MCCG member Ed Fraser reports that he has double the number of birds visiting his property at the moment than usual.

He has graciously shared some wonderful photos of egrets visiting his dam (see below).

Ed reports that currently all four White Egret species, all in breeding plumage, are visiting his property for the first time – ie: the Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Cattle Egret and the Little Egret.

It is very rare indeed to see the Little Egret as far inland as Brookfield and Ed has never seen this species on his property. It is very much a coastal bird.

Why are they visiting?

We can only speculate that it is due to the drought.

Food and water sources for Australian wildlife are ultimately determined by rainfall.

Many regions in eastern and inland Queensland, NSW and Victoria are registering a marked decrease in rainfall since 1994.

Could it be that the Little Egret, in its current search for nourishment, is being drawn to large expanses of water, inland or coastal, such as Gold Creek Dam and Ed’s dam?

We would love to hear any theories from birders, or similar stories from local residents who are seeing changes in bird visitors and their behaviour.

If you have something you’d like to share, please email [email protected]

Meantime, please enjoy Ed’s stunning egret photos:(our thanks to Ed for sharing!)

Cattle Egret

Intermediate Egret

Great Egret

Little Egret

Little Egret standing

All photos copyright of Ed Fraser

 

Can you spare a Sunday morning to hit the water and clean up debris in our waterways?

Last year’s inaugural Cabbage Tree Creek Paddle Against Plastic was a raging success with over 4 tonne of debris removed over 3 day!

One year later, it’s time to head back into the creek to see if more has arrived.

The Paddle Against Plastic will be held on Sunday 10 November from 9am to 1pm, departing from Shorncliffe.

For more info, head to the Brisbane Catchment Networks website.

BE SURE TO VISIT KENMORE VILLAGE between Monday 21st and Saturday 26th October.

Photos from our 2019  Photography Competition will be on display!

This is ALWAYS a delightful exhibition. It’s quite breathtaking to absorb the wonders of our catchment together with the quality of the works on display.

Prizes will be awarded at Kenmore Village on Saturday 26 October.

We invite you to visit the display and ENJOY!!!!

The MCCG acknowledges the support of our generous sponsors:

• Kenmore Village
• Pisces Enterprises
• The Pet Chalet
• Amcal Chemist Kenmore
• Cafe Fiori
• Kenmore Bridge Club
• Dr Christian Rowan MP
• Cr Kate Richards.

 

Saturday 19 October IS THE DAY to submit your entries in all Open Categories of our Photography Competition.

Bring your photos, a completed application form and labels to The Trustees’ Room, rear of Brookfield Hall, Brookfield Showgrounds, between 10.00am and 2.00pm TODAY.

(Please note the closing date for entries in the Young Persons digital category was Friday 18 October.)

Best wishes to all entrants and thank you for participating!!

Which bird species increases its body weight 22-fold in the first three weeks of its life?

…. Sorry, can’t tell you!

You’ll have to read Jim Butlers latest Feather Fascination to find out!

And you may be surprised by the answer!

Please head to the Feather Fascination page and open Feather Fascination October 2019 issue to learn more.

The Friends of Sherwood Arboretum Association (FOSA) invites you to join one of their DISCOVERY WALKS IN SHERWOOD ARBORETUM!

There are 2 walks, both commencing at 9.30am on Sunday 27 October & Saturday 23 November 2019.

The Volunteer Guides of Brisbane Botanic Gardens will introduce you to the wonderful tree collection of Sherwood Arboretum, starting from the main entry at 87 Jolimont Street.

After this hour-long guided FREE walk, you can enjoy a relaxing morning tea with the Friends of Sherwood Arboretum Association.

The $5.00 cost per adult for morning tea supports FOSA’s voluntary work in the Arboretum. 

The numbers for this free walk are limited, so please RSVP to Brisbane Botanic Gardens – Mt Coot-tha on 3403 2535 from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday.

Here in our leafy Western suburbs we have so many delightful encounters with birdlife, even in our own backyards!  Look at this colourful male Mistletoe bird which Ed Frazer found in the carpark on his property!

Are you keen to raise money for threatened bird conservation?  Do you enjoy watching birds with friends and family while enjoying the Spring weather?

Then the Twitchathon is the race for you!

The National Twitchathon is BirdLife Australia’s Spring race for bird conservation. It’s a friendly competition in which teams of birders race to see or hear as many bird species as possible in a set time, while raising funds for BirdLife Australia and crucial conservation and research projects.

It kicks off and will run from 26–27 October in all states and territories.

To join the race, head to the Twitchathon website.

Azure Kingfishers in the Moggill Creek catchment – © Ed Frazer 

Please be aware there will NOT be another working bee along McKay Brook this month – the next working bee is scheduled for Saturday 9th November.

More information from Bryan Hacker in early November.

Hope to see you on 9th November.

Entries are due THIS WEEK for our Photographic Competition!

Anyone can enter!  We cater for the young and the not-so-young with an open category for adults and a **NEW** Digital Young Persons (grade 1 – 6) category for school students.

This is an opportunity to showcase your photographic prowess by capturing the natural wonders of our beautiful catchment! 

Adults must submit their photos, completed application form and labels in person at the Brookfield Showgrounds, between 10.00am and 2.00pm NEXT Saturday 19 October.

If you’re entering the Digital Young Persons category, you’ll need to email your photo by Friday 18 October.

For all the information and to download an entry form, please head to our Photography Competition page.

Get snapping and good luck! 

Everyone’s a winner really, with lots of prizes up for grabs and a display of entries at Kenmore Village from 21 October.