We have updated Flora & Fauna of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve with three new native plants – Isotropis filicaulis a rare/threatened shrub of the Fabaceae family, Swamp/Slender Bindweed Polymeria calycina a delicate vine with tiny pale pink flowers and Plantago debilis a native herb. This brings the count of indigenous plants species found in the Reserve to two hundred and sixty-eight.
A new native snail – Fraser’s Land Snail Sphaerospira fraseri has been added thanks to a young naturalist neighbour, Ethan Morris.
New photos and video of the Pacific BazaAviceda subcristata has been added. In March we had a family of three Bazas in Fox Gully over a period of two weeks. I watched as one Baza hunted a large Stick Insect in a young Tallowwood planted in our 2008 Fox Gully Bushcare Community Planting and now supporting food for birds.
Flora species list and other research.
The rain is frustrating when we have to cancel Bushcare events, however, it is also bringing the forest alive with three new plant species added in one week.
Susan Jones has found that removal of weeds and restoration at the Gertrude Petty Place Bushcare site has allowed natural regeneration of a number of plant species including this rare/threatened Fabaceae species Isotropis filicaulis.
Polymeria calycina
d
Swamp Bindweed Polymeria calycina a delicate creeper with pink flowers.
d
d
d
d
d
Plantago debilis
d
d
Plantago debilis a small native herb that provides seeds for native birds. Addition of these three new species means we now have 268 native plant species in Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve.
Thanks to Ann Moran, Jaeger-Moran Environmental, for help with identification.
a
a
On the other side of the mountain Alan Moore got this amazing close-up of an Eastern Bearded Dragon with its beard on display in Fox Gully Bushcare.
Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve is full of surprises. Koalas, Echidnas, Gliders and now a Noisy Pitta Pitta versicolour has been sighted.
Noisy Pittas, one of my favorite birds, are normally found in rainforest areas like Lamington National Park so it is great to have a sighting right here in our backyard.
Pieter saw the Noisy Pitta on the Geebung Track just before the junction with the Summit Track (click to enlarge map). Pieter knew Pittas are a very shy so he approached very carefully and was able to observe the bird doing a “broken wing display“, used to distract you away from a nest.
Noisy Pitta sighting – Google Earth
Local BCC Ranger, Craig, reports that he has only seen two Noisy Pittas in twenty years of being a Ranger in the area.
So please keep an eye out, and camera ready, when you are walking because it would be great to get more reports of these beautiful birds in the Reserve.
Over the last two days I have walked the tracks in the Reserve to see what damage was done by last week’s storm. Being a mountain flooding is not a problem however we have lost a significant number of large eucalypts, a number of Casuarinas and a significant number of dead old trees (stags) which are often important habitat because of their nest hollows. A number tracks are blocked by fallen trees which will take time to clear as the Council teams prioritise clean up work.
Storm block illegal mountain bike tracks
However, the storm has created some unexpected benefits for the habitat as fallen trees have blocked tracks used by illegal downhill mountain bike riders. We have had a number of reports that mountain bike riders have been seen in the Reserve so I also walked the areas that have been damaged illegal riding. I found some evidence of bike riding including clearing of logs placed by Council contractors to block tracks and minimise further erosion. So I was pleased to find a number of tracks blocked by large branches broken in the storm.
Red-browed Finch – click to enlarge
I am also heartened by seeing wildlife thriving in the post storm environment.
… and a previously unrecorded dragonfly – Blue-spotted Hawker Adversaeschna brevistyla on the Summit Track. Thanks to Graham McDonald for the id. You can see more info on this and other dragonflies at Brisbane Insects.
g
d
d
d
gf
Shepherd’s Crook Orchid
I also found the Shepherd’s Crook Orchid flowering again at the Fox Gully Bushcare site. This is particularly important as this beautiful native orchid has been returned to the Reserve as a result of restoration work undertaken at the Fox Gully site.
Then on Friday night Matt Hill heard a scratching noise in the trees behind his deck. Thinking it was probably a possum he investigated with with torch picking up the glint of four eyes in the trees. He was delighted to find a Koala mum with her Joey comfortably nestled in her arms while she munched on leaves.
Koala sightings Fox Gully wildlife corridor
Matt and his family have been active supporters of our Fox Gully Bushcare restoration work and has been controlling weed trees, like Camphor Laurel, on his gully property. So, in December, he was proud to show me what looked like Koala scratches on a tree restored to the habitat only five years ago. This was an exciting find and now with this weeks photos we have confirmation that Koalas are not only active in the wildlife corridor but also breeding successfully. We also received another report this week of a Koala sighted high in a tree beside the footpath to the Griffith University Bus Station.
Ringtail Possum Pseudocheirus pereginus
Restoration of this key wildlife corridor is now supported by seventeen property owners whose backyards include the gully and community members committed to restoring habitat for Koalas, birds, butterflies, frogs and native bees.
