August 19, 2016
By: Michael Fox
Join Group Leader Liz and the team for the next working bee at Roly Chapman Bushcare site … lots of fun clearing weeds and morning tea.
Location: Carson Lane behind Upper Mt Gravatt State School
Date: 11 September 2016
Time: 8:30 to 10:30am
August 11, 2016
By: Michael Fox
Photos: Alan Moore
Sunday morning 31 July and one hundred and thirteen volunteers have arrived for 2016 National Tree Day. So I took one team to tackle the Creeping Lantana Lantana montevidenses while Sue Jones organised the other team to start the planting. The teams swapped jobs after morning tea.
Lantana Busters hard at work clearing 1,600 square metres of Creeping Lantana
Creeping Lantana is a major weed threat in Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve. Lantana competes for native plants for scarce water reserves and nutrients, physically smothers other plant and the chemicals in Lantana have a significant negative effects on native plant species.
The Lantana Busting teams cleared an amazing 1,600 square metres with one group raking the weed into long swales to manage erosion and retain water while others followed up, hand pulling the remaining roots. I explained that once the roots are removed the Lantana can be left piled up without regrowing. Slow, detailed but amazingly effective work. I showed the teams the natural regeneration of native grasses: Pademelon Grass Oplismenus imbecillis and Creeping Beard Grass Oplismenus aemulus, Tufted Scleria Scleria mackaviensis (native sedge) and Slender Grape Cayratia clematidea (native vine). Nature works 24/7 to build on our work and the forest will regenerate naturally if we clear the weeds.
Over with the planting team it was all action, lots of smiles and a big job in hand. This year the team is building on the work from 2015 National Tree Day with in-fill planting of 564 creepers, grasses, shrubs and trees to provide safe habitat and food for small forest birds, including nectar, pollen, insects and seeds. 2016 National Tree Day Planting List
Like last year, this was real cross-cultural event with the Griffith Mates Bushcare Team, Ahmadiyya Muslim Association and Alpha Phi Omega teams returning. This year we welcomed a new team representing carbon neutral energy supply company Viridian Energy Australia. Viridian team members traveled from the Sunshine and Gold Coasts to join us making a practical contribution carbon sequestration to protect our children’s future.
And the kids were there digging in to build their own future. Kids love digging in dirt and look at the skill development! Let’s invite these future builders back for 2017 National Tree Day.
All that hard work deserves some tea and bikkies and time to learn about our native bees from Len Kann.
I show Ross Vasta and his son an Acacia Falcata planted in 2015 and already flowering.
Of course events like this are not possible without the strong support we receive from our local, state and federal politicians. We were pleased to welcome Ross Vasta MP, Federal Member for Bonner and Jo Kelly MP, State Member for Greenslopes.
Ian Walker MP, State Member for Mansfield and Cr Krista Adams, Councillor for Holland Park both wanted to attend but had other prior commitments.
Event supported by:
BCC Habitat Brisbane
Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee (B4C)
Planet Ark National Tree Day
Peaks to Points Festival
An amazing event – see Stats below, and importantly it looks like 2017 National Tree Day will be even bigger with all the teams and local community members telling me they want to come back.
Stats:
115 participants including two BCC Habitat Brisbane team members
273.5 volunteer hours
564 plants
1,600 square metres of Creeping Lantana cleared.
August 8, 2016
Griffith Mates Partners
By: Michael Fox
Photos: Kate Flink
OWeek Semester 2 2016
It is always a pleasure to lead a guided walk with our Griffith Mates partners, sharing some of the surprising relationships between different plants and between plants and the animals that depend on them for food and shelter.
Many of the students who join the walk are international so it is a great opportunity to introduce these visitors to our unique bushland. Unfortunately no Koalas spotted this time.
Walking Acacia Way we discussed the importance of tree hollows for nesting and the curious Allocasuarina: male trees have russet (red-brown) flowers on tips of leaves and female trees have red ball flowers growing directly from the branches.
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Stopping at the interpretative sign I used the QR code to bring up the online video of a Striated Pardalotte Pardalotus striatus with its “chip-chip” call on my iPhone. As soon as the birds high in the trees head the call they started to respond with their own calls.
