In this month’s edition Jim Pope brings our attention to the importance of our local creeks and how we can be involved in looking after them through the MCCG Creek Health Monitoring Project. 
Read all about it here: Wildlife Matters February 2021
All Wildlife Matters columns can be found in the Media Centre
Published in
Test your skills each month with MCCG’s Wildlife Identification Quiz!
You’ll find Know Your Wildlife towards the back of every month’s The Local Bulletin. Answers can be found by searching in the MCCG Catchment Field Guides.
We will provide the answers to each quiz right here in the first week of every month!
Here is the February quiz:
Which of these fish are natives and which are exotic species?
Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) Photo: Tim Howell
Male Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia duboulayi) Photo: Tim Howell
Male Empire Gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa) Photo: Tim Howell
ANSWER: The Platy is exotic, while the Crimson-spotted Rainbowfish and Empire Gudgeon are natives.
In the latest Bush Bites, Tim Spencer shares his recent experience with a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo.
Loving birds is one thing, but photographing them is a completely different matter. It can be endlessly frustrating but once in a while something unexpected occurs.
Several weeks ago I wandered up the back of my place near the end of Savages Road, camera and 300mm lens on my shoulder. I heard a close-by noise and looked to my left and there, not more than 3m away and at head height was a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. This bird had an agenda and was in no way concerned about my close proximity. A tall but narrow Wattle tree was the focus of attention. Half the tree had been stripped of bark and wood exposing a cavity within.
Went back to get my wife Carolyn, “hey, you got to come and see this” We spent about 20 minutes watching as the bird diligently removed large fragments of wood and bark, there was no way I would put a finger anywhere near that beak! I stayed on another 10 minutes, had trouble lining up under trees as I was a bit too close for the camera lens focus.
Anyway, as I said, Persistence pays off and the bird was finally rewarded for this with a fat, juicy, Witchetty Grub. After devouring the grub the bird flew off in answer to a mate. Looking at the tree and damage, it was clear the bird had extensive knowledge about getting such treats. The amount of damage and a similar place on the other side but lower down where the bird had initially tried led me to believe that at least an hour had been spent in securing the grub! Yum!
Words and Photographs by Tim Spencer
With a good wet season predicted, now could be a good time to plant!
The list below includes species which we have in some quantity in The Nursery. We do have smaller quantities of others so do ask if you want anything else.
Please contact Bryan Hacker on 3374 1468 or email to arrange a time to pick up plants for your revegetation project.
Click here to view the list of species.
WELCOME to the new ‘Wildlife Matters’ column, which replaces Jim Butler’s ‘Feather Fascination’.
The first Wildlife Matters focuses on Brisbane’s Big Butterfly Count and explains why we should all be involved.
Read all about it here: Wildlife Matters January 2021
All Wildlife Matters columns can be found in the Media Centre
Published in
Test your skills each month with MCCG’s Wildlife Identification Quiz!
You’ll find Know Your Wildlife towards the back of every month’s The Local Bulletin.
We will provide the answers to each quiz right here in the first week of every month!
Here is the January quiz:
Many butterflies lay their eggs on specific host plants for their caterpillars to feed on. Which of these butterflies chooses the Red Ash or Soap Tree (Alphitonia excelsa)?
Answer: The Small Green-banded Blue chooses the Red Ash or Soap Tree as host plant.
ps: If you need some help, we’d recommend searching our digital field guides! Open them from the side menu:
These alphabetical lists provide a wealth of local information about wildlife. They feature thumb-nail images which expand to a larger view when you click upon them.
Keep an eye out for next month’s quiz!
Published in
To all McKay Brook members the next Working Bee will be at our Mabb Street Site on
Saturday 2nd January
2:30 – 4:30 pm
This Saturday we will be working upstream from Belford Street, close to the small bridge which crosses the creek.
Park at the end of Belford Street (UBD Map 177, K7).
Turn to your right and walk upstream, and you will soon find us.
There is an infestation of exotic grasses that deserves our attention.
What to bring:
protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts, jeans, sensible shoes/boots),
gloves, LOTS of drinking water, hat, sunscreen.
Refreshments provided
Please come if you can – we need lots of help!
In Ed Frazer’s latest Bush Bites, Colin the Sparrowhawk was saved from certain death. Ed muses the implications of interfering in the balance of nature and shares the adventures of a new friend.
Meet Colin the Sparrowhawk here
Summer is here and isn’t it HOT already but not as hot as our latest newsletter!
As always it is packed full of the recent MCCG events such as the annual Photography Competition with an event ‘snap shot’ and also some ‘behind the photo’ tidbits of some of the winners. Check out who is now First Aid trained and read all about the Creek Health Monitoring Program.
The local fauna and flora is fully covered with information on Powerful Owls, boxing Wallabies, Platypus, Frogs and ‘Collared Colin’. Lomandras, Butterfly Vines and weedy Taro are also featured.
Find out why Yvonne Quinlan volunteers and how you can too. And if you have always wanted to go for a walk in the park with Malcom Frost – now is your chance!
As usual there is the Chairman’s Report and this newsletter has the AGM wrap up.
Grab a cold drink, sit back and enjoy the latest MCCG Newsletter.
