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A rare night out with night creatures

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Martin Fingland (the Geckoes Man) and Dr John Stanisic (‘the snail whisperer’) presented a night out with a variety of native nocturnal fauna at the Brookfield Hall in an event hosted by the Moggill Creek Catchment Group.

An audience of close to 100 were entertained by Martin’s entourage of night animals consisting of a croaking frog, a silent native gecko, a brown tree snake doing a herpetological version of the Indian rope trick, a host of furries and a range of local night birds (owls and a tawny frogmouth). As usual Martin’s collection of furry, feathered and scaly creatures were the hit of the night, especially with the younger brigade. However, just to redress the biodiversity balance in favour of the other 99% (invertebrates), ‘the snail whisperer’ brought along a range of native banded snails collected in the Childers-Biggenden-Maryborough region. These silent invertebrates slimed their way through the evening whilst munching on a combination of commercial mushrooms and cucumber peelings. A rare night indeed and an event thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended including the presenters. Thanks Dale 

Rehabilitation of private land

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Private landholders own 69% of the land within the Moggill Creek Catchment. MCCG provides advice on request as to how best to manage the land through our Landcare Adviser, Damien Egan. Damien is an accredited member of the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators and has more that 20 years experience in regenerating bushland in our Catchment. Expert advice is available to members at no cost; Damien may be contacted at [email protected] or 3378 5199 and can be available to visit your property either weekdays or weekends.

The MCCG Nursery also supplies native plants at no cost to member landholders and each year 12,000 to 15,000 plants in c. 200 species are given to local landholders. It is difficult to quantify the beneficial effect on private land through MCCG activities but it is very likely to be at least as great as that on public land.

During 2010, a new model for landholder restoration work emerged within a group of land owners along Pacey Road. With the encouragement and support of MCCG’s Adrian Webb and the BCC Creek Rangers, more than twelve active residents are now running regular monthly working bees to rehabilitate each other’s land. MCCG supplies plants, equipment and advice, and has also obtained funding to support the project.

MCCG had been concerned for many years about the lack of support for private landholders given that their land represents such a large proportion of the catchment.  The Brisbane City Council Wildlife Conservation Partnerships programs (which include Land for Wildlife) have increased appreciation of conservation issues in Brisbane.  From 2012, Community Conservation Initiatives Assistance (CCIA) and Community Conservation Assistance (CCA) grants have been introduced and have provided much needed support to recipients, particularly with regard to weed control.  The grants provide the opportunity for MCCG and Council officers to work together to get the best outcomes.

Platypus Survey

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Each year in September, a group of volunteer ‘platy-watchers’ gathers before sunrise at the Brookfield Showgrounds prior to heading off to observation posts on Moggill and Gold Creeks.  They spend an hour or so at their appointed site then return to the Showgrounds to deliver their results and share a BBQ breakfast provided by MCCG.

The Annual Platypus Survey began in 2005 and is entirely volunteer-driven. Since the survey began, sightings have fluctuated but happily this unique species is still living in Brisbane’s back yard.

Snapshot over the years:

    • 2018        7 platypus sightings across the catchment
    • 2017 15 platypus sightings in total, of possibly 12 individuals
    2016 11 platypus in total; some in new spots from previous years
    • 2015 11 platypus, most on lower reaches of Moggill Creek and mid-Gold Creek

 

    • 2014 9 platypus, similar to 2013. Platypus reported in less disturbed areas of the creeks

 

    • 2013 (another wet summer, but dry late winter): 7 individual platypus seen

 

    • 2012 (wet summer, but 7 weeks without rain prior to survey): 17 individual platypus seen

 

    • 2011 (severe flooding of creeks early in year): 13 individual platypus seen

 

    • 2010 (continuing good rains): 20 individual platypus seen

 

    • 2009 (severe flooding of creeks early in year): 7 individual platypus seen

 

    • 2008 (10-year drought broken, good rain, water in the creeks) 15 individual platypus seen

 

    2005-2007 (extreme drought years): maximum of 6 individual platypus seen.
 
The following graph shows how sightings have fluctuated over the years we have been doing the snapshot surveys:

2018 Survey Report – Sunday 9 September:

 

  • 47 volunteers turned up at their assigned sites on a damp and misty morning before 4.30am searching for the ever elusive platypus
  • We recorded 7 platypus sightings across the catchment
  • The platypus were seen at upper Gold Creek (just below the
    dam), Upper Brookfield and downstream at lower
    Brookfield/Kenmore 
  • And on an even more positive note, at numerous sites that
    yielded a negative result for this year’s survey,
    platypus have recently been seen by local residents
  •  … all indicating that platypus are maintaining their presence within the catchment!
  • Click here to read the full 2018 report by Dr Christine Adams-Hosking: {module_literature,i,193945}

 

