With the support of Cody Hochen, Wildlife Conservation Partnerships Program Officer at Brisbane City Council, a group of MCCG members set up a motion-sensor camera in the Kenmore High School grounds near McKay Brook over the last couple of weeks (June 2020).

They have graciously shared the results with us. The images were surprising in many ways, showing that some fauna is highly active at night. Only a few different species were recorded, but there was plenty of activity from them on most nights. In all, over 500 images were captured!

There were shots of a couple of possums, with one of them a short-eared possum.

Lots of bandicoot interest! Unfortunately the camera was a little too high and every image is of its back. Cody believes it is a long-nosed bandicoot.

There was the usual brush turkey activity and sadly, also a very healthy fox. It was only captured on one occasion. This is particularly disappointing as it has only been a month after unsuccessful efforts by a BCC trapper to trap feral cats and foxes in the area.

There were high hopes for a photo of an echidna as there are clear signs of activity but unfortunately, it was camera shy and managed to evade the camera.

On a more encouraging note, on a check on Saturday 6 June, a micro-bat was found in one of the group’s purpose-built bat tubes installed last year. There have been a couple of previous sightings in these tubes but the regularity of sightings seems to be improving.

Here is a selection of photos from the night. The first two feature the long-nosed bandicoot, and the remainder show the possum and fox.

   

 

    

 

A group of MCCG members has been busy creating micro-bat tubes, nine of which were installed in the McKay Brook vicinity near Kenmore State High in 2019.

…. and they’ve had some SUCCESS !!!!

On Saturday 6 June 2020, a micro-bat was found in one of the group’s purpose-built bat tubes!

There have been a couple of previous sightings in these tubes but the regularity of sightings seems to be improving.

This tube has contained a micro-bat in the past but on the previous most recent check, it was empty. Others of the nine tubes have contained lizards and large spiders (mainly huntsmen).

These micro-bat tubes are made with recycled materials.

The one shown in the second photo below (with the year 7 class block in the background) was the one which we believe housed the micro-bat.

We’re hopeful more micro-bats will take residence!

This is Micro-bat Tube No 5, installed on a Stringy Bark in May 2019

Checking Bat Tube Nbr 8, home to an occupant

 

Frogs are disappearing. Declines in frog numbers have been reported around the world and Brisbane is no exception.

Would you like a frog haven in your backyard?

It’s not too difficult to create conditions to attract frogs. They need insects to eat, humidity, hiding places and a suitable place to breed.

And there are plenty of resources available to help you!

The RSPCA has some great tips for frog-friendly habitats. Head to their website to learn more.

The Queensland Frog Society website also offers comprehensive advice.

To read more about the decline of frogs, visit the Queensland Museum website.

Here are some colourful amphibians who call our catchment home:

 

Southern Orange-eyed tree frog © Phil Bird

Eastern Sedgefrog © Phil Bird

In response to the Corona Virus lockdowns and to celebrate World Enviornment Day on 5 June, over 30 organisations have collaborated to create Earth School.

Earth School is a website directed at young people. It offers a month of daily adventures (Quests) to encourage young people to connect with nature and their environment.

Each quest explains and challenges our notions of real world concepts like the t-shirts we wear, the water we drink, the trees in our forests or the food on our plates.

We’re never too old to learn! Some of the videos may even appeal to an older generation as well!  Why not check it out?

Click here to take a look.

A week or so ago a brush-turkey pecked at a couple of my (extremely hot) habanero peppers that were in a pot in my garden. The next time I saw it, the brush-turkey looked like this (see photo attached). Is this some weird reaction to very hot chilli, or have the local kids been using it for paintball target practice? Or perhaps it’s a side effect of coronavirus in birds. Since then the brush turkey seems to have gone into hiding!

A post by Jim Pope

If so, or even if you’re just curious, we can point you in the direction of a great reference website!

MCCG member Tina Heybroek told us about the site and she describes it as website created by “one little family with cameras and dedication”.

It has a wealth of info and GREAT photos on all sorts of LOCAL insects, including spiders, beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps, damselflies and cockroaches.

There’s too much to describe here, so why not take a look yourself!

Head to the Brisbane Insects website.

Parasitic Snail Blowfly photographed in our catchment by Ed Frazer

 

Back in March there was a huge influx of moths milling around the Commonwealth Bank building at Kenmore.

MCCG member and honorary fellow of the CSIRO Don Sands is an expert lepidopterist. He took some photos and described the reasons for the amazing swarm in a post on the CSIRO website.

It’s fascinating! Apparently more than 15 different species were identified at the bank!

Click here to learn more!

Following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions some of our bushcare groups are re-commencing on-ground activities. Group numbers will be limited to 10 people per group and will follow appropriate hygiene and social distancing precautions.

If anyone is interested in volunteering for working bees in their area, they should contact us at [email protected] and someone will get in touch with them to make arrangements.

Listen up!  For the next month or so you are quite likely to hear the call of an adult Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) just after dusk or early in the morning.

Their call is a very distinctive WOO-HOO!

Australia’s largest owl is the the subject of Jim butler’s May edition of Feather Fascination.

This is a wonderful read – thoroughly recommended!

Please click here to open it: Feather Fascination May 2020

Remember, Jim is happy to offer advice about birding and involvement in local bird projects.

The Powerful Owl Project, run by Birdlife Australia, is one such project in which you are encouraged to get involved! Even during the current pandemic, there are resources available to help you.

For more information, please visit the Powerful Owl Project website.

© Chris Read