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Wildlife Matters! Apex Predators

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Brisbane is reputed to be the only major city in the world in which a significant proportion (around 20% – 30%) of houses have the local apex predator living in their roof spaces! In the case of Brisbane, the apex predator is the carpet python (Morelia spilota). Carpet pythons can reach up to 4m in length and 15kg in weight and can live for around 20 years in the wild. They are non-venomous and catch their prey by constricting it and swallowing it whole. The medium-sized carpet python in the photo had caught a crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) in my garden and is in the process of swallowing it.

Carpet pythons have adapted well to the urban environment, finding roof spaces an excellent substitute for tree hollows, which have become less available over time due to urban expansion and tree clearing. Trees typically take 100 years or more to develop hollows and old trees are becoming increasingly rare, (which is a problem for many birds and animals that rely on tree hollows for nesting sites). Having a carpet python in your roof has benefits in that they are very effective in controlling rodents. However, the fact that carpet pythons swallow their prey whole can create a problem for them. Some years ago, while watching television one evening, I was disturbed by a loud noise from my balcony. It turned out that a very large carpet python (which I knew lived in the roof) was thrashing around and knocking over several pot-plants. It had caught and swallowed what was almost certainly a brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), as evidenced by a large bulge in the middle of its body. Unfortunately for the python (and my pot plants) this prevented it from re-entering the roof space through its usual hole, so it took over the balcony for several days, while digesting its prey!

In the outer western suburbs of Brisbane, the role of apex predator may be occupied by the lace monitor or tree goanna (Varanus varius). These can reach 2m in length and 14kg in weight. Unlike carpet pythons, lace monitors have a venomous bite. Previously it had been thought that bites by lace monitors were prone to infection from bacteria in their mouths resulting from eating carrion, but recent research has shown that all monitors may be somewhat venomous. Best to keep them out of your roof!

Photos and text: Jim Pope

 

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New Year New You?

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Was one of your New Years’ resolutions to get more involved in your community?  Wy not join one of our bushcare working bees!

For all the information on sites and contact people go to the Working Bee Calendar

Rowena Street working bee May 2022 Photos Tracey Read

WEED VINES – Wildlife Matters Feature

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One of the biggest threats to native wildlife and natural habitats in Australia is posed by invasive species. Introduced animals, especially feral cats, are a major problem, but wild horses (brumbies) and feral deer can also do enormous damage to some environments, notably in the high country between NSW and Victoria. As well as being a threat to agriculture, invasive plants are a significant threat to native bushland. In the case of the riparian zones bordering creeks in the west Brisbane area there are a number of exotic weed vines that pose a particular problem, since they can over-grow and smother the native vegetation, depriving it of the sunlight needed for photosynthesis and growth. The added burden of the weight of the vines can also enhance the risk of toppling or damage to native trees in the event of storms or a flood.

Two of the greatest threats are posed by cat’s claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati) and Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia). Cat’s claw creeper can climb to a height of 30 meters, producing yellow flowers and prolific seeds that are easily spread by wind over a wide area. It is very hard to eradicate due to the production of underground tubers that can grow to 50cm and are very difficult to remove. In contrast, Madeira vine produces aerial tubers attached to the stems and is spread vegetatively. The tubers tend to fall off when the vines are removed and remain viable for long periods, so infestations require repeated treatment to eradicate the vines completely.

Cat’s Claw Creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati) – photo Jim Pope

Madeira Vine (Anredera cordifolia) – photo Jim Pope

Other significant weed vines common to our riparian zones include balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) and glycine (Neonotonia wightii). Like the cane toad, glycine was purposely introduced to Australia, in this case to provide fodder for cattle in times of drought. It is indeed highly drought-tolerant and tends to take over the sunny northern edges of our riparian zones. In contrast balloon vine (so-called for its distinctive balloon-shaped papery seed capsules), prefers shadier areas.

There are many other exotic vines that can cause problems. One of particular interest is the Dutchman’s pipe vine (Aristolochia elegans), which is a particular threat to attempts to re-introduce the magnificent Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) to the Brisbane region, although there are still some in the Sunshine and Gold Coast hinterlands. Unfortunately, the mature butterflies cannot distinguish Dutchman’s pipe from their native host, the Richmond birdwing vine, but the leaves of this exotic import are toxic their caterpillars!

Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia elegans) – photo Bryan Hacker

Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera richmondia female emerged) – photo Richard Bull

Further details of invasive weeds (including weed vines) common to the western suburbs can be found under ‘Catchment Field Guides’ on the MCCG website.

Jim Pope

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The SUMMER Newsletter is out!

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Another fabulous and jam packed MCCG Newsletter has just been published.  With thanks to our tireless editor Cathi and all the contributors to this edition.

In this newsletter you will meet our Membership Secretary Suzy, catch up on all the news, upcoming events, Froggin’ Around, Bush bites, platypus, Native Frangipani, cat’s claw creeper and so much more.  Grab your cuppa and sit back for another really good read!

SUMMER NEWSLETTER

In support of common names – we are losing our vernacular

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 We are losing some of our most colourful and descriptive language.  What is worse we are replacing names of our plants, birds, mammals and fish with names we cannot pronounce, spell inaccurately and have no idea what they mean as very few of us have the necessary background in Greek or Latin. What’s more we are using these scientific names inaccurately in our general usage.

Dendrobium bigibbum is our Queensland floral emblem.  I couldn’t find out what or who was bigibbum. What’s more nearly any Cooktown orchid you happen to buy from our nurseries won’t be a scientifically accurate specimen of Dendrobium bigibbum as it is likely to be at least a selected horticultural Cooktown Orchid cultivar or even a hybrid – neither deserving a scientific label.

What about our faunal emblem the Koala. There may be a few who know it as Phascolarctos cinereus, but Koala’s much easier.

The birders have made an effort to simplify our bird names and have a standardised list of common names of all our Australian and most of the world’s birds. There are claims Scientific names are unique, while there are many common bush-names for the same species. However, there is also some credibility in the view that scientists are changing their names of our flora and fauna to an even greater degree now they are using DNA to sort out the vague divisions of some of our species. For instance a Google search showed our Queensland bird emblem, the Brolga’s scientific name was Antigona rubicundra, Antigone rubicundra and Grus rubicundra in three different current articles. In the past it has also been Ardea rubicundra, Grus antarctica, Matahewsia rubicundra and Grus australasianus. Hardly a history of consistency comparable to the stable common bush-name of Brolga.

Language evolved about 50,000 years ago allowing us to communicate better to assist humans to hunt, farm and defend themselves in a harsh environment. Many languages developed. Some independently and some as local dialects of established languages. Unfortunately many very workable languages have died out and it is reckoned 90% of our languages have gone. We are going the same way with the use of scientific names taking over local common names especially in the horticultural field.

A “Greenie” – Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

We are replacing very descriptive names in a language we all understand with Greek or Latin derived names very few of us can comprehend. The binomial nomenclature system is great for scientists as in theory it means every species has a unique name that should be understood by other scientists no matter what language they speak. However, these are for scientists and it is much clearer for most of us to communicate with names we can pronounce and understand and are descriptive in our own language.

A few years ago you could go to a local nursery and ask for a Red Bottlebrush. A few of us knew it was a Callistemon viminalis and it was generally grown from seed and it was representative of C. viminalis. Now go to a nursery and it should be listed as Melaleuca viminalis as the scientists have changed its name again. But now you will find all sorts of M. viminalis with different colours, shapes and heights as they have been cloned by Horticulturists who have bred or selected different forms that really should be labelled M. viminalis c.v. (cultivated variety), or Melaleuca viminalis (hort) or Melaleuca X (hybrid).

Isn’t it much clearer if you just ask for a Pink or Red Bottlebrush. Much more descriptive.

Red Bottlebrush “Captain Cook”

The Moggill Creek Catchment area was settled by farmers growing fruit and dairy farming that had far more contact with nature than most of our residents do today. They had names for our trees, birds, mammals, fish and reptiles that were well understood and very descriptive. These are highly likely to be lost in another generation.

Our  Trichoglossus haematodus (or is it  Trichoglossus moluccanus) is a Rainbow Lorikeet. To a Brookfield local a few years ago it was a “Bluey” to distinguish it from a “Greenie”,  a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet. A Corymba maculata was a “Spotty”, a Spotted Gum and a Tropidonophis mairii was a Keelback snake.