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Discussing Settlers Flax
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Settlers Flax Gymnostachys anceps has an interesting history of use by indigenous people and white settlers:
“Fibres were used to make fishing line. There are records of use as string by Europeans (to bind and carry pigs by the feet).” Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN)
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After visiting Fox Gully Bushcare site we spent time clearing Creeping Lantana Lantana montevidenses.
July 17, 2016
By: Michael Fox
Koala Phascolarctos cinereus breeding season is August to February and we already have three sighting this month, so it is a good time to remind walkers to keep their dogs on leash within the Reserve. As this sighting report highlights:
Koala sighted – station marker 5
“Walking on the mountain yesterday around 10.30 proved exciting: two Koalas on the Summit Track. The first was sitting in a fork directly above the 5th guided walk sign-post. The second had actually climbed down from a tree, walked along the track before climbing back up a tree about four steps from the top of the flight up the western side of the mountain on the Summit Track, where it promptly started feeding. Two in one day really proves we have at least two koalas on the mountain! We think the ones we saw were both young.
Koala sighted walking Summit Track
“As an aside; the woman who saw the Koala climb down and walk the track before climbing back up had a rather large dog, firmly on a lead. We congratulated her for having the dog under control. Poor Koala would not have stood a chance had the dog been free.” Alison
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BCC information on Dogs and Koalas: identifies that Koalas are under threat of extinction. Koalas are now listed as vulnerable in Queensland under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and also in the South East Queensland bio-region under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Queensland was once home to millions of Koalas. However, the BCC estimates that now there may be as few as 100,000 left in existence statewide. Koalas were still being hunted in Queensland in the 1920s, since that time habitat clearing and road trauma have been the have been the most significant threat with dog attacks number three.
“In 1927 in Queensland, the country’s final, but highly controversial month-long hunt known as Black August, more than 800,000 koalas were killed.” Rural Weekly
Koalas are now breeding in Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve so we have a second chance to keep this unique and iconic species as part of our community.
“80 percent of koalas attacked by dogs die from their injuries” Moggill Koala Hospital – cited in BCC Dogs and Koalas
Koalas live here – dogs visit Keep your dog on leash while walking in the Reserve and help us protect and grow the Koala population.
Your dog wants to play off-leash? Visit Abbeville Street Park.
Koala sightings since January 2016
July 10, 2016
By: Michael Fox
Boobook Owl box
The success of the first ten nest-boxes installed at the Fox Gully Bushcare has confirmed our research which showed the lack of suitable breeding hollows in trees.
The nest-boxes were installed in October 2012 and since then Squirrel Gliders Petaurus norfolcensis have been breeding and now two Glider families occupy five boxes. The first tenant in the boxes was a Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula in the Kookaburra box at the junction of the Geebung Track and the Farm Fire Trail. She has since raised two joeys and if you look into the box from the Geebung Track you will see her curled up asleep.
Kookaburras took over the Bookbook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae box and have raised two clutches of chicks. Rainbow Lorikeets Trichoglossus haematodus have raised chicks in the Lorikeet/Rosella boxes.
Play spot the nest-box when you walk the Geebung Track with your kids.
What species uses what box?
Squirrel Glider or Scaly-breasted Lorikeet box
Mammals:
Micro-bats (three species identified in Reserve)
Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis
Birds
Also keep an eye out for birds creating nest hollows in the trees.
Just last week I photographed a pair of Sulphur-creasted Cockatoo Cacatua galerita clearing out a hollow where a branch has broken from a Spotted Gum Corymbia citriodora v variegata.
July 9, 2016
By: Michael Fox
Our Koalas becoming a tourist attraction for Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve:
Levi “Eagle Eyes” Koala
“Today my son and I went for a walk through the Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve and headed on down to Fox Gully to look at your handy work. It’s looking great including all the nest boxes around the area. On the way back I gave my ‘eagle eyes’ son, Levi, a challenge to spot a koala. To my great delight within a minute or two he succeeded! I have attached a photo – not a great one as it was very high up – look for the bump in the second fork up! Thank you for inspiring me to improve my own garden (kookaburra box is up and fingers are crossed!) and for everything that you do for nature.”
