Roma Street Parklands

A Portfolio by Warren Bennett. Roma Street Parkland, CBD Brisbane.

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To the left - Golden Orb Spider.
Large black or dark bodied spiders with very long orange and black legs found through the day and night in large sticky webs sometimes with golden silk usually well above the ground.
Two smaller species, Nephila edulis and Nephila plumipes, look very similar but differ in that the latter has a conical bump near its mouth.
The largest species, the Giant Golden Orb, Nephila pilipes, has a strong golden web and boldly marked black legs with bright yellow joints. The normal sized and less ornate males are vastly dwarfed by the giant female.
Tiny unrelated Silver Dew Drop spiders (Argyrodes antipodiana) live in the web of the Golden Orbs and steal tiny insects trapped on the web of the host.

Three species occur in south-eastern Queensland.
The Giant Golden Orb is most numerous in the north but in warmer years the spiders are recorded as far south as Ipswich and even Coffs Harbour. The two smaller species - Nephila edulis and Nephila plumipes - are widespread.
Large circular vertical webs, often yellow, with a small tangle of old insect bodies on each side of the hub. These webs remain up during the night and day.
Not prone to bite; unsubstantiated records and its much vaunted ability to kill small birds suggest its bite is potentially of concern.

Species: Calliphoridae, commonly known as Blowflies, of which there are 1100 known species in Australia. This one is a Chrysomya megacephala.

We have all seen Blowflies at some point in our life, and most will have seen there young, maggots. Some members may have used the larvae as bait for fishing. However, a very important role of this strain is in Forensic Entomology.  

Blowflies are usually the first insects to come in contact with death.They have the ability to smell dead animal matter from up to 1.6 km away. Time of death is important in police investigations

and is determined very accurately by the  blowfly activity. 

Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca, 67-75 cm

Some Australian White Ibis populations have learnt to exploit artificial foods in urban environments and.have become pests.

Their abundance however is decreasing in their natural habitat. The most favored foods are crayfish and mussels.

Blue Skimmer, Body length 4.5 cm, Wing span 7 cm.

All Damselflies have eyes that are apart and fore-wings and hind-wings of similar shape. Dragonflies are generally more robust. Most have eyes touching at the top of the head. The fore-wing and hind-wings are different in shape, particularly at their bases. There are 324 known Dragonfly and Damselfly species in Australia, all are predators catching insects on the wing and most devouring their prey whilst still in flight.Their forward facing leg spikes enable them to do this

Eastern Water Dragon, Physignathuis lesueuni, up to 800 mm in length.

Semi aquatic, hunts day and night for insects, frogs,yabbies, fruit and berries.This individual had been eating a duck egg ( picture of blowfly on the egg shell), after eating the contents of the shell the Water Dragon sat quietly about .5 of a metre away until the shell was covered in Blowflies at which time the dragon lunged at the shell capturing most of the flies in one gulp. Female lays between 10-20 eggs. away from water during Nov-Dec. Hatching takes place Jan-Feb.

Magpie Lark, Grallina cyanoleuca, 26-30 cm.

Magpie Larks aggressively defend their nest and territory which may occupy up to 10 ha.   The mud bowl nest can be up to 20 metres above ground on a horizontal branch. Nest lining is made up of grass and feathers. Non breeding and young birds partake in seasonal migration, forming large flocks, sometimes consisting of several thousand individuals, moving north in autumn and moving south in spring. 

Australian Stingless Bees.

There are 11 species of black stingless bees in Australia. Species Trigona carbonaria, has been used in experiments conducted at Macadamia plantations to see if they were effective in commercial pollination of this crop.

Results found that they were more effective than the honey bee in this regard. Honey bees were more interested in nectar collection and did not come in contact with as much pollen as the much smaller black native bee.

Other commercial crops pollinated by black bees are mangoes, watermelons and crops grown inside glasshouses. 