Sure, they may be called by some other name in another area, but we have our own names (language) in our own area. The names were far more understandable and descriptive than the scientists’ Greek and Latin names. The Priests in olden times used Latin so the masses were ignorant and relied on them to interpret the Gospels. Are the scientists still using foreign tongues we can’t easily translate to keep us ignorant of the wonderful world of nature and causing us to lose our local vernacular?

 

Words and photos by Ed Frazer

Moggill Magic – Old Gold Creek Sawmill Forest Walk

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The Grand Opening Event is to be rescheduled again. Unfortunately parliament will be sitting on Dec 3rd so our officiating guest is now unavailable.

The new date is expected to be March 4th 2023 but will be confirmed closer to the date.

 

Please join us for the offical grand opening of the walk.

Officiated by Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP Greens Member for Ryan

When:

Saturday 4th March 2023
10 am – 12 pm
Where:
The Cottage, Gold Creek Reservoir Carpark, End of Gold Creek Road, Brookfield, QLD 4069

Book your free ticket through Eventbrite 

 

A new attraction in the Moggill Creek Catchment has been the result of the foresight and hard work of Gordon Grigg who lives next door to where the Gold Creek Sawmill operated from 1919 to 1923.

Gordon began the project about two years ago and it is already a very pleasant walk that will appeal to native plant enthusiasts and bird watchers. The area is remnant Dry Rainforest and Vine Scrub and retains many of the species common to this fast-diminishing landform that used to be prevalent in the Moggill Creek Catchment.

The Walk is an easy stroll and is located just before the entrance to the Gold Creek Reservoir at the top of Gold Creek Road and access is from the parking area.

Gordon was aware of the area which has an amazing range of trees, some of considerable size, and so far, 100 species have been identified and 200 of both saplings and mature specimens labelled. Previously the area was difficult to access with heavy Lantana undergrowth until Gordon and Andrew Ness developed a sinuous track through it and employed some contract weeders to ‘break the back’ of the clearing job.  Subsequently Robert James and Keith Rickart have become regular contributors to maintaining the track and clearing the worst of the weeds. The mulched pathways have been located around the few remaining remnants of the sawmill and through the forest, some of which was planted by Gordon’s Upper Gold Creek Bushcare Group (Section 9) about 20 years ago. There are a lot of mature trees, which were there before the sawmill was operating in the early 1920s and there is a lot of regrowth, including some surprising finds including a beautiful unidentified fern that cropped up in the middle of one of the paths after the recent rains.

Unidentified fern growing after recent rains at the Sawmill Walk

While there is little recorded about the sawmill, it employed about 12 men and contributed to quite a sizable community and a school was established at the end of Gold Creek Road during this time.  By 1923 the immediate area had been logged out of suitable trees and the sawmill was moved on to another area. Now the main evidence is the large concrete platform for the steam engine that operated the mill and some smaller relics scattered around the site, including a huge flywheel thought to be a governor for the sawmill engine.

Gordon was able to secure a grant of $10,000 which was used for Lantana clearing and labelling of specimen trees.  Gordon has worked closely with Andrew Wilson, who has identified the tree species and helped with the labelling.  High quality aluminium labels have been used for many of the trees and further temporary labelling has been used which will be replaced with permanent labels when funds are available.

Birders can expect to see some interesting birds in an early morning visit to the Sawmill Walk. Rarities such as the Black-breasted Button Quail and the White-eared Monarch have been found in the area and Spotted Quail-thrush and Wompoo Fruit-doves are relatively common. Swamp Wallabies, Pademelons and Mountain Brushtail Possums are known to frequent the area. It provides such excellent habitat, that as more people visit the Sawmill Forest Walk more interesting animal and plant species are sure to be found.

The Gold Creek reservoir is a well-known birder and bush walker location and as the Sawmill Forest Walk becomes better known it will be a valuable extra attraction for visitors thanks to Gordon and his helpers.

Gordon Grigg and a very old Foambark (Jagera pseudorhus) growing in the Old Gold Creek Sawmill Walk

Words and photos by Ed Frazer

2022 AGM Information & Nomination Form

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Notice of Annual General Meeting and Call for Nominations
The Moggill Creek Catchment Group Committee invites you to attend the 2022 Annual General Meeting and help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary.

