News

Book now for Aquatic Macro-Invertebrate Survey Training

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In 2015/16, Brisbane City Council’s Creek Catchment Program (CCP) introduced the Waterway Health Assessment Training (WHAT) program to provide catchment groups with regular opportunities to skill up volunteers for their waterway monitoring programs.

The first WHAT workshop for 2018 will be held on Sunday 11th March. The topic is Aquatic Macro-Invertebrate Survey Training and catchment members are encouraged to attend. 


Aquatic Ecologist Natalie Toon will guide participants through the requirements and methodology to undertake an aquatic macro invertebrate survey in their local creek. Training will include capture techniques, identification of macro invertebrates, and how the results relate to waterway health. This is a fantastic workshop for those interested in monitoring creek health, and providing and protecting aquatic habitat.

When:  Sunday, 11th March 2018, 9:00am – 1:00pm (morning tea and lunch included)

Where: 681 Gold Creek Road, Brookfield

Cost:    Free to catchment group members
RSVP by 2nd March 

For more info: email Michael Thorley at [email protected]

NOTE: Council provides five WHAT workshops each year. To see dates for the remaining sessions, please visit our Creek Monitoring Calendar.

*NEW* Online Butterfly Identification List !

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We are very excited about the release of our latest online field guide: Butterflies Found within the Catchment.

The list contains some beautiful photos of over 70 butterflies, species names, info about each butterfly’s behaviour and suggested plants to include in your garden if you’d like to attract them!  

This has all been made possible through the collaboration and generosity of Dale Borgelt, MCCG’s Public Relations Officer, and MCCG member and wildlife photographer Ed Frazer. Both share an interest in butterflies and a passion for wildlife photography. 

The list is accessible from our “Catchment Field Guides” menu item. 

Here are two small hints when you have the list open:

  • Click on a thumbnail to open a larger image
  • Press CTRL + F to search for a particular item. 

Take a look at the list now by clicking here. It’s absolutely worth checking out!

A hint of the magic in our new Butterfly List – a Lesser Wanderer

Courtesy of Ed Frazer

    

Where did the Bullies go?

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How many of us remember what a “Bullie” is?
 
Back in the day, flocks of Bullies used to soar overhead but this is a sight seldom seen these days.
 
In our latest Bush Bites article, Ed Frazer shares his memories of watching Bullies in flight back in the seventies, and he proposes his own theory about why they disappeared … 

…  and perhaps why their flocks may be coming back!

Click here to learn more!

Found in Tuckett Street Park: A tiny turtle!

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This baby turtle was found emerging from a nest in the  woodchips surrounding the childrens play area in Tuckett St. Park. 

It seems that the mother had laid her eggs in the soft layer of woodchips/sawdust right next to the play equipment.

Some kids in the play area found the turtle. They carried the youngster to the creek and safely released it. 

It seems remarkable that it survived given the number of children (and adults) trampling all over the area!

We assume it is a baby Brisbane Short-necked turtle, but perhaps someone can confirm that! 

If you know the species, please send us an email at:  [email protected]

A Tricky Feathertail Glider Release

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In our Summer Newsletter, Chris Read kindly shared his  story about the soft release of a Feathertail Glider family from his property.

The story has a happy ending but there are some surprising encounters along the way!

We have now published Chris’s heartwarming story in Bush Bites and we have added some photos to accompany it.

Please click here to open it. It may leave you speculating!

 

If you have a catchment story you are willing to share for Bush Bites, please send an email to: [email protected]

Challenge of the Cane Toad

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Cane toads (Rhinella marina) pose a very serious threat to our native wildlife, particularly those which feed on frogs. This includes goannas, snakes, dingoes and quolls, for whom cane toad venom, which contains adrenalin and cardotoxic steroids, can be lethal.  

The MCCG is working with Professor Rob Capon from the University of Queensland to catch cane toad tadpoles using cane toad venom. We are also liaising with BCC about the collection of adult cane toads.

Note: please check our Summer newsletter for an update about the MCCG’s work on the Cane Toad Challenge!

But in the meantime we can share some info about a different approach to the Cane Toad Challenge. It seems we have other interested parties who are just as keen to eradicate the toad!

Last year, Ed Frazer managed to shoot a sequence of photos showing two different birds feasting on cane toads on separate occasions. The first was a White Ibis. The second was a Cattle Egret. 

For both birds, taking down and ingesting their respective cane toad was no easy feat! 

Here is the first shot of the Egret’s marathon feast:

Check our Bush Bites section to see more of these remarkable and unique photos!

Saturday arvo at McKay Brook

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Would you like to see what’s been happening recently at McKay Brook?

Thanks to recent intermittent rainfall, our plantings from 11th November have established well and have only needed a single follow-up watering.

This Saturday 6 January we’ll be working further upstream where a tree has fallen across the grassed area. We’ll be controlling weeds along the margins, where we also plan to plant some Lomandras.

This area has established well and includes some peanut trees which are propagating on their own and deserve to be looked after!

Peanut tree in flower (photo courtesy of Bryan Hacker)

Care to join us? Just park in Pamela Place around 2pm, look to your left (upstream) and you should soon find us!

Wear protective clothing (long-sleeved shirts, jeans, sensible shoes/boots), gloves and bring drinking water, a hat and some sunscreen. We’ll bring the refreshments!

For more info, contact Bryan Hacker on 3374 1468 or via email at: [email protected]

Please come if you can – we need lots of help!

Boobooks in backyards!

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If you’re intrigued by owls and birds of the night, then you must check our latest Bush Bites article!

Vicki and Paul Campbell share details of their encounters over many years with Boobooks and Barking Owls on their property.

Vicki’s stories are embellished by some wonderful photos taken by Paul .. just like this one!

Click here to read, learn and see more!

A Pheasant Christmas Day

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… but this is not the traditional way we think of Pheasants at Christmas!

On Christmas morning, Ed Frazer stepped outside his Brookfield property and came across a startling sequence of events.

As always, Ed’s camera was nearby and he has kindly shared the experience with us. 

Please click here to see some amazing photos which demonstrate how Ed’s Christmas Day for 2017 started.