Restoration of the of the wildlife corridor is having a positive effect as shown by the number of Koala sighting as well as increasing other wildlife. At the top end of the gully, Roger and Margaret have a family of Ringtail Possums Pseudocheirus pereginus living in the top of staghorn ferns. Just before Christmas a mother with two babies on her back was sighted and Friday Margaret called to say the father had been disturbed from his staghorn nest when Roger was hosing.
Note his spiky hair and spiky attitude as he cleans water off his coat.
Please be patient with these cute creatures if they eat some of your fruit. During the 1950’s Common Ringtail Possum populations severely declined in numbers. Currently populations seem to have recovered but they are at risk of attack by cats loose at night.
Unlike Brushtail Possums Trichosurus vulpecula, Ringtails tend to avoid house ceilings, preferring to nest in trees or the tops of staghorns, so they are not considered pests in suburban areas.d
We host international students at times and today we received a note from the Japanese student who will be living with us during February. One thing she was very clear about: “I want to see a Koala.” With latest sighting, reported this week, of a Koala in a tree beside the footpath leading to Griffith University Bus Station there is an increasing chance that she will see a Koala on the way to university.
It really is fun to watch international students/visitors when they see a Koala just sitting (usually sleeping) in a tree or an Echidna walking across the track … and not a zoo keeper in sight. The most amazing experience though was watching Jian, an international student from Shanghai, when he came face to face with a Koala right on our back deck.
Southern Star – January 16, 2013
You can get involved with bush restoration, reporting any Koala sightings on Koala Tracker or simply slowing down and reporting sick or injured wildlife to 1300 ANIMAL 24/7.
The Southern Star interview with Adrian Schrinner and Natalie Forrest is very valuable in building community awareness. However, it is not only out at Gumdale and Chandler that we need to be increasing careful if we want to have Koalas living in our backyards. We have had one Koala killed on Klumpp Road and another rescued on Creek Road after a car strike.
Media Statement – funding approved for self-guided walks in the bush – Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve
By: Michael Fox
Support of an Everyone’s Environment Grant will allow us to open Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve to the community in a completely new way.
As the Minister’s media release says, 2013 will be busy as the concept is to duplicate the popular self-guided Summit Track walk for the whole walking track network in the Reserve.
A partnership with Brisbane City Council will see the installation of station markers at points
Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve walking tracks
of interest. Mt Gravatt Environment Group will research the flora, fauna and geology while drawing on the knowledge of groups such as Mt Gravatt Historical Society to present the human story of the mountain.
The first stage of research has already been completed as Jon and Karla Henry have used GPS technology to map the walking tracks including some of the relatively unknown tracks like the link from the Scout Hall on Logan Road.
“The degree to which community involvement at a voluntary level enhances the life of the residentsof Mansfield is immense. In addition to the P&Cs, Meals on Wheels, Neighbourhood Watch and sportinggroups—go the Vultures—are groups like the Mount Gravatt Environment Group, which does a magnificent job looking after Mount Gravatt and its environs …” Ian Walker MP, Maiden Speech to Queensland Parliament
I also acknowledge the valuable advice and support provided by, the often forgotten, department members in both, the state Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, and BCC Local Asset Services.
The outlook for Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve is looking good with good rain forecast through to February which will greatly enhance the habitat restoration at our Bushcare sites.
Rainbow Lorikeet chicks – click on photo to see colour of new feathers
When we first confirmed the chicks had hatched we were not sure that they were Rainbows but one week on there is now no doubt as their colours develop. Click on the photo to enlarge.
We have also had another Koala report this week from Ramita Street near Ekibin Creek.
Geoff and Jeanette are proud of our community and take great pride in their part of the Fox Gully corridor. So it is understandable that they get a bit frustrated with the careless behaviour of individuals rubbishing our streets, particularly when that rubbish will be washed into peaceful Mimosa Creek.
Changing the behaviour of individuals waiting for a bus stop can be difficult. However, an important step is to ensure that there is a simple alternative for disposing of their drink bottle or chip packet.
Mimosa Creek – Roly Chapman Reserve
Cr Krista Adamshas now committed Council to ensuring that the bin is emptied regularly and possibly replaced with a larger bin. Ideally a combination rubbish recycling bin.
Mimosa Creek, Roly Chapman Reserve just behind PCYC.
Alan Moore, workshop leader 2012 Photography Workshop, has generously provided comment on results achieved by workshop participants 2012 Photography Workshop – Comments
Alan has also demonstrated the enhanced results that can be achieved with tools like Photoshop. The original and adjusted photos are presented side by side with Alan’s comments.
A selection of participants’ images of the forest is now available as our 2013 Photo Calendar. Upper Mt Gravatt Worldwide Online Printing has done an amazing job putting to together a high quality product.
Purchase of calendars will contribute to restoration of the unique Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve.
Mount Gravatt Environment Group 