2017 Survey Report – Sunday 10 September:

  • We had an outstanding number of 76 volunteers who eagerly turned up before 4.30am
  • Despite the dry winter and shallower pools, we had 15 platypus sightings in total
  • By checking descriptions of times and behaviours, we believe there were possible 12 individual platypus that were active on the morning
  • Key areas included Kilkivan Avenue, Huntington Estate, mid to lower Gold Creek, Mumford Bridge the fig tree pool at Brookfield and Smith Rainforest Reserve
  • The habitat quality is consistent with fair to good results; no major changes from last year
  • Click here to read the full 2017 report by Tamielle Brunt: {module_literature,i,177163} 

2016 Survey Report – Sunday 11 September:

    • We had an amazing number of 71 volunteers dispersed along Gold and Moggill Creeks.
    • Our survey results yielded 11 platypus sightings in total, with platypus seen across a broad spatial scale:
      • Two recorded at one site at Branton Street, Kenmore and a total of three animals seen in this section (exciting ! We haven’t seen this many platypuses for a few years.)
      • Sightings in Moggill Creek and Gold Creek in Upper Brookfield, near Brookfield Produce, in the Huntington Estate, near Kenmore High School and in lower Moggill Creek in the Kilkivan/Manyung streets area.
      • A platypus seen close to the Gold Creek dam on Gold Creek. (They haven’t been seen that far up the creek since the refurbishment of the wall back in 2005).
      • The creek habitat assessments were similar throughout the catchment’s survey sites. Most were fair to good, with only two records of very poor quality habitat.
      • Click here to read a full report authored by Tamielle Brunt: {module_literature,i,166246}

2015 Survey – key points:

      • Platypus are persisting in lower Moggill Creek, despite its urban environment
      • Number of platypus sightings was low in upper Moggill Creek
      • Platypus have returned to two sites in upper Gold Creek where they haven’t been observed for several years
      • This is a snapshot survey on one morning. We know there are platypus in some sites where they weren’t observed this time
      • We don’t know if a couple of sightings in close proximity were the same animal or two individuals. We also don’t know if there are any breeding pairs

You can see a video of a platypus sighting here (thanks to Tim Vanlint and Debbie Miller).

2013 Survey Report:

In 2013 the sightings (with one exception in Upper Brookfield) were all in lower Moggill Creek. This is a higher density urban area of the catchment that has been the focus of tireless community riparian restoration efforts led by MCCG volunteers such as Malcolm Frost, Bryan Hacker and Damien Egan over many years. Perhaps the continual presence of platypus in these areas is in no small part due to their dedication to conserving the area’s biodiversity.

Why was the number of platypus observed lower in 2013 and why were none seen in Gold Creek, a former platypus stronghold? There is no simple answer, but factors may include:

      • Little recent rainfall and therefore generally less water and flow in the creeks, meaning that platypus are currently concentrated in restricted ‘stronghold’ areas.
      • Since the surveys began, Gold Creek has been subjected to controlled water releases from the Gold Creek Dam (including flooding and complete cessation of flow) and major disturbance during dam wall reconstruction. Perhaps platypus numbers in this creek have been declining as a result.
      • Platypus were there but simply were not seen at the time of the survey. We know from reported sightings from local residents that they are being regularly observed at some of the stronghold sites where they weren’t seen on the survey morning.
      • You can click here for a Google Map of the platypus sightings for 2013 and here for the 2015 map showing all survey points and those at which platypus were sighted.

2011 Survey Report:

Link to Noam’s video of a platypus in Moggill Ck near the Brookfield Showgrounds taken during the 2011 survey.

For information contact Chris Hosking:  [email protected]

Monthly working bees on public waterways

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Regular monthly working bees on public waterways are an integral activity of MCCG. They generally involve clearing of weeds, planting of native vegetation and maintenance of the replanted zones. Plants are supplied by Habitat Brisbane. Check with the nominated contact person to confirm the precise working bee site and the main activity.

We are currently seeking Section Leaders for Gold Creek Reserve, Lower Gold Creek and Mt Coot-tha Park. If you are interested, contact Jim Pope by email or phone 3374 4181. 

Click here to see a map of our working bee sites.

