats and other predators.

If the Water Dragons sense danger, they just plop into the water and swim to safety.

 Many birds frequent the fig’s canopy. Lewin’s Honeyeaters are always present – not for nectar, but insects which form much of their diet. Whipbirds are also common, and the fig produces fruit for a range of fruit eaters including Pale-headed Rosellas, Figbirds, Satin Bowerbirds and Rose-crowned Fruit-doves. Brush Turkeys and Noisy Pittas feed on the figs that fall on the banks of the creek. Striated Pardalotes use the fig as a staging post as they excavate their many holes in the bank of the creek where they raise their young. One parent will wait impatiently in the tree with an insect in its beak while calling incessantly until the other parent leaves the hole and it is their turn to feed the hungry young.

Most of the figs fall into the water and there is always a team of Eel-tailed Catfish waiting below.

As well as fruit the Sandpaper Fig drops a considerable number of leaves throughout the year. These rot down in the water and start a food chain involving bacteria and fungi, which are eaten by worms and aquatic insects such as dragonfly, mayfly and midge larvae, which are then eaten by fish and platypus.

The creek is usually ankle deep in mulm derived from the leaves and fruit and the platypus’s bill with its electrified sensors is ideally adapted to sifting out the insects and worms contained in the debris.

When the creek floods the mulm is washed away and a new cycle develops where the whole process speeds up with the input of minerals and light. Floods undercut the banks developing suitable dens for the platypus and water rats. Here too, roots of the Sandpaper fig stabilise the bank. The underground extent of the fig is just as large as the aboveground branches and trunk and the fig produces two distinct types of roots. The structural roots support the trunk and branches and take up water. The fine roots collect the nutrients to feed the growth.

The trees along the creek are essential for the health of the creek and support an amazing amount of wildlife. Clearing to the edge of the creek destroys this habitat and leads to a breakdown of the ecology of our waterways. The work of the MCCG environmental restoration groups in revegetating our waterways is vital to maintaining Moggill and Gold Creeks in a condition that is as close to pristine as any waterway in Brisbane.

FOOTNOTE

The Sandpaper Fig was snapped off by the recent flood and washed downstream to the bridge at the junction of Adavale St. and Savages Rd. The Mountain Possum hole survived but it is very exposed, and it is doubtful it will be used again. A few young branches remain but the main trunk was severed about 2 metres above the ground. The entire root system survived and held the bank well so the old tree will rise again, but it will be many years before it plays its part in supporting the animals with food and the aerial highway above the creek. In the meantime, other young trees will take advantage of the extra light and take the old fig’s place in the canopy above Gold Creek.

Words and photos by Ed Frazer

Know Your Wildlife Quiz

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How well do you know the local wildlife? You are invited to meet the Wildlife Identification Challenge!

CAN you identify these native turtles using the Catchment Field Guides? Which of them can emit an offensive odour when handled?

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2.

3.

Answers

  1. Brisbane Short-necked Turtle (Emydura signata)
  2. Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis)
  3. Saw-shell Turtle (Myuchelys latisternum)

The Eastern Long-necked Turtle can emit an offensive odour when handled.

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