Critters of ‘Braelochen’

The second Kaufmann Challenge has begun; courtesy of Valda McLean - of Friends of Noosa National Parks' fame.

‘Braelochen’ is our one and half acre bush block at Rosemount, East of Nambour. Our home is nestled securely between our spring-fed dam and an almost inaccessible gully of Council Reserve. Neighbours on both sides have dams, so under normal conditions the area is a haven for wildlife. Currently our property is in need of good soaking rain after a very hot dry summer. - Valda

Carpet Python Morelia spilota variegata

Active by day or night. Feeds on possums rats flying foxes, birds and occasionally poultry. This one was curled up near our possum box where mum and baby sleep during the day. They had already fled by the time we noticed the python, but returned a few days later. Apparently, pythons who attempt to eat Cane Toads do not survive.

Common Tree Snake or Green Tree Snake Dendrelaphis punctulatus

This critter is active by day and feed on frogs and skinks. Noisy Miner often alert us to their presence, but this one seemed to be trying to reach the four Emerald-spotted Frogs sleeping in the internal corner of our verandah ceiling. He was unable to grip the edge of the metal facia, so eventually lost interest and moved away into the trees.

Emerald-spotted Treefrog Litoria peronei 

This common rough-skinned treefrog has small scattered iridescent green spots over his back, and can be found in trees or shrubs, or ‘suitable elevated structures’. Our home must be ‘suitable’ as the species took up residence shortly after we did, 16 years ago. This group of four, sometimes five, has been sleeping by day in the corner of our verandah ceiling for about two months. Any one, unfamiliar with this frog, could be very frightened by their loud machine gun like call just on dark. They can, and do, change the colour of their skin to suit the surroundings.

Mountain Brushtail Possum (Bobuck) Trichosurus caninus

We have a resident family of these possums on our property. This species has short round ears and their thin tail is bare at the tip. ‘Our’ family sleep by day in their special ‘possum box’ and visit our deck most evenings for a piece of apple.

Common Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus peregrinus

This possum has a thin curled tail with a white tip but no brush. They are a nocturnal species but this one was sharing a branch with a White-headed Pigeon when we saw it. Whenever these possums dare to leave their drey during daylight hours, Noisy Miners usually vigorously harass them until they shift out of sight.

Eastern Water Dragon Physignathus lesueurii

These dragons sleep on a limb overhanging water, and if surprised, will drop into the water and vanish from sight. Adult males sport a glamorous red belly when breeding. Here, young water dragons often use our bird bath as their waterhole to soak in, on hot sunny days. During winter, they hibernate by digging a hidey-hole in soft soil under our house. 

Birds of Park Lakes, Bli Bli 2 - Passerines

While the wetland birds are perhaps the main attraction at Park Lakes as the name of the suburb may suggest there are some beautiful passerines as well as Paul Jensens's photos below suggest.

Willie Wagtails - Mother and son?

A stunning male Red-backed Wren

Uncommon and perhaps unexpected - a Fairy Gerygone

Again an uncommon species on the Sunshine Coast - Little Bronze-cuckoo

Chestnut breasted Mannikin

Scaly breasted Munia - an introduced species from SE Asia also known as a Nutmeg Mannikin

Little Shrike-thrush

Park Lakes at Bli Bli #1 - Birds of the Wetlands

Species #1 - the secretive Spotless Crake

Paul Jensen

Park Lakes has appeared as an excellent birding location in the Sunshine Coast in recent years. That it is deep within a residential suburb makes this a little surprising. However the artificial wetlands have been created thoughtfully such that quite a few rare and uncommon species have made their way there over the last few years. In addition there is a lovely patch of remnant forest and a generous flowering section of shrubs surrounding the wetlands that attract a good range of honeyeaters.

Birdlife Australia member and Bli Bli resident, Paul Jensen, has taken on the Kaufman Challenge and has an excellent collection of the birds that have been recorded there.

Species #2 - A Little Egret in breeding finery

Species #3 - Australian Little Bittern

Species #4 - Australasian Darter male sunning itself and drying wings

Species #5 - Family portrait - Plumed Whistling Ducks

Species #6 - Whistling Ducks of the other variety - Wandering!

Species #7 - Great Egret in breeding plumage

Species #8 - Baillon's Crake

Species # 9 - Latham's Snipe - a migratory species seen at freshwater sites

Species # 10 - Royal Spoonbill in breeding plumage