Section Area Name Phone
Section 1 Pullenvale/Moons Lane Malcolm Frost 3720 2173
Section 2 Lower Moggill Creek: 3rd Sunday Judy Petroeschevsky 3378 3348
Section 3 Huntington: Last Sunday Jim Pope 3374 4181
Section 4 Showgrounds: Last Sunday Damien Egan 3378 5199
Section 5 Haven Road Richard Woodhead 3374 4691
Section 6 Upper Brookfield Kate McVicar 3374 1471
Section 7 Gold Creek Reserve Position vacant
Section 8 Wonga Creek: 3rd Sunday John Crowley 3374 0723
Section 9 Upper Gold Creek: 3rd Sunday Gordon Grigg 3374 1737
Section 10 Lower Gold Creek Position vacant
Section 11 McKay Brook: 1st Saturday & 3rd Sunday Bryan Hacker 3374 1468
Section 12 Gap Creek: 4th Sunday Michael Humphrey 3374 1467
Section 13 Mt Coot-tha Park Position vacant
ALSO: Pacey Road - 2nd Saturday  Brian Krieger 3374 3789

Working bees

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Kids’ Day at The Cottage

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Having fun at the Kids' Day at the CottageThe first Kids’ Day at the Cottage was held in 2010 and has since become a very popular annual event.  It is usually held on the last Sunday in May. All activities are FREE for children thanks to volunteer expert presenters and workers, plus support from the Lord Mayor’s Suburban Initiative Fund for the Pullenvale Ward.

Presenters offer activities for young people that engage, entertain and inform on some aspect of our local environment and its biodiversity. The adults with them also find out more about the Cottage, the MCCG and its activities.

The day has typically had as its centrepiece a wildlife show, which introduces the kids (and accompanying adults) to a range of native fauna, with opportunities to see the animals, birds and reptiles close up, and to handle the tamer ones.
Other popular activities include:

  • Seeing a range of native snails live at close hand …
  • Searching out well disguised stick insects and giant cockroaches, and seeing and handling other inverterbrates
  • Plant identification using local plants …
  • Finding out more about local plants and learning how to pot and grow them – and getting free plants into the bargain
  • Learning about and observing native bees ..
  • Discovering more about the local birds and how and where to spot them (and what they sound like) …
  • Pottery and leather work …
  • Making finger puppets …

A free sausage sizzle sees to the hunger pains, and gives an opportunity to chat to other attendees.

 

For more information, see the report and photos on the most recent Kids Day (2017), and on earlier events in our news archive.

Cottage Talks

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** Cottage Talks are currently on hold**

Members are encouraged to attend our Cottage Talks. These 'members-only' events are held every third Thursday of the month from February to November. Each talk generally runs from 10am to midday.

Enjoy the ambiance of the Cottage whilst you are entertained and informed by expert guest speakers who present talks on a range of subjects relevant to the biodiversity of our beautiful catchment.

Members wishing to attend a particular talk should reserve a place by contacting Dale Borgelt [email protected] or by phoning Dale on 3374 1035.

2019 Third Thursday Talks at the Cottage

To be advised - stay tuned!

Talks our members enjoyed during 2017

  • Platypus-a-Plenty - Tamielle Blunt shared details about our 2017 platypus survey and gave us some fascinating insights into these wonderful mammals
  • Tracks and Traces - Martin Fingland showed us plenty of tell-tale traces of wildlife visitors that we can look out for!
  • Success Story - Laurie Muller shared a great story of collaboration with Land for Wildlife and the clever use of CCA grants which he used to restore an area on his property which borders Wonga Creek

Talks our members enjoyed during 2018

  • February 2018 - Fungi and its place in the scheme of things - a wonderfully interesting and well received talk by mycology expert Dr Diana Leeman

 

Kids’ day at The Cottage 2013

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On Sunday May 26th,  perfect day weatherwise, the 2013 Kids’ day at the Cottage was again a most enjoyable day for all involved.

 

Each presenter had an activity for young people that engaged, entertained and informed on some aspect of our biodiversity. The adults with them also found out more about the Cottage, the MCCG and its activities.

  • Martin Fingland managed to refer to MCCG activities and value to the environment as he entertained the enthusiastic crowd with his wonderful wildlife show.
  • John Stanisic -The Snail Whisperer- had children sorting snail shells as if they were scientists.
  • Geoff Monteith had live stick insects camouflaged on a branch for children to find -and a giant burrowing cockroach for them to hold – as well as look at his display cases of interesting invertebrates.
  • Anne Kemp in the Lungfish tent was kept busy doing a creative craft activity with the help of her Grandson.
  • Jan Blok had kids using a simple leaf key to ID leaves of native plants she had brought which showed the relevant features. (We gave copies of Fragments of Green to 6 children who showed great interest and ability in this activity- potential for the next generation of environmentally interested native plant enthusiasts.)
  • Andrew Wilson had many budding native plant enthusiasts potting seedlings and finding out about Callicarpa for example.
  • Tony Goodrich had a working hive of Native Bees that interested children and adults alike.
  • Naturesound’s Sheena Gilman could let kids hear Bird calls on an ipad and gave booklets on bird spotting to kids interested in Bird ID.
  • As usual, a very popular activity was Jewellery Making with Deborah Craig using Marjorie Welch’s handmade, kiln fired clay native leaves. This supply is now used up, but Deborah will be happy to improvise some other way of creating environmentally themed jewellery or craft