We have a wonderful photo to share with you, graciously provided by Janet De Vivo. It is a photo of a coot!

You may recall Jim Butler’s July Feather Fascination article, entitled “Salute a Coot“.

Jim introduced us to the world of the Eurasian Coot, a waterbird which most of us have seen around our waterways, wetlands and ponds.

Eurasian coots belong to the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. They are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, New Zealand and here in Australia.

The bird is mainly black in colour, but has a white shield (which gave rise to the expression “bald as a coot“).

In his article Jim also mentions that coots put their feet to good use!

The feet of a coot are not webbed but have “diagnostic flattened lobes” which serve the same purpose as duck webbing. Their legs are quite noticeably positioned a long way back which increases their ability for underwater thrusting.

Jim describes coots as “reluctant fliers” which take off by running across the surface of the water with much ado and splashing.

They attract partners by chasing them around on the water on their feet and flapping their wings, and are also very territorial, using their feet and wings to fight off invaders.

Janet De Vivo’s photo, taken recently in Cardiff, Wales, gives us a lovely view of the somewhat ungainly but very purposeful coot’s feet! Janet kindly agreed to share her photo after reading Jim’s article.

Celebrate the launch of the Moreton Bay Foundation, share your concerns about the Bay and discover how you can help to preserve this delicate ecosystem and natural wonder for future generations.

His Excellency, the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, will officially launch The Moreton Bay Foundation at a community discussion afternoon on Friday 30 August 2019 at Brisbane City Hall.

This is a free event, with lunch served at 12.30pm. Bookings are essential as spaces are limited.

To book a place, please click here.

The Oxley Creek Catchment Group invites you to their general meeting on Tuesday 27 August.

As part of the meeting, Warwick Willmott will present a talk on the truly dramatic processes that generated each of the major rock groups of our region.

These range from an ancient subduction zone off the edge of the continent through vast rivers on inland plains, to a series of volcanoes like those in the Hawaiian Islands.

An understanding of these past events helps us to better interpret our present surroundings.

Warwick Willmott is a geologist who worked with the Geological Survey of Queensland on geological mapping, resource investigations and geological hazards for urban areas. He likes to bring geology to the public and has written booklets and leaflets in a Rocks and Landscape series for the Geological Society of Australia, as well as giving talks to various groups.

The meeting will be held at the Oxley Creek Common, 428 Sherwood Road, Rocklea, commencing at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.

For more information call OCCA on 3345 5541 or email [email protected].

The Butterfly and Other Invertebrate Club invites you to bring along any vegetable pests, butterflies, moths, native bees, cicadas, ladybirds, dragonflies etc for identification.

A panel of experts and Chris Sanderson from the Butterflies Australia Project will be in attendance to identify your bugs and answer questions.

The event will be held on Saturday 10 August at the Downfall Creek Bushland Centre, 815 Rode Road, McDowall, starting at 11am.

For further information write to [email protected]. 

RSVP to Dawn Franzmann at [email protected].

A cluster of Harlequin bugs – ©  Prue Cooper – White

MCCG member Phil Bird, who is also a member of the Queensland Frog Society, will present a talk about frogs, their needs and how to conserve habitats for refuges and breeding opportunities at the Pullenvale Environmental Education Centre.

This event is being run by the Pullen Pullen Catchments Group on Sunday 18th August from 9.30-10.30am.

For more information and to RSVP, please send an email to: [email protected].

The ABC recently published an article questioning the success of Biosecurity Queensland’s fire ant eradication program.

It suggests that red imported fire ants have now moved beyond detection zones to an area around Gatton, and that there are up to 13,000 reported sightings which are awaiting confirmation.

These claims have been denied by the department.

To read more, head to the ABC website.

Note: some suburbs in our vicinity are classified as being within Fire Ant Biosecurity Zone 2, which imposes a general biosecurity obligation on residents to ensure we do not spread fire ants.

For more info, please visit the Queensland Government website.

Healthy Land and Water is calling on all South-East Queensland residents to tell them how much we value and use our local waterways.

To complete their survey and go into the running to win an iPad, please head to the Healthy Land and Water website.

The competition will be drawn 20 August.

 

The Queensland Community Achievement Awards are designed to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions individuals, communities and businesses are making throughout Queensland.

In 2017 Dale Borgelt, our tireless MCCG Public Relations Officer, was a finalist in the Pulllenvale Ward Outstanding Achievement Award category

Do you know a hard working individual, business or organisation who deserves to be recognised for their efforts? Why not enter them into the awards?

There are a number of categories open and the awards are free to enter. 

To find out more, please visit the Queensland Community Achievement Awards website.

Nominations close Wednesday 7 August 2019.

Dale accepts her award from Cr Kate Richards in 2017