They build a resinous nest in hollow trees and man made hives. They are tropical so only live in warm areas of Australia. Sting less bees only produce small amounts of honey. Less than one litre per year per hive. 

Blue Banded Bees (Amegilla)

 Blue banded bees are one of our most beautiful Australian native bees. They are about 11 mm long and have bands of metallic blue fur across their black abdomens. Blue banded bees are solitary bees. This means that each female bee mates and then builds a solitary nest by herself. She builds her nest in a shallow burrow in clay soil or sometimes in mudbricks. Many blue banded bees may build their nest burrows in the same spot, close to one another, like neighbouring houses in a village. Blue banded bees can perform a special type of pollination called 'buzz pollination'. Some flowers hide their pollen inside tiny capsules. A blue banded bee can grasp a flower like this and shiver her flight muscles, causing the pollen to shoot out of the capsule. She can then collect the pollen for her nest and carry it from flower to flower, pollinating the flowers. Quite a few of our native Australian flowers require buzz pollination eg Hibbertia, Senna. Tomato flowers are also pollinated better when visited by a buzz pollinating bee. Researchers at the University of Adelaide are developing native blue banded bees for greenhouse tomato pollination. It would be much better for our environment to use our native blue banded bees for this purpose rather than to introduce foreign species to Australia. 

Dusky Moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa, 35-40 cm

The Dusky Moorhen is a bird species in the Rail family and is one of eight extant (still in existence) species in the Moorhen genus. It occurs in India, Australia, New Guinea, Borneo and Indonesia. Behaviour of dusky moorhens (Gallinula tenebrosa) was studied during 666 h during 3 months ending in December 1976 near Canberra, Australia. Observations were that the young were fed intensively from hatching to about 4 weeks old then with decreasing frequency to 9 weeks old. Adults of the group of up to 7 birds transferred food to the beak of the brooding adult, which passed it to the young in the nest. Older juveniles approached adults carrying food, displaying a conspicuous yellow patch of skin on the wings, and pecked towards the yellow patch on the tip of the lowered beak of the adult. The young made pecking motions from a few days old but took no food for themselves until they were at least 10 days old. At any one time only 1 or 2 adults of the group took all food they found to the young; other adults fed themselves, and only occasionally fed the young. The young remained with the parents for 5 to 8 months. Adults sometimes fed other adults, the food being exchanged more than 20 times at some encounters. For the first few weeks after hatching the main food items were molluscs, annelids and insects; vegetable matter was included gradually as the young began to feed themselves.

Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa, 48-60 cm.

This description is taken from Birds of New Zealand, F Soper, 1984, where it is called Grey Duck. Wide distribution, occurring and breeding throughout NZ, Kermadec, Chatham, Snares, Auckland, Campbell and Macquarie Islands. Elsewhere it breeds from Australia and New Guinea east to the islands of the central Pacific and north to Java and Sumatra.

Sexes alike.In settled areas, Grey Ducks are now outnumbered buy Mallards and in parks and city areas hybridise with them. In the back country, Gray Ducks remain the dominant dabbling duck .They lay smaller clutches than the Mallard, usually 6-10, and, as withall dabbling ducks, incubation (28 days) is by the female only. They feed by dabbling at the waters edge and by upending in the shallows, and they also eat such items as grain, acorns,grass seed and berries. they fly fast and spring off the water with a single leap.

Shanna Bignell - Belli Park, Sunshine Coast

In late 2016, my husband Nathan and I moved to a small acreage at Belli Park in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. We’ve been delighted by the biodiversity here; however, the land is quite degraded and we’re actively working to rehabilitate it and achieve Land for Wildlife accreditation. Most of these photos were taken on our property, but a couple were taken in our street.

On a personal note, I really love the idea of the Kaufman’s Challenge. I started photographing and researching animals/plants in 2012 when I was going through a very difficult time – and the newfound connection with nature through photography really helped me get through that period. I joined an online Citizen Science project called Project Noah (www.projectnoah.org) and I haven’t stopped photographing since! I truly think that this sort of project is one of the best ways for people to connect with our environment, and to become inspired to actively protect it. J

Shanna Bignell

 Longicorn Beetles (or Long-horned Beetles) have extremely long antennae. There are many species of Longicorn Beetle but I think this one is a Rhytiphora species from the subfamily Lamiinae. 