See Koala adventures Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve
July 9, 2016
By: Michael Fox
“After a community barbecue on Australia Day afternoon, a group of us wandered into the enchanting Toohey Forest to admire the work of Mount Gravatt Environment Group. While we checked out the breeding boxes that had been built for squirrel gliders, my wife captured this photo of our daughters playing and laughing together, enjoying the Australian bush. As much as these two precious souls belong to us, they also belong to a community and a place where they feel free and safe, exploring the beauty of nature. Watching their delight brings us such joy.” Scott
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Proud Miranda with her photo chosen to be part of the State Library’s Belonging in Queensland mural
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Miranda’s amazing photo is like a modern day Frederick McCubbin, capturing the spirit of the Australian bush in the same special way.
June 11, 2016
By: Michael Fox
Fox Gully neighbours Miranda, Scott and children, Freya and Clementine, had a special wildlife experience today.
Walking the Geebung Track just near the National Tree Day planting site the family spotted a Koala Phascolarctos cinereus on the ground beside a tree. They managed to get a special photo of the Koala reaching up to climb a tree.
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Koala beside Geebung Track
The family’s sighting has been added to Koala Tracker and our Google Earth map of wildlife sightings.
Koala sightings 2016
Koala in Tallowwood
8 June 2016
Healthy-looking Koala at Gertrude Petty Place
He (or she) was in a large Tallowwood between public housing at 59 Gosford Street and footpath from Gertrude Petty Place to Federation Outlook this afternoon. Was quite high up so this is the best I could do with my Iphone.
Also two quite large microbats patrolling GPP at 5.15pm tonight.
Sue Jones
Koala – Federation Track
23 April 2016
Griffith Mates – Lantana Busters
Our Griffith Mates bushcare partners were very happy to find a Koala beside the Federation Track heading down to Granby Street.
Koala – Federation Track
17 April 2016
Koala along Federation Track
We are sighting a koala bear for last two weeks, during a trek to Mount Gravatt lookout.
Today, we sighted them on top of a eucalyptus tree 100m from carpark near Logan Road entry. Last week, sighted them near Federation lookout.
Attaching pictures of the same to inform respective authority.
Vittal
Koala – Ekibin Creek – P. Demmers
9 April 2016
Koala – Ekibin Creek Pollinator Link
Koala – Fox Gully
Koala – Fox Gully Pollinator Link
Maria, Matt and their children often find Koalas in the trees right behind their house.
In January 2013 the family had a Koala mum and joey visiting.
Photo: Maria Hill
May 29, 2016
Southern Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae
By: Michael Fox
The Mt Gravatt Walking Group spotted this handsome Southern Boobook Owl Ninox novaeseelandiae along the Summit Track on Friday morning. Photo: Tony Ashworth
While I hear the Bookbook’s “boo-book” call regularly this is the first sighting reported so I was very excited when Tony and the group joined us at the small bird habitat planting.
I have updated the Birds files in our Flora & Fauna of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve lists with Tony’s photos.
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Tree Water Spider Dendrolycosa icadia
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The Tree Water Spider Dendrolycosa icadia with its curious funnel shaped web is a new addition to Spiders in Flora & Fauna of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve.
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Tree Water Spider web
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Long-leaved Mock-olive Notelaea longifolia
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Long-leaved Mock-olive Notelaea longifolia is an addition to our Tree-Shrub species found in Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve.
May 22, 2016
By: Michael Fox
Alan Moore introduced contre jour
At our 2016 Photography Workshop Alan Moore introduced us to a new way of seeing the bush around us … contre jour: French for “against daylight”, a technique in which the view is directly toward a source of light. A form of photography artistry Alan related to French impressionists like Claude Monet.
Alan challenged participants to experiment with their camera’s manual settings like aperture and exposure before sending them out on assignment to see nature in a new light.
Fiona
Katrina
Kate
Dana
Lyn
Jude
Gregg
Greg
Margaret
Nat
Marie
Tricia
Fiona
Tony
Maree
Toni
Report Koala sightings
Sheamus O'Connor - Young Citizen of the Year 2012
Environmental Protection Award - Brisbane's Spotless Suburbs
Mount Gravatt Environment Group 