Tuesday 22 November 2022
Doors open 6:30 pm for 7:00 pm start

The AGM will be held as an in-person meeting at the Brookfield Hall, Brookfield Showgrounds.

2023 Committee Nominations:
Nominations are invited for the 2023 Committee by completing and returning the 2023 Nomination Form. All nominations for management positions must be received by the Secretary by Monday 14 November 2022.
New nominations are welcomed and encouraged. Please consider lending your support.

Guest speaker: 
This year’s guest speaker is Dr Trevor Lambkin who will be presenting:

‘The Mistletoe butterflies of Brisbane: their beautiful and complex relationship’

Dr Trevor is an eminent and experienced entomologist, a Research Fellow of the University of Queensland and an assistant editor of ‘The Australian Entomologist’, the Journal of the Entomological Society of Queensland.

Dr Trevor’s presentation will be on the butterflies specific to mistletoes in Brisbane (including the Moggill Creek Catchment). Their ecology (and relationship with their mistletoe plants), identification and when and where to look for them, will all be a part of the talk.

Further details:
Special 25th Anniversary refreshments will be served

All attendees will receive a ticket in the lucky door raffle for a chance to win some great prizes!

Membership renewal information:
MCCG thanks you for your past support and would like to invite you to renew your membership with us again. Your membership plays an important part in the ongoing conservation and improvement of our local environment. Early renewals are welcomed for 2023 via the MCCG membership page, or by downloading and completing the membership form and submitting in person at the AGM or posting to MCCG Secretary, PO Box 657, Kenmore QLD 4069.

Keen to know more?
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Chris and Zoe at [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you and hope that you can join us.

Wildlife Matters – Two Jezebels

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At first glance these butterflies could be mistaken for each other. Both occur locally.  They are similar in size and have the same colours on both upper and underside, yet there are subtle differences between these two adult butterflies. Firstly, they belong to different families. The Black Jezebel (Delias nigrina; on right) is a member of the Pieridae, whereas the Jezebel Nymph (Mynes geoffroyi; on left) belongs to the Nymphalidae.Their wing patterns differ. Additionally, compare the hindwings and you’ll discover that the outer edge of the Black Jezebel’s is rounded whereas on the Jezebel Nymph’s hindwings irregular extensions or projections appear, quite different to the ‘tails’ of Swallowtails.

 

Jezebel Nymph (left) photo: John Abbott and Black Jezebel (right) photo: Sylvia Alexander

Both butterflies lay their tiny eggs in clusters. Once emerged, the larvae remain social when feeding. At the time of pupation, the Jezebel Nymphs stay together in groups, and you can see substantial numbers of chrysalises hanging from branches. In contrast, the Black Jezebels seek out solitude.

While adult butterflies are opportunistic when seeking nectar, their larvae are dependent on specific food plants. Locally Jezebel Nymphs rely on the availability of Native Mulberry (Pipturus argenteus), found in or at the edge of dry rainforest and currently doing well in riparian areas. The Black Jezebel larvae choose and depend on mistletoes for their wellbeing, all parasitizing eucalypts, wattles, paperbarks, she-oaks and other trees. Both butterfly species are common in Brisbane and on the wing throughout the year.

If you want to learn more, check www.brisbanesbigbutterflycount.org.au and participate in this exciting citizen science project. You can join as individuals or families.

 

Jutta Godwin – Coordinator Brisbane’s Big Butterfly Count

 

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Know Your Wildlife!

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How well do you know the local wildlife? You are invited to meet the Wildlife Identification Challenge!

Can you identify these butterflies of Moggill Creek using the MCCG Digital Field Guides?

Which of them is the odd one out?

1.

2.

3.

ANSWERS:

  1. Caper Gull (Cepora perimale)

  2. Caper White (Belenois java -female)

  3. Caper White (Belenois java -male)

    The Caper Gull (Cepora perimale) is the odd one out, the other two are both Caper Whites – female and male of the same species. However, the strong yellow colour in the photo of the female Caper White fades quickly after hatching.

All photos by Ed Frazer

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