On New Year's Day I came upon a family of Tawny Frogmouths (Mum, Dad, and two babies) in a tree in our backyard. They stayed for a couple of weeks before moving on. These beautiful nocturnal birds are often mistaken for owls.

Noisy Miners are bold, boisterous honeyeaters. Anyone who lives with Noisy Miners around will be familiar with their loud alarm calls! This one was bunking down for the night in a flowering Leichhardt pine.

Blue-faced Honeyeaters are common on the Sunshine Coast (they're often seen stealing sugar packets at cafes!) and are pretty unmistakable with their bright blue faces. However, juveniles - like this one - have yellow or green faces. The blue eye patch doesn't develop until the bird is fully grown. 

This bright yellow dragonfly was resting on a vine in our vegie patch. There are several dragonfly species on the Sunshine Coast with bright yellow females, but I can't find a firm ID on this lovely lady.

We came across this vibrant Green Tree Snake in our backyard. He looked a bit peevish... I'll put it down to the bees that were buzzing around his head! Green Tree Snakes are not venomous and are lovely to have around.

Waiting for the postie! We're lucky to have numerous wallabies living in our neighbourhood, but we're not 100% sure what type they are. We think these ones are Red-necked Wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus), the most common species of wallaby in Queensland. 

According to the CSIRO, Australia has around 22,000 species of moth, only half of which have been described. This can make moth ID really difficult! I have spent (literally) hours of searching to find an ID on this leafy-looking moth that was in my laundry, with no success. I admit defeat.

This Cattle Egret was with 4-5 others hanging around the cattle in our neighbour's paddock. These opportunistic birds eat the insects and worms that the cattle disturb with their feet, and they will also sit on cattle to look out for insects. 

The Brown Tree Snake a common nocturnal species with a slim body and a relatively large head. This one is a baby, and could grow up to 2m. Native to eastern and northern coastal Australia, eastern Indonesia, and PNG, this species was accidentally introduced to Guam shortly after WWII and, with almost no natural predators there, it has gone on to decimate the island's population of native birds, small lizards and small mammals. It's responsible for the extinction of no less than 12 of Guam's native bird species - so awful! Here, however, like all our snakes, brown tree snakes are protected, and an essential part of our ecosystem.

We have a flock of Australasian Figbirds that regularly visit our yard to feed on figs, palm fruit, and other fruiting trees. The males are very striking with their bright red eye patches.

Pheasant Coucals are large, ground-dwelling cuckoos. This one was perched on our neighbour's chimney for quite some time - long enough me to run inside, grab the camera, and get back before it flew on! Pheasant Coucals form lasting pairs and, unlike other Australian cuckoos, build their own nests and raise their young themselves.

Here's something you don't see every day - a Lace Monitor laying her eggs! My husband noticed this lacey digging a hole in an active termite mound on a tree in our backyard and, by the following afternoon, she had made the hole big enough and had settled in to lay. Lace monitors lay 6-12 eggs in a clutch, and leave the termites to seal up the eggs inside the nest. The baby lace monitors are unable to escape the nest themselves after hatching; somehow, when the time is right, an adult lace monitor (presumed to be the mother but it's not known for sure) will come back and dig the babies out. I hope we see that when it happens!

It took me four months to get this photo! The very first day we went to look at our new house, I saw a Green Catbird in the yard. After we moved in, I heard its strange catlike call numerous times, and even saw it  once or twice, but it wasn't until I busted it pecking at its reflection in my car window and wailing at itself that I managed to get a shot. Green Catbirds are part of the bowerbird family, but they don't build bowers - the males pair monogamously with a female, helping her to defend an all-purpose territory